esson 55: The Investiture of the Stone

Part Two of Five

n the road, I meet David, the Stone Knight. He dismounts and gives me a big hug. "You know," I tell him, "I've always been fortunate to have a man like you in my life. A fuzzy bear to watch out for me. I'm very happy to see you again." (Bunny Bob's image flashes before my eyes. All the big-brother, down to earth, affectionate, protector types I've known parade through my mind.¹)
"I'm glad to see you too," he says. "I've made something for you." He presents me with a wooden disk.²

On one side, a star within a circle is carved (resembling a RW Pentacle). I turn it over, and see a slightly smaller disk attached via a rivet in the center of the two. The smaller disk has an oval-shaped hole in it, through which I can see dots carved on the other disk. The rim of the inner disk is divided into 24 segments. The rim of the outer disk is divided into 12 segments. Each rim is painted half white and half black. The inner rim represents hours of the day; it is white on the right and black on the left, dividing day and night at midnight and noon. The outer segment represents months of the year; it is white on the top and black on the bottom.

The larger disk is painted on this side, but the design is only visible through the hold in the smaller disk, which turns. It is a black background with different sized dots carved into it, and these are painted white. Around the hole are carved four letters: N E S W.

Examining the design, my eyes are drawn to one dot in particular which seems to be the largest, right in the center of the hole. To the right of that, I see a pattern I recognize . . .
"It's Sirius and Orion!" I exclaim. Looking more closely, I see the constellations of the winter sky.

"This is how the sky appeared at midnight when we met," he explains. If you turn it, you can see how the sky looks anytime during the year. But, as you can see, I've marked this special alignment." He shows me where two lines meet on the rims, marking midnight on that cold January night.³

"How cool! You must have an amazing knowledge of the stars to be able to make something like this!"
"Umm, I've just spent a lot of nights out under them."
"Do you have a home, or do you just wander around all the time?"
"Oh, I have a home--and I take it everywhere I go!"
We have a good laugh over that, then ride together to Stone Four . . .

We reach the hill, but the treasure cache is closed up. A single red ruby remains, lying on the grass beside the hill. David picks it up: "I got rid of all that stuff," he says. "But I left this piece of my heart here, since it belongs to you." He places it in my hand, and folds my hand in his.
"You are so sweet," I tell him. "I will sure miss you, but I know you'll be around, and I'll see you again."
"You can count on it," he replies, and gives me a big bear hug to last until then, and we go our separate ways.

After leaving him, I'm sad, and the sky begins to reflect my feelings and it starts to rain. I come upon Stone Five. On the spot where I found the dead bird before, there now lies a quite large moonstone. I pick it up and duck quickly through the 'gate' in the stone . . .

. . . which brings me to the Grail Hermit's glade.
"Ah, welcome back!" he greets me. "Come, rest yourself."
I sit on a nearby stump. "How can you stay so isolated when there are so many wonderful people in this realm?" I ask.
"Well, I do have visitors! My remoteness has its advantages. For one thing, if someone troubles themselves to come out here, I know they are sincerely wanting to see me. My solitude gives me the opportunity to learn to help them, and also makes me appreciate company more than if I would be around people every day. And there are no distractions, so I can give all my attention to visitors."
"It's so nice and peaceful here. I think I would enjoy such a lifestyle," I say.
"No, you wouldn't," he replies. "You're too much of a social animal. But peace doesn't depend on environment, my friend."

He comes over to me, placing his hands on my shoulders and looking at me, and says: "Don't be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication--along with thanksgiving--let your petitions be made known to God."

He places his hands on my head and bows my head and his own. "May the peace of God that excels all understanding dwell in your heart and mind, guarding them." He helps me to rise and I join him for tea before departing. He asks me to greet the Stone Queen for him, and gives me a gift to take to her.