We listen in on the ladies’ group therapy

The ladies continue reflecting upon their horrific experience, having been vortexed into the 16th century

Cordelia had been extra quiet during the discussions. “Why would our 16th century persons, or anyone, ever choose to stay in such a physical, and emotional confining situation? Did the ‘being closer to God’ feeling work for them?” 

Mary Jo began the summation. “While immersed in those 16th century bodies, we had to wing it, in coordination with our assigned person, until we got the hang of it.  I think we did well, considering the stark circumstances. Let’s hope we don’t have any long-term psychological effects.” 

Karin sorted it out, as only she could do.

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“I think we needed to presume that the life we had dropped into was the way our life in the 16th century would have been. The way the need for survival played out went like this: some were more inclined to believe in the system and the monastic rule, others acted like they believed. Both groups conformed to the rules and behaved accordingly. The answer to all of this is two words, Stockholm Syndrome.”

Many looked quizzically at each other. Cyndy asked everyone’s unspoken question. “What is the Stockholm Syndrome? Is that something to do with the bank robbery in Stockholm, Sweden?”

Somara piped up. “Oh yes, I remember now, they said Patty Hearst acted irrationally because of the Stockholm Syndrome.” 

“But what does that have to do with us?” Mary Jo was asking my question, and I’m sure others’ also.

We leaned in for Karin’s wisdom. “The element that creates this syndrome is confusion regarding loyalties. We became endeared to the other monks in our monastery even, at times, Abbot Richard. 

“We developed a sense of allegiance to them and to the rules. There might even be remnants of a loyalty to God thrown in there. The concept of abandoning them became intolerable and morphed into buried efforts, eschewing guilt and breach of trust.”      

Caren continued Karin’s thought. “Yuh, because we were stepping into characterizations of centuries ago, we had no context to draw from and had to move through it.”

Evelyn expressed my concern. “I was wondering where I would go if we got evicted. I had no idea about where I had previously resided or where and who my family was.”

“We’d all end up in some group of homeless people living who knows where. I don’t imagine they had homeless shelters back then.” There was a remnant of concern in Mary Jo’s voice.

Jill posed an abrupt question. “Do people realize our past life 16th century persons were really beheaded? I thought we were goners. I’m just glad we as members of the 21st century didn’t have to re-experience our demise and the universe spared us.” 

Cordelia reminded everyone what Jill was referring to. “There are two basic ley lines running through the world. Just as we have energy waves throughout the atmosphere, so too, do we have them within the earth's makeup. The energy below the surface affects the outcomes above. 

“The two ley lines that Jill is referring to are called St. Michael line and the Mary line. The Michael line has a harsh dark feeling to it. The Mary line that reaches out around bodies of water has a fluffy energy sensation.

When we travel from one ley line to the area influenced by the other, we sense a noticeable difference.”                

This opened the door for me to think out loud. “That’s how we got into the next lifetimes that led us here. The fluffy Mary energy snatched us away from the dark Michael energy.

“Some of us may have gone together from the 16th century into the next lifetime experience, but others of us just went alone into a new one to meet individuals we may have known or would know in future lifetimes.” 

I was on a roll. “Summarizing Shakespeare, he said something about how we are all actors on a stage. We just keep meeting each other in different parts and roles, known as lifetimes. 

“So we may meet each other in a future lifetime, who knows. I just hope we are able to detect some similarity that will tie us together. I often say to people in this lifetime and they to me, ‘We definitely were in some past life together.’ or ‘We definitely knew each other in a past life.’” 

Cordelia had much knowledge about past lives and had done many readings for people to help them heal from some of their darker times. “I’ve read, been told, or experienced, we will get inklings of what lifetime adventures we may have had. There will be attractions to certain cultures and events, or we may be triggered and repulsed. 

“I think feelings and reactions may be especially strong if we believe we were a dark- souled character in some lifetimes. It is difficult for us to forgive our past deeds.” 

“The thing people need to know is our soul never changes, regardless of our actions. Buddhists believe the soul is always good.”  Cyndy’s words were reassuring.

“Thank you for clarifying that for us, Cordelia and Cyndy.“ 

I sensed it was time to move the discussion along. “I couldn’t believe my ears and peeking eyes as I lay prostrate, when I heard and saw you guys playing harps. Whoa. I felt like I was home. I didn’t feel as isolated anymore.”

Somara’s eyes lit up. “I was so hopeful hearing them playing harps. Actually playing slightly weird looking harps, nevertheless, harps. They looked heavy, though.” She squinted inquisitively at the harpists. 

Jill probably was full of questions, but she only asked a few. “So how was it playing those clumsy strings of catgut? I can’t imagine what those strings must have felt like. I don’t know what I’d do with my guitar strung with catgut!”

Several of the harpists laughed, almost with a gallows tone to their laugh. 

Caren sighed, lowering her head, gesturing a heavy burden. “They were heavier than any box of pottery I ever hefted, certainly not streamlined.”

Another of Jill’s questions matched my puzzling. “So, how was it you guys know how to play the harp back in the 16th century?”