<![CDATA[
<BODY>
<H1>Beneath the Golden Moon</H1>
<H2>The Passage of Souls: Texts</H2>
<H3>Introduction</H3>
In <A HREF="annote.html#dates">1316 SA</A>, <A
HREF="annote.html#yebael">Yebael of Tolfane</A> started work on a <A
HREF="annote.html#tapestry">tapestry</A> which was to <A
HREF="annote.html#decorate">decorate the Laranian chapel</A> at <A
HREF="annote.html#menekod">Menekod Castle</A>. The work, inspired by
an account of a vision she had read in her youth, was called the <A
HREF="annote.html#passage">Passage of Souls</A>, and showed the
journey that souls had to make through Tirithor before coming to the
seat of the Goddess at Dolithor. The dream behind the work was given
in the text of <A HREF="annote.html#valdamin">Valdamin</A>'s <A
HREF="annote.html#pursuit"><CITE>In Pursuit of Dreams</CITE></A>, the
particular manuscript being one held at Korri Abbey, and <A
HREF="annote.html#read">read by the young Yebael</A> in <A
HREF="annote.html#1287">1287</A>. <P>
In order to ensure the correctness of the details for her tapestry,
Yebael wrote to the <A HREF="annote.html#suloran">Suloran of Korri
Abbey</A> in 1316, asking for a copy of that particular passage. To
her surprise, she received word back that the manuscript she requested
was not listed in any of the <A
HREF="annote.html#catalogue">catalogues in the Abbey</A>, and that no
one knew of such a work. Perplexed, Yebael wrote to her <A
HREF="annote.html#brygyne">Aunt Brygyne</A> at <A
HREF="annote.html#harchesa">Harchesa Abbey</A>, asking if she knew of
another copy of the text. Brygyne replied that she knew only of the
copy formerly held at Korri Abbey, and sent instead a manuscript of <A
HREF="annote.html#peloran">Saint Peloran</A>'s <CITE>Trials of
Heaven</CITE>, which she thought might have some similar information.
<P>
Working, then, from memory and using Saint Peloran's work (plus the
informative glosses of that particular manuscript), Yebael embroided
the Passage of Souls, a task which took her well over a year to
complete. <P>
<H3>Valdamin's Text</H3>
Valdamin most likely wrote <CITE>In Pursuit of Dreams</CITE> at some
point in the <A HREF="annote.html#twelfth">early twelfth century</A>.
It is a large work, though much of it is quotations from or
paraphrases of the writings and sayings of others. It is, as the title
suggests, about dreams, though the author includes waking visions
also, without making any real distinction between the two. "Sleep," he
writes, "is simply another state of human life, marked by a greater
than usual susceptability to the messages of <A
HREF="annote.html#divine">the Divine</A> which surround us also in
waking." <P>
One of his many examples of such visions - and used to substantiate
his claim that dreams are divinely inspired or sent - was a dream
experience of <A HREF="annote.html#pilgrim">"the Pilgrim"</A>; it is
this dream that was the basis for the tapestry. Yebael, having no copy
of the actual text, remembers this passage as follows: <P>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<FONT SIZE=+2>I</FONT> <A HREF="annote.html#slept">slept</A>, and in
my sleep <A HREF="annote.html#visions">I saw visions</A>. And though I
saw them, at first I could not see, for <A
HREF="annote.html#black">all was black</A>. I stood still for a great
while, afraid to move in the darkness, not knowing where my feet might
fall. Then I felt a <A HREF="annote.html#warmth">wonderful warmth</A>
<A HREF="annote.html#cover">cover my hands</A>, which I stretched out
before me. The touch of this <A HREF="annote.html#silent">silent
heat</A> <A HREF="annote.html#lifted">lifted me up</A>, and I began to
walk forward, <A HREF="annote.html#source">seeking the source</A>. I
had taken no more than a few steps when I became aware of <A
HREF="annote.html#light">light to my left</A>. Or so it seemed a
light, <A HREF="annote.html#illuminated">though it illuminated
nothing</A>, and <A HREF="annote.html#flickered">flickered
constantly</A>. I turned slightly, seeking a better view, and my right
leg struck upon something, causing me great pain. I reached down to
remove the obstacle, but <A HREF="annote.html#feel">I could feel
nothing before me</A>. Uncertain, I took another step toward the dim
light, and now my left leg hit something hard and sharp, so that I
cried out; and <A HREF="annote.html#echo">nowhere did I hear the echo
of my voice</A>. <P>
<FONT SIZE=+2>I</FONT>n the silence I realised I was <A
HREF="annote.html#cold">now cold once more</A>, and I desperately
turned back to my original path, seeking the warmth which had so
sustained and vitalised me. I floundered, and feared myself <A
HREF="annote.html#lost">lost in the darkness forever</A>; and <A
HREF="annote.html#everywhere">everywhere the flickering light was
before me, as many as the stars</A>. I tried to run, to seek escape in
flight, but my legs would not hold me, and I fell. I lay upon the hard
ground, with sharp rocks piercing my flesh, and I cried out, again and
again, admidst this desolation. At length my sobbing subsided, and my
fear had left me with it. Sitting in silence, <A
HREF="annote.html#turned">I turned my back on the lights that still
hung there</A>, and <A HREF="annote.html#darkness">let the darkness
consume me</A>. <P>
<FONT SIZE=+2>F</FONT>or an age I sat like this, seeing nothing,
sensing nothing. But when the warmth came upon me again, I felt no
surprise, only a joy that I was once again within its compass, and I
resolved never again to leave it. Now I followed where it lead, and
though <A HREF="annote.html#tempt">the light returned to tempt me</A>,
I stuck firmly to the pursuit of the great heat, which increased as
ever I approached. And though at the last my body burned from the heat
that now embraced me whole, still I moved forward, for there was no
pain in me, but only the ecstasy of Divine Power. <P>
<FONT SIZE=+2>T</FONT>hough it was <A HREF="annote.html#instant">only
an instant later</A>, I thought an age had passed, when I opened my
eyes, still dreaming. <A HREF="annote.html#high">High above me</A> <A
HREF="annote.html#shone">the sun shone full on my face</A>; its heat
was like an echo of that which had devoured me, and <A
HREF="annote.html#bright">its light was pure and bright</A>. It seemed
to me then that the <A HREF="annote.html#face">sun's face became that
of a beautiful woman</A>, who approached me. <A
HREF="annote.html#rise">I tried to rise to greet her, but could
not</A>. With a smile <A HREF="annote.html#lady">the lady</A> drew
very near, and kissed me, <A HREF="annote.html#breath">blowing her
breath softly between my lips</A>. In that instant she was gone, and I
was looking once more upon the <A HREF="annote.html#burning">burning
sphere</A>. <P>
<FONT SIZE=+2>G</FONT>aining my feet, I set off along a path that led
over <A HREF="annote.html#hill">a low green hill</A>. Topping the
rise, I saw below me a small building, <A HREF="annote.html#inn">an
inn</A>, where I resolved to rest awhile. Inside many patrons sat
around small tables, while a man <A HREF="annote.html#wolf">with the
head of a wolf</A> served drinks at the bar. Though there were people
here in great numbers, they made no conversation; the only sound was
that of drinking. The bartender too was silent, though working in
furious commotion, providing a never-ending series of drinks to the
insatiable thirsts of the customers. <P>
<FONT SIZE=+2>T</FONT>hough I felt barely thirsty, I thought a drink
would help invigorate me for the journey I was to make along the road.
At the bar, the wolf-head ignored me, too busy pouring out drinks;
finally I simply took one of the mugs he had filled, and drank. As I
did so, <A HREF="annote.html#thirst">a great thirst came over me</A>,
and I <A HREF="annote.html#wolfed">wolfed down the rest</A>. Before I
had even time to think, I had picked up another full mug and quaffed
its contents in a single gulp. <P>
<FONT SIZE=+2>B</FONT>y the time I had downed my third serving, my
thirst was almost overwhelming, and it was made only more so by the
fourth. I realised then that my journey along the road might never be
finished - indeed, never resumed - if I did not depart, and soon. With
a great effort of will, I moved away from the bar. Immediately another
patron took my place, eagerly picking up the very tankard I had been
about to raise to my lips. Wanting all the time to return and assuage
my thirst, I left the inn, and returned to the path. <P>
<FONT SIZE=+2>V</FONT>ery soon the way grew steep again, crossing over
a fair hill. Still feeling the thirst that had so suddenly fallen upon
me in the inn, I laboured up the slope, and then down into the next
valley. There I came upon another building, a dwelling made of logs.
<A HREF="annote.html#beautiful">A beautiful woman</A> stood outside
it, holding in her small hands an axe that she was using to chop up
the large pieces of timber that lay about. When she saw me, she
stopped her work and <A HREF="annote.html#smiled">smiled, showing her
white teeth</A>. She greeted me, and I responded in kind. I offered to
help her with her chores, and she agreed willingly; soon I had <A
HREF="annote.html#cut">cut the logs into firewood</A>, and was
assisting her in <A HREF="annote.html#drawing">drawing water</A> from
a small well behind the house. <P>
<FONT SIZE=+2>I</FONT>t was getting dark when I helped her carry the
wood inside and lit a fire in the hearth. The blaze quickly made the
room snug, and I found it relaxing to sit on one of the two cushioned
chairs. She did not herself take a seat, but rather <A
HREF="annote.html#knelt">knelt before my knee</A>. In sweet tones the
<A HREF="annote.html#woman">woman</A> <A
HREF="annote.html#proposed">proposed to me</A> that we should lie
together that night.
... out into the darkness. <P>
<A HREF="annote.html#guide"><FONT SIZE=+2>W</FONT>ith only the light
from the fire I had helped to make to guide me</A>, I found the path
again and followed it. Once more my tired feet were greeted with
rising ground, and with slow steps I pushed my body forward. Several
times I stumbled, and almost fell; without light to see I could not
avoid the many rocks and holes that lay in my way. When I came to the
<A HREF="annote.html#summit">summit</A>, however, all was changed.
Before me in the distance, behind the <A
HREF="annote.html#horizon">horizon of white mountains</A>, the golden
disc of the sun rose in slow measure, casting her light over all the
land. <P>
Episode with friends and family. <P>
<FONT SIZE=+2>F</FONT>rom such a great height above the world, the
vista below me seemed as if rendered in miniature. A long river, its
waters more white than blue from the reflections of the sun, cut
across a broad plain. Fields rich in growth, or lying fallow, were
clumped together; a forest, under whose eves many hamlets lay,
stretched its dark bulk where it would. Beyond the river the fairest
citadel I had ever seen, could ever imagine, <A
HREF="annote.html#rested">rested gently on a green hill</A>; its tall
spires touched the sky, and a multitude of flags flew at every corner.
Between the outer walls and the main keep, courtyards - some paved and
others of grass - gave a sense of space to the whole. Before the
castle two lines of <A HREF="annote.html#trees">trees, magnificent in
both size and colour</A>, lined an avenue that stretched straight and
wide for many miles... then the narrow stone bridge, wrapped in ivy,
along which the stream of animals went.
<P>
I crossed the bridge, joining the line of animals, which placidly
allowed me to push my way amongst them.
<P>
***Notes**** <P>
He goes along the road and over a hill, and comes into a valley where
all his friends and family are. He talks with them, and shares their
delicious food (though that, too, does not satisfy his growing hunger)
but declines their offer for him to stay there - he must be on his
journey. <P>
Finally, very hungry now, he comes over the tallest hill, and there
before him is a great, fair castle. He approaches it, and as he walks
through the gates he notices a long line of animals - pigs, cows,
goats, and chickens - wandering into the keep beside him. Following
the beasts in the lead, he enters a great hall, where a mighty feast
is underway. Many people sit around large tables and talk and laugh
amongst themselves. The beautiful lady whom he saw in the sun presides
over all the tables. A massive fireplace, with an equally large fire
in it, dominates one end of the hall - the fire is so large that no
wall can be seen behind it. The animals all walk towards the fire, and
one by one they jump onto the spits that are within it. Once cooked,
they are removed by servants and served to those feasting. <P>
He takes his place at one of the tables, where there is an empty seat,
and is given a plate full of food, a pig - and his hunger is abated in
its eating. When he has finished the meal, a servant collects the
remains, carries them over to the fire, and tosses them into the
flames. As the bones crack open from the heat, a pig leaps whole and
alive from the marrow, and trots out of the hall. <P>
</BLOCKQUOTE>
The above material is not in fact the entirety of Yebael's
recollection of the original. There was also considerable space given
to the time immediately before and after the vision iteself; however,
this was of no use to her. <P>
<H3>Saint Peloran's Text</H3>
Saint Peloran is known for his rather harsh interpretations of Divine
Law, and this is reflected in his <A
HREF="annote.html#greatest">greatest work</A>, the <CITE>Trials of
Heaven</CITE>. The picture that he provides of life and afterlife for
the true Laranian is uncompromising in its severity. The worth of an
individual is not established once, and then assumed forever after, he
says; rather, the soul must be, and is, tested at every opportunity,
<A HREF="annote.html#destruction">even unto destruction</A>. It is
these self- and Goddess-imposed trials, their form and meaning, which
is the subject of this work. <P>
While Saint Peloran's text gives some useful information about trials
which match those undertaken by the Pilgrim in his journey through
Tirithor, it is the <A HREF="annote.html#anonymous">anonymous
gloss</A> to the Harchesa Abbey manuscript that provided Yebael with
the most useful details to aid her in making the tapestry. In
particular, from it she learned that: <P>
<UL>
<LI>The name of the inn is The Golden Hart;
<LI>Possible names for the woman in the log building are Halea,
Quesailuáu and Jaleîknargs (the latter two described as
"disguised"), among others;
<LI>There was in the Pilgrim's vision a meeting with a farmer in a
field; and
<LI>There was in the Pilgrim's vision an encounter with a bear
sitting on a tree-stump. <P>
</UL>
Both of the latter two events mentioned were vaguely familiar to
Yebael from the Valdamin's text, but she could not remember much
detail about them, and the gloss provided little but the briefest
mention.
<H3>Yebael's Tapestry</H3>
Unlike the other coverings for the <A
HREF="annote.html#windows">standard chapel windows</A> that Yebael
made, the Passage of Souls tapestry was somewhat larger, being some
five feet wide and seven feet tall. This was a deliberate difference
that she decided upon early in the design process, once she had
determined what elements she would include. The six she used were: the
inn, the woman, the family, the castle, the face in the sun, and the
bear and the woodsman. After some thought about how to arrange these
images, and how they would be "connected", she came up with the
following plan: <P>
[plan - inn tl, woman ml, w&b tr, family mr, castle b, hill above
castle below face in sun] <P>
In the explanations Yebael gave for the tapestry, she made it clear
that it was meant to represent the journey of all souls who die in the
service of the Goddess. <P>
</BODY>
]]>