Post by SSaiYen on Sept 5, 2020 17:14:59 GMT
Beautiful is the sun shining over vast fields of wild greens. As I take my usual long walk along the familiar road, my senses are gratified and my spirit soars! Pungent scent of blooming tulips invades my every pore, succulent grass caresses my feet with every step that I take, and an ocean of wild thistles beckon to be picked.
Soon the sunlight will dim, giving way to gentle twilight, but I must start my journey early on, for the path is long and the time is fleeting. I am headed to the tallest mountain in the world, where the winds roam free and an old, wise man teaches alchemy and scribing. I often like to go to there, as it is the most perfect spot to watch the stars.
As darkness slowly wins over the light, I find myself fully engrossed in thoughts of the past. A sudden break in the silence - a loud cry of a bird, pulled me back into present. Instinctively looking around myself, my eyes catch a glimpse of a pale tan gown, a momentous vision... And next second it was all gone. Intrigued, I turn to the east, and alter my pre-established path. Alas, it seems that the twilight has played a trick on me. As I come to the exact spot where I thought I spotted someone it looks desolately empty. I almost turn away, but then suddenly, and as fleeting as before, I spot her again. This time the figure is clearer.. I see a taut figure of a woman, her brown hair in an intricate updo frame her face. She is wearing a simple, old fashioned gown... Could it be???
I pick up the pace and hurry to her, my heart pounding. Unexpected stumble over a small bush and I've lost the connection. She is gone again. Agitated, I turn and turn in hopes to catch her once again, running towards any and every sound. I move in circles. The flora around me becomes denser, and tree branches scrape my skin leaving lasting marks, but I do not care. I am determined to find her, my old teacher.
"Here", resonates in my head. I close my eyes and blindly follow the sound of her voice.
"Here", I hear again and again.
I open my eyes to a round well kept meadow. Massive, interwoven branches from the century-old trees hover around, framing the mysterious area. In the very center, there stands YumYum, a woman that long, long ago taught me the ways of the Diviner. She directs her gaze straight at me; her hand extended beckoning me to come forth. I stepped forth and noticed that although it was a deep night, the meadow is immersed in a bubble of light, and it seem to be strongest around YumYum. I pondered," How can this be"... And to that my teacher answered, "Eternal Balance, my dear. There's no light without darkness. There's no darkness without light." As I heard her voice, I noticed her lips were not moving... We were communicating with our mind. YumYum's head gave a nod. I took another step towards her.
"Past, Present and Future; connected into one thread,
no beginning and no end.
Don't let the past wither and turn to dust.
Look around, search within, you must."
With that, YumYum smiled and her body merged into the light. In a few moments, the bright light faded away, and the skies became seeded with stars. I laid down on the grass and fell asleep watching astral patterns and thinking about YumYum's riddled message.
As I opened my eyes, innocence of youthful eastern sun infused my soul with bright hopes. Looking around, I found myself surrounded by tall plants, something I've missed the previous night. Their lacy leaves flayed in the gentle wind, and the delicate white flowers moved rhythmically to a melody all of their own.
As I examined them closer, I've come to realize that these rows of plants are in fact the Yarrow. I noticed a couple of dried out bushes on the outskirts of the meadow... And it was then that I realized what YumYum meant with...
"Don't let the past wither to dust".
The Yarrow Stalks is an ancient, traditional method that was used many many years ago to consult Oracle or the Divine through an I-Ching reading. In our times now, most everyone, myself including, favor the ease and quickness of brass coins. Yet, it is Yarrow Stalks that provide the most accurate way to interpret the hexagrams formed and thus the best possible way to answer a given question.
I have cut a big bunch of Yarrow, and with my new-found treasure headed back home.
As I shared my vision with the Diviners, many wished to travel to the hidden meadow. Since then, we've attempted many such expeditions, but none yielded positive results. It seems that the place is sealed off by some mysterious forces. But, I hope that one day we will find it again.
Until then, I have made several sets of Yarrow Stalks from the plants I've collected, and am most willing to lend a set to whoever is patient enough to use this method.
Iruma
Grey Gwa-gu Oracle
Celestial guide to the stars
The original Coocoomancer