Journey to the Temple
The jasmine scented garden excited and guided my senses to a million miles away. I felt alive when the gentle breeze would carry with it, the promise of beauty and freshness, created by these beautiful plants.
As I sat in my favourite part of the garden, I noticed a shooting star. The insects of the night were stirring their intricate but very loud sounds.
As I shifted in my position, I heard the familiar sound of someone walking up the stone path, brushing against the rows of reeds that lined the river. As expected, it was my husband. He came outside to join me in the garden.
The warmth of the night air kissed and embraced my skin. My robe was light, but still it felt too warm on my body. We sat in peaceful silence, enjoying the night air and delighting in the fragrance that wafted around us.
A slight flicker of light in the distance beckoned us and as we looked at each other, there were no words necessary. As I looked up at the sky, I could see the all-encompassing Milky Way. The Milky Way goddess was "the Mother of Mothers". She was the goddess of women, fertility, children and childbirth. She had power over anything having to do with women from problems with conception or childbirth, to health and beauty and matters of the heart. However, she was not exclusively worshipped by women.
Hathor was within walking distance and so my husband and I decided to make our way to the temple on this balmy night.
Our bare feet stepped on to the stone pathway, providing coolness that enveloped our feet and then travelled up our whole body to the top of our head.
The path was inviting as each stone led us closer and all we could see was the faint lights in the far distance. I could tell that my husband was looking at me, from the corner of my eye. He had a joyful look that told me how much he loved me. After noticing that I had seen him looking he told me how beautiful I was and then explained that Hathor was also the goddess of beauty and patron of the cosmetic arts. Her traditional votive offering was two mirrors and she was often depicted on mirrors and cosmetic palettes. Yet she was not considered to be vain or shallow, rather she was assured of her own beauty and goodness and loved beautiful and good things.
We walked some more, hand in hand alongside each other, until the path narrowed in some places and then he would gently guide me to go before him.
The lush vegetation that swayed gently in the evening breeze cascaded past us and we stopped every so often, to smell the scent of the lotus.
Our spirits were high and we looked forward to seeing the temple. When there was a clearing, we stopped and embraced under the full moon’s light. It was a breathtaking sight.
My husband continued to tell me more about Hathor. She was known as "the mistress of life" and was seen as the embodiment of joy, love, romance, perfume, dance, music and alcohol. Hathor was especially connected with the fragrance of myrrh incense, which was considered to be very precious and to embody all of the finer qualities of the female sex.
No sooner did the temple appear before us that we stopped and gathered some beautiful flowers to present to the priestess.
The Lotus flower is my favourite, so we carefully picked two or three flowers, gently wrapping them in the carefully picked luscious reeds that surrounded us. The carefully placed reeds provided an encasing to the delicate lotus flower and we were happy with our efforts in providing a gift of beauty to the temple.
My heart slightly raised its speed as I glanced down at myself. The robe I had on was still fresh looking and the jewels I wore were still bright. My husband assured me I looked beautiful and furthered his story about Hathor being "the Mistress of Turquoise" and the "lady of Malachite" she was the patron of miners and the goddess of the Sinai Peninsula (the location of the famous mines).
I often wore eye makeup made from ground malachite, my favourite.
The priestess was waiting at the temple doors, for she knew that we would be arriving. The sacred temple and the priestess’ always knew who would be visiting it and at what time, giving them enough time to prepare for their visitors.
The warm lights that emanated from the temple were welcoming. As the priestess opened the doors to the temple, we stepped inside, left foot forward first.
Our breath was taken away. The smell of the temple enveloped me like a soft and enticing blanket of frankincense and myrrh. My husband said that the fragrance always reminded him of me.
He was in awe of the magnificent architecture of the building. It was intricately carved from the top of the ceiling to the floor. Each wall different to the next.
The priestess led us through the magnificent reception room into a large, but intimate room. There were stone pillars surrounding us and we got the distinct feeling that there were more people in the room, though we could not see them.
The beautiful amethyst slab in the centre of the room caught my eye. I was drawn to it immediately. The priestess was happy that I had seen it and welcomed both of us to make our way up on the area where the slab was placed.
As we stepped up on the level where the amethyst slab lay, the priestess explained that this amethyst was carved by the ancients and it held much wisdom.
As a gesture of hospitality, the priestess offered the slab to me to lie down on and relax. I was reluctant at first as I looked at my husband. His face was still in awe of being in this truly amazing place.
I carefully stepped up on to the amethyst slab and as I did, six other priestesses appeared from behind the shadows of the pillars.
My heart jumped a beat, but I was not scared. The gentle and peaceful look on their faces seemed almost angelic and they had a soft white glow around them.
I lay back on the amethyst slab and relaxed. Much to my surprise, it was comfortable and not too hard at all.
The energy slightly changed and as I lifted my head slightly, I noticed a priest emerged from the corner of the room and stood at my feet. My energy instantly felt grounded and I felt safe and happy to be here.
I couldn’t see my husband now that I was lying down, but I felt his gentle energy nearby.
The head priestess asked me to close my eyes and feel the amethyst slab beneath me. I instantly became one with the slab and no longer could feel my body. Waves of light moved through me as the priestesses and the priest awakened me internally. I was suddenly inspired to be everything I had ever imagined to be.
The rush of light and energy opened portals I never knew I had. With my eyes closed, the head priestess held her hand over my third eye and asked me if I had any questions or wanted clarity on my life path.
I thought for a moment. I tried to feel my body, but I still could not as I was one with the slab beneath me.
The image before me was breathtaking. I saw myself in a serene place, with a gentle river flowing nearby, green grass, jasmine and lotus flowers cascading near my home. The scent was heady and enveloped me in its fragrance.
As I further relaxed I saw my husband tending to our garden and home. He had just finished making something. When I looked closer, I could see that it was a baby’s crib.
The next image I saw was of the three of us – my husband, myself and our baby daughter. It was beautiful. My heart filled with joy.
The next image I saw was of the four of us – my husband, myself, my daughter and my son! Oh how I loved them all.
The priestess let me savour the moment for a few minutes and then awakened me, gently bringing me to the present moment and told me that I have done very well.
I opened my eyes to see that all the priestesses, the priest and my husband were smiling so brightly at me. I felt blessed to have seen these beautiful images, but I was unsure as to why they looked so happy for me.
Then I looked up and before my eyes was what looked like a screen. The images I had just seen in my mind’s eye were replaying up on this screen before me! They had all seen my visions and that is why they were all so happy.
My husband joined me and took my hand, gently kissing each knuckle.
The priest gently touched my feet and instantly I felt my energy change. I felt my body in the present moment and began to rise from the amethyst slab as the head priestess invited me to get up when I was ready.
The six priestesses bowed to me and so did the priest as they disappeared behind the stone pillars in the room.
My husband took my hand and led me down the steps on to the cold granite stone floor. The sacred room felt different now, or maybe I am different for the experience I had just had.
As the priestess opened the door once again for us, we walked through to the reception area and waited for her. She entered the room bearing the lotus flower that we had brought earlier and placed it in my heart.
To my surprise, the flower completely disappeared but I didn’t judge or question it, for the feeling that I was left with was pure bliss and happiness.
We thanked the head priestess for her generosity and walked down the steps of the temple.
Our path ahead was filled with love and a longing to start our happy family.
© Gillian Du Caurroy 2016
The jasmine scented garden excited and guided my senses to a million miles away. I felt alive when the gentle breeze would carry with it, the promise of beauty and freshness, created by these beautiful plants.
As I sat in my favourite part of the garden, I noticed a shooting star. The insects of the night were stirring their intricate but very loud sounds.
As I shifted in my position, I heard the familiar sound of someone walking up the stone path, brushing against the rows of reeds that lined the river. As expected, it was my husband. He came outside to join me in the garden.
The warmth of the night air kissed and embraced my skin. My robe was light, but still it felt too warm on my body. We sat in peaceful silence, enjoying the night air and delighting in the fragrance that wafted around us.
A slight flicker of light in the distance beckoned us and as we looked at each other, there were no words necessary. As I looked up at the sky, I could see the all-encompassing Milky Way. The Milky Way goddess was "the Mother of Mothers". She was the goddess of women, fertility, children and childbirth. She had power over anything having to do with women from problems with conception or childbirth, to health and beauty and matters of the heart. However, she was not exclusively worshipped by women.
Hathor was within walking distance and so my husband and I decided to make our way to the temple on this balmy night.
Our bare feet stepped on to the stone pathway, providing coolness that enveloped our feet and then travelled up our whole body to the top of our head.
The path was inviting as each stone led us closer and all we could see was the faint lights in the far distance. I could tell that my husband was looking at me, from the corner of my eye. He had a joyful look that told me how much he loved me. After noticing that I had seen him looking he told me how beautiful I was and then explained that Hathor was also the goddess of beauty and patron of the cosmetic arts. Her traditional votive offering was two mirrors and she was often depicted on mirrors and cosmetic palettes. Yet she was not considered to be vain or shallow, rather she was assured of her own beauty and goodness and loved beautiful and good things.
We walked some more, hand in hand alongside each other, until the path narrowed in some places and then he would gently guide me to go before him.
The lush vegetation that swayed gently in the evening breeze cascaded past us and we stopped every so often, to smell the scent of the lotus.
Our spirits were high and we looked forward to seeing the temple. When there was a clearing, we stopped and embraced under the full moon’s light. It was a breathtaking sight.
My husband continued to tell me more about Hathor. She was known as "the mistress of life" and was seen as the embodiment of joy, love, romance, perfume, dance, music and alcohol. Hathor was especially connected with the fragrance of myrrh incense, which was considered to be very precious and to embody all of the finer qualities of the female sex.
No sooner did the temple appear before us that we stopped and gathered some beautiful flowers to present to the priestess.
The Lotus flower is my favourite, so we carefully picked two or three flowers, gently wrapping them in the carefully picked luscious reeds that surrounded us. The carefully placed reeds provided an encasing to the delicate lotus flower and we were happy with our efforts in providing a gift of beauty to the temple.
My heart slightly raised its speed as I glanced down at myself. The robe I had on was still fresh looking and the jewels I wore were still bright. My husband assured me I looked beautiful and furthered his story about Hathor being "the Mistress of Turquoise" and the "lady of Malachite" she was the patron of miners and the goddess of the Sinai Peninsula (the location of the famous mines).
I often wore eye makeup made from ground malachite, my favourite.
The priestess was waiting at the temple doors, for she knew that we would be arriving. The sacred temple and the priestess’ always knew who would be visiting it and at what time, giving them enough time to prepare for their visitors.
The warm lights that emanated from the temple were welcoming. As the priestess opened the doors to the temple, we stepped inside, left foot forward first.
Our breath was taken away. The smell of the temple enveloped me like a soft and enticing blanket of frankincense and myrrh. My husband said that the fragrance always reminded him of me.
He was in awe of the magnificent architecture of the building. It was intricately carved from the top of the ceiling to the floor. Each wall different to the next.
The priestess led us through the magnificent reception room into a large, but intimate room. There were stone pillars surrounding us and we got the distinct feeling that there were more people in the room, though we could not see them.
The beautiful amethyst slab in the centre of the room caught my eye. I was drawn to it immediately. The priestess was happy that I had seen it and welcomed both of us to make our way up on the area where the slab was placed.
As we stepped up on the level where the amethyst slab lay, the priestess explained that this amethyst was carved by the ancients and it held much wisdom.
As a gesture of hospitality, the priestess offered the slab to me to lie down on and relax. I was reluctant at first as I looked at my husband. His face was still in awe of being in this truly amazing place.
I carefully stepped up on to the amethyst slab and as I did, six other priestesses appeared from behind the shadows of the pillars.
My heart jumped a beat, but I was not scared. The gentle and peaceful look on their faces seemed almost angelic and they had a soft white glow around them.
I lay back on the amethyst slab and relaxed. Much to my surprise, it was comfortable and not too hard at all.
The energy slightly changed and as I lifted my head slightly, I noticed a priest emerged from the corner of the room and stood at my feet. My energy instantly felt grounded and I felt safe and happy to be here.
I couldn’t see my husband now that I was lying down, but I felt his gentle energy nearby.
The head priestess asked me to close my eyes and feel the amethyst slab beneath me. I instantly became one with the slab and no longer could feel my body. Waves of light moved through me as the priestesses and the priest awakened me internally. I was suddenly inspired to be everything I had ever imagined to be.
The rush of light and energy opened portals I never knew I had. With my eyes closed, the head priestess held her hand over my third eye and asked me if I had any questions or wanted clarity on my life path.
I thought for a moment. I tried to feel my body, but I still could not as I was one with the slab beneath me.
The image before me was breathtaking. I saw myself in a serene place, with a gentle river flowing nearby, green grass, jasmine and lotus flowers cascading near my home. The scent was heady and enveloped me in its fragrance.
As I further relaxed I saw my husband tending to our garden and home. He had just finished making something. When I looked closer, I could see that it was a baby’s crib.
The next image I saw was of the three of us – my husband, myself and our baby daughter. It was beautiful. My heart filled with joy.
The next image I saw was of the four of us – my husband, myself, my daughter and my son! Oh how I loved them all.
The priestess let me savour the moment for a few minutes and then awakened me, gently bringing me to the present moment and told me that I have done very well.
I opened my eyes to see that all the priestesses, the priest and my husband were smiling so brightly at me. I felt blessed to have seen these beautiful images, but I was unsure as to why they looked so happy for me.
Then I looked up and before my eyes was what looked like a screen. The images I had just seen in my mind’s eye were replaying up on this screen before me! They had all seen my visions and that is why they were all so happy.
My husband joined me and took my hand, gently kissing each knuckle.
The priest gently touched my feet and instantly I felt my energy change. I felt my body in the present moment and began to rise from the amethyst slab as the head priestess invited me to get up when I was ready.
The six priestesses bowed to me and so did the priest as they disappeared behind the stone pillars in the room.
My husband took my hand and led me down the steps on to the cold granite stone floor. The sacred room felt different now, or maybe I am different for the experience I had just had.
As the priestess opened the door once again for us, we walked through to the reception area and waited for her. She entered the room bearing the lotus flower that we had brought earlier and placed it in my heart.
To my surprise, the flower completely disappeared but I didn’t judge or question it, for the feeling that I was left with was pure bliss and happiness.
We thanked the head priestess for her generosity and walked down the steps of the temple.
Our path ahead was filled with love and a longing to start our happy family.
© Gillian Du Caurroy 2016