Bloom - Very Short Story

She pushed her nose in another bloom and breathed in the perfume deeply. 'Isn't it ironic that the city is teaching me to fall in love with nature all over again?' she asked.

He looked at the way her hand avoided the sharp thorns and caressed the firm stem. How the flower bent towards her upturned face and they exchanged freely the gift of appreciation. A smile spread across her face as the sweetness lingered in the air. The deep pink of the rose blushed at such an intimate exchange. She let go of the rose as they walked along the pavement, her eye keen to find another flower to touch, breathe in and merge.

He touched the tip of her nose lightly, as if to brush any excess pollen and she tipped her face up to him to receive a kiss. 'Are you jealous?' she teased. 'I am having a love affair with flowers right in front of you.'

He smiled and thought she was the loveliest flower he had ever seen.


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Inner Shaman Adventures - Cacao Ceremony 3

I am in love with cacao.

The full moon hit me with its intensity this week and I have been reeling from her lesson. As I sat on my cushion, waiting for the Shaman to start the ceremony I thought about my week and the daily miracles I am noticing and am given by the creator. More and more I have noticed how the world is conspiring to support me with any choice I bring to mind.

The Shaman created a sacred space and asked us to set our intention - I told the Shaman that I want to release the fear in my heart and keep trusting in life more. I pulled the card, 'Intensity' - the picture was of a woman moving from dark to light and intensely following her journey and direction. Aho.

The Shaman gave us cacao to drink. I took my drink and this time the bitterness did not seem to affect me. I greeted, inhaled and drank the cacao readily - willing her presence in my body. I lay down to journey and waited to receive.

It was almost instantaneous.

'Why aren't you writing anymore?'

I squirmed as I knew I had been neglecting the creative within me... the long warm days of summer have arrived I have been compelled to be outside and enjoy its blessings.

'Keep writing, it's important.'

I acknowledged that the words that flow from these fingers need to be honoured even when the sun is calling and I will just take my notebook outside with me more often...

The Shaman asked us to envision the Cacao Goddess in front of us, I placed a cushion in a clearing and an old woman arrived and sat in front of me. She smiled, took my hand and looked at me for some time. I asked her if she had any guidance for me at this time.

She said, 'I'm always here. Spirit is always with you.'

I smiled at her and bowed my head in gratitude. I felt so blessed to be in contact with this plant medicine, so overwhelmed by its love, generosity, blessings, unconditionality and her willingness to guide me on my journey.

She said, 'Anything you want to do, you can do.' She repeated this over and over and over again. Afterwards she said, 'Now is the time to start creating your vision. What do you want to do?'

I said I wanted to go to South America with the Shaman and drink under her guidance as I trust her completely with this stage in my journey. I also want to move house and start my yoga teacher training.

She nodded, 'Anything you want to do, you can do. Plant your seeds and do not let anything affect them. Become one pointed. Become intense about your vision - do not scatter yourself.'

I agreed.

The Shaman spoke about opening our hearts and seeing who came into our vision - who needed love and who we needed to show love.

First of all I saw my clients, present and past, those wonderful divine beings who are desperately disconnected from their source and trying to find their way back again. I sent them all love, compassion and my best wishes, silently thanking them for allowing me to be part of their journey.

Cacao said, 'It's good to send them love, but remember you are very sensitive and you need to ask the Shaman about protecting yourself from the negativity your clients are unconsciously throwing out. She will have the answer for you.'

I said I would.

Then in my vision, two people who cause me to experience negative feelings came through - a woman I know and my old boss.

Cacao said, 'Those people who have caused you to experience pain are just as important as those who are there to ignite the experience of love. They came to your life to help you grow.'

'But what about this woman? I really struggle with this.'

Cacao said, 'You have been together for countless past lives. This dynamic has played out every time. You will not change this overnight but you need to chip away at this slowly. She will not change - your perspective of her needs to change. But do not be manipulated into this. The change needs to come from within, from your own volition.'

'But what about my old boss? I have been thinking deeply about this lately.'

Cacao said, 'Do what you need to do to find closure within and let it go. On an energetic level she will receive this - it is not for you to make contact or do anything. She will have her own realisations one day and there will be a time when she will approach you. Allow that to happen.'

Cacao said, 'Send them love, these people are so important for your growth.'

I acknowledged cacao's wisdom. 'Is there anything else I need to hear?'

Cacao said, 'Be in nature, she will teach you everything you need to know. You are divine. Everything is divine. Just let divinity show you what you need to know.'

I know I am getting my bicycle soon and I saw a vision of myself taking off for a weekend cycling through England in its glorious countryside, revelling in beauty.

The Shaman asked us to say goodbye to the Cacao Goddess and then bring our higher selves in front of us for their message. She asked us to look at our vision of our higher self. I saw Leah in front of me, full of love, compassion, sweetness, joy, spiritual insight and bliss. I asked her if she had a message for me.

She said, 'You are already me. You are just finding your way back again. You are on the right path.'

She then came towards me and dissolved within me. I felt her energy embody me and I shivered in the adjustment of our energy bodies as they merged.

I kept hearing cacao repeating, 'Anything you want to do, you can do.'

After the journey, I pulled my guidance card, 'The Fool' - it was of a man jumping off a cliff with no fear. He had a bunch of flowers in his hand and a smile on his face. Trusting that he would be safe no matter the decision he took. He was in absolute freedom and was protected. He knew that she is always with him. I will now start to embody his nature.


You can find my adventures in Shamanism here: Inner Shaman Adventures



Cacao Ceremonies facilitated by: http://www.rebekahshaman.com/



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B- Part 4 - Story

Part 1: B- Part 1
Part 2: B- Part 2
Part 3: B- Part 3

The next day, Kairo and I wait for Heal to return from school. We tell him about Simta's proposition and his teacher's thoughts.

Heal sits down and clasps his hands. His black hair falls on to his forehead, his eyes stare at his hands and his body is still. Heal's voice is low even though his body is not fully developed. When he stands, he towers over Kairo and I but his face is hairless and his jaw is soft. He directs his intense brown eyes towards us and asks for our opinion. Kairo tells him that we will support him in any way possible. Heal looks at his hands for a while longer, Kairo presents Heal with many plans debating the effects of either decision. Heal speaks, "I would like to work at the chemist." I walk up to Heal and hug him.

In the village of B- there are certain cultural traditions that have been followed for centuries, to ensure a happy and healthy community. A person under the age of thirty is considered a trainee. People believe that the first three decades of life should be devoted to study, friendship and a chance to undertake projects that would help others less fortunate. Many professions are encouraged here, from Doctors to Teachers to Engineers to Artists. The view of the community is that each person has a brain and a special talent, regardless of their gender. The expectations of a trainee are that they help others, share belongings, achieve family harmony and a friendlier community. It is also important to work on their ambitions and dreams. In this village, it is a rare sight to see beggars.

Before a child is allowed to go to school, they have to learn the essentials about family and community living. Just like Buiy and Fah, each child has to wake early and help make the breakfast. The family eats breakfast together and clears everything away. The child and an elder make sure that the house is tidy and clean and that all chores have been completed. Soon after this, the child will learn how to shop and pick the best food available, understanding the right prices. They learn who the best shop owners are and their specialities, how to determine the ripeness of food and the amount needed. They learn to buy all the necessary ingredients and how to cook proper dinners that are healthy and enjoyable to eat. Cooking is a serious art in B-, both boys and girls have to understand the rudiments of  healthy eating. It is important that all children can provide a healthy and balanced meal as it is usual for families to take turns and cook for one another.  

After the meal, the child will usually sleep for the siesta or have time to themselves where they can learn to read, draw or play an instrument. As the sun cools, the children meet up and play in the village. Friendship is encouraged, most of the children in the same area play together and it becomes a good foundation for many friendships and for social intelligence to flourish. A child will stay out till dinner time or until the family come home, though it is not compulsory. Once the family eats dinner they may receive visitors, go out with friends or spend time pursuing solitary activities such as study, meditation or reading.

Life is rich and busy in B-, people are always out and about visiting each other. Work is considered a part of life, where people achieve satisfaction. No job is too small. Everyone implicitly understands that all work has to be done to make life easier.

Kairo, Buiy, Fah and I go shopping in the mornings. We speak to the owners and talk about food, Peto invites us in for tea, which we accept. As we drink, Peto informs us of Simta's birthday the following week. Kairo and I blush as we realise our forgetfulness. Peto smiles, "Do not worry my friends." He tells us he has organised an evening in Simta's honour, Peto and he are close friends and have known each other since they were children. Neither of them wanted to marry, instead they formed an alliance together.

In B-, marriage is allowed for anyone who is committed. Providing that the couple is thirty years or older. Marriage is allowed for any couple, even those of the same sex. However, Peto and Simta have decided that marriage was not a constructive path for them, preferring community spirit. They invest their lives into serving the village through their jobs and spreading love through close friendship. The village thinks well of Simta and Peto, many people visit them and they are active members of the festivals and celebrations in the village. Peto plays the guitar and joins the other musicians from time to time, together the village would dance and sing with the accompaniment of the band.

Kairo speaks, "Of course we will attend the celebrations and bring food." Peto clasps his hands together and smiles, "It should be a lovely evening. Make sure you bring Heal along, Simta has an immense amount of respect for the boy." We agree, drink our tea and buy some fruit and vegetables.

Find Part 5 here



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