Astral Musing: Astral Horror

Astral Horror

The soft white flakes rode the wind and sang outside my window.

A thread of memory sparks inside from a time not long ago.

The night was stormy with a brutal wind, which turned one's skin to ice.

Bending trees like archer's bows, it searched for sacrifice.

Inside the grim and haunted hovel, a story lines the wall,

Of gods and deeds and mortal needs, amidst the winter squall.

The angel Michael looking on, his mighty blade held high.

Grinning Shiva with whistling swords and another dead magi.

I must gather up my thoughts and leave this horrid nightmare.

And slowly drift toward the wall with a hope to slip the snare.

Shiva turns with vengeful eyes, and straightens, standing tall.

A glint of light, like an arrow's flight and a sword imbeds the wall.

I flip the bird at Shiva just as the door comes near.

Yet find it hard it leave as a forward course comes clear.

Michael couldn't hide his grin and dips his head in pride.

I flee through wonders in the Pleiades, a silver thread my guide.

A burst of light amidst bright starlight, I turn with senses heightened.

A shape approaches rapidly- this could well mean my end.

With just a thought I veered away, before my strength was bled.

A psychic shockwave rode my tail and filled me with untold dread.

A sudden voice hails me in flight, a beacon in this realm.

I aim for it like a hound from Hell, with Hermes at the helm.

I never like re-entry - it's not the falling but the halt.

I sit up with a violent shudder and explain my near assault.

That memory haunts me daily, but still the ether feels like home.

So I keep a very watchful eye on the many planes I roam.

Michael often joins in flight and we speak of times long past.

And of a horror's rival to a dream's chill night, where a huge dark army massed.

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Creativity Quick Tip

Attitude of Gratitude

For most of my life, gratitude simply involved thanking somebody for a gift or assistance and nothing more. A few years ago, I chanced upon an organization called Go Gratitude that challenged me to participate in a 42 day experiment. The only requirement was to take time every day, during this period, and acknowledge 3 things that I was grateful for. I will be completely honest here - it was a very rough stretch during that time in my life and a number of days I just couldn't find anything to be grateful for. But I did try - when I could - and some truly wonderful things began to happen inside of me. I discovered that, as I made a very conscious effort to express gratitude, I started to become very aware of other things happening that gave me cause to be thankful.

The key to this being an effective tool for us, as writers, is the energy that it stimulates. We've all heard the phrases, "Whatever you do will come back to you," or "What comes around, goes around". Gratitude is no exception. It involves what we refer to as "high vibration" emotions that we feel in our chest area. The more conscious effort we use in applying this tool, the more of that type of energy we attract and allow to enter our lives. No, you likely will not see an immediate result but I urge you strongly to give it a chance. If you need some guidance, sign up for the experiment yourself at Go Gratitude and determine it's effect on your own life. From my own experience of having gratitude as a staple for the last 3 years, I know that the benefits will arrive and you will be very pleasantly surprised.

Simple Method: Prior to sleep, sit on the edge of the bed and take a slow deep breath. Recall an incident or person from that day that provided assistance, comfort or understanding. Quietly say, "I am truly grateful for (name the incident, situation or person) because it/they (give a brief description of the benefit you received)". You may find, as I did, that it's not always easy but I urge you strongly to persist in your efforts. After all, as writers, persistence is one trait that we all share. The change, when it happens, may be subtle or very pronounced - but it will arrive. We owe ourselves every chance at success and happiness and our emotional health is something that we can't ignore.