The Torch that Lights the path
Episode 7 - Navigating the Inner Cavern of your Soul
Greetings,
I got a short one this week, (newsletter I mean). I am still finding it difficult to navigate the transformative pathways laid out before me, but I can say with some degree of certainty that everything that is happening is both my doing and, simultaneously, none of it is my doing at all. These two, apparently contradictory statements, are both true at the same time.
If you shall ever proceed across these strange pathways, you will encounter many paradoxes and shifts within the structure of what is commonly termed ‘solid’ reality. Alas, there’s nothing solid about it all. And there never was.
“Wherefore each of you, when his turn comes, must go down to the general underground abode, and get the habit of seeing in the dark.” (Plato, the Republic)
The Runic Light
Among the 24 Runes, it’s Kaunan that always spoke to me and for good reason. This Rune translates as ‘Torch’ and not only is it my first tattoo, but it’s also a great representation of the spiritual quest. It is, I think, a representation of the torch of the mind that lights the darkest hallways into the depths of the Soul.
“In the times and location of the original authors of the Runes, winters were very harsh. As people lived in symbiosis with the land, they had a much different relationship with the cold seasons than we do today. The cold could easily lead to death, and fire was (and I’d argue still is), not only a source of light, but of life. Fire was life; the hope that lit the darkness.
And that same darkness of the night is such a great metaphor for our daily, inner torments. The anxieties, fears and painful unresolved traumas. The heaviness that we carry in our hearts every day. I do not believe that knowledge by itself leads to healing, but I do see it carve up the tunnels that can lead deeply into the self towards a better understanding of who we are.”
These two paragraphs are from my article on KAUNAN from the Rune Series I began and completed last year. You can find it Here. The Rune Series is probably one of the projects I’m most proud of, having worked on it for many years. It’s an attempt to merge Norse mythology with psychology and various spiritual traditions.
It’s also an attempt at understanding the layers beneath the Runes. But, frankly, it’s also an attempt to understand what the hell is going on with life anyway.
Update on the Book and Sneak Peek
I’m happy to say that ‘Dreamwalker’ is coming along very nicely. While rare given my standards, I actually feel really confident about this new story and I think I’ve crafted each and every chapter to the best of my ability. And I’m very excited to share it with you.
However, it is at least over 100 pages longer than Meliade! And it has probably double the amount of artworks, which means that it’s taking me longer to finish it. However, I am now in the final two chapters of editing and design. The cover for the book isn’t done yet (or started) and that will probably be a source of great anxiety since it will be, quite literally, the most important aspect of the book. But I got some ideas and I hope I can do a pretty good job.
Here’s a little sneak peek at what’s coming. This is the cover for the very first chapter in the book, titled ‘CHRYSALIS’.
Those who have read Meliade may know who this character is. The book is named after him or, rather, after his job. The story this time around will focus more on some of the horror elements, with the psychology of characters taking precedence.
I was pleasantly surprised by some of the things that came out during the process of writing this, which began in July of 2023. There were at least two major characters that literally appeared during the process and were not planned at all! It was a magical, mystical occurrence that other writers will no doubt relate to. The characters, much like people, show up fully formed and ready to go. I had no idea who they were. A huge part of writing fiction in fact, is getting to know these characters as I write them (maybe that’s why I write them in the first place).
Or maybe they are writing themselves through me.
Gods know.
Until next time.
Blessings,
