Back in June I wrote ”As I am nearing the end of my account of my feelings and experiences at The Silent Eye Spring Workshop I find I want to linger with the memories and stop time.”
I had joined the Silent Eye Work Shop back in April to learn what I could about Gilgamesh and his quest for immortality. In fact I learned a lot about myself and I am still learning.
I met some amazing people who by their example and knowledge taught me so mugh. It is strange that these beautiful people who I hardly knew, brought me to tears of sadness and beautiful joy. I feel so privileged to have been included I felt safe and, yes even loved.
I had previously been on a weekend with the Silent Eye last December which had also been a revelation. Sadly and not for want of trying I hoped to join them all in September and December this year but the fates decided that was not to be.
Going back to Gilgamesh I wrote at length about my experiences of that weekend. Yet as I said I just could not write about the end of that weekend…… I still cannot, not because I am not capable or I can not remember, no because I feel I have not finished learning from it . I want to keep it in my heart and let the lessons I learned grow.
I am going to do my best to attend the April workshop in Derbyshire again for
The Silent Eye Annual Workshop 2020
Great Hucklow, Derbyshire
17-19 April 2020
Where Beauty Sleeps
I am hoping the fates will smile on me and help me accomplish this new part of my journey.
So for now Gilgamesh sleeps in my heart.
Information on the Silent Eye, a modern mystery school, and their events read here.
After breakfast we met in the the temple to first to discuss and then to perform Ritual Drama Two. A second self.
“Aruru moistened her hands She pinched off clay She kneaded it… She shaped her idea into it Then she threw it into the wilderness…”
Does that remind you of anything, it does me. Yes it truly reminds me of how “God” made Adam. ..
Steve read the above verse to us before we entered the temple. It was only the second time I had entered the temple as Limma but somehow I didn’t need the script I was guided in. First in line with Fate Ia to my left with the other four fates behind us, we followed Gilgamesh in, bowing to the temple guardian on entering. We walk towards the throne bow, to the king of Urk and the East and peel off to our spheres.
We are seated Anu and Aruru carry out the Cencing of the temple. The Guardian seals the temple.
As Anu and Aruru sit Enkidu stands and faced East. I as Limma rise also to face the East. I hold the mask of the voice destiny infront of me. I introduce Enkidu. I explained who he is and what he is. I tell how he is one with the animals of the wilderness.
One day he is seen by a trapper who is terrified by what he sees. He runs off to the great city to tell the king of this man beast.
To the music of the planet moon.
I with the other fates move around the Hexaflow we pass the mask of the voice of destiny to eachother and exchange spheres.
Fate Min takes up the story of the trapper who saw Enkidu at the watering – hole.
She tells how the trapper is in fear of Gilgamesh and how Gilgamesh enjoys the poor man’s fear. Almost ridiculing him, then finally threatening him that there will be consequences if he is not telling the truth.
Gilgamesh (seated on throne, is deep in thought, recalling his dream and the prophecy of his mother. He says, ( quietly…)My twin, eh? Uncivilised, is it?(Then decisively…) Very well, let us see what civilising influence can be brought to bear upon him. Go to the temple of Ishtar. Instruct the Priestess Shamhat, by my command, to accompany you. Take her into the wilderness. When the wild-man approaches the watering-hole let her employ all the arts of love to seduce him. When he succumbs, the animals will leave him forever. He will no longer be a part of the herd. Go now and do as you have been instructed.Gilgamesh stands and points towards the West over the Trapper’s head.
And so the trapper leaves to do as he was bid.
To the music of Mars
I and the other fates move around the Hexaflow exchanging places and the mask of the voice of destiny.
Fate Issu takes up the tale. She tells us how the Trapper has arrived at the temple and goes straight to speak with the high priestess Shamhat.
The trapper tells Shamhat about the wild-man and Gilgamesh’s demands.
The priestesses is not best pleased, saying that the king has no right to command her ..no one but her Divine Council may do that.
The trapper points out he is only the messenger.
Shamhat consults with the Devine Council. Anu informs her she must do the king’s bidding.
To the music of the planet Mercury. I join the other Fates and we walk the Hexaflow exchanging places and the mask of the voice of destiny.
Fate Ia (faces the East, holds the Voice of Destiny mask before her face and she tells us. Then Shamhat called upon the Divine Council. She summoned the Priesthood of the Seven to aid her in what must be done. The Divine Council come forward from the East, with their veils plainly visible, draped at the waist from their cordeliers. They stand in an arc before and around Shamhat, with right to left, Nanna, Gugalanna, Enki, Enlil, Inanna, Ninurta, and Utu. Shamhat rises to stand before them and bows her head. During the following interchanges Ninsun acts as an intermediary between the Divine Council and Shamhat. Ninsun walks around the back of the arc of the Divine Council from the left, to stand in front of each of them in turn.Priestess of Nanna opens the vesica around Ninsun, and ‘passes’ the white veil…Ninsun My service is to he who sends the dreams of Men to sail the moonlit night. He gives you greeting. (Bows to Shamhat) You must follow the Trapper into the wilderness in search of Enkidu. On the first night, give him this gift. (Takes white veil) Drawn from the very substance of the lunar seas, this veil will give Enkidu the vision of the tides of life. He will see how they ebb and flow, ever seeking a point of rest,
Ninsun My service is to he who guides the hand of Man to strike or withhold. He gives you greeting. (Bows to Shamhat) Of his substance, my god offers this gift. On the second night, you must give it to Enkidu. (Takes red veil) In war and in peace, Man must know when to act and when to be still. No more must the wild man react from instinct; this veil will bring him the gift of discrimination, the freedom to choose his own path. Priestess of Gugalanna closes the vesica around Ninsun… Ninsun Steps forward to attach veil to Shamhat’s cloak. Bows and moves to the next position along the arc of the Divine Council, in front of Enki. Priestess of Enki opens the vesica around Ninsun, and ‘passes’ the grey veil… Ninsun My service is to he who bears the Word twixt the earth and the heavens. He gives you greeting. (Bows to Shamhat) The Word of the gods is echoed in the speech of Man. On the third night, you must give this gift to Enkidu.
So Ninsun, brings greetings and instructions for Shamhat from each of the Devine Council.
The devine Council through Ninsun has given Shamhat a different coloured veils to give to Enkidu.
So Shamhat takes her cloak and the veils and leaves with the trapper to find the wild man.
It takes them three days to reach the watering-hole, then they have to wait for two days more until the wild man arrives .
The trapper tells Shamhat to catch the wild man’s eye and he will succumb to her charms.
The two hold eachother’s gaze.
The to music of Jupiter I join the fates as before.
Then we all speak in turn.
Fate Imin (turns to face the east) and says For six days… and seven nights… the dance was joined.
Fate Ia The glories above were un-named…
Fate Limma The word for that world beneath, unuttered…
Fate Ash Source and time, unfettered, merged…
Fate Ussu From the mingling waves-of-water came mud and slime…
Fate Min Enshar and Kishar, twin global halves, shone out of them.
Shamhat dances the dance of seven veils, Fate Ia explains what each coloured veil represents.
Enkidu falls deeper under Shamhat’s spell.
Again I join the other fates to walk the Hexaflow.
After a while Shamhat and Enkidu sleep.
The Divine Council in the East, led by Anu and Ninsun, perform the Communion,serving Gilgamesh first. After finally serving themselves Anu and Ninsun take the Platter and Chalice to Sphere 9/0. The Divine Council and other characters in the East are seated simultaneously. All the Fates rise from their seats to stand, simultaneously Anu sounds Chime… and Enkidu and Shamhat ‘awake’ and turn to face each other… Enkidu (who can now speak) A strange vision have I beheld whilst we slept. Shamhat (laughing) A dream, my love? Enkidu (leaps to his feet and begins to pace the Enneagram space) A dream, it was, of High and Noble Forms moving in well-ordered sequence, and sharing… a meal? Shamhat (rising to her feet also and moving towards the Sphere 9/0) It is a final act of civilisation, my love. How we share the means and manner of our existence here, together. I shall show you. Shamhat adds her blessing to the bread and wine and passes the platter to Enkidu. Together Shamhat and Enkidu share the host with, the Guardian, the Fates and all remaining characters who have not yet received it. Finally, they serve themselves. They return the Platter and Chalice to the table in the East and are seated .
To the music of the Sun I with the other fates move around the Hexaflow we pass the mask of the voice of destiny to eachother and exchange spheres. When we are finished I am left standing facing East and holding the mask of the voice of destiny.
I tell of how Shamhat and Enkidu stayed out in the wilderness for days. Enkidu was puzzled when he could no longer join the animals, they ran from him and his speed was gone.
Shamhat explains that now he has united with a woman he is no longer a beast he is now a man. God like.
Shamhat decides that they will go and live with the shepherds outside Wall -Girt Uruk. Before they enter there. So they do.
Then one day Enkidu meets the trapper all dressed in his finest clothes. Curious, Enkidu asks him why is he dressed so. The trapper explains he is on his way to a wedding to celebrate.
He tells Enkidu that after the priest has blessed the couple, and the guests have rejoice it is the custom that the groom stands aside because Gilgamesh is first to mate with every new bride. This the trapper adds is what the Gods have decreed.
This angers Enkidu his own first taste of love fresh in his mind. He vows to stop Gilgamesh. He sets off for the city.
I then put down the mask of the voice of destiny and walk to the centre of the Enneagram and read from a scroll I was given earlier.
Listen, I will tell you a mystery… A secret of the Gods… King of Shuruppak, quickly, quickly You must tear down your house and build a great vessel… Leave your possessions, save your life. The vessel must be round so that its length equals its width. Build a roof over it just as the Great Deep is covered by the earth. I understood the words of Ea. My Lord, I will obey your command as you have spoken it. But what shall I say when the people ask why I am building such a vessel. “Tell them that you can no longer live in their city, that it is your fate to go down into the Great Deep, tell them that an abundance of rain is coming…”
(And all the time back in Huxlow 2019 the rain is pouring, unknown to us )
When I have finished I return to my sphere, meanwhile the Temple Guardian unsealesq the temple.
Following my lead all the fates turn to the East then I lead them out, bowing to the Guardian as we leave. Then everyone else leaves.
***********
Well, there I was in the hallway with all the others, again Sue Stuart and Steve were telling us all how well we had done.
I could not grasp the time shift we had all made. Time and space laws defied.
Apparently it was time for a break, we were to meet in the library in fifteen minutes for a talk from Jan Malique entitled The offspring of silence.
Then Lunch… Goodness was it still the morning on the first full day of The Silent Eye Workshop, surely I had been in the wilderness outside Uruk for weeks?
I am confused. I have tried to give you a taste of the story and how we lived it. I have used different music to show that the story is timeless. The music in the temple was so beautiful too. Thank you to everyone involved.
As the first Ritual Drama came to an end and the Temple Guardian unsealed the Temple.
I find I am leading the fates out, bowing to the East and then to the Guardian as we leave. I stand in the hallway and I truly wonder just what had happened. I felt as if I was still Limma but there were Sue and Stuart thanking us for our hard work . So I guess I was back in the present.
Sue announces that we are meeting at the pub which is literally next door. I can’t get my head round that really. I end up asking Steve, Katie, Sue and Stuart if they are going to the pub because I still feel otherworldly. They must think I am an alcoholic!
Some of our number are too tired after traveling and go straight to bed. I go to my room and change, I begin to feel a little more myself and decided to join the others at the pub.
I meet some companions at the door and we go to the pub. We all all meet up those of us who have not fallen into the arms of Morpheus.
We all had a great chat and discussed what we had done and what we would do tomorrow. I knew I was among friends.💜
We had rehearsed, we had got readyin our robes. I was in deepest, wettest Derbyshire and yet….
As we all stood outside the double doors listening to a man in a skirt reading us the introduction text.
“To empty the wells,
To empty the wells of the land,
To empty the shallow wells of the land,
To empty the deep wells furnished with hoisting ropes”
********
I began to question where and when I was. Was I willow or Limma.
Gilgamesh knocked upon the the double doors of the Peach Room for the last time. From then on they would be the temple doors.
The Guardian of the temple opened the doors. Gilgamesh strode in, inclining his head towards the Guardian. Then as one the six fates I lined up behind him.
We enter in order
Fate Ia Fate Limma
Fate Imin Fate Min
Fate Ussu Fate Ash
Then everyone else,
Anu and Aruru are to bring up the rear of these procession.
******
Then the music begins
Suddenly I am Limma, and I am back in the ancient land of Sumer. I feel the sun warm me and the sand hot between my toes.
I see the temple and outside I see The Eternal City of Uruk.
The Silent Eye held it’s Lord Of The Deep course, this weekend just gone. It was wonderful.
While we were there we had two really thought provoking sessions on the Saturday.
The first was first was , An Exploration, The Offspring of Silence, beautifully presented to us by Jan Malique.
The second Exploration was Natural World and Spirituality. from Lorraine Munn.
You can read Jan Malique’s exploration here on Sue Vincent’s Daily Echo. It gave us much food for thought. I must admit to being deeply touched by Jan’s exploration. I found myself wanting to cry. I could feel a deep sense of loss enveloping me.
I do not fear death as such, more I fear its approach. The realisation that all I hold dear will be taken from me.
We none of us know what awaits us after death. Either way no one has ever come back to tell us what lies beyond this sphere of life. It could be that there is nothing, no heaven,hell or purgatory, or even if there is a beautiful heaven where we will be reunited with friends and loved ones.
My fear is that we may, let’s say, cross over to find nothing. Yet we could still be aware of what we have lost. All our loved ones going about their lives, unaware of us lost like stardust in eternity. Loneliness seeping through us.
The second Exploration was lighter but one also very close to my heart. Though as Lorraine Munn went deeper into her subject I found myself filled with horror. I will explain more of this another time.
Lorraine explained about plants and trees having feelings. We should try harder to communicate with them. She is a learned women who knows so much about Nature and Spirituality and how the two meld.
I have been thinking about what Jan and Lorraine spoke to us all about, since my return. Really I need look no further than my back garden to see immortality and spirituality in Nature.
This is the Clematis that blooms yearly in our garden. It dies each winter and then it bursts back into life every April/May.
Winter’s Death
To Springs Rebirth.
It doesn’t get simpler than that in Nature’s realm. Yet we humans love to complicate this circle. No one wants to die… No but also how would it be if you were immortal, if you watched your loved ones die? Found new loves and friends, lost them again and again.
No there must be a better way. Gilgamesh wanted immortality, yet he had no idea what immortality really was. He had to learn many lessons, harsh lessons along his way.
I believe I have learned from his mistakes and the guidence of few good souls. I still have a long way to go. ..
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