The Guide

I stood along a flowing river. I felt calm as the sun warmed my pale skin. I looked around at the canopy of trees that surrounded the clearing. I watched confused as the trees moved in the eerily still wind. I studied the large oaks, trying to see what filled the leaves.

Ravens…

The trees were filled with thousands of stunning ravens. They cawed and flapped their strong wings, but none moved from their perch. I watched them carefully as they watched me.

The trees are filled with thousands of ravens…

…Your spirit animal

I shielded my eyes as a young man walked towards me. As he shadowed the light I noticed that he wore his dirty blonde hair in a braid down his back. The sides of his head were cropped short and blueish tattoos decorated his skin. His crystal blue eyes beckoned me forward as his presence instantly eased my anxiety.

I know him…

…Ask him his name

I followed my shaman’s advice and asked this stranger his name. He gave me a coy smile, “You should know my name, I shouldn’t have to tell you.”

I should know it…

“Well… what am I supposed to call you then?”

“Whatever you like,” he smirked at me. 

“That’s very helpful,” I scoffed as he laughed. His smile filled me with anemoia. I stared at him as my mind raced to place his energy. “Will you stay with me,” I asked him.

“I’m always with you. I never seem to leave,” he paused and looked at me as if he would lose me, “besides, why would I want to leave when I have just found you again.” This statement confused me even more because surely, I had never met this man before. I would remember if a handsome Viking walked into my life. But somehow I felt that I had met this mischievous man before.

Ragnar…

The wind seemed to whisper his name, so I repeated, “Ragnar?” He gave me that smile again and I could feel my stomach flutter.

“It might be… or it might not. But you don’t want me to tell you the answer. You want to find it for yourself… like these great mysteries you enjoy.” I studied the young man’s face, full of scars and tan from being outdoors. The tattoos decorating his skin were faded from the years of sun abuse. I questioned my instant connection to this stranger, something I wasn’t very used to. The wind blew my hair and I noticed the silver streaks intertwined with my dark brown.

I am old… 

But he is young…

“Well, what should I call you then?”

He shrugged, “Whatever you would like. Come… sit with me by the river.” My feet followed him on their own accord. He reached into the flowing water and pulled out a rough stone. The stranger walked over to me as I sat down on the riverbank. I could feel the dampness from the ground as if I was really sitting by this river. I didn't have much time to dwell on that thought as he sat down next to me and handed me the soft pink crystal. It was heavy and cool in my hand.

Rose quartz…

…He’s connected to your heart

I stared at the man as he twirled my hair around his fingers. “Were we together in a past life,” I asked.

He smirked at me as he rested his head on his knees, “Define together.”

I smiled backed, “We knew each other?”

“Yes, we knew each other.”

“Did we raid together?”

“Oh yes! You were a fierce shieldmaiden. Don’t you remember?” 

“I want to,” I said as I tried to remember a life once lived. I looked at his tattoos and it was as if my soul began to remember this forgotten life. I could feel the weight of a sword and shield in my hands. I could hear the battle cries ringing through my ears. I looked down at the crystal.

“Why are you here, stranger?”

He laughed “To take you back to the to the Aesir!” His face was soft, but his eyes held a childish excitement. “Where we will fight all day with all the other warriors, and then, when we’ve had our fill of battle, we will dine in the hall of the Gods with Odin, the Allfather, and Freya.” I stared at him in amazement.

Odin… 

Freya… 

The Aesir…