Viking Post Battle Miniature Set

“A Little Tale”…

The battle had been long and hard. The enemy was strong and numerous; they seemed infinite. They just kept coming and coming at him and his men.

He had lost a number of good men under his command today in this battle; men who trusted him and followed him without question. He would miss each and every one of them.

As he thought about them, each of their faces flashed before his mind’s eye one by one and his eyes began to fill with tears. He forced them back. He was a warrior, a Viking, and so were they. They know the risks, as he did. Death always walks next to a Viking warrior in battle, waiting to snatch him to Valhalla.

He took comfort that they died bravely in battle, like men, Viking men, and that the battle was for the good. When one fights for the good and defeats evil, then a man’s death is not in vain.

As was always his custom after a battle, after he cleaned the blood from his sword, he set out two hand forged cups and his carafe, which had been his father’s. When his father died in battle, it passed to him, the eldest son. The carafe’s top was pierced with the blade that had slayed his father, as well as his father’s dried blood. And, each time he set out the two cups, one for himself and one for his deceased father, he relived his beloved father’s death years ago…

He was a young man. The idea of battle excited him and he fought hard. Since he had little experience in battle or witnessing death, he was fearless.  But, on this one particular day, he grew wise quickly when he saw his own beloved father, their chief and his hero, slain. He had been stabbed by a dagger when he and the enemy were both knocked off their horses. The young man ran to the site of the stabbing and with his sword, with one swing, cut off the enemy’s head.

Then he ran back to his father’s side, pulled the blade out of his father’s chest, and held him tightly in his arms, begging him not to die, as he bled to death.  He held his father, in the midst of the fighting going on around them, until his body was cold. He then stood and fought as he never fought before. He killed and killed with such rage and such pain. When the battle ended, he picked up his father’s lifeless body and carried it to his tent.

It was that day he created his post battle ritual of setting out two cups, one for his slain father and one for himself.  It was also the day, he took the dagger that had killed his father and rammed it into the metal cap of the carafe, where it has remained all these years. He drank the entire bottle of liquor himself, toasting his father, and then, passed out from both the shock and the liquor.



 

Tonight, as a man, he relived the day’s battle in his head, as well as his slain men’s names, toasting his father and each one of his dead Vikings.  As he drank, he felt his body relax and knew the liquor allow him to sleep.

The life of a warrior, Viking, and soldier is a hard one. In spite of the fact that they are fighting for a cause which they believe in, they still are left with horrific memories, pain, and loss. For each time, they take a life, good or bad; a part of them dies too.  

~Marsha J. West, Author

This “A Little Tale” (story) and Viking Set creation may not be copied, reproduced, republished, edited, downloaded, displayed, modified, transmitted, licensed, transferred, sold, stolen, distributed or uploaded in any way without my written permission. My work does not belong to the public domain. Marsha J. West ©all rights reserved.



 

For sale At Enchanticals, my Etsy shop.

www.Enchanticals.etsy.com

 

 

 

 

 



Thank you to all of you on FaceBook who have read my blog and a special thank you to those who joined are following it.

Followers of my Blog receive a onetime 15% discount on any purchase at my shop, Enchanticals.

Then, as a repeat buyer, you receive 10% off each purchase ~ always! (Details are in my shop policies.)

www.Enchanticals.etsy.com.

Be Enchanted Always, Marsha

Poe, My Friend

(These are not real crows, but toys… and NOT Poe.)

My biography at Enchanticals on Etsy used to tell the true story of my friendship with my beloved Poe, the crow. It is no longer there, but I want to share Poe’s story with you.

Poe was very dear to me and I want him to be remembered forever. So, I am posting on my blog about our friendship. I think of him every single time I go outside in my backyard.

I have no photos of Poe. So, I have provided photos of my backyard through its various stages of development. It looks very different now…mature and lush. But, these were when my Poe was with me.

Here is my story of my Poe and me…

I was adopted by a crow. Really! How lucky I was!

Whenever I went outside into my backyard, this large black crow with shiny feathers appeared. He lived… well; actually, I wasn’t exactly sure where he lived.

Amazingly, he appeared the minute I went outside. If our birdfeeders in our bird sanctuary were empty, he came up from behind me and gently tapped me on the right shoulder. Then, he sat on the fence watching and waiting for me to fill them. If I didn’t fill them right away, then he would fly up with feathers flying, circle around me, and again tap me on the right shoulder….this time with a little force. This was odd because, he never ate from the birdfeeders. Never.

Each day when I began to garden or do whatever it is I do when outside, he would join me by sitting on the fence moving along it, side-stepping, around the yard so he could watch me and be near. We didn’t talk. He just kept me company. I would try to strike up a conversation, but he was more of a listener than a talker.

And, when the birdbath needed water, he called my name, in crow, of course. If I was inside and didn’t hear him, he tapped on the window where, Thistle Bea, my precious Calico kitty, sits. Thistle Bea would then come to tell me to fill it.

Now, that is enchantment…

Then one day, my crow, Poe, left me a very special gift…one of his shiny black feathers. So, I pulled a hair out of my head and left it for him in return. If that had continued, one of us would have been bald.

Having him Poe with me outside daily was pure magic. I felt so lucky and enchanted. The garden felt magical for some reason.

But, sadly, my crow, Poe, died. He died a horrible death because of me.

The side of my house which faces the backyard is all windows. I had them tinted, but, in spite of that, my Poe, flew into one of them and cracked his skull open. He must have seen me in the house and flew to me, not seeing the glass of the window.

I ran outside after he slammed full force into the window, hoping he was okay. But, I found him dead. His brains were imbedded in my screen, on the window, and on the ground.

I picked him up and cradled him in my arms. That was the first time I ever got to touch and hold my Poe. He was still so warm, beautiful, black, and delicate. Even though his life energy left, I could still feel some of it as I held him.

I am very lonely now whenever I go outside. I keep looking for him on the fence, hoping maybe, just maybe, that was not my Poe who died. But, sadly it was.

After my Poe died, I experienced some very odd things.

Poe, as mentioned, never ate from the feeders in my bird sanctuary on the side of my house even though he insisted I fill them. I had to serve him his food in HIS special place.

A few weeks after his death, every day at the exact time, the bird sanctuary was filled with crows, blackbirds, and magpies. I had never seen a magpie in flesh nor should I say, in the wing, before… only in photos. They are so beautiful.

For some reason, when they all came and the bird sanctuary was filled to the brim with only black feathered birds, I was reminded of a New Orleans jazz style funeral.

They continued to come for about a three weeks. Then, they no longer came…not even one. The bird sanctuary was filled with all kinds of birds except black ones.I didn’t understand why. I still don’t. I thought they held me accountable for Poe’s death. Time went by and not a single black bird of any kind came into my yard. It was as if my yard and the sanctuary were now off limits.

Then one very hot day towards mid to late summer, while I was on my knees gardening, a large crow swooped down towards me to get my attention and then perch himself on the top edge of my pergola that covers my deck. He just sat there staring at me. I felt very uncomfortable as if he could see into me somehow or was sizing me up or judging me. Then, after what seemed like an eternity, he made a little sound in his throat, seemed to dismiss me, and flew away towards the east.

I was perplexed and felt, well, mixed emotions …discomfort, feeling I failed some test, and a deep sadness. I wanted my Poe.

Then, two weeks or so later, when I was sitting with my little Thistle Bea at her inside window seat, where she watches her bird friends, a large raven appeared and started eating out of the feeders. He was so big, black, and regal. After that day, he came, alone, every day at exactly the same time. He did this for what seemed to be more than a week. I am not sure.

Then, one day, after he arrived at the same time and ate, the bird sanctuary was filled, not only with all our regular birds and the big regal raven, but also with blackbirds of every kind.

For some reason, I had been exonerated. How do I know? Well, they came back... all of them... all except my Poe.

Poe will live forever in my heart. After all, that is now where he resides.

Marsha

Happy Valentine's Day

Fairy Queen Of Hearts Cabinet

Happy Valentine's Day from Enchanticals!

This cabinet will be listed shortly at Enchanticals on Etsy. (www.Enchanticals.etsy.com).

Be Enchanted Always, Marsha

Discounts Now Offered at Enchanticals at my Etsy Shop!

I am offering discounts to returning buyers and blog followers!!

~Returning Buyers~ I have the greatest buyers! So, to thank you, starting now… every time you buy something at Enchanticals (www.Enchanticals.etsy.com) , you will receive a 10% discount on items or a combination of items totaling over $5.00 or more (shipping, tax, and the like not included). Please note in your comments section that you are a returning customer. I am updating my buyers’ list.

~Enchanticals Blog Members~ Existing and New Members ~ My wonderful current blog members (thank you!) and new members of my blog will receive a onetime 15% discount on any item or combination of items totaling $5.00 or more (shipping, tax and the like not included.). Please note in your comments section that you are a follower of my blog or just joined my blog. I am updating my blog followers’ list.

If you are an existing buyer, as wel as a follower of my blog, the discounts can't be combined.
I am certain you understand.

I also offer a Layaway Plan at Enchanticals at Etsy. Let’s be honest, even though our economy is making our wallets slim, we still want to shop. It’s on our DNA; I think we all have a marker on our DNA for “Shop til you Drop!

With my Layaway Plan, you can spread your payments out over time and have no worries about interest charges, high credit limits or any of that jazz. Details of my Layaway Plan are in my Policies.

I have new items listed and will be listing more as the weeks go on. My creative juices are flowing like crazy.

Cupid’s Miniature Enchanted Supply Hutch

Being the son of Venus (goddess of love) and Mars, Cupid is a god himself. He was believed to be one of the primordial gods and so, naturally, he lived on Mount Olympus.

However, he loved to spend his time on the Earth shooting his arrows at humans. Cupid supposedly carried two sets of arrows: one gold-headed, which inspires love; and the other lead-headed, which inspires hatred.

While on the Earth, even Cupid needs a place to keep all his possession, such as his love potions, Love Dust, the snake that tempted Adam and Eve, and his book of Love Spells, just to name a few, as well as his bow and arrows.  So, he created a hutch for all of them… much like this one. 

Having the powers of the Gods, Cupid keeps his enchanted hutch hidden where no one can find it. He can hide his hutch in such a way no one can find it. Plus, he has endowed it with the ability to “move” with him wherever he goes. A simple beckon of his finger and …POOF! It appears wherever he is.

Listed for sale at Enchanticals…Here is the direct link to Enchanticals:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Enchanticals?ref=si_shop

Have a love filled Valentine’s Day!

And, remember to make it enchanted, Marsha

Perfect Time of Year for…

In late January, when I looked out my window at my backyard, I noticed the little wizard, who lives under my plumbago bush, scurrying about. He was carrying crystal balls and placing them gently in certain areas of the yard, after consulting the sky, moving other crystal balls from their current location to a new one, and bringing the remaining ones back inside his house. Naturally, I was more than curious, so I opened my patio doors and made my way over to him.

The little wizard is very powerful, wise, and very old, but still spry. As I am certain you know, wizards live many many years longer than humans, thus, the age much slower than we do.

His house, under my plumbago bush, was the house I made for our yard toad, but the little wizard commandeered it and claimed as his own. From the outside it looks like the one I made from an over turned clay pot with a hole in front so the toad could go in and out. I had decorated it with colorful flat backed glass marbles in bright colors and different colors of sea glass.

However, once the wizard moved in, it no longer remained the toad house I made or, for that matter, the toad’s house. The toad moved elsewhere. But, the house itself changed. Inside, the wizard’s home is gigantic with room after room after room, seemingly going on forever. Each room has its own designated purpose, such as the potion room, the alchemy room, the spell room, the invention room, and his library, which must have a zillion books stuffed on all of the shelves of the entire floor to ceiling bookcases. The books, in spite of all the shelves, still spill over onto chairs, the floor, and on his desk.  Being inside is rather mind boggling on many levels.

Well, for example, one of them is the fact that I am a human and, thus, human sized. But when the little wizard invites me inside his house, I fit.

Well, back to the crystal balls…

Approaching my little wizard friend, I noticed for the first time, he was dressed rather formally with a long purple velvet robe and matching tall wizard’s hat with a very wide stiff brim. Both were decorated with unfamiliar symbols, numerous gems and crystals, and cryptic drawings. He looked very regal.  The long robe dragged on the ground but didn’t hamper his rapid movements one bit.

He didn’t notice me.  And, to my embarrassment, I almost tripped him by stepping in his way as he was dashing back to his house.  Of course, that resulted in him seeing me.  His expression was hard to read, but it seemed to be a mixture of pleasure to see me and annoyance at my being there.

Unable to truly read his reaction and feeling uncomfortable about being there, as well as, the fact that he is a very powerful wizard, I did not want to tempt fate and spend the rest of my life as a spider, so, I decided to leave him to whatever he was doing. After all, it was really none of my business.

I cleared my throat, apologized for almost tripping him, and then very politely said, “I can see you are very busy and this is a bad time. I will catch up with you another day.” After saying that, I turned toward my house and started walking back. Part of me wanted to run, but I held my composure and walked slowly, head held high, towards my patio doors.

“Wait!” he shouted suddenly and very loudly which started me to such I degree that I stopped dead in my tracks, not even blinking an eye. I stood there waiting to be turned into a spider or some other insect, but instead, the little wizard said, “No, don’t go! Please come back. I apologize for my rudeness.” He then continued, “I could really use a break right now. Come join me for some tea in my library. I will get a nice fire going.”

Now, here comes that odd part I told you about… The next second I was inside his little house. I went from human size to his miniature size.  Just like that, feeling nothing.

I knew which of the many rooms his library was so I made my way to it and there he was with a beautiful fire going and two large old wooden cups brimming with pine tea, my favorite. The fire was especially beautiful, shooting off little flashes of red, blue, and then green. He gestured for me to be seated in “my” chair and, after I was seated, he sat down and sighed.  He sat quietly with his eyes closed, holding his tea near his face, seemingly deep in thought.

I sipped my hot tea and looked around the library at all the chaos...books everywhere, papers and scrolls here and there, scraps of paper all over the floor with notes on them written in foreign and ancient alphabets, spilled ink on the wooden floor… How could he or anyone, for that matter, function in such a mess?

We sat like that for a bit and then said, “You are, of course, curious about what I am doing, yes?” I nodded. He smiled. “That is one of the many things I like about you, Marsha, you have a curious nature like a cat! That is very healthy. It means that you love knowledge and learning.”

At first, when he posed the question about my curiosity, I could feel my face starting to turn bright red in embarrassment, but that passed when he finished his sentence. I didn’t want him to think me noisy but, it seemed, he did not.

“No need to be embarrassed, My Dear. It is not every day that you see me running hither and yon with crystal balls, moving them to and from specific locations.  I am not going to attempt to explain to you why I choose one location over another and what makes one preferable to another or why I keep moving the crystals balls. It will be too much for you to comprehend.” I took offense at that statement, but let it pass, because my curiosity got the better of my ego.

“You see, during this time in the Wheel of the Year, it is the ideal time to energize and infuse new crystal balls, re-energize used ones, and remove any negativity or evil from misused ones. At this time, Light starts to overcome Darkness. As you know, and what is it you humans call it, ahhhh, yes, yes, in December… the shortest day in the Wheel of the Year,  is the time when Darkness is losing its power over the earth and Light is increasing its power. So Light’s energy is at an all time high. Darkness does not wish to let go, so Light must use all the strength, power, and energy it build up during the Dark time and force itself, the Light, to take control and defeat Darkness. Each day, Light’s energy and power grows stronger and stronger and Darkness is defeated and relegated to a secondary position. “

“Of course, as we know, life is cyclical, thus, Darkness will once again defeat Light in Midsummer and the cycle will continue, as it has for eons. But now, Light’s energy will keep growing until it reaches its peak at the end of the month called January.

 So, I must get all these crystal balls energized, re-energized, and infused with Light’s full energy and power before its peak levels off….then wanes as the Year of the Wheel turns.  So, I must keep moving them and rotating them to capture the highest energy vibrations which Light emits as the Sun rotates its position in the Heavens. Now, there you have it, Child. Now, sit and finish your tea. I must get moving.  Time never stops…nor will it ever.”

As he was leaving, he turned and said to me, “Ahh, do leave the door open when you leave.” Then, he was off with a handful of crystal balls. Taking that as my cue, I quickly gulped down what was left of my tea and went to the front door only to find myself outside and human sized again.

~Marsha J. West, Author

(This  story, creation, and work may not be copied, reproduced, republished, edited, downloaded, displayed, modified, transmitted, licensed, transferred, sold, distributed or uploaded in any way without my written permission. My work does not belong to the public domain.)

Many of these crystals balls and scrying balls are for sale at Enchanticals. (www.Enchanticals.etsy.com)

Some are ones that have been sold. However, as of yet, I have not listed all of them in my shop. If you see one you like and it is not yet listed, just convo me at Enchanticals at Etsy and tell me which one you are in need of buying.

Be Enchanted Always, Marsha