SHORT ASTRAL FLING AND A FUNERAL

This should have been posted yesterday morning, January 30th...


As I was preparing breakfast just now I had a flash of my dreams from last night. I have no idea how they relate to each other - but here are the images:

1. Another OOB, I find myself walking down the hallway between the bedroom and living room. At that instant I realize I`m in astral. I quickly lift up and float to the balcony door and try to go through it. It's difficult, so I pull back and try again. I succeed, but remember nothing more of this experience.

2. A rather creepy image of me being very sick. I'm lying on the floor on top of a shroud. There is a person leaning over me, speaking in soft tones, and I am aware that I am surrounded by many tiny people who are scurrying to get me wrapped up. I express concern that I'm not dead yet and am told (now I'm seeing everything through the weave of the gray shroud material) that I will be soon, and it will be a very gentle passing. I totally disagree and angrily begin to tear away the fabric from my face. 

Like I said - creepy!

A CAMPING COMMUNITY

I am travlling with some people by car.  It is getting dark and we stop off at a camping site. I get a bed in a lovely spacious cabin, where I am put in a room by myself.  Very quickly, I make myself at home, and totally lose track of my travelling companions.

Once I get settled in, I go outside.  The campsite seems strangely empty - there is only one man sitting on the bench.  Instead of green grass, everything is blighted, the trees stand naked against a sky that's streaked with gray upon gray skuttling clouds.  Instead of feeling frightened, I become exhilirated in the brisk wind that seems to blow from everywhere at at once.  I raise my arms as the lightning streaks light up the roiling clouds, and begin to dance across the brown grass that crunches beneath my bare feet.  At one point my hand brushes against a bush and I find thorns dotting my palm and fingers.  Still laughing and dancing, I finally come to where the man is sitting, watching me silently.  With a gasp, I sit down next to him and tell him how much I love the drama of the clouds.  He says nothing, but smiles gently in understanding.

I sense that some time has gone by, like a fast-forward button, and I am now part of the life in this little camping community.  There are many children there, and some adults have taken to instructing them in various things.  Most of the teaching takes place along the winding trails, where the children learn about the wild herbs, stones and birds.  I begin to tell them about the sky, and the heavenly bodies around us.  

Cabins grow into lodges as more people join us.  I feel as though I am truly, finally home...

AROUND THE WORLD...

Last night's dream had me transported to other lands and cultures.  There was aways a bit of edge to them, as though a wrong word or gesture would put me into danger.  Here's what I can remember

Scene 1 - I am in a huge theatre or arena, it is filled with people and all of them are dressed in rich Tudor outfits.  My gown is of deep yellow silk with a quilted bodice, and beaded with pearls and yellow stones.  Somehow I feel as though I am an outsider, even though outwardly, I fit in with everyone else.  As I begin to walk to the bottom of the theatre, closer to the stage, I slip and suddenly see that the entire aisle is filled with slippery snow.  Too late!  I slide down this trecherous ski hill.  I am relieved to see that I'm not hxourt, but am not happy that I drew attention to myself.  It's almost impossible for me to get to the top again, because my shoes are simply not made for such a steep climb on the icy surface.  Other people are forming relay lines to help others, but none offer to help me.  I get a distinct sense that I everyone knows that I have been disgraced in some way and is avoiding even looking at me directly, all the while commenting softly behind my back.  I draw myself up proudly and holding onto the seats, I start making my way out of there.

Scene 2 - I am now in a country of hot climate in front of a huge white mansion.  The grounds are beautifully tended to, and there are large shade trees all around the gardens which are filled with exotic flowers.  I am holding onto a small girl, about 5 years old, whose blond hair is divided into three tiny ponytails on each side of her head.  It's important I keep her safe.  Beside us is a dark skinned bearded man, wearing a sapphire blue silk turban, tunic and pants.  I sense that he's our guardian, and without him we would not be able to enter the building.  I turn to the little girl and tell her how beautiful her curls are, trying to ensure she feels safe.  We walk towards the grand entrance, and I notice it is well guarded by a couple of tall men - their skins are so black they reflect almost blue and pick up on the same blue uniforms my guide is wearing.  They are also carrying rifles, and give off such an aura of brutal competance that it leaves me no doubt at all that had we not been escorted, we would have been shot dead on the spot.  

Scene 3 - Entering the mansion, we are greeted by women dressed in gorgeous saris of all different jewel colours.  Somehow the little girl is taken from me, but I know now she is safe.  The man bows politely at the door and leaves.  I realize that this is a woman's dwelling, and here in the cool halls of white marble dotted with sparkling fountains, the women can relax and be themselves - it's a haram!  I am shown to my room - just as beautiful and luxurious as I would imagine it to be - but am rather distressed when I cannot find any toothpaste either in my bag or in the sauna-like wasroom.  I go search for some, delighting in the serene presence of the other gracious women around me.  One gives me a tube, and tells me I must hurry.  She also gives me a sari of deep blue bordered with gold, and offers to assist me in putting it on.  Although I know how to wear this attire, I accept her offer, as a sign of bonding and good-will.

Scene 4 - I am out on a street with another man.  It's another hot country, but more dry and dusty.  There are animals like mules here, and the people are wearing brightly patterned cotton garments.  I recognize this as a desert community in Africa, just as I recognized that I was in India before.  We are sitting on a blanket that once was white, but is now gray with dust, with the red stripes that somehow managed to remain bright.  There are some ceremac bowls in front of us containing fruit and bread - all local stuff.  I relax and stretch my legs in front of me as I reach for a fig, and suddenly realize that in doing so, I have impeded a small motor vehicle from going along the road.  I hastily draw back and realize that I have done something very wrong - the driver is very angry with me.  In fact, the car is now turning around and coming back for us.  The driver, I'm very surprised to see, is an caucasian woman wearing army fatigues.  Her long curly red-blond hair pinned back at the nape of her neck.  She gets out brandishing a handgun and a knife.  But even before I see these weapons, I begin a string of apologies, which my male companion is echoing.  This pacifies her quickly and she tells me that she's just tired of the inconsideration a lot of people are showing her these days.  "You speak English!", she says, as though suddenly recognizing my own ethnic origin.  I find her crude and loud, but am relieved to see that I'm no longer in danger of being harmed.  In fact, she now promises to protect me, although in this country, the only sign of danger was from her.

Scene 5 - I am now whisked to another very large building in the mountains that is full of delegates from all over the world.  Again, I notice their beautiful ethnic garb - predominantly Indian, Oriental, and African - and am very pleased with my own appearance in the blue and gold sari.  It is a conference that will do much to promote world peace and harmony. As we mingle and the small groups begin to form, from one corner of the elegant hall, I hear chanting begin..."Nam Moy Ho Ren Ge Quo..."  The Buddhist chant of peace...

A New Office & Magickal Atlas

I am with a group of people and we are moving into a new office space.  With a thrill of recognition, I see that we are in a space I worked in before with the Hamilton Folk Arts Heritage Council.  This organization has moved down the hall, and I make a mental note to go visit them at my earliest opportunity.

The inner room seems much larger than I remember it, and we make the decision to make this a multi-purpose room, which would include a boardroom, lunch room, and a library.  I love the soft beige carpet, long conference table and chairs, comfortable leather couch, an AV unit, and bookshelves.  I am occupied in putting the books into these units when I come across a very interesting book.  It's an atlas, and is much larger than the other books, and, oh my!  It's magickal!  I open it to the map of South America, and more specifically a page showing the Amazon River, and the page came life!  A photo of a deep gorge in a dark emerald of the jungle, and the sparkling crystal waters plunging over the gorge - down, down, down the page.  I trace it with my finger, not at all surprised to feel the droplets settle on my skin, and get a strong feeling of being pulled into the ever enlarging scene.  I pull back - not quite scared, just not ready for this adventure.  The picture becomes just a picture and I am back in the office.

Someone calls me to the front reception area, asking if I could help with the set-up of computer stations.  I notice there is no rug here, just a utilitarian tile, making it easy to move the desks to optimum layout.  The Atlas is on my mind and I make another mental note to explore this book as often as I can.

A COLLAGE OF IMAGES, VOODOO VEVE

Last night's dreams were layered like a collage - a surreal swirl of images -


I am holding onto a large toad.  It's clinging onto me as though it's my baby and becomes very nervous when anyone else comes around.


... in a house that until a short while ago was occupied by many friends, like a college student house.  Now, we're all moving out and going our separate ways.  It's a bitter-sweet time  - while we're all laughing, we're also crying as we say our farewells.  A man enters, and I'm struck not only by how familiar he looks, but also by his strong presence.  I recognize him, much to my surprise, as Aerosmith's lead singer, Steven Tyler, who has come to pick up his daughter, Liv.  I greet him politely and show him to what remains of the living room and ask if wants some tea or perhaps the room his daughter stayed in?  He laughs and says he needs to record some notes, and takes out a small recording device, stretches himself on the couch and I leave him to his work.


...walking around a pond looking for my toad...


...night falls, I am in a forest, hearing laughter from a house I can't actually see...


...veve - I am suddenly seeing a vision - a piece of white fabric with symbols on it, and am suddenly inside that house.  It is decorated with skulls, candles, incense and roses, and drumming is heard from another room.  People greet me as though I was a long-lost sister, and usher me into a large room.  It's obvious that a ritual is just about to commence.  I see that scroll hanging up prominently like a banner - white with black markings.  My heart soars along with the drumming, and I call out "Papa Legba - welcome, Papa Legba!", as my feet begin to move in a sensuous dance ...


... I am explaining to someone what a veve is and how it captures the essence of the Lua  by it's representation... 

FIGHTING BEARS & OTHERS, ENCOUNTERS AT AN EATERY

Yeay!! I finally had a dream last night I can record!! 

Yesterday, I recorded that I vaguely remembered being torn between two magical camps - last night seemed to be a continuation of that - in one I a part of an army that's battling toy bears. Yes, toy bears, carrying tiny swords and muskets, being led by a brown bear that came up to my knee, but was taller by a head than the other bears. As cute as that seems, and I do recall laughing at the scenario, the fight is in deadly earnest.

The other camp is much more technological, although all weapons are powered by mental capacities I feel very out of place in both camps, because I do not want to fight at all...

I walk away from both groups and find myself in a line heading towards a cafeteria, and splitting a group of women. I apologize and make way for the woman, sporting a short, curly black hairdo, behind me to rejoin her companions, and am struck by her conversation. She is talking about going to a place where people are encouraged to eat with a dagger, and she is a very proud owner of a lovely blue steel blade. Somehow this reminds me of "Sting" from the Lord of the Rings, but instead ask her if she knows anything about the S.C.A. She says she does not, and the whole group invites me to join them so I can tell them more.

Before I can do that, I notice that there is a lineup at the front of the cafeteria/ restaurant, and tensions are rising among the patrons. I excuse myself from my group and step into the role of hostess, handing out menus and seating customers. I even find myself in a colonial style uniform - a long red flowered dress, mob cap and white apron. I feel puzzled, since I remember that I never worked in a restaurant before...

ORGANIZING AN EVENT...

I am with a couple of women (Amanda and Amy), and together we're busy putting going through papers and binders.  We are organizing a large event and and we're approaching this responsibility with a lot of chattering and giggling, along with many pots of tea among us.  In spite of the lighthearted attitude, we are getting a lot done and the organization is coming along smoothly.

Time passes forward and the event is now in progress.  Many people gather in a large park, where certain stations are set up.  The event is a multi-religious one, where representatives from all different religions talk about their path.  There is a feeling of deep cooperation and growing understanding as the festival unfolds. 

I am dressed in a beautiful gown of silver gray (and I do identify it as the one I just purchased!), and jewelry of lapis lazuli, lovely blue stones in a necklace, earnings and bracelet set in gold chains and clasps. (There is a back story about these pieces, but I am not sure what it is now, something to do with a dispute as to who they actually belonged to.) 

I walk up a grassy hill - the green almost a deep emerald - and around the back of a group listening to a young Catholic priest.  He's dressed in rich robes of gold and green.  Our eyes meet and we smile at each other as he continues to address the crowd.  I quietly walk down the hill and blend into the crowd.

-------- 

This dream again seems to speak in deep gem colours.  I was particularly struck by the lapis lazuli, because that's not a stone that I have paid much attention to before, but it was very specifically stated in the dream.  

PLAYING WITH MY GRANDDAUGHTER, RESORT VACATION

Oh, just remembered bits of my dream last night!

I am awakened by my granddaughter. She is much younger (around 5 years old) and has awakened early. Not having any concept of time, she begins to sing and dance while tripping over the blankets she's pulling off me. I get up and tell her she needs to sleep longer, but she'll have none of it. I finally give up and start playing with her.

The dream shifts to a different scene - I am registering into some resort, and am getting settled into the cabin (it has a feel of WiccanFest to it). Someone suggests I go for a swim, and I quickly change into my bathing suit. It's an indoor pool, which surprises me, since I do recall an outdoor one, and slide into the water. It feels very unpleasant. I start doing laps, but am very hesitant on getting my face wet. The light hits the water in just the right way for me to see that the pool has a greasy layer floating on top. I feel disgusted and get out of the pool as fast as I can. I wrap myself in a large towel and strip off the bathing suit off.

Still wrapped in the towel and on the way to my cabin, I meet two women who I now remember made it possible for me to come to this resort. They're apologizing for the condition of the pool, and I suddenly remember that my bathing suit is still on the floor of the change room. I tell them that I'm disappointed, but will try to enjoy myself for the remaining time, because everything else is going smoothly. I decide to leave the suit where it is, because I won't want to wear it again.

I wake up to one last image - a young man and I are sitting at a table playing some sort of game. We are laughing uproariously, and playfully punching each other on the shoulder, as though we are a couple of teenagers.

PARKS, FABRICS AND TIGERS, OH MY!!

I am in a park, and it's getting close to nightfall.  A young child joins me, and asks if he could walk with me, since he doesn't live that far from me.  I agree and take him by the hand.  Before we could go anywhere, two men approach us.  One of them has a rifle and the other a large flashlight.  In spite of their menacing appearance, I do not feel frightened, and tell them that we're just on our way home.  They go off on their patrol, leaving the boy and me to continue on our way.

It suddenly starts getting very cold, and by the time we reach a small hill, we see that it's all icy.  This terrifies me, because such "slippery slopes" become trecherous under my feet.  Nevertheless, I see a small patch of dry land to our left and divert our journey there.  Slowly and carefully, we make our way down and land in a pile of fabric scraps.  With a shock, I realize that it's all my fabrics which I threw out.  I recognize the burgundy velvet, and a number of satins as well as some checkered and plaid material.  When I pick these up I recall how a male friend tried on the outfit - a very Norse one - consisting of a pair of pants and a tunic.  I remember telling him that I still need to make a shirt to go under that tunic.

I tell the boy that we need to pick all this up and put it in the trash, so it wouldn't litter the place, and together we take armloads to the two bins that are not too far off.  I am dismayed to see that they're all filled up, and as we try and fit the scraps into the bins, the two men come by again.  One of them, seeing what we were up to, goes and fetches another bin and that takes care of the litter problem.

The dream shifts and it is now some time later.  I find myself on a train going on a trip.   My anticipation for a quiet and peaceful journey is cut short when a man comes by with his pet tiger.  The animal takes an instant liking to me, and settles itself on the empty seat next to me, while the man tells me I should not be afraid of petting it.  The tiger seems to just melt into my hand, as I hesitently put it out, and drops its huge head into my lap.  The man, who I now see is quite an eccentric character, dressed all in a colourful motley suit, laughs softly, and in spite of my fear, I suddenly feel distinctly honoured.

*******

Yes, I think this is a very good beginning to my dreams for the New Year!