Maftet and Lessons of Petty Divisions

“People dear worshipped here, once upon a time; drinking the fine wine of fellowship,” Maftet spoke softly in the haunted old courtyard of once-vaunted temple. “Women, men and children; fathers, mothers, and sisters, brothers all; simple poor and those who stood tall in unity of community.” She ran fingers over one lingering wall, browned dark and dank, yet not cast down, but no longer part of crown achievement of city dead, now raising pity rather than praise.

“What happened here to make this place so drear,” I wondered allowed as an hundred questions flew thru my mind in like kind as I drew near my patroness-protector.

“The young and new wanted to cast out the old, but so soon as they’d begun the old grew bold; and the last song sung here was broken by tears,” Maftet answered. “The malefactors continued the fight against the old dogs’ bite, but most grew weary and it was then this magnificent place grew dreary. . . Death hung heavy in the air ~ the levy of schism ~ and evil laid bare the ill-intentions of darkened hearts. . . Unity fled and the community bled; then was no more.”

“Then do these stones not face the world now as a monument of disgrace?”

Maftet turned; fire burned in her eyes. “More than monument of disgrace, but an edifice of learning for any but fools; here are tools for teaching how reaching too far, too deeply, too soon can bring destruction at the noontime of any community.” She began to walk as she continued to talk. “Thy young say to the old, ‘Get out of the way,’ and the elders strive to hold them at bay, but then all devolves into dismay!”

“Tell me, please, who was right in your sight?”

“Ah!” She slipped her hand round my waist band. “Both were right, and both were wrong; both lacked sight, and both were weak, not strong. Enmity grew and lead to calamity that will ne’er be forgot in all eternity. . . And all over such trifling matters; all the clatter of fools with their endless prattle. Then came the clatter of sword and shield, for neither side would yield, and in yonder plain half were slain.”

And so it was that we were standing, hand in hand, not only in ancient ruins . . . but in the graveyard of what once was community ~ the hard reality pressing in on me that many such cemeteries exist as the living still persist in trifles and petty disputes. I was mute.

 

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Lessons Along the Nile: Chosen Fear-Frozen

“Ma’at herself came to Djer, not to shame, but with pure aim to reach his heart and teach his mind, and in this the fierce goddess of truth was kind,” Maftet explained as I remained in her arms in the cool, refreshing waters of the jewel of Egypt. “Ma’at came to explain wiser farming and fielding, yielding to mercy in not harming Gaia. She tried to show him how his people cried for honesty and justice, modesty in governance to unharness his subjects from the crushing weight of too great a load of obligation to his crown that would eventually drown his realm.”

Arms charmed over her shoulders, latched at her upper back, I was attached to Maftet — ever-hovering lover — and would not let go even if heaven should beckon me so. “If I reckon rightly, then, Djer did not listen to the wisdom of Ma’at, and must have shot down every lesson offered, though by them he would have profited… But surely Ma’at said more, for she always has in store great treasures of the pleasures of pure knowledge.”

“Yes, of course,” Maftet ran her hand across band of my waist, and slowly continued without haste, “Ma’at tried to tell him stories of the past, and teach him principles that last; what it means to cast one’s mind into the sea of curiosity with humility; to burn to learn without thick hide of pride; to be adept and accept truth wherever it is found without being swept away by stray winds of blind arrogance that bind heart, mind and soul… But Djer would not hear, and it was fear that drove him into an ill-illumined cove of anger; therein lay the danger to his entire empire.”

Maftet led me back out of the waters and bade me slip on thin robe to begin our stroll along the rolling bank of the Nile, from which I no longer shrank. “His mind was closed and opposed to an intrusion or profusion of new ideas. Djer continued to plunder the soil, ripping asunder Gaia in greed for gold and precious stones beyond any need. He would not let his people read for fear of planting any seed of doubt in what he taught them to believe. Voices of reason were repressed and people oppressed, and thus his whole kingdom depressed.” She looked at me, now so intimately familiar, “Sound similar to your own clime and time?”

“So the more truth neared, the more he feared? He chose to be blind and bind himself to his own notions rather than disturb his emotions?” I had to strenuously try to repress laughter at the pleasantly wry smile of Maftet.

“Ah! You are not so mentally sickly as once you were; you’re learning more quickly. Good for you; what you say is true!” She brushed my cheek with lush-perfect fingers. “What is more tragic still was his shrill denouncement of any deviation from his religion; thus he turned his subjects into compliant pigeons feeding on bits of shallow doctrine cavalierly tossed on the ground for them to eat instead of the meat of unadulterated truth. This more than all else did grieve Dyēus and cause him to leave, while Djer made pretense of worshipping him still, though under different name, but the god he reverenced was no more than hand-shaped sod.” Her face brightened then to lighten the sky. “But Meryet-Nit did sit at the feet of Ma’at, replete with wisdom, and listened and learned. This is why, by and by, she came to be ancient predecessor of Sulaymān the Wise, son of Dawud,  though her reign was ill-fated… Still, she could not be baited by dollops of rancid scallops.”

Maftet laid us down, then, making her body my bed. “When you very first described the realm of Djer, I thought of hell and fire, of … well, shire of Şeytan, muck and mire of dæmons.”

“And so it was!” fiercely she struck and pierced my soul. “Evil is pitch dark, leaving no niche for light; wickedness is the blight of unsighted knowledge and wisdom; iniquity is the ubiquity of vain and shallow religion, bane of self-righteous hypocrisy, autocracy of unfounded moralism and ungrounded regulations thrust upon whole nations, an aberration of what is truly good, an abdication of sense and sensibility!” Maftet’s chest was heaving, breast profusely sweating; cheeks burning, her whole body churning … then someone seemed to apply balm of calm.

“Love drives out all fear, and where there is pure love, wisdom is near. Love and truth from above are open and free, and freely open the hearts and minds of those who lovingly open to love and free their hearts and minds to eat from the Tree of Life, which is free to all who will willingly partake, not for their own sake alone but to be shown and given freely to sisters and brothers, fathers and mothers around the world… Do you see now, my bride, how Şeytan prefers to hide beneath layer of pretentious religion and appear ever-so fair? Therein lies his subtlety wherein he gains custody of so many unsuspecting souls. His dæmons are trolls of ‘right doctrine,’ and thus there are those who, thinking they serve heaven, are evil and but leaven of evil and wickedness … and all in the name of Dyēus.” I felt her tears running between our cheeks, leaking out the sadness that lay within. “Do you comprehend?”

“Yes … I’ve rightly received and believe I now correctly conceive.”
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Maftet: Lessons Along the Nile, Part VI

“Do you see the hot sands blow?” Maftet quietly asked. “It was not always so.” She basked in the bright sunlight — strong, radiant beauty, as if Sol himself might belong to her — then she turned to me, and my heart churned under gaze that burned a hole in my soul. “There was lush green here, and myriad flowers, not only near the river, beside the water, but far and wide, much further than long day stride for even the most able horse. Nature flourished freely here, not by force, then came the curse worse than the plagues of Mūsa and Hārūn.”

“When did this curse, so perverse, befall the land of the Nile, turning fair garden into burning desert sand? Was this an awful reprimand of Dyēus?”

“No, this was the blight of Isfet in his fight against Dyēus and the bright heavens, as well as Sélená, Ma’at and all bearers of light and goodness, of what is right and true.” The face of Maftet was sadness, with no gladness, so that it tore my heart asunder. “It was during the reign of Meryet-Nit, beloved of Neith, whose pain was overwhelming as she prayed for the rain imprisoned in the sky by Şeytan, whom Milḉah had driven from her realm of the Chaldeans, lest he overwhelm her people … but much to the distress of her sister-queen to the west.”

Maftet let slip her robe to dip in the now clear, cool waters of the Nile, and steered me to do the same in pool of peace and calm, serenely flowing yet queenly, too, as Sol bejeweled her with dancing diamonds across her ambrosial breast. And across the crest, so near, dear Maftet: Gold-tan skin over span of well-toned body; smooth-rippling muscles, sharp-hard nipples, mystic-starred eyes, and silk-raven hair … all laid bare for me to see, but more beautiful yet was her inner-core. Wizened mind and resilient heart so kind, and both that bind truth and justice with love and mercy in soul worthy of such an heavenly god who through this world does trod.

“Milḉah, of course, never meant to send hell-bent dæmon west, lest he should wreak havoc upon this realm of Meryet-Nit and whelm her with grief of no relief,” Maftet continued. “Meryet-Nit knew this, tis true, and never laid blame upon Milḉah, for it was the shame of her father, Djer, whose four-generation rule was wicked and cruel. Djer grieved Dyēus and did, in truth, beckon God to leave… No matter; the pleas of Meryet-Nit were of no necessity to appease Dyēus, who already loved her with an undying love.”

“Ah, then how is it Dyēus did not reply to the cry of Meryet-Nit on behalf of her peaceful and feeble people?”

“You assume, my lovely groom,” Maftet swam the short span to hold her lamb. “Her people were not peaceful nor feeble; spiritually cripple, yes, and deceitful yet lethal in evil and filled with foul fecal. They had, you see, been tutored by Djer and thus neutered of all purity and virtuous maturity. So did Dyēus take great pity and intervened as he could; he saved the holy city. And Gebeb of earth and fields, hearth and homes, aided father Dyēus in saving many crops of grain through strain of Isfet’s reign of terror — much like Jozèf of forthcoming lore — but in no wise could Dyēus even the score… And so now you see so much sands and wandering bands.”

But then did it occur to me, “When are we now? Will you allow me to know, what time is this? Would I be amiss in believing we are here amid such shear desolation just after such adverse curse?”

Maftet did not dismiss my speculation with humiliation. “No, not so terribly amiss; we are here after the fact — the terrible act of the ddiafol — but some time after, in another generation to chime another lesson in your ongoing education.” Maftet supplely coupled me and smiled. “There is always reason for every season in your life; we are not here merely to bathe but to further swathe your intellect and increase your faith.”

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Note: Egyptian goddess by Robyn Jane as found on http://www.deviantart.com; Painting of Nile River by Frederick Goodall Londra at http://www.artslife.com

Ma’at and the Pyramid of Truth

“Stinking, aristocratic snobs! Dogmatic fanatic jerks with all their quirks! I’ll gash them and smash them against the stones of the pyramids!” Ma’at railed in rage as angels wailed and begged for mercy in pity of humanity. But this was not all of humanity; just those caught up in extreme vanity and the insanity of believing they were better and higher than so many others, but Ma’at knew they were liars — to themselves and everyone else — and this is what angered her and endangered their lives.

Maftet had left me in the keep of Ma’at, like a little sheep, only moments before, or so it seemed. Now I was on the floor, or something like a floor, with no door in sight and pitch like night, except round the goddess of light and truth, justice and holy custom. And Ma’at looked into … something. Crystal ball? No! Nothing so silly! Cauldron? Certainly not! She wore no witches hat; Ma’at was much grander than that! It was like a piece of the sky with clouds flying around the edges. Yes, she was peering clearly through the heavens, leering at arrogant asses and their prideful passes.

“Because they have more silver and gold, they’re bold and so uncouth as they sleuth through life.” Ma’at glanced at me, and she pierced my soul with her eyes so wise. “Look at how they smile a mile wide, and slide back and forth as they glide around one another just waiting for an opportunity to stab and steal with complete impunity. Is there any unity in their community? Ha! Community of thieves! And they believe they can deceive and ne’er receive penalty for their iniquity? Ha! Fools! My sword drools for their blood!”

I’d never had any love for the wealthy with such unhealthy opinions, thinking themselves so mighty when they were, in fact, only minions of their money, blinking idiots who could buy knowledge they never learned nor earned. Still, the wrath of Ma’at sent chills down my spine in fine waves of fear and even some pity for the bitty-knaves. “Is there no other way?” I dared to ask “Can’t they be turned instead of everlastingly burned?” And quickly I added “Please, don’t be angry with me, but kindly put my mind at ease and appease my curiosity.”

Ma’at laughed much like Maftet — kind but not blind to my ignorance — and spoke with voice to prod and poke: “Do you ask mercy for the merciless? Shed tear for the uncaring, my dear? Would you rather they continue to rob and steal from the earth and poor every sumptuous meal? Continue the expansion of their mansions built on lust and greed that leads so many to dust and ashes as they plead for their very lives? When did you become the great defender of such grotesque pretenders?”

Suddenly the room, though not exactly a room, lightly glistened with beautiful hue of soft blue as I listened. “There was One, who taught you to show mercy to the unmerciful, I know full well. He rang the mighty bell of truth, of which I am the face and voice, and laced this with the grace of Dyēus. Yes! And you’ll not hear me lament one precious word of statement he uttered in the clutter of this diseased and dying world. But truth and justice unfurled is my appointment; to be the ointment of the fearsome holy upon all stages of this world till the end of the ages… Now let’s begin again, my love, and look at the brook of sin they cross as they toss mere crumbs to the poor.”

And it was true; Ma’at was right: The blight of poverty, the sight of spoiled earth, nations embroiled in war … all for love of money, like bees for their honey. “Make no mistake; there are the wealthy who use what they’ve been given in healthy ways. They do not abuse, but take their responsibility very deliberately. They are sensible and charitable; prudent but always for the improvement of others, as sisters and brothers. And the world into which they were born, they adorn with goodness in gratitude, so the latitude of their blessings is, indeed, very wide. But on the other side evil abides, as the seed of greed grows into thorns and thistles that cannot adorn anything, but leaves those quite empty and forlorn.” Her tan-gold skin shimmered, brown eyes glimmered, and she smiled. “This is all like the pyramid: Every word, heard and unheard; every crook and look; every event perfectly planned and damned; every thought and each item bought … all, everything, like stone upon stone angled-rising to the pinnacle of truth … the truth of life.”

Hmmm … I thought I understood, but this pyramid seemed somehow upside down, but perhaps I would learn more…

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Note: first image of Ma’at from http://www.pixshark.com; second from http://www.thecrystalgatewy.org

Maftet: Lessons Along the Nile, Part V

“You believe you’re sitting round this campfire, and in this you’re not wrong. You also believe you’re situated in a large forest but this belief is not as strong. More than this, you believe you’ve been hurled into an altogether different world, but this is far less coherent though inherent in your present experience in which all appearance is precarious and mysterious. But now in brief I’ve shown you something important about belief.” Maftet concluded as she prodded glowing embers of burning timbers.

She looked at me, so torn away, while I looked on with only dismay. Unenlightened and frightened, and why not? I’d been brought to this strange place instantly from safe space of home and hearth, and very possibly from the earth of my birth. “No, you know I won’t deceive; in fact I’d like to relieve you, and I fully expect you to believe whatever I might say in light of what’s now taken place in the space of but a few days, though it seems such a haze and you probably feel like a rat trapped in a maze.” She chanced a chuckle. “I only mean to point out that however much relief you find in belief depends on how deeply and strongly you believe what you receive. I’ve tried to tell you before, but you’ve chosen to ignore. Now the door has been opened for me to explain again, as best I can, and expect you listen with open heart and mind not so blind.”

Maftet quietly kicked a log into the fire and picked up her stick to stir again the embers of timber while she thought and fought inside for something to say to disarm my rising alarm. No harm had yet come, but what more could she say on an otherwise bright and beautiful day. She chanced sad smile, wishing she had some way to dissolve the complexity, resolve my perplexity… Two squirrels twirled in the trees above in playful love. “Look again, my dove, in the distance, towering above the city. What do you see with eyes now free?”

“Yes, in Bubastis, the tall tower, of course, but surely not the one that brought the blow of ice and snow … the Tower built by Bast for power?”

“Yes and no,” Maftet answered slow and on-flowed, “the tower you see is an exotic mystery, built on the foundation of the old, untold to those who now live and survive in this dæmonic hive. The base of Bast now lay beneath thick brick more newly set, but with doors to corridors leading down to drown in darkness all those who dare the crumbling stairs. You were not there, but the room you were in that terrible hour was like a tomb in that very tower, so sour with cats and bats and pissed-stained mats! Bast takes to ancient basement only select few to chew on raw, living flesh so fresh, with screams that make her cream.”

Ere more frightened, I tightened my grip around her hip, and she tauntingly laughed. “Do you know how much pleasure it gives me to lengthen the measure of your fear; what treasure it is to make you quiver and shiver, so you hold me so tight for protection against aggression or infection of some deadly pestilence that lays waste at noon for boon of the abyss? But no need to be upset at my words — yes, of course I heard — but you’re not immortal; only flesh and blood carved from mud. Still, you’re precious in my sight, and right in the light of Dyēus.”

Still clinging and bringing myself as close to Maftet as I could, even if I would crawl inside her and there abide; nevertheless, said I sadly, “You mock and demean me, without one whit of mien; you torment me with gleeful intent and never relent till you’ve given vent…”

“Oh! Hush!” Maftet hugged me tighter with brighter face interlaced with glimmering shimmer of light. “I only tease to appease my own unease… I’ve never loved mortal man, but you’re so unlike your clan; more elegant and feminine, benevolent and delicate, affectionate and compassionate… What more? You’ve bored a hole through my soul, and made yourself part of my very heart. And so now, too, I start to know how Dyēus loves humanity despite its insanity and vanity! And Ma’at loves you, too, because you are so true! So now, you’re enfolded by two lovers who ever hover round you to keep you safe under cover.”

Warm inside, I cherished the moment with no more torment; my spirit rose ecstatically that they chose me to be received and interweaved into their amorous communion. How could it be; I could not see… Of all people, why me? “For that reason,” Maftet smiled. “Your season is like Autumn, humble and beautiful, unpretentious, conscientious and never contentious. As the world turns and burns and you churn inside with still so much to learn and unlearn — for all that, we love you, coy baby boy!” And then provocative touch, erotic kiss, exotic aroma…

“Ah! But now do you understand? About the beginning in unity, one split in two, then restored harmony; foolery that led to cruelty; the burst of anger and hatred when one murdered one in submission to the willing of Lilith for the killing of innocence; how, then, dark death entered upon the earth; how Bast was seduced and cursed, then nursed wickedness and burst forth in insatiable thirst for human vermin? Why it is she built the ancient tower for power to leaven the lesser heaven with evil? How seen and unseen war has continued, and how Şeytan was brought low by near-fatal blow by show of light from bright rising of the one Sun of righteousness? But also how this war continues yet, while earth is beset by the talking apes, who continue to rape Gaia for whom there is no escape? You see, my love-dove, in that drear room in the tower yonder all of this was unclear, but you were so near the whole of history in that room filled with noxious consistory.”

“So the man … who couldn’t understand? Bast tricked him and so he was merely another victim, sweet prize for her lies? Just another spilling of blood for filling of belly?” I shook my head slowly, sadly with look at the newer tower in the distance. “Then such life matters so little…”

“No! But he has a wife, which makes you wonder how he’d blunder into such an odious place … but, then, stupidity was written all over his face!” Another wild kiss. “But you’re not there but here with me, and Ma’at makes three! And we will love you and teach you more, reach deeper into your soul, search heart and mind, and together bind all blackened thoughts and feelings reeling through your inner self.” Tightened hold, another bold kiss. “But where to next, my beloved?”

“Anywhere, but certainly not enclosed in tower; to that I’m adamantly opposed…”

And Maftet smiled and licked her lips again…

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Note: Painting by Lithuanian artist M.K. Ciurlionis; image of Dyēus from www.pinterest.com; image of warrior woman from http://www.iranpoliticsclub.net

Maftet: Lessons Along the Nile, Part IV

Up from the river again, this time with shiver of cold and hold on Maftet, who quickly threw over me thick shawl to guard from squall in this barren, rugged land of dearth and famine. But here was where? I wondered against tear of fierce wind that seemed to pierce even through heavy cloth like swath made by cruel, icy scythe, so deadly and I so unsteady on my feet and knees, about to freeze.

I saw Maftet stoop for one then the other foot to slip on boot, lushly soft and warm against the storm with treacherous blow of snow. And then she girdled me with kilt like thick quilt out of nothing, but something. From where thick shawl, soft but rugged boots, and quilted kilt? Did she knit from whit of snow? Ah, but I would never know! I was warm, anyway, so why complain; Maftet made the pain of biting cold leave without reprieve.

“So prettily dressed now!” She laughed. “I’m impressed, if I do say so myself, but keep close by my side, precious bride; you’ll get lost in the frost.” Maftet smiled and winked at her trinket. “And, of course, you want to know where we are? Not far from where we were; look there! The river still flows below ice so nicely packed on surface. Careful in your pace, and we’ll cross the space to the other side to make our stride forth to the north.”

I dared not ask why north as we made our way that day along her chosen path alongside the frozen Nile.

“Much-spilled blood brought flood; excessive vice brought ice,” she intoned in manner that chilled me to the bone. So this is the age of ice? But what to see here in world of fear? Or learn in burn of frozen wind and churn of snow above and below? “Not far now and you’ll spy the tower high; built toward heaven for eleven years with sweat and tears and curses that reached the ears of Dyēus.”

Babel?

“Babel in Bubastis, yes,” she smiled and licked her lips, pulling at my hips. “Yes … confused and frozen for the ill-chosen, my love. Judgment from above to lay low the billow of Şeytan; to cleanse the rash of brash ddiafol with lash of wind; to bend down dæmonic pride and keep humanity in stride with humility and gracious tranquility.” Maftet pulled me tight. “You’re fright is right, but don’t fight the feeling, or you’re sealing your own fate; do not sedate yourself to what awaits.” She kissed my eyes to make me wise … or at least to loose the ties of lies. How could I know? I only returned the kiss below her neck, between her breasts in willing obeisance.

“So the tower was built in Bubastis? Not by the rabble of Babel?”

“Conflation of stories, my dear; the dilation of one and inhalation of the other. Not strange across the range of time, but first Bubastis!” She burst into laughter. “Then the tower built for power by the unmeek weak… Don’t you think?” She nodded then and prodded me forward. At her insistence I looked in the distance, and there lay crystalline city in beclouded day, sinister in this endless winter. And tower tall, unfinished, unblemished yet ready to fall.

“Bast built this city, named for herself in pity, and all for tall tower after she was cast forth from what some call the halls of Valhalla.” Heaven? Another smile, sideway glance to lance my spirit. “Yes and no, my love; but one of the heavens low. There is more than one, you know. Or do you now forget even what you knew before you blew into that room of gloom … before I craved and saved you?” Light laughter from my master.

“So she thought to bridge the gap twixt ridge of earth and low-heaven?”

“And bought the souls of cast and crew to do her bidding in building city and tower so high to sky, yes. But what is built so falsely is so easily blundered and torn asunder. Besides, lies always lead to profusion of confusion; is it any wonder, then, there are so many tongues flung throughout the earth, languages old and young? Breakdown in communication between kingdom and nation and every station of humanity? Even the least beast can better commune than man!”

“Can we explore and see more?”

“No!” Maftet wildly shook her head with look of dread. “Never here, not now; not even to walk through open gate to satiate curiosity. “No, my love. This is but a frozen cove of evil, where dæmons rove after God drove them, too, from the halls of Valhalla. And long will it be ere they wind their way elsewhere to roam and find some other home. But now, in this time, there is only chime of hell in distant city, resistant to all good and fair and mild, my child.”

“Then why are we here in this place so drear?” I burst in anger despite the danger. But Maftet only embraced and interlaced me with arms and legs, and wept as she kept me in her hold.

“As it has been told, this is the mold of your misery in the history of humanity. You have to see what some have become; I’m showing you the fissions and divisions that cause so much pain. Isn’t that plain enough, my love? This ice will melt and Spring will come and bring new life … but for how long? Does goodness belong in this world, and the angels’ song? We shall see, won’t we?”

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Note: image of Maftet from http://oktruebelievers.com/exhibitors; image of frozen tower from http://kevinmeek.com/mwo

Maftet: Lessons Along the Nile, Part III

Blow upon blow; slow and determined; violent show of hateful force, vile and wild. Blood like a volcano erupting, disrupting the soil so pure; the spoil of vengeance. Two men. Brother and brother; one murdering the other. Cries of agony finally ceased for the one deceased. Body laid still of the one who paid the price, who made right sacrifice. True?

“Kaini ndi Abele,” Maftet spoke, “but Dyēus never wanted flood of blood; Abele misunderstood but gave in generosity with no animosity. He sought to please, not seize, and on bended knees made oblation on every opportune occasion. So did Dyēus accept as libation what was spilled on crude altar with the song-psalter of pleasant Abele. Kaini was always cruel, an human ghoul born of Adama and Havva, after sinister sister.” She nodded toward the hill in the distance, behind the spill of life, to haunting-beautiful face filled with thrill at the sight of such morbid might at the hand under her command. Such was her desire, soul sunken in mire of evil. “Lilith.” And with the very name spoken my spirit was broken.

“No need to be afraid,” said Maftet. “You’re only seeing, not seen; this has all gone, though come again in cycle of sin. But look! Lilith turns to leave Kaini to burn in his rage as the body of brother slain has lain on the plain but one moment, blood still hot, no rot begun. Ah! the witch-bitch of Şeytan will now move east to feast on kindred beast, where she will be high priest of newly birthed city of Smriti. There from the tomb of her womb oozed Kālikā, the warrior goddess severing heads and leading the dead, who cast dæmonic spell upon Bast, who then fast held to blood lust to suck from male bust the thick, red wine inmixed with noxious brine.”

At the terrible look of Kaini my body shook, and I took Maftet by hand to steady my stand. “So from Şeytan and Lilith came Kālikā, and from Kālikā came Bast?”

“No! You still have ears that do not hear! I’ll emasculate you to immaculate your mind so blind, I swear; to give you wisdom instead of prison of rancidity of stupidity!” Again deep inhalation. Eyes closed. Slow exhalation. “I said Kālikā cast spell upon Bast — terrible spell from hell — but Kālikā actually gave birth far more than her worth. But this was the revenge of God. You see, father sent Tanrı-meleği to Kālikā, and Tanrı paid the price and laid with vice, so Kālikā bore Parvati, who entered the world carnally, but with such verdancy and vibrancy that Tanrı quickly ensconced her away further east to stay, and there lay her upon Mount Kailash, where celestial arms would guard her against all devilish harms.” 

“All seems so torn and forlorn, so stark and dark in this world,” sadly I said.

“Not so,” Maftet smiled. “Even the wicked can change when given free range of choice and sight of true light… Kālikā was evil, but now far more civil; still dangerous, yet she can be curiously gracious, even aurous in her hospitality. Only beware of her fare, as her board spread with feast may come from the beast; but at least she’s now as apt to kill with wondrous skill the wicked as once she was the ambivalent and innocent.”

“What happened, then, to Parvati? Was she protected by the Almighty?”

“Yes, of course,” Maftet chuckled. “Still I have to keep you buckled, don’t I? You spy so little in so much told, but you’re young not old. Yes, Parvati lived and thrived, and still lives and thrives, and round the world has many hives of charity without disparity, of love unbounded and founded on truth from above, of divine courage that impregnates every grand story with glory. Yes, Parvati lives and gives life even to the barren in fields of famine that amaze even the Brahman! This is why the three-maters, especially Sélená, love her so much, like precious dove, heavenly clove.”

“And Şeytan and Lilith?” Not blatant, I asked my latent question.

“The Sun of Dawn rose like celestial swan with healing in his wings, what brings deliverance from disease, as he snatched the keys of dark abyss so remiss of life, place of dearth and death beyond this earth; and his breeze blows so softly through myriad trees. Yes, my love, this One struck near-fatal blow to Crow of hell and fiendish flow of flies of lies; and God was thus pleased and appeased… But enough for now; your heart will no more allow, and how can I tell you more without opening another door?”

So Maftet led me back to the Nile shore and once more into the depths, and I wondered again what might next be in store?

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Tanrı-meleği — Lit. Turkish for “angel of God,” here used as proper name

Kālikā — Otherwise “Kali,” goddess of fierce empowerment; of time, change, power, creation, preservation and destruction; obviously, recast within this narrative

Parvati — Goddess of love, fertility and devotion; of divine strength and power; gentle and nurturing

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Note: Image of Parvati from www.yrinak.blogspot.com

Maftet: Lessons Along the Nile, Part II

Maftet did not insist, nor did I resist, as we walked down into the Nile, under the Nile. Shadowy milk-water, silk enveloping my body; my mind swirling, soul churning. I could breath beneath the stream like some mystical dream, and from there I was carried, not buried, to another place in time and space. The world was new as we flew back up onto the river bank and sank our toes in tall, lush grass; the Nile now shone like sparkling glass just poured from heaven to leaven the earth newly birthed, yet I had not to be told this place, still new with morning dew, was old but not worn or torn.

Maftet pointed toward garden grand — the Garden of God, I knew — made to stand forever and ne’er one celestial strand to be undone. And there, too, was the man, tall and beautifully tan, walking naked without shame, for there was no one to blame, and instantly I knew his name: “Adama.” Maftet nodded. And all the trees and leaves, bees and flowery marquee towering, overpowering enchanting entrance into Paradise, this slice of heaven on earth made to give mirth to both in safe, luxurious catacomb called home.

Whisper breeze carried Voice across choice meadow into the man’s ear to hear. “This all is yours, and fruit for good food, but be astute, ever acute and take care not to tear from the Tree you see of Knowing growing in middle of Garden fine, what flows with such sweet wine, for in the event you snatch potent fruit so cogent to overwhelm this entire realm will be the helm-blow of your death. Tis not for you, man of earth; t’would be your everlasting dearth, but see! I’ll give you one like me — like you, to be yardımcı-ezer — strong and true, lifelong companion to see you through and subdue the wild to render mild. Ah! She is here, your separate self, your better part, torn from your heart, but God gives you new start … as one again to begin again.”

Maftet then pointed to woman anointed with beauty ravishing, lavishing Garden with song so strong and melodic, hypnotic, and instantly I knew who she was: Havva (the one some call Eva.) “So there she is so near the Tree to see how luscious , precious, and wondrous. And will she tempt in contempt of divine decree…?” With no glee nor plea, Maftet silenced my foolish spree. And I noticed mordant serpent twisted round trunk, nearly sunk into bark crevices unseen to scheme his sinister plan to destroy the human clan as Havva approached without reproach to take of mystic produce to suck sweet juice with no abuse, but there was Adama, too, so obtuse.

“Listen! Closely listen!” Maftet insisted, and the serpent spoke to Havva: “Look at the fruit, how delightful, yet has Dyēus told you not to eat such divine treat?” Havva smiled and answered, “No. Dyēus has told Adama not to eat of the Tree, lest he no longer be free; to me Dyēus has said nothing of the kind, and I am not blind.” But wiles were hidden behind serpent smiles, and he answered, “Dyēus knows that when you both eat, you will take your seat among the gods, and with feet will trod the sky so high and heaven so nigh. So why deny your mate to satiate burning hunger for learning instead of churning in soul with gaping hole?”

“I don’t understand,” not muzzling my puzzlement. “Did not God command both to steer clear of tree and ne’er to pluck fruit to suit desire for higher state in defiance of Dyēus?”

“No! Do you not hear what is so clear? Listen and understand ere I reprimand what your foolishness demands.” Maftet held me square and froze me with glare. “I am not you, and you are not me; that much you see, but you and I are we. So I may freely dip, while you may not so much as sip; thus, I may do this while you’re held at bay. Ah! Simple child, Dyēus forbid Adama to eat of this fruit to suit his own raving craving, not Havva, which is why she said, ‘We may not eat; such must be as God does see.’ But it was on that fateful day that Havva gave way to compassion and passion of love, and gave precious fruit to the knave she was meant to succor and save… And the whole cosmos could hear Dyēus crying, and Ma’at raging at the lying ddiafol, desperately trying to forestall the inevitable fall … but the wall arose, and division has been the dæmonic derision of humanity sunk into insanity ever since. And now for ages pages have been written, and prayers have ascended with incense, as the three-mothers rinse away with rain the stain of Şeytan, to regain humanity into unity with complete immunity as it was in the beginning.”

At this I wept and slept on crest of her breast. Is there, then, any hope as we grope through this world, trying to cope with endless, primeval evil? Whisper in dream seemed softly to reply, “One grand try … Dyēus … one and only one Son … birth on earth … hell to fell…” Buckled into Maftet, instinctively I suckled rich flow, pressed against blessed breast, in nest of arms and legs and safe from harm and all alarm.

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Yardımcı-Ezer — Turkish/Hebrew combination translated “help;” however, ezer is used to describe God, the Everlasting One, and only otherwise uniquely applied to Havva (or Eva, Eve)

For other meanings of names and terms, refer to Part I

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Note: Image from http://www.devids.net

Maftet: Lessons Along the Nile

“Dyēus alone plumed from his womb three daughters without mater,” Maftet slowly blinked, smiled and winked. “There names are Sélená and Cybele and Kheba, treble sisters terrible in power, but kindly enough to those who properly cower.” She looked reminiscing at the water, remembering the deadly slaughter of arrogant men full of prideful sin, and the escape of slaves to take new shape as more than sheep, to their own kingdom-keep.

“And they loved each other, and so others were born to adorn earth and sky, and leaven heaven with music bright and fair, through light and night, and never to care; they breathed pure air as they offered prayer to the three maters, daughters of Dyēus,” she shook her hair freely with look of radiance, and her fragrance intoxicating weakened me to fall into open arms to keep me from harm; so strong where I belong… I always had, and no more sad. She laughed.

“Ma’at was ne’er born, really, but torn forlorn from father’s heart to play her part as defender of truth, lender of wisdom, mender of foul schism warped through prism of Amheh, putrid hiss of the bottomless Abyss.” Her face glistened, eyes christened with crystal as I listened. “And so she it is who like great eagle high flies through the world of humanity, to look upon their insanity and puffed up vanity. And do you wonder why she tries to silence the lies and wicked cries of Şeytan flowing out from dæmonic Forest of Platan? You see what you’ve become as the children of God succumb to vile ddiafol, and march to drum of the scum!”

Crocodile in the Nile. Standard bearer of terror. Maftet laughed again as I began to shake and quake. “Have no fear, my dear; that’s only Sobki looking for his dinner, but he usually eats only the sinner.” More laughter. With wave of hand, she told him to behave and crave no meal here, nor try to steal her prized possession, which I surmised was me, which every open eye could see! I said nothing, though blushing at her stunning claim… It was true, though, and I knew.

“You see, my lovely little bumble-bee, when humanity was just begun you were one, and all was gay and fun; no foul play and nothing to shun, except the cunning Şeytan.”

The guile of the Nile was sweet, mystical ambrosia to my spirit. I replied in far-off, soft tone. “Yes … united in harmony, not blighted by blood and love in flood of peace…”

“More than this,” Maftet said as she led me down into the stream of numinous dream-cream with intoxicating steam rising into my nostrils and I so docile. “Before Havva and Adama there were the Binabae-Аралас, reflections of perfection, before Şeytan divided one and guided the now two differentiated and inebriated into drunken conflict that would afflict humanity from that day forth, and convict in sin that grew and festered, accrued and sequestered one from another — sister from brother, father from mother. And with murderous-skilled hands they killed the Binabae-Аралас; though few remain, tis true.”

“I don’t understand.”

Maftet turned on me fierce and pierced me with her eyes. “Dull-wit! Sit!” In the water? “Yes! I should strip you and beat you, whip you and treat you to Sobki! Have you been listening to what I’ve said, or is your head so thick as a brick! Little man, I’ll take a rattan to your naked ass for being so crass!” Her chest heaved as she deeply breathed; let go the phage of her rage. “Oh, but how would you know, and so slow to learn when you burn in your loins that adjoin to mind so blind? This is what happened when Havva was torn from Adama. Ah! But the ddiafol could not control the souls…” Maftet ran fingers through my hair to repair feelings peeling away in fright by sight of angry goddess. “But you have such a tender gender; don’t you see? Haven’t you always known deep down, to marrow and bone?”

Without being told, I made bold to touch strong, soft arm even risking harm … but Maftet gave no reason for alarm. “And so ever since that fateful day we’ve been trying to make our way to bring back together what was cut asunder?”

“Yes and no, which is why I’ve told you of Ma’at so bold; you’ve been sold the lie that adherence must be made to outward appearance lest incoherence cause an attrition of tradition holy and righteous, priceless in rightness. And all of this in plain sight of the blight of oppression and repression, degradation and humiliation, aggression and aberration. Tell me, my little pea, can two of the same love one another without any blame? It is the soul of another that fills the hole in one’s own dearest spirit. And why not? This is the mimic of the timeless limerick of Sélená and Cybele and Kheba, what first burst forth from the bowels of father Dyēus… Remember, I said he alone plumed from his womb three daughters without mater.”

“And so what of me, now that you’ve snatched me from Bubastis and hatched such truth in the bed of my head; what now as before you I bow?” More laughter after stroking my cheek so sleek with dewdrops from eyes unwise. Would she now baptize me in the Nile beneath her radiant smile? Drum beat of my heart left me numb and dumb, with her thumb pressed at base of my neck; what would I now become?

“Wait, my dove; I’ve claimed you, not blamed you.” With arm round waist, she made no haste to led me deep into the keep of the ancient Nile, and as she lead said, “Come; there is more to show, for you to know; truth kept below by the foe of humanity driven to insanity. Come…”

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Dyēus — Sky father, or shining father; believed to be the chief deity in henotheistic Indo-European societies

Şeytan — Satan; devil

Ddiafol — Devil

Maftet — Deification of legal justice; consort of Ma’at

Ma’at — Deified concept of truth, balance, order, law, morality, and justice

Sélená and Cybele and Kheba — Three great ancient goddesses here recast as intimate sister-companions and daughters of Dyēus

Binabae-Аралас — Two combined words used to cast an ancient, pre-historic race of homo hermaphroditus (intersexual)

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Note: Image of triple-goddess from http://www.pinterest.com