9a Road to Abbey

 

The Lemurian Abbey is a divine sanctuary across the lake from the City of Ladies. This lake is not unlike Lake Como in Northern Italy and is home to votaries of the Soul Food Way.

Le Enchanteur has everyone gather to give them the following message.

Hello Travellers
Not far from the Mine there is a road sign which says ‘Road to the Abbey’  This is the only passable route from here. The road snakes its way through the Mountains of Myrr which the writer of the Song of Solomon (1V6) said he wanted to retreat to.

Make sure to have your bags with you when you decide to set out for the Abbey. You will recall that each bag contains spectacles, a candlestick, a tiny anchor, a medallion with the imprint of the Unicorn and a set of wings. Each bag contains something that has been chosen specifically for you. It also contains a map showing the location of the Abbey .

This bag is very important. Should you become separated from the group these things will become essential. You may choose to wear the spectacles for they are purported to have fairy like qualities which reveal wonders to those who wear them.

Guides wait to lead you through the mountains of Myrr. Before departing they will share a renewal ceremony with you. Renewal ceremonies are an important part of the journey, enabling you to take quiet time to reflect, centre and take stock.

Safe passage travellers
The Enchantress

Renewal Ceremony

“Renewals traditionally take place at New Year when a time cycle is inaugurated. But the renovation effected by the New Year ritual is basically a reiteration of the cosmology. Each New Year begins the Creation all over again… The world is always ‘our world’, the world in which one lives…. It is obvious, for example, that the world of the Australians, who live by gathering and small game hunting is not the same as that of the Neolithic agriculturalists; just the same as the World of the latter is neither that of city dwellers of the ancient Near East nor the ‘World’ in which the people of Western Europe and the United States live today. The ‘World’, then, is always that world that one knows and in which one lives; differs from one type of culture to another.” Eliade Myths and Rites of Renewal.

As we end a cycle on this journey the beginning of the next phase can be marked by a series of rituals whose purpose is to ensure renewal. A simple example of this can be found amongst indigenous Australians who annually re-enacted their myths. The animals, plants created by the Supernatural are ritually re-created. In Kimberly the rock paintings, which are believed to have been painted by the Ancestors, are repainted in order to reactivate their creative force. For the Australians this re-creation of food, animals and food plants is equivalent to re-creating the world. And this is not only because, with a sufficient food supply they hope to live through another year, but above all because the World really came to birth when the animals and plants first made their appearance in the Dream Times.

With the help of your guide devise a re-creation ceremony. This may involve sloughing, passing through the door again, drinking from the cup of the serpent, as I do, or whatever seems appropriate.

Post under Renewal

Imagery

You set out through the valley, past the old alluvial mine on the back of your mule. Within moments the guide leads you into a heavily wooded forest. Gnarled branches spread their long arms across the path, whispering as you pass.

The words of the Enchantress ring in your ears and you touch your bag to make sure it is still with you. Everyone is quiet and contemplative and the hooves of the mules seem to be beating a tune as you travel on the well worn path.

Suddenly the quiet is shattered. A group of hooded riders surround the party, surround each mule. Chaos breaks out. The guide has gone. Before you know it you are being whisked away by hooded riders who do not reveal their identity. Riders head out in twelve different directions. The group has been separated and you are alone.

All you know is that somehow you need to reach the Abbey.
Record your journey. Post under Road to Abbey.

When you arrive at the Abbey Gates the Abbess will welcome you. It is a safe haven and you will enjoy your stay there. You need to have the Abbess sign you in and allocate you a cell.