Wyrdscript
...DEATH
Beyond being and not being
A Dragon was asleep in a beautiful
Valley
As they are shifted in plane
Due to their level of consciousness
Those of more dense form,
Such as Humans and the living organisms
They know,
Do not perceive them, especially
In a direct mode of sensation
Thus we built our cities
In many places where they slept
For us they are the Chaos of Nature,
A force or power
Both being and nonbeing
Those who do feel their presence
Will most likely be startled
By their size and depth of awareness
This can be frightening for
Humans who grasp
The nature of the Beast
- Unlimited nonduality -
So it was that I
Had the exceeding good fortune
To meet several Dragons
Or one many
Times
The first time
I was in bed at home
Alone in bed I met it
I struggled, yet s/he held me
Pinned
Until I gave up
On fear as a guardian
And faced the Darkness
The Void of Eternity
In ignorance
We shared the closest thing
To making love
Which a Dragon and Human
May enjoy
While frightening it was also ecstatic
Apparently ecstasy is intensified
Consciousness
And there are some connections still
Between the dimensions in which they dwell
And our own
Especially for those who are curious
And open to their Way
This was the first direct encounter
Of my life
Concentrated consciousness
In moments of our ecstasy
I was awed
By its majesty
And came to understand
More completely the beauty and ugliness (Virtue)
Of Chaos
I found reflections of Tao
That night
And realized my manifestation
As an Elven Taoist Mage
Part of the role for this title
Is to discover the meaning of
The title itself
An exploration of the unknown
In life
The second occasion
S/he was asleep in the valley
In a friends' home
We woke it with our blessings
And I took to quenching its thirst
Being made of water
This evening of dreams
We spent rapt in communion
S/he told fabulous tales
Of Fantasy
And I listened as long as I could
Before falling asleep
In Bliss... 8808.28
[the following appeared in Circle Network News 2000 Summer.]
Encounter With the Dragon: A Pathwork to the Chaos in Nature
The room or field around us blurs as we experience the words on the page before us. Suddenly we find ourselves walking along a mountain trail. It is rocky and lined by coarse bushes and shrubs which hug the ground and grow sparsely on the mountainsides to our left and right. Perhaps this path was a stream in the late winter or early spring, but now in late summer, the heat poses a small challenge to our endurance. It has been a long and dangerous journey to these peaks. The air is thin and quiet. We are the only beings for miles, aside from the One which we approach.
Our trek nears its end as we wind slowly up to a mammoth ridge ahead. At the base of the nearest peak, the root of the ridge, is the entrance to a dark and dank cave. The old sage who directed us here said that we would need no tool and no weapon in our quest beyond our passion, honesty and patience. So far this has proven to be true, though even these were sorely tested.
A bit of fear surfaces in our thoughts. What if the legends are true? What if our quest leads to a ghastly end? Yet we are reassured by the sage's words: "They are more than beasts, more than human. They are part of the forces of Nature, at one with the Cosmos. They are present in Creation, possessing great and primal power, yes, but their Way is complex and mystical. Their purpose fits into a framework much larger than we mortals may imagine."
Into the cave we go, drawn by awe and wonder. It is impenetrably dark. We must feel our way now, through the winding labyrinth under this great mountain. Silent and weighty, it is suspended over our heads and over the mirky darkness. With patience and care we thread our path along miles of treacherous tunnel, avoiding yawning chasms, bypassing the needlesharp stalactites and stalagmites projecting from ceiling and floor, and following our instinct at intersections.
Gradually the tunnel lightens and we approach a vast underground cavern of immeasurable size. On its floor, if there is one, is a lake, sparkling with a strange light which fills this place. It is a subtle, ephemeral glow as if a full moon shines overhead. Yet we are underground, deep at the heart of the mountain.
We are very thirsty. Closing the distance between ourselves and the lake, we kneel and drink from our cupped hands. Tiredness and fear wash away and our strength is renewed. Magical waters! In our renewal we become aware of an entity; a being resides within the lake. This awareness brings no fear as we see the lakewater swirl and bubble. It splashes and turns, rising in the center no more than a hundred feet away. A shimmering form takes shape on the surface of these enchanted waters. It is difficult to tell if its skin is wet or if the rainbows - the chromatic aberration - are a function of its being or of our vision. It takes form slowly, as if without undue haste. A serpent body. A head more closely resembling a bearded horse or dog than that of a serpent, with eyes and face expressing intense joy and peaceful serenity. The body completes its manifestation with the addition of four paws, with which it appears to stand atop the water. We have encountered a Dragon!
The power and majesty of this being is readily felt. It takes a supreme act of will to stand, meeting it on our own terms. If this ends in our destruction, then we shall at least boldly face our destroyer.
"Do not fear, little One. This visit is a welcomed entertainment. Your journey has been long and challenging. It is with great deservedness that you taste of these waters. Your sage has taught you well. It is true that Dragons are one with Nature. It is only when Nature becomes an enemy that a Dragon is dangerous, wild, destructive, terrifying and harmful. It is only when humans seek to control Nature, to overpower Her, that Dragons become the fearsome foe, the adversary guarding the regenerative maiden, who is the golden power of renewal. Otherwise Dragons are a rather congenial species, content to have infrequent conversations with Nature-lovers such as you."
The Dragon's speech is soothing, compassionate yet resonant, beginning like a deep waterfall and trailing off like the jingling of copper pans. Clouds of vapor form as it speaks and some of this vapor congeals near the top of its head forming antler-like horns of multicolored beauty.
We are deeply awe-struck by this spectacular display and reassured by the Dragon's words. Nature an enemy? How could we ever come to such a position? Those who do have a great foe indeed. What pearls of wisdom, what gems of understanding may this being possess? Yet ours is a simple quest of introduction.
"Oh great One. Thank you for your compassion and generosity. We come simply to express our admiration and interest regarding your wonderful mystery. Our respect and affection for your unbounded knowledge and power brings us to visit you in your secluded abode."
The Dragon smiles a toothy grin and slowly sinks into the mirrored lake. "Very well, your visits are most welcome. When next you come, perhaps we might speak of the Dragon-gate, the magic pearl, or of the mystic lake in which I dwell. For now, farewell. May the wind and rain bring great fortune."
As the last words bubble up in a coppery crescendo, the lake ripples in faint memory of the Dragon's presence. We turn and retrace our steps, contemplating the relationship we now have with this being and considering a return trip. Now, the dark tunnels and winding paths lead us elsewhere.
[originally contributed to an Outer Court visualization of Gardenian witches as exploratory ritual and mystico-magical programming establishing a base of encounter with draconic and chthonic being.]
All text © 2006-2020 nagasiva yronwode