Winter Solstice part II.
..::When Wolfram von Eschenbach identified the Holy Grail as a
Stone of Heaven he knew he was alluding to a Holy Grail tradition
that had extended far back into the mists of time.
...during the time of early Egypt, India, China and Sumeria,
entire cults of alchemists grew up around certain stones, both
natural and synthesized, which were ascribed the property of
transforming a base metal into gold and a human into a god or
goddess...
...Since Venus is the union of the polarity, the planet was
anciently accorded the epithet of the Star of Alchemy. Alchemy
is the scientific process that unites the polarity to produce the
fire of transmutation, which is then used to transform base metal
into gold and/or a human into a god or goddess. Within the
mineral kingdom, this fire can transform a common stone into the
most evolved of minerals, the Emerald and the diamond, both of
which are ruled by Venus and noted to be precious gems of the
highest vibration::..
Mark Pinkham
Guardians of the Grail
. . . .
"Dance is the hidden language of the soul."
Martha Graham
* * * *
Emlyn had time to contemplate events thus far this evening, as
the stirring success of Daryl's surprise concert had created a
small intermission, as it were; whilst all paused to speak to El
Maestro and his two Loreleis...
The music had indeed thrilled her as well! Em bit her thumbnail
as she paced the hallways slowly...my stars, but it had been some
time since she had felt such passion in a live musical
performance...
This she found rather perplexing, however. If the music master
had been anyone other than Daryl, she would have been utterly
enthralled. But with Daryl...her thoughts and feelings were more
complicated. It caused frown-lines to grow betwixt her eyebrows,
and made her bite the inside of her cheek. She fretted and twitched,
to no avail; it brought no clarity to the swirl of confusion within her.
She was saved from further ruminations when Connor again ascended
to the bandstand and held hands out, smiling, for the party's
attention; Manuel, in his brocade vest and silk shirt finery, had
taken a seat with his guitar.
'My dear friends, one and all! Ah, but the night is not over
and the clock has yet one hour until the bell tolls the Solstice
proper! The devas and spirits of the season attend upon us still
this night, and I am certain, are well pleased with our humble
offerings of song and music! But the Lady and Lord of the Dance,
have yet to be honored! For this we have been graced by a most
special presentation by Manuel Santiago on Spanish guitar, and
the Goddess of the Dance herself, our own Carmen, Rosa de la
Flores!'
Bridget had been snuffing candles out here and there during the
intro, and now the stage area was darkened, and whilst the guests
attentitively crowded about the bandstand, Manuel began to
forcefully strum his beautifully inlaid flamenco guitar, and then
to segue into a cascade of notes with a decidedly Spanish
flare...then he paused, and -- in a flash, a spotlight from the
balcony above, appeared upon the stage and there stood Rosa,
castanets at the ready, in her majestic and sinuous pose, her
scarlet beaded gown sparkling in the lights. And then, magic happened.
Slowly as Manuel's fingers flew about the guitar he teased it
into a softly building cavalcade of waterfall-like, yet strongly
sensual music as Rosa clicked her castanets and began to unwind
in a snake's slow flow as she turned and clicked her heels upon
the stage...the music grew louder and faster as she stamped her
feet in time with the crack of the castanets...Manuel was much
transformed as well, his head nodding and earnest features
engaged in the music's fiery hold as his fingers flew quicker
than the eye could follow...
The crowd was indeed enthralled, eyes riveted on the duo above,
as their breaths came hard and quick. They flashed looks and
smiles at one another.
Passion, fire, fever, flew from Rosa's feet as she circled and
stamped, one expected sparks to erupt from her heels. 'Ole!'
Manuel would call, and soon the party cheered Rosa with 'Ole's!'
of their own.
Suddenly Manuel and the musica ceased, and Rosa stood still; like
a statue that had been summoned but briefly to life by the Muses; her sides slightly heaving, her brow glistening; she demurely stared
downward, gathering herself. She seemed as a lovely, spirited
Andalusian filly, obediently reined in by her master: Music;
whilst within, just under the skin, passions churned and
struggled still.
Out of the darkness from behind her, Daryl now crept forth with
his violin and began to play softly as Manuel once more picked up
the tune; staring hard at Rosa, Daryl circled her, as he bowed a
haunting melody that seemed to awaken the enchanted statue that
was Rosa.
Slowly, once more, Rosa unfurled, like her namesake, surely a
ruby rose; she flowered, bending over and twisting herself
downward and then up again, flinging her shawl around her and
circling, circling; Daryl began to smile as he prowled around
her, weaving his own musical spell about them all.
As they wove about one another, faster and faster came the
fervent fiery musica; Daryl seemed as if he were carving notes
from the air itself, and Rosa, now fully possessed by her Muse,
spun in ever tightening circles, round and round in dizzying
splendor, until, flinging her long fringed shawl out like a dying
flame, she fell at Daryl's feet; a candle expired...stretched
upon her shawl, one arm behind her, whilst the other clutched at
Daryl's booted leg at the same time as he struck his final note;
her head tossed back, eyes closed...utterly overcome, spent.
The crowd went wild. Naturally -- how could they not?
Released from the music's spell, all called 'Ole!' and 'Brava's!
-- Bravo's!'-- as Daryl smiled, pulling up Rosa gently from her
'swoon', and then turned with a hand out to Manuel, who rose and
joined them, they took their bows, all three a-lather and full of
dewy grins.
Bridget and Connor, applauding madly, approached them and offered
their kudos, then Bridget, after handing an icy glass of wine to
Rosa, addressed the assembly:
'In keeping with the vibrant mood of the evening, we invite all
into the Dance! Maestro -- Mazurka!' She turned and indicated with
a flourish, the Blackpool Bards now taking the stage alongside Daryl and Manuel.
Daryl nodded to them once settled, and again took up fiddle and
bow. He began to play the popular triple-meter dance as couples
eagerly took the floor, inspired by the evening's display of
passion, whilst the band followed his lead into the lively music
sure to stir the blood here on the first night of Winter; soon to
be...
enthralled by Rosa's majestic performance and the blazing guitar
of Manuel. Now released somewhat from it's spell, her eyes roamed
aside to take in the dancing and dancers, noting now that Yvonna
had somehow magically reappeared, and, -- Aha! What's this? --
in a close waltz with her Hussar of the year before. Her emerald
earrings from Daryl had proved tempting, perhaps, Em surmised
wickedly.
Daryl seemed not to notice, intent upon his music. But, at a
violin solo by Allyn, he moved casually among the band and set
down his violin, and seemed to exit the back of the bandstand.
Emlyn lost sight of him then.
As she swayed in time to the music, suddenly Daryl reappeared at
her side, bowing. He raised his head and smiled and gave her his
hand. She smiled in turn and offered a small curtsy, accepting
his invitation to the dance...
'It has been a glorious evening, Daryl,' Em told him as they
slowly circled about the room. 'You have never played more...
passionately! Not since I saw you in the gypsy camp.' She'd one
eyebrow wryly raised but a smile touched her lips.
Daryl had a wee fit of humility and looked down; was he actually chagrined?
He slowly looked at her and smiled Jack's lopsided grin. 'I thank
you, Josephina.'
'Da nada, Diego...'
A genuine smile came to him then and he picked up the pace
somewhat and swung them round until Em felt herself soaring, glad
that, for once, she had come to a Midwinter's Ball without
the usual melodrama and madness of previous years.
'What are you thinking?' He inquired.
'Oh, Diego, must I? -- Think?' Em closed her eyes and simply
enjoyed the movement and the music.
'Not at all, cara. I shall endeavor also, to leave the cares of
this world behind...'
As the dance ended, all repaired to the tables for refreshment,
Emlyn and Daryl included. 'The white wine is cool,' he offered
her a glass as she fanned herself. 'Shall we go outside for a
breath?'
The night air beckoned, the stars glittered like ice crystals.
Em nodded gratefully.
Outdoors, in the garden, under a cold full moon, a fountain
played its own tinkling tune as Em and Daryl strolled, enjoying
the chill of near-midnight, or High Moon, as Em often bethought
it.
herself as she sipped her wine. 'Too cold?' Daryl asked, removing
his jacket and placing it about her.
'Not so much,' she answered. 'I'd rather brave it here a while
longer, if you don't mind?'
She did delight in having a Solstice fest without the accompanying
high strangeness of years gone before. This garden seemed much
different without the presence of Welsh fairies and the like...
They strolled slowly round the fountain, enjoying the quiet
respite from the throng within, as clouds drifted across the face
of Madame de Lune, throwing moonshadows about the odd topiary
animals about them. Torches burned amongst them adding flashes of
otherworldly movement.
And then, the clouds parted. 'Look, there is Venus!' Daryl
paused, and gently taking her shoulders, guided Em to his viewing
spot. 'See? There above that cypress. It seems to be pointing to
it.'
Em found her star and sighed. 'Knowing Bridget, it probably is!
Near High Moon on the Solstice! It must be an indicator.
These wiley Kelts, you know; it is something she would do. I
haven't explored this garden, really. Surely it is a reflection
of the sky and stars. 'As Above, So Below'.'
Daryl now was looking at her intently. 'Indeed.' He glanced back
to the bright evening 'star' of the planet Venus. '"Third star to
the right, and straight on til morning..."'
all-time favorite tales! I used to want to run off with Peter so!
I could never be a Wendy, however. I wanted simply to run with
the Lost Boys and camp with the Indians and swim and sing with
the mermaids! And, pirates!' Em laughed, 'Oh, I couldn't decide
between Peter and Captain Hook, you know! Was it so wicked of me
to want them both?'
Daryl seemed surprised, but pleased. 'Truly? Well, well...you are
a caution, Senorita Josephina!' Em shivered and Daryl put
avuncular arms about her, staring over her shoulder at the stars.
'Let's not go in just yet. It is such a magical night....' He
sighed, then intoned:
'"That orbed maiden, with white fire laden,
Whom mortals call the moon,
Glides glimmering o'er my fleece-like floor,
by the midnight breezes strewn..."'
'...Shelley...' Em breathed...
She relaxed against Daryl's warmth and continued to dream, of
pirates and fairies, Islands in the Stars, cabbages and kings...
'You are ruled by Venus, you know.' He murmured.
'I know...' Em sighed.
Daryl 'hmmm'd'.'Yes, well, Miss Library-Lass, did you also know
that the goddess, Venus, was the patroness of alchemy? And, that
alchemists revere the number '8', as it is an 8-year cycle of
Venus? Or that the Templars believed 8 to be the number of
perfect expression, as the union of heaven and earth...' Daryl
murmured on into her ear.
Emlyn leaned her head against his chest. 'The Pattee Cross of the
Templars, had 8 points...,' she agreed. '"The Eighth Day of the
Eighth Month", according to the old Roman calendar, at least, is
also my birthday.'
'Yes,' Daryl spoke up. 'And Venus also rules the Emerald. It is
the birthstone for May, but Librans could also claim it, along
with their fiery Opals.'
Daryl took her shoulders then and gently turned her about to face
him.
'I have a Solstice gift for you,' he said, as he reached within
the pocket of his velvety green coat.
'Oh, Daryl...but I haven't --' she began.
Daryl put a soft finger upon her lips, and withdrew a long
black velvet box. He took her cool hands and placed it within
them. He said nothing more, but gazed deeply into her eyes.
Biting her lip, Emlyn turned toward the light of the pale lush
moon, and opened the velvet casket. Even in the dim light, what
she beheld made her gasp.
'Diosa...' she breathed, enthralled. A perfect octagon cut
Emerald graced a shining silver necklace.
As Emlyn gazed, thunderstruck, she noted that the setting about
it was shaped as a delicately filigreed fleur-de-lis.
She nearly choked.
'Here, let me...' Daryl carefully lifted the dazzling treasure
from it's velvet cave into the moonlight. Emlyn still could not
quite shake herself out of her momentary shock. Such a 'gift'!
Diosa, it must be priceless...certainly beyond any means she
would ever know.
Daryl stood behind her and softly raised her auburn curls, as
he set the necklace about her throat. He then turned her toward
him.
'It is perfect,' he murmured. He looked into her eyes. 'It was
made for you.' He smiled.
Emlyn looked at the deep green miracle surrounded by icy silver
moon-fire about her throat. The firelight from the torches
flickered about the stone, and she fancied she glimpsed shapes
moving within...
Trying to find her voice, something to say, how to thank Daryl
for this princely gift, Emlyn merely stared up at him, not
knowing what she could possibly utter, her face a mixture of
surprise, shock and delight, when suddenly they were aware of a
strange stillness...
The music had stopped, as had the dancing within the house.
'It must be midnight...' Daryl commented, glancing to the party
inside, as Connor and Bridget raised their glasses to their
guests, they could hear the muted 'bongs!' of the great
Grandfather clock echoing off the walls.
'Happy Solstice, Josephina,' Daryl smiled at Em, still holding
her arms.
Emlyn looked at Daryl, and blinked, still trying to recover
from the shock of her 'gift' fit for a fairy queen.
'Happy Solstice, Diego! -- Oh --!'
As the last toll of midnight rang off into the night, Em was
dimly aware of the crowd inside all giving voice to a hearty,
'Sol Invictus!' amongst cheering and huzzahs...
The din began to dim however, as a dark cloud covered the face
of the moon, and the world seemed to tilt...
'Oh, Diego!' Emlyn grasped Daryl's arms in turn, as he stared
at her, his face a frowning visage of puzzlement. She then felt
rather more unnerved as she saw his eyes widen in disbelief.
She turned her head behind her, and beheld a greenish mist rising
from the waters of the erstwhile innocently bubbling fountain.
The mist gathered itself about them, becoming thicker as the last
thing either of them remembered was the bewildered looks upon one
another's faces.
The shadow passed away from the moon.
And where the two had stood, but a moment ago, nothing remained
but the quietly splashing fountain. A slight sliver of turquoise mist perhaps
lost and drifting from the underworld of Annywn, could just be seen slipping behind it.
Above, Venus seemed to glow much brighter, with a pale emerald
tinge...
(--- End of book five.)
WATCH AND LISTEN!
Tango - Flamenco - MUSIC BY ARMIK
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FDXPYE0nVw
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