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Behind the Scenes: Diana’s Notebooks
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Dear Esteemed Reader,
I hope this message finds you in high spirits and good health.
Today, I’m sharing with you one of a handful of pivotal moments in my life—the evening I would first learn about the Hellgate.
Forgive me, the telling is rather long, but I feel it is an important place for us to begin our correspondences. You may wish to skim or skip it altogether. I would ask you not to, as it is a foundational piece of my philosophy on the Shadow World.
In several places I have included notes not presented in my original lecture.
Let me begin by setting the stage. Imagine, the library in a large mansion filled with the members of the Aeonian Order of the Aetherial, a society dedicated to the study and preservation of arcane knowledge.
Note 1: Aeonian Order of the Aetherial. I mean, really, could they have been any more pretentious?
Their obsession with "Aetherial knowledge" was laughable. They were a bunch of old men clinging to their dusty tomes and irrelevant rituals as if it made them important. They pranced around in their ridiculous robes, patting themselves on the back for 'preserving' knowledge that no one outside their little club cared about. It had all been so grandiose and utterly pointless.
Note 2: This was the evening I first met Sabine. Perhaps I will have more to say of her one day, but for now, if you are interested in those notes, click here for a copy. (I have been told that ‘click here’ is the appropriate wording.)
Note 3: I looked the AOA up not too long ago and discovered that the group still exists. And that bastard Blackwood is still alive, although he is a very old man now. I have thought about contacting him just to, as Meg likes to say, poke the hornet’s nest and see what happens.
I had prepared a much longer presentation but was told on arrival to "hurry it up" because they had to meet and plan their solstice event catering. One would not be wrong in thinking that most of these esoteric organizations spend more time planning meals than researching the world's mysteries.
Anyway, I digress. There is so much more I could say, but let us begin.
Below is my lecture from that evening with my added notes.
******
Good evening, esteemed scholars and members of the Aeonian Order. It is both an honor and a pleasure to address you all tonight.
Let us begin with a thought-provoking question: Does the absence of evidence for a phenomenon mean it does not exist, or merely that it eludes our perception?
From an early age, I have been driven by an insatiable curiosity to understand the world. Growing up in the remote corners of Scotland, on land granted to my family by a long-forgotten king, I have come to believe that what we dismiss as mere fantasy may be another layer of reality—a world of shadow existing alongside our own. The Shadow World.
Note 4: In retrospect, my early fascination with these lands seemed like a youthful fantasy, but how apt that I returned to them decades later, only to discover more layers of truth within these shadows.
Tonight, we delve into the Mythical Reality Paradox, a concept that straddles the realms of empirical science and the intangible domains of myth. This paradox challenges our conventional understanding of reality by suggesting that mythical elements, though often dismissed, exert a tangible influence on our world. These elements defy traditional scientific explanation, yet their persistent presence demands our acknowledgment and exploration.
The Mythical Reality Paradox posits that mythical elements not only exist but shape our reality in profound ways. To comprehend this, I have traced its roots through centuries of folklore, religious texts, and cultural myths. Consider the ancient tales of dragons in both Eastern and Western traditions. Despite their scientific implausibility, these creatures have profoundly influenced art, literature, and even national identities.
Note 5: This example of dragons was the beginning of what would become my lifelong exploration. As with many symbols, I’ve come to realize the more one learns, the less fantastical they seem. Still, I remain just as fascinated today.
We must ask: Did the myth create the reality, or did reality inspire the myth?
As a historian and scholar of the paranormal, I have grappled with this duality. While scientific skepticism demands empirical evidence, many supernatural occurrences elude such measures. We must balance acknowledging the limits of our tools with an openness to phenomena that challenge our understanding.
Note 6: Decades have passed, and we have yet to fully bridge the gap between science and myth. While the tools have improved, the debate remains much the same. Perhaps, one day, this will no longer be the case.
The Shadow World, I propose, is the key to resolving this paradox.
The Mythical Reality Paradox also impacts individuals and societies. Encounters with the supernatural often alter lives, inspiring fear, wonder, or a profound sense of purpose. Myths shape cultural norms and values, guiding communities subtly and overtly.
People who experience supernatural events often find their lives irrevocably altered, as I have seen time and time again in my research. These encounters can inspire fear, wonder, or a profound sense of purpose. On a societal level, myths and legends can shape cultural norms and values, guiding communities in ways that are both subtle and overt.
Another critical aspect of this paradox is the role of memory and perception in shaping our reality. Supernatural encounters are often dismissed as hallucinations or misinterpretations, yet the consistency of these accounts across cultures and time periods suggests a deeper truth. Our challenge is to discern this truth amid subjective experiences.
The Shadow World, I theorize, is where these encounters originate—its influence permeates our world through the thin veils of perception.
Note 7: In the years since this lecture, I've encountered more than enough to believe this theory holds even stronger than I initially proposed. My only regret is that empirical data still eludes us, though my personal archive grows by the day.
In conclusion, the Mythical Reality Paradox invites us to expand our horizons, blending empirical inquiry with an openness to the extraordinary. This journey requires both rigor and imagination, a willingness to embrace the unknown while seeking clarity. As we continue to explore this paradox, let us do so with both humility and curiosity, ever mindful of the delicate dance between myth and reality.
Note 8: Looking back, I find it amusing how cautious I was here. If only my younger self knew how little room there truly was for 'humility' in the pursuit of the extraordinary.
I urge you to reflect on your own experiences. Consider the possibility that these encounters were not mere figments of imagination but glimpses into a deeper, more complex reality. By rethinking and reorienting your experiences, you may find new insights and connections that enrich both your personal journey and our shared exploration of the mythical and the real.
I would also encourage you to explore my personal accounts detailed in the Enigma Archives, generously provided by our host, senior editor of the publication, Mr. Blackwood. The Heathmore House Apparition and the Chillingham Incident are just two examples and offer insights into my experiences with the supernatural.
I extend my deepest gratitude for your presence this evening. I look forward to the rich dialogues that will follow.
Thank you for your consideration, attention, and time.
******
Looking back on this lecture from a forty-year vantage, I can’t believe how sure of myself I was—so certain I had cracked open the mysteries of the Shadow World with nothing but old theories, brief experiences, and stubborn arrogance.
In truth, I barely scratched the surface. I believed I had found the answers, but in reality, I hadn’t even begun asking the right questions. The more I’ve learned, the more I realize how little I truly understood. I try not to be angry at the naive young woman I was, but I do wonder what might have changed if I had known better.
It took too many years—and too many sacrifices—for me to grasp the depth of what I was up against.
I can’t help but regret not seeing sooner how deeply the Shadow World had already entwined itself with mine—or how much more it would take. And now, an old woman, I fear it is not yet done with me.
Until next time, be ever curious and cautious.
D.M.