Witch's Runes - The Nine Children of the Green
by Salem Williams
Copyright 2011 by Salem Williams - All Rights Reserved
Original Graphics/Illustrations by Salem Williams & James J. Lester
Published by Ancient Arbor ePublishing
Smashwords Edition
Smashwords License Statement
This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each reader. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
~*~
Introduction
The Barding Geis
In April, 2008, I received my barding under the sponsorship of Lady Emrys of Triad Bardic College. In preparation, she presented me with a Geis to fulfill.
Lady Emrys charged me with choosing only nine herbs to be incorporated on a bardic/shamanic path, writing a poem or story about this to be read at my initiation, giving a synopsis of the reasons I chose those particular herbs and last, to explain what all this meant to me in being a fili, a bard. Further, I was charged to instruct as to the relevance of this metaphoric "backpack" of herbs I felt necessary to take along on my Journey as a Bard.
The Lady knew what she was doing, for this was in many ways the most difficult challenge I have ever performed. And, in fulfilling it, I will tell you that 3 years later, I am still seeing gains and blessings each time I put into action the particulars of the Geis as she gave it.
For now, though, I want to share with you the story that came of all this. The Nine Children of the Green was born of my joyful (and challenging) fulfillment of that Geis. After that I'll share with you The Lessons of the Nine Children of the Green, which reveals the hidden meanings and lessons in the first story.
How to Use this Book;
The first part is “The Nine Children of the Green”
Read this section with a view to enjoying a good story. If, however, you already know a bit about herbs, magick or remedies, see whether you can determine the information being given by the Herb Wife in the story.
The second part is “The Lessons of the Nine Children of the Green” and contains;
The Embedded Knowledge
The Steps to Healing
The Herbs & their medicine and magick
In this section you will learn the specific knowledge embedded in the story, The Nine Children of the Green. Take the opportunity, if you like, to re-read a few favorite old fairy tales and folk tales and question whether there might also be information contained within them.
The third part is “On the Ways of Respect, Return & Receive”
How to Spell the Plants
A final note; How to make the words “pure”
This section gives background instruction, or “the methods behind the method”, for magickal practitioners who want to work with herbs. Your goal here is to work out the difference between things that 'appear' to be 'only psychology' and those that, properly employed, enhance magickal purpose.
And in the very back you'll find my contact information, a mini-glossary and reference, and a link to other excellent reading material such as;
A Heart for Valentino by James Lester
“I've been told that, at times like this, you're supposed to pray. I sit here on the floor, clutching my belly and my unborn baby, watching my bedroom door. At this moment, I am grateful for oak doors. Every beat against the door by Genevieve, every scream from my baby's father for my life, I am grateful. I hear his now-shrill voice calling for me, calling for my heart. I lick the salt tears from my lips. I tell my baby that everything will be alright. This wasn't always this way. This didn't start out like this. Given a brief moment to reflect I do remember how it was, a year ago.” Excerpt from Chapter 1 of “A Heart for Valentino”
GENRE: horror, thriller, suspense, supernatural
KEYWORDS: horror, witchcraft, demons, thriller, suspense, supernatural, Valentino
So, if you're ready, let's begin!
Part 1
~*~ The Nine Children of the Green ~*~
Long ago, in the center of a certain small village, a fair garden was created for the enjoyment of village and visitors alike. There was a group of people who, being financially fortunate, had enjoyed the ability to travel, as well as to pursue art and education. They considered themselves to be the sages of the village and loved to gather every day in the village garden and debate politics, philosophy and the “shoulds” and “oughts” of the behaviors of the other villagers and their families. As the group also considered themselves generous, occasionally one of them would call a commoner aside to lecture him or her on “The Way to Power in Life”, or more accurately, whatever the sage believed would “better” the villager in the moment. This often included experiences that were unavailable to those less financially fortunate than the sages. It was the fond hope of the sages that the villagers would see the benefit of their wisdom, for the sages had long ago agreed that there was nothing of power, (and therefore nothing of value), in the lives of these common folk.
On a particularly beautiful day the group of sages was sitting in the fair village garden, when the local herb wife happened to pass near. Calling out, one of them beckoned she join them. Another snickered, covering her face with her hand as she turned her face away. A third looked shocked.
"What has she to do with us?" the third indignantly inquired. "She's an herb wife, nothing more, and we are sages of great learning and many powers. She doesn't belong among us. The sum of her knowledge is but an adjunct to the least of ours. Anything she could offer us, we learned long ago from the Teachers of Academia!"
Quickly, the one who had snickered shushed the speaker, in a hushed tone insisting, "Let's have a bit of fun of her! Surely she'll feel flattered and when she's done speaking and gone, we'll enjoy a good laugh!"
Confidence in her stride, the herb woman approached the group. She thought it was highly unusual that any of them would call on her, but she had vowed long ago to serve where she was needed.
The one who had called her over addressed her.
"I've heard you have knowledge and something of power. We are learned sages, having spent many years at our books and under the tutelage of others much wiser than we. As eternal students, we would ask you, kind Herb Wife, to share your knowledge and bits of power with us as well."
The Herb Wife considered the words for a moment, then slowly walked, just a few feet, to a bare spot of earth on which a large flat stone had been placed for decoration. If anyone noticed the amused sparkle in the green of her eyes, no one remarked.
Then, turning again toward the speaker, the Lady replied, simply,
"I will give you what you ask for-
there's a price that you must pay,
pay it not and you will suffer,
I'll be on my merry way.
There are words of ancient power,
for the hearing these are free,
Moments of your Life, I'm asking,
what you Are, that is my fee.
Beware, and know, when I am finished,
naught will ever be the same,
leave this Sacred Place forever,
or stay with naught but Self to blame."
She paused, allowing the sages time to make their decision. All remained attentively silent.
The herb wife resumed...
"Spell the plants, their names will call them,
in your garden they'll appear,
Agree with them, the magick making,
Show Respect and hold them Dear."
At this, some of the assembly laughed outright, greatly amused at the idea anyone could simply call a plant and have it appear in their garden. Some laughed nervously, old superstitions and a fear that magick might be real flowing freely in their veins. But several rose, from both the uneasy and the amused, and left, shaking their heads. Indignant murmurings wafted behind their trailing personages, "she's a madwoman", and "whoever heard such nonsense, as if mere plants had some power that We cannot bring under our own! After all, we are the ones who charge them!"