Merlin and Panther

Taking a few deep breaths, centre your body, breathing in deeply through your nose into the base of your lungs, releasing a long slow, exhale allowing all the tension in your neck, shoulders, back, hips, legs and feet to relax, releasing the energy of the day. Take a few more deep breaths. Centre and relax, becoming one.

Closing your eyes, feeling that deep resonance with mother earth flow through the soles of your feet up into your legs your body your head and out through your crown connecting, forming the eternal flow of energy between you the universe and the earth, allowing yourself to centre your energy.

See, sense or feel before you a path lined with the greatest of Oak trees, their energy emanating through the forest in front of you. Tall and majestic it is as if their branches bow to greet you as you walk this path. A gentle breeze grazes the leaves as they flutter toward you, some gently brush the top of your head and you feel a sense of comfort and peace.

Walking down the path, the trees welcome your energy, connecting as you walk, bringing a sense of safety and protection. The path is made of the softest moss and your toes curl into it as you walk, it is as if a thousand tiny bristles are caressing the soles of your feet and your body tingles with the warmth that flows through it

The mighty Oaks whisper to each other and you feel a sense of calling toward the glimmer of light that appears ahead. Walking toward this light a Glade opens up before you and you see a circle, a perfect circle of trees surrounding the glade, in the centre is a fire glowing red, yellow, with little sparkles of flame.

As the fire begins to strengthen the flames grow taller and a figure appears translucent and shimmering within the flames, you notice around the fire a circle of white iridescent stones, as you gaze upon them they turn into soft satin cushions. You're beckoned to sit on one by an unseen hand.

Sitting by the fire, surrounded by the perfect circle of trees, you look and realise that there is no way in or out you are perfectly enclosed in this sacred space you feel safe and secure.

The sky above shimmers a midnight blue, and the stars like diamonds their twinkling look as if fairy dust has been sprinkled in the night sky. Gradually you sense the presence that you saw in the fire taking a seat beside you. You turn to see amorphous energy beginning to form a cloak, a hood. This figure strengthens, and you feel at ease, knowing that this person has not come to hurt you in any way.

You sit in quiet comfortable silence for a few minutes, and then this person speaks. "Welcome to my Glade,," says Merlin. "I do not suffer fools gladly. I am a hard taskmaster gentle but firm. I hold no quarter. As you seek the answers in the waters of your emotions. Look, not to the lake, but look inside to find what it is that lies within you. As the answers begin to unfold. There are many questions untold. Feel the answers in your heart, know them for what they are. Take them to your eyes to see the words."

"Fetch me a blanket"Merlin whispers!

As the campfire dims you arise from your seat again an unseen hand drawing you back onto the path.

Following this new path, paved with irridescent crystals from rose to gold they lead you to the entrance of a cave. Drawing closer to the cave, a shadow as dark as night flickers in the periphery of your vision.

There she stands tall on all fours, proud and sleek eyes gleaming and shimmering, they appear like diamonds as if the stars in the sky have fallen into them. Mesmerised by her gaze her thoughts pound in your head.

"I come from the stars. I am the midnight sky I guide your way, I walk with you on this chosen path. I give you courage when you falter. I protect you when you're scared. I bring you the sacred answers of the universe when you doubt I enfold you in my embrace when you falter and weep, I absorb your tears, and your hands can feel my warmth when you feel cold. I stand here your guardian and protector. Do you trust me now to take you on the next step of your journey?

YES, you whisper, stepping into the cave, the blanket is forgotten, who sent you a vague shadow of a memory.

There's no time only space, and in that space is filled the eternity of the universe. Planets swirl, stars shine suns burst forth planets form and then they die, new stars are born deep in the universe sight unseen. Another part of the journey to behold.

Buddha smiles his serene smile, and eyes still but vibrant look into your soul. You feel the warmest of touch like the gentle embers of new flame flickering in readiness for your soul to emerge and become that which it should, and that which always has been, but has stayed sight unseen and unfelt until the time was right.

A dragon roars her mighty breath. She reminds you of how all is real, and yet unreal at the same time. Reality is a concept of mind to be that which you want it to be. As she roars a white tiger rides her back and they fly straight and true through the sky above, "do not doubt, do not waver in your own belief, hold strong, there are no rights, there are no wrongs there just is".

Eagle soars his wings and takes you high into the sky, there he leaves you to fly. Words of "you can soar as high as you wish, hold no fear only trust. Take that trust in your heart." resonate in the wind.

A mirror appears before you and you see yourself strong tall and true. A smile so beautiful it dazzles and shines back at you. Your first thought is this is not me. And then you realise that it is the light of your soul as it shines through.

The words, "I know you" resonate through the whole of your being, "and you know me" resounds in your head.

In an instant, you are sat back at the campfire Panther to your left, White Tiger on your right. Dragon behind you, Eagle at your feet. The blanket long-forgotten cocooning you in its warmth the fire has dwindled and Merlin has gone and in his place sits an emerald star a gift from source.

Sit for a few moments absorbing the experience of this journey.

Taking a few deep breaths, bring your awareness back to your physical body, to the chair or bed you are residing on, become present in the room.