What was your most memorable experience of the Diary One period?

Margaret:
    'There were so many, every single one is a memorable experience, the awesome splendour of Zeus and Cronos; the breathtaking beauty of Selene and Aphrodite. My first experience of the Underworld too is something I will never forget, nor the exquisite beauty of Rhea's and Hera's appearance as figures of light. And there was Diana using me as target practice, and the snake test set by Demeter. For sheer intimidating experience it would be the first test Cronos gave me, with the little bird.
    But strangely enough, I think two of the most memorable were those first encounters with the God Erebus and the Goddess Eos.

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Erebus arrived in the temple in a deep mauve light, but it was a strange kind of mauve, there was red and orange all swirling and intermingling.
    "I am the great God Erebus. I accept the homage you both pay me. It is unusual for me to be honoured so. And I feel welcome in your temple. The power and love vibrates at great speed, may it continue to do so. 
    Your temple is a pleasure."
    And then I saw him. Erebus is very very black-skinned, a shining deep African black. His hair is cut tight to his head. He is tall, seriously big built but not fat, just brawny and big muscled. He looked to be aged in his forties. He stands five metres tall and I noticed he has exceptionally large hands and feet. 
    He looks fierce. His voice is deep, commanding and hard:
    "There were not many temples built for me. You will now experience in one that I did have, what happened."

I was literally ripped from the temple like a rocket and was flung down in dusty countryside at night time but there was a building, no bigger than a room it was so small. I saw twelve people inside, men and women but no children. I saw a priest and I was one of the crowd. The priest was talking and then everyone heard a noise.
    The building was lit by four rush torches on the wall. Then I noticed two of the people, two men, young strong-looking men suddenly ran to the torches, put them out and then ran from the building, leaving everyone in darkness. As they tried to leave through the door I saw a crowd outside with sticks and whips whipping them back. I tried to get out but couldn't. There was a mad panic and I could hear the sound of hammering. Someone was boarding up the doorway. We were just left inside.
    I heard Erebus' hard voice: "These people were left to starve to death in the heat, without water. Now you have seen for yourself."

Erebus dragged me away and the night turned to day. Sunrise. We were in dry arid terrain, sandy and gritty ground. There were a few bushes but they were not flowering or green.
    I can't say how far we travelled, but we travelled very fast, and it was very uncomfortable. Erebus is not gentle. But then in the distance I saw what looked like a huge kraal, the kind of rounded dwelling of African peoples. He pulled me towards it, talking as he dragged me. I was like a small doll in an adult's grip:
     "I now have taken many temples belonging to other faiths. As many as I could. I shall take more. I bring darkness into the lives of all sinners, of all those that deceive. I can be fierce. I can be cruel. I can be gentle. I can be kind. Today I am gentle, you are lucky. Come."

At first and from a distance the kraal looked as though it was made of straw and whicker frame, but when we drew closer I realised it was made of some material I didn't recognise. Hard, not soft like straw would be. The building was massive. It looked like a kraal but it was much much bigger. There was a door - which I knew kraal's don't have - made of gold.

As we approached the door opened and we went inside. The building was very lofty and he stood there, in all his height.
    "This is my palace. One of them. Look around and realise how fortunate you are to be shown this."
    It was a kaleidoscope of colour. The floor was stone, but dark blue, and there were things hanging around the walls, curtains, shawls and blankets, but every colour you could imagine. One blanket had a green background with zig zags and circles in yellow, red and white. It was brilliant and striking.
    There was no real furniture, but I saw five huge sofas, about a metre and a half high, each a different colour, on top were rolled cushions of strikingly different colours to the mattress. 

I also saw five little tables, two oval, two round and one square. Again these all were different colours. So much red and blue and green and yellow with white. In the centre of the room was a big slab of stone, it looked as if it had been chipped to be circular, but it wasn't perfect circle. This stood a metre and a half high and on the top stood an urn. It looked as if it was solid gold, two metres tall. It really dominated the space. 
    I was dazzled by all the colour.
    "I hope you will not fear me now. Yet remember I can be in a cruel mood. I give you both my blessings and the gift of wisdom. The next time I visit you there will be a test."

I had seen the palace of Erebus.
     What an experience!

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