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Journey through the Wild

beat24

00:00 / 03:36

HOLES: CHAPTER THREE

Boys Skirmishing with Each Other

I continued hiking through the wilderness and again suddenly felt like I had stepped through a portal--a hole in the fabric of reality. Soon I could see the castle in the distance, and I breathed a sigh of relief because I had finally found my destination. After I got settled in my small room in the castle, the holy man approached me. "So good to see you again, my friend! You have experienced other realms, and you know now that some realms live in peace and harmony and some are deeply troubled. I've never told anyone else this before--when I was three years old, my family escaped from great turmoil in a nearby realm. We traveled through the forest, just like you, and we finally discovered the Tarot Realm. Unfortunately I don't remember much about that time or about the other realm. But I remember that as I was growing up, I often pretended to be a knight and fought with the other boys in the village. We would have great fun skirmishing with each other. Sometimes we fought savagely, but no one ever got hurt too badly.

Knight Charging through the Forest near the Castle

"As I grew older, I proved myself worthy to become a knight of the Tarot Realm. I never felt alone as I charged into battle because I felt that some presence was protecting me--a powerful faery who, on a subtle level, was strengthening me with courage and purpose.

Knight on a Horse Leaping across a Chasm

"As I grew older, the battles became more and more vicious. Instead of a faery, a dragon followed me, and together we showed no mercy to the enemy. Being a careless young man, sometimes I would attempt dangerous feats, like leaping over a chasm on my horse--as if I had little regard for my own life.

Knights in Battle

"As time passed, the battles became even more horrific, with dragons swooping down to tear soldiers apart. I began to feel a terrible darkness building up inside of me.

Riding through Poppies and Lupine

"Sometimes, after a battle, I would ride my horse through a field of flowers to experience the tranquility of the earth, but the darkness never entirely left me.

Encountering a Faery

"One day, as I was riding through the forest, I encountered another faery. I was startled and didn't know what to do. She tried to get me to slow down, but I ignored her and galloped away.

Alone against Six Soldiers

"Soon after that, six enemy soldiers ambushed me. I was caught off guard, and I wasn't wearing any armor. For a moment, I didn't think that I could possibly survive the ambush, but I was strong and defeated them all. That day, I first began to question whether or not I should remain a knight.

Wounded

"After that, I suffered a serious head wound during a heated battle. Another knight carried me off of the battlefield, and they removed my armor so that I could receive medical care. The battle continued for several days, and I would sometimes try to see what was happening. Even from a distance, the battle was so horrific that I couldn't watch for long.

Riding along the Seashore at Sunset

"As soon as I recovered, I rode my horse along the seashore at sunset. That evening, I felt a profound sense of unity. I felt one with the ocean and the sky and the setting sun. Spirit was manifesting peacefully, and suddenly I couldn't understand why so much conflict exists in the world.

Gift for a Faery

"Eventually in my travels I encountered another faery. This time, I was prepared. I offered her a gift to show her that I was ready to know the spirit realms. She touched my arm and suddenly the negativity that had built up inside of me flowed into her, and I felt whole again.

Meditating

"Afterwards, I started meditating in the church next to the castle. I began to experience a spirit realm that contains archetypes and symbols representing spiritual principle. Then I began experiencing formless realms where I experienced profound intuitions. Over a long period of time, I forgave everyone who had harmed me and began to feel great sympathy for those who are suffering. It took me awhile, but I eventually realized that I am an empath. During my meditations and rituals, like the faery--I began to take on the negativity of individuals. Then I began to take on the negativity of the realm and eventually even some of the negativity in the collective consciousness of humanity, and I released all the negativity into the fires below the earth so that it burned away completely. After struggling a long time as a knight through the horrors of war, I had finally discovered my true purpose." Then the holy man looked me directly in the eye. "You, my friend, might find that you have a similar purpose, especially if you ever return to your homeland." The holy man patted me on the shoulder. Then he left me alone in my room in the castle.

All poems, stories, essays, illustrations, and music Copyright © 2024 by Jim Robbins.

Playing with Toys

pret24

00:00 / 07:53

HOLES: CHAPTER FOUR

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD

The Magician: Mercury

One morning as I was waking up, I remembered playing with toys on the floor of my room when I was a child. I had felt like I was creating a world of my own, and I remembered wondering then what kind of world I would create for myself when I grew up.
As the memory faded, I became aware that I had fallen back to sleep. In my dream, I stepped through a portal and was suddenly standing before The Magician, who spoke, "Each one of us continues the first primal act of creation every moment. In the way that we each react to external circumstances, we create our own personal world, which remains a facet of Universal Consciousness."

The Garden

The Magician continued: "You can create a garden of beauty and splendor in your imagination if you first clear your mind of negativity."

Feast

"You can share a feast with friends and family, maintaining love and continuity with one another throughout the years, no matter how difficult times have become."

Homeless on the Street

The Magician continued, "If you don't have much money, you can share your friendship and the abundance of your imagination with the poor through your stories and jokes."

At the Mall

"You can wander through a flashy marketplace as people work hard to sell the stuff of the tribe, and you can wonder if this is the best that a wealthy society can create for the masses. You can imagine beneficial products that you might sell to others."

In a Cathedral

The Magician continued: "You can visit a church or cathedral and know that many people have worked hard collectively to maintain a spiritual tradition within those walls for the community."

Fairy-Tale Park

"You can wander through a fairy-tale park or create a place in your imagination full of magical creatures and monsters. Like a magician, by bringing energy from the spiritual, mental, and emotional planes into the physical realm, you have the opportunity to imagine and manifest a world for the highest possible good of everyone.

Witch

"You must remember that some people want to turn the forms created in your imagination into ice even though they are based on your highest intentions, but some of your intentions will work out."

Ghost

The Magician continued, "You must also remember that at times you will be haunted by the past.

Making Music

"No matter how hard times have become, you can always make music with others. Musicians tend to help each other and demonstrate to each other how important it is to keep playing through all the mistakes.

Toxic Waste

"You will find that some people have polluted the world, but we are all in this together and can work to clean up the mistakes of others.

A Path through Flowers

"We can turn a place contaminated by toxic waste into a path of flowers for everyone to enjoy.

Pirates

"There will always be pirates who wish to plunder the world for their own gain, but while they fight, you can strive for the ideals of beauty, harmony, and abundance for all.

Battle

"There might always be powerful people with selfish motives who plunder resources and enslave people for their own personal gain. Despite the horrors they create, remember that you are always creating a world of beauty and abundance--even if only in your imagination.

Nuclear Missile

"There might be some people who live to find ways to destroy the world, but remember that you are one of the people who keep creating the world for the highest possible good," the Magician stated.

With the Sun at his Crown

"Even in the worst of times, you can know the light of your divine core and your heart and soul and continue participating in the creation of the world in some positive way."

All poems, stories, essays, illustrations, and music Copyright © 2024 by Jim Robbins.

Raven with Message

spring

00:00 / 03:29

HOLES: CHAPTER FIVE
DESCENT INTO THE UNDERWORLD AND REBIRTH THROUGH FIRE

Descending into the Cave

When I was alone in a church near the castle, a strange raven with colorful wings flew in through the window with a message--as though entering the church through a portal or a hole in the fabric of reality. I was startled for a moment and didn't quite know what to do.
"Descend into the Underworld! Descend into the Underworld!" the raven squawked over and over.
I took the leather tube and read the message inside, "Descend into the underworld and be reborn through fire." I had no idea where the message came from, but I soon found a door that opened upon a staircase that descended into the bowels of the earth.

Descending Deeper into the Cave

As I wandered through the cave, I heard a voice, "Go deeper into the underworld." I had no idea where the voice came from, but I kept inching forward.

Vampire Eating a Heart

Suddenly I came upon a vampire dining on a heart. A plate was set on the table for another person. I realized then that I too am capable of sucking the energy and life out of another person. I knew then that I was also capable of eating another person's heart. I shook my head violently and dashed away.

The Wolf Man

As I descended deeper into the cave, I found a room housing a man with a wolf's head. I realized then that I too at times could be as ferocious as a wolf. I too could tear other people to pieces, and again I dashed away as fast as I could.

Witch in an Underground Room

I continued following a path down into the cave and discovered a witch in an underground cavern. She wore a strange black crown and stood near shelves with candles and skulls. She had apparently killed other people to maintain her dark powers, and she seemed quite proud of it. I shuddered to think that I had the potential to manifest the same level of evil and depravity, and I quickly decided to move on.

Ogre in an Underground Room

Soon I came upon a ogre. Based on the number of skulls, I quickly deduced that the ogre had no qualms about killing or harming other people. The ogre seemed less intelligent than the witch--more savage, more physical, more emotionally unbalanced. I again rushed away as quickly as I could.

Demon in an Underground Room

I then found a room with a demon, and I knew that I too, like the demon, could manifest pure evil. The book on the demon's table suggested that the demon could be quite crafty as he performed his evil deeds.

Monster in an Underground Room

I soon came upon a horrifying creature that manifested pure savagery. It ravaged and consumed everything around it. I cringed when I realized that as a human being, I too could manifest a similar kind of viciousness and brutality and rapaciousness.

Fires below the Earth

I finally reached the fires below the earth. I wanted to drop all of my memories of what I had experienced during my descent into the underworld into the river of magma.

Archangel Gabriel Blowing a Trumpet

Suddenly I heard a trumpet call echo through the underground chamber. I moved toward the haunting music and found an Archangel blowing a trumpet, perhaps to raise the dead, or perhaps the trumpet blast only signaled a significant internal change of some kind.

Zombie

As I continued on my path, I found a zombie in an underground room, who muttered, "Someday your body will fall apart like mine. Don't think you are better than me or anyone else on this earth, for your body will suffer the same fate."
In my armor, I darted away from the zombie as quickly as he could.

Skeleton in Underground Room

I then encountered a skeleton in a different underground room. The skeleton seemed to be saying something-- perhaps even something eloquent--but no sound came out of its mouth. Only its teeth clattered and clacked as its mouth opened and closed.
"Please don't talk to me! I don't want to talk with the dead!" Startled by my own admission, I again dashed away.

Anubis

I then encountered the God of the Underworld. "Prepare for rebirth through fire!" Anubis announced. Suddenly I felt every cell and molecule in my body and the subtle energies in my heart and mind consumed by the element of Fire. All negativity burned away, and I unexpectedly felt renewed.
The process had at first seemed like death. My worldly personality had vanished, leaving only a profound sense of eternity. I had also experienced a sense of my own mortality--but after my rebirth through Fire, I was no longer afraid of death.

Isis, Goddess of Magic

Then I encountered a Goddess with rainbow wings.
"I am Isis, Goddess of magic and healing. The rainbow colors of my wings represent the different paths of the Tree of Life. You are experiencing the magic of transformation. All paths on the Tree of Life reveal spiritual principle and lead to inner transformation and healing. In this cave, you have experienced the mythological principles known as 'The Descent into the Underworld' and the 'Rebirth through Fire."

Thoth, God of Magic

Isis continued, "With me and with Thoth, the beloved God of Magic, you will experience resurrection into a greater life."
An ibis-headed God suddenly appeared. Isis and Thoth began performing incantations.

Osiris, God of the Spirit World

Suddenly I stood before the throne of a God with green skin.
"Bow before Osiris, God of the Spirit World!" Isis exclaimed. "Osiris, slain and risen, let this knight know the magnificence of the spirit world. Let him know the dimensions of Universal Consciousness!" Thoth and Isis continued to perform incantations.
"He must first know the void!" Osiris proclaimed.

Dark Cavern

I suddenly found himself in complete and utter darkness. I had dropped into the void. I had no thoughts or feelings, but eventually--I wasn't sure how long-- I began to notice gleaming gems on the cavern walls.

Light in the Tunnel

I remained in a timeless state, but suddenly I saw light in a tunnel not far from me, a light which revealed cleansing drops of water falling from the ceiling of the cavern. I realized then that the void had been purifying my heart and soul.

Guardian Angel

As I followed a path through the tunnel back toward the entrance to the cave, I came upon an angel, who was surrounded by flowers, and I felt something like a finger pressing hard into my forehead.
"I am your guardian angel. I have always been with you--even in your darkest hours. I will help you find your way on the paths of the Tree of Life--through all dimensions of Universal Consciousness."

All poems, stories, essays, illustrations, and music Copyright © 2024 by Jim Robbins.

Strength: Leo

hum24

00:00 / 04:16

HOLES: CHAPTER SIX
MEETING WITH THE OTHER SELF

Magic Mirror

As I explored the Tarot Realm, I encountered a woman in a white dress with an infinity symbol floating above her head. She was petting a lion. "You too shall meet with your other self sometime soon. All knights do, sooner or later," she claimed.
When I returned to the castle I gazed into a mirror but didn't see my reflection. "I hope this isn't my other self," I muttered.

Tiger in Magic Mirror

Suddenly a huge tiger appeared in the magic mirror. "Could this possibly be my other self?" I wondered.

Griffin in Magic Mirror

When I returned to the castle the next day, I saw a griffin in the magic mirror. "Perhaps this is my other self," he thought. "Griffins symbolize divine power and heavenly protection. A knight like me definitely needs both."

Pegasus

The next day, after I had read poetry for several hours, I saw a horse with wings in the magic mirror. "Hmmm," I thought. "I just read about Pegasus, who represents majesty, inspiration, righteousness, and truth. Pegasus is a guide to a realm where the spirit can soar without limit. Could this be my other self, a higher self perhaps?"

Dragon as Other Self

After returning to the castle after a battle, I peered into the magic mirror and could see a dragon. "Perhaps my other self is courageous and strong and powerful and fierce like this dragon."

Knight in Magic Pool

Then I encountered a knight standing in a pool of water. "I find the reflection of my other self in this magic pool," the knight stated matter-of-factly.

Deer in Magic Pool

The knight continued, "Once I saw my other self as a deer arrayed in armor.

Peacock in Magic Pool

"Once I saw my other self as a strutting peacock.

Mountain Lion in Magic Pool

"Every pool of water has become a magic mirror. Once I stood by a stream and saw myself as a mountain lion," the knight stated.

Tiger with Butterflies

"Once I saw myself as a tiger surrounded by butterflies. We all have a powerful higher self, which loves beauty and harmony."

Goat in Magic Pool

"We are part animal even though we might not want to admit it. Once I saw myself as a goat. I was happy because goats are intelligent, fertile, and show great determination and resilience. They are symbols of aspiration and stubbornness and potency and spiritual sacrifice.

Lion Knight

"Once I saw myself as a lion with wings, and I knew that my higher self is like a king," the knight declared.

Lion with Rainbow Wings

"Once I saw myself as a lion with rainbow wings, and somehow I knew that the colors represented the paths on the Tree of Life and the dimensions of Universal Consciousness.

Dragon in Magic Pool

"I once even saw myself as a dragon. Many people believe that dragons are evil, mainly because they seem beyond the control of human beings, but dragons also symbolize supernatural power, wisdom, strength, and hidden knowledge.

Eagle Knight

"Once I saw myself as an eagle in armor. Eagles shed their feathers, so they represent renewal and rebirth, but they also are also symbols of the sun and the all-seeing eye and also represent freedom and transcendence.

Sun in Magic Pool

"Once I saw myself as the sun in a lake. I felt like I was seeing the core of myself, beyond all form. I felt like I was part of the Source of all life."

All poems, stories, essays, illustrations, and music Copyright © 2024 by Jim Robbins.

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