Tale of the Reluctant Muse-reposted

Before I incarnated to earth as a human, I served in the etheral world as a Muse.  Actually, I was an apprentice, learning my trade.  Early in my apprenticship I had a frightening experience.  I was called by the Master of Muses to mystically guide an earthling because all experienced Muses were already assigned.  I was alone in the crystal library studying when The Master instantly appeared.

"Taylo", he spoke softyl, looking at me with kindly eyes.  "I have need of your services on planet Earth."

I trembled at the thought of it.  There was no way I was prepared to be a Muse to anyone.  I was an apprentice.  I had never even been to Earth nor had I ever witnessed a Muse at work.  I  was unsure what a Muse was supposed to do.  My teachers had told me a Muse guides artists, muscians, inventors, writers, all who are blessed with a creative nature, by implenting in them thoughts and desires to excel at their craft.  I had not reached the learning level of implementing anything to anyone.  I had only been studying the various arts andd what they entailed.   My fear and uncertainty made me hesitant to reply to the Master. 

"You must leave post haste," he said as he began to disappear.

"But Sir," I frantically called out, "I know not how to be a Muse.  I am a new apprentice and have no experience."

The Master again became  clear in my vision.  This time his voice was not soft as before but strong, strident, as he looked at me with a firm and direct gaze.

"A muse is required on earth.  None but you are available.  You will go and do your best.  In a flash he was gone, disappeared in front of my eyes and I remained alone.

"Sir.  I pray thee, please. I am most unsuitable.  Perhaps in a short while a qualified muse will be available to serve you."   I stammered, fear quaking my very being.

From the corner of my eye I saw Melatio, director of transporting Muses, approaching me rapidly.

"The current to take you to earth is ready Taylo.  You must leave immediately ."

"I cannot go.  Please Melatio, tell the Master I am unprepared."

"Fear not, little friend.  The journey will give you time to study the book of Muses and you will learn the fundementals and from there you shall use your instinct."

He motioned  me to follow him.  Rushing faster than I thought possible, I tried asking questions but he ignored me."

"How will I know whom I am to help?'

"Will it be a muscian?  Perhaps an artist! Surely not a writer. I know very little of writing."

Stopping suddenly, he turned and I bumped into him.  We were nose to nose.  He quicly stepped back, reached his hand down to touch my quivering shoulder.  "Be not afraid Taylo.  You are an apprentice because you have been blessed with an inborn talent.  Whichever talent is required, you shall know what you are to do.  It is instinctive in all Muses.  Now hurry, the current will not wait."

I trembled even more than when the Master appeared before me.  I feared the task ahead and I feared the current.  I didn't even know what the current was, why did I fear it?  What if I failed?  Ahh, I thought, the true source of my fear is failure.  If I failed how would I face the other Muses, my teachers, The Master?

"Here we are!" Melatio stopped abruptly.  He pointed to an accumulation of solid matter.  This is the current that will transport you to earth.  All that you need is provided within the energy field.  Think a thought and you will have a response.  Ask a question and you will have an answer.  You will be guided by the atmosphere of intelligence.  Now go.  Hurry!  The current will not wait." 

Melatio pushed me torward the swirling mass which appeared to be surrounded by a mist.  As I stumbled, hesitated, and was again pushed, I entered the mist and was propoelled into an engulfing, energy.  A torrent of penetrating coils infused my very being.  It was as if I had connected to the field of all knowing, all wisdom, all eternal knowledge. 

I looked around and thought about the sudden awareness and immediately the responding thought came like a current. 

"You have entered the realm of wisdom united with the creative force of all that is.  It will give you what you need to perform your task.  Whenever required, go into yourself for the guidance to be what you are to be."

Concentrating, I thought, I'm not sure what I am supposed to be.

"A Muse!, came the responding thought, A Guide! An inspiration!  The Spark of an Idea!  The Generator of Dedication!

The response was didactic.  A cadence of exsaperated expression.  A hint of frustration, then a softer, but still determined thought, you can be an ember that  ignites a flame of creative genius.

What if I fail? 

Then you shall be an ash blown away by the wind.  I sensed it was a snide thought prompted by my lack of confidence.

As the current moved me through realms of existence, I felt various responses to my thoughts, my questions, my considerations.  It was as if a different energetic entity fielded the variant thoughts tcascading through my mind.

How will I know the one whom I am to guide? I pondered

The responde came quickly.  You will have two opportunities to choose which entity you are to mentor.  If the first one selected does not respond well to your influence, you will have one chance to choose, or be chosen by another.

I immediately felt a gravitational pull.  I was forced to adapt my breathing as a new atmosphere seeped into the current.  The confidence I had begun to acquire after hearing the responses to my thoughts began to ebb.

Be not afraid Taylo.  All that you need is within you.  Only one thing can stop your progress.  The one whom you connect with may refuse your guidance.  If the second chosen refuses, you will be forced to remain on earth until you are called home where you will be relagated to the hall of disappointment.  There you will assigned to another apprentiship within a different hierarchy.

As the atmosphere began to disintegrate around me, I felt a new strength forge into my thoughts.  I will not fail!  I will not fail.  I shall be the greatest Muse of all earthly time--- I hope, I added..

Everything around me faded into oblivion.  I felt myself seated on what I knew from previous learnings about earth was soil, a rich, dark, slightly damp field of dirt.  In the distance I saw a thick forest and heard the rush of water.  Perhaps a river, I thought as I pulled myself up. 

Wondering if I should go toward the forest or head to the river, I looked behind me and saw the spires of a church and roofs of buildings.  I knew it was a village.  Somehow I knew more than I had learned in the great halls of learning.  It was the all knowing wisdom I received in the atmosphere of intelligence.

As I moved toward the village, I could see the river flowing and knew its name as well as the name of the village.  It was Stratford and the river was Avon.

(To be continued)