“ Do not laugh! But once upon a time (my crest has long since fallen) I had a mind to make a body of more or less connected legend, ranging from the large and cosmogonic, to the level of romantic fairy story- the larger founded on the lesser in contact with the earth, the lesser drawing splendour from the vast backcloths- which I could dedicate simply to: to England; to my country. It should possess the tone and quality that I desired, somewhat cool and clear, be redolent of our ‘air’ (the clime and soil of the North West, meaning Britain and the hither parts of Europe: not Italy or the Aegean, still less the East), and, while possessing (if I could achieve it) the fair elusive beauty that some call Celtic…it should be ‘high’, purged of the gross, and fit for the more adult mind of a land long now steeped in poetry. I would draw some of the great tales in fullness, and leave many only placed in the scheme, and sketched. The cycles should be linked to a majestic whole, and yet leave scope for other minds and hands, wielding paint and music and drama. Absurd.”
From A Letter by J.R.R. Tolkien to Milton Waldman, 1951 In the introduction to the 2022 copy of The Silmarillion
Welcome back to the fire.
What exists in our current reality is only the surface of deep and timeless truths. If we broke ourselves open into the stuff of stars, we would find all of the versions of love and envy and cowardice and light. And what would they look like? Gold or silver, or something indescribable?
But isn’t that what art and writing find- the indescribable truths of this timeline. The limitations and then moments when those limitations seem surmountable.
Within myth and stories are a code, an ancient mythic code and this saga is one of many. An enchanted spell created just for us- for then, and a few decades ago, and now.
Now most of all- since now is where we find ourselves in this moment.
I imagine it a glowing book- runes in the twilight, and asking us to open it. Inside, the sacred script that was written on our souls when the universe began
Messages meant for us.
I think within the container of this time
are the smallest most simple and sweet of moments
that will, in the end,
save the entire world.
A kind word. A soft tap at the door.
The breathless pause as the candle is lit.
Take your armor- and depart. There is more magic than we once supposed.
Until next month
pixie
Shownotes:
Ismael Cruz Cordova-interview mentioned in this episode- but it is missing some key information.
The interview with more details starts at 1:03 in this video
Join me on the Cara app: @jesspixie and join us in reclaiming our hearts and minds.
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