The Sacred Scrolls

08: Chapter from the novel "In The Wake Of Chaos"

[This is Chapter 8 of my novel, “In The Wake Of Chaos.” I encourage you to go back and read the previous chapters already posted in order to get the full richness of this magical story.]

“a simple yet profound practice...”

Clarissa and I spent what seemed like hours discussing these concepts and ideas. She taught me all about how vibration and frequencies open up an entirely new world of possibilities. And how she used vibration to make her seem unnoticeable to the naked eye.

Again, pinch me.

Make sure I’m awake.

Hard to believe, but when everyone thought she was missing, Clarissa was here at her house the entire time! What happened was, she raised her energetic vibration to a high level to become invisible—that’s how she averted Derrick’s brother’s attempt to cause her harm. Incredibly, she was hiding in plain sight while he tried to do his dirty work.

Can this get any stranger?

Although stunned to hear Damien was involved, I remained silent as she explained more. And, according to Clarissa, he did not physically follow me to Israel.

Apparently, Damien merely bi-located energetically and used the power of his mind to find us—which explains the feeling of someone stalking us while both at the hotel and when I entered the caves of Magdala.

Clarissa was with us as well, and it was she who somehow cloaked the scrolls to make them invisible in Ramon’s knapsack so they could not be harmed.

At this point, I began to feel like I was slipping back into another Twilight Zone episode. Bi-locating? Becoming invisible at will? Energy levels of vibration?

Holy hell!

But at least is sounds like the scrolls are safe!

Maybe I should have paid more attention in science class. Although it wouldn’t have mattered. All of this was far beyond the scope of anything mainstream schools were teaching for sure.

And for whatever reason, I believed Clarissa with all my heart and trusted her with my life. I can’t explain this rationale, but it was certainly a gut feeling I held inside.

So, Clarissa had this encounter with Damien while we were in Israel, and immediately sensed he was mentally unstable. Yet underneath the surface, she saw a small, scared child—who desperately wanted to break free from the chains of fear and self-loathing that bound him in a never-ending cycle of mental anguish.

Obviously, he needed help.

But first things first, Clarissa knew what needed to be done. She successfully enticed him into to the basement saying that copies of the ancient scrolls Madison was in Israel searching for were also stored down there.

Her plan was to lock him up in the wine cellar until she could have the authorities come and retrieve him. The first part worked, but once he caught on to what she was really up to, Damien dropped to the ground in a trance-like state.

In a moment of compassion and concern for his well-being, her plan almost failed. As Clarissa hesitated for just a second, Damien was able to overpower her with his strength. This is when she resorted to raising her vibration to the point where it made her literally appear invisible.

If he had not been so startled, he may have realized her arm was still within his grasp—even though he couldn’t physically see her there with his own eyes.

Using this momentary shock to her advantage, she slipped away from his grip and quickly left the cellar while locking its door behind her. Damien knew he was trapped and like a caged animal began thrashing about.

That’s when Clarissa retreated to the parlor upstairs and remained there in meditation doing what she needed to do to protect me and the others while we were searching for the sacred scrolls.

Again, holy hell.

What am I going to say to Derrick?

How do I explain that his deranged twin brother didn’t follow us to the caves of Magdala, but instead was here all along and locked up downstairs in Clarissa’s wine cellar?

I haven’t a clue.

That being the case, I opted for a little white lie instead of the entire truth. I told him he needed to come to the manor under the guise I’d locked myself out of the carriage house and needed his help.

Why I said that, honestly, I don’t know. It was the first thing to come out of my mouth once he got on the line, so I ran with it until he arrived.

Forgive me Father, for I have sinned.

Naturally, he was just as relieved as I was to see Clarissa there safe and sound. But relief quickly turned to disbelief once we began filling him in on some of the finer details, as “out-of-the-box” strange they were.

Heck, I didn’t even know what his spiritual, and or supernatural, beliefs were—nor if he might want to have us committed along with his brother.

Holding my breath, waiting for his initial reaction, I was grateful to hear his level-headed and methodical approach to what was needed next. He took out his cell phone and called the staff at McLean Hospital, a mental health facility in the nearby Belmont area. He also told us how Damien had been a patient of theirs as a teenager and had also been re-admitted on several occasions as an adult.

Next, he asked Clarissa if he could go check on him in the cellar as they waited for the hospital’s transportation to arrive. She agreed but suggested we all go together. It was interesting he didn’t seem to raise an eyebrow at all the other crazy details. I wonder if he was in shock.

We went to the basement and peered inside through the wrought iron doors leading to the cellar. I couldn’t help but shudder in disbelief. The drawings Damien had scribbled all over the stone walls were the exact same dagger icons that were both in my dreams and what appeared to be in Jamie’s nightmares as well. Not to mention, the same symbol that was embedded in my social media memes.

All three of us looked at each other in concern.

Shivers ran down my spine.

Clarissa noted they appeared to be an ancient symbol used in the witchcraft practices of a dark and shadowy cult called the Covenant of Anatolia, which traced all the way back to Sparta’s rule in the 3^rd to 5^th century BC.

Well, alright then. Everyone knows these things, right?

Why Damien was obsessed with this particular dagger was anyone’s guess, but Clarissa offered more details. This precise weapon dates back to prehistory, and she further explained that ancient cultures often used daggers in ritual and ceremonial practices, a trend that continues today.

All the while, Damien kept scribbling away.

Clarissa continued by saying, “Hekate, is a goddess of the underworld in ancient Greek mythology, who in some circles is believed to be the opposite, darker side of Artemis, a goddess more associated with purity rather than Hekate’s sinister aspects of magic.”

My head felt like it was about to explode.

However, before that could happen, the first thing that came to my mind was the stark differences between these goddesses, which coincidently seem to match those of both Derrick and his twin brother Damien.

Clarissa then added this, “Beyond the central ideas of this modern-day cult, they’ve also been known to infiltrate certain conspiracy theory circles in modern times by using this dagger symbol as their moniker. They believe Hekate’s powers extend through all realms, and her formless fire illuminates the path of the universal mysteries where she is both a guide and initiator.”

Presumably, there is more to this story, but that was the gist of it for now. It appears we’ve actually dipped into the waters of a dark and shadowy underworld.

Holy hell…

Why do I keep saying that?

It’s such an oxymoron.

At that moment, Damien slowly turned around to look at us directly instead of continuing his incessant scribbling on the walls, his eyes steely black and menacing. I found myself unable to look away from his direct stare. It was as if he were pulling me right out of my body and sucking my life-force into his.

Fortunately, Derrick’s cell phone rang, and I was jolted back into our present time reality. It was the medical staff dispatcher letting us know the hospital representatives were outside ready to take Damien back into their care.

Good timing. Once they were finished and gone, the three of us again gathered in the parlor so Derrick could get up to speed on everything else about Clarissa’s ordeal. Gaining more and more respect for Derrick, I watched him absorb all of this incredible information, and I began to realize just how lucky I was to have him in my corner.

Perhaps he felt my admiration because at that moment he stole a glance my way, and the warmth I felt through his eyes was evident. Am I feeling butterfly tingles again?

Maybe.

Maybe not.

But one thing for sure. It’s been an extraordinary day which I expect will continue in the days ahead.

Just then, I saw a text from Miriam who said Ramon had found the scrolls in his knapsack—and exactly where he had stored them just days ago. He couldn’t explain how, but it’s as if they’d mysteriously been there all along and were just not visible to the naked eye.

You don’t say…

Not wanting to take any chances, he had already sent them to me by special courier, and I should have them in my hands within the next 10-12 hours. Now, that’s certainly great news. I could hardly believe my own ears.

Recognizing the exhaustion we all felt, Derrick gracefully excused himself and left. I then asked Clarissa if there was anything she needed before I retired to the carriage house. She shook her head no, but quietly added, “I’m sure you’ve noticed the spark between you two, am I right?”

I blushed and smiled with a nod.

Clarissa never seems to miss a beat.

A short time later, as I lay in the comfort of my bed, I allowed myself to imagine what a personal relationship with Derrick might entail. Not much later, I drifted off to sleep with a smile softly lingering on my face.

Sweet dreams baby girl.

What seemed like moments later, which was diabolically opposed to the height of the sun that had already risen the next morning, there was a soft knock at my door.

It was Cherie, who had in her hands a special delivery package addressed to me. Apologizing for oversleeping and still being in my pajamas, I thanked her profusely. Anxious to see the scrolls again, I closed the door while at the same time ripping open the outer packaging.

There they were.

Just as I’d found them hidden in the depths of that cave in Magdala. There was still a special glow enveloping these ancient mysteries as I carefully held them in my hands.

What to do next?

Seconds later I knew.

For whatever reason, I felt moved to bring them with me for a mid-morning visit to Walden Pond. Not long after I arrived, and while sitting on the picnic blanket I’d brought from the car, I noticed a familiar face.

A young girl, maybe eight or nine years old, playing near the water’s edge all by herself. I’d occasionally seen her at the pond before. Her name was Grace, and I was told she lived near the far side of the pond, just beyond the railroad tracks. She had previously assured me her parents didn’t mind her being here alone. She knew she was always protected by the love and white light of God.

No joke.

That is what she said.

On a previous occasion we had spent several hours together simply talking about life in general. And, Grace never ceased to amaze me as she shared such deep wisdom, despite her being such a young girl.

An old soul for sure.

I wondered if I would ever have a child as exceptional as she seemed to be. And to be honest, there were times when it felt my younger self was speaking directly through her to me during some of our conversations.

Do you suppose there’s a chance “time” isn’t what we think it is? And instead runs in a loop? Or maybe it runs parallel with itself and there is an intersection where we experience different linear times all at once?

I honestly don’t know.

Again, this concept of “time no time” always fascinates me. Sounds like science fiction material here. Or at least, a great idea to explore as an episode for The Burlap Sack.

Just then, Grace noticed I was there and came over to join me on the blanket. She asked me why I hadn’t been around lately, then noticed I’d brought something else in addition to my journal, saying, “What’s that?”

I said, “Would you like to see?”

She excitedly nodded yes.

Carefully I laid out the scrolls and saw her eyes light up with excitement. Grace asked, “Can I hold them?” One might normally consider this too great of a risk, but I knew intuitively I could trust her—and that she’d treat them with the reverence and care they required.

I could see the intent look in her eyes as she gently took her time unrolling the first one. Then what she did next shocked me. She appeared to be silently reading them.

Now, this was quite remarkable since they were written in Aramaic. And I’m told not many people, let alone a small child, can do that now—as it is fast becoming a lost art and language from ancient times.

What the heck?

After a while, she paused to look up at me with tears in her eyes. Not tears of sorrow, but tears of joy.

We were both speechless.

Still savoring the moment, I was reluctant to speak until inspiration hit me to ask, “Grace, what do you feel?”

Not what do you think. Not what does it say.

But what do you feel?

It seemed like an odd question—even to me. And yet, it was the perfect question for the moment we shared.

What do you feel?

No reply necessary.

It was as if in that moment we were feeling a warm sprinkle of gold dust wash over our entire bodies. Like a shower of love that is hard to describe. One look in her eyes confirmed my suspicions.

She felt it too.

Much to my surprise, Grace told me she had been taught Aramaic before learning English.

Ruet, her mother, did not want this ancient language to die out and made a point to pass the tradition along to her, hoping one day she’d do the same.

This child can read Aramaic?

I sometimes sound like a broken record, but once again, how can it get any better than this? Here I am, sitting next to my magical Walden Pond, in the woodlands I consider to be sacred ground, with this young treasure of a child, who can translate the sacred scrolls that have been hidden away for centuries upon centuries!!

Last time I promise…

“How does it get better than this?”

I took out a pen and opened my journal to a blank page in anticipation of decoding the secrets embedded within the papyrus of these sacred writings.

On cue, Grace began to reveal what they contained, as I remained completely and absolutely in awe at what was taking place. The first scroll proclaimed;

“True wisdom and true divinity lives within the deepest parts of your soul. This is the abundance of knowledge that all can freely tap into because it is the very breath of God. When you quiet your thoughts and just breathe while simply enjoying the beauty of nature around you, you step into a world where you now are one with God. In this moment, the wisdom of the ages opens up to you. Breathe this in and water the dreams you desire to live in. All is possible when you surrender to this union with the One.”

Holy cow!!

See, I am capable of switching out that oxymoron of a phrase something new! Holy “cow” is better than hell.

Both of us sat there for several moments in silence, allowing these words to gracefully wash over us. I began to notice my breath, then the beauty surrounding us among the trees, and a feeling of peace within.

What’s more, I felt the arms of God wrapped around me like never before. All was calm. There was no angst, worry, or fear. All the chatter of the world seemed to fall away and there was no sense of separation between us.

Or between us and nature.

I could have stayed in these loving arms forever.

Evidently connected by one mind, both Grace and I were content to just sit there silently by the pond. It was as though time had suspended, and I couldn’t tell whether it was minutes or hours later when she picked up the second scroll. My pen stood ready to record whatever her sweet little voice revealed next;

“In pain comes greater awareness by the transformation love brings to all situations. Love is the gift you have to bring you through any sorrow. You will always be lifted by the love you allow your heart to feel in the space between you and your father. For you and your father are truly one. When we go through challenging situations, we can allow that which appears dark to surface so it can be seen. As we hold onto the power of love, we bring about a powerful transformation that allows us to rebirth into a more magnificent self. Born into the wisdom of the God that lives in you.”

Is it any coincidence this message aligned perfectly to the current chaos society faces today? We can think of it like this. Love, a true and pure love, is all there really is. It’s why we’re here, to share it with others. And, at the end of the day, it’s all we leave behind within our memories.

Sure, we may mourn the loss of loved ones, or the way things used to be. But we can also, through the practice of forgiveness, allow the gifts of this pain to shine through. When we allow what seems dark or evil rise to the surface to be seen, we can then take steps towards healing the wrongs of this world and make it better for everyone.

What this new awareness confirmed for me is that we could heal as a society and as a nation, even if it looks broken and beyond repair in the present moment.

This brought me hope.

Anxious to know what more would be unveiled within the third scroll, I gently encouraged Grace to please keep going. She continued with;

“Blessed are those who soften the hard challenges of life. Nothing is so rigid even if it at first appears to be. By softening the emotion or fear you feel around something, the strength of the emotion softens into just a simple awareness, and in this awareness new answers and new solutions are born. The earth will never own you, for you shall inherit the earth with a renewed strength from this softening.

All things are done whole through loving eyes. In these eyes, once that which was dark becomes light. Now is the time to soften the darkness and step into the light with your light shining brightly so others will find their openings into this brightness. Nothing remains dark when the light of love shines brightly upon it.

A flower blooms rising up out of the dark earth, so shall we rise and bloom into the heavens here on earth to live a fuller, richer life, with all your true colors blooming brightly in this freedom, and that this softening of ego and self-doubt brings.”

Another drop of pure divinity.

Mere words cannot convey how deep these ancient texts were penetrating my soul. Even the cells of my body seemed to be vibrating in such a new and profound way.

My humble interpretation of this is, if we are willing to soften that which is rigid, we can also change our thoughts, perceptions, judgments, and beliefs. Once we let go of our attachments to the ego, pride, and having to be right all the time, we release the need to defend—both ourselves and our positions—which may or may not be accurate anyway.

Where is this coming from? An intelligence beyond my own? Not sure, I continued on with this train of thought...

This then restores all things to be in balance with one another. When we string together these three concepts, we begin to heal ourselves, our families and friends—as well as our neighbors and entire societies.

Double holy cow!

What a revelation this is for all of humanity.

Now, if I’m understanding it correctly, from the first scroll, which asks us to make our home in the breath, we begin to relax, and safety is restored as we eliminate the “fight or flight” response so clear guidance can emerge.

Next, we allow our emotions to be felt and allow the deeply hidden pains to rise to the surface, as we continue with our breath. We release, forgive, learn, and become more aware, which naturally leads us to the third idea, which is to being willing to soften those dark and rigid parts of ourselves and letting go of perceptions, or the need of having things be a certain way. This in turn leads to the promise of the third idea, which is about renewed strength and greater confidence.

Double holy cow!!

It’s as if I’m watching a step-by-step practice unfold right before my very own eyes. Well, at least that’s what I’m getting out of this. It is as if at the same time I am writing down what Grace has translated from Aramaic to English, I am having an explosion of understandings within these ancient texts that had been buried for so long.

Mind-blowing for sure.

I can’t wait to share it with the others.

Basking in the glow of what had just occurred, we again locked eyes with each other—as both of us seemed to be gazing into the depths of our souls.

Again, time stood still.

There was no gender or age in this space, only love. And no words were required to express the gratitude I shared with this innocent, brilliant young girl. We sat in silence for some time longer, then got up and hugged, while assuring each other we’d meet again soon.

Eventually we got up.

Then went on our separate ways.

Later that evening, I shared all of this with Derrick and Clarissa, as well as Ramon and Miriam in Israel by video conferencing. Their feelings were the same as mine—what a blessing these revelations are in benefit to the world.

And revolutionary at the same time.

Miriam then updated us on the latest developments in terms of locating what is believed to be the remainder of these ancient missing scrolls—which evidently, as they had just learned, are hidden up high in the mountain region of southern France.

That oddly seemed familiar.

Looks like I’ll be making another overseas trip again.

And, this time Derrick is coming too!

Oh wow…

I can’t wait.

Seriously.

- Madison James

[Continue reading Maddie’s complete story “In The Wake Of Chaos” as each chapter is released…see the “Previous” & “Next” tabs right under the Like/Share bubbles below]