METAMORPHOSIS

2014 01 21 DEVELOPMENT OF UNDERSTANDING

METAMORPHOSIS might be a better word.

The book THEY ARE MY SONG in its original form is exactly that. An original form.

It is the way it came to me and is presented as such.

The entire process was largely an exercise in communication, so to speak.

I wrote my narrative of things and then consulted my Characters for their reactions and their input. There were times I had to go back into the narrative and try to add things that the Voices made reference to.

Seeing as how my consultants lived more than 1500 years ago, nothing much about the whole thing is going to make much sense to anyone who is looking for a ‘traditional book’.

It’s a bit like presenting someone with a broken piece of rusted iron and expecting them to know that it’s a piece of horse harness from 525 BC Britain. Even the most knowledgeable have to have SOME kind of context and the average Joe or Jane on the street is going to take one look at that bit of rusted iron, refuse to touch it, and tell you to toss it on the scrap heap.

On the other hand, that same bit of rusted iron, when presented within the framework of a museum, in context with the rest of the harness all put back together again as it was when in actual use, might well be an object of awe and fascination. ‘They knew how to do THAT clear back THEN? How did they figure it out?’

And so my Cast of Characters and I are on a journey together. We want to not only come to know and trust one another (to communicate, so to speak) but to be able to communicate with others as well.

So how to ‘translate’?

I’m finding that the process is surprisingly archaeological-like and/or psychoanalytical in that the initial ‘finds’ most likely will not be understood until they can be seen within a wider framework of knowledge.

Essentially, the original form is only going to be able to be understood by ‘working back to it’.

In the original work, They Are My Song, the communication begins as stilted and formal but both they and I are TRYING.

It’s a little on the mystic side, so if you’re not mystically inclined you’re most likely not going to get it, from the concept right on through the whole thing. And that’s okay; you’re in the majority, where you’re most comfortable.

For those of you who are ‘on the other hand’ types, you might understand this:  When I first asked the Characters, ‘Okay, how do you see this? What is your perspective?’ the reaction was to my LITERAL request; I got descriptions.

Through the progression they become more open about their PERSPECTIVES – and a lot of that doesn’t show up in the pages of the book but came separate from it – and my narratives become more perceptive.

The narratives are meant to be ‘frames’ from inside of which the Characters are able to convey their individual reactions both external and internal. By the end of the book these are almost entirely internal; the Characters are letting us see inside of them.

One of the reasons for each of the Characters having a Voice of his/her own is so that we can follow them individually through the events of the book’s time span. 

The following will make this a long piece, but let’s follow one of them.

Which one?

When I asked who would speak, it was Talorc who took the plunge, and the lead. So Talorc it is. Here is his introduction.

Talorc Speaks

I am Talorc

I walk

The path of Tomorrow, of Hope

My arm is strong

As is my heart 

For one without the other

Is an empty thing

I build Today

For Tomorrow

My shoulders are broad

And they need to be

As I carry the burden

Of leadership

Though I seek it not

I walk with Caileen

We love

We endure

Always

MAY DAY 487 AD

Who speaks first of the lazy hazy easy days just before all the changes begin happening?

Talorc Speaks

                      

I smile in the sunshine of Dunnottar on this day. 

Everyone is busy and I watch them all, before taking this load of straw over to Caileen to chop it to add to the daub mixture.  She has been fretting about the little cracks that show up in our house walls and is determined to seal them all up.  She might not LIKE doing it, but she does it.

Sass is tending her herb gardens, the dogs outside the perimeters she has set them, barking now and then. 

Sidhelagh is in the grove, trimming grass and small branches.  Oh, she’s got Little Merri up a tree with a little ax, trimming up there – and there goes Sidhelagh, climbing the same tree! 

The men wave me over to where they’re planting new young trees to add to the horses’ wind break.  I’d better get this straw delivered and go help them.  They are all there except Danann – he’s in the smithy.

Yes, the day is clear and sunny, everyone’s busy and happy, but … Caileen is looking at the sky too, with a little frown.  I know how she feels.  It LOOKS all right, but … ah, maybe it’s just my imagination. 

MID-JUNE 487 AD

Talorc Speaks

Caileen wipes sweat from her face.  I know how she feels but this has got to be done.  We want a GOOD crop this year.

Hmmm – looks like Caileen will get her wish for something besides these weeds. 

Okay, let’s go!

It feels good to be running our horses and they are loving it too! 

Uh-oh, here come the birds.  I wonder if that’s Mamm’s doing or if Sass just wanted them to have some fun.  Looks like they’re having fun, all right! 

Those poor raiders bit off more than they could chew THIS time I expect!  The birds will follow them all the way home and they’ll have to clean their boat as WELL as their clothes!  Not to mention their hair and everything else. 

Tonight’s feast is another good thing, a good way to end a fun day.  The Stonehaven people are our neighbors but we so rarely see them.  Thank God they’re smart enough to run our way when they need to run!  Getting to know them is going to be great.

SUMMER SOLSTICE 487 AD

Talorc Speaks

Everyone is laughing and all are happy on this night. 

There is cause for the happiness and my spirit is peaceful within the merriment. 

There are our new members over there, surrounded with people all hugging them in welcome. 

I will join them shortly with hugs of my own. 

I’m not usually much of a hugger, but this night is kind of special. 

Being a part of the Song makes it special each time. 

I wonder if the ones who Hear and Respond understand that they are just as much a part of it as the Voices. 

They are, you know.  Not just for the moment of the Song, but forever.  They will carry the Song within them for always, and the Spirit of it will never leave them.  They will pass that on to their younglings, who will in turn Hear the Song and Respond – and so on it will go through the ages. 

It is timeless, this Song – God sees to that. 

EARLY July 487 AD

Talorc Speaks

The younglings make me laugh.  The looks on their faces as they cleaned and stored the catch!  They were trying so hard not to look disgusted – but they came through and got the job done. 

There are plenty of things we would ALL rather do than THAT, this is true.  But it’s all a part of the whole and it must be done – and so we do it. 

And they learn more than just how to clean fish.  Watching them working together to help one another makes my spirit sing.  They do this naturally; I need not prompt them, and that makes me proud of them.  I tell them so and their backs straighten, their chins lift a little, and they smile with a quiet pride. 

That is what it’s all about, bringing that pride to their minds every chance we get – for when they have THAT, they will seek and find it in all they do, no matter what they choose for their paths. 

As for those strangers among us, someone has gone too far in the teaching of pride to them.  They have lost, or perhaps never had, the ‘helping one another’ part of the equation. 

July 487 AD

Talorc Speaks

I thought my head was never going to stop pounding this morning!  Those women didn’t help things a darned bit – although I admit we had it coming. 

                 

I’ve almost run out of the supplies Sass sent in my pack, but the day is almost over now so I think we’ll be all right. 

Forest has been hit hard by this storm.  Trees are down and not all could get to shelter fast enough to avoid injury.  I’m not sure that man whose head got in the way of a big branch is going to make it; we might be grieving tomorrow.  But Saille did everything she could for him so he has a chance and we all have Hope.  It’s been hours now, but if he moves any time soon, even a flicker of an eyelid, Hope will win out and we’ll be celebrating. 

Everyone is picking up branches, and cutting up whole trees that have gone down. 

The animals seem to have made it through in fine shape.  They know ahead of time and head for shelter quicker than we do. 

Ah!  He moves!  His eyes behind their lids, and now a finger!  Whew!  I’ll have good news for Saille this night.

EARLY AUGUST 487 AD

Talorc Speaks

The strangers are gone, but to where do they go? 

Whose younglings will they next try to attract with their tales, and will the big ones be strong enough to hold their younglings to the Father, the Mother, and the Son? 

We have not lost our old symbols, the teaching tools by which the younglings are reminded of our ways.  They are a part of the Holy Trinity, have always been and will always be – but already there are younglings and even big ones who can no longer tell the meanings behind the symbols. 

Who besides the Cuimhne Daoine remember the ancient meanings?  We are many here in this land and feel often secure – but have we forgotten that this land is but a tiny part of the whole larger world?  Yes, we are many HERE but still we are very much alone in the bigness of the world. 

Mother, do not ever leave us or we will not survive.  Holy Trinity we are going to need Your protection – I have a fear for the days to come, the days of our younglings and those who will follow.  I beg you, Holy Trinity, do not allow Your Light among us to be extinguished else the entirety of the world will be plunged into darkness.  Preserve this little flicker as darkness falls.  Hold fast to us as we hold fast to You. 

Ah Caileen, tomorrow we gather the younglings and remind them of the Spiral, the Dove, the Cross, and the weavings without beginning or end.  We remind them of the Father, the Mother, the Son, and the creation born of Their Will.  

LATE AUGUST 487 AD

Talorc Speaks

These ‘attackers’ from Beyond have cost us all another day of work, but it’s been so much fun that nobody really minds all that much.

Besides the concern we all have regarding the influence the strangers are apparently capable of and the trouble it can generate, the one thing that sticks out in my mind about this day is the way this whole area responded so quickly and effectively.  Mamm has suggested that we speak to people from each general area about getting together for a meeting, and so we have done. 

All are excited about the results of this day, and everyone’s having a terrific time getting to know everyone else, so it’s ended up being a blessing, this ‘attack’ by Beyond. 

Caileen and I are to set a date and send word to the areas so they can send a couple of people to the meeting.  It ought to be good for all of us. 

The ‘attackers’ seem to be in shock.  They eat what is put before them and nod at people – but not a one of them has spoken a single word since leaving the Grove.  I expect that’s the Mother’s doing. 

EARLY SEPTEMBER 487 AD

There are no ‘Character Voices’ per se for this part because who wants to hear a business meeting under way or re-hashed after the fact. 

[note: Talorc and Caileen host and preside at this meeting; they are the diplomats and administrators of Dunnottar.]

MID-SEPTEMBER 487 AD

Talorc Speaks

With everyone once more in the same place at the same time, we passed the word and had an informal meeting among the representatives of all of our area. 

We’re all hearing the same thing from the traders: 

-         They find us an impressive group because we all get along so well

-         They know who we are and what Dunnottar means and are worried about us

-         They warn ALL that it’s not just the Cuimhne Daoine that might be in danger – NONE in this area have chosen Rome’s way, and Rome will not stand for that …

I think we can forestall any drastic measures for our lifetimes, and perhaps those of our younglings, but the ones who follow might have a fight on their hands. 

Already, for many years, we have nurtured among us those who have become skilled at duplicity.  It sounds bad and goes against our grain, but if we can keep Rome believing we are no threat for a time yet we can continue to train our younglings in the old ways as well as the new and with each generation we as a people will become stronger.  Ninian was right.  When the time comes for a confrontation we will HAVE the strength to stand together.

FALL EQUINOX 487 AD

Talorc Speaks

You have to love it when a plan comes together!  This celebration has run smooth as silk through a brass ring and all are thoroughly enjoying it!

Even though so much has been crowded into one day, it has all gone perfectly on schedule and the only complaints we get are that there is not enough time.

We will have to see if people would want three days rather than one for this part of the Fall Blessing.  It’s going so well that many are already wishing this day would not end.

The different leaders are all patting one another on the back for coming up with such a fun and well-organized day for our people.

The sense of last night’s ceremony lingers among us – the Spirit with which we were all filled continues in laughter and Song – the awe and reverence of last night has this fun side to it as well!  Even Danann laughs out loud on this day!

We shall preserve days like this for the ones to come.  The younglings are already bonding together; those bonds will strengthen over time and days like this one will be many among them!

OCTOBER 487 AD

Talorc Speaks

Caileen!  Kalann’s horn sounds!  Grab that cart; here come the weapons carts from Dunnottar!  Better grab Aine and Kalann's stuff – we’ll get to them quicker than they can get here – okay let’s GO! 

Here, you drive; I have the stronger arm. 

Get up here you two!  Stay with us, do you hear me?  STAY   WITH   US. 

Oh no. 

Caileen, look at their banners, their tunics. 

These aren’t northerners – they’re the ones the traders warned us about!  See?  There’s that symbol Alianora and Drustann told us about – they come from Rome! 

They must NOT get onto Dunnottar!  The younglings are there! 

Except for these two.  I hope you two are ready to take your stand because it looks like today is the day for all of us to stand. 

Okay, the cart to Aine and Kalann!  Caileen, Call our horses here, will you please?

Ah here they come, nicely done!

What do you mean you didn’t know you could do that? 

Never mind, we’ll talk about it later.

Here we go!  You two watch our backs, okay? 

Augh!  Take THAT! 

Oh no!  Caileen, go back, go back!  To Sidhelagh, she Calls! 

Ah, Danann. 

Somebody’s gonna reap a whirlwind today. 

Father, Mother, Son – heed us, help us, we have need of You. 

AAAAAAAHHH ! ! ! !

Voices all, Voices Call.  Hear our prayer, Holy Trinity! 

Ha.  And the Sidhe of the Ages, good deal. 

Sidhelagh, what are you DOING?  Let the Trinity take care of that guy! 

Ah no –

Sass, don’t !! 

One behind each of us NOW! 

They’re going on after them; it’s necessary I know, but they’ve got it covered. 

There goes Sass toward Dunnottar, Caileen.  What do you want to do? 

Okay younglings, you take Caileen’s horse.  Try to keep up; we’ll meet you on Dunnottar.  That’s where we’re needed right now and you’re coming with us.    

So Speaks the Voice of Talorc.

He is one Character of the Cast of Dunnottar.

All have Voices of their own; all are equally important.

To those who want to know why I separated the Voices from the narrative: it is to acknowledge that each and all HAVE a Voice and that ALL have equal weight.

I don’t believe that one can write a book, even in the third person, and give equality to each and all of the characters.

Had I to choose a perspective from which to tell this story, the story would never have been told. 

It is in the telling of this story that the Characters have been able to show themselves individually, to demonstrate their development – and they do so by the use of their Voices.