Murmuring Woods - Riversleigh Manor

Beyond Riversleigh Manor, not marked on any map, lies the enchanted Murmuring Wood, where the sylphs and nature spirits play, and the trees talk, and brooks babble. Watched over by Imogen Crest the Hermit, when not at the Lemurian Hermitage, on a Grand Tour, or at the City of Ladies in Cyberia, it is usually a place of infinite peace, wisdom and exploration. Yet it also contains the magical
Faraway Tree, where Madame L’Enchanteur is mistress of many mysterious lands. Herself a mystery, no-one has ever been able to predict what will happen in Lemuria. Yet what is known is that no journey is done, but through the woods, and through the trees…

“Here we go round the mulberry bush
The mulberry bush, the mulberry bush
Here we go round the mulberry bush
So early in the morning…”
(Old English Nursery Rhyme.)

“A single fruit grew on that tree, a bright pomegranate fruit. Persephone stood up in the chariot and plucked the fruit from the tree. Then did Aidoneus prevail upon her to divide the fruit, and, having divided it, Persephone ate seven of the pomegranate seeds.”
-The Golden Fleece
by Padraic Colum
(1881-1972)

Ancient Greek Mythology – Play – Marriage of Cupid and Psyche

Aphrodite: “Well, since I am obliged to hear the prayers of those who appeal in the name of love, I will speak to Cupid. But first you must accomplish several tasks. First separate this large bag of millet and poppy seeds into 2 piles by dawn.” (exit)

Psyche: “Well here’s one black seed, and there’s a white one. Here’s another black one. Oh, what am I thinking. There’s millions of these black and white seeds mixed together. I can never get them sorted before dawn. I’m lost.” (lies down)

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(copyright Imogen Crest 2006.)