Into the Deep

I had an interest, if long and intense, journey with Yemaya on Saturday morning.  It was completely unexpected, but I'm glad it happened.  I needed to get down into things and spend some serious time with her.  

I put on the ocean sounds playlist on the computer and settled in.  I started on the beach and Yemaya looked so much older then what I'm use to seeing.  We hugged for a minute or two and then dove into the water.  

We always turn into mermaids once we are in the water.  We started down  and along came shark.  "Shark will come when you are in trouble, in danger.  Shark is your protector".  The shark swam around us for a few minutes, long enough for me to get a feel for his energy and close enough for me to touch his sandpapery skin.  There was no love there, no emotion at all.  But then again, what does a shark need with love or hate?  Eventually the shark swam off and we continued downward.  

Down and down, further and further, we swam until the water turned murky.  From below, a huge whale swam.  It's eye was almost as big as my body.  "Whale is your messenger.  She travels between all levels of the ocean and out of your subconscious mind to your conscious mind.  She is big because what she brings is big". I spent some time just resting my head along her side, touching, knowing, being. 

Then, Yemaya and I continued further down, into the Twilight zone of the ocean, the place where the light has faded. "These are creatures that live in both light and darkness.  They transverse between the worlds, able to live in both.  You're learning how to do this, but here is where you need to spend the most time".  We stayed for awhile and watched all manner of fish, shrimp, and jellies swimming up and down.   It was beautiful and amazing.  

Finally we went to the bottom to explore the volcanic trenches.  Even in the pitch black, there were many, many bright flashes of bioluminescence.  "In order to shine, there must be darkness" she tells me.  We finally reach a vent.  "Even in the most inhospitable places, life flourishes.  Wherever, whenever, you too can survive". 

Then we went to go see Olokun at the bottom of the bottom of the darkest trench.  Here I could see just fine.  "Go take care of him." I slid the manacles on his wrists back and wrapped the raw places on his arms with clean seaweed.  I used a sea urchin to pick out his hair before braiding it.  He wrapped his arms around me, affectionately, fatherly, and tanked me for attending to him and making the journey.  He promised me riches if I visit him and tend to him again.  I agreed to return, without setting a specific date.  Then Yemaya and I returned to the beach. 

"All tis (the ocean) is yours to rule.  You have learned so much, yet have so much left to learn".  

The the music shifted to the coming back song, and that was that.  I'm apprehensive about returning to Olokun, but know I'll be back sooner or later.