Castalia 336
A way to Agartha
Dear Friends,
Not many knew he was from Strelsau1; most assumed he was German, for his English was like a German’s, clear and high-pitched with many glottals.
He had long since crossed the mountains when I met him in New York, but still was obviously foreign; like many from abroad, he tried too hard to belong. Sensing that “American” had something to do with “Revolution”, he did his best to seem open-minded — was always speaking of Communists: the Maoist girl met downtown, the Stalinist at church… For a long time, I worried he might join such a party; then I understood — it was a form of window-dressing. Behind that window, who he was remained a secret, I think even to himself. But as we walked dogs together — it was a sideline we shared — I had hints of the life within.
You can learn a lot about a man from what makes him blubber — Alban Berg weeping over Schubert, for example2; in the case of my friend, if I may call him such, it was old-time songs. I have always sung as I walked, but I learned I must be careful: “Give me Jesus” began OK, but at “You may have all this world…” it was too much. Something in the harmony, I think, had brought up Ruritania.
“Take me home, country roads” — this too was risky. And valleys too brought on emotion. It was primarily in Riverside Park that we walked; Morningside was too dirty. But the cliffs attracted him, the way down into Central Harlem. From the overlook, down the steps, into the great plain… For a few weeks, he went there often —another Communist was there: a Dominican whose cousins had smuggled guns in coffins! But suddenly, it was over: “I must go deeper”, he said.
When he vanished, I remembered this. I cannot prove it, but I think he found a way to Agartha3. He certainly had read the Marquis d’Alveydre, read of that kingdom in the earth’s core. I think he found a way down; and one day, I will find it too!
Thank you so much for reading, and for your support!
With every good wish,
Ishmael
A willow tree by the lake in Morningside Park, New York City. Photograph by Louis Waweru, 11 December 2009
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Capital of Ruritania: see The Prisoner of Zenda by Anthony Hope
Mr. Galimir used to speak of this: https://www.nytimes.com/1981/01/11/arts/felix-galimir-recalls-berg-and-webern-in-vienna.html
See The Kingdom of Agarttha: A Journey Into The Hollow Earth by the Marquis Alexandre Saint-Yves d’Alveydre (Inner Traditions). Joscelyn Godwin’s Introduction is very helpful.