by Rane, April
“Yes, I know who you are!” Jutia cried, raising his lifeless body to the surface by his hair. “You are dead! Dead! Do you hear me?””
Both mother and daughter crawled from the muddy water, looked around at their victory and began to dance, crying, hugging and calling out praise to the Goddess. The raid was over, and they had rescued the girls, and looking around it seemed that all of the women of their clan had survived.
Jutia and Ageianna joined the circle that was forming in the center of the village. Linking their arms, their voices raised in a haunting and somber melody in praise of the Goddess.
“Hail Cybele ma belle. See us shine for thee.
Hail mother hold us, hold us at your knee.
Hail sister who is mine. The Goddess, she does see.
Hail Goddess, Mother, Sister… I am all that I can be.”
The band of women, now warriors, began to move rhythmically in a circle, their arms still linked, their voices merged as one. The spiraling energy which rose from the circle transcended the savagery and the suffering of the last hours, bringing forth a palpable sensation of awe and gratitude that the Goddess had so blessed them on this day.
The dead men and their male visitors had counted twenty and three, but there were scores of women and children. As the dazed and bewildered women and children watched the strangers who had appeared from out of nowhere, they moved closer, drawn by the exultant power of the women before them until, creating a circle around them, they joined in the singing.
Many were openly sobbing. The two mothers and their three daughters that had been rescued were sitting in the middle, laughing, crying and absorbing the healing that came from the voices encircling them. It was then that Eurynome realized that all of the women and children in the village had been captured, tortured and made slaves by these brutal men. And now they were now free.
Tears flooded Eurynome’s eyes, blurring her vision. Wiping them away with the back of her arm she noticed dampness on her left side. Her eyes burned and blackness threatened for a moment, but she shook off the weakness. Taking one of the women by the arm she said, “I see you have healing abilities. Will you assist my grandmother with the wounded when she arrives?”
With gnarled hands the woman reached up to touch Eurynome’s face. She did not seem surprised at Eurynome’s knowing of her art. “You remind me of my daughter,” she said. “These men – well, she was beautiful. They used her too often and her body gave out.”
Nodding at the old woman, Eurynome clutched her hand, taking strength from the resilience she saw before her. Looking around, Eurynome watched, her golden eyes filling up again at the sight of strength in the way the women held themselves. They’re glowing, she thought, as she watched the fear leaving their faces.
Eurynome lovingly halted the voices, telling the women there was much time for celebrating after they took care of the injured, and gave orders for two of the women to go for her grandmother and the children who had safely been left behind in the cave.
Then, unable to stand without help, she attempted a casual air, as she ambled slowly to lean on a tree. Thiscara, Marta, Jutia and Ageianna moved toward her asking what they could do, and once instructed, hurried off to attend to the injured and the prisoners. In her weakened state, a powerful vision encompassed her. She saw herself with Jontue; he looked very different but she knew it was he.
They were seated in a garden of flowers; music pulsated from every direction, filling them with a harmony that went much deeper than the music alone could bring. She felt for him a forever love, that was deep and sensual, yet it vibrated with a purity of heart that once felt was never forgotten.
It stunned her to feel the sensual feelings in her body as she viewed the vision. Yet, the feelings belonged- like smooth rocks lining a river bed, like leaves gracing a tree and like water in a bubbling brook. The feelings belonged!
“All of the bodies of the men that have been killed are to go into those huts at the end of the village,” Eurynome told them. “The huts and the dead men will be burned, and then you will take the boats and go up stream.”
Eurynome was clicking off orders and checking on some of the wounded as they entered the hut behind her that had been set up to care for the women that had been wounded. The village was buzzing with activity.
“There are not enough boats for all of you. Jutia will lead a party to take the boats upstream,” she said, and then she made her way to the slight figure of the shy young girl that she knew as Miyah.
“You have been very quiet on this journey, Miyah,” she told her, “but I think your time has come. You will go with Jutia to watch the children, for with your injured leg you will be no good along the path. But your love of children will help to keep them occupied while they learn a new way to travel. Tell me, how is your leg?”
Miyah, seeing the pain that Eurynome was in, quickly assured her she was all right, and added that she would be proud and happy to help with the children traveling by water.
“Ageianna will lead the party on foot,” Eurynome informed them. “And Neya, you are fearless and have astounded me on this journey. I noticed you have a natural instinct for the trees and animals. Your understanding of how the sun travels across the sky will lead you to the sacred city of Hattusus. And so you will scout for the party that will go by land.”
“But, you…I do not understand…” Ageianna began, “You must lead…”
Eurynome interrupted with a knowing grin. “You have pure instinct when danger lurks. Your instinct saved your mother. I noticed that you follow what feels right from here in your center. And when there is a problem between the women, you go with what is right from your heart.” Ageianna’s eyes filled with tears; she reached out instinctively, letting Eurynome lean on her as she continued speaking.
“Jutia, I signal you out to lead the party by boat; there is no doubt in anyone’s mind why. Hap I say, you are courageous, quick and strong, and a fierce fighter.”
She looked at Jutia with her arm around her daughter. “Look at the proud love in your daughter’s eyes.”
Eurynome’s voice failed her. She cleared her throat, forcing herself to go on.
“Look around you, every woman in the group gives you enormous praise for the outcome of this raid.”
There was a loud din of approval from the women in praise of Jutia. But seeing the concern in her eyes as she focused on their leader, they turned to Eurynome. Weakly she held up her arms to stop the clamoring.
Grandmother, upon arriving from the cave, let out a loud shriek and clutched her heart in pain. Some of the women went to their knees when they noticed the immense amount of blood under Eurynome’s arm. The stain went to her hip and continued down her leggings. They rushed toward her and she tried to wave them off, but was too weak.
“Get her into that hut!” her grandmother cried, but Eurynome would not hear of it. Instead, she ordered them to take her to a large oak tree down by the water even though, when they tried to support her under the arm, it made the wound bleed profusely. They were forced to construct a litter out of branches to support her. As they laid her under the tree, full daylight was breaking over the mountains; it was going to be a clear and beautiful day.
Grandmother wanted to examine the wound and many of the women gathered around, hoping to help. With immense effort, Eurynome spoke in a slightly weakened voice.
“I am still your leader… Th…there is much to do and there has been no sleep. Jutia, Ageianna, have some of the women sleep, and the others can make ready for leaving. There is no time to fuss on those that don’t need it.”
Jutia hesitated and was met with a determined stare. She moved off and began calling orders.
“Mamma, stay with me” Eurynome murmured. “Come let us sleep for a while. I am so tired.”
Grandmother took Eurynome’s head in her lap and said, “Child why did you not tell someone of your injury?”
“You know why. You have always known.”
And exhau
sted, both she and the old women fell asleep. Grandmother was awakened by a hand lightly touching her arm. Eurynome also awoke.
“Are you all ready to leave?” she asked Jutia who was bending over them.
“We are prepared,” she replied. “Let us help you into the boat.”
“I go not,” said Eurynome, her eyes glazed with pain. “It would be madness for me to take up room in one of the boats. No. This tree is my resting place. We are happy together. Do you hear the birds singing for me? When you go, many animals will come and welcome me to their hearts. We will become one. It is as it should be.”
“There has been a huge loss of blood,” Thiscara said sadly. You know not what you say.”
“No… I know what I say, and Grandmother knows also. Let us tell them of the night of my birth, tell them of your vision…. tell me.”
“I have told you before.” Grandmother said weakly.
“You have not told me the end of your vision.”
“Child please…Do not do this,” Grandmother sobbed.
Eurynome reached up lovingly, caressing her grandmother’s face. She touched the tears running over the lined beauty of the woman that raised her, and brought them, a salty reminder of the Goddess, to her lips.
“Remember what I told you about the sea and our tears. It is the Goddesses’ way of showing you your strength, your beginnings.”
With effort and to relieve some of her pain, Eurynome adjusted her body against the tree before she began again.
“Goddess teaches there is no death! I know this for I have lived before, as all of you have done. Search your minds for things that are familiar, things or places or people that you know instinctively. Watch Jutia as she maneuvers the boats, as if she has done it many times before.”
Eurynome struggled for a breath. “Acknowledge Ageianna as she leads you. She was born with vast ability; she will have no trouble keeping you safe.” Cocking her head at her old friend, she said, “Marta has inner knowledge of herbs; she is dreaming the dreams of healing with the gift of fore-knowing from the Goddess.
Marta jumped, lightly holding her arm, startled that Eurynome knew her secret.
“Yes it is true… My arm is better because I have learned on this pilgrimage that I am a healer. I seem to know the right herbs to use because I see it in my dream the night before. I see myself picking the herb and sharing it, and it leads me to know what to do for all of you. I am excited about this new knowledge.”
“Once I stopped feeling sorry for myself,” said Marta, “this knowledge became very strong.” She looked miserably at Eurynome, feeling inadequate to help her. “I am so sorry. Please forgive me?” Her tears became a flood and her mother, Theta, took her in her arms, and both sobbed holding on to the other for strength.
Eurynome’s skin was shining from perspiration. Her hair hung in ringlets, framing her beauty. Her face was a canvas, as she looked into the eyes of each woman. The pain she was feeling was replaced with respect, pride, honor, wonder and love.
“Ahh…” she said. “That is what shines in your faces. Passion! Passion for life, and for the Goddess of creation, that it stems from. How can men hold that their gods are all powerful? How can you have life without the mother? She creates! Without her there is nothing!” Eurynome’s breath was coming with great effort.
“The…the last thing I want to teach you is this. To have power is to not fear death.” She weakly drew a circle on the ground with her knife. “This is life. May ‘hap one of you can show me where is the beginning, and where is the end?”
“You cannot leave. You have not finished the story of Aradia!” Marta brought her hand to her mouth to stifle the anguish she felt over all the sharing she had missed and the friendship she would never get to enjoy with Eurynome.
“That is true… about Aradia. It is not that I have held out on you; it is just that I do not yet know the ending.”
“Child, don’t leave me!” Grandmother beseeched, sobbing, trying to ward off the inevitable.
Eurynome smiled at her and said “I shall be back.” Her eyes fluttered and her body slowly became limp.
Hovering above her body, Eurynome looked down on her beloved grandmother as the old woman held her limp body and sobbed away her grief. Then, looking, off in the distance, she saw a radiant light glowing with a blue-white luminescence which formed a cone-like tunnel from which a familiar voice emerged to tell her that her work on earth was done and that now it was time for her to leave.
The light was so peaceful. It reminded her of the times she’d spent at the pond in the forest where the serene atmosphere had always lulled her to fall into a deep sleep from which she would awake with memories of a lush and magnificent garden. But more importantly, she vaguely recalled an ethereal goddess that sat with her there. The goddess had so many answers. Answers to questions Eurynome had not even known she wanted to ask.
Now, although she was drawn toward the light, she was torn by the knowledge that her grandmother needed her, that she would be so alone without her.
At that moment, however, a beautiful being, clad in a diaphanous robe of sea foam green, reached out her hand.
“You cannot help her as you are, for you dwell not in the earth, nor yet in the heavens. You must come with me,” she said. “The in-between world serves no one.”
A halo of golden light glowed around the being and her voice was melodious. “Take my hand,” she said. “You will be safe. We have awaited you. I promise your grandmother is not in danger, and that she will honor you by being strong.”
With that, Eurynome reached out her hand and moved through the tunnel with the radiant and enchanted being.
When Eurynome opened her eyes, an exquisite goddess stood before her. A spray of glitter ran across her high cheekbones splashing stars in her loosely coiled raven hair. Her musical voice was a respite of calm and comfort.
“You have slept for a great long while,” she said as Eurynome looked about in confusion. “The sleep of the dead, we laughingly call it. Ah, but I see that you are not amused”
Looking around, Eurynome realized she was on a velvety blue curved sofa. Soft colorful pillows were scattered about, and off to the side there was a crystal waterfall, above which hung a mural of a castle with its turrets piercing the clouds. The ethereal goddess stood in front of an intricately designed window with curtains so sheer, light, and airy that they hardly existed at all. Beyond, stretched a majestic garden such as she had never seen before. Or had she?
“What is this place?” Eurynome demanded. “And who are you?”
“All in good time,” answered the translucent goddess. “First I must say you take your mission very seriously.”
“Mission…what mission?”
“The mission you were given before you went to reside upon the earth. Tell me, does the name Aradia mean anything to you?”
“It sounds familiar…Something Jontue might have mentioned,” Eurynome admitted.
“Hmm…It is sometimes ourselves we know the least.” The goddess paused a moment, seeming to considered her next words carefully and then she murmured,
“I am told that going through the womb when entering the earth is an interesting experience. Most times it creates a veil of forgetfulness,” the goddess continued. “Coming here seems to have that same effect…but only at first…”
“Coming here?” Eurynome interrupted her impatiently, “If this is not earth…then where? And who is Aradia?”
The extraordinary being said affectionately, “Where you are… you will understand before long.” And after another lengthy pause… “As to Aradia…why, that is you!”
Looking puzzled, Eurynome shook her head in disbelief, and with more than a touch of irritation, questioned, “I am Aradia? Then who are you?”
“My name is Desimena,” the goddess told her. And you are the great Aradia, daughter of Diana, Goddess of the Moon. My name means teacher of many. I am your spirit guide when you are in the body, and I tend to you and others
here on this side of the veil. I see that you are impatient and I understand. But believe me when I tell you that all will come in good time, and that is something we have a great deal of. We use the word time, though time does not exist here, only because it is a concept you have become used to on earth. It seems we are stuck with the word. It is murmured often by students such as you.”
“And what kind of students would that be?” Eurynome questioned, raising an eyebrow.
“Those that are in a hurry and those that are very curious. Let us begin with the basics. First, I will be calling you Aradia, for that is the name your mother Diana gave you.”
As Aradia settled in, Desimena began her lesson.
“All things are male and female, and all things are being created in the moment. I say “being created,” for it is an ever moving, ever merging energy that is never still. If you could look upon the face of Source, in the next instant it would change. For Source itself, as well as an individual soul like you, is an evolving process. It continues on…
Desimena stopped abruptly as she watched Eurynome’s expressive face light up. “You have come upon an understanding?” Desimena asked with a wide smile.
“Yes, no… I… I am sorry. I was listening! But I just realized something.”
“Well please be kind enough to share it so we both can have the look of pleasure you are wearing.”
“It is ongoing, this learning. I was educated by a very wise and kind man when I was on the earth. In turn, I taught the women, and now you’re teaching me. I did not mean to interrupt the lesson, but I remember Jontue, my scholarly teacher on earth, saying that learning never stops. Is that true?”