esson 17c: Investiture of the Sword

eaving the warmth of the women, it's back into the swamp for me. I march determinedly through Sword Eight, stopping only briefly to pick up a green-yellow ribbon nearly lost in the grass. What used to seem restrictive in this place now looks like wide open space.

   Coming to the stockade at Sword Nine, I see that someone has 'prettied up' the severed heads with woman's makeup and hairdos. I guess it's not a bad enough disgrace to have one's head on a pole! Reminds me of the expression "putting on a brave face" or any number of other sayings meaning that when all is bleak, keep your chin up. Actually, it looks quite good, but the pink ribbon in the beard is just *too* much! I remove it from the dead head and add it to my collection, a reminder of how a bright outlook, even if it's a facade, can improve things.

   Now I'm back at the seat of justice, and I'm so happy to see the Sword King⁴ again that I almost want to run up and kiss him! I don't think he would appreciate it, but does he know how adorably dorky he looks with that Tin Man hat?
   Why does he look so stern and harsh, when his judgments promote peace and his service is for the love of mankind? I approach and ask him this.
   "The work of justice is never-ending! Case after case must I hear and decide. If only people would judge for *themselves*! Then maybe I could get a break!"
   I promise to work harder on my own poor judgment, and as a token of appreciation, or maybe to commemorate this promise, he gives me a gold coin. On one side is the Sword, and on the other side, my head with one of those dorky crowns. I hope I can keep in mind that these are two sides of the *same* coin, and not flip it to decide between what's right (sword side) and what I (my big head) want.

   I go to the towers of the Moon, and climb to the upper room, where I had previously set the white moth free. I sit in the shadowy light and contemplate. What happened to my dream child? Or, what will happen? Will I ever be in bright sunlight again?⁵ Why was the moth trapped here? Where is it now? How can I learn to tell the difference between things I should resist and things I should accept? &c.
   One thing I've learned, which I'm grateful (esp. to the Sword King) for, is that judgment and authority are *not* restricting or controlling, rather loving and guiding principles for harmony. When this is *not* the case, it is an abuse of power, probably brought about by man's ego and personal desire, a twisted illusion or reflection of these ideals. The truth shall set you free. I am blessed with someone who tries to guide me in doing the right thing. I often resent it, and see it as controlling, which leads to silly power struggles. From now on, I will try to see it as loving guidance and caring advice. And, if I disagree, I'll just say so, rationally.⁶

continue my journey through the Sword Realm and discover that I'm not the only one who's been traveling. I arrive at the Sword Castle to find the Lady of the Lake there. I realize that the Sword Realm, and not some otherworldly Avalon, is this Lady's domain. I have been a fosterling in her Mystery School, and now comes the final exam!
   I show her my journal, and discuss the blessings of understanding I have received. I have not really 'enjoyed' my time in this realm, but I'm glad to be coming through it a bit wiser. The lessons I've learned have been extremely valuable to me.

   And now I kneel before the Lady: "I dedicate myself to the Sword of Light, Truth and Justice. May it cut away all that is false within me. May it stand guard over my relationships with others and with the world, that I may treat all fairly, including myself. My conscience shall rule over my conscious so that I may 'do the right thing.' I will not put myself and my desires first, *neither* will I put them last! The Sword will give me strength to make a stand, and will point me toward justice."
   "You pass," says the Lady.⁷

   The bridge rises from the water and, after thanking her, I cross to the Sword Castle. I carry the Sword now, given me by the Lady. As I enter the Sword Castle, the Sword itself begins to levitate right out of my hand. It floats in the center of the room, about 6-ft in the air. And now I plainly see that its hilt forms an X! Ah yes, X marks the spot, indeed!

(4) The only court who's name I didn't learn. {back}

(5) We've had one or two days of sun in the past three weeks, and it hasn't reached 70 F degrees. Yes, in July! {back}

(6) "For those ruling are an object of fear, not to the good deed, but to the bad. Do you, then, want to have no fear of the authority? Keep doing good, and you will have praise from it; for it is God's minister to you for your good. But if you are doing what is bad, be in fear: for it is not without purpose that it bears the sword; for it is God's minister, an avenger to express wrath upon the one practicing what is bad." Romans 13:3-4

(7) Although she never told me her name, I think of her as "Maid Marion": 'Maid' as in woman without a man; 'Marion' as in Mary, also frequently associated with the High Priestess, and also Marion Zimmer Bradley. {back}