Soul Food Silk Road Advent Calendar 2005

The moon rises
from the milky bed
of her own luminescence
golden sphere balanced
on the horizon.
I feel the magic of the world.

Harvest my thoughts, oh goddess.
Through the planting season,
beneath bright sun and midnight shade,
with tears and sweat I laid them down.

Dormant seeds,
some gathered from last year’s crop,
some given,
clutched tightly in my damp palm
and then released,
arcing into the fertile dark loam
of memory.

They crept,
vining their way
across time, space
and my heart,
until I was covered with
green.

Goddess, come to light the harvest.
Thoughts crunch
beneath my feet,
turn to brown
as the circle closes.
The moon is round
and she rises.

There are barges lined up at the Duwamish Bay jetty ready to take the initated to Wyse Owl Island for an interview with the Owl herself.

When you approach you recognise the barge, with four priestesses ready to row you across the lake to the island. Pause

Upon arrival, they lead you, in procession, pass the Owl Island Inn, up the hill, past the light house keepers house with the red roof, and on towards the nest of the Owl. Islanders stop to watch as you pass. Pause

Once you reach the Stone, outside the Owl's dwelling a priestess dips some water from the lake into a small crystal amphora (vase) and poures it over the stone, saying: “I cover thee with the veil of An. Thou art anointed with my vow to thee. Henceforth shall I keep my way in thy Light, for I am that which you are, the Way of Creation through the labyrinth of Path.”

Then the priestess oracle reaches into a small golden bowl of honey held by the other priestesses accompanying her, and places the silken amber upon her hands. She ‘washes her hands’ with the honey, which came from the most sacred of hives, and then from her hands, she coats the Stone ( token portion of it) with the honey, saying: “I return to the hive of my fortune. I guardian of the sweetness of the wisdom of Past, Present and Future.” Pause

Another priestess holds a blue star sapphire to your forehead and says, “Behold, she who guardians the labyrinth of Ashara, she comes in the night, she sleeps in the day. She holds the star before her, she gives birth to the sun.” Pause

You enter the realm of the White Owl, via a labyrinthine path, respectfully, holding a question in your mind. Pause

The Owl says "I am a mirror to those who come through the winding way. I vow to be the sealer as well as the revealer. What is your question? Pause

You ask your question, seek the wisdom you need to sustain you through this creative journey.

The priestesses, in formation, lead you back throught the labyrinth, down to the village, past the inn and back to the barge and row you back to Duwamish where the sun is just rising over the jetty.

The night owl Guards her brood,
So we seek shelter
Beneath spread wings
And turn our heads
To hear the beat
Of a great heart.

by Gail Kavanagh

Sakin' Solstice
by faucon of Sakin'el

There is no silence akin to earth-sleep seeking dawn;
with birds still hidden beneath a withered leaf or two,
and the life-sun sneak-crouching below the mountain sill. The scattered pages of Fall's regrets bequilt the lawn -- forged now as crystal dreams in frozen disbelief ---
cold, so cold is the fearful clutch of night at Solstice.

New living will come, I know -- to free my aging joints
and crack open the soft hidden seeds of recycled joy.
It is their faith, and the pulsing of my soul -- knowing,
yet always doubting -- trusting that Spring will come again --
bringing me here and now down the steps of Sakin'el, another shadow cast by the golden eyes of Tegsh.

Where then are you, my friends -- where does your spirit hide?
This is the day -- the source -- the song -- the need.
Last evening you burned the script-notes of guilt and sorrow --
or so you were called by ancient claim of Covenant.
Today you may great each old friend as a missing child -- innocence restored with Goddess kiss and caressing Light.

Break the silence of your yearning heart and sing with me.
Stir the breeze of passion -- humanity full borne.
Arise and remember -- become one with Earth and birth --
dancing lightly -- ever spritely on the forming dew.
The day has come -- where are you? Here is my hand. Take it?
This fine day I've seen the breath of God -- my gift to you.