Gate: Two of Pentacles

A Vision of Heaven

I passed through the vision gate into paradise. Beneath my feet, a smooth dirt path appeared and all around this country lane sat fields of wildflowers of all the shades of the rainbow. Past the lovely flowers that shifted and trembled within fragrant breezes, a shining city spread across the horizon and, at its center, sat a domed palace that glowed from within.

Wisdom spoke from my heart: “Welcome to the Eternal City, Heidi. This is the home of the living God on earth.”

“This Eternal City is one of the most beautiful places I have ever had the privilege to see,” I said. “I wonder what its counterpart back home looks like.” I shaded my eyes from the bright sun that shone down from the sky in that place and felt a peace that passes all understanding entering my very soul.

The moment was overwhelming in its beauty and intensity. I felt the strength leaving my limbs so I sank to the ground among the field of flowers and admired their silken petals with my fingertips. The blossoms were all colors and sizes and, aside from their innate perfection, appeared just like the flowers from my waking world. Their gentle scent returned my strength to me in some manner that I didn’t understand and I found the courage to explore the realm further.

“Wisdom, I require a guide for this place,” I said, bringing my nose close to a reddish flower to inhale its lovely scent one final time before continuing on my way.

An angelic golden figure appeared above me in the clear blue sky and unfurled mighty wings around a tall, glowing body. Light shone from this spirit’s face, adding to the brilliance of the place and beaming upon me like a spotlight. I rose from my seat among the flowers in order to properly greet this being.

Raziel of the Divine Father

“Hello, Great One. My name is Heidi,” I said, brushing a little dust from the seat of my jeans and bowing my head in respect. “I am very pleased to meet you.”

The angel inclined his head in response. “Greetings to you, worlds traveler. My name is Raziel,” he said. “I am tasked with taking you before the Throne of God of this Eternal City. As of this moment, you stand in the Field of Flowers, one of the most peaceful places in this realm. It represents the Great Mother or Divine Feminine here in the realm of her male God, the energizing life force of your home world.”

Now that the angel had pointed it out to me, I noticed the flowers spread through the pristine fields were indeed quite like the Divine Mother’s glowing, reaching vines. “Are there fewer examples of wildlife and plants in this city like the urban areas on Earth?” I asked. “If this is the case, I would much rather remain here in the wilderness than venturing within the confusing maze of buildings and depressing lifeless nature of yet another population center.”

Raziel smiled at my comment. “I can understand why you would ask but this city is like nothing you know nor have seen with your mortal eyes, Heidi,” the angel said. “Come with me now. I expect you will enjoy the experience very much.” The shining spirit offered me his arm and we moved weightlessly above the flowers towards the city’s tall walls. Together, we moved surprisingly fast and, although we started many miles distant, we found ourselves at the entrance in a matter of moments.

The entrance of the Eternal City appeared like a long, white tunnel with no doors or gates. As I gazed at the tunnel, I sensed movement in the air all around me but I could see nothing causing the disturbance. “Raziel, is there anywhere else that I can visit before we go into the city and visit the throne of God?” I asked, feeling suddenly nervous at the prospect and uncomfortable being observed by the unseen spirits of the place.

“There is no need to delay. He wants to see you,” the angel patted my arm gently. “Do not be afraid of the unseen watchers. A few of the denizens of the Eternal City were excited about your visit today and wanted to be present for your arrival. They mean you no harm.”

A Tunnel to the City

The angel’s words were comforting but they didn’t touch the panic that I felt building in my chest. I found myself rubbing my hand on the center of my chest in an effort to soothe my heart which, though Wisdom was not speaking a word, felt as if it was saying I did not belong in that shining place. “Raziel, I am not dead yet and have loved ones in my waking world who need me,” I said, hesitating at the end of the tunnel before entering the city proper. “Will I be allowed to return home if I speak to the living God? I feel like this is a threshold that once crossed will forever change my life and I feel so afraid.”

Raziel laughed, his voice echoing musically back down the tunnel. “You’re so silly, Heidi,” he said. “You’ve spoken to God every moment of your life with every breath you’ve taken. In fact, God is with us right this moment. His throne room is simply a place where you can use sound to communicate through spoken words with the source energy of your being. Trust the truth of my words as I spend the majority of my time there. Don’t you want to talk with God? You don’t have to if you don’t want to.”

“You speak the truth and I know fear can keep seekers from important milestones in their journey,” I said. “If God is willing to speak with me then I will somehow find the courage to speak with him.” I took the angel’s arm again and then put one foot in front of another, reciting my calming mantra from the fairies of the Divine Mother to myself all the while in an effort to focus my attention on what I was doing at the present moment rather than drudging up memories built of past fears and misunderstandings of eternal beings.

The angel proceeded to lead me through the streets of the Eternal City, murmuring encouragement to me when my steps flagged. Though I was certain there were beings all around me, to my eyes the realm was completely empty and occupied by only the angel and myself. Sparkling fountains drew my attention time and again with their pleasing countenances and rainbow light, and I would have stood admiring them for a very long time but Raziel encouraged me ever onward towards our stated goal, the throne room of the Living God.