We had no idea what to expect with the Titans. By the time we
contacted Coeus already we had
encountered Cronos on several occasions. We were apprehensive, but we had agreed to work through all
the names, so we could not ignore any, including Titans
and monstrous deities. We wanted to be thorough though we
bound our wrists together for these encounters.
Coeus
was the first choice, based on alphabetical
order.
'...It was night-time and the candles
each side of the altar were flickering slightly. It was
autumn. A flash of white light like lightning obliterated
the temple, candles and all. And then a God’s face
appeared, dark spiky hair and VERY thick eyebrows,
irregular features and thin cruel mouth. His eyes are like
holes and his nose is spread as if broken. He is aged about
40-50 I would say and his voice is so harsh it could crack
open the ground.
“My name has not been mentioned for
many, many thousands of years and now two mortals who have
this temple welcome me to it.
This is something I shall expect from
now on. I will not be forgotten again.”
The
white light was dazzling.
“You
both will come into my light.”
I was literally ripped into the
brilliance.
"You
offer wine and incense."
And then I saw him. He must be twenty
five metres high. Huge hands, huge feet, altogether
massive. He is dark skinned, very suntanned and he carried
a club. As with
Crius his hands and feet have no toenails, but talons.
"I am a mighty one!" he
roared. Then he grabbed me. His hands felt rough like
someone with very abrasive sandpaper rubbing all over
my body. "You should scream when you feel
pain, priestess."
I wanted to. But I didn't. He has a
horrible laugh. He just held me up to his face and
turned me up and down inspecting me.
"Mortals make me angry. They
always have. But I cannot be angry with either of you. As
one way and another you draw mortals towards believing the
truth."
That
was my first opportunity to orientate myself. We were in
a narrow rocky valley and mountains on either side and the
mountain sides were ablaze.
“Are
you afraid of fire?” And he gave a harsh laugh.
I didn’t answer. I ran as fast as I
could in the opposite direction to his voice, along the
valley when suddenly crash! A boulder missed me by inches,
and crashed to my left. The mountain sides erupted as
great rocks rolled, gathered speed and hurtled from every
direction, but mostly in mine. I had to jump as they
gouged great holes from the ground as I ran. There was
fire and smoke and the boulders were invisible but the
deafening terrible sound, then their shadowy fiery shapes
burst from the smoke to pulverize me.
I couldn't see him but I could hear his
laughter.
It seemed endless. I thought I was
about to faint from all the effort when suddenly I was
back in the temple and his face was in the light.
“I
see you have the courage to face up to tests. Do not think
they all will be as easy as this. I test you and the
priest for your sincerity, your dedication and if you are
prepared to carry on with this faith I will leave you with
my blessings. May you both enjoy happiness in this work. I
also give you the gift of endurance. Return
to your life knowing that you have pleased the mighty
Coeus."
Then I heard an echo of his laugh. And
Coeus was gone.
Temple
Diaries Coeus' Return
Festival
of Coeus - January 18th |