The Descent of the Goddess

[tinhuvielartanis]

It is told in the ancient Tarmian Tradition that, at one time the Elves of Old, the Tarmian folk who had come to Mother Earth before the Days of Dragons, were ageless and immortal. For generations did they dwell in an eternal harmony with their newfound home, learning the magicks of the Earth Mother and realising the apotheosis of their own into godhood.

One such risen Goddess was Artanis, the Maiden of the Wild. She became known for her owls and bears and her folk, the Pretani Tarmi, revered her deep mysteries of life and wonder.

Artanis had never loved, though she was greatly fascinated with the notion and often hoped that someday she would understand the ebb and flow of this wonderful emotion. She roamed the lonely hills of Meybhelahn, dreaming of love and communing with her flora and fauna, the companions of her heart. This was her daily joy and it was the source of many magickal workings among her people that Artanis dwelt so closely to the heart of nature.

But one day, something happened..something unspeakable and inconceivable. A grandmother of the Pretani Tarmi became feeble of body and, making her way into Artanis' hills, this grandmother lay amongst the lilies and simply ceased to Be. Artanis found her, curled within the flower bed as though asleep, and she was astonished that one of her own people seemed to sleep so deeply...so finally.

"What is this, that this grandmother moves no more?" She asked, a tremour of dismay in her voice.

"'Tis the Way of Things," whispered Bear. "We creatures of the wood, field, and water know well the mystery of death. Only the Tarmi had never tasted the Great Cycle but, now, it seems you truly are children of this Earth on which you have so long dwelt. Mortality is the Way of this world, Lady Artanis."

"But I do not understand. I wish to know this mystery of death of which you speak. How might I understand it so I can show my people that it is truly the Way of Things?"

"You must travel into the Halls of the Grey Lord, the first child of Menaterra, and the Shepherd of Souls. It is he who calls the spirit and brings death to this world. Only he may tell you. Go down to the river until you reach the waterfall. Behind the falls is a cave. Follow the path of the cavern and it will bring you to the Grey Lord. There may your find your answers."

So Artanis took Bears words to heart and began her journey to the Halls of the Grey Lord. When she reached the waterfall and stepped behind it, she found a gate and, at the gate, there stood Crane. And Crane said to Artanis, "Lady of the Wild, I ask that you leave with me a token of your esteem before you pass."

Artanis took her feathered headdress and handed it to Crane. "Please, Crane, let me pass," and the gate before Artanis swung open into darkness. Deep did she descend, her way silent and steady. From a distance, she could hear a vague rhythm, only slightly familiar. Suddenly the path lightened and before her stood another gate between two torches. In front of the gate stood Otter.

"Lady of the Wild, I ask that you leave with me a token of your esteem before you pass."

Artanis took her fur boots off and handed them to Otter. "Please, Otter, let me pass," and the gate before Artanis swung open into an even deeper darkness. The path was steeper now, and Artanis could feel the smooth rock beneath her bare feet. The rock was warm and throbbed with a rhythm Artanis could not yet discern. For the third time, Artanis saw before her another gate. This one was guarded by Chameleon.

"Lady of the Wild, I ask that you leave with me a token of your esteem before you pass."

Artanis took her outer coat and gave it to Chameleon. "Please, Chameleon, let me pass," and the gate before Artanis swung open to an inky blackness that exuded an unspeakable danger. Artanis made her way down deeper into the bosom of the Earth, her steps now tenuous, as the rhythm grew ever more apparent, thrumming up through her feet and rattling her heart. A fourth gate appeared, guarded by Wolf.

"Lady of the Wild, I ask that you leave with me a token of your esteem before you pass."

Artanis, peeled off her leggings and handed them to Wolf. "Please, Wolf, let me pass," and the gate before Artanis swung open into silence. The elusive rhythm was now gone and Artanis could not even hear her own footsteps on the floor of the black cavern through which she crept. Danger wrapped around her like a shroud and she could feel her skin pulling away from the thought of it. She saw the fifth gate ahead, only dimly lit and guarded by Owl.

"Lady of the Wild, I ask that you leave with me a token of your esteem before you pass."

Artanis, unlaced her corset and handed it to Owl. "Please, Owl, let me pass," and the dim gate before Artanis swung open, allowing Artanis to continue her silent journey into the heart of the Halls of the Grey Lord. In this space, Artanis questioned even her own existence, for she could see, hear, nor feel anything. But soon a sixth gate appeared and before it stood the great Lion.

"Lady of the Wild, I ask that you leave with me a token of your esteem before you pass."

Having only her shift left, Artanis paused. "But, Lion, I have but one thing left."

"And it is the one thing you must give to me before you may go into the presence of the Grey Lord."

So Artanis pulled the linen shift from her milky form and stood before the Lion bereft of all Earthly possession. She would go to the Grey Lord naked. "Please, Lion, let me pass," and the Lion's gate opened into a dark grey passage way. Delicately did Artanis step, making her way forward into what mystery, she knew not. When she came upon a seventh gate, Artanis wondered what else could she give!

Stag stood at the gate, his great antlered crown gleaming in a light that was not there. "Lady of the Wild," he said. "I ask that you leave me with a token of your esteem before you pass."

"But I have naught to give."

"Oh, but you have two things yet to give. You must give over your trust here before you may pass. Do you trust your path, my Lady? Do you trust the Grey Lord enough to show you the mystery of death?"

Artanis lingered before Stag and pondered his question, and she felt a mighty rush of emotion go through her body, and an overwhelming sense of being protected in this place...and Artanis said, "I give my trust, lord Stag. I give my trust freely."

Upon her words a deer-hide collar formed round her throat and Stag stood aside, opening the Way. "Go in peace, Lady of the Wild."

Artanis stepped through the gate and into a large circular hall. On the opposite side of the hall sat a very pale beautiful man, clad in long grey robes, with an antler headdress adorning his brow. Upon seeing Artanis, the Grey Lord stood and crossed over to her. Taking his headdress, he placed it at her feet, which he kissed lingeringly, looking up into her massive eyes, and he whispered, his voice a lute, "Blessed be your feet that have brought you on this path."

Then he stood and took her hands in his, saying "Stay with me a while, my Lady. Long have I awaited thee and I desire that you linger and accept my touch upon your heart as you have touched mine."

"But, I do not love thee, Grey Lord. I came only to learn what mystery you've placed upon my people, that they might die as is the Way of Things of which Bear spoke."

"'Twas not I who brought this mystery to your people. 'Twas the Will of Menaterra. As she cycles, so must all her children. I am powerless to alter this, but I do have the power to ease the passing from life on Earth to life amidst the spirits of the otherworld. 'Tis comfort I bring to the dying. Nothing more. Will you not remain with me and learn of this mystery, know the love that stems from such a journey?"

"Alas, Grey Lord, I do not love thee. I cannot remain."

A flash of disappointment and anger washed across the Grey Lord's face. "If you will not stay with me, Artanis Maiden, I must ask that you give me something before you may go back into the Realm of the Living."

"What is it that you desire of me, m'Lord?" Artanis asked, her only comfort the symbol of trust resting against her throat.

"You must kneel and feel the pain of Death before ever you can pass into Life once more."

"So mote it be," Artanis whispered, and she knelt in submission before the Grey Lord, who attached a leather leash to her collar and bound her wrists with the other end. And in the dim light of the Halls of the Grey Lord, Artanis felt the sting of Death across her flesh. The even strokes of the Grey Lord's scourge marked her body time and again until Artanis heard the rhythm that had so eluded her before. And she knew what the rhythm was now. It was the deep drum beat of her own heart, beating in time with the Grey Lord's harsh attentions, and Artanis surrendered to the mystery of death and pain and.....love!

"I can feel it, my Lord! I understand!" She cried, her joy mingling with the pain her body felt. "I know your pain now...and I love you!"

Instantly Artanis felt the Grey Lord pull upon her collar until she was standing once more, her hands still bound behind her. But the Grey Lord came 'round and knelt before her beauty, kissing her center in love and reverence. "Oh Maiden of the Wild, my Goddess of Life and the Mysteries thereof, will you now linger with me for a time? Will you learn the Mysteries of Death and love me here in this place of passion and repose?"

"Yes, I will stay with you, for you have conquered me in Love and Trust and had me worship you as you so worship me. Let us learn together, my Lord."

And so, Artanis and the Grey Lord learned and taught the Mysteries of Life and Death, and became bound to one another for Eternity. As the Grey Lord forever kneels at the Goddess' feet to kiss her sweet center and initiate the Rites of Creation, so does the Goddess submit to the Grey Lord's passion, collared in trust, and subject to the Mystery of Love.

So it was, so it is, and so it shall ever be in this, the World of the Great Mother. In accordance to the Tarmian Tradition, here is Deep Mystery: the Triskele of Creation spins in symmetry, each tine representing Sex, Death, and Rebith. But binding that triune is the circlet that drives all aspects of Creation, and that is Love.

Blessed Be.