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

by Hannah Desmond

  Safe within the temple, the young crystal bearer relaxed into deep meditation. Recovering from fatigue and fear, she was able to hear the message the crystal whispered and absorb the power it offered.

  She came out of her meditation filled with profound relief. She hurried to find the high priestess. Although she was young and inexperienced, she spoke with the authority of the violet flame, “I have received valuable information from the higher dimensions.

  The high priestess nodded, “Tell me child.”

  Taking a breath, she began, “The greatest gifts of the crystal is the transmutation of negative energy into compassion and understanding. We have nothing to fear from dark monks with shining knives. It is they who fear what they do not know yet long for despite themselves. We must offer them the gift of true vision through the sacred crystal of the violet flame.”

  Gathering the priestesses, initiates and servants, the young woman spearheaded a procession. She held the crystal aloft, its violet light illuminating the way as they proceeded onto the stone steps of the temple. The monks had arrived and surrounded the Temple of the Goddess. They stood, hands on their weapons ready to surge forward.

  With the Jewel of the violet flame held high, the young priestess spoke so all could hear, “You are gifted with true vision, true knowing and true forgiveness.” Rays of violet light spread across the steps and the grounds surrounding the temple.

  The surging monks dropped their knives on the ground as the violet rays awakened their third eye. Their inner vision expanded, encompassing the oneness of all. After moments spent in stunned silence, the clouded vision of their third eyes cleared and compassion stirred in their hearts.

  Weeping, many of the monks fell to their knees. A few, turned and ran away in fear. The young priestess spoke into the silence, “You have received the awakening of the violet flame. Do not squander it. Nurture your new awareness. Keep your hearts open. A new life is possible for you.”

  ~

  Lilly, lying motionless in the sarcophagus, watched with her inner eye as her consciousness floated through multiple dimensions expanding her third eye and crown chakra. Suspended in a timeless void, her vision opened onto magical realms. Healing vibrations pulsed within the strands of her DNA.

  When she became aware of the stone pillow beneath her head, her eyelids fluttered then flew open. Darkness was dispelled, beams of sunlight fractured into a shower of rainbows pouring through the crystal cap of the pyramid. Her hands found the sacred stone around her neck and pressed it to her heart. Breathing deeply, she trembled as higher frequencies entered through her crown chakra and aligned through her body. The ring of crystal bells, drew her out of the sarcophagus. The air itself emanated the colors of the rainbow. She spun around in amazement, drinking in the power and beauty floating through the air.

  She moved to the center of the room staring at the intricately carved walls slanting up to the crystal capstone. She recognized the form of her protector, Quetzalcoatl, among the carvings as she tilted her head back and stared into the light of the crystal capstone above. The warmth between her breast increased as the Inanna Crystal vibrated with new urgency.

  Pulling the gold chain up she took the crystal in her hand and held it over her head. The light from above was blinding. Rainbow colors deepened into vibrant hues swirling through the room. The sound of bells, gongs and chimes was almost deafening. The vibrations shook her body. Sweat poured into her eyes, and ran in rivulets between her breasts.

  The Priestess crystal grew so warm she was afraid she might drop it. The second she thought she couldn’t hold it any longer, everything stopped. The rainbow light was replaced with a violet glow. The sacred tone of love filled the air.

  “Thank you,” she said aloud, “thank you, thank you, thank you!”

  She stood beneath the crystal capstone, breathing in the sacredness of the moment. Turning slowly, she felt the call of her friends and lover. Her eyes searched for a way out. The kaleidoscope portal had disappeared. Peering through the violet air, she saw a door. It was huge, twenty feet high carved of lapis lazuli with gold hinges and hardware. “I hope I can open it,” she thought to herself. Her hand only touched the golden door knob and the heavy portal opened.

  Lilly entered a wide corridor with hieroglyphs carved into the stones. Every few feet a statue of some ancient deity stood. She walked to the end of the corridor and found a solid stone wall. Turning back Lilly’s eyes roved over the hieroglyphs looking for a line or crevice that might signify an opening, a way out.

  ‘There! Something looks unusual,’ she thought stepping up to a barely visible crack. She ran her hands over the symbols on either side of the thin crevice. Nothing happened. She pushed on the stone wall straining her shoulder, still nothing moved. Holding the glowing crystal in front of her, she scanned the crevice with the violet light. The stone moved slightly. Running the tip of the crystal along the slight opening, she pushed gently with one hand. The door swung open. Kumira stood on the other side, smiling. She took Lilly’s hand and they followed the sound of voices to the entrance of the pyramid. Aunt Pearl stood with her friends with worried looks lining their faces. At the sound of footsteps, the group looked up as one. Tight faces filled with relief as they smiled with joy and surprise. Lilly stood in Roland’s embrace glowing with the newly awakened violet light.

  After drinking in the love of her friends she looked into their eyes as she spoke, “Our mission has been accomplished. The crystal has been awakened and attuned to a higher vibration. The right ingredients for the reawakening were present! The ingredient was my buried memory of the deeper message of the crystal. When it was created it may have been to power advanced technology through the nervous system of its owner. That purpose is no longer primary. Over time, the Inanna Crystal has been recalibrating to the vibration of the new awareness rising in the world. Merlin deciphered the message and shared it with those who could hear the truth thousands of years ago. The crystal’s purpose is not about power over anything, it is about the power of Love. We are standing on the precipice of awakening to a new way of being. Love is the key to creating a world of Peace, acceptance, creative thought, and compassion.

  “The old paradigm is slowly eroding. The pendulum of consciousness will swing wildly. Those indoctrinated by restrictive religious propaganda and outmoded social mores will struggle to maintain their hold on a world evolving out of their control. It will not be an easy ride. Society, politics, and religion will cling tightly to the old ways causing imbalance and strife. The shadow, those dark aspects of ourselves, our country and our world will rise to be examined. Darkness will seek to prevail and overrule messages of love, empathy and compassion.

  “We are the pioneers, the light bearers of the coming age. In the decades ahead the thought patterns of previous centuries will no longer serve us. Fear, resentment, revenge, control and bigotry hinder the evolution of the peoples of the earth. The violet flame within the crystal is not for me alone. It is an energy to share during the coming decades of turmoil and change.”

  Her lover and her friends stood back for a moment looking at her in amazement. An invisible fog, lifted from their eyes. Streams of ancient awareness buried deep in their hearts, awakened. A new vision was born.

  Roland ran his hands through the silver white curls on Lilly’s head. “Your red hair is gone,” he said.

  Lilly put her hand to her hair. “I am aligned with my true self, I’m no longer afraid.”

  Weariness overcame her and she lay with her head in Roland’s lap on the drive back to New Orleans. Arriving home, she took time for a bath before joining her friends in Jolene’s apartment.

  Everyone was gathered in the living room discussing their experiences on the journey. Those members of the coven who had not traveled with them listened intently. The room fell silent when Lilly entered. Everyone spoke at once, questioning her, welcoming her and exclaiming over her adventure.

  “Wait, wait a minute,” Lill
y said with good humor. “Give me a minute and I will tell you all about it. Those of you who have heard it before will benefit from hearing the message again.”

  An hour later she fell silent. She looked around the room, making eye contact with each of the magickal beings she had come to know and love.

  Taking a breath, she continued, “Jolene told me, soon after I arrived at Panthea’s the day would come when I would forgive my abusive stepfather, my abusive husband and myself for allowing the abuse. I did not believe her. Now, I see how everything unfolded perfectly. I agreed to marry Alex. His energy was familiar. It was the same seething rage below the surface that my stepfather carried. My abusive marriage did not break me. It forced me to seek my own power. My search lead me to the teaching and support of friends, to the realization of my true self and my heritage. Even the horror of my poisoning and abduction by Regina has served a higher purpose in my life. If she had not taken the crystal, if the violet light had not faded, we would not be sitting here having this conversation. My Aunt Pearl would not have arrived to guide me to my family in the Dark Bayou.

  I lost myself in the drama of my life, as we all do. As our consciousness evolves, we can remain awake and present in real time. Our third eye opens allowing us to see the bigger picture, including the destructive patterns as they are manifested. When we become aware of our part in the lessons we are learning, the agreements made through time, and in alternate dimensions, it is easier to forgive all perceived wrongs and know everyone is playing their part in our agreed upon earthly drama.

  “The light and energy of the crystal has been recalibrated to a higher level. I have awakened to it. Right now, I am free from the pain of the past. It is the responsibility of each of us to remind one another, gently, when we fall into unconsciousness and close our hearts. The violet light has the power to open the heart and mind, illuminating the path to our greatest good. In a state of openness and greater vision, we allow ourselves to follow the guidance of our higher selves. All of us sitting here and those who follow us through time must be the way showers. The time has arrived for the awakening of the people of the Earth. It is not my work alone. Everyone may shine the light from within their hearts and share the wisdom of compassion. Embody this message, live it so the people of the earth may evolve into their higher aspect.”

  Madeline let out an exasperated sigh and said in a reticent voice, “But Lilly, you have the crystal. How are we to access the wisdom and vision of the violet light and experience this wondrous awakening?”

  Lilly held the crystal in front of her for all to see. “It is not about the guardianship of the crystal, it is the willingness to attune to the frequency of Love and allow it to be your guiding light. This means we must let go of manipulations, judgements, fears, whatever keeps us from staying in the frequency of love and acceptance. The violet flame is a cosmic force, hold it in your heart. Allow the vision of it to penetrate your third eye and look on the world through the lens of love.”

  Chapter 52

  Spring Equinox

  (The circle in the square)

  Jackson square glowed with color. The crepe myrtle trees dazzled the eye with puffs of frilly purple. Azalea bushes flamed in shades of bright pink. Creamy magnolias filled the air with the sweet scent of spring.

  The strum of a mandolin laced the air with expectation. Silvery flute notes cascaded through the crowd drawing them closer to the brightly garbed musicians gathered in the center of the Square. Lucky’s violin gave wings to a lilting tune while Forest grounded the music on his drum.

  From around the corner of the Presbyter, a group of fair haired dancers, leaping and twirling paraded into the square. The sound of tiny bells cascaded through the air as they formed a circle, dancing and prancing around the musicians.

  Lilly spotted Aunt Pearl among the Faery dancers, holding a bright pink scarf aloft floating on the breeze. Jolene and James danced to the Celtic tune as Claude and Madeline twirled together. Sabine, her beautiful smile lighting up the day, held young Ivan in her arms as she swayed to the jaunty rhythm. Roland’s voice rose adding lyrics to the music:

  “You are the magical, mystical multifaceted ones,

  True windows to the light.

  You can write your own story, dream your own glory,

  Shine on, oh so bright.

  Arise all lovers, step into your power, embracing your life.

  This is your finest hour, rise and live again, open up your gates.

  Step into the stream of love, it never is too late.”

  The ecstatic chant of OOOOO,EEEEE,AAAHHH could be heard above the music, announcing the arrival of Kumira and the members of the Order of Interplanetary Adepts.

  A gentle vibration of the ground announced the arrival of Alustra, Shemo and the Vodou drummers and choir.

  The music, dance and voices raised in song, created a vortex of Love illuminated by the violet light of the Inanna Jewel. The streets of the French Quarter were deserted as everyone was drawn to the circle of magick shining in the center of the Square.

  From high atop the spire of the Cathedral, a raven watched the colorful milieu below. Freed from the curse which had held him in thrall to the witch, Regina, he basked in his reclaimed power. Taking flight, he rode the air currents over the river. Turning his head to the side, the raven gave an ecstatic cry as he flew towards the sun, leaving the crescent city to the musicians, mambos, faeries and witches.