Voices of the Stars

by Rowena Whaling

  It is told that in primitive loin coverings or Star-speckled robes they glide through the Forests, never being seen by others unless they wish to be – never even being heard. No, not even with the jingling of the bells on their ankles. And, as does my Lady Morgan, many of them have tattooed Stars and Serpents on their hands and ankles – some upon their faces. Of course, the older they are and the longer they stay in the villages and the more Rite of Life passages they go through, the more Stars and Serpents cover their bodies.

  I have heard about their great Walkers and Seers and of the deep Trances they enter when eating the Sacred Mushrooms that grow so prolifically in their deep Woods, even that some of them can float above the ground by their Magic Humming alone and that their Hunters Shape-shift into Stags and run with the herds. There are stories told in the Night by our hearth Fires that a few of them have gone so deeply into Trance that their fleshly bodies slowly disappear into a Mist. Actually, I find that a bit hard to believe. But it is said...

  Theirs is an oral tradition carried down by their Grandmothers and Fathers, the same as has been the Druids’ way. Most of their tribal Elders do not read and write at all, yet if their children wish to, they agree to send them to be educated at The Order. Their whole existence seems such a contradiction. They are hard to fathom. I feel a great need and wish to go to live amoung them for awhile. Perhaps there, I will truly find myself...

  Finally I found the courage to ask Lady Morgan if I may go to visit with them at Summer’s Beginning. I await her answer...

  “Yes!” She said “yes!”

  About Rowena Whaling

  Born into the magical world of stage lights, sceneries, orchestras and Chorus lines, Rowena spent her childhood on the road with her theatrical parents.

  Always looking to the stars to find her way home, she heard in them the music: and ever since then music and writing has been her life.

  By the time she was ten years old, she was writing poetry and short stories expanding on the Classical Greek tragedies - adding characters and extending he story lines to suit her creativity.

  She was also testing the waters writing her own musical plays, complete with dialog and songs, and she sang. She would sing for anyone who asked, - notably in the dressing rooms and hotel suites of many of the stars her parents worked with.

  At age fourteen, her parents moved to New Orleans, where she immersed herself in the myriad cultural influences. By then, her parents were semi-retired and devoted much of their time encouraging Rowena to develop her singing talents and her 4 ½ octave vocal range. Her interest in traditional jazz and R&B was the beginning of a musical career, while continuing to cultivate her poetic skills.

  Besides music and poetry, the secrets of the enthralled her and expanded her she knowledge as an amateur Egyptologist and self-taught cultural anthropologist, which remains constant in her life.

  A highly spiritual person. Rowena’s search for truths and the divine began at the early age of 6. As she grew, so did her interest in many of the world’s religions—both modern and ancient, and continues to exhibit itself in her witchy naturalism.

  As a very young woman, Rowena descended upon New York City with the intent of joining one of that city's opera companies, but despite her love of opera, her writing steered her in other directions. She was immediately discovered by several music business people who offered her songwriting and recording contracts, so she began writing songs for other people and recording her own albums.

  Even though her major label recording debut met with much acclaim, she, like so many other artists, had her hopes dashed, and became entangled in a years long lawsuit.

  During this crisis, her mother suggested she open a childcare center and she remains the maven and proprietor of an enchanting childcare run from her beautiful Victorian cottage in Nashville; which has been awarded with the highest of ratings. Yet, through all the years, the Voices of the Stars spoke to her and inspired the exquisitely written first novel of the series "Voices of the Stars". She is currently engrossed in the creation of the second book in the series.

  Rowena lives with her beloved husband - Joe Funderburk, and their little black poodle - The Mighty Mightor, in the greater Nashville area.