Enchanteur’s Lemuria

Get your popcorn, find your seats, and turn off your cell phones….

L.Gloyd (c) 2008

Arrival in Kerith

My journey brought me to the mouth of the Kerith River, where it met the Lemurian Sea. I stood a long time gazing at the ocean - The Lemurian Sea has an almost organic quality, it moves like a sinous, sensuous creature. It is home to many forms of life - dolphins, mer people, even the great Sea God Triton himself.
“Now there’s someone I should talk to,” I thought, “If anyone knows anything about the Dragon Queen, it will be him. He knows everything that goes on in Lemuria.”
I considered where I should go next. Kerith was a destination on Le Enchanteur’s journey, so my path would take me there sooner or later - better sooner, I thought. I had heard that that the women of Kerith were wise, and that there was a volcano nearby. Volcanos made me think of fire and dragons - not much to go on, but it would be a start.
But how to get there quickly? It was fifty kilometres or more upstream, and the journey from the Gypsy Camp had already been a long one. I regretted leaving Tinker behind - but I loved that old horse dearly, and couldn’t think of taking him into certain danger.
i remembered Le Enchateur’s bag and untied it from round my waist. Maybe the wings…? But as I was pondering this, I heard sea gulls crying, and shouts from the sea, and when I looked up a small fleet of boats was fast approaching the mouth of the river. It looked like a fishing fleet.
As the boats entered the mouth of the river, I made up my mind. Tying the bag back around my waist, I dived into the river and started swimming toward the first of the boats. There was a shout from the deck, and a thick woven rope slapped onto the surface of the water ahead of me. I grabbed hold of it, and was pulled steadily through the water. Many hands reached over and helped me onto the deck.
I collapsed in a sodden heap, and several brown, weathered faces stared down at me with interest. A large pair of boots, salty with age, appeared in line with my nose.
“Never saw anyone so eager to get on board,” a laconic voice said. “What be your purpose, stranger?
I looked up and saw a square, sturdy woman dressed in a grubby fisherman’s jersey, a pair of ballooning trousers held up with string, and those boots. She had short pepper and salt hair, and a face that creased into a thousand smile lines as she looked down on me. She offered me a weather beaten hand and hauled me to my feet.
“Cap’n Gerd Staghammer at your service,” she said, shaking my hand vigorously. “And your name…?”
I told her, and told her I had come from the Gypsy Camp and was heading for Kerith. “I can pay my passage,” I added.
She roared with laughter. “Everyone on my boat works their passage,” she said. “We gotta a while before we docks - help clean the decks.”
One of the sailors handed me a mop and I got to work. I was still soaking wet from the river, and after a while someone brought me dry pants and a jersey and told me to change and hang my wet clothes to dry.
In spite of the work, the smell of fish and the fact that my underwear was still wet, it was a pleasant trip. Staghammer’s crew were a cheerful lot, calling out insults to each other and laughing when I skidded on fish guts and landed with a bang on the deck, far more often than I cared to.
Hot tarry tea was served with some unidentifiable hard substance I guessed might be rye bread, and some of the sailors struck up a bawdy song as we neared Kerith. There was plenty of activity on the dock as we pulled in and made fast. The markets were due to open and there was much haggling with the merchants over the catch. I changed back into my own clothes, and thanked Staghammer for the ride. She slapped me on the back, nearly sending me flying off the boat, and I took my leave, heading up the quay toward the markets. The taste of the tarry tea was still strong in my mouth, and the hard bread had done little to ease my hunger. But from the market came the appetizing smell of fresh tropical fruits.
The food was good - I manged to put away three fruit called lushberries, which looked like huge strawberries but tasted more like peaches, a mango and some delicious fried fish served on sticks.
The other travellers had all gone on ahead, and I was alone and not sure of what to do next. I went back to the quay and sat looking out over the river, wondering if I should stay here the night and spend my time making enquiries about the Dragon Queen. But then I saw three women approaching me. All of them were the of the strong, brown skinned type that characterised Kerith women, but one of them looked familiar.
“Marg Staghammer,” she said, extending a meaty hand. “I’m Gerd’s sister. She told me they’d brought in a traveller with them. You’re late,” she added sternly. “The others have all come and gone.”
“I know,” I said apologetically, “I was delayed.”
“We knew you were coming,” one of the other women said. She was extraordinarily beautiful, with long black hair that flowed down to her hips. “We are to take you to the Goddess, if you care to go. She may be able to help you with your quest.”
Any offer of help was welcome. I stuffed that last of my food in my bag and got to my feet.
“Lead the way,” I said.

Draw and colour:

From the lazy crone, a drawing I made long ago and experimented in colouring her.  Fran

Hermit Crab Dreaming

Hermit Crabs are known for their mobility, love of the dark, understanding of the need for change, love of freedom and ability to live anywhere, to survive through the decades. This member of the Hermit Crab clan has found her way to the hot springs and is spending some time soaking and dreaming. Now could be the time to slip in to the hot springs yourself and share some time with this creature who has such a colourful history.

Heather Blakey - February 2008

Amazonian Gatekeeper

Amazonian Hermit Crab’s act as Gatekeepers at the junction of the Kerith and the Bowan Rivers.

To journey on up the Kerith and towards the Sanctuary of Mnemosyne, through a land governed by the laws of ritual and magic, you must prove yourself in some way. Each traveller will face a unique challenge, complete a very individual, sacred contract, with the Gatekeeper.

Heather Blakey - February 2008

Hermit Crab Wisdom

Visit the ancient Hermit Crab who has made her home here in Lemuria and drink from her well of wisdom. After you have shared the wisdom the Hermit Crab will reveal the next part of the journey which takes you further up river.

Heather Blakey - February 08

Pharmacopoeia

On the beach of Kerith an old woman points to the path that leads to the Kerith Volcano and the Hot Springs that rose from a crack in the crust of the lava from the last eruption. The bubbling source is very hot and sometimes the heat is too much to bear. The springs are the most sociable place in Kerith and healers conduct their business of curing, advice and augary there. Sarika and others like her soak in the hot pools while travellers slip in beside them and tell the troubles in their souls and the ailments in their bodies.

The path to the springs is busy as younger women carry a literal pharmacopoeia with them. Seeds, pounded and crushed plants tied in bundles, dried hibiscus petals, annatto powder, aloe milk, crushed oyster shells, smartweeds, fiery peppers and a selection of charms.

Heather Blakey - January 2008 - St Leonard’s

 

Kerith Women

Kerith Women
Heather Blakey - 2008 St Leonard’s

Kerith is full of sound and the women, they say, are the source of most of that sound. The women of Kerith have been talking about the people who are coming. They have been waiting and watching to see who will come. They have sat and looked out across the expansive river, watched for boats, looked to see more travellers seeking shelter in their harbour, travellers looking to find the sweet water lagoons. They are waiting to welcome these people to their humble houses which are lined along the estuary. The houses are all modest. Many are made from strips of palm and tied together with tough liana ropes. Some women live in the rooms of the old mission. The women of Kerith do not have money and so they do not know what it is to be ‘poor’ but likewise, they do not know what it is to be ‘rich’. While the spirit of the volcano is happy they are happy. This is what they know. And, because they are older women they know much more… but that is another story.

In Search of the Lair

The Mermaid and I went out to sea and she sat on a pea green rock
The Mermaid looked up to the stars above and sang
of the land where the bong tree grows

Too long we have tarried, best not be harried
We must find the Triton’s lair
and dance by the light of the moon, the moon.

Apologies to Edward Lear
Heather Blakey - January 2008 St Leondard’s

Creative Forging

Kerith is dominated by the grand, awe inspiring volcanic mountain, a mountain that is a part of a volcanic group that possibly came in to being millions of years ago when the earth’s crust was being formed and there were lots of internal eruptions. The valleys of Kerith are fertile but if you look at the mountain you can see the ravages on the slopes, reminders of when the old goddess lost her temper, boiled over and scarred the earth. In the valleys trees and shrubs grow close to one another. Causarina, candlenut and kaurie-pines flourish in abundance along with breadfruit, sago plants, oranges, pineapple and sweet banana.

The spirit of the Volcano is the goddess of this area and she is deemed to have power over life and death. The spirit of the volcano is feared because she once erupted in a terrible anger and destroyed many parts of Lemuria. The Kerith stands as a mute reminder of the volcanic potential just below the surface

An old lady sits in her wheelbarrow, on a pathway leading to the volcano, telling stories about Kerith. She offers to teach how to dive and fish, to show where the seahorses spawn, where the oysters sluice the freshness of the tides. She warns visitors that they need to be careful not to anger the goddess, that they must not continue on the path empty handed. Locals have always been careful not to anger the old matriach. They take shells and flowers to her and when the moon is full, women, dressed in indigo blue, dance the holy dance of the masks. This dance is a fertility dance. As the women dance enormous bells ring out and the sound of bamboo percussion instruments can be heard echoing throughout the valleys. Long ago this dance represented the victory of light over darkness and for many this is still what it means.

After the dance is complete a procession weaves its way to the entrance of the volcano. At first it is quiet but then the sound of hammering fills the air. As the procession moves forward the sound gets louder and the heat is intense. It is as though everyone is listening to the heartbeat of creation?

The path leads to a shadowy great hall. In the centre is a hearth with the glowing embers of a fire within a mighty furnace.

 

Luca Giordano’s Forge of Vulcan

Hermitage St Petersberg

 

Workmen are smithing within a giant forge, forging something quite unique for each Lemurian traveller who has braved these paths, who have faced their fears no matter how strong they be. Words and images drift seamlessly amid the curls of smoke and flames. From the forge comes something which will become an integral part of the travellers creative essence.

Kerith

Women of Kerith

Heather Blakey January 18th 2008

The village of Kerith lies on the edge of the Kerith river, fifty kilometres upstream. This region is surrounded by tropical jungle and is home to the Kerith Volcano. Divided by a mountain chain this volcanic region of Lemuria is populated by groups with their own customs and traditions.

Kerith provides a base for many travellers and is the home of the famous singing birds. Nearby mango forests are home for fruit eating bats. While you are in Kerith you will have time to explore the bazaars and shops where uniquely designed hand-woven textiles can be found.

Women from the village will take you to see the mysterious and dramatic three coloured lakes and to the sanctuary of the goddess and keeper of the volcano. The three lakes, set in deep craters at a height of 1,600 m side by side, have all different colors or shades of blue and green. These lakes are separated by low ridges and are filled with three distinctly different colors of water.

You will cross a lake and meet with the goddess and keeper of the volcano who will teach you something about regeneration and how beautiful things are created and start to grow anew amid destruction.

It is your responsibility to find a way to share your encounter with the keeper of the volcano and further her teachings.

Triton’s Fish Bowl

Some of E’s naughty wenches have been snared by the Triton and are in a very special fish bowl.
Now they are fated to amuse the Triton.
Will E rescue them or will she take off on her holiday and leave them to their own devices?

Heather Blakey - January 18 2008

E’s Annual Ball

E is wondering IF she mentioned the ball at the Triton’s Lair.
Ah well! More rum and coke for her and the naval captain.
An ecclectic crowd is bound to arrive when word gets out that E is providing an orchestra and plenty of food and drink for everyone.
Heather Blakey - January 15th 2008

The Triton’s Lair

The Triton’s Lair

Heather Blakey January 14th 2008

Watching YOU!

Shell Communications and a murder of crows keep le Enchanteur informed of ALL activities within Lemuria.
She is watching YOU! But who is keeping an eye on her?

Heather Blakey - January 12th 2008 

The Call

Out in the deep waters, near Mudjimba, a solitary mermaid plays a soothing song, calling travellers, urging them to come and spend time with her in her pearly shell before they journey on to the palace of the Triton.

Heather Blakey January 11th 2008

Sea Anemone

While everyone else was carousing in the night clubs and taverns of Rainbow Beach I slipped out, headed quietly to the docks and paddled out towards Mudgimba Island in search of the deep waters that are purported to be the home of the Triton who is in such need of appeasement.

Marine life is in abundance in these perfect sub-tropical waters, water which are a haven where soft and hard corals flourish. A variety of tropical fish, pelagic fish, giant gropers, marine reptiles (including green turtles, loggerhead turtles and hawksbill turtles), rays and sharks are regularly encountered at many dive sites here. Mudjimba offers a variety of marine life including lots of soft corals, sea sponges, sea anemones, Nudibranchs and a variety of tropical fish.

I did not manage to reach the deep pool at Mudjimba but stopped at the place where there is supposed to be a shipwreck. What I found was a gentle, gigantic sea anemone who said he would show me the way if I gave him something from my bag. After some rummaging I pulled out some gold coins and proffered them to the anemone, who quietly shook his head and pointed at the spectacles. “Well, clearly I will have to find my own way” I thought as I politely declined. The sea anemone simply shrugged as I surfaced and paddled back to the Bow where everyone was still partying.

There will be another day and next time I will find that wreck and venture in to the deeper waters. But I will make sure to have my bag safely stashed inside my wetsuit.

Mudjimba Prophecy

Gloria Esterban visited Mudgimba Island some years ago and was stunned to learn, after viewing a Mudjimba mosaic that a woman was working on, that she was destined to become a famous Lemurian Trapeze artist. Today she performs at Rainbow Beach during the high season.

A visit to Mudjimba can be very illuminating. When you go you will find a woman working on your tapestry or mosaic, a tapestry that will reveal your creative future.
Heather Blakey January 9th 2008

Mudgimba Women

Mudgimba Women
Heather Blakey - January 8th 2008

A flotilla of little boats are lined up to take travellers to Mudjimba Island which lies across the bay. Some locals call Mudjimba ‘Old Woman Island.’ Travellers will know their boat and find the right captain for this part of the trip.

Rainbow Beach is at the mouth of the mighty Kerith and everyone will be sailing upstream, following the barge that takes supplies to remote parts. Mudjimba is not exactly remote but it is inaccessible in bad weather and now is a window of opportunity to take supplies to the women who live here. The women of Mudjimba are a hardy, experienced lot.

Paddlers have been known to paddle over to Mudjimba to surf but it is not really recommended. There is a very deep hole filled with an abundance of marine life. There are extensive fields of hard and soft coral with plenty of gullies, ledges, bommies and small drop offs can be experienced. An amazing variety of nudibranch species and invertebrate - great for the macro photographer. On every dive snorklers and divers will see butterflyfish, lionfish, moray eels, wrasse, angelfish, morwong, surgeonfish, damsels, pufferfish and gobies.

There is a bit of catch however. Legend says that the Tanagran Triton made its home here and he tests all visitors, acts as a guardian for Mudjimba. Before a traveller can land on Mudjimba and find the guide for the next leg of the journey they have to purify themselves in the waters of this deep pool. They must snorkel or dive down find the Triton and appease it in some way. The appeased Triton will give each traveller an identifying piece of coral that will be taken at the port at Mudjimba island. It must be given to the Keeper of Mudjimba.

It might help you if everyone knows this bit of folklore as well.

Kerith became a River Maiden
Heather Blakey - January 8th 2008

“…long ago in the Dreamtime, a beautiful dark maiden named Kerith was loved by Coolum, a handsome young warrior. Another warrior, Ninderry, wanted Kerith for himself and tried to steal her away. Coolum challenged Ninderry to a duel and they fought.

The two warriors attacked each other with such ferocity that the earth trembled and the ocean roared, the birds took flight and the koalas and kangaroos hid in fear, until at last, Ninderry, with a mighty blow of his club, killed the warrior Coolum.

The Creator, known to the Undanbi tribe as Birral, was so moved by their love and courage, that he turned their fallen bodies into a mighty stone mountains, as a monument to their bravery.

The grief-stricken Kerith fled high into the hills and wept so copiously that her tears formed the Kerith River.

Those tears will flow forever, while the majestic monoliths of Mt Coolum & Mt Ninderry stand against the sun, gazing down on the river and out to sea, remembering the beautiful maiden they loved.”

Note:
The word Kerith is the only word that has been changed in this Australian, indigenous myth set in the region known as Maroochy.

Quiet Contemplation

Rainbow Beach lies at the mouth of the mighty Kerith River. Nearby Mudjimba Island is the first port of call for travellers making their pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of Mnemosyne, mother of the nine muses, whose name means memory.

A traveller waits patiently on the dock, ready for the first leg of this Lemurian jaunt. It has been an exhilarating few days and Rainbow Beach has been alive with the sound of travellers arriving.

A flotilla of small boats are moored nearby, ready for the long journey, through Kerith Canyon, and beyond the Kerith Volcano.

But for now, this traveller is enjoying solitude, basking in the sheer beauty of this magical place.

Heather Blakey - January 7th 2008

Gleeful Enchanteur

Enchanteur, the legendary shape shifter of Lemuria cannot disguise her glee as she peeps through an open portal and sees so much activity on the floating stage. “I just hope these flighty young things have some singlets, warm clothes and sensible, sturdy boots for the journey up the Kerith” she says.

Heather Blakey - January 5 2007

Taking the Plunge

Enchanteur is conjuring, preparing to take a new group into the Lemurian wilderness.
Travellers are champing at the bit, eager to take the plunge, leap from the starting blocks and begin the journey on the 12th Night.
Heather Blakey - January 4 2007

Lemurians often pass through the docks at Rainbow Beach and stop at the old medieval, Rainbow Beach Mill on their way to Duwamish Bay, the Abbey and the Hermitage. Rainbow Beach has become a popular meeting, market place, farmers market and takes on a carnival atmosphere in the high season. There is a floating stage nearby where pageants take place when Enchanteur bring in new pilgrims.

The docks at Rainbow Beach, on the mighty Kerith River are now a hive of activity as travellers arrive with their luggage. All portals lead to the Kerith River. The Kerith River originates somewhere, high in the vast Mountains of Myrr and it provides a natural highway within this ancient realm.

River barges are an essential means of carrying goods and people from Rainbow Beach to estuaries and ports along the Kerith and to the Sanctuary of Mnemosyne, perched high in the Mountains of Myrr. It is not the most luxury transport and the journey is arduous. A glimpse of the old African Queen will give you some idea of the conditions and environment that travellers negotiate. The first leg of the journey takes us to another Mill in an estaury up river. From there everyone will travel on the backs of donkeys or mules to the legendary sanctuary.

1. Enchanteur recommends that travellers take the time to capture their entrance in to Lemuria and narrate some of the sights and sounds of this busy port, the people who are here and the pageant. It is one of those places that is totally unforgettable.

2. Enchanteur has organised a pageant and asks that each traveller stop to present something old, something new, something borrowed at a gathering before heading off up river. It is a bit like show and tell or standing on a soap box entertaining the people who gather around. Travellers may be content to simply read a poem that inspires them, that is important to them. They might do a song and dance act or show a bit of artwork.

After the pageant we will all board the boat with our guides and head north. File posts under Rainbow Beach and Rainbow Pageant

Rising from the Ashes

May I rise with the Phoenix
from the ashes of 2007
May my creativity soar
With the Phoenix
As I travel Lemurian roads with friends!

What is it you are seeking on this 2008 tour with le Enchanteur?

Heather Blakey - January 3 2008

A Word of Caution

Be advised that if you see a beckoning clown you might regret entering Lemuria via this portal. The traveller who is moving on her belly, rather than have this clown catch her eye is, according to E, very prudent.

Heather Blakey - January 1 2008

Escape the Circus

When you take the bold step and dive through a portal in to le Enchanteur’s Lemuria, you get to run away from the circus of everyday life.
Of course, all those juggling, clowning and trapeze artist skills will come in handy in this realm.

Heather Blakey January 1 2008