esson 55: The Investiture of the Stone

Part Five of Five

dream of a five-pointed star within a circle. Inside the star is a "V" and I think of Talesin. The pentagram is engraved on a pendant, and I turn it over to see a yin/yang symbol. Where did it come from? I bet Talesin slipped it to me. I look up and see Merlin smiling at me. "Look what I have!" I say, and show it to him, explaining the symbolism. "I've heard about you and the Treasures of Britain, so I'm sure you know better than anyone that 'all that glitters is not gold.' Let me show you *my* treasures," I say excitedly. As I dump the contents of my bag on the ground, I tell him: "My husband calls me the 'Thingfinder.' But these things were given to me willingly! I'm humbled by the generosity of those in this realm"

"Look, I have a 'holy stone' from the Washer at the Ford, to help focus on what's important. The Grail Hermit gave me a mix of herbs for a refreshing and reviving tea. These two feathers are from the Star Hawk--one from himself and one from a rooster--to help me sing and fly with joy. And now this pendant from Talesin, which I never even saw before! Wow, I've got quite a collection of treasures, don't you think?"

As I lay these items out on Merlin's table, the Stone reappears where it disappeared before. As it glows into material form, I notice the snow melting on the path to the castle. It turns into a small stream, as the water runs down the hill and through the valley. Thus is the path exposed, and it's paved with alternating white and black stones glowing just like the Stone.

[At this point, I paused, and wrote "What the Stone Hallow means to me"]

As I look at the path, I feel drawn to it, the same way one feels drawn to the altar in a great cathedral. Merlin places the Stone on the ground before me, and I instinctively kneel reverentially on it.

"I dedicate myself on this Stone to uphold the land and maintain its Law. I promise to do my best to be guided by the Law: to take care of the physical while enabling it to take care of itself; to balance motion and rest; to take care of basics before indulging in luxuries; to fulfill my responsibilities; to support and nurture those around me; to play fair and to help others; to accept transition stoically; to keep a perspective on value of things; to honor and enjoy the simple bliss in what Mother Nature provides; to gaze in silent wonder at the stars; to protect and propagate life; to respect my roots . . . and branches . . . and leaves."
["To play fair and strive to win. But, win or lose, I will always do my best." = >]

I rise and Merlin picks up the Stone and hands it to me, indicating the path with a tilt of his head. I gaze into his 'old soul' eyes, see myself there and, without another word, I turn and walk away. I carry the Stone up the path, feeling energetic and light on my feet. (There is literally light on my feet too, as the path is glowing!) Entering the Stone Castle, I see an ornate throne in the center of the room⁸. I place the Stone in the seat of the chair. Looking at it, I impulsively sit down. Then I hear a hawk cry and a rooster crow at the same time, and find myself in the Home Realm, sitting on the couch.

What the Stone Hallow means to me.

Even though everything changes, it acts and occurs on a solid base--Universal Law.

The Law of the Stone Realm is Natural Law--part of Universal Law. [Other parts might include Spiritual Law, i.e. Love; Creative Law, i.e. something from something; &c.]

Natural Law includes growth and cycles, transition, science, conservation and transfer of energy, principles of matter, survival, endurance, comfort, the human animal, that hawk outside and the currents that he rides, 'things' and their relative value, light and dark, astronomy, physical activity and rest, gravity, instinct, the rules of the game, (the right) shoes, nourishment, luxury, work, reward/harvest, wilderness, cities, homes, coffee and tea and wine and beer, birds and bees, eternity, relatives, communities, food and preparing food and eating, traditions, assets and accumulations, (Eat drink and be merry, 'cause you can't take it with you.), the structure of cycles within cycles, the five sense and everything experienced through them--all the simple and complex wonders of life, matter, motion, time and space.

Knowledge of Natural Law is the Wisdom of the Stone.

(Now, where was I?)