The Sculptor

I wait for the darkness, the deafening rumble as the last stone is rolled into place. Although my eyes are wide with fear they see no more. I hear the beating in my chest pounding through my ears. I taste…

Nigredo

Nigredo is the first stage of the transmutation of the philosophers stone.It really isn’t that complicated, yet it takes great suffering, courage, and a profound realisation to get to this stage.Let’s explore this alchemical process which is often represented symbolically…

Goosed

Christmas is coming and the Goose is getting fatI looked into the mirror and said,Well, that is just a factMy doctor said it’s serious,that I should really lose some weightSo, this year I’m going to havejust sprouts upon me plateAnd…

Man’s Folly

Man’s Folly He left me here. He is all I have ever known: my protector my confidante.I travelled with him. We became close; he took risks, said I was worth it.Then without a second thought I was cast aside when…

Stephanie

Stephanie studied her face in the mirror. ‘Not bad,’ she thought, ‘not bad considering.’ Even at forty she wasn’t just pretty or attractive but incredibly beautiful. Her childhood was happy, everybody loved her and school had been a breeze. She…

The Old Mill

A man looks at grain in his hand

Michael was later than usual taking the dog out. They’d had friends round for a meal, drunk a lot of wine and the conversation and laughter had kept everybody together well past midnight. It would be good to have some…

The Christmas Visit

The first time my wife came to see me after our enforced separation I was more than a little surprised. It had been over a year now and to be quite honest I never thought that I would see her…

Dust

“I’ll show you fear,” the cowboy saidAs we travelled the Wastelands together“I’ll give you a handful of dust” “There is nothing to fear from dust,” I said“I keep three boxes by my bedThese are my rocksGround down by lifeNot living…

Never Too Mighty

Oberon stared up at the tree. ‘Who hung him?’ ‘I did.’ ‘Why?’ ‘Because he stole something precious, he broke the rules.’ ‘Why have I been brought here?’ ‘Because you stole something precious, you broke the rules. Come with me and…