Tag Archives: Magic

5. Gypsy Prophecies

It’s a shame she can’t see her own future, she wonders what is in store for her. All she can do is patiently wait. It’s so difficult, though, the waiting it’s so lonely. She’s so tired always being alone and having to be “strong”.  She doesn’t feel strong. She wishes sometimes like her illness, she really could just fade away into the mist and just be gone.  Lost in thought, she doesn’t hear someone come up the steps to her table.

“Excuse me, miss, remember me, you came to see me last Friday and told me about the baby my wife and I were expecting.”   She looks up from her crystal ball that had held her attention and her thoughts.  “Of course, how are you doing?  How’s the baby?”  The man smiles, and says,“If ever you have another dream about me, please tell me about it.  We had a little boy, 7 pounds 1 ounce.” She smiles and says,“Congratulations, he’s healthy, isn’t he? And beautiful too, I’m sure.” The elephant trainer is brimming over with pride and pulls out all the photos of the baby to show her, she oohs and aahs over the photos, they really are adorable and the new parents are obviously in love with their new son.

It’s Saturday morning and the days of the festival are coming to a close here in this state, it’s beginning to get colder in this part of the country, but it has not deterred the crowds, they are making one last huzzah.  The elephant trainer hurries back to the elephant, he sees a line of children waiting to ride and his helper is getting frustrated without him.  “Again, tell me if you have any more dreams”, he yells as he scurries away and waves to her.  She waves back, “See you later.”

The handsome silversmith looks over at her from his booth, hearing the elephant trainer yell at her and waves at her too.  He has been having coffee with her every morning since that first morning.  They have become good friends, but she just won’t let him close, he wonders why. He wants to find out, maybe tonight.

gypsysoulHer sign up sheet for readings is full up today, tarot, palm, and auras.  Mostly auras, she specializes in auras, she sees them with ease during the day when she is warm.  She enjoys having the hustle and bustle of the crowds around, but not too close, so the corner that she does her readings is tucked away behind a curtain to give her and the seeker some privacy. Sometimes the seeker gets emotional even over good news and tears are always welcome. They allow a cleansing that is necessary.

The curtain parts and in walks a familiar face of a young girl she met last year, she remembers this girl well. The girl was confused about two potential loves, she didn’t know which one to choose. The odd thing was that she had a dream about this girl the night before. It happens sometimes, dreams about people she’s never met, she eventually meets them, though.

Today, the girl is glowing and radiant. “I just had to come and see you today before the fair is over, I’ve been married a month now to the most wonderful man. The one you told me I’d marry. The one that I hadn’t even met when we first spoke! I was confused about two men that turned out to be total losers and you told me not to worry about them or to waste my time on them. Each of them one by one broke my heart. But one day in a coffee shop, the man in front of me bought my coffee, just out of the blue. ‘Paying it forward,’ he said.  It started a whole conversation and I found out he was the kindest and most gentle man.  He said a gypsy woman had bought him coffee the week before and told him to pay it forward. It was you wasn’t it?”

I take her hand, look at her new wedding band still bright with newness and the beautiful face filled with the look of all the tomorrows sparkling within her aura bright white around her. It fills my heart with happiness, that she has found this true love, her twin flame. “I’m so very happy for you that you have found each other, it’s going to last a lifetime. Take care of each other.” As I hug her gently,  she looks over her shoulder and I see her new husband smiling at his bride, he lifts his hand in greeting to me. I wink at him.  “Now go, he is waiting for you,”. She offers to put some money in the jar, I shake my head no. “Consider it a wedding gift.”  She hugs me again and slips it in any way.

 

14-Reflection

Finally I realize what she means, I have become what I was meant to be the Platinum Dragon.  I have become stronger with each of the magical items found in my life. The books I’ve read. Learning have negativity go it’s own way, not to take it personally.  My heart, my soul, my mind has grown beyond that first encounter with the Crimson dragon.

The fear and panic of the seemingly unconquerable obstacles in my life are no longer taking over. They are no longer standing in my way to success, to a happy life. When there are storm clouds, I know there is a safe haven always available. I can overcome. The larger than life problems that I faced, only made me who I have become today. The illnesses and diseases that haunt me, don’t get best of me, because I’ve learned to be adaptable, to be flexible enough to allow for the unknown and adjust accordingly.

Dragons are a symbol of strength and courage. I’m finally ME!

As for each of the magical objects I found in my dream.  I believe their significance lies herein:

  • My green celtic journal, I currently have this book, and keep my daily thoughts and gratitudes it in. Each time I keep a journal of my gratitudes, I’m reminded that I have so much to be grateful for and I think the Universe then gives me even more to be excited about and grateful for.
  • The Magic Book, I seriously believe it’s my computer.  It’s like magic, isn’t it?  We can find almost anything on it, see anything, accomplish anything with it.
  • The crystal disk is Moonstone.It’s my favorite stone, I have it throughout my jewelry collection.  It brings hope, enhances feminine energies, sensitivity, intuition, and psychic abilities. It is also said to bring strong energies of abundance to one’s life. Moonstone is a stone of protection, especially during travel at sea. It is a stone of calm and relief from emotional stress.Camera360_2015_9_29_090537I also believe the shape of this object is significant to me, it is the shape of a lens, like a camera lens. I am finding that photography is becoming a creative outlet for me and one way I can express myself. I am finally becoming confident enough to display my photographs, if for no other reason but for pure enjoyement.

 

  • obsidian_obeliskThe Obsidian Wand.  I was given an Obsidian Obelisk some years ago, by two Hermetic friends of mine when I had been unemployed for 3 years.  They gave it to me when I was just starting my own freelance web design business and didn’t know how to handle negative clients.  Within weeks,  my negative clients  were no longer bothersome and I got a full time position as a web designer at a University. It stays on my desk always.Black Obsidian Stone is a powerful cleanser of psychic smog created within your aura, and is a strong psychic protection stone. It has powerful metaphysical properties that will shield you against negativity, and the energy of these stones may stimulate the gift of prophecy.Hermeticism, also called Hermetism, is a religious, philosophical, and esoteric tradition based primarily upon writings attributed to Hermes Trismegistus (“Thrice Great”).Much of the importance of Hermeticism arises from its connection with the development of science during the time from 1300 to 1600 AD. The prominence that it gave to the idea of influencing or controlling nature led many scientists to look to magic and its allied arts (e.g., alchemy, astrology) which, it was thought, could put Nature to the test by means of experiments.
  • The Bell– I believe the bell was my wakeup call.  My realization that I am where I’m supposed to be at this time.

12. Goal in Sight

Incredible! this is what is drawing me irresistibly nearer, a castle high on a hill.  It’s beautiful and the sky seems to know that this is my destination, it is alive in color, the hues of pinks, blues and yellows are amazing. The castle is evidently my destiny but what awaits me there? It’s huge and the hill is almost overwhelming.  Can I find my way all the way up?

gardnerscottage-Edinburgh1500I look at the Magic book, it confirms my suspicions, the final star on the map is within the castle. Oberon and I look at each other and then at the castle.”Well, I’m not getting any closer by just staring at it, am I?  Let’s go”  Here at the base of the castle is a beautiful garden, I’ve rested for awhile at a fountain studying which way is the best way to approach this hill. There’s no way, I can climb it, so I will go around.  I’m sure I’ll discover many wondrous sights along the way.  The garden is rich in color, there’s even a clock made of flowers in the corner, someone is lovingly grooming and planting this garden. I come to a small cottage, it must be the gardener’s because it is as beautiful as the garden. The gardener comes out to greet me, “We’ve been expecting you, you only need to take the road to the left then go right, the next right is the road to the castle.” I look confused, I didn’t even ask, how did he know what I needed?  How did he know who I was?

It wasn’t that warm of a day with the clouds overhead, but the trek up the streets and around that hill manage to get me warm.  I was thankful when it starting misting rain, I just hoped I didn’t get caught in a downpour. I wasn’t anxious to be soaking wet when I arrived at the castle.  I didn’t know who I was to meet there.  Surely a king or queen, I had to be at least a little presentable.

Along the way, there were many small shops that caught my eye, and the aromas of the small cafes were enticing. My stomach started growling, I was hungry, but curiosity beat the hunger and I continued on. I crossed a bridge when I took that right turn the gardener talked about and saw the castle looming larger. My heart beat faster as my pace sped up.

alnwickcastlecolorfulclouds

Feature Photo: Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland. Photography by Candace Stauber
Story Photos: Gardeners Cottage, Edinburgh Gardens, Prince Street, Edinburgh, Scotland.
Alnwick Castle, UK. Photography by Candace Stauber

10. Visitor in the Night

As the women settle in for the evening, Oberon and I find a spot in the corner and make ourselves comfortable for the night. I’m exhausted and so is he, he falls asleep quickly.  I stay awake and ponder the day’s events.  There is a little light in the barn, save for the rising moon, beginning to show through the barn windows.  The Artists begin to softly snore, I smile as I begin to doze.

I begin dreaming. I’m running again, fast and furious, the dragon in relentless even in my dreams.  I scream, “Please someone help me”.  Suddenly someone reaches for my hand in the darkness and immediately I’m calm. “I’m here, I’ve always been here watching you. You’re safe, you know what to do, you always have.”  I look at who is holding my hand.  In shock, I see that it’s an old love, Teddy.  “What are you doing here, I have missed you so much, why did you leave me?  Why did you die!?  You see, my friend, my lover, my first real love, Teddy had died 20 years earlier.  I had missed him so much, he offered protection in my life when I was vulnerable to evil when I was weak from abuse.  He embraces me with his strong arms, they fill me with a feeling of security and warmth to my soul, he says, “You have grown strong since I left, you needed to be on your own path to do this, I was there and supported you, but you needed to do this by yourself.  I will always be here.  I will give you a reminder of me when you wake, you will find a bell. $_1When it rings, you will know everything is alright, exactly how it should be.  But right now you need to go back, It’s not your time.  Remember, I’m here, watching and waiting for you.”   “No”, I cry, tears in my eyes and he slowly fades away as he repeats, ” No, it’s not your time, I’m waiting”. I wake. Wishing the dream lasted longer,  I am still feeling the warmth of his hug, how strong it was and how reassuring it was to be back in his arms.

It is dawn. Oberon comes to my side wearing a small bell on his collar and licks my tears away.

Author’s Note: About my Featured Image, I visited Melrose Abbey in Scotland having just spent a week driving all over the Scotland and the UK.  I took 300 photos a day with my Rebel DSLR.  I took some great pictures.  The picture before this photo did not have the mist on it and the photo afterward did not have the mist on it.  I discovered the mist on the image when I got back and enlarged the image on my computer.  I keep my lens clean. The photo is not photoshopped or enhanced in any way. Is it a remnant of the past? A spirit of a monk or nun? Who knows?

 

Feature Photo: Melrose Abbey, Scotland.  Photography by Candace Stauber

9. Safe Haven

Frantically, we run, we are close, we are nearing the farm house, it’s within view, hole and suddenly the Artists spot the monster above.  It hasn’t spotted us yet.  It’s only looking for one, not a group, I’m safe for now. The Artists, however, aren’t so sure, they panic, and run faster to the barn, one trips, spills her paints, she cries, “Help me, I hurt my leg, I can’t get up.”  I run to her, Oberon, circles nervously, the panic of the women is upsetting to him, he senses the emotions running wild. He barks loudly. “Quiet, please, please, Obie!”

We finally make it into the barn, just as the rain begins.  Easing the hurt woman onto a pile of hay,  she moans.  I examine what she’s done to herself.  In her hurry to run, she’s tripped in a hole and it only looks like a bad sprain.  But it’s swelling fast and she cannot put her weight on it.

Fortunately there’s a water pump in the barn, I try it to get some cloths wet. The spring water is icy cold, that should help with the swelling.  The other women search through their belongings to find rags that don’t have paint on them, to contribute to the care of their companion.  I look in the “Magical Book of Transformation” to see if there is anything else we can do.  I’m learning a lot, learning to research, learning I may not know about illnesses or sprained ankles, but this book has some helpful advice. I know now, that with practice and research, almost anything can be conquered and overcome, if you know where to go for answers.

We apply the icy rags to her ankle and apply compression with the larger clothes.  She needs to rest, and fortunately it has become evening. We are in for the night.  And once more I have avoided that dragon. The women however begin to discuss this event, “What was that? Are you aware that when it approaches that you change? You seem to vibrate.  You seem to radiate an aura around you?”

Photo: Barn Before the Flight, Louisville, Colorado. Photography by Candace Stauber,2015

8. Storm Clouds

Suddenly there’s a chill in the air, the wind picks up, papers and pedestals start falling over. The Artists scurry to gather their supplies, but I am getting the sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach, I know what is coming. She is coming after me again and this time I am worried about my companions. How can I explain this? This dragon is following me, I can’t seem to escape her, she finds me every evening.

I pick up my satchel and get Oberon. I take up the crystal disk, I look into it, it shows me there is a safe haven close by, my panic is lessened.  I guess the obsidian wand is also affecting me by absorbing the negative energies of the nervous women.  I am calm, and say, “Ladies, come quickly, there’s a farmhouse close by with a barn we can take shelter in, it looks warm and we are welcome there.”  I get funny looks, but they follow.

In the distance, the thunder rolls and lightning begins to be seen.  A large dragon approaches she needs to see me and has a message only for me.

Photo: Englewood, Colorado, Photography by Candace Stauber

7. The Gift

Having fed the body, my soul was now experiencing and thrill it hadn’t it a long time. The brushes and paints were an old friend. My hands felt clumsy, however, my strokes uneven, but the colors were bright, cheerful and my mood brightened with each stroke. Oberon finally decided to settle in for a nap in the afternoon sun, and give us some peace and quiet and I got carried away with the paints, the colors and texture of the canvas made my thoughts run wild. I forgot about what insecurities I thought I had, about how good or bad I thought I was at this “art” thing, I just did. It was like my hands were being guided and I let them go. Each stroke took me deeper into a meditative state, each stroke became easier, bolder and my confidence rose.  My mentor, the artist who gave me the paints, encouraged me further, “Here, take this book. Your creativity needs other outlets as well.  You have passion within that needs to be released, you have hidden too long.”  She handed me a small notebook, only about four inches wide and five inches long. It was a green leather bound book, with a Celtic cross on the cover. The swirls of the Celtic pattern spoke to my soul and there were blank pages inside, begging to be written upon. “I want you to begin to journal your thoughts and dreams, I want your thoughts to become reality.”

My satchel was becoming full of interesting artifacts, how did they all fit together? Perhaps now that I can journal I can piece the puzzle together.

6. Company

A wand? I finally get it away from Oberon-with a little persuasion ( I trade a rock for it) and take the wand to the stream to rinse off the mud. About 15 inches long, black like obsidian, fortunately, Oberon’s teeth didn’t do any damage to it and I caught it before he could start chewing on it. But it’s almost like it really is made of obsidian, and I know that obsidian’s magical properties absorb negative energies.  I really need that in my life. This is indeed a fortuitous find. Maybe that little dog will come in handy after all, as well as keep me company.

Suddenly I hear some noise from the area of the tree I was resting in, I look over my shoulder and there are some women, petting Oberon and loving up on him. “Oh look what a cutie. I wonder who he belongs to, he’d make a good subject.”, says one woman.  I pipe up and say, smiling  “Only if you can keep him still long enough and out of the mud.” surprising the women.

These women, setting up their art pedestals and art supplies were just having a good time in the shade of the large tree, discussing the colors of the leaves and the beautiful stream nearby. One woman was setting up some lunch for the group and invite me to join them. “Come, sit with us, your dog is adorable”, as I grabbed Oberon, and tried to contain him with a makeshift leash to keep him out of their supplies.  He was having so much fun stealing the paint out of the boxes.  That’s all I needed was to make a few unfriendlies here in the middle of no-where.  But fortunately for me, they took it all in stride, shooing him away, and cuddling the little monster when he got close enough for hugs.

“Do you paint?”, asks one of the artists.  “Actually, I do”, I said, “but it’s been a long time since I’ve had a chance, I’ve been on a long journey and really haven’t taken the time and I’m not that good, not like you from what I see.”  “Then it’s time for you to join us, here is some food for your body and are some brushes and paints for your soul.”, the artist in the green cap says.

It looks like positive energies are already flowing my way.

Photo: Lair of the Bear Park, Gunnison, Colorado. Photography by Candace Stauber, 2015

5. Respite

It’s so difficult this journey, it’s so lonely too. Oberon is there, I wish he could talk, he just bounces around and follows me, bringing me sticks to throw that he finds along the path, he even finds rocks and he loves rocks.  He’s like a little boy when it comes to collecting rocks. He seems to find the strangest things on this path. But I am getting so tired. I need to rest.

It’s midday, the sun is high in the sky and too hot to continue. I find a large tree. It’s interesting, it’s gnarled limbs climbing high to the sky, but low enough I can rest on one like a hammock so I don’t have to lie on the ground. Oberon explores the area around the tree and the stream.  The stream gurgles softly, the birds chirp overhead, and I smell the faint perfume of wildflowers. For a short while I can actually do some meditation and forget the struggles of yesterday, the dragon chasing me, the anxieties that plague my thoughts.  My eyes get heavy as I relax and let my thoughts calm.   This spot is heavenly and quiet. It’s so beautiful here. I wish I didn’t have to move on.

Suddenly Oberon, with his muddy little paws comes bounding up to me and jumps on my stomach. “Oh no, don’t do this me, look at me, all this mud on my clothes!”  Just when I thought everything was going smoothly that little dog has to get me all dirty. Now,what did he dig up? What does he have in his mouth this time! I don’t want him eating anything dangerous.  Let me look. “Come on, give it to me”.  Another stick, no, not a stick, something much more. It looks like a —wand?

Photo: Lair of the Bear Park, Gunnison, Colorado. Photography by Candace Stauber, 2015

4. The Path Before Us

The path before me is uncertain and treacherous. I’m full of a combination of excitement, fear and anxiety. I’ve placed my fate in the hands of the Universe and lately my life has taken a different direction than I ever expected.  I reach into my satchel and feel the crystal that shows me different surroundings behind me when I look, I feel the magic book with the beautiful dragon embossed on the cover with all the spells written within. Do I dare even try to begin to learn these spells?  I’m an ordinary woman, I’m not special, I’m not magical. But it is intriguing nonetheless.

20160808_193628Suddenly across my path a dog confronts me, he has one blue eye and one brown eye. He grins at me with a silly grin, his tongue hanging out to one side.  He looks like a clown.  He runs up to me and greets me by jumping up and placing his front paws on my legs and barking loudly.  I laugh, he’s a funny dog. I wonder where he comes from. There’s no one else around and no villages or towns close by, we are alone. Alone here in the forest, just him and me. The shade of the trees is welcome on this path, it is turning out to be a hot, summer morning and it’s going to be a long journey.   I look down this path and see that it seems there is no end.  I begin and this silly dog follows, I name him Oberon. With him at my side, I am not so alone.