The Reed Fields

by Brandon Campbell

  “Last is an unnamed symbol constructed by intersecting two circles of the same radius. And there you have it.”

  Actaeon was glad to be through with the explanation. He was tired of talking and outside the sun was beginning to set.

  “Tomorrow we will talk more about the significant teachings of Pythagoras, specifically his views on music.”

  “I am going to the market with Kyros tonight. I do hope Greek wine is as good as Egyptian wine,” Akua announced.

  “Beware of the shady types. Wine and poor outlooks on life don’t mix well,” Actaeon responded.

  Akua was baffled by the last statement. He was worried that Actaeon could sense something made him unhappy and uneasy.

  “Oh it will be fine. I just don’t need any trouble,” Akua said.

  *

  As soon as Akua arrived at Kyros’s place, they headed back out. Dusk had taken hold by then. Akua could see the illumination of the busy market even though they were still two miles away.

  “Akua, we’ll eat while we are walking through the Agora. They sell fresh fish and many kinds of fruits, vegetables, breads and sweets. I just love going there.”

  The market place was very busy this night. Farmers carried baskets full of grain, fisherman carried strings of fish and merchants called out to the passers-by to stop and buy from their stand.

  “That stand over there sells some seafood,” Kyros said to Akua.

  At the small stand, Kyros decided to order for himself and Akua.

  “I’ll take two Long N Salties,” Kyros said to the merchant.

  Akua watched as the man wrapped two ten inch lengthwise pieces of what looked like fish. Kyros paid the man with a few coins as he turned to watch a small troupe of street performers. Akua was happy to see Kyros in his element.

  “Exactly what is this?” Akua asked Kyros as he took a bite.

  “It’s Lamprey, fresh from the shoals.”

  “What’s Lamprey? Remember, seafood is something that is new to me.”

  “It is an eel, a serpent-like fish. You only find them in the sea. The meat is rich and tender and very nutritious.”

  Akua knew what eels were. Occasionally, they were seen in the Nile.

  What a silly, pompous thing to say. I know what an eel is and they live in rivers too.

  “Although the meat is salty, it is very good,” Akua said.

  Akua and Kyros looked to the night sky as they finished the Lamprey. Thousands of stars, dim and bright, were visible that night.

  “Kyros, do you think spirits really inhabit the constellations?”

  “I do. I know we don’t have proof, but there is so much harmonious order up there that I believe the gods and the spirits of the dead must be at work. What do you think?”

  “I agree with you. It’s all pretty magnificent,” Akua said as Kyros began to walk down the main street.

  Akua followed him to another stand. This stand was covered with a big green cloth. Among the small trinkets for sale was a table with cooked breads.

  “Akua, these breadsticks are spiced with cinnamon and sweetened with honey. I’ll get us a few.”

  Eating a breadstick each, they walked to the center of the street. Walking up to them and not yielding was a soldier in partial armor.

  Kyros spoke to Akua while pointing to the soldier.

  “Akua, this is a fine Athenian soldier. Many citizens serve for two years.”

  The soldier looked at Kyros and said,

  “You’re wrong on both accounts. I’m a Spartan soldier. And I have served for twenty three years.”

  “What are you doing in Athens?” Kyros asked gruffly.

  “I was sequestered to participate in a political legion. I’m leaving for Sparta in the morning.”

  Kyros grew more uneasy upon hearing that. Akua was taken aback with Kyros’s treatment of the stranger.

  “Sparta’s concept of military is all wrong. Fighting and drawing blood is no way to spend your whole life. In fact, it is shameful,” Kyros said to the soldier.

  The Spartan got real mad at Kyros. At one point he clutched the handle of his sword and the top of its mirror-like sheath. He grabbed the front of Kyros’s white tunic drawing him near.

  “It may be shameful, but I could still cut you down in a moment’s notice.”

  Kyros was in for a beating. It was written all over the Spartan’s face. Akua realized that Kyros’s only chance would come from his mouth.

  “My friend has spoken without thinking. Don’t waste your energy on him, in time, he will get his. I am grateful to the service you provide, be it Athens, Sparta or my homeland of Egypt,” Akua said sternly, but compassionately.

  Akua felt a startling fear. He kept seeing images in his mind of the Persian he killed during the ship battle. He tried hard to put those images out of his mind.

  Be strong. Strong like Pamu. Strong like my friend, Pamu.

  He found enough courage to say,

  “I respect you. Thank you. Thank you for all the protection and strength you give.”

  The Spartan’s eyes were still locked on Akua’s. After about five seconds of blank stare, he spoke,

  “Your friend lives only because of you.”

  With this, the soldier turned and walked away.

  *

  Akua felt refreshed the next morning. The previous night was an experience to say the least. He left Kyros’s house and headed for the Academy. Akua tuned into the sounds around him. Songbirds filled the air. A light breeze rustled the trees.

  Actaeon was outside of the Academy. From a distance, he appeared to be waiting for Akua.

  “Good morning, Akua. I’ve got two tickets for the theatre tonight. The Trachiniae by Sophocles is being performed. Would you like to go with me?” Actaeon asked.

  “Yes. To see a Greek play would be a great experience,” Akua replied.

  “Great. After today’s studies we will head to the Parthenon.”

  Mathias and Makarios were already waiting inside the Academy. When Actaeon arrived he began,

  “Although we don’t have any more scrolls on Pythagoras and his teaching, I know enough to present an intelligent discourse on music. Now, recall what we discussed yesterday to understand some of the mathematics in play here. Pythagoras discovered what we call the Musical Ratios. Basically, when two sounds are produced together the resulting sound is harmony. Some harmonies are not pleasing, but the Musical Ratios identify those that are. The three harmonies that are pleasing are Diapente, Diatesseron, and Diapason.”

  This was all completely new information to the three and they sat there listening with intent.

  “Numerically, the Diapente is a 2:3 ratio. Diatesseron is 3:4 and the Diapason is 1:2.”

  “So how are these harmonies produced?” Makarios asked.

  “Consider two lutenists or two lyricists. When they each play two or more notes at the same time, the resulting sound is a combination of the two, a harmony. Now of the harmonies, only the three I have talked about are pleasing to the ear. You see, the learned poet or musician understands this and makes beauty. To the contrary are those that don’t. Those not always loved by Athenian citizens.”

  “Actaeon, I’m now beginning to understand why they say that music is a gift from the gods. I also see how music can be used wrongly and even for malevolent purposes,” Mathias commented.

  “In Egypt, we use music as an offering to the gods. We know how it awakens the Ba or the soul,” Akua said.

  “Yes Akua. I want to explain two more concepts Pythagoras discovered. These will correlate to music in Egypt also,” Actaeon said.

  “The first concept is that of musical overtones. When a flute plays just one note, that single sound is dominant. But there are actually other hidden sounds in that one note. Overtones can be hidden sounds and they can be heard sometimes. Interestingly, overtones are actually harmonies.”

  “Is it accurate to say that the Musical Ratios describe overtones too?” Mathias asked Actaeon.


  “It is. The final concept brings all of this together. It is symbolic of the order and beauty of the heavens, which in turn is symbolic of nature in our world. This is known as the Music of the Spheres. In my opinion, this is the greatest of achievements by Pythagoras. It says that as the planets, the sun, and other celestial bodies move within the universe, harmonic sounds are produced.”

  Akua jumped in.

  “Our god, Re, moves across the night sky every day. I believe that the ideal offering to Re is one that produces His unique tone or song. When one of our brothers or sisters dies, a star then becomes their celestial embodiment. So if the deceased have a unique tone then that same tone is corporeal.”

  “Akua, that is what our philosopher, Plato, believes and he is a Pythagorean! It all makes much more sense to me now than it ever has before. Akua, thank you for the enlightenment. I am glad you are here with us,” Actaeon said cheerfully.

  The music discussion had taken four hours, and by the end they were all ready to go and get some food.

  “We will adjourn for the day. Tomorrow is the last day we will discuss Pythagoras and we will examine the true esoteric teaching and wisdom here. Until then, enjoy the day. I am fortunate enough to see a tragedy tonight and I’ll tell you all about it tomorrow,” Actaeon said.

  After Makarios and Mathias had left, Akua walked up to Actaeon.

  “Would it be alright with you if I met you at the Parthenon tonight? That way, I can walk around Athens and see the sights this afternoon.”

  “Okay. I’ll meet you tonight outside of the building. Have fun.”

  *

  Actaeon walked into the room at the Academy the next morning and spoke to Akua, Makarios and Mathias at once.

  “Last evening, Akua and I saw The Trachiniae.”

  “That is a wonderful story,” Makarios said.

  “Yea, I wish I could have been there with you two,” Mathias said.

  “I only had two tickets. But I would have liked it if you were there,” Actaeon replied.

  “Well, Makarios and I are familiar with the work. Akua, what did you think?” Mathias asked.

  “It was enlightening. Stories of that kind are new to me. I have respect for the history of Greece. I enjoyed it,” Akua replied.

  “Today is our final study of Pythagoras. Many know of his work with numbers and music, but his supremely esoteric teachings remain known by few. I can only teach you what I have learned about it. And, hopefully, you three can shed new light on what his teachings mean.”

  “Actaeon, I understand the mathematics and musical concepts, but how important or how useful are these esoteric teachings to the modern times?” Mathias asked.

  “Yep. I share Mathias’s concerns,” Makarios added.

  “It is a good question that you have raised and I can only answer it from my perspective. We all have the desire to learn the true nature of our lives. And that includes understanding the gods also. I have been taught to inquire about as many things as possible and retain that knowledge. So, even if what we talk about here is deficient in some way it is still worth knowing about. I firmly believe that nothing is ever truly wasted. Everything has some value,” Actaeon said.

  “Okay. That helps me. It gives me more patience and respect for what I learn whether I like it or not,” Matthias said.

  “Remember that it is always up to you to accept the knowledge that makes sense and to reject what does not. But I think what we will discuss today will be something each of you will like. Pythagorean wisdom is actually based on older Greek history, specifically, the musician and poet Orpheus. Orpheus lived about three hundred and fifty years ago. His musical abilities were said by many to be divine and supernatural. He civilized the Thracian Land by charming people, animals and even the trees with his songs. His supernatural musical effects and charms became something Pythagoras obsessed about learning and deciphering. This explains why Pythagoras developed symbols and ratios to try and quantify music and, ultimately, all of nature.”

  Akua listened with interest, but declined to say anything that revealed what he learned in the priesthood.

  “This helps my understanding Actaeon. But in my opinion it is not too esoteric,” Makarios said.

  “I agree Makarios, but there is more,” Actaeon replied.

  “Orpheus’s mother, Persephone, descended to the underworld and assumed a judgment role. It is still a belief today that she judges a soul upon death and decides what type of existence the soul enters into next. Key to the Pythagoreans was what they called the Transmigration of Souls. This was their way of looking at Persephone’s judgment. You see, the soul of the deceased would actually migrate into another existence after Persephone passed judgment. But the key is the deeds of the soul in his or her prior existence. If the soul were judged poorly, the next existence would be a lower form like that of a beast. It is also possible that a thief or a rapist be condemned to a life of being a victim of torture, rape or murder. On the contrary, the righteous souls could go on to be a hero, a senator or to forever enjoy a beautiful life with the gods and the war heroes in The Elysian Fields.”

  Akua understood this very well. Finally, he correlated this to what he knew. Even though Kyros had told him a little about The Elysian Fields, he wanted to ask Actaeon,

  “The Elysian Fields. What are they?”

  “Akua, these fields exist beyond Hades in the underworld. They are beautiful glorious fields where Greek heroes go after a life of humanitarian service. In the fields, there is no disease, no labor, and no hardships of any kind,” Actaeon told Akua.

  “In Egypt, we have The Reed Fields. And they too are in the underworld. These fields are the reward for a righteously lived life,” Akua said.

  “Oh?” Mathias exclaimed.

  “Now you are teaching us,” Actaeon said.

  “I think that The Elysian Fields and The Reed Fields may actually be the same place! What do you think?” Akua asked.

  “It certainly seems plausible,” Makarios replied.

  “But Akua, are The Reed Fields for the war heroes of Egypt?” Mathias asked.

  “Well, they are not just open to war heroes but all of those that have earned it. There are differences among the two fields, but maybe the differences are trivial and not significant.”

  “Are The Reed Fields reserved for those judged worthy?” Actaeon asked.

  “They are. In Egyptian religion we also have a judgment. But there are differences. This is something I have studied elaborately so I would like to describe it.”

  “Do,” Mathias said.

  “Yes. Please enlighten us. We want to learn Egyptian beliefs,” Actaeon said.

  “When a person dies, their soul wanders the worst and scariest part of the underworld. They must fight and outwit demons, snakes and giant scorpions as the soul journeys through jagged mountains and a hot, barren land. A pale fire illuminates this land. Nothing grows there and all the soul can do is to aspire to find The Hall of Judgment.

  “Once the soul reaches the gates outside of the hall, it has to successfully answer magical riddles and answer a series of questions…”

  “Give us an example,” Actaeon said.

  “Like, what is the true name of he who watches from the mountain? He who leads the way? Or what will you do when Re invites you into his house? Re is not just the Lord of the Sun; he is also the bringer of life.

  “In the hall, the soul endures The Weighing of the Heart. This ceremony is conducted by Osiris, Thoth, Ma’at and Anubis, amongst the other gods and goddesses that have assembled. Here the deceased persons’ heart is judged for purity based upon its weight. Basically, it can be heavy with sin or light with love, compassion and affection.”

  “So how does it work?” Mathias asked.

  “Ma’at our goddess of truth and justice removes one of her feathers and places it on one side of a scale. Then Anubis, the god of the dead, puts the heart of the dead in the other side of the scale. If the heart is heavier than the feather, that is
if it weighs heavy on one’s soul, then the soul is denied entry into The Reed Fields and the heart is destroyed. It is fed to the female demon Ammit.”

  “So the soul ceases to exist?” Actaeon asked.

  “Yes.”

  “That is unforgiving. At least Persephone gives some type of another chance,” Mathias said.

  “Actaeon, you have touched upon my confusion,” Akua said.

  “I am just not sure a judgment is real. To me it does not make sense.”

  “Why?” Actaeon asked.

  “Well, Egyptian religion teaches that every soul has a Divine Seed from the gods themselves. Why would the gods ultimately destroy their own essence, assuming that a heart was weighed heavy with sin? Or even with Persephone’s judgment in hades, why would the Greek gods allow one of their beloved to live a desolate and miserable life? I’m still searching for an answer to this.”

  “Akua, your questions are quite baffling. I can see your point, but I think I have less understanding here than you do. I do have one more concept to explain and perhaps it will help us all in these all-important matters,” Actaeon said.

  “It is known as the Eternal Recurrence. And I seek to understand it fully.”

  “In Egypt, we know of this also. But I think I know it to be different from you,” Akua said just as soon as he could get his thoughts in.

  Actaeon thought for a moment. He wondered why Akua would point out a difference before he even explained the Greek view on the concept. Although his ears were burning to hear Akua’s point, he went ahead and explained it from his perspective.

  “When Persephone judges a soul and decides what is next for that soul, two things happen. First, as we have already discussed, the Transmigration of the Soul begins to take hold and, second, that soul experiences the Eternal Recurrence. The Eternal Recurrence is closely related to the Transmigration of the Soul but it also supersedes it. Eternal Recurrence tells us that a soul cannot be destroyed. It will persist in some way. So when a soul comes back into life as a higher or lower form, that is evidence of the soul recurring. Even when a dead heroine goes to The Elysian Fields, her soul is recurring to a new form and on a different level.”