Incredibly loosely based on a true story just like most of my writings…. I’m just gonna stop saying that.
I plan to use some of these tales to establish some backstory/world-building type stuff for another project I’m working on. I’ll eventually have a clear indicator for “canon” tales, but for now, this one takes place at least in the same universe.
If/When that project comes out you may be able to say “I understood that reference!” (Unless you forget things like I do, then you’ll remember 4 years later and say “Oh that’s why that was familiar”)
Just outside the village where I work, there is a charming little garden. It used to be my favorite place in this world, the one place where I could always feel safe. Simply strolling peacefully through the colorful maze with the sights, sounds and aromas all cleansing and boosting my spirit.
It used to be my favorite place in this world… until the day I abandoned it.
Years ago, when I had just begun my new adventure as a witch, one tradition of my former lives I continued was visiting this garden at least twice a week. There was something almost cosmic about walking grounds so familiar and distinct. It almost felt like all versions of me were walking together through the maze, following the path we knew so well, sometimes drifting down a side path, but eventually all converging at the large maple tree in the center clearing. Unfortunately one day, we encountered an embodiment of shadow in that labyrinth.
It was not a fiend I hadn’t faced before, in fact it was a rather basic specimen of darkness and dispelling him took little work. However, something was wrong. This was a sacred space, a magical place, a place only good was allowed, and yet I could not shake the feeling…
This shadow of pain and hatred manifested in this space because of me.
It was terrifying to think that a place I held so dear could possibly fall to darkness. Horrifying to imagine a future robbed of it colorful glory. So, unsure what to do, I did what I always did in those days. I ran. I did not complete my pilgrimage to the center, I did not have time with my thoughts, I did not soothe my spirit after what had just transpired. I ran. I ran until I felt safe, and I swore to never return.
It used to be my favorite place in this world… and today, for the first time in years, I felt the call to visit.
After avoiding it for years, it still felt oh so familiar to be walking down the southern trail to reach this hidden treasure. Away, but not so far away it was hard to reach, you just had to want to get there. I suppose that’s really why I hadn’t come back for years. I did not want to, as I did not want to see any shadows further tainting my treasured memories, it was easier to keep running.
Nearing the end of the trail knowing the beauty I was about to behold I felt the anticipation building, I pushed through the last piece of thick brush and saw…
A clearing? A wide open grassy field with just a familiar maple tree standing in the distance. The colors were gone, the sights wrong, the sounds distorted and the aroma unrecognizable. And yet, something in my spirit was stirring, and so I continued toward the tree.
As I walked, I began to feel a presence following me, I was not sure yet who or what was stalking me, but I sensed no ill intent, so I calmly proceeded on my way. About halfway to the center, suddenly, I felt a violent shift in energy and sensed an incoming attack!
I quickly turned around, scepter at the ready and prepared to let loose a burst of defensive magic, hoping to stun whatever shadow would dare strike at me. However a blast of dark green energy was already surging towards me before I’d turned around, and I simply braced as best I could.
But the energy passed through me, it did not burn, in fact it felt… calm? Familiar. However just as this energy left me, I heard the unmistakable shrieks of demons dissipating into a dark haze behind me.
Puzzled, I looked around trying to piece together what had just happened. There was no longer any presence I could sense, the source of the blast of energy was no where to be seen and after a time, I simply moved onward to my destination at the center.
Reaching the tree without additional excitement, I took a moment to admire how much it both had and had not changed. It looked completely different no longer surrounded by hedges and flowers of every shape, size and color and yet when I let my peripheral senses drop and focused solely on the tree. It was exactly as I remembered it.
I sat down, in my old favorite spot and began my reflection. While deep in my thoughts, I sensed something on the edge of my perception, another presence approaching, exuding a rich and heavy dark emerald green aura. Knowing this was my savior from early, I trusted their approach and remained with my thoughts.
Looking up, having finished my ritual, I saw my protector was now sitting beside me just inches away. His face and body were still shrouded in his hood and robe, his emerald green aura overpowering the space. I tried to peer through the shadow beneath his hood, to see if I might know the face. I never saw his face, never new him. But I sensed his pain all the same.
The old groundskeeper. We’d often crossed paths in my many journeys through the maze. It would seem the garden fell to darkness, his mortal form with it, but refusing to let the space become corrupted, he remained, fighting off the lingering shadows. Waiting, for a new keeper to rise.
Without a word, we both understood.
The energy of this space and mine had been entwined for so long. The shadows of the world will always be there, they may be drawn to me, but that does not mean I cause them to happen. When I ran away from this space, I ran away with a share of its energy, robbing it the ability to defend itself. So now I would right the wrong.
I began to channel a spell to rejuvenate the garden landscape, it may not be the grand labyrinth it once was, but I was determined to summon back the glory that had been lost. As my aura began to rise, the old groundskeeper sensed my intention and began to channel his own energy into my spell. The shadows lingering in the ground began to fade, the earth began to quake, and the place that had almost been completely broken, began to heal.
I visit the garden from time to time again now. Whenever I feel the call, it usually means I’ve been away to long and I need to make the pilgrimage to see my old friend, the stalwart tree and all of the beautiful new growth that has sprung up around now that the energy has been cleansed.
I like keeping my tarot decks somewhere just a little bit out of the way. If they’re in front of me, I’m going to be interacting with them nonstop. If they’re tucked away in a bookshelf in the other room I may forget about them, but when I suddenly feel the call to check them out, I know where to find them to retrieve the lesson burning for me to learn within them.
The places that are a little out of the way are extra magical for this exact same reason. How long has it been since you visited your favorite trail, park, beach or store? Took that road trip to see your best friend? Next time you get that nagging “you know I really want to go there”, just go, your instincts know that is the place your whole self needs to be for a time.
And your spirit will thank you for taking the time, to go with intention.
Z's Grimoire 
Leave a comment