Table of the Gods
The ancients called it the table of the gods, a place where magic existed. It was a sacred spot, used for ceremonies at sunrise, only the elders as witness.
A scientist by profession, he knew it for what it was – the remains of volcanic activity. If you ventured up at sunrise, magic could still be found. Watching now, only minutes until dawn, the air felt electrified with the possibilities of dreams across millennia. The gods remain with us, he thought, despite our doubting. He closed his eyes and stepped into the circle.
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The photo prompt is courtesy of Madison Woods, taken by Doug McIlroy. Her story can be found here, along with links to all the other Flash Friday Fictioneers.
Great job! (you’ve a missed ‘t’ in ‘thought’ 🙂 ) but I still love the ancient ideas in here – I’ve experienced something similar. Here’s mine. http://kaitlinandmichaelbranch.com/2012/06/01/friday-fictioneers-5/
Thanks – I saw your note and fixed it right away. Appreciate the feedback!
I am constantly amazed that we seem to think we have it cracked and now ‘know’ everything even though every day there is a brand new discovery that makes us reassess everything. You are absolutely correct though – the Gods really are still with us and we will never know it all.
Here’s my attempt for this week: Here’s mine: http://womanontheedgeofreality.com/2012/06/01/friday-fictioneers-too-near-the-sun/
Yes, I think it is amazing how even if we try to turn our backs, these things have a way of finding their way back to us.
They certainly do Erin 🙂
its amazing to discover new pictures within others minds through friday fictioneers. This was such a pleasure to read…
http://writersclubkl.wordpress.com/2012/06/01/friday-fictioneers-hills/
Thank you – I wrote one version, but this is what came out when it was time to post it. I like the magical twist in this version.
I like that in spite of his scientific background he was able to embrace the possibility of magic without trying to explain it away. Nice work.
My attempt: http://unduecreativity.wordpress.com/2012/05/31/the-beautiful-hush/
It takes an open mind to be able to handle science and magic. Two halves of the same coin….
“despite our doubting” is like a magic spell.
Thank you – I was toying with ‘despite our doubts’ but the more active form ‘doubting’ seemed right.
Nice… but I’m not sure of what I think is happening here. He may be ending his life… possibilities of dreams over for him.
That wasn’t my intention, but it’s interesting that you read it that way. I went back over it again and can see how you might – another take on the same story. Thanks for finding it!
This was very good. I liked how you made the scientist open to things that were not necessarily scientific. Can’t help but think that he is a better scientist for this! Here’s my try at this week’s prompt: http://theforgottenwife.com/2012/05/30/friday-fictioneers-1-june-2012-the-conquerer/
Thank you – I enjoyed how it turned out. It sort of led me to the ending – my original write up was different. 🙂
Isn’t it funny how something will hit us one way the first time we see it and another the second? I very much liked the second. I am a great nature lover and I think that when we forget about the magic, it harms us all. Thank you for the great piece!
A place where magic existed usually ends up being a place where magic still exists. I’d like to know what he found within the circle.
So would I…another story, perhaps.
You sent us back in time and brought us to the modern. Science and magic done so beautifully we are drawn in without knowing. Thanks for your comments on mine. This is for others: http://readinpleasure.wordpress.com/2012/06/01/fridayfictioneers-my-pilot/
This prompt had people all over, didn’t it? I enjoyed it.
Table of the Gods. I like that title, Erin. Aren’t we all still looking for that place where the magic still exists? The ending left us curious of the many possibilities he might find.
Thanks for visiting mine. http://russellgayer.blogspot.com/
Thank you. I was thinking some about the area in Colorado, I think – the Garden of the Gods.
In any case, I would like to hang out in Hawaii to watch a few sunrises.
Wow, very good! Thanks for the comment on my offering!
Thank you as well!
Carlos Casteneda tells us its simply a question of perception … or of giving names to things so we think we understand them. In a few hundred years, someone else may step into this circle knowing it a very different way. Very nice blending of two world views (though I am intrigued by tedstrutz’s comment and the possibility that the scientist is stepping INTO the volcano). I wrote two this week, if you wanted to check them out at http://scottcheck.blogspot.com/2012/06/desolation.html
Perception is everything. What I like about the brevity of this exercise is that the absence of words leaves perception to the reader. It can take you in different directions, like Ted’s view.
great post want to ask for ‘more’! I love it when that happens.
Thanks for stopping by http://oldentimes.wordpress.com/2012/06/01/friday-fictioneers-june-1-apocalypse/ I leave the link so others might check it out too.
Thank you – I appreciate the comment!
hhhhmmmmm, Sounds like a man working at cross purposes here. You need to expand this. I can see two directions your main character can take here, I’m sure you’ve undoubtedly come up with more. I would love to see the expanded version. Thanks for the share. Here’s mine: http://remakingme-atiyatownes.blogspot.com/2012/06/friday-flash-fiction-start-day.html
Yes, a man with two world views. Integrating them would be an interesting exercise.
very good. Love the magical twist. Mine’s here: http://niftitalks.com/2012/06/01/a-prayer/
Thank you – appreciate your comments!
It seems the scientist’s analytic brain was having a bit of a conflict with his romantic soul. I like it.
The man of faith, man of reason dilemma. Exactly.
That’s a nice dreamy little story. I like that you saw the table mountain – and the ancient possibilities. You told it well.
yours as always,
Lindaura
and if you haven’t seen this one yet, here I am:
http://fictionvictimtoo.blogspot.com
Yes, that is what it reminded me of. I appreciate your comments. Will head over to read yours shortly.
I love the thought that the mountain top is a table…set with a helping of magic. See…even a scientist can appreciate a bit of the unknown and the unexplained! Great job!
~Susan (www.susanwenzel.com)
Thank you, Susan. Your comments are appreciated!
And then what happened? You hooked me.
Here’s mine: http://thebradleychronicles.wordpress.com/2012/05/30/flash-fiction-friday-an-addiction/
I enjoyed this one alot. I took it to mean that nature is so amazing it feels like magic. Here’s mine: http://postcardfiction.com/2012/06/01/payback/
A merger of science and the metaphysical.
I like the magically charged atmosphere you created: the electrified air… the possibilities of dreams…
Here’s my Friday Fiction: http://logo-ligi.com/2012/06/01/the-standpoint/
A great story.
I loved the imagery of ‘the table of the gods, a place where magic existed.’
Love the juxtaposition of science and mystery in this story.
http://stonesoupnovelist.com/2012/05/31/a-scene-something-on-the-horizon/#comment-136
Ah, yes! There’s something transcendental about this. I didn’t want to use that word because I’m sure that it is not the right one, but it won’t leave my head, so I’m going with it. Anyway, I liked it.
If anyone wants to read mine, its at http://marilynkaydennis.wordpress.com/2012/06/01/madison-woods-friday-fictioneers-waiting/
I loved “table of the gods” and was extremely intrigued to learn more. What happened when he stepped into the circle? Would love to see this as a short story 🙂