Resonant

Excerpt from “The Agrimonium Compendium” by Forsythia Tituba Sage

The knowledge, the deep knowledge, was revealed slowly over time. Those paying attention to it were certain scientists, who started a collective called Scientific Exploration of Witchcraft (SEW). SEW experimented with spells, Tarot, astrology, auras, plants, crystals, sound frequencies, prayer circles, and other magic, collecting data and rigorously following the scientific method to open their minds and hearts to the worlds within our worlds. One project catapulted SEW into the mainstream of humanity’s current, touching all parts of the human community in the way that water does; the Humanity’s United Memory (HUM) project used in-depth longitudinal studies of cleft palate surgery cases, collecting and analyzing data through newly developed energy measurement techniques. Combining this methodology with listening to young children tell stories from when they were older and observing their pretend play as researchers took meticulous notes, SEW unlocked the memories of past lives, sealed shut in the divot above our upper lips. The myths were true, of the angel placing their thumb upon our faces and gently removing the memories of one life as we moved to the next. Except they did not think it was necessarily an angel, perhaps a different heavenly body, stardust or cosmic rays, planetary energy that moved and changed the soul. These myths blended with others, opened previously locked ways of living, and led to the opportunity to learn from our individual soul’s history using a device that harnessed cosmic energy, empathic energy, memory energy, and focused them on our memory button directly above our mouths. For the procedure to be effective, participants were required to cultivate an open attentiveness, but the procedure was free as long as one was willing to share their results, reflections and data with SEW to further their goal in connecting us all-past and present.

Zeph placed their hand delicately on the door handle shaped like a face turned upside-down, their thumb resting in the space indented below the nose where it fit perfectly. The metal was bronze-colored and warmed by the sun. It seemed to have just been held by someone else, and the smooth metal felt almost as if it were about to melt under their fingers. Zeph appreciated this detail as they pulled the door open towards them, excited for their first experience of past memories at the HUM emporiUM. They giggled at the slightly silly name of this sacred space, a building like a temple dedicated to science that loves humanity.

Zeph walked mindfully across the bright, open lobby, feeling their feet roll from their heels to their toes with each step. Zeph knew that they had to find a quietude and contentment within themself, to allow the chaos of their mind and full memory to simply exist, without restriction or control, in order to be explored. They had followed the procedures recommended on HUM’s website and practiced the walking meditations, calming mantras, visualization, and other techniques as they waited on the long long waiting list. The list apparently shifted once the data processor was able to identify what each applicant could potentially offer to the database. Even though they were only eighteen and hadn’t graduated from high school, Zeph knew this was exactly what they wanted to do: collect and analyze the data of HUM.

When Zeph reached one of the curved desks lining the opposite side of the vast room, they smiled at the receptionist, greeted them, and offered their name. The receptionist checked them in on their console and indicated the collection of seats available in the lobby near the desk, informing Zeph to wait for their name. There were a myriad of chair options, some wide and comfy-looking, others with supportive, stiff backs and even rounded floor pillows to support a body as they kneeled on the floor. Zeph took out their well-worn copy of The Agrimonium Compendium (finding a print copy was an interesting challenge) and prepared to settle in for a wait, but before they had a chance to find their optimal seat, Zeph saw their name displayed and followed the woman with bright, kind eyes who was scanning the lobby.

The woman guided Zeph to a room filled with plants of various sizes, all in pots that were the same shade of white as the wall, making the greens and orange and vibrant pinks explode from their blank background.

“This shouldn’t take very long, according to the pre-data we have been able to collect based on your application,” the technician, Margie, informed Zeph as they both sat down at the central oval table. “Based on your complete astrological chart with time and position of your birth and your responses on the psychological evaluation and some other considerations, such as family data already in the HUM, you are at a prime time to explore past lives. The veil is particularly thin for you right now in your life, your growth, your family, your cycle. I also see here that you have applied to begin an apprenticeship with us next year, so you already know a lot about this process! I can answer any of the questions you may have now and I will be available for your follow-up questions afterwards.” On this last note, Margie handed Zeph a card and a kind smile climbed up her round, dimpled, freckled cheeks and landed in her bright eyes. Zeph looked at the infocard that could be tapped on a dataport and included the glowing words: Margie ~ call when you need her. Zeph felt at ease, felt ready, and they nodded, smiling back.

“The device will simply activate the knowledge already in your body, in your bones, in your deep memory. You will not see every life right away; consider this a stretching of an unused muscle. Each time a memory from the past surfaces, you must exercise the muscle to strengthen and understand it, so tell the story of the memory right away or write it or dance it or paint it - essentially, you must record it in a way that speaks to you and that you can return to when you want. Each recording will then also be shared with SEW, and we will stitch it into the fabric of our Collective Human Universal Memory, or our CHUM,” Margie smiled and winked at this and Zeph was fairly certain this was the most charming thing they had ever seen. “You can use the interface on the HUM website or you can use my infocard to send it directly to me, whichever you feel most comfortable with. The more you record, the stronger the memories will become. Some memories will be beautiful and others will be filled with pain,” Margie’s jolly face grew serious and empathetic, emanating maternal concern for the unavoidable pain of memory. “Whatever you are feeling is okay to feel and you can always contact me, no matter what. This is what I do and I am your support through this process. Now, do you have any questions before you give consent to the procedure and data collection associated with memory opening?”

Zeph bit their lip and their eyes shifted. For the first time in this exchange, they felt nervous about sharing apprehension, hoping to avoid harming their chances of working at the EmporiUM. They asked with their hands, Will it hurt? Margie replied, both in sign and aloud this time, “The procedure itself will not hurt, but again, feels like a deep stretch, like a challenging yoga pose done for the first time or the ache felt during a growth spurt.” Zeph nodded, and signed, Thank you, hand down from chin. Margie returned the sign, which also meant You are welcome.

I have another question, Zeph continued. Will I be able to hear in these memories?

I am not sure, Margie responded, her uncertainty as evident on her face as all of her other, warmer emotions. This is something you will have to discover as you uncover your own past. How our present self and memory interprets our past memories and lives is a very interesting part of what we study here. If you want to work closely with our researchers, we would welcome your openness and collaboration. Zeph grinned, nodding vigorously as Margie laughed with her entire body. Zeph could feel the reverberations of Margie’s laughter on the table, in the air, within their chest.

How do you feel, Z, about the possibility of hearing through memory? Margie wondered, shortening their name in the way they liked best, without even needing to ask. Zeph could sense that intuition was an essential part of this job.

I am also not sure, they replied. But I want to find out. Zeph was lit up with enthusiasm, and the energy of their words sparked off of their hands as they conducted their way through the air, instantly landing in Margie’s receptive space. That is why I hope to be an apprentice here; there is so much undiscovered wisdom outside and inside of us and I want to see where worlds connect, intertwine, change one another, and create my—our—everyone’s reality. The two people smiled at one another, reveling in the knowledge that they were infinitely connected.

“Okay, Zeph, let’s begin.”