Nowhere did it make mention that Special Inspector John Tucker had left that morning on an extended holiday to Jamaica with his long-time friend and companion, Margaret Finch.
Author’s Note
The preceding novel is a work of fiction. All characters and events in this book are fictitious, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is purely coincidental.
I might especially note that while there is neither a Tamson House nor an antique shop called The Merry Dancers in Ottawa, at the same time the RCMP does not have a Paranormal Research Branch, a position on its force of Special Inspector such as depicted in the character of John Tucker, nor has any past or present Solicitor General been even rumored to have committed the indiscretions ascribed to Moonheart’s Michael Williams.
And, for those curious in such things, this book was written under the influence of Alan Stivell, Andreas Vollenweider, Neville Marriner, An Triskell, Edgar Froese, Klaus Schultz, Radio Silence, Robin Williamson, Silly Wizard, the Fureys, and Kate Bush—to name the most prominent.
Ottawa, Winter 1983
Appendix – A Brief Description of the Weirdin
DESCRIPTION:
Sixty-one, two-sided flat round discs, made of bone, with an image carved on either side; one hundred and twenty-two images in all. Divided into thirteen Prime; twenty-three Secondary (fifteen First Rank; eight Second Rank); and twenty-five Tertiary (nine Static and sixteen Mobile).
METHODS OF USE:
Questioner selects twelve Weirdin from Bag, at random, and holding hand directly above center of the Triskell on the Reading Cloth, lets them fall. (Alternately, the Weirdin may be taken from the Bag, one at a time though still randomly, and laid on the Reading Cloth in numerical order.)
READING CLOTH:
The positions on the Cloth read as follows (see accompanying diagram):
THE TRISKELL:
The Questioner is in the center (1), the three arms signifying: Marrow, or Health (2), Attitude, or Will (3), and Heart, or Spirit (4).
THE CROSS:
These are the direct influences that affect the Questioner: North, known as the Foundation, or Past (5); East, known as Change, or the Present (6); South, known as Forthcoming, or the Direct Future (7); and West, known as Destiny, or the Far Future (8).
THE OUTER CIRCLE:
These are the peripheral influences that affect the Questioner: Future Allies or Adversaries (9); Present Allies or Adversaries (10); Course of Action (11); and General Conclusion (12).
Note: Particular care must be accorded to both the position of the Weirdin to one another, as well as their positioning on the Reading Cloth.
THE MEANING OF THE WEIRDIN:
Prime:
1.a)
The Horned Lord—Lord of Animals and the World’s Wood; aspect of Cernunnos, Pan, etc.; supernatural power, protection.
b)
The Moon Mother—the White Goddess in all her aspects; immortality, perpetual renewal, enlightenment.
2.a)
The Grey Man—autumn, west, twilight, mystery, elf-friend.
b)
The Blue Maiden—spring, east, dawn, rebirth.
3.a)
The Yellow Tinker—winter, north, night, obscurity.
b)
The Red Queen—summer, south, day, warmth, youth.
4.a)
The Bearded King—strength.
b)
The Scapegoat—delegated guilt.
5.a)
The Queen of Otters—sovereignty, healing, fidelity.
b)
The Old Fern Man—mortality, solitude, sincerity.
6.a)
The Mage, or Knight—creative power.
b)
The Apprentice, or Young Man—neophyte, initiate.
7.a)
The Maiden—primordial innocence.
b)
The Dwarf—unconscious and amoral forces of nature.
8.a)
The Trickster (depicted as Cat or Fox)—stealth, desire, liberty, choice.
b)
The Shepherd—protector, guidance.
9.a)
The Harper, or Wren—spiritual, change, guide to Otherworld.
b)
The Piper—harmony.
10.a)
The Wanderer—aimless movement.
b)
The Pilgrim—follows a direct and purposeful path.
11.a)
The Dancer—creative energy, reinforcement of strength.
b)
The Huntsman—pursuit of worldly ends, death.
12.a)
The Warrior—antagonistic force, or defender.
b)
The Imp—disorder, tormenting.
13.a)
The Weaver at Her Loom—fate, time.
b)
The Enchantress—self-delusion, binding/destroying.
Secondary: First Rank
14.a)
The Hazel Staff—magic power, journeying, wisdom, inspiration.
b)
The Iron Sword—justice, courage, authority, inflexibility.
15.a)
The Thistle Cloak—disguise, austerity, defiance.
b)
The Mirror—truth, self-realization.
16.a)
The Necklace, or Garland—both binds and limits; diversity in union; dedication; beads or links—bring the multiplicity of manifestation; thread and connection—the non-manifest.
b)
The Bear’s Cauldron, or Honey Cup—nourishment, heart, life, inexhaustible sustenance.
17.a)
The Circle, or Serpent—self-contained, having no beginning and no end; death and destruction, or renewing its skin—resurrection, self/created taught.
b)
The Scales—balance, justice.
18.a)
The Book—quest, learning, knowledge.
b)
The Net—entanglement.
19.a)
The Shield—preservation.
b)
The Flint Knife—hardiness of heart, indifference, sacrifice, vengeance, death.
20.a)
The Flute—anguish, extremes of emotion.
b)
The Harp—calls up the seasons; malleability of Time; Change, if not Progress.
21.a)
The Mask—protection, concealment, transformation, non-being.
b)
The Wand—power.
22.a)
The Sheaf of Corn—awakening, life, unity, harvest.
b)
The Acorn, or Hazelnut—hidden wisdom, friendship.
23.a)
The Bell—charm against destruction.
b)
The Candle—illumination, or uncertainty of life.
24.a)
Fire—transformation.
b)
Ice—rigidity, brittleness, impermanence.
25.a)
The Cedar Crown—sovereignty, honor, reward, nobility, incorruptibility, or stasis.
b)
The Ship—adventure, exploration.
26.a)
The Ring—power, dignity, delegated power, completion, cyclic time.
b)
The Key—axial symbol of opening and closing, binding and loosing.
27.a)
The Tides—reciprocity, opportunity.
b)
The Drum—speech, revelation, tradition.
28.a)
The Bag—secrecy, winds of chance.
b)
The Glove, or Marigold—evidence of good will, fidelity.
Secondary: Second Rank
29.a)
The Forest—place of testing and unknown peril.
b)
The Hearth—home, spiritual center.
30.a)
The Mountain—constan
cy, eternity.
b)
The Ocean—chaos, endless motion.
31.a)
The Wood—shelter.
b)
The Mist—error, confusion.
32.a)
The Standing Stones—prophecy, eternal, cohesion.
b)
The Crossroads—choice, or union of opposites.
33.a)
The Island—isolation and loneliness, or safety and refuge.
b)
The Lake—receptive wisdom, absorption.
34.a)
The River—the passage of life, flowing.
b)
The Chasm—separation.
35.a)
The Field—place of nourishment.
b)
The Labyrinth—attaining realization after ordeals.
36.a)
The Cave—entrance to Otherworld.
b)
The Door—hope, opportunity.
Tertiary: Static
37.a)
The Oak—durability; is also Man in microcosm; in its branches, are two Ravens—Thought and Memory.
b)
The Mistletoe—neither tree nor shrub; all-healing, new life.
38.a)
The Hemlock—death, deceit, ill luck.
b)
The Rose—heavenly perfection twined with earthy passion.
39.a)
The Apple, or Silver Bough—fertility, love, joy, knowledge.
b)
The Willow—mourning, unhappy love, loss.
40.a)
The Mandrake Root—power of magic.
b)
The Rowan Bough—protection against magic.
41.a)
The Alder, or Fairy Tree—divinity, resurrection.
b)
The Elm—dignity.
42.a)
The Ivy—revelry, clinging dependence.
b)
The Mallow—quietness, rusticity.
43.a)
The Hawthorn—chastity.
b)
The Birch—fertility, light.
44.a)
The Ash—modesty, prudence.
b)
The Juniper—protection, confidence, boldness.
45.a)
The Pine Cone—good fortune.
b)
The Thorn—trial, without spiritual danger.
46.a)
The Swan—benevolence, magic, purity.
b)
The Wolf—fierceness.
47.a)
The Hare—intuition, resurrection.
b)
The Falcon—aspiration, victory over lust.
48.a)
The Goose—war.
b)
The Boar—preservation from danger.
49.a)
The Stag, or Unicorn—renewal, creation, innocence.
b)
The Toad—evil power.
50.a)
The Heron—vigilence, quietness.
b)
The Crow—beginnings, the first step.
51.a)
The Dragon—sovereignty, untamed nature.
b)
The Sparrow—insignificance, lowliness.
52.a)
The Crane—herald of death, trouble.
b)
The Dolphin—saviour, guide.
53.a)
The Kingfisher—calmness, beauty.
b)
The Mouse—incessant movement, senseless agitation.
54.a)
The Elk, or Moose—supernatural power, whirlwind.
b)
The Spider—weaver of destiny.
55.a)
The Robin, or Swallow—hope, resurrection.
b)
The Swine—gluttony, greed, anger.
56.a)
The Bee—industry, order.
b)
The Salmon, or Trout—foreknowledge.
57.a)
The Badger—mischief, playfulness.
b)
The Owl—wisdom, darkness, death.
58.a)
The Horse—intellect, wisdom, reason
b)
The Winged Deer—swiftness, truth.
59.a)
The Goat—superiority, vitality.
b)
The Sheep—helplessness.
60.a)
The Eagle—release from bondage.
b)
The Rat—plague, decay.
61.a)
The Woodpecker—prophecy.
b)
The Lizard, or Salamander—silence.
Unofficial Diagrams
Unofficial location map of Ottawa
Unofficial map of Tamson House
Unofficial diagram of Tamson House
1
Northwest Tower, Sara’s rooms [P1C2-26, 27]
2
Postman’s Room, 2nd fl, Jamie’s Study [P1C2-31; P2C5-213]
2b
Postman’s Room, 2nd fl, Jamie’s Study, alternate location
3
Firecat’s Room, 2nd fl, Blue’s Room [P1C2-39; P3C4-326]
4
Silkwater Kitchen, 1st fl [P1C5-69; P2C3-166]
5
West Library, 1st fl [P3C4-326, P3C5-369]
6
Patterson Door [P2C3-166, 171]
7
Gramarye’s Clover, 2nd fl [P2C5-223]
7b
Gramarye’s Clover, 2nd fl, alternate location [P3c6-377, 378; P3c7-389; P4c2-406]
8
Clemow/O’Connor(?) Door [P2C7-252, 261; P3C4-309]
9
Broken Window [P3C2-293; P3C4-320]
10
Broken Screen [P3C5-363]
[P#C#-#] = [Part#Chapter#-1994 Orb Edition page #]
Moonheart Page 57