Trolls have a purpose

I think pretty much everyone is familiar with the childhood fairy tales of hideous trolls that dwell beneath bridges and suddenly pop out to attack and devour hapless and unwary travelers. The thing is trolls are alive and well and often are confronted by us as we travel along our life's path. The physical appearance of a troll is that of a normal human being, but the inner self of the troll which they try very much to conceal, even for many years until they suddenly decide to reveal their hideousness to us is quite ugly indeed. Trolls always seek the easy path to power and control, and will wheedle, deceive, and connive to get as close to the "power" as they can, and as soon as they think they have wrung the usefulness out of you, they try to devour you or if they suddenly perceive you as a threat, or obstacle, they will attack. They are very good at spreading sugar around to bait people, and are intentionally misleading as long as it suits their purpose, but sooner or later like the fairy-tale troll that hides beneath the bridge, they will suddenly spring up seemingly out of nowhere, completely taking you by surprise and  attack you with a fury and intensity that your worst enemy would never consider. Like the fairytale troll, they metaphorically try to devour you.

I have encountered many many such trolls, and likely will encounter more in the future. We all have. Some had been accepted into our Coven. They seemed very sincere and hardworking at first, but as a few months went by, it could be seen they were well versed in theory, but fell well short in practice. They always look for the shortcut and are not inclined to do the hard work it takes for self-development. They want things given to them and if you do not give them what they want they simply try to take it. When that fails they attack with everything in their limited arsenal. They spread lies and rumors and bully others into backing them up as they systematically assassinate your character. The assault is both brutal and painful to experience and it is difficult to not become angry from the pain inflicted and the perceived damage they are doing in our lives.

Trolls remind me of a story I once read someplace, which was a Christianized version of the same scenerio.

There was a traveler who had a goal in his mind that he wanted very much to reach as he walked along a winding path. One day he met a large being standing upon his path blocking his way. "Good sir" said the traveler, "Would you mind stepping aside so that I may continue my journey?" The stranger said nothing only stood there with his arms folded across his chest. So the travel made as if to step around the silent being, but quick as a wink the adversary tossed him to the ground. The travel landed so hard that the wind was knocked out of him. The traveler was at first stunned then as he got his breath while watching the being standing over him with arms crossed over his chest he became angry, and sprung up, only to be dashed down again. This happened again and again and again, until finally his anger abated, exhausted from his efforts, the travel lay there in the dust upon the path and asked. "Who are you? and Why is it that every time I rise to my feet you dash me back upon the ground?" Then the stranger explained, "I am Satan, My purpose is to make you stronger." Traveler replied, "Stronger? why I am so weak from exhaustion that I can hardly move!"  Satan said, "Each time I have cast you down, have you not become stronger and more determined?"

Such is the purpose of people like that who suddenly for reasons of their own become "the adversary." And no it is definitely not a pleasant situation. Very often, though not always the case, they are people we have grown to trust and consider as close friends. And when this is the case the attack takes us even more by surprise and is even more painful. Sometimes these trolls will form alliances as long as it is mutually beneficial to them and will team up on someone, or an entire group of people. But as soon as they can see no benefit with the alliance they will turn on each other. So they really do not have any real friends, they are only capable of the illusion of friendship.

A troll attack can last for several months, but eventually they get tired of the effort, because it takes a lot of work to keep up a constant assault. Remember though that trolls do not like doing any REAL work, so they will eventually forget all about you and move on to their next perceived, source of power. If you allow yourself to stoop to their level, and return the attack they will see you as a threat as long as you retaliate. But if you choose to rise above  them, not allowing their assault to affect you, they will tire more quickly and move on and forget all about you.

Yes trolls are very good at slinging mud, but they really have no more power over you than you give them. If you refuse to get down on their level and wallow in the mud with them, the mud will not stick to you and others will see the troll for the hideous creature it actually is.

I actually touched on this in part twp, Chapter 6 of "the Wiccan Minister's Manual, a Guide For Priests and Priestesses" The exerpt is below.

Blessings!

When we face the truth about ourselves, and become truthful with ourselves. We begin upon a new and wonderful road of discovery and growth. When we are truthful with ourselves, we can become truthful with others, and become known as a person of truth who can be trusted. It takes a long time to build this image of a person of integrity. It takes one disgruntled person to cloud that image with accusations of falsehood, which they pull from the image they have of themselves.

Being painted as a liar, and an untrustworthy person is probably the gravest and worst thing anyone can say about a practitioner of magick. People are quick to believe the worst in others because they see the worst in themselves. And people tend to resent anyone whom they may feel might, in their eyes be better than they are. If people believe that a person of integrity has “fallen from grace,” they can feel superior to that person, and thus for at least a little while feel good about themselves.

If the person is a person of integrity, he or she may feel wounded, or hurt by the accusations, more so if those accusations come from a trusted and dear friend. But if the person is indeed a person of integrity, he or she will trust that eventually, his/her word of truth and deeds will speak for themselves and the stain upon the cloaking thoughtform will fade. While the person who initiated the stain will be exposed for the lying, deceitful, poison-filled individual that he or she may be. For persons of integrity may have mud slung at them, but it quickly washes off, as long as the person refuses to wallow in the mud with the mudslinger.

Everyone makes mistakes. They are part of the learning process of being human. Acknowledging those mistakes and learning the lessons they teach us, is a means of growth. We shall all trip and stumble along our path through life. Sometimes we will even fall and fall hard. But we must pick ourselves up, and dust ourselves off and get on with the process of living. It is easy to give into the temptation of slinging mud back at those who sling mud at us. It is easy to give into the temptation of visiting pain upon those who cause us pain. It is easy to fall into the trap of lying to others about our shortcomings. But when we give into those temptations, we loose our integrity, and we become the person others wish we were, rather then the person we will ourselves to be. To be known as a person of truth, a person of integrity, and a person who can always be trusted and counted upon. So in this way, no matter what others may say against you, you will always be thought of as a person whom others would like to aspire to, a person of her/his word.

The Epic Battle of Annwn’s Slue

 Often truth is stranger than fiction, and real events often become the inspiration behind the stories I create for my new works on parables. This is a peek at Chapter 7 of something I am currently working on, this one is a bit different from the previous 6 chapters.

The Epic Battle of Annwn’s Slue

One cloudy morning in early spring, between rain showers Annwn went forth to patrol the borders of his domain. As he was crossing the slue, Annwn spied a stranger wearing armor ahead. Annwn, the mighty warrior pounced forth and called out a greeting, “Ho! Stranger! I bid you welcome to Annwn’s kingdom!”

The stranger saying nothing unsheathed his weapons and brandished them in the air in challenge. “Ho, Ho!” Cried Annwn, “If it is a fight instead of a welcome you seek, then lets have at it!”

The combatants squared off, circling and taking the measure of the other. Annwn spoke again saying, “Ah! I see by your armor and colors that you must be seeking revenge for your countryman who I slew near this spot a year ago. I had offered him a welcome, but he smote me in the nose with a mighty blow, so I vanquished him quickly and left his shattered remains as a feast for the carrion birds and flies. This too shall be your fate if you insist upon this folly!”

The stranger uttered not a sound but continued offering his challenge to fight. The combatants squared off, Annwn smote the ground a mighty blow causing the earth itself to quake. The stranger blocked and parried, with his sharp weapons as Annwn boxed, and feinted. A right, a right, then a left, he threw. Turf was tossed high in the air as they came together in mortal combat. The ground quaked from the blows the vegetation was ripped from the soil exposing bare earth so fierce was the fight. Then Annwn landed a mighty blow sending the stranger sailing high into the air and into a mat of thick grasses where he lay stunned, yet unhurt thanks to his heavy armor.

So swift was the blow and so hasty was the flight of the stranger that Annwn stood perplexed at the sudden disappearance of his foe. The battle lust had come upon him, so Annwn sought the stranger all around, seeking to put an end to the battle of tooth and claw. But the stranger had vanished. Thinking the stranger must have been dashed to atoms, Annwn quit the battle scene and completed his patrol. He circled back seeking the stranger’s remains, but they were nowhere to be found. The stranger had recovered, but realizing the folly of challenging so great a warrior the crayfish hid among the tall grass by the flowing water. The rain had returned so Annwn, the mighty Doberman Pinscher, fearing he would melt from the force of the light rain falling from the sky, decided to quit the great outdoors for the dry comforts of his soft bed where he could dream of epic battles, and fierce chases.

Regicide alive and well in today's society

After doing a review for my friend Terry Michael Riley on his new book, "Brothers of the Sun...." I decided to revisit some of the old myths concerning male mysteries. Among these old practices was the evolution of the divine/sacrificial king.

In the earliest days, the Divine King was probably a priest, as he was the earthly embodiment, not representative but embodiment of the local God. This triggered the impulse to create another story addition to a book I am currently working on, although this one came out as more of a Native American type tale. Thats probably due to my Cheyenne and Cherokee blood speaking to me from times long past.

Anyway, due to my ministry at the Federal Prison in Terre Haute, I am privileged to speak candidly with incarcerated druglords. And in their lives I see the mythological parallels very much alive and at work. Like the Divine or Sacrificial Kings, they wanted for nothing, they had the money to get what ever they wanted and the power, through their own army, or workforce to to mete out their own brand of justice and order and to enforce their will within the confines of their own Kingdoms. They were never destined to grow old in their chosen professions, as after a time of rule, while still retaining their virility, they would loose their lives. Some would be killed by rival kingdoms, some through treachery within their own ranks, and some would be incarcerated, still loosing their lives for the good of society. Though still living their lives were sacrificed for the benefit of the people. Those who were actually killed, again their blood was spilled upon the ground, and they were killed during the height of their virility.

The guys I have spoken to have evolved and grown to the point where they realize the plague they had themselves spread through society and have a strong wish to do something positive or FOR society when they serve their lengthy sentences. In the Maximum security facility where I do my thing, a 20 year sentence is a short-timer. So now perhaps, it can be seen clearly what I mean by saying these men have "lost their lives."

Possible Blood Poisoning - Update

I saw the Doc yesterday and she said that id did look like a spider bite. She gave me a tetanus shot and some strong double antibiotics. I soaked it in Epsom salts again when I got home, as it had become painful again. Today the red streaks running up to my elbow are gone, the redness is fading, and it is much less painful, it is even easier to type, and though the swollen area is still quite large, I think that is beginning to abate. It is still hot to the touch, but not as hot as it was yesterday, so I guess I am on the mend. Thanks again everyone for your prayers, and concern.

Possible Blood Poisoning

First of all thanks everyone for your concerns, and healing prayers. 

A week before last Sat we cleaned up and burned a lot of storm damage debris from the trees including a pile of branches and leaves that had accumulated from last year or maybe a bit longer. The next day (Sunday) my wrist and forearm began itching, I thought at first that it may be poison ivy from the debris pile, but there were no blisters. Then I noticed an insect bite on my forearm. It itched occasionally during the following week, with some minor swelling about 2 inches in diameter from the bite. Friday evening the swelling suddenly increased, and the area became discolored. Sunday evening (yesterday) red streaks started radiating up my arm from the swollen area. So we soaked it in Epsom salts and the red streaks had faded after the soak. The bite had become painful and the inner part of my forearm has become sore like it is bruised. Moving my fingers like typing has become uncomfortable. The swelling has spread and the area is hot to the touch.

I never felt the bite, nor did a see a spider, but I cannot think of anything else it could have been. The pile of dead leaves and limbs would have been ideal spider habitat so my assumption is that it is a spider bite.

I will post an update after the doc sees it.