Every civilization starts as a theocracy and ends as a democracy.
Victor Hugo
The members of this dreadful new military order consider that they have every right to attack anyone not confessing Christ’s name, whereas if they themselves are killed while thus unjustly attacking the pagans, they are called martyrs for the faith. We do not maintain that all they do is wrong, but we do insist that what they are doing can be an occasion of many future evils.
Isaac of Etoile, English mystic and Cistercian abbot, a contemporary of Bernard de Clairvauxreminiscent of thousands of + piercing the night sky. The group sat around the opening of the
Transportal like a troop of scouts around a bonfire. They
spent hours reviewing other journeys with their new
friends.
“I feel lucky to have come across you and to join
your mission,” Tin said.
“I hope that together we will find the Universal
Sign,” Copper agreed.
“Each of us brings individual natural strengths to
the group,” Silicone responded hopefully.
Hydrogen gazed at the Transportal’s halo-like
lights and asked, “Do you think that’s Earth’s Ka?” “Interesting thought,” Silicone began. “Whatever
this field of energy is and wherever it comes from, it
always seems to be there like some immortal dimension
of the planet.”
“Just as Akhenaten described the human Ka,”
said Copper.
“But maybe only intelligent complex living
organisms have a Ka,” Oxygen cautioned.
“Aren’t humans just a bundle of us?” Helium
interjected.
“Okay, let’s assume we’re all right. If the earth’s
Ka is always here and flows unceasingly, then the
human Ka must be the same. Right?”
“If so, why are humans so confused about their
existence? Why their idols, priests, prayers, offerings,
and mummifications? Do only the richest see their Ka
transcend to heaven after they die?”
“Do you remember what I said about the
humans’ powers, abilities, and self-conscious
admiration?” Silicone asked. “Their ego may be one of
the reasons they are confused about their origins, their
destiny, and their connection to everything around
them—and the Source.”
“Isn’t it strange that even though humans are ‘a
bundle of us,’ it seems they cannot acknowledge our
presence?” Calcium said. “It’s as if they can’t detect us.” “They use us as ornaments, tools, and symbols of
wealth, but they don’t know what we truly are.” “What is wealth?” Nitrogen asked.
“Things they own. Objects they fancy,” Carbon
replied. “They obviously need water, air, and food. They
also need to stay warm, comfortable, and safe. Once
they have all that, however, they turn to wanting things
they consider beautiful or valuable. It is like an
unconscious attraction or addiction to the material
world.”
“Regrettably so,” Gold added, “since they use
our kind to put a ‘value’ on most of those things.” “And they use me to guard or steal such
‘valuables’ from each other,” Iron added sarcastically. “The desire to own things boosts their sense of
self-admiration or purpose, and they will do anything for
it.” After a period of pensive silence, Silicone said:
“I find it curious that the ancient gods’ features fit a
pattern. There are gods of enlightenment, teaching, and
knowledge, as well as gods of war, submission, and
order. Also I see common global symbolisms of winged
entities, dragon and serpents, eagles or vultures, human