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ethereal-night-fairy · 5 months

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Autumn's Day

@ghouljams Oc Witch X Female Reader (Rún)

It was an autumn's day when you first fell in love.

This is based of @ghouljams Fae!Au for call of duty and my story Forgotten sorrows.

Warnings: Light mention of bullying and child abuse nothing graphic, hurt/comfort, angst, low self-esteem and confidence. But alot of soft moments too.

Masterlist

Words: 3.1K

You stand and watch different hues of maple leaves dancing in the wind. The warm colours felt out of place compared to how cold the weather felt. It had slipped your mind to grab your gloves on your way out the door. There weren't many people on this side of the park. But you could still hear the cheerful screams of children playing, getting excited for the Halloween festival. They were decorating the park with autumn garlands and stringed lights when you had walked by earlier. It was a week-long event in the city. A holiday cherished greatly by the residents. The autumn wind had lost the warmth of summer as October was coming to an end. It also signified the end of mushroom season. Which brought back a very fond memory. You pull your coat closer as you reminisce as the wind calms to a breeze dropping all leaves to the ground.

You were in your room when the knock rang out through the orphanage. You had to scramble in the tight space of the closest sized room situated right beside the boiler cupboard. You used to share a room with two other girls, one being Daisy. But after stuff kept going missing or being broken you were moved here as a temporary measure they had said. It's been 3 years since then and you've turned 9. It's also been a year since you've met a wonderful friend even after everyone had stopped talking to you outside of necessity. The car incident was a very awful period in your life and Witch and her family had played a big part in getting you through it.

You grab your tote bag and stuff your pencil and sketchbook which you had bought from Poundland on your birthday. You clumsily grab your school shoes from under your desk and put them on as quickly as you could. Racing down the stairs you call out to whoever had answered the door for your friend.

“I'll be out in a bit! I just need to grab a few things”, you run to the kitchen and grab the zip lock bags and a small container with freshly made Blondies you had specifically put aside after you were done baking in the morning. You found it a little easier to breathe when people didn't talk to you so harshly. They were the least harsh when food and baked goods were made for them and the house was engulfed in its smell. It was also easier to get permission to leave the orphanage on days like this. You had gotten quite adept at making new snacks and recipes. Especially considering what food was available in the orphanage. And the younger kids would often come to you when they were hungry because they liked the way you cooked. They didn't ignore you as much compared to the older kids or shove you into things when the grown ups weren't looking. The carers were also less harsh with your punishments when you helped them out with chores. They didn't take away your sketchbook anymore but you were still expected to eat in your room alone on difficult days or go to bed with no food at all depending on what you were accused of doing.

After gathering everything you run towards the front door. Opening it you see Witch waiting by the entrance with her grandmother and sister. She was such a radiant sight as if the sun herself had grown legs. As if she morphed herself into a sweet little girl and decided she wanted to walk the earth. Wearing her beautiful handmade dress and the flower crown you had gifted her yesterday you found yourself at a loss for words. The flowers hadn't lost an ounce of their vitality. They were in full bloom intertwined in her pretty hair. Your heart felt warm and fuzzy knowing she liked the gift. You couldn't help but be excited as you skip towards them happily. Your cheeks were hurting by the sheer amount of times you caught yourself smiling today looking forward to this outing. You knew in your heart this day would be one to remember. When you reach them the first thing you do is greet her grandmother as you hand her the brownies to enjoy later on with her girls. Witch grabs your hand and your heart almost stops beating. You should be used to her holding your hand by now but it felt odd considering the only physical affection you received is from her. You were happy nonetheless, perhaps a little clammy but happy. Her grandmother takes the younger sister's hand and you all walk to the park to gather mushrooms.

Your eyes never leave her. Mapping out all the details of her face as she speaks. Her eyes lighting up with so much joy for today's outing. You don't think you've said much since you entered the forest side of the park. You're happy just listening to her soothing voice. Hearing her tell you all about the mushrooms and herbs she knew was very endearing especially when she went into detail about the uses they have in magic spells, potions and wards not that you knew how any of that worked. Even though you two were the same age it seemed she had an overflowing wealth of knowledge. Potential she was slowly learning to tap into. Generation upon generation of strength, love, protection was crammed into the little body walking next you, you wondered how she managed to withstand the weight of such care. She stood tall not in height but in sheer resolve. It was an image that would evoke pure admiration. Your fingers itch to carve her soul into paper. Just a small piece tucked away for yourself so you could remember this moment of utter bliss. Seeing her in her element was an otherworldly experience.

Her hand leaves yours as her grandmother directs her on what mushrooms are needed. You miss the warmth that engulfed your hand for that short walk. But you ignore it as you go help her gather whatever she needs as her grandmother continues to hold her little sister who had grown tired of walking now. Witch would point and tell you what mushrooms were called and what dishes you could cook with them since you wouldn't be using them for magic. It was a nice moment and your little hands would carefully pluck and place some of the edible fungus in your ziplock bags. Once you were done Witch had gone and placed all the ingredients she harvested in her grandmother's baskets while also cooing and playing with her sister as she was a little fussing not being allowed to run around the forest. You take your sketchbook out to doodle some little drawings on plants and such while also sneaking in some sketches of Witch from time to time as you watch them play.

She was so so gentle and sweet with her, calmly explaining why she couldn't just run around. Carrying her sister with some difficulty in her small arms to get her to smile. Taking her little hands in her own, helping her jump up and down on the fallen leaves to get her to laugh again while also helping her grandmother gather and carry the harvest. Not only today, whenever you would visit her home or her grandmother's, she was always doing something productive. Either reading new spell books or honing in on her potion skills. Taking care of her garden. Helping her sister with homework. She was always doing something. You knew she enjoyed learning but you wished she had more time to herself. Whenever you saw her she was always helping someone. Always going the extra mile to make people feel taken care of.

The realisation hits you out of nowhere. The amount of weight and responsibilities she carries without complaining, it would crush the majority of adults you knew. The magic that resides inside of her small body was surely a very heavy presence, you feel it often through her warmth. The weight of the sun she was upholding. If she didn't control it, if she didn't reign it in, she could scorch the entire planet if she wanted. She was more than capable of it. Though you doubt she would ever hurt innocent people.

Her responsibilities ran much deeper than you had originally thought. Making sure this magic, so closely guarded and cared for, would continue on for generations to come. Passing down centuries worth of knowledge to the next lineage you first have to learn centuries worth of knowledge. Learning hundreds of years worth of practiced magic and traditions couldn't be easy to handle. Retaining all that information would take its toll. She was only young yet her knowledge was beyond people her age, it probably far exceeds the intelligence of many adults as well. You wonder with so much pressure on her, how she keeps her head so high. Does the weight of the world not bring her down? Does the pull of gravity not get too much? It reminds you of that Shakespeare quote. ‘Uneasy is the head that wears the crown’. A crown of duty and commitment. To be precise and controlled so that her world would know order.

You wanted to alleviate some of that weight so badly. Share the burden of the heavy crown on her head. But as much as you desired to do, it always felt like she was taking on your burdens than you hers. In her presence you have only ever felt ease, warmth and care. You wondered what she felt with you. Was it a mutual feeling? Or was she just this kind to everyone? Would she even want to stay friends in the future? Things were bad with you now, what if they got worse in the future? She shouldn't have to deal with that just because you two were friends. You knew it was selfish to be her friend knowing all the trouble your existence causes yet you find yourself unable to let go. She was the only one not afraid to be near you, to not blame you when things went wrong. Yet if you truly loved her you know you should let her go. Maybe you could be selfish a little longer though? No harm had come to her yet, mostly due to her family's wards but you hoped she'd never get hurt because of you. Maybe then you'd allow yourself to stay by her side. You promise yourself if the circumstances change and you become harmful for her you'll leave.

You continue to draw mushrooms while Witch goes to show her sister different types of plants. The wind dances around you three carrying leaves along for the ride. Seeing her hair ruffled from the wind made you want to brush your fingers through it. But you settle for just drawing it down on paper, you wanted to remember this image and laugh about it in the future with her. You don't know how long you'll get or how long this friendship will last. So you needed to persevere these small moments so you can remember that you did in fact know joy. You watch her explain to her sister in simple words on what mushrooms were used for what spells. Witch was patient and understanding when she didn't quite get it. You heard her sister ask a question that made Witch laugh and placed a kiss on her forehead as she tried explaining again as their grandmother was behind them laughing along. You get up and look away letting them enjoy their tender moments together. It felt odd for you to witness it, like you weren't supposed to be here. You walk to another section of the forest still close by though, only a couple feet away. But before you could pick the mushrooms you were about to pick. Your hand is gently grabbed and engulfed in similar warmth to Witch. Her grandmother pulls you back with care.

“Not those ones sweetheart, those belong to the Fae”, she points to the fairy ring you were about to pick from. “It's best if you keep away from them, unless you want to be taken to the wild”, she laughs lightly making a joke but the thought sticks inside your head. Would it be better for you to go to the wild? To disappear, to go somewhere you couldn't cause trouble. You knew for a fact if you didn't return to the orphanage today everyone would probably breathe a sigh of relief at your disappearance. You don't get much time to dwell on it before you hear Witch come over with her sister and takes your hand to get you further away as her grandmother watches with a gentle look in her eyes while she follows behind picking up the baskets and taking the younger girl's palm in hers so you two can walk ahead.

“I think we've gathered enough for today, wouldn't want you to disappear on us”, she jokes while squeezing your hand, walking the path back to the built up park. A little distance away from her grandmother and sister.

“Doesn't sound so bad”, you say under your breath but you watch her face fall at your words.

“I-I was just kid-”

“I'd be devastated if you disappeared”, she states with the most serious expression you've ever seen on her face. “I'd be so sad if I never got to see you again. Or not being able to see what new art you've made, or hearing you talking about all the different types of art supplies you know about. I'll miss seeing you smile at me when you come to visit. I'll miss the way the air smells so sweet when you're around, or how your magic plays and messes with my hair because you can't control it. Or how it makes me feel breezy on difficult days. I'll miss you telling me your silly little jokes, I'll miss you being sneaky trying to drink my test potions. Or just having stupid arguments with you. I'll miss spending time with you, having adventures with you, learning new things with you, having fun with you. I'll miss you.”

You were left speechless, your heart was fluttering in your chest. Never in your life had you felt so seen, so valued, so loved. You look at her as if she was the source of all the warmth in the universe. Feeling as if your world would freeze over if you let her go. You look into her eyes with all the love and affection you possessed as you squeeze her hand tightly not knowing how else to express your appreciation. You fight back the sting of tears not wanting to make this a big deal. But you knew at that moment you'd do your utmost to make her life a little less weighted, a little more fun and carefree. If she wanted you as much as you wanted her you'd find a way to be by her side. And if the time ever came and you were doing more harm than good you'd leave. But for now you'll enjoy her presence as much as you're allowed to do so. The rest of the walk was silent but you did give her a kiss goodbye on the cheek. Promising to meet soon. Gently strumming away at the golden tether until your next encounter.

You suppose a lot has changed since then, you've both grown into young adults. You both have learned and accomplished many things. But that feeling of raw love never left. The light fluttering of your heart was ever present regardless of the fact if you had tethers or not. Though the tethers always amplified the feelings. Not having them prevented you from getting too greedy. When you had initially found out about Price you were scared, thinking he'll steal her away forever. But when you had seen the way he looked at her you knew no harm would come of it. Maybe just your loneliness after her disappearance. He'd bring her back wouldn't he? You thought you'd be jealous and to be honest you were at the start a little bit. You felt threatened by his expansive power. How he could so easily ease her worries, take the brunt of the weight of the world. Something you still couldn't accomplish thus far.

But the thing is, you wouldn't blame her if she did decide to leave. With how heavy her burden has been all these years she deserves to go to a place where none of that matters. Where she has no responsibilities or duties to worry about. Somewhere she could just be herself and that was more than enough. You'd survive knowing she was taken care of. Though life would be bleak without her warmth and light. You have plenty of memories to turn back to when things get rough. Not to mention the sketchbooks you've filled with your adventures together. So many pages filled with glimpses into the past. Her radiant eyes, her perfect smile, eternally embedded into the cotton fibers of the sheets. Moments in time recorded on paper, cherished and loved to hold forever. You'd survive, you know you would. You had too. Her memory had to live on through you and your art. She'd forever be your muse. Until time himself came to hand you over to death.

Your steps slow as you look up approaching the ancient cottage. Seemingly out of place compared to the newer houses beside it. But this house was here first, timeless in its construction. It shall forever remain here as long as her bloodline runs.

You watch as Price and Witch exit the front door. You watch as he places the gentlest kiss by her ear whispering something that made her smack him and laugh. He gives her back a tender caress fixing her pretty dress before being shooed away. She looked so carefree, so light. Like she was finally coming into her skin. Not being forced to embody the sun anymore she could choose to be her rays instead. Free to go anywhere where the light could touch, not afraid to be snuffed out. They wait by the front gate as you approach smiling at you. Her eyes lighting up as you go to hug her tightly, Price watching you both with amusement as you eye him wearily. You don't know how much time you have left before he takes her. All you could do was make the most of it. She links her arms with you and Price as you begin walking to? Doesn't matter where you'd follow until you couldn't no more.

#1fae1 #forgotten sorrows #ghouljams oc witch #fae!price #fae!au #i love writing about witch and Rúns relationship and childhood #call of duty fanfic #call of duty #captain john price #oc #oc x someone else's oc #reader x someone else's oc #john soap mactavish #cod #cod mw2

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thevalleyisjolly · 1 year

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12,20,22 silm or just the legendarium in general?

Ooh, nice! Thanks anon!

12. the unpopular character that you actually like and why more people should like them

I mean, the obvious answer is Elwing, but there's already a lot of posts out there about why people should at least treat her with more understanding and compassion even if they don't like her. So I'm actually gonna go with the Valar as a whole! I think there's a common perception in the fandom of the Valar as gods given the roles they occupy in the story and the world, which leads into a weird dissonance where they're simultaneously criticized for interfering too much and not enough. After all, if they're all-powerful beings, isn't it their responsibility to *checks notes* make sure nothing bad ever happens while also never infringing on the free will of any being in existence?

If they are gods or god-like figures though, I think they're less akin to depictions of the Christian god and more like the Norse or the Greek gods - very powerful beings with unique perspectives on the world due to their responsibilities and relationships within it, who also have flaws and who make mistakes that have drastic consequences. And on a meta level, they need to make those mistakes because there is no story otherwise - let's just avoid the whole Trojan war by having Aphrodite, Athena, and Hera wisely and peaceably agree to a draw!

Anyways, while I think it's valid to criticize and disagree with the Valar's decisions, I also think it's a lot more interesting to examine them as actual characters inextricably involved in the events of the narrative, looking at what kinds of roles they occupy in the legendarium - both in terms of their in-universe positions and in terms of their meta significance. What concepts or themes do they represent? What do they see their role in the world as, and what roles are they perceived as having by others? What types of perspectives or relationships do they have with other characters, and how does that inform their decisions? It might also be interesting to do an intertextual comparison of the Valar with other mythological figures.

20. part of canon you found tedious or boring

I still have not actually finished the Unfinished Tales, and at this point, I'm committed to the bit.

22. your favorite part of canon that everyone else ignores

I don't know how ignored it is, but I am intrigued by whatever the hell Galadriel was doing for most of the First Age. Girl explicitly comes to Middle-earth on a colonizing mission (as opposed to revenge or familial loyalty or Noldorin self-determination), spends a while chilling in Doriath learning magic from Melian and presumably making sexually charged eye contact with Celeborn, and then goes on an ambiguously prolonged trip over the mountains before coming back after half the continent's been destroyed to tell Eönwe thanks but no thanks on that pardon. What were you up to, o maiden crowned with radiant garland? What were you doing (apart from Celeborn)?

#thanks anon!

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teethreplacement · 3 months

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A Comprehensive Guide To Affordable Teeth Replacement Choices

Introduction

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#dental #teeth replacement #dentist #dentistry #dentures

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centerspirited · 6 months

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#IFTTT #centerspirited.com

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finarfiniel · 4 years

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tag drop!

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church-history · 3 years

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Our Lady’s Message At La Salette - Sep 19th 1846

Near this little fountain the two children layed down on the grass and fell asleep. How long their slumber lasted is not certain – half an hour perhaps, or three quarters of an hour or possibly more. In any case Melanie suddenly awoke and called Maximin: “Memin, Memin, let us go and find our cows, I cannot see them anywhere.” Of course, being at the bottom of the little ravine, they could not see the meadow where they had left them. Quickly they climbed the slope opposite Mount Gargas (hence they were standing on what is now the esplanade in front of the basilica). Turning around they could view the entire alpine pasture land and were greatly relieved to see that their cows had remained where they had been left, peaceably chewing the cud. Reassured, Melanie began to redescend towards the dried-up fountain to recover her little sack of provisions before once again watering the cows. Half-way down the grassy slope she paused immobilized, frozen with fear. “Memin”, she called out, “look at that great light over there”. “Where is it?”, the boy replied, as he ran and stood at her side. (At the place of the Apparition two statues represent the children on the slope of the ravine, in the first stage of the Event.) At the very spot where they had slept was a globe of fire, as if, in the children's words, “the sun had fallen there”.

The light swirled, then grew in size and, opening, disclosed within it a woman, seated, her head in her hands, her elbows on her knees, in the attitude of one oppressed with grief. Melanie, in her fright, raised her hands and dropped her shepherd's staff. Maximin thought only of defending himself. “Keep your stick”, he said to her, “I will keep mine and will give it a good whack if it does anything to us” ...Even after she conversed with them, the children could not identify their heavenly Visitor. They would simply call her “the Beautiful Lady”.

The Beautiful Lady:

The beautiful Lady now stood up while the children remained transfixed where they were. She said to them in French: “Come near, my children, be not afraid. I am here to tell you great news”. Fully reassured by these words the children hurried to meet her. Her voice, they said, was like music. They approached so near her that, as they later expressed it, another person could not have passed between them and her. The Lady also took a few steps towards them. They looked at her and noticed that she did not cease weeping all the time she spoke to them. As Maximin put it, “She was like a mama whom her own children had beaten and who had escaped to the mountain to weep.” The beautiful Lady was tall and seemed to be made of light. She was dressed like women of the region with a long dress, an apron nearly as long as the dress, a shawl that crossed over her breast and was knotted in the back, and a cap or bonnet similar to the ones worn by peasant women. Roses crowned her head while another wreath of roses adorned the edges of her white shawl and a third garland surrounded her shoes. Over her brow shone a light in the form of a diadem. On her shoulders shone a heavy chain and from a smaller golden chain hung a resplendent crucifix with a hammer and pincers placed on each side of the Cross, a little beyond the nailed hands.

The Message:

The unknown Lady now spoke to the children. “We were drinking her words”, they would say later, adding, “she wept all the time she spoke to us”. “Come near, my children, be not afraid; I am here to tell you great news. “If my people will not submit, I shall be forced to let fall the arm of my Son. It is so strong, so heavy, that I can no longer withhold it. “For how long a time do I suffer for you! If I would not have my Son abandon you, I am compelled to pray to him without ceasing; and as to you, you take not heed of it. “However much you pray, however much you do, you will never recompense the pains I have taken for you. “Six days I have given you to labor, the seventh I have kept for myself; and they will not give it to me. It is this which makes the arm of my Son so heavy. “Those who drive the carts cannot swear without introducing the name of my Son. These are the two things which make the arm of my Son so heavy. “If the harvest is spoilt, it is all on your account. I gave you warning last year with the potatoes (‘pommes de terre’) but you did not heed it. On the contrary, when you found the potatoes spoilt, you swore, you took the name of my Son in vain. They will continue to decay, so that by Christmas there will be none left.” The French expression “pommes de terre” intrigued Melanie. In the local dialect the word for potatoes was “las truffas”, whereas “pommes” for Melanie meant the fruit of the apple tree. Hence she instinctively turned towards Maximin to ask for an explanation, but the Beautiful Lady forestalled her. “Ah, my children, you do not understand? Well, wait, I shall say it otherwise”.

And she continued her discourse in the local dialect of their region. “If you have wheat, it is no good to sow it; all you sow the insects will eat, and what comes up will fall into dust when you thresh it.” “There will come a great famine. Before the famine comes, the children under seven years of age will be seized with trembling and will die in the hands of those who hold them; the others will do penance by the famine. The walnuts will become bad, and the grapes will rot.” Here the Beautiful Lady addressed the children separately, confiding to each a secret. She spoke first to Maximin, and though the little shepherd did not perceive that her tone of voice had changed, Melanie at his side could not hear a word, though she still saw the Beautiful Lady's lips moving. Then came Melanie's turn to receive her secret under like conditions. Both secrets were given in French. Again addressing the two children in the idiom familiar to them, the Lady continued: “If they are converted, the stones and rocks will change into mounds of wheat, and the potatoes will be self-sown in the land. “Do you say your prayers well, my children?”, she asked the shepherds. Both answered with complete frankness: “Not very well, Madam”. “Ah, my children”, she exhorted them, “you must be sure to say them well morning and evening. When you cannot do better, say at least an Our Father and a Hail Mary; but when you have time, say more.” “There are none who go to Mass except a few aged women. The rest work on Sunday all summer; then in the winter, when they know not what to do, they go to Mass only to mock at religion. During Lent, they go to the meat-market like dogs.” “Have you never seen wheat that is spoilt, my children?”, the Beautiful Lady then asked them. “No, Madam”, they replied. “But you, my child”, she insisted, addressing the little boy in particular, “you must surely have seen some once when you were at the farm of Coin with your father. (Coin was a hamlet near the town of Corps). The owner of the field told your father to go and see his ruined wheat. You went together. You took two or three ears of wheat into your hands and rubbed them, and they fell into dust. Then you continued home. When you were still half an hour's distance from Corps, your father gave you a piece of bread and said to you: ‘Here, my child, eat some bread this year at least; I don't know who will eat any next year, if the wheat goes on like that’”. Confronted with such precise details, Maximin eagerly replied: “Oh yes, Madam, I remember now; just at this moment I did not remember”.

Then the Lady, again speaking French as at the beginning of her discourse and when giving the secrets, said to them: “Well, my children, you will make this known to all my people.” Now she turned slightly to her left, passed in front of the children, crossed the brook Sezia, stepping on stones emerging from it, and when she was about ten feet from the opposite bank repeated her final request, without turning around or stopping: “Well, my children, you will make this well known to all my people.” These were her last words. Meanwhile the two witnesses were still standing motionless at the spot where the conversation had taken place, when suddenly they realized that the heavenly Visitor was already some steps away from them. In their eagerness to join her again, they ran across the brook and were with her in a moment. Thus, in the company of Maximin and Melanie, the Lady moved along, gliding over the tips of the grass without touching it, until she reached the top of the hillock where the children, after their sleep, had gone to look after their cows. Melanie preceded her by a few steps, and Maximin was at her right. On reaching the summit the Lady paused for a few seconds, then slowly rose up to a height of a meter and a half. She remained suspended in the air for a moment, raised her eyes to Heaven, then glanced in the direction of the southeast. At that moment, Melanie, who had been standing at the left of the Lady, came in front in order to see her better. Only then did she notice that the celestial Visitor had ceased weeping, although her features remained very sad. The radiant vision now began to disappear. “We saw her head no more, then the rest of the body no more; she seemed to melt away. There remained a great light”, related Maximin, “as well as the roses at her feet which I tried to catch with my hands; but there was nothing more”. “We looked for a long time”, added Melanie, “to see if we could not have another glimpse of her”, but the Beautiful Lady had disappeared forever. The little shepherdess then remarked to her companion: “Perhaps it was a great Saint”. “If we had known it was a great Saint”, said Maximin, “we would have asked her to take us with her”.

The Great News Spreads:

At dusk, a little earlier than usual, the children brought back their herds to the hamlet of Ablandins nestling on the mountainside below. Pierre Selme had been impatiently awaiting Maximin's return to the farm house. “Well, Memin”, he asked him, “why did you not come back to me in my field, as I told you?” “Oh”, Maximin replied, “You do not know what happened? We found by the spring a beautiful lady who entertained us a long time and talked with Melanie and myself. At first I was afraid and did not dare to go and fetch my bread which was near her, but she said to us: ‘Come near, my children, do not be afraid, I am here to tell you great news’”. The boy then related the story of the Apparition, hardly pausing for breath. He was very surprised that the people of the valley had not noticed the bright light in the ravine. He then scampered lightheartedly over to the home of Melanie's master, Baptiste Pra. The girl, busy in the stable, had as yet said nothing. Maximin, more communicative, spoke at once to the assembled Pra family about the Beautiful Lady. He was immediately surrounded and questioned. On hearing the story, the old mother of Baptiste Pra began to cry, and with the intuition her simple faith gave her exclaimed: “This beautiful Lady can be none other than the Blessed Virgin”. The others were not so sure and waited for Melanie. As she did not hurry, her mistress, old Mother Pra, ran to the cow barn to fetch her. “Come quickly and tell us what you saw with Maximin”. “I saw as he did,” the girl replied, “and since he has told you, you must know it by now.” But all insisted, so back in the kitchen of the humble cottage she stood before them and related, for the first time, the wonderful event. All were amazed to hear both children, while reciting the Lady's discourse, speaking French fluently, for that same morning neither of them knew anything or very little of that language. The pious old grandmother, more and more moved, repeated her conviction: “She is certainly the Blessed Virgin, for there is no other person in Heaven whose Son governs”. Then she turned reproachfully to her young son James: “You have heard what the Blessed Virgin said - go now and work again on Sunday!” “Bah”, came the retort, “you will make me believe that this little one has seen the Blessed Virgin, she who does not even say her prayers!” “But that night”, declared Melanie later, “I remained a long time on my knees although I hardly knew any prayers by heart”. It was eventually decided that this affair was something to be submitted to the Church. Hence, first thing in the morning, the two children descended to the village of La Salette to tell their story to the pastor, Father Jacques Perrin. A knock at the rectory door brought the priest’s housekeeper, a kind but inquisitive spinster. They said they must see the priest. Must they, indeed? And why? They had something of great importance to tell him. They could tell it to her, Francoise insisted; it was the same thing. Seeing that she was immovable, the children began their recital. Father Perrin, in the next room, heard them and as they continued, he lay down his pen (he was writing his sermon). For a while he sat motionless, then moved noiselessly toward the kitchen. When the account was complete, he stepped into the kitchen and with tears in his eyes said to the children: “How fortunate you are, my children, for it must have been the Blessed Virgin whom you saw!” It was time for Mass and when Father Perrin mounted the pulpit he began telling the people of the children’s strange experience on the mountain. But his voice was choked with emotion and his words were unintelligible save by someone who already knew the story. The people looked at each other, mystified. But there was one who understood him - Monsieur Peytard, the mayor of La Salette. In the afternoon Peytard was on his way to the hamlet of Ablandins. He did not advertise his real purpose but would casually drop in at the Pra’s house for a friendly visit. He spoke to Melanie and asked to hear again the story she had been telling (by this time Maximin was already back in Corps). When she was through, he said: “Be careful, my child, to add or suppress nothing.” “I have said everything the beautiful lady told me to say”, was her reply. Then he began to cross-examine her mercilessly, passing back and forth from threats to bribes. It was fruitless. He could not shake Melanie or get her to vary her account by a word or persuade her to say no more about it. The lengthy interview, however, did induce Pra to abandon his attitude of disbelief. There must be something to this affair. He must put the story down on paper, with the help of his friends Selme and Moussier. So, that evening Melanie was made to tell the story one more time, but now very slowly, so that Pra could get every word down on paper. How right was his instinct in giving documentary form, as quickly as possible, to what the unforgettable voice had said on the mountain just the day before! Monday morning M. Peytard descended to Corps to question Maximin. He returned to La Salette, won over by the amazing self-assurance, candor and tenacity of the boy. His account accorded perfectly, down to the last detail, with that of Melanie. Now the news spread rapidly. Pilgrims, unbelievers, skeptics, took turn in questioning the two young witnesses, trying in every way to cause them to contradict each other. Among them were journalists, delegates from the civil authorities, but most importantly ecclesiastics commissioned by Monseigneur de Bruillard, the bishop of Grenoble. For, according to Canon Law, the ultimate decision rested with the bishop in whose diocese a reported miracle or apparition had taken place.

The Judgment:

After five long years of diligent inquiries, Bishop Philibert de Bruillard of Grenoble, published his longawaited decision, on September 19, 1851: “We judge that the Apparition of the Blessed Virgin to the two cowherds on the 19th of September, 1846, on a mountain of the chain of Alps, situated in the parish of La Salette, in the archpresbytery of Corps, bears within itself all the characteristics of truth, and that the faithful have grounds for believing it indubitable and certain.” The mission assigned by Our Lady to Maximin and Melanie was now ended. On September 19, 1855, Monseigneur Ginoulhiac, the new bishop of Grenoble, thus assessed the situation: “The mission of the children is now ended, that of the Church begins.” Innumerable today are the men and women of all races and countries who have found in the message of La Salette the road to conversion, a deepening of their faith, the needed dynamism for their everyday lives, and the motives for their commitment with and in Christ to the service of all peoples.

Read more at: https://www.lasalette.org/about-la-salette/apparition/the-story/705-the-message-of-la-salette.html

#catholic #Catholic History #la salette #our lady of la salette #Christian #blessed virgin mary #mary the mother of god #france #september 19th

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sonnenkoerner · 5 years

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The Universal Form

Arjuna said: I have heard Your instruction on confidential spiritual matters which You have so kindly delivered unto me, and my illusion is now dispelled.

O lotus-eyed one, I have heard from You in detail about the appearance and disappearance of every living entity, as realized through Your inexhaustible glories.

O greatest of all personalities, O supreme form, though I see here before me Your actual position, I yet wish to see how You have entered into this cosmic manifestation. I want to see that form of Yours.

If You think that I am able to behold Your cosmic form, O my Lord, O master of all mystic power, then kindly show me that universal self.

The Blessed Lord said: My dear Arjuna ... behold now My opulences, hundreds of thousands of varied divine forms, multicolored like the sea.

O best of the Bharatas, see here the different manifestations of Adityas, Rudras, and all the demigods. Behold the many things which no one has ever seen or heard before.

Whatever you wish to see can be seen all at once in this body. This universal form can show you all that you now desire, as well as whatever you may desire in the future. Everything is here completely.

But you cannot see Me with your present eyes. Therefore I give to you divine eyes by which you can behold My mystic opulence.

Sanjaya said: O King, speaking thus, the Supreme, the Lord of all mystic power, the Personality of Godhead, displayed His universal form to Arjuna.

Arjuna saw in that universal form unlimited mouths and unlimited eyes. It was all wondrous. The form was decorated with divine, dazzling ornaments and arrayed in many garbs. He was garlanded gloriously, and there were many scents smeared over His body. All was magnificent, all-expanding, unlimited. This was seen by Arjuna.

If hundreds of thousands of suns rose up at once into the sky, they might resemble the effulgence of the Supreme Person in that universal form.

At that time Arjuna could see in the universal form of the Lord the unlimited expansions of the universe situated in one place although divided into many, many thousands.

Then, bewildered and astonished, his hair standing on end, Arjuna began to pray with folded hands, offering obeisances to the Supreme Lord.

Arjuna said: My dear Lord Krishna, I see assembled together in Your body all the demigods and various other living entities. I see Brahma sitting on the lotus flower as well as Lord Siva and many sages and divine serpents.

O Lord of the universe, I see in Your universal body many, many forms-bellies, mouths, eyes-expanded without limit. There is no end, there is no beginning, and there is no middle to all this.

Your form, adorned with various crowns, clubs and discs, is difficult to see because of its glaring effulgence, which is fiery and immeasurable like the sun.

You are the supreme primal objective; You are the best in all the universes; You are inexhaustible, and You are the oldest; You are the maintainer of religion, the eternal Personality of Godhead.

You are the origin without beginning, middle or end. You have numberless arms, and the sun and moon are among Your great unlimited eyes. By Your own radiance You are heating this entire universe.

Although You are one, You are spread throughout the sky and the planets and all space between. O great one, as I behold this terrible form, I see that all the planetary systems are perplexed.

All the demigods are surrendering and entering into You. They are very much afraid, and with folded hands they are singing the Vedic hymns.

The different manifestations of Lord Siva, the Adityas, the Vasus, the Sadhyas, the Visvadevas, the two Asvins, the Maruts, the forefathers and the Gandharvas, the Yaksas, Asuras, and all perfected demigods are beholding You in wonder.

O mighty-armed one, all the planets with their demigods are disturbed at seeing Your many faces, eyes, arms, bellies and legs and Your terrible teeth, and as they are disturbed, so am I.

O all-pervading Vishnu, I can no longer maintain my equilibrium. Seeing Your radiant colors fill the skies and beholding Your eyes and mouths, I am afraid.

O Lord of lords, O refuge of the worlds, please be gracious to me. I cannot keep my balance seeing thus Your blazing deathlike faces and awful teeth. In all directions I am bewildered.

All the sons of Dhrtarastra along with their allied kings, and Bhisma, Drona and Karna, and all our soldiers are rushing into Your mouths, their heads smashed by Your fearful teeth. I see that some are being crushed between Your teeth as well.

As the rivers flow into the sea, so all these great warriors enter Your blazing mouths and perish.

I see all people rushing with full speed into Your mouths as moths dash into a blazing fire.

O Vishnu, I see You devouring all people in Your flaming mouths and covering the universe with Your immeasurable rays. Scorching the worlds, You are manifest.

O Lord of lords, so fierce of form, please tell me who You are. I offer my obesiances unto You; please be gracious to me. I do not know what Your mission is, and I desire to hear of it.

The Blessed Lord said: Time I am, destroyer of the worlds, and I have come to engage all people. With the exception of you [the Pandavas], all the soldiers here on both sides will be slain.

Therefore get up and prepare to fight. After conquering your enemies you will enjoy a flourishing kingdom. They are already put to death by My arrangement, and you, O Savyasacin, can be but an instrument in the fight.

The Blessed Lord said: All the great warriors-Drona, Bhisma, Jayadratha, Karna-are already destroyed. Simply fight, and you will vanquish your enemies [...]

#Bhagavad Gita #The Universal Form #Arjuna #Krishna

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