Chapter 3
Anu Speaks: The Sacred Well
THE TOR, GLASTONBURY, EARLY 1600's
I watched the last of the horses and carts carry my friends away. For how long, I have no knowledge. I could sense Calum’s eyes on me for much of the time, so I dared not cry despite the wrenching of my heart. I did close my eyes, cross my fingers of my left hand and breathe deeply to center and “ground” myself, just as I had been taught. My favorite meadow, the breeze gently rippling the flowers, the clouds drifting by were the pictures in my mind that comforted. Peace slowly came over me, creeping from my head to my fingers and down to my toes. When certain was I that I had gained control of myself I turned to him and upon my face, I put a smile I did not feel.
“Come child, we have much work yet to do,” Calum spoke soothingly and took my hand in his to lead me away. The lessons for the afternoon were not taxing, and I knew ‘twas Calum’s way of giving me room to adjust.
‘Twas later that night, when I was safe on my straw bed that at last I gave in to the tears. They fell and fell and dampened my shift until I do believe I must have fallen asleep, for ‘twas not till cock’s crow that I opened my eyes again.
The village was so very quiet over the next days, ‘twas as if all the children were gone. I do believe the few of us left behind were hiding, for fear we would be sent away next. Slowly I did find myself directing all my efforts towards lessons and such, which kept my mind too occupied to dwell on my sadness. This was especially helpful to me while trying my divination at the sacred well.
I was able to focus only on the task at hand and nothing could distract me. Prior, Calum always instructed me in working simple divination but now we turned to more serious visions; the future. I closed my eyes and called upon the Goddesses for guidance. As I felt Their protective presence, I opened my eyes and looked deep into the well. The spring water, usually clear suddenly became dark and glassy. The pictures before me were disturbing and I was not able to fully understand the message. I saw fire, so much fire, that the sweat dripped from my brow. I saw destruction, the village in ruins. I looked to Calum, shaking like a newborn calf.
“What see you, child,” he gently prodded me out of my stupor.
“I know not what it means,” I choked, “but it frightens me.”
He pulled me close and soothed me as he would a small child. I relaxed in his protective embrace and the words tumbled out, describing what I had seen.
“We shall continue on the morrow,” he declared firmly and signaled one of the Priestesses to lead me to my bed to rest. But sleep did not come easily at first. It was quite some time before I was able to relax enough to close my eyes without seeing the fire and the destruction.
The sun was quite high in the sky when I awoke the next day. I had missed the beginning of morning devotionals and found myself alone. I knew we needed to gather herbs to fill our larder. Placing a basket on my arm, I followed the path to the garden. The spicy lavender was the first fragrance that struck me. I bent to the unruly bushes and murmured my thanks to them and to the Goddesses for allowing me to pluck a handful of blossoms off. I repeated this process to collect the pungent rosemary, sage and lemongrass. I set all these by the sacred well to be cleaned before drying. I shivered. It took all my strength to avoid looking inside and off I went to feed the animals.
I loved my time with the creatures and they depended upon us so very much. I scattered grain for the chickens and bid them good day. I gave oats to the horses and asked them what they thought of the weather (they were not pleased with’t). The milk cows were too busy chewing to answer my queries but I warmed my hands and filled buckets with their creamy milk. The goats bleated their pleas to be relieved also so I tied a cloth around the handle of another bucket (to distinguish it from the cow milk) and filled that also. I found them to be in a most talkative mood and so I stayed behind a bit to pass the time and share some gossip with them.
I delivered the milk to the cooking area and climbed back into my little bed to rest. The episode at the sacred well yesterday took more of a toll on me than first I thought. I laid down expecting only to rest a short while. I was awakened by Calum, shaking my shoulder and I sat up with a start. The sun had set already and I scrambled out of bed. Standing before him I expected to be scolded, yet the soft look on his face told me otherwise.
“Are ye feeling well, Anu?”
“Aye, sir, that I am.”
“This is good. We shall continue our work at the well.”
I felt the cold as I watched his lips move, uttering these words. I did not want to repeat yesterday. I let myself be led by him, but inside I was stubbornly protesting.
On my knees, I called the Goddesses once again and, despite my fears, gazed into the well. A feeling of lightness spread over me, so different from yesterday. I saw happiness and joy, a handfasting, and I was the bride. Gawen, my playmate all grown up was the groom. I was confused but continued to watch. I saw children and babies, many. The destruction of the previous day had been replaced by flowers and crops, a bountiful harvest. I could both see and feel the warmth of the sun on my face, the earth exuding gladness, the Goddesses smiling and the Gods watching with satisfaction. A tingle inside me grew to a spreading warmth. I learned that day that the sacred well could be both my enemy and my friend. I looked to Calum and we smiled.
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
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