I was asked to take up a unique research
assignment. I, along with others was asked which symbols signified death for
us. In other words, when we think of death in general, whether the actual
physical passing or deity associated, which symbols were most prevalent to us. In
order to fully mediate over the subject of death and its’ symbols, our professor
suggested a visit to the graveyard where we would sit beside various
headstones. We were each to choose a particular headstone, one that felt right,
one that would be conducive to this type of work. We walked through the
cemetery entrance, while the professor remained outside, watching. No one knew
exactly why we had to choose a headstone, but after a considerable amount of time
walking and perusing the endless stones and epitaphs, I finally found one that
was welcoming. I could see my classmates spread about the cemetery, all of whom
have generally settled on their stone. I sat down upon the grass and stared
into my lap. I said absolutely nothing and come to think of it, I heard no chatter
from my colleagues either. The professor at the cemetery’s gate was preoccupied
with his own matters, most of which were administrative in nature. I sat there,
wondering exactly how long I would have to go about in this as my eyes rolled
up and down, staring one moment at my lap and the next at the headstone. I was
not there terribly long. Feeling the grass beneath me, I thought quietly about
this project and these supposed symbols, when finally, I saw something stirring
within the headstone itself. There was a slight mist over the surface which
then disappeared. The engraved epitaph was gone as if the crevices of each
letter were filled in. Talk about a clean slate, it could not get any cleaner
than this. I saw symbols which flashed upon the surface of the glassy granite.
The symbols revealed were the following: a red rose, a bible (sacred book), a
cross, various musical instruments, keys, a set of dice, dominoes, a perfectly
tall black top hat and of course, a skull.
I scribbled down each of these symbols as they
were presented to me. I knew it was time for me to leave, as the stone no
longer portrayed images. I stood up and headed back to the cemetery’s entrance.
After our gathering, we walked back together, speaking enthusiastically amongst
ourselves about our personal experience. The following day, I was driven to
begin writing my findings, while a number of my colleagues teased me about my
level of interest to begin my research paper. I ignored them and continued to
work through my project until its completion. Sadly, those who teased me were
the very people whom continued to put off the writings of their experiences
& findings. The professor watched me from time to time as I wrote into my notebook,
as I hardly lifted my eyes or pen off the page. After an extensive period of
time, I completed my work and soon rejoined the group. In a matter of minutes,
my colleagues were already chatting of their next planned venture. I agreed to
accompany them just so that I could take my mind off my work for a little. We
left only to arrive, at my dismay, to a place I have never encountered before.
This place was disordered and filthy. People who resided in this area decided
to live a soiled & dirty life. There was a rule prohibiting bathing, yet
that rule did not seem to faze them. In fact, they preferred the filth and
stench!I spotted a water fountain some ways away and felt impelled to jump into it and bath myself. I did so blatantly disregarding the posted rule prohibiting it. I felt the cool & clear water run down over me. It was refreshing. Others looked on and watched me but avoided this water fountain. I motioned to a man about my age and invited him to join me in the water fountain. Apprehension was written across his face, but in an instant, he too joined me and rejoiced at the feeling of the water that washed away the grime that had built upon his skin over a considerate amount of time. We invited others nearby to join us, and to rejoice, but they did not dare to do so out of fear! They were afraid of a sign with an outlandish rule, a law which no one enforced. These people had the opportunity to bath and cleanse themselves, but instead, choose to remain soiled. Was it really this easy to suppress free will?
Though bathing was prohibited, there was a limited time it was allowed. I watched as these people flocked to the public bathing area. To my complete disbelief, these people bathed themselves in unclean water. I did not comprehend the reasoning for bathing in the murky pools of water, when the option for clean water existed. I watched this absurd spectacle and tried to understand the choice of this society. It was at this moment I arrived at an epiphany. These people chose filth because they refused to come clean. There would never be a clean slate for them unless they chose to will it.
Having come to this conclusion, I departed the fountain and walked away, leaving this ludicrous scene behind me. Eventually, I came upon a small clean neighborhood. There was an intimate shop located at the corner which seemed peculiar, peculiarly intriguing indeed! I walked inside and was drawn to an area of scrolls. I sifted through various documents and objects on a waist level shelf when an empty space along the wall behind the shelf in front of me a scroll appeared, hanging on a rusted nail. It was fully extended, revealing the image within. The image was that of the high priestess. Beneath her image there was a phrase in script which read: “secrecy in circle.” I smiled and thought, “well that sure is the absolute truth!” I called on the shop owner, an older woman, and inquired about the price of the scroll. She smiled and said, take it, it is yours. As I lifted the image from the nail and rolled it back up again, a unique long necklace appeared in my hands. The shop owner suggested I take it for my use. She did not utter another word about the origins or its’ particular use and I did not feel it necessary to ask. If fact all was secret in circle, then I would find out at my own time. The necklace was long, made of both silver & brass metals, beaded with sky blue stones. The necklace had a large pendant of which the image of the high priestess was engraved. I put the necklace on and held onto my scroll. The shop owner smiled and disappeared. I took that as my cue to leave. I headed out the door and immediately awoke.
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