esson 32: Grail Maiden, Grail Two and Grail Three

eaving the Grail Castle, I enter the cool woods, colored by autumn's brush. Before long, I am looking into the Grail Maiden's youthful face. "I thirst!" I tell her. "Not the thirst of the throat, though that be wildest and worst of physical pangs which smote alone to the heart of the Christ, wringing that one wild cry 'I thirst!' from his agony."¹
   "Come," she replies "and take of life's water freely."²

   She offers me her cup, which I lift heavenward, thanking God and asking for His blessing, before drinking the pure and refreshing water. We sit together on the ground, and I remind her of the time we met at the Six Stones.

   "Arlene, do you also remember the time, shortly before I moved to Switzerland, when you told me that you felt more at home at my place than in your own place? Will I ever have that again? Because I still feel like I'm just a guest in my own home. I don't feel all that comfortable here. After six years, I'm still a stranger in a strange land."
   "Well, first of all, Moonchild, the Swiss culture isn't exactly conducive to warmth and demonstrativeness. And not many people care about the same things you care about. Your family-in-law is smaller than your natural family. But I see a big change coming! Parenting will give you something in common with many others. And, in creating your own family, you can also create your own home. Anyway, I remember that feeling you're talking about, and I know where you can get it again, even if temporarily. Come on."

   We walk through the woods and come to a place which has a similar atmosphere to Spear Two--a sanctuary. I sit with my back against a tree, close my eyes and hear Arlene depart, leaving me in solitude. The sunbeams create interesting and colorful patterns on the backs of my eyelids. I hear music--the song "Soul of My Soul"--and find a whole new meaning in the lyrics. Ummm, how long can I stay here...?³

   One thing that always spoils my enjoyment of solitude is a sense of needing to move on, do something, what comes next . . . The sun moves across the sky and I'm put into shade. It chills me, so I grudgingly go. But it's okay, I want to walk, and to see what else is in these woods.  

   The path leads to an orchard, and here is a table with a pitcher of that wonderful crystal water. I pour myself a cup and gulp it down. Arlene leads two of her sisters to me, and they are bringing lots of goodies! Fajitas and tacos, crab legs and shrimp, cakes and cookies! I'm drowning in salivation, groveling and practically kissing their feet! I totally pig out, glad that I don't have to eat yogurt or Birchermuesli. Finally, I stretch out on the grass and release a large belch. Can I nap now?  

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1) This is part of a Crowley poem from somewhere.{back}

2) The book talks about guarding and serving the waters. I think that's ridiculous. The water flows, to be both given and received freely. It is not for mere humans to 'guard' it, IMHO. {back}

3) As luck would have it, today the sun is out, and I can do this in reality. It's about 50F outside, but more than 80F here in the sunbeams coming through the window. {back}