esson 29a: Investiture of the Spear

escending Arthur's mountain on the opposite side, I enter the woods, where I spy a large orange butterfly. I've never seen anything like it and I follow, watching her. There is a nip in the air, and a few less leaves on the trees now, as the onset of autumn approaches. Focused on the butterfly, I trip on a tree root and fall. The Spear Maiden appears out of the trees and helps me up.
   "Moonchild," she says, "be careful! It's nice that you appreciate beautiful and wondrous things, but don't be so concentrated on them that you lose your footing in the 'real world.' Fire is useful, but if not used properly and contained, it can burn the earth."
   "That's hooey and you know it," I tell her. "It's nice that you want to give me good advice, but you don't really care about 'properly' or 'contained,' do you? You and I want to burn higher, faster and brighter! Damage control can come later. That's better than 'be careful' any day.
   "Fire is the animating element, the Light of Life! The Moon is in her fullest glory when she stands in the full light of the Sun, and reflects that light onto the earth. Otherwise, we don't ever see her! As her child, I live to burn, to shine, to shower sparks across the world! And if it gets too hot, well, I'll feel right at home--ALIVE! And if I skin my knee, well, I'll heal. Pass me the torch--I want to go higher, faster, farther."
   A grin spreads over her face, and she holds out her hand; in her palm rests a stone. I take it from her and see that it is a tiger eye, with a bright, spearhead-shaped center surrounded by sparks twinkling in the sunlight. She grabs me in a hearty embrace, saying, "You pass. Go get 'em, Tiger!" She kisses me on each cheek, then dashes off back into the woods.

   Now I'm all fired up and ready for another bright journey through the Spear Realm. Coming to the edge of the woods, I release the hawk from his servile bondage. He soars away with a joyful cry. Will he ever return? That's for him to decide, and it doesn't have to be today. Right now, he can just ride the thermals and worry about later later. By the post of his perch, I find a slender blue taper, the same color as the open sky.
   I enjoy a lovely walk through the valley, sometimes skipping along, no longer checking first to see if someone's watching. Let them see me being myself--being happy! If it brings a smile to their face, I don't care if they are laughing with me or at me.  

   I come at last to the park of Spear Three. Falling breathless to the ground, I lie on the soft grass and gaze up at the yellowing leaves. A cool breeze caresses my smiling face and I shout, "This is the day which the Lord hath made! We will rejoice and be glad in it!" I get up and hug a tree, then sit and let songs come out of me. (Chant a Psalm a Day, Give Thanks and Praises, etc.) The breeze through the treetops adds harmony.
   I realize that the brother and sister I met here previously, Peter and Petra, were the manifestation of the spirits of these two trees which grow side by side. I look up into their branches and thank them for their sanctuary. From the heights, an acorn falls and I watch as it lands between the two trees. Reaching to collect it for a souvenir, I find a yellow candle, matching the color of the leaves. Scratched into the wax are the words: "Free your mind, and the rest will follow." Uh-huh. But the rest of *what*? I wish it could mean the rest of the world.  

   I la-la-la my way along, until I am met by the white boar, who I mount and ride to Annwyn. The boar becomes the ship Prydwen, and I sail the stormy seas like a kid on a roller coaster, shouting "Whoo-hoo!" A single sunbeam pierces the gray, grabs me in its beam, and lifts me off the ship and onto the cliff. The towers are no longer isolated, but connected by wide causeways, and I make my way easily from one to another. As I go, the sunlight spreads, until the whole to the Underworld is illuminated. The inhabitants here are also no longer isolated, but have formed a community, sharing their talents with each other. At the end of the canyon, they have created something like a town square and they are gathered there. Roland shows the old mariner how to blow the trumpet; woodworkers are carving carousel horses; steps have been carved leading down to the water, where the protruding rocks form a calm and protected harbor; down below, children are fishing, while the Mistress of Hospitality keeps an eye out for the sea monster which still lurks below the surface. I make the rounds, visiting with everybody and thanking them for all they've taught and given. They thank me for hearing and listening. I feel like Horton in Whoville.  
   Finally, I descend the steps down to the water of the harbor and see Prydwen docking there. The children are taken on board for a tour. They run and climb and jump and scream, and everyone tolerates their naturally childish behavior. The Mistress of Hospitality (whom I've given the nickname "Sunny") and I stand on the dock, watching them, arms hooked together at the elbows, shoulder to shoulder, lost in our thoughts. Little Anastasia comes and pulls us out of our reveries and onto the ship. She shows us all she's learned (sail, rudder, oars, etc.). The men start to herd the children off the ship and prepare to set sail. Anastasia tries to delay our departure with questions, stories, etc. and Sunny must eventually pick her up and carry her off. Before they go, we share a wonderful three-way hug. "Come back soon," Sunny says. "You are always welcome. If you ever need anything, just let me know. I'll be here." Anastasia echoes her sentiments. "Yeah," she says, "come back soon. I'm gonna miss you."
   "I'm gonna miss you too. Next time, you'll have to show me your favorite tree-climbing tree. See ya later, sweetie."

   And away we go.