For even when an At-el memory contains negative images, it is always
interpreted as positive in the end. Even in facing death, a clan member is seen
to be overcoming obstacles through his or her strength, bravery, or stealth. And
back through the generations of the clans, each act is remembered with fierce
pride and good feelings.
As the images begin to fade this time, something startling happens. Om begins
to receive new memories--memories foreign to him and all of the clan of At-el.
Those who share his thought cry out, because they do not understand what they
are seeing. The joyous dancing and chanting stops abruptly. These visions are
not from the group memories at all! These are images of places and people never
seen before - these are not of the At-el.
Nothing like this has ever happened before, and for once, the At-el are
afraid. Some of the people run from the temple. Others stand motionless, tears
running down their faces. Many look to Om for guidance. Where had these visions
come from? What are they? Om, does not know, but he is not afraid. His strength
clams the people who witness it, and this spread-- as group-memory--to the rest
of the clan's people. And one by one those who remained, slowly back away from
Om and out of the temple.
After the festival, the tribe goes on with daily life as if nothing has
occurred.
The memory of what happened has been stored away in the clan's consciousness
- safely out of mind until invoked at some future festival, when once again that
which is not of one's own soul group may be shared by all. Only Om is left with
the strange vision still lingering in his mind. And like all wise leaders, he is
thoughtful, and waits.
THE FESTIVAL OF AIR
One lunar cycle having passed, the next festival commences-- the festival of
air. As he has many times before, Om begins the celebration by chanting and
dancing. The group-memories come to him, as always, and the others begin to
experience the shared imagery of the tribe. This time, however--just as it
occurred during the festival of Fire--images of strange people, their lands, and
their homes fill the minds of the At-el clans people. As the vision unfolds,
they recognize Om in the foreign place, and witness the strange, tall people
bowing down to him--a symbol of respect for his power-- and the fear that had
been presented in the clans is gone.
With this experience, a new seed of consciousness has evolved, not only in
At-el, but in all the races of the world. For time is not linear, but circular;
memory is not only a link to the past, but to the future as well. From this
point forward, each clan member would be able to recall events yet to
come--through Om's connection--and thereby become part of his new memory. Om
does not understand entirely what is occurring, but now that he has seen himself
in the images, he knows that what he has seen is the future, not an alternate
past, and that he must be patient to learn what to do next. It is his job to
lead his people forward, to meet the strangers in the dream visions, and so meet
with his destiny.
OM'S VISION
The temple is prepared for the water celebration, and a large stone bowl is
placed in the center of the hut. Water from the mountain streams has been placed
in the basin, and the ceremonial ladles, carved of wood, rests along side it.
From these ladles, each clan member will drink to the element water, sharing in
its bounty.
Om enters the altar and begins his dance and chant. A strange look comes over
him, and all those in attendance watch him with curiosity. No one joins in. As
Om continues to dance, his chanting voice filling the temple, images unlike any
he has seen before once again flood his mind. Quiet and motionless, all of the
people of the clans of At-el share his sight. Om sees some of the tall, almost
giant people of his two previous visions, and a strange building that seems to
move and sway on a great body of water such as never been witnessed by the
At-el.
Om is present once again, and he lives in the floating building with the
giant people. There are many At-el present too. Abruptly, the vision changes and
the large entity wearing clothing totally foreign in style speaks to Om. He says
that Om is now about to embark on a now marvelous quest. Once completed, his
journey will enable all of the world to enter an age of joyful coexistence, and
the great elements will be in harmony with all tribes everywhere.
THE QUEST
The entity in Om's vision instructs him to take half the At-el tribe---1,555
clans people---on a journey that will lead to a new land located in the middle
of a great sea. In order to do this, however, they must first travel far into
the west, to an unknown land called Zu.
There they are to meet a strange-looking people who sometimes live in even
stranger-looking buildings that move upon the water. Upon arriving in Zu,
situated on the coast of what we now call the Arabian Sea,Om will meet the
leader of the Zu people, and from there he and the At-el who traveled with him
will be guided to the new land.
Om and his followers leave on the next lunar cycle, at the time of the
festival of Earth. It is the height of the celebration, but Om is not presiding.
The evolution of consciousness has already begun, and there are now others to
lead the chanting and dancing for those that are left behind. It is understood
that this parting is joyous, and the clans that are staying behind wish well to
the ones who are going away. The travelers set out of their homeland on foot,
under a full moon. Years will pass before they reach their destination.
The summer zenith and a bright, full moon usher Om, and his surviving
followers into the foreign land they seek. At the coast, they are met by the
Zulean people of the visions. They are a tall, black-skinned people, with high
foreheads, deeply recessed penetrating brown eyes, and large lips. The colossal
Olmecs statues--still found in the world today--closely resemble the ancient
race of Zu.
Although the Zu are at first fearful of the strange visitors, Om and the
other At-el clans people are quickly welcomed into the Zu culture.The leader of
the Zu, called Un Towee, has experienced a prophecy describing Om and his
followers, and instructs him to aid them when they arrived.
