Sagas of a landlocked pirate: Battle of the coins and the Dragon mysteries (part 1)

What's up stackers and pirates!

I have been stacking #silverporn not really knowing what to do with it meanwhile it just kept accumulating like a digital hoard of artsy images, odds and ends of the photo archives. In the back of my head, many more thoughts of half built posts blending in together...not quite enough for a full posts on their own or sure how to present it. I let my recent reads guide me into creating one of my weird blended reality posts mixed with real information, cool reads and a little of insanity to spice things up. Messing with dragons can get a little weird. Besides the pirate booty, I promise this time, there will be chicks and it's not a punk...Chicks so HOT you will think they have been on fire for an eternity.

The stone sphere is often referred to as Merlinite, resting of a silver painted plastic dragon stone sphere stand. This stone is different from the Preseli Bluestone skull carving made from similar stone to the inner circle of Stonehenge I previously posted about. The red book it guards revolves around the secret origins of Dragons. Will I earn the gatekeeper's approval to know it's ancient roots?

https://moonrisecrystals.com/merlinite-meaning/

This year is the year Chinese Lunar Year of the Dragon, I don't pay much attention to horoscope-y things normally but I am quite fond of dragons and the imagery along with the various dragon coins. I had a cool Dragon book sitting on a shelf for about a decade, it's a short read, more of a visual experience but it was the only topic related thing I had for some strange reason. The Icelandic volcanic activity from the last few months had me giggling on the timing with the Year of the Dragon, perhaps coincidental, seemed to fit nonetheless. The Merlin book I read that I have been trying to pair had a unique writing style where he mixed grimoire and then using his imagination to make the forest come alive in the book as his own Druid contact journey back into Arthurian times from a modern mind. I got on Amazon to try to solve both my Dragon and Merlyn issues since they both go hand in hand. The previously posted about Stonehenge archeology didn't cover Merlyn's handy work and alchemical secrets as much as I anticipated.

I will post more about the book where this photo comes from as I display it more in depth in part 2

I have photo-art of semi-precious stone and I have been passively looking for ways to display the different minerals the earth has to offer in a fun way rather than the usual New-Age generic posts commonly found on the internet. Not that there is anything wrong with them per say...just not the angle I'm going for. I'm just practicing so not that good at it but practice makes perfect, I'm looking to expand my photography styles/skills. I always wanted to share other aspects of the natural world besides the living things... Recording the behavior of inanimate objects...well...There isn't too much creative to say so I thought I would mix it in as a mystical forest landlocked pirate journey just for laughs and entertainment in another mix bag posts of odds and ends that somehow belong yet probably shouldn't.

Should it be in the #hivebookclub? #freewriters? Nah...This is for the stackers. Too bad the #travel community doesn't have a map pin for mythical nonsense land because this is going to be an epic journey into the dragon's lair in search for ancient secret earthly knowledge on their habits and I would totally pin this as a journey UNDERGROUND.

As I was reading my Meso-American history and archeology filled with pictures of artifacts while I regrouped on what I was going to do with my Merlin book mix situation in the back of my mind, it was hard to absorb the information and my arms grew tired from holding such a heavy book. I was reading about the various sacred texts from the ancient tribes and the Aztecs and the creator god called Quetzalcoatl aka Son of the Sky represented by a large colorful feathered serpent. I thought to myself, could he be a Dragon too? I tried to keep reading but my mind kept wandering further and further away. Then I heard...PSSST. I looked up, saw nothing, my mind must be playing tricks. PSSST...yeah you. It was Merlyn's Dragon. I had to interrupt my read to see if he had answers to solve my reading sharing dilemma. Who better to tell me.

Merlinite carved into a dragon skull. Many semi-precious minerals make excellent home décor show pieces and photography projects without getting too expensive. With the New-Age community, crystals have been gaining popularity and they cost more than they once did. A trick, going to mineral shows where many sellers congregate or various local pop-up artisan markets on the last few hours can earn you some pretty steep discounts on mother nature's merch as packing and transporting can cause additional damage risking the pieces to become unsellable in case of the inevitable and often throw in a few extras too like free stands or additional stones. Sometimes you meet the same sellers at different shows and build relationships for extra discount power as a repeat hoard negotiator and stone-mover.

Merlyn- Time to go on another trail underground to discover treasures. Leave your pirate ship at the harbor, grab your peg leg and eye patch... hop into your canoe and see what you might spy with your good eye.

Me- But my peg leg is still out of service at the repairman and I am ship bound for the time being.

Merlyn- It's all in your mind, now quit being difficult and lets go. You are not going to need it where we are going. Didn't you enjoy meeting Iniskim last time? Do you not trust me? We are going to get you a dragon.

Me- What are you doing in Meso-America anyway, isn't that a little far from your homeland across the pond? Perhaps a little out of your timeline too? I didn't know you did pyramids too.

Merlyn- (face palm) I'M IN YOUR MIND...NOW LETS GO!

Me- Right...Right...

Previously shared under my ladybug146 account as part of Glow Christmas light exhibit.

I was already mentally exploring the pre-Columbian artifacts of Central and South-America of the Ancients, why not go deeper into the jungle. I went exploring on Amazon and found 3 magical books all centered around Druidism, Merlyn and a Dragon art book to go with the other lonely books. What a strange place to find these deep into the Amazon Jungle, perhaps it will lead me to Quetzalcoatl and ask about dragons, he may know their origins. I thought to myself.

Just as I finished that thought, Seven Macaw From the Mayan side of things showed up with some sage advice...Now you got your secrets, you should go before they find you, folks 'round here don't like strangers and you smell like 2024. I know you're peg-leg is in the repair shop so just get on my feathers, take a nap and I'll fly you home before you wake up...You're books will be there soon after.

As promised, I was safely returned home and my new literature was here for me to explore . Oh wait, I never really left my living room. Now I clearly had to get acquainted with dragons and how to find one so I could ask them all my questions in discovering inner earth's deepest secrets. What was I even looking for? Where do I look? Does Canada even have dragons? It was time to hit the encyclopedia and learn everything I could and the tools I might need as attractants or as defense in case they weren't so friendly. I couldn't get Seven Macaw's warnings out of my mind.

This Dragonologist field guide was cleverly put together by the now passed on William O'Connor, master dragon illustrator. His field guide is based on the various dragons found across all mythology and cultures around the world in a life-like animal safari giving the dragons habitats and mock conservation efforts. If you are looking for a personality and life information of you favorite mythical creature, this is pretty unique and should be on every dragon enthusiast's wish list.

In case anyone was wondering about, Nessie...she be in there too! The most detailed accounts of her cryptic tendencies. Mr O'Connor didn't let his human mind stop him from getting to the bottom of one of one of mankind's age old myths with his vivid imagination and artistic illustrator to offer us the same vision.

I just wanted to share a bit of a preliminary sample of the type of information to be found and it's layout, I will be adding more willy nilly as I encounter and identify the dragons I encounter on my journey, put the book in a real life application in a crafty way.

Don't take my word for it, buy the book...seriously... this is 150+ pages of INCREDIBLE. The artwork is a mix of hand drawn and digital work in a perfect balance for a visual treat to rinse the eye with all he water dragons you can think of all the way to the more fiery tempered volcanic dragons and everything in between. Fantasy come to life.

Now that I had Dragon basic training, I was almost ready to go on my hunt. I packed up my tools and book into the car along with a few supplies. It was my first dragon hunt, I wasn't sure what to expect, some are a little finicky...Can never be too careful. Along with my essential dragon identification manuscript, I grabbed just the bare essentials I thought I might need to avoid being encumbered. A magical gold tranquilizer dart, I hear they can't resist it's charms and should keep it hypnotized long enough to get away before it comes back to it's senses. Seven Macaw told me they like games and betting skills and gems so I brought a golden dice, perhaps that can buy me a few dragon lair creds coming semi-prepared. I grabbed a few more things but we'll see if I need them.

I took my Iniskim stone with me for good luck, perhaps we can exchange crystal knowledge. There must have been a reason for our previous introductions. Pirates and dragons seem to share a few strong points in common, perhaps we can start from there. The book suggested that many of the fire species I was enquiring about were more commonly found on forested mountains away from prying eyes. The perfect place to start looking to see if Canada had any dragons was probably there. With a name like Castle Mountain, it seemed too hidden in plain sight...It must be a dragon Castle! Looks like we share more in common then I initially thought. Even if I come back empty handed, I will have seen some great sights.

I didn't actually climb the mountain, just one of my favorite spots to stop and unwind when I have time to spare after a hike.

I grabbed my underworld tool kit and headed for the forest. Where there is fire and underground, there must be other creatures lurking in the shadows but I was well prepared. I consulted the Lion of Mortimer before I left, I knew what I was up against, he gave me his shield of protection too. His last words before we parted ways were, Where you are going, you are gonna need this more than I and there is no way I go any further...not my turf. Here, have my bravery...I have more to spare, I craft them myself. I thanked him for his kindness and we went our separate ways.

Everything was great at first but being so far away from my ship and treasure stack along with being parched from the sun during my ascent baking on the towering rocks, the Stackitis was starting to take hold. I was doing my best but it was getting darker and darker, I had to keep going to get there on time at the peak of the moonlight. The moose in the lights told me to not delay if I were to make it in time. I hope you brought your Iniskim stone for protection, you might need it. Watch out for the Mean Girls, they like to roam around these woods after dark, always up to no good them 2.

Edmonton mural painted near Whyte Av in Edmonton.

I gave my head a good shake, that had to be the stackitis! The fever was getting bad but carried on anyway. There is no way this is real. The Moose warned me about mountain sickness to add to my condition. Maybe the 2 sorceresses were trying to tire me out so I would get to the dragon lair just a little too late. I thought to myself...NO don't think about them, it might attract them. Too late...here they were. What do I do!

Let me interrupt this nonsense with a short commercial break back to reality. Coin designed and produced by @phelimint, stunning design and attention to detail, photographed really well in natural light actually. Here is a photography hidden secret. With a DSLR or mirrorless cameras, in other words semi-pro at the very least. There are aperture settings. These settings control the amount of light in the photo concentrating the most to the nearest object in the center. The farther he background, the less light can be processed towards it and the background becomes blurred creating a 3D object effect. Same background in both, 1 foot difference in background distance.

Dark mistress 1- What do you want? This place isn't for your kind...go home and put your feet up like a good human before I use your skull for a vodka bottle, we are always short on alcohol storage here.

Me- Well that's a little harsh, I have done nothing to you, all I ask is for you to leave me alone so I can get back on my way. Merlyn sent me on a quest to find Dragons to answer a few questions I might have. He wouldn't send me here if it wasn't important.

Dark Mistress 1- Meh (eye roll)...That Merlyn...What business does he have around here now? He always foils our plans. I hope the both of you get lost sooner rather than later. GO HOME...NOW...You are starting to irritate me. I have friends you know, she would love to tear you up like a book page with me. Where is your back-up huh? Look at you out here all alone. HA!

Crystal Head Vodka bottle abstract staged in front of Christmas lights.

Me I have tools you know, I have been warned against your kind. You really think I came here empty handed? I may be looking for dragons but I read the bible in a different world, they speak of the wickedness of your kind. You do have blind spots. Knowledge is power. I should ask the dragon on how to get rid of you once and for all.

I was initially going to leave the cross home but I'm glad I took it with me just in case...I mean, where there is fire...right? Her expression quickly turned, perhaps I did manage to sting her a little.

Dark Mistress 1- A cross really? How cute. Cliché cute. I have had thousands of years of this sort of treatment, I have grown nearly immune and only find it mildly offensive by now. Now give me the magic golden dragon dart, go home and we'll ignore you're little un-educated transgressions.

Me- Hum...HAAA...oh shit. Well that was a gross miscalculation on my part. Don't act like that's all I have in my tool bag, I always have a plan B just in case.

Now what? She looks a little angry. I might have to call someone in a hurry. Who might I call from all the way over here? I'm going to need a real liberty fighter if I want to get thru this Mean Girl. Out of nowhere, a loud cackle pierced the already thick mood. Was it her friend making fun? I glanced around waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Me- Ah, it's you...you old Kook. What are you doing all the way here, aren't you a little far from Australia?

The old Kook- I heard of a good theater that beat the Sidney Opera house, I thought I would do a fly-by and watch the entertainment. Silly humans always getting into trouble, never gets old. Hihi haha he. Give her the dart and take your shiny objects back where you came from before you get hurt.

Me- Not a chance! It's the Lunar Year of the Dragon and I must get to the bottom of the mysteries. Mind your business birdy. If you are not going to help then stay out of it.

This post is pretty long so tune in for part 2 within a few days. Did I get thru the Dark Mistress to the dragon lair? What happened next? Did I even stand a chance? Did I find dragons? What other tools did I have in my mystical treasure bag? Until then...Stack on! xox

All images taken with Nikon Z-6