Designated Harbinger by Lia
Chapter Six
Disclaimer in part one: I don't own anything except the characters I made up in this story. They are (so far): Jessica, David, Marie, Olivia, Peter (Jessica's brother), Walter, Christy Mason & Mrs. Mason, Uncle Thomas, Sam, and Jason Rolland. (I think that's it so far.) Also, gotta thank some of the resources on the web on Psychic phenomena and Williamsburg on this post. Used one of my books I have on animal totems for this, too.
Hope this fic doesn't offend anyone. Some people might be upset at how I portray Psychics similar to how people don't like RK Rowling portrayal of Witches. I say, this story is fiction, and mainly from my imagination. If you don't like it, don't read it. If you do like it, review please. I seem to really enjoy them, or so says my family.
Sorry about the lateness. Where I live, (guess northeast USA is safe to say) we got a ton of snow. And to think I used to like the fact that my family's got a big front yard! Driveway was a killer to shovel. Yes, I'm a college student, but live at home on the weekends. School was out for a couple of days, so that was cool. Also had to do research on some parts of this fic. Things will be speeding up from now on.
P.S. Hey, got to the part on the weighting of wands in GOF book! I've been busier than I've thought I'd be. Got to keep it moving and all that. So, on to the fic!
Time pasted and my birthday pasted.
Right now, however, I was reading some books in my bedroom. I know, why study in the summer. Well, it's not as if I have much of a choice. Before the end of August, I have to be ready to form a mind-link with my Dad. Strange sounding, huh? It kind of is. See, we have to go into deep meditation at the same time and convince our guides to form a link in the spirit realm. It happens naturally at times, usually between married couples. Mom and Dad could of linked, but she isn't Physic enough. In the mean time, I have to practice. Dad's not worried about Olivia, though. I'm the one with the problem. I've only been able to contact my guide regularly since a year ago. Our ability to communicate has grown, but he hasn't revealed his name to me yet. Kind of disappointing, I think. Does he not trust me?
I pull a book out from under my bed. Covered in brown leather, it is old and worn from use. It's titled A Psychic Basic. Not glamorous, I know. The thick book really is basic, going over a wide range of topics. None of them in any real depth, though. One fourth of it is an outline of our history. Interesting is not quite the word for it.
Over the years we went by many names. The earliest was Magi (not like the ones in the Bible). A long time before that in ancient Persia there were psychics that banded together and made quite a name for themselves. Stories mention the group being around in Babylon. Time pasted and the term Magi became used as a word meaning 'a wise person'.
I flipped through some more pages. Those told of the Magi expanding and part of them going a little power crazy in ancient Media. They started interfering with 'Normals'. Some influenced rulers instead of just being teachers and advisors. A small battle was fought, and though strong the Magus and his small group of followers had forever tarnished the name. More pages turned. Magi were spread out now, living and learning among the Normals. They found others like them in various cultures, most of them serving the people as holy leaders and teachers. Contact with them and the spirit world led to the philosophy that still guided them today. They became known as Seers.
However, things weren't always pleasant. The more pages turned revealing the conflict that pasted. Seers met other people who called themselves Witches and Wizards. They had set themselves apart from Normals, either avoiding or ridiculing them. These Wizards had abilities called Magic. Problem was that they had no guides and made their own rules and laws. They had run-ins with Normals, but unfortunately Seers got caught in the middle. Unusual, Magic, and Seer abilities got confused, blurred by the Normals. Seers were now known as Witches and Wizards. Religions spread across the land, ones with the intent to exterminate them. While Witches and Wizards could cast a spell and be safe, many Witches/Wizards who were actually Seers were killed. Joan of Arc, a famous young Psychic, was just one of many that burned.
Pages and time pasted, with both communities developing, living separate and in secret from each other. Seers still lived alongside Normals. When Normals became more acceptable of people with abilities, a few brave Seers made themselves known. They were labeled Mediums and Psychics depending on their strengths. I sighed. The history of Psychics always seems to be that of teachers. And as always, sometimes teachers are resented rather than respected. When too much prestige was given, a few were tempted to abuse their power. But those are lessons of the past. I need to think of the future.
I skimmed over the following chapters: Apporting and Asporting; Bilocation and Spirit Walking; Evil Spirits aka Demons/Djinn; Spirit Release and Rescue; Spirits and Guardians; Mediumism; Clairvoyance: Visions - Guided, Dreams, Psychometry and Scrying; Divination methods; Auras-Informational, Healing, Dowsing, and PK/Levitation; The Universal Mind/Akashic Records; Clairaudience and Clairsentience, Meditations/Trances. My head was starting to hurt. I groaned. For each topic I had at least two other books for a more in-depth study. Add this to all the Wizarding World books Mom got me, and I'm lucky to not be drowning yet. 'Cause I am in way over my head.'
Still, all this didn't stop me from taking another book out from under my bed and a notebook. I reread the chapter on Guided Visions thoroughly before opening the second book titled, Guiding the Path: Visions and Guardians, in faded gold letters on a green leather cover. I cracked it open to the second chapter, Getting to Know Each Other. I'm going to meditate tonight. Maybe my guide will tell me his name. All I really know about him right now is that he's a big, strong, and handsome male leopard. If not, I'll just hope for tomorrow.
My Dad came by my room shortly after dinner. "Peter and your mom are watching a movie. Let's get to it." I nodded and scooted off my bed. We walked down the hallway and entered the extra room, the office. It looked normal and fairly large with some furniture like the desk, bookshelves, and filing cabinet. There was an open space floor covered by a rug in front of the open large window. Outside the sun was setting behind trees and the sounds of crickets and tree frogs filled the room.
Locking the door behind me, I moved to sit in the reading chair across from the desk. Dad rolled the red and blue carpet back revealing the wood floor. Markings covered the floor, forming a rough circle with two lines intersecting at right angles. I rolled my head around stretching my neck, trying to relax. Dad looked at me with a small smile before reaching up and taking a medium sized box from the shelf. An old, very old container, that once belonged to my Great-grandmother. Dad's Grandma. It was made of dark wood almost black with tarnished bronze joints. He slid the lid off and placed the box on the floor. Inside were the stones.
Watching silently, I saw him kneel and place stones until it formed a great wheel. Several smaller ones surrounded a stone at the center. Four stones were placed in the directions north, east, south, and west. Three stones each connected them to the center. Then twelve stones were set to finish the circle, three stones between each direction. Dad had explained to me once before that each stone had it's own name and placement. There was a marker on the bottom of each stone.
"I made you a set to aid you at Hogwarts, Jess. A compass should help you or you could always use the stars," Dad told me. He didn't really need the stones anymore. They are mainly used as a focus for beginners. I was still young. Most Psychics don't receive their full abilities until they are fourteen or fifteen. Maybe that is why we tend to go to a summer Psychic's school around that time. I nodded and had to wonder about what the other students would think if they caught me doing this.
Dad stays outside of the circle as I step inside and sit down trying to get comfortable. His soft voice starts the relaxation process when I nod. Once this guided part is over I'll be on my own. His job will be to record anything I say or do.
I visualize a soft, warm, rose-colored blanket at my feet. The color is meant to help me feel warm, relaxed, protected, and loved. I mentally move the blanket up over my body, imagining the feeling of it moving over each part, relaxing them and removing all tensions and stress. With every deep breath I take, I relax more. Any sounds I hear won't disturb me; they just help me relax. I continue to move the blanket up until it covers my head like a hood. I see myself surrounded by it and the rose color seeps into me, my psyche, relaxing me. I now imagine another blanket at my feet. Its color is green, a healing, and cleansing color. Again, I move it up my body. Stress and tension leave. I relax more and feel more at peace body, mind, and spirit. The green surrounds then seeps into me, healing me. I continue, this time with a gold blanket, and then with a blue blanket. The gold strengthens my nervous system, calms, and sooths, preparing me for what's ahead. The blue helps boost my psychic sensitivity, and aids in receiving dreams of vision teachings. Relaxing energy moves throughout every part of my body. A warm golden light surrounds me. I feel peaceful, relaxed, and loved.
I sense the One that binds all things together. A loving, intelligent presence that I've always known on one level of consciousness. The top of my head and my chest warms as I see a ray of light reach out from a bright, golden light and touch my chest. The light turns pinkish as it starts to spin around me. It slows until I can make out the shape of my spirit helper in the form of a leopard.
He slowly becomes clearer to me. I feel the love from his yellow eyes. The leopard is large, strong, and healthy. His coat is a dark tan with many black spots close together and his tail covered with darker rings. My body, mind, and spirit warms in the unconditional love I receive from him. Alert, he gracefully starts to lead me to a very special place. Somehow I just know. "Come," he says in a rumbling deep voice. He jerks his head, indicating I should follow. I do, still reveling in its vibration of pure, spiritual love. We walk through purple mist and we travel to a different plane.
I look around and notice I'm in a sacred place in the forest. The area hums with energy. My eyes widen in amazement. The leopard beside me glances at me in pure cat-like amusement. He is there guarding and guiding me. The forest is full and green, not like any I've ever seen before. Plants brush at my sides as we walk over to a couple of large stones. A vibration in the air comes to me sounding like beautiful singing. An old man appears before me. I get the impression that he is one of the sacred teachers coming to meet me. The leopard steps slightly away, letting him approach. He is old, older than my father by far and thin. His eyes remind me of Dad's. They hold a sense of love and knowledge. The teacher lightly embraces me like I am a beloved relative. Who knows maybe he is. I don't feel awkward at all, sensing we already know each other well.
Watching him closely, he tells me his name. I become totally aware of him. His clothes are well worn brown leather, his body thin and somewhat short, his face lined by weather, time, and smiles, his eyes kind. He holds a knife in one hand and a woven bag in the other. I know somehow that they are messages for me. He takes out a small leather bag from within his robe. Opening it, he offers a gift that's in the bag. I look at the gift. I take it, feel it, and know it. Then I show it to my guide, the leopard who sniffs it. Telling the teacher how I feel about him and his gift, I let him know my thanks.
The teacher walks a little way leading me to a fire outside his dwelling. The tent is worn, yet sturdy, and clean. We sit down around the fire, my spirit guide settling down beside me. The leopard's tail curls around his body. "Look into the fire and you will see a vision. This teaching is meant for your good and gaining," he says.
I glaze into the fire and see: Water ripples, a leaf floats by, then rocks in the water, the leaf hits the rock then turns and floats on by, the waters roughen as rocks increase yet the leaf stays afloat, a gentle wind help tug the leaf free when caught against a rock, and the leaf disappears from sight. AND Books, piles of them, books adding to the already towering piles, me in a maze of books reaching for one, the pile of books sway dangerously. AND A voice, a snicker, and a feeling of dread and hope. Tearing my eyes away from the fire, I file the information away for now. I will understand in time.
My spirit helper, my leopard, tells me that it is time, "It's time to leave." He paces back and forth, looking from me to the forest. It's time to return to my physical body. I tell the teacher goodbye with much more elegance than I usually do. Walking with the leopard toward the forest and the purple mist again, I ask, "Will you please reveal a name for me to call you by?" If he answers me, I will be able to summon him at any time. The leopard tilts his head towards me, assessing me with those striking yellow eyes. "Simon," he says warmly with a dignified air about him. "My thanks, Simon," I say testing the name. Somehow it suits him. We step into the purple mists. I feel my mind, my essence, starting to return to my body. Slowly, I fade out of my trance state. I open my eyes feeling very awake and alive.
Dad is sitting in his chair watching me. He is smiling, a good sign. "So, how'd it go?," he asked and began to help me up. I swayed slightly, but smiled. "Good. Strange. Wonderful. All of the above?," I said hugging him. He laughed, but nodded. "Yeah, I remember that feeling well. You're doing fine, Jess-monkey. In no time, you'll be able to hear and see him whenever, wherever you are. A few more sessions and you should get an answer about our plan. Let him set the pace, and it'll be fine." I nodded, my mind going over what I'd saw, felt, and now had to figure out. Must have looked preoccupied because Dad said, "Go write down what you saw, everything you can. I'll clean up." I smiled and kissed Dad's cheek before running out of the room. 'Why, though, must everything be in metaphors? It's enough to confuse any girl.' Continuing, I rushed to my room before I had a chance to forget anything. 'And what does my gift really mean? The energy, love, and warmth emanating from the crystal were powerful. I felt it was also needed for the future, and connected to someone or something else. Whatever it is, it's familiar.'
After I wrote everything down, I decided to write some more. Sometimes I use a journal, but not often. Still, I felt the urge right now so I drug out the little book I used. It wasn't very fancy or anything. Just a small notebook with a cuddly cat on it, and doodles on the back. Most of the time, I use it to write what I dream into it. However, as I said, sometimes not.
The last couple of days had been busy. My birthday had passed; I've studied a lot, did my trainings, and spend any extra time with Christy. Who'd of thought that a couple of months ago I was dreading a boring summer. Oh, and let's not forget Mom and Dad are making plans for the move to England. Mom is already getting on my back about organizing and packing some of my room up. It's going to be a total pain.
I started to write about my birthday. The family plus Christy had all went down to Williamsburg. We spent a half day at Colonial Williamsburg and the other half at Bush Gardens, an amusement park there. It was a blast! Both are great places. I swear we could spend two weeks there and not get bored.
Colonial Williamsburg had shops, museums, and workshops all done in 18th- century style. People even live there without electricity and running water. I can't even imagine living like that. Have to say though, the furniture and gardens were cool. We went on two tours. One was of the Archaeology Labs. They showed us how they discovered artifacts, process and interpret them. On the other we walked around town with a volunteer. She was all dressed up in period clothing. The dress was very full, long, and had long sleeves. A frilly cap was worn on her head. It was very uncomfortable looking, really. I mean, come on, it's summer! Mom looked at her kind of funnily. Didn't witches wear similar things back then? Dad spent a lot of time at the Blacksmith's and the Silversmith's. Some other places were neat as well. My favorites were the Brick Yard and Apothecary. After all that running around we ate lunch at Wetherburn's Tavern.
The amusement park was as always great fun. We usually come at least once per summer. Some of my classmates have season passes, and go nearly once a week during vacation. I would get bored too fast. This visit was different because it might be my last. I don't know if I'll be able to visit Christy often. Also the very first thing we saw was the Banbury Cross area, the one with the Big Ben ride. Christy smiled stiffly. She looked a little weirded out. Mom who was usually amused by this section quickly herded us into another part of the park. We explored each area of the park. They were divided up by a regional theme. There was the English section, Italian, German, French, Irish, and the Heatherdowns (that's Scottish, right?). Each section had its own type of landscaping, building designs, and rides depending on the country.
My favorite rides were: Roman Rapids, Apollo's Chariot, The Big Bad Wolf, Loch Ness Monster, The Battering Ram, and Corkscrew Hill. A lot of those were roller coasters some I've only been tall enough to ride last year. Christy and I screamed like maniacs. We chattered and yelled a lot that day. This year we've grown tall enough for most of the rides. Peter wasn't though. He had grown tall enough for some of the grownup rides, but not all. He liked the rapids, the cradle, Corkscrew Hill, and the kiddies ride in The Land Of Dragons. He did get to go on one of the coasters, but felt queasy afterwards. Mom and Peter did some other stuff, different rides, while Dad, Christy, and I went thrill searching. 'I guess that Peter, like Mom, wouldn't like the ride at Gringotts. I wonder if Peter will turn out to be a wizard. Well, that's years away, so no worries now.' Sometimes Mom and Dad would just watch and wait for us, resting. Mom tended to laugh a lot and smiled a little twistedly at certain things. She just loves The Land of Dragons for some reason. 'Wait a minute, Dragons?' I shake my head. 'Wouldn't it be just great if dragons were real? On second thought, maybe not. Talk about a fire hazard.'
Dinner came with a show called Holiday in Roma. I had pasta. 'What else would I eat in an Italian restaurant?' The music was kind of weird but my parents enjoyed it. Soon, we were all tired and back in the car. Christy dug around in her bag, pulled out a small box, and gave me a birthday present. I was so surprised by what was inside. There were two silver charm bracelets, each with two charms. Christy explained that one was for me and the other for her. That way we'd both be connected even with an ocean between us. One was a heart shaped charm that said best friends 4ever on one side with her name on the back. The circle charm had my name on it as well as my birthday on its back. I hugged her before forcing her to put it on me. Then I put hers on her. It was such a thoughtful gift. Mom and Dad seemed to by smiling. Peter looked disgusted by such a girlish display. He wasn't mad anymore about the move, but not ecstatic about it either. The best thing about the gift is that we can both add charms onto it, yet each marking us as each other's best friends forever. We were going to make this friendship work even with the distance.
I continued writing and thinking about times past and ahead. Of course, that is when my cat, Sassy jumped on the bed and proceeded to block my view. No more writing tonight. I sighed. Knowing that it was useless to fight her (she is very stubborn, bratty, intelligent, and too cute for her own good), I give in and lavish her with attention. 'How will Sass like it in Hogwarts? Hope she doesn't cause any trouble. Will there be other cats there? How will she get along?' My mind drifts off in possibilities. Some make me smile, and others shudder. I probably won't know until I get there.
Chapter Six
Disclaimer in part one: I don't own anything except the characters I made up in this story. They are (so far): Jessica, David, Marie, Olivia, Peter (Jessica's brother), Walter, Christy Mason & Mrs. Mason, Uncle Thomas, Sam, and Jason Rolland. (I think that's it so far.) Also, gotta thank some of the resources on the web on Psychic phenomena and Williamsburg on this post. Used one of my books I have on animal totems for this, too.
Hope this fic doesn't offend anyone. Some people might be upset at how I portray Psychics similar to how people don't like RK Rowling portrayal of Witches. I say, this story is fiction, and mainly from my imagination. If you don't like it, don't read it. If you do like it, review please. I seem to really enjoy them, or so says my family.
Sorry about the lateness. Where I live, (guess northeast USA is safe to say) we got a ton of snow. And to think I used to like the fact that my family's got a big front yard! Driveway was a killer to shovel. Yes, I'm a college student, but live at home on the weekends. School was out for a couple of days, so that was cool. Also had to do research on some parts of this fic. Things will be speeding up from now on.
P.S. Hey, got to the part on the weighting of wands in GOF book! I've been busier than I've thought I'd be. Got to keep it moving and all that. So, on to the fic!
Time pasted and my birthday pasted.
Right now, however, I was reading some books in my bedroom. I know, why study in the summer. Well, it's not as if I have much of a choice. Before the end of August, I have to be ready to form a mind-link with my Dad. Strange sounding, huh? It kind of is. See, we have to go into deep meditation at the same time and convince our guides to form a link in the spirit realm. It happens naturally at times, usually between married couples. Mom and Dad could of linked, but she isn't Physic enough. In the mean time, I have to practice. Dad's not worried about Olivia, though. I'm the one with the problem. I've only been able to contact my guide regularly since a year ago. Our ability to communicate has grown, but he hasn't revealed his name to me yet. Kind of disappointing, I think. Does he not trust me?
I pull a book out from under my bed. Covered in brown leather, it is old and worn from use. It's titled A Psychic Basic. Not glamorous, I know. The thick book really is basic, going over a wide range of topics. None of them in any real depth, though. One fourth of it is an outline of our history. Interesting is not quite the word for it.
Over the years we went by many names. The earliest was Magi (not like the ones in the Bible). A long time before that in ancient Persia there were psychics that banded together and made quite a name for themselves. Stories mention the group being around in Babylon. Time pasted and the term Magi became used as a word meaning 'a wise person'.
I flipped through some more pages. Those told of the Magi expanding and part of them going a little power crazy in ancient Media. They started interfering with 'Normals'. Some influenced rulers instead of just being teachers and advisors. A small battle was fought, and though strong the Magus and his small group of followers had forever tarnished the name. More pages turned. Magi were spread out now, living and learning among the Normals. They found others like them in various cultures, most of them serving the people as holy leaders and teachers. Contact with them and the spirit world led to the philosophy that still guided them today. They became known as Seers.
However, things weren't always pleasant. The more pages turned revealing the conflict that pasted. Seers met other people who called themselves Witches and Wizards. They had set themselves apart from Normals, either avoiding or ridiculing them. These Wizards had abilities called Magic. Problem was that they had no guides and made their own rules and laws. They had run-ins with Normals, but unfortunately Seers got caught in the middle. Unusual, Magic, and Seer abilities got confused, blurred by the Normals. Seers were now known as Witches and Wizards. Religions spread across the land, ones with the intent to exterminate them. While Witches and Wizards could cast a spell and be safe, many Witches/Wizards who were actually Seers were killed. Joan of Arc, a famous young Psychic, was just one of many that burned.
Pages and time pasted, with both communities developing, living separate and in secret from each other. Seers still lived alongside Normals. When Normals became more acceptable of people with abilities, a few brave Seers made themselves known. They were labeled Mediums and Psychics depending on their strengths. I sighed. The history of Psychics always seems to be that of teachers. And as always, sometimes teachers are resented rather than respected. When too much prestige was given, a few were tempted to abuse their power. But those are lessons of the past. I need to think of the future.
I skimmed over the following chapters: Apporting and Asporting; Bilocation and Spirit Walking; Evil Spirits aka Demons/Djinn; Spirit Release and Rescue; Spirits and Guardians; Mediumism; Clairvoyance: Visions - Guided, Dreams, Psychometry and Scrying; Divination methods; Auras-Informational, Healing, Dowsing, and PK/Levitation; The Universal Mind/Akashic Records; Clairaudience and Clairsentience, Meditations/Trances. My head was starting to hurt. I groaned. For each topic I had at least two other books for a more in-depth study. Add this to all the Wizarding World books Mom got me, and I'm lucky to not be drowning yet. 'Cause I am in way over my head.'
Still, all this didn't stop me from taking another book out from under my bed and a notebook. I reread the chapter on Guided Visions thoroughly before opening the second book titled, Guiding the Path: Visions and Guardians, in faded gold letters on a green leather cover. I cracked it open to the second chapter, Getting to Know Each Other. I'm going to meditate tonight. Maybe my guide will tell me his name. All I really know about him right now is that he's a big, strong, and handsome male leopard. If not, I'll just hope for tomorrow.
My Dad came by my room shortly after dinner. "Peter and your mom are watching a movie. Let's get to it." I nodded and scooted off my bed. We walked down the hallway and entered the extra room, the office. It looked normal and fairly large with some furniture like the desk, bookshelves, and filing cabinet. There was an open space floor covered by a rug in front of the open large window. Outside the sun was setting behind trees and the sounds of crickets and tree frogs filled the room.
Locking the door behind me, I moved to sit in the reading chair across from the desk. Dad rolled the red and blue carpet back revealing the wood floor. Markings covered the floor, forming a rough circle with two lines intersecting at right angles. I rolled my head around stretching my neck, trying to relax. Dad looked at me with a small smile before reaching up and taking a medium sized box from the shelf. An old, very old container, that once belonged to my Great-grandmother. Dad's Grandma. It was made of dark wood almost black with tarnished bronze joints. He slid the lid off and placed the box on the floor. Inside were the stones.
Watching silently, I saw him kneel and place stones until it formed a great wheel. Several smaller ones surrounded a stone at the center. Four stones were placed in the directions north, east, south, and west. Three stones each connected them to the center. Then twelve stones were set to finish the circle, three stones between each direction. Dad had explained to me once before that each stone had it's own name and placement. There was a marker on the bottom of each stone.
"I made you a set to aid you at Hogwarts, Jess. A compass should help you or you could always use the stars," Dad told me. He didn't really need the stones anymore. They are mainly used as a focus for beginners. I was still young. Most Psychics don't receive their full abilities until they are fourteen or fifteen. Maybe that is why we tend to go to a summer Psychic's school around that time. I nodded and had to wonder about what the other students would think if they caught me doing this.
Dad stays outside of the circle as I step inside and sit down trying to get comfortable. His soft voice starts the relaxation process when I nod. Once this guided part is over I'll be on my own. His job will be to record anything I say or do.
I visualize a soft, warm, rose-colored blanket at my feet. The color is meant to help me feel warm, relaxed, protected, and loved. I mentally move the blanket up over my body, imagining the feeling of it moving over each part, relaxing them and removing all tensions and stress. With every deep breath I take, I relax more. Any sounds I hear won't disturb me; they just help me relax. I continue to move the blanket up until it covers my head like a hood. I see myself surrounded by it and the rose color seeps into me, my psyche, relaxing me. I now imagine another blanket at my feet. Its color is green, a healing, and cleansing color. Again, I move it up my body. Stress and tension leave. I relax more and feel more at peace body, mind, and spirit. The green surrounds then seeps into me, healing me. I continue, this time with a gold blanket, and then with a blue blanket. The gold strengthens my nervous system, calms, and sooths, preparing me for what's ahead. The blue helps boost my psychic sensitivity, and aids in receiving dreams of vision teachings. Relaxing energy moves throughout every part of my body. A warm golden light surrounds me. I feel peaceful, relaxed, and loved.
I sense the One that binds all things together. A loving, intelligent presence that I've always known on one level of consciousness. The top of my head and my chest warms as I see a ray of light reach out from a bright, golden light and touch my chest. The light turns pinkish as it starts to spin around me. It slows until I can make out the shape of my spirit helper in the form of a leopard.
He slowly becomes clearer to me. I feel the love from his yellow eyes. The leopard is large, strong, and healthy. His coat is a dark tan with many black spots close together and his tail covered with darker rings. My body, mind, and spirit warms in the unconditional love I receive from him. Alert, he gracefully starts to lead me to a very special place. Somehow I just know. "Come," he says in a rumbling deep voice. He jerks his head, indicating I should follow. I do, still reveling in its vibration of pure, spiritual love. We walk through purple mist and we travel to a different plane.
I look around and notice I'm in a sacred place in the forest. The area hums with energy. My eyes widen in amazement. The leopard beside me glances at me in pure cat-like amusement. He is there guarding and guiding me. The forest is full and green, not like any I've ever seen before. Plants brush at my sides as we walk over to a couple of large stones. A vibration in the air comes to me sounding like beautiful singing. An old man appears before me. I get the impression that he is one of the sacred teachers coming to meet me. The leopard steps slightly away, letting him approach. He is old, older than my father by far and thin. His eyes remind me of Dad's. They hold a sense of love and knowledge. The teacher lightly embraces me like I am a beloved relative. Who knows maybe he is. I don't feel awkward at all, sensing we already know each other well.
Watching him closely, he tells me his name. I become totally aware of him. His clothes are well worn brown leather, his body thin and somewhat short, his face lined by weather, time, and smiles, his eyes kind. He holds a knife in one hand and a woven bag in the other. I know somehow that they are messages for me. He takes out a small leather bag from within his robe. Opening it, he offers a gift that's in the bag. I look at the gift. I take it, feel it, and know it. Then I show it to my guide, the leopard who sniffs it. Telling the teacher how I feel about him and his gift, I let him know my thanks.
The teacher walks a little way leading me to a fire outside his dwelling. The tent is worn, yet sturdy, and clean. We sit down around the fire, my spirit guide settling down beside me. The leopard's tail curls around his body. "Look into the fire and you will see a vision. This teaching is meant for your good and gaining," he says.
I glaze into the fire and see: Water ripples, a leaf floats by, then rocks in the water, the leaf hits the rock then turns and floats on by, the waters roughen as rocks increase yet the leaf stays afloat, a gentle wind help tug the leaf free when caught against a rock, and the leaf disappears from sight. AND Books, piles of them, books adding to the already towering piles, me in a maze of books reaching for one, the pile of books sway dangerously. AND A voice, a snicker, and a feeling of dread and hope. Tearing my eyes away from the fire, I file the information away for now. I will understand in time.
My spirit helper, my leopard, tells me that it is time, "It's time to leave." He paces back and forth, looking from me to the forest. It's time to return to my physical body. I tell the teacher goodbye with much more elegance than I usually do. Walking with the leopard toward the forest and the purple mist again, I ask, "Will you please reveal a name for me to call you by?" If he answers me, I will be able to summon him at any time. The leopard tilts his head towards me, assessing me with those striking yellow eyes. "Simon," he says warmly with a dignified air about him. "My thanks, Simon," I say testing the name. Somehow it suits him. We step into the purple mists. I feel my mind, my essence, starting to return to my body. Slowly, I fade out of my trance state. I open my eyes feeling very awake and alive.
Dad is sitting in his chair watching me. He is smiling, a good sign. "So, how'd it go?," he asked and began to help me up. I swayed slightly, but smiled. "Good. Strange. Wonderful. All of the above?," I said hugging him. He laughed, but nodded. "Yeah, I remember that feeling well. You're doing fine, Jess-monkey. In no time, you'll be able to hear and see him whenever, wherever you are. A few more sessions and you should get an answer about our plan. Let him set the pace, and it'll be fine." I nodded, my mind going over what I'd saw, felt, and now had to figure out. Must have looked preoccupied because Dad said, "Go write down what you saw, everything you can. I'll clean up." I smiled and kissed Dad's cheek before running out of the room. 'Why, though, must everything be in metaphors? It's enough to confuse any girl.' Continuing, I rushed to my room before I had a chance to forget anything. 'And what does my gift really mean? The energy, love, and warmth emanating from the crystal were powerful. I felt it was also needed for the future, and connected to someone or something else. Whatever it is, it's familiar.'
After I wrote everything down, I decided to write some more. Sometimes I use a journal, but not often. Still, I felt the urge right now so I drug out the little book I used. It wasn't very fancy or anything. Just a small notebook with a cuddly cat on it, and doodles on the back. Most of the time, I use it to write what I dream into it. However, as I said, sometimes not.
The last couple of days had been busy. My birthday had passed; I've studied a lot, did my trainings, and spend any extra time with Christy. Who'd of thought that a couple of months ago I was dreading a boring summer. Oh, and let's not forget Mom and Dad are making plans for the move to England. Mom is already getting on my back about organizing and packing some of my room up. It's going to be a total pain.
I started to write about my birthday. The family plus Christy had all went down to Williamsburg. We spent a half day at Colonial Williamsburg and the other half at Bush Gardens, an amusement park there. It was a blast! Both are great places. I swear we could spend two weeks there and not get bored.
Colonial Williamsburg had shops, museums, and workshops all done in 18th- century style. People even live there without electricity and running water. I can't even imagine living like that. Have to say though, the furniture and gardens were cool. We went on two tours. One was of the Archaeology Labs. They showed us how they discovered artifacts, process and interpret them. On the other we walked around town with a volunteer. She was all dressed up in period clothing. The dress was very full, long, and had long sleeves. A frilly cap was worn on her head. It was very uncomfortable looking, really. I mean, come on, it's summer! Mom looked at her kind of funnily. Didn't witches wear similar things back then? Dad spent a lot of time at the Blacksmith's and the Silversmith's. Some other places were neat as well. My favorites were the Brick Yard and Apothecary. After all that running around we ate lunch at Wetherburn's Tavern.
The amusement park was as always great fun. We usually come at least once per summer. Some of my classmates have season passes, and go nearly once a week during vacation. I would get bored too fast. This visit was different because it might be my last. I don't know if I'll be able to visit Christy often. Also the very first thing we saw was the Banbury Cross area, the one with the Big Ben ride. Christy smiled stiffly. She looked a little weirded out. Mom who was usually amused by this section quickly herded us into another part of the park. We explored each area of the park. They were divided up by a regional theme. There was the English section, Italian, German, French, Irish, and the Heatherdowns (that's Scottish, right?). Each section had its own type of landscaping, building designs, and rides depending on the country.
My favorite rides were: Roman Rapids, Apollo's Chariot, The Big Bad Wolf, Loch Ness Monster, The Battering Ram, and Corkscrew Hill. A lot of those were roller coasters some I've only been tall enough to ride last year. Christy and I screamed like maniacs. We chattered and yelled a lot that day. This year we've grown tall enough for most of the rides. Peter wasn't though. He had grown tall enough for some of the grownup rides, but not all. He liked the rapids, the cradle, Corkscrew Hill, and the kiddies ride in The Land Of Dragons. He did get to go on one of the coasters, but felt queasy afterwards. Mom and Peter did some other stuff, different rides, while Dad, Christy, and I went thrill searching. 'I guess that Peter, like Mom, wouldn't like the ride at Gringotts. I wonder if Peter will turn out to be a wizard. Well, that's years away, so no worries now.' Sometimes Mom and Dad would just watch and wait for us, resting. Mom tended to laugh a lot and smiled a little twistedly at certain things. She just loves The Land of Dragons for some reason. 'Wait a minute, Dragons?' I shake my head. 'Wouldn't it be just great if dragons were real? On second thought, maybe not. Talk about a fire hazard.'
Dinner came with a show called Holiday in Roma. I had pasta. 'What else would I eat in an Italian restaurant?' The music was kind of weird but my parents enjoyed it. Soon, we were all tired and back in the car. Christy dug around in her bag, pulled out a small box, and gave me a birthday present. I was so surprised by what was inside. There were two silver charm bracelets, each with two charms. Christy explained that one was for me and the other for her. That way we'd both be connected even with an ocean between us. One was a heart shaped charm that said best friends 4ever on one side with her name on the back. The circle charm had my name on it as well as my birthday on its back. I hugged her before forcing her to put it on me. Then I put hers on her. It was such a thoughtful gift. Mom and Dad seemed to by smiling. Peter looked disgusted by such a girlish display. He wasn't mad anymore about the move, but not ecstatic about it either. The best thing about the gift is that we can both add charms onto it, yet each marking us as each other's best friends forever. We were going to make this friendship work even with the distance.
I continued writing and thinking about times past and ahead. Of course, that is when my cat, Sassy jumped on the bed and proceeded to block my view. No more writing tonight. I sighed. Knowing that it was useless to fight her (she is very stubborn, bratty, intelligent, and too cute for her own good), I give in and lavish her with attention. 'How will Sass like it in Hogwarts? Hope she doesn't cause any trouble. Will there be other cats there? How will she get along?' My mind drifts off in possibilities. Some make me smile, and others shudder. I probably won't know until I get there.