Jewel of Inanna (Perils of a Pagan Priestess Book 1)

by Hannah Desmond

  A loud knocking woke her at 12:30 as Sabine came to remind her she was due in the shop half an hour ago. Lilly dragged herself through the afternoon as Roland slept through the day. She was sitting on the stool behind the counter, sipping her third cup of coffee staring into space. Jolene sat on the stool beside her, “Late night?”

  “Yea, we went to a drumming ritual. Afterwards we went to the Chinese restaurant for dinner.”

  “So you’ve met Kumira?”

  “I didn’t meet her. I saw her in the center of the circle, but I never spoke with her.”

  “You know,” Jolene said in a whisper, “Her rituals are fueled by LSD. She has even formed a church with LSD as its sacrament.”

  Lilly nodded slowly, “Yes, I had some of the acid punch. I didn’t know I was drinking LSD, but it was wonderful. My aura vision fully returned after I drank it. I could see the colors. I could see the energy building. I even saw a huge flying serpent. I saw him twice. He rescued us from a drunk on the way home. The flying serpent seemed real! I’m sad to think it was an hallucination.”

  “Your visions are not less real because you took LSD,” Jolene said in a matter of fact voice. “Our brains block over 90% of the energy surrounding us. LSD’s magick works on the brain and lifts the veils of illusion. When the veils are lifted the energy, always there, is visible to us. Your ability to see more energy than most is strong, so don’t think what you saw wasn’t valid. If you were at the ritual, you were supposed to be there. You are part of the energy invoked within the circle. The Bhodi Sala are reincarnated Atlantean’s and I would not be surprised to find you have a connection to them through a past life or many past lives. The visions you enjoyed were gifts to you, windows into your deeper knowing. Be grateful.”

  Lilly smiled sadly, “Since I’ve been wearing the Inanna Crystal my abilities have been returning. I see a bit from the corner of my eye. I wish my vision was as vivid as it was on the LSD. Everything was beautiful.”

  Jolene put her arm around Lilly’s shoulders, “It will return, give it time. The process of healing the trauma you have suffered will take time, ma chere. You can work on forgiveness. It is forgiveness which will accelerate your healing.”

  Lilly shrugged out of Jolene’s arm, “Forgive? You think I’m going to forgive Alex for what he did to me? I will never forgive or forget. I’m not opening the door to abuse again!”

  “No, Lilly, I’m talking about forgiving yourself. Have you considered you may be harboring blame for what happened, believing you invited it, deserved it and allowed it? These deep seated, unknown, unacknowledged and false beliefs churn in the subconscious mind. Overtime they create fear, doubt, selfloathing and havoc in your life.

  It is the unexamined and unhealed parts of you that will allow the abuse to return in myriad ways. I am not asking you to deny the abuse you suffered or pretend it didn’t happen. I am saying examine your feelings, allow them, embrace yourself in love and forgiveness, those are the thoughts, feelings and attitudes that will speed your healing and raise your energy to the point where you will reactivate your gift of auric vision. You are on the path, don’t let attachments to the past get in your way. Reclaim your personal power. Knowing and appreciating your true self will be the greatest deterrent to allowing abuse again.”

  Lilly stared at Jolene for a minute, a frown burrowing between her brows. Too tired to argue or even assimilate Jolene’s advice, she shrugged her shoulders and sipped her coffee.

  “You and Roland have experienced the removal of the veils of illusion together. Your bond will be stronger. He is a good man with powerful magic,” Jolene continued.

  Lilly’s eyebrows raised as her head flew up, “You think he has powerful magic?”

  Jolene tilted her head, “Don’t you?”

  “Yes, yes, I do. I need to talk to you about something.”

  Jolene opened her hands and lifted an eyebrow, “Okay, ask me anything.”

  “Jolene, Roland is a Druid. Well, he was a Druid in a past life. He has a blue birthmark and he told me it was a remnant from his past life as a Druid. He is a powerfully good musician. He may have powers he hasn’t tapped, I don’t know.”

  Jolene took a deep breath, sighing softly, “I knew there was something familiar about his energy. Lilly, we will have to talk with James. He may be willing to help Roland develop the talents of his birthright. In the meantime, ma chere, concentrate on you. The better you know yourself, the more you will be able to see and appreciate the truth of others.

  Chapter 23

  Lundi Gras

  At 3PM Monday afternoon, Jolene locked the door to Panthea’s Pantry and put the key away. “I’ve had enough of the tourists and the Mardi Gras madness! I’m going to serve up some red beans and rice and enjoy my sweet friends tonight. It’s Lundi Gras. This is the day when the fun and excesses of Mardi Gras rev up. Those of us who have been busy with an influx of customers for weeks, take the day off. I am ready to relax and enjoy myself,” she said as she playfully danced out of the door and into her apartment.

  All of Panthea’s tenants gathered in the courtyard for a Lundi Gras celebration. James and Forest were getting a fire going in a firepit when Lilly joined them.

  She had taken a nap and spent over an hour looking for Roland. She had borrowed Gemma’s bicycle and ridden to Frenchman Street. He was nowhere to be found.

  Disappointed she couldn’t find him, Lilly returned to her apartment and put the crystal she had bought for him on her dresser. She had chosen the crystal from Genna’s new collection. It was double faceted, clear as glass with three strands of white curling through it. A fleck of red Carnelian glowed in the center. The crystal radiated magick and Lilly wanted Roland to have it.

  It looks like I’ll have to celebrate Lundi Gras without Roland, Lilly mused sadly. Shrugging off her disappointment, she took a long bath, dressed casually. Before she left her apartment, she placed the Jewel of Inanna beneath her shirt and grabbed her flute. Walking out onto the gallery she saw her friends gathering in a circle in the courtyard.

  Sabine stepped into the circle, “Tonight we come together to celebrate our connection and the love, joy and trust which binds the members of this coven. We will separate soon for a few weeks but our sacred connection to one another remains in our hearts.

  “Let’s close our eyes as we stand in this circle. Our connection is strong. Feel the energy as it moves and allow it to enter your heart. Continue to circulate this powerful energy around the circle from your heart. Feel the power of our connection, the strength of our magick together, the bond of love and trust we share.”

  Sabine was silent as the members of the coven let the energy build and circle from and through them. A bell sounded and Sabine’s voice softly said, “Release and return.”

  Lilly opened her eyes and looked around the circle, radiant colors shown in swirling patterns. Each member of the coven contributed a different shade and pattern of light and color to the matrix. She drank in the vision and made eye contact with the new friends she was getting to know and love.

  The circle morphed as friends gathered. A musical chord was strummed loudly on a guitar and the beat of a drum joined it. The strum of the guitar evolved into intricate chords blending passion and devotion. Gemma moved her willowy body in smooth arcs. Soon the entire group was dancing.

  Lilly closed her eyes and let her body move. She was transported from the courtyard to another time and place. She put the flute to her lips as a bright fire danced behind her eyes, throwing shadows on a magnificent tent. She danced in the sand beneath her feet, as camels, legs folded beneath their lumpy bodies, watched the desert scene unfold. All the while she played her flute, moving and swaying as swarthy men sat nearby, hands clapping, dark eyes flashing in the firelight.

  The music continued to drive her vision, filmy clothes adorned her body which moved sensuously. Rows of tiny bells, jingled on bracelets around her ankles. The music was inside of her as she moved s
inuously over the desert floor, wildly rotating her hips to the beat of the drums. Her flute followed her steps as she danced.

  The music stopped, Lilly opened her eyes and found herself in the courtyard. She looked up and her eyes locked with the guitar player sitting on a stool nearby. He stood and came over to her.

  She spoke softly to him, “I was in the desert, dancing. I was wearing bells. There were camels. I swear I could smell them.”

  The guitar player laughed and said, “It was Shaharazad.”

  “Did you see the desert vision too?”

  “Of course,” he replied as he put out his hand to her and said, “Lucky.”

  She shook his hand and replied, “Not so much.”

  He threw his head back and laughed as he squeezed her hand, “We will have to do something about that!”

  Forest, Gemma’s live in boyfriend and a member of the coven, picked up Lucky’s abandoned guitar, strummed it a few times and played a melody.

  Lucky took Lilly’s hand, pulled her into his arms and danced her around the courtyard. His eyes locked with hers. She looked away and looked back. Butterflies filled her stomach and she had trouble catching her breath. She had the feeling they had met before, or maybe he reminded her of someone. Dimples creased his cheeks as he smiled at her. His deep set gray eyes exuded intensity, interest and mischief. Lilly smiled back trying not to stare as his eyes continued to hold her in a steady gaze. She had to admit he was beautiful. His strong jawline, black curly hair, slightly hooked nose combined to form a strong handsome face with a touch of vulnerability. He pulled Lilly slightly closer, his fingers slipping between hers as he danced her over the cobblestoned courtyard.

  When the music stopped, Jolene was ringing her little bell announcing the red beans and rice were ready. Lilly stepped out of Lucky’s embrace, smiled and headed for Jolene’s kitchen.

  Sitting next to Madeline on the floor of Jolene’s spacious living room, Lilly whispered, “For heaven’s sake, why didn’t you tell me a Marlon Brando look alike lived here?”

  Madeline looked puzzled, “Who are you talking about?”

  Lilly let her eyes wander to the couch where Lucky was talking to James. She gently nodded her head in his direction and looked at Madeline.

  “Oh, Lucky, yea he is something. He is a bit too intense for me but, now that you mention it, he does look like Marlon Brando.”

  “Yea,” Lilly said nodding her head slowly.

  “He comes and goes, travels for his work,” Madeline said, cutting her eyes in his direction. “I haven’t gotten to know him.”

  When the dishes had been collected and the last beer was gone, the group wandered back out into the courtyard. Forest placed more wood on the fire and Lucky picked up his guitar. Lilly stayed for a few minutes listening to the music, drinking in the magic of the night. The fire burned to ash and the moon silvered the faces of her friends. Lilly smiled, waved goodnight and headed upstairs to her bed

  Chapter 24

  The Bliss of Kosmic Debris

  “Keep still, don’t move your face,” Madeline instructed as she applied the face paint.

  “It tickles,” Lilly said while trying not to move her mouth.

  Madeline stood back and examined her art work. “Check it out,” she said handing Lilly a mirror.

  “Oh, wow, I can’t believe it. You did a great job Madeline. I look like some otherworldly magical Faery being.”

  “Exactly my intention,” Madeline said smugly.

  “Thank you, I could have never done anything like this myself,” Lilly hugged her, careful to keep her newly painted face clear of Madeline’s blond hair. “Can you help me get into this costume? I’m going to need some assistance with the wings.”

  At 11AM a beautiful, sparkling and unique creature opened the gate from Panthea’s Apartments and walked out into the Mardi Gras milieu. Her bright red hair glittered with golden bits and tiny flowers. Her face was a swirling mask of mystery, eyes up tilted with fine lines of golden paint, tiny dots and swirls declaring her affinity with the Faery tribes. Two breasts peaked out from a lacy golden bodice atop a shimmering Faery skirt floating around her thighs. Soft leather boots embraced her feet and calves to her knees. Faery wings of finest filament stirred slightly as she walked. A small velvet pouch was wound about her waist with a golden cord.

  The Inanna Jewel was stored safely in its velvet bag on top of the altar in her bedroom. The crystal she was gifting Roland dangled between her breasts.

  Lilly made her way through the crowd in Jackson Square to Decatur Street. She was stopped several times along the way for photos. She smiled and curtsied for the cameras and continued her journey to Frenchman Street.

  She hadn’t worn a costume since she was a kid at Halloween and didn’t remember it being so exciting. Today every fiber of her being thrummed with new life. Lilly LaCouer was reborn as she embraced and displayed the truth of her magickal self.

  The walk towards Frenchman Street was slow as the Carnival revelry was building. Some of the masked faces delighted and some frightened her. Pushing gently through the crowd, she thought she saw Alex’s face. Fear paralyzed her for a moment. She quickly lost herself in a group of pink pigs with glittering wings. She walked with them for a little while laughing at their nonsensical conversation as they ate beignets and drank beer.

  Leaving the flying pigs behind, her heart grew heavy as she thought of Alex and the mask he had worn before they were married. She had believed his mask of sincerity, love and caring. Overtime, she came to see he was an impostor, an unkind, wicked and cruel man hiding behind a handsome smile. She shook her head slightly, opened her eyes to the sunny morning and banished thoughts of Alex.

  Making her way through the colorful crowd, her thoughts turned to her new relationships, her friends at Panthea’s; Roland, The Green Man Band and the dozens of artists and vendors in the Square. She admitted to herself she, as well as everyone else, wore masks. They put on a personality mask hiding their deepest selves. Not everyone had a monster hiding behind the mask of their personality. Lilly saw the brave, wild, colorful beings full of love, hiding behind the masks her friends wore. The marvelous and beautiful powers hidden in many of her friends at Panthea’s were unmasked during the rituals they performed together and the sharing of their lives as friends. As their shadow selves and greatest powers were unmasked, they stood in awe of one another, filled with compassion, acceptance and love.

  ‘Possibly,’ Lilly mused, ‘the true purpose of life is to unmask oneself and become an authentic being. Those who shed their mask, also shed self deception and live their lives fearlessly with open hearts. They become beacons of light for those who yearn for freedom from fear, doubt and judgement.’

  Lilly wondered how she had masked her own power. When did she lock it away at the bottom of her heart? She stopped and looked around at the costumed crowd realizing, ‘Everyone locks some part of themselves away along the road to adulthood. Rejection, family problems, heartbreak and a thousand random cuts and bruises to the psyche conspire to form a web of fear, a ball of darkness to hide from the light. Everyone was apprehensive at how the world might perceive their unmasked self. Would they be stared at, punished, laughed at, abused and judged as frivolous, ridiculous or unworthy?’

  Lilly laughed thinking of all the brave, wild and cunning, marvelous and beautiful parts most people hid away in fear. Carnival day everyone had permission to unmask. This was the day to courageously paint and costume yourself, revealing an essential expression of your true self. The parts hidden in fear were given a free pass, unbound and celebrated on Mardi Gras day. She remembered something Sabine had told her the day before, “Laughing at the shadow, dispels its power. Embracing your true self, liberates creativity.”

  Basking in the freedom of her new life, Lilly spun around in a little dance as she made her way through the French Market. ‘There is nothing freer than a Faery.’ Smiling to herself, she crossed Esplanade Avenue h
urrying to meet Roland at the Dream Palace.

  ~

  Frenchman Street was filled with throngs of costumed revelers. Lilly peered through feathers, satin, sequins and half nude bodies filling the street. She and Roland had planned to meet in front of the Dream Palace, so she made her way to the sidewalk, scanning the crowd in search of him.

  She stood for a moment directly in front of the Dream Palace. The crowd parted nearby revealing A group of women standing in a circle around a handsome musketeer. Bowing at the waist over soft leather boots, sweeping a wide brimmed, plumed hat to one side, the crimson velvet and lace clad character appeared to have stepped out of a Faery tale.

  The musketeer straightened and looked around. His mouth, framed by a van dyke beard and mustache, broke into a grin. Excusing himself from his admirers he made his way to the sidewalk. Sweeping his wide brimmed hat off, he made a courtly bow, his dark wavy hair falling over his lacy collar. “I wish you a good morning, your highness, queen of the Faeries.” With a serious face and a respectful tone he spoke only to her, “Today I see you as the true magical, mystical, multifaceted being you are. When I look at you I look into a window of light.”

  Flustered for only a moment, Lilly responded respectfully, “You may rise, musketeer, and let me look at you in all your glory.”

  The crowd surged around them. A thousand strands of color and energy intermingled with their own drawing them through a portal of sparkling carnival spirit.

  The wave of unfamiliar energy subsided, Lilly’s vision cleared and her awareness focused on the beautiful man smiling broadly in front of her. ‘He is a beautiful musketeer with more than a touch of sorcery in his eyes. What does this tell me about him? He is brave, loyal, magical and something of a dandy,’ she mused silently, smiling to herself.