Shadowwolf's blog: "Spiritual thoughts and ramblings"

I just finished watching the movie, and while it was on the inaccurate side of history, it did have a very good message on nobility and the kingdom of heaven. You see, western dogma has long put forth that the kingdom of heaven is both on some spiritual plain and will only be of this earth when Christ returns. And yet, crusades were fought to free the holy land of infidels. FYI, for the Christians, infidels meant Jews and Muslims. Actually, during the sack of Jerusalem when the first crusaders took the city, Roman Catholic Priests cheered the crusaders on as they committed atrocities that included rape, murder, torture, leaving not a citizen alive at the end of the blood bath. This was done in the name of God. As today, Muslim extremists use terrorism in the name of God. Not much difference really. The Prophet Mohammad said that all "peoples of the book" would be welcome in heaven, and as such were children of God. The peoples of the book are Muslim, Jew, and Christian. The terrorist who kill in the name of Allah or God are committing great sins, actually one of the unpardonable sins. Hence the problem of the Kingdom of Heaven. It is not some place beyond the world, in the afterlife, nor is it a place yet to exist. The Kingdom of Heaven is in your heart, mind and soul. A church may be called the house of God, but does that not contradict the statement that our bodies are temples to God? Does God need a house of stone on earth, or does he need a home where his spirit is a part of a persons life? Men have died in the name of god, not in battle, but for their faith, as martyrs to all faiths. Those who truly die, living the word of God, as a true martyr, put to death for their faith have already seen the kingdom of heaven, they have seen it in their reflection. How many of us can say that? Do we see the kingdom of heaven in our reflection, or do we see the image of what the material world has made us?

Strange about myths and legends, they all have some basis in fact. It is known that Arthur, most likely Artos, was the son of Uther, brother to the war king Ambrosius. The title war king means simply, the guy that leads the all the armies in a time of war. St. George, aka king George to none Catholics fought and killed something, hence St. George the dragon slayer. Charlemagne carried the spear of destiny, and one of his lieutenants carried what was clearly a cursed sword, since everyone that owned it died in a most gruesome fashion. Does this mean that Caliburn or Excalibur does exist? Probably not in the form we are used to seeing in the movies. Artos was pre middle ages, so the sword would be an early longsword based on a roman design. Plate mail armor wouldn't be around, but a breast plate and shield would be. Now here be the question of the day, some of the legends hint that should Arthur be needed again, he would return.... Other legends and myths concerning heroes hint at the same thing. So, if they were to return, would that mean the dragons would return as well? Personally, I could give up all of technology for a world of clean air, dragons, mages etc. The only problem is that dragons are rumored to have very anti social behavior and eating patterns.....

When was the last time you watched a sunrise? or a sunset? When was the last time you offered a helping hand? When was the last time you stopped to listen to the wind? When was the last time you stopped to admire the raw power of a thunderstorm? When was the last time you gave yourself credit for being a vital part of creation? When was the last time you allowed yourself to be moved by a piece of music? When was the last time you shed a tear for those who died in vain? When was the last time you watched an eagle or hawk on the wing? When was the last time you listened to the voice of the owl? When was the last time you just stopped and allowed yourself to be? When was the last time you thought you had the answers to all your questions, only to realize the questions you were asking were unimportant? When was the last time you felt the sun on your face? When was the last time you took pleasure in just being?

Have you ever thought about dragons? I mean really sat down and gave them serious thought. How could stone age, pre-middle age human society come up with a creature that so resembles your average meat eating dinosaur? Think about it, you take the basic description of a dragon, compare it to some of the flying dinosaurs and bingo, one dragon. Next, consider magic. Magic, as portrayed in myth and legend is more than potions, it is the ability to actually control the basic elements, earth, wind, fire and water. Why does every ancient culture describe wizards and witches in the same basic manner? Even historic figures, Charlemagne, for example was reputed to have some sort of enchanted sword, as well as the spear of destiny. In post roman great Britain, there was one ruler, Ambrosius who was said to have an enchanted sword, prior to him was the ruler Macsen, or Maximus, a roman Emperor who, for some reason ended up in England, and when he heard the throne in Rome had been given to another, he gathered an army to retake it, he carried the sword Caliburn, forged by a celtic swordsmith/wizard. Funny thing about these people, they are known to have existed, with historic records of them, even to the weapons they carried, and yet, today mainstream society dismisses all of this as myth, legend or fairy tales. Now, the question. When you consider that these items, magic, dragons, enchanted weapons, etc are evident in all cultures, what happened to the belief in them, or more importantly, what happened to the items themselves? Why, in the middle ages, did it become wrong to believe in all of this, yet to believe in the power of holy relics, miracles performed by pious or holy men or women? The main difference was that one form of mystical power was god based, the other was nature based. It became a sin, to the point of getting the label of witch to even practice or talk of such things. Yet, today, those 'pagan' beliefs, traditions, myths, legends cannot be discarded. Even in our modern world, people seem to have the 'gift,' the ability to see what will happen, what is not known. Some have demonstrated some slight control of the elements. Today we call these people psychics. I have another theory, I say it is the power of the old magic coming out again. During the Dark Ages, towns were populated by people that were related. Some families were known to have the gift, and they were considered the healers etc. In the modern world, the genetic code that deals with the gift has had a chance to intermingle with the genetics of countless races, allowing those with the gift to find other abilities. Would it be so bad to see true magic become common place? Perhaps, when magic is once more accepted and not condemned, we may yet see dragons. Would it be so bad? Keeping technology in some areas, and letting other fields return to the old ways.

I was once asked about my nick, how could I claim the title Medicine wolf, implying that I was a healer of some sort. The answer is simple, I am a healer, I am from the wolf clan of the eastern Cherokee. My name was given me by my grandfather, he too was known as Medicine Wolf. A few other thoughts concerning the wolf, wolf totem, wolf clan... There is only one Lord Wolf, the grandfather wolf to all wolves, the first one created by the creator. There can be no other, and anyone claiming the name is really asking for some bad medicine to drop on their pointy little heads. The wolf totem represents the teacher within us all. And finally, those of the wolf clan are descended from the first wolf, who took a Indian wife. We have an affinity for dogs, wolves, and the wild. I have woke up on camping trips and found I was sharing a fire with a pack of wolves. I was not threatened nor did I threaten them. Remember, the wolf has the family first mentality, everything else is second.

I do have tendency to confuse a lot of people when I mention just how old I am. If you count my age in the same manner as you would my ancestors, then I am 322 years old. In my bloodline, there are two direct lines to the clan of the wolf in two different tribes. Strangely enough, the story about the clans orgin is the same. You see it happened long ago.... Back when man and animal lived in peace, and the people were in harmony with creation, the great wolf, the first of his kind was hunting near a village. He saw a very beautiful young woman there, and feel instantly in love. He went to the creator. "Make me human, for I love a woman of the people." "I cannot, for you are the father to all the wolf people." "I beg you creator, if you do not, I shall die." The creator granted the wolf's wish, but only for one year. The manwolf went into the camp and quickly won the young woman's heart. And, when it was time for him to return to his own people, she gave birth to a son. The manwolf went to the chief of the village. "I am the great wolf, father of my kind. I have to return to my people. But, because of my love for your daughter, since I cannot be with her, I pledge the loyalty of my people." "My son will have the wisdom to teach, he will be able to hunt in the forests like my people. He will walk in the moonlight and into the spirit world when ever he wishes. He and his children shall always have the power of the wolf, for my blood flows inside them." With that he returned to his kind. But, he watches from the shadows of the forests, and he watches from beyond the veil in the spirit world. He is always with his children, both in the wild, and those who walk the world of men.