The Garden and Grimlung

A Spiritual Journey into Two Realms

The Garden

The Garden is not merely a place; it is a celestial realm of peace and eternal bliss, blessed by the Almighty and promised to the faithful. The atmosphere is imbued with serenity, and every corner testifies to celestial beauty and harmony. The lush greenery stretches as far as the eye can see, adorned with vibrant flowers of myriad hues. Streams of living water meander through the garden, their gentle babbling adding to the symphony of nature.

In the Garden, time stands still. The blessed inhabitants, enveloped in perpetual joy, engage in divine activities that bring them fulfilment and contentment. Whether it is the serene pursuit of heavenly endeavours or the simple pleasure of basking in the ethereal light, every moment in the Garden is a celebration of eternal life.

The Garden is also a sanctuary of The Divine’s love, where The Divine's grace permeates the air, creating a sense of unity and togetherness among the souls that dwell within. Here, fears and worries are left behind, replaced by a profound sense of belonging and peace. The ancient trees form a protective canopy, sheltering all beneath them. Birds of every colour sing melodies that resonate with joy and tranquillity, and the gentle breeze carries the scent of blooming flowers and fresh earth.

Here, knowledge is endless, and wisdom is shared freely. The Divine walks among the inhabitants, imparting lessons of compassion, empathy, and understanding. The light in the Garden is not just physical but spiritual, illuminating the hearts and minds of those who reside there.

When we depart from this mortal coil, it is believed that those who have lived righteous lives are welcomed into the Garden, where they will experience eternal peace and joy in the presence of The Divine. The promise of salvation and the eternal embrace of The Divine's love await the faithful in this heavenly sanctuary.

Grimlung

Grimlung, on the other hand, is a realm of unrelenting darkness and despair, where the very essence of hope seems to have been extinguished. The landscape is barren, devoid of life, and the shadows cast by the twisted remnants of what once might have been trees create an eerie and oppressive atmosphere.

The air in Grimlung is heavy and suffocating, filled with thick smog and the acrid scent of decay. Raging fires consume the land, their fierce flames casting a sinister glow. The inhabitants of this forsaken realm are ceaselessly tormented by their regrets and sorrows, unable to escape the cycle of anguish that binds them. Their cries of despair echo through the desolate land, a haunting reminder of the suffering that defines Grimlung.

In Grimlung, the spirit is weighed down by the burdens of eternal punishment. The relentless torment leaves the souls in a state of perpetual agony, with no respite in sight. It is a realm where light is but a distant memory, replaced by an all-encompassing darkness that engulfs everything in its path. The ground is scorched and cracked, radiating unbearable heat from the fires that rage constantly. The thick smog hangs like a curtain, blocking any glimpse of the sky and making every breath a struggle.

Grimlung is a place of isolation, where souls are cut off from each other by their own suffering. The very air is imbued with the essence of despair, ensuring that every moment spent in Grimlung is a reminder of past transgressions and the consequences thereof.

When we depart from this world, those who have led lives of wrongdoing and malice are said to be condemned to Grimlung, where they will endure eternal suffering and despair. This realm serves as a dire warning of the consequences of straying from the path of righteousness and the eternal damnation that awaits those who forsake The Divine’s guidance.

The Duality of Existence

The Garden and Grimlung together illustrate the duality of existence, representing the ultimate destinations of souls based on their deeds and choices in life. The Garden, with its promise of eternal joy and harmony guided by the Divine, stands as a beacon of hope and reward for the righteous. Grimlung, however, serves as a grim reminder of the consequences of a life led astray, where the repercussions of one's actions result in unending torment.

Variations of Interpretation

Wheatstan

The inhabitants of Wheatstan hold a unique interpretation of the Garden and Grimlung. For them, the Garden is not just a spiritual sanctuary but also a reflection of their fertile fields and abundant harvests, a place where the cycle of sowing and reaping continues harmoniously in the afterlife. Grimlung, on the other hand, is seen as a barren wasteland, devoid of the life-giving crops they cherish. It is a stark contrast to their earthly abundance, symbolising the ultimate desolation and ruin that come from neglecting the virtues of hard work and community.

In Wheatstan, Angels are envisioned as gentle spirits of the harvest, guardians who bless the fields, ensure bountiful crops, and guide farmers through the cycles of sowing and reaping. They are seen as embodiments of community, diligence, and the rewards of honest labour, appearing in folklore as shimmering figures among golden wheat at dawn.

Devils, conversely, are depicted as blights upon the land, pests, droughts, or withering winds that threaten the harvest. They represent laziness, greed, or discord within the community, and are blamed for failed crops or barren fields, serving as warnings against neglecting one’s duties or turning away from communal values.

Tamarillo

In Tamarillo, the Garden is envisioned as an eternal expanse of verdant plains, where wild horses run free under an endless sky. The people of Tamarillo see the Garden as an extension of their beloved steppes, a place where they can ride and explore the boundless beauty of nature forever. Grimlung, however, is perceived as a desolate plain, where the grass is withered and the horses are emaciated, barely able to stand. It serves as a cautionary tale against greed and the relentless pursuit of power, reminding the Tamarillians of the importance of harmony with the land and respect for all living creatures.

For the people of Tamarillo, Angels are wild and free, often imagined as radiant riders or swift horses galloping across the endless plains. They are seen as guides who lead souls to new horizons, protect travellers, and inspire harmony with nature and respect for the land’s creatures.

Devils are perceived as the bringers of famine and discord, phantom riders who drive herds to ruin, or shadowy figures that sow greed and violence among the people. Their presence is felt in the withering of grass, the sickness of horses, or the rise of conflict, reminding Tamarillians of the dangers of pride and the relentless pursuit of power.

Goldrock

Goldrock's interpretation of the Garden and Grimlung is shaped by their mining heritage. The Garden is a realm of endless, glittering caverns filled with precious gems and metals, where the miners' toil is rewarded with untold riches. It is a place of prosperity and abundance, symbolising the fruits of honest labour and perseverance. Conversely, Grimlung is seen as a dark, suffocating mine, where the air is thick with dust and the walls threaten to collapse at any moment. This harrowing vision serves as a warning against avarice and deceit, illustrating the consequences of exploiting others and valuing wealth above all else.

In Goldrock, Angels are seen as agents of the Divine who clear away darkness and protect folk from the dangers of mines, factories, and machines. They are believed to guide workers safely, dispel poison gas, and prevent accidents, shielding the people from the harmful schemes of Devils.

Devils are viewed as agents of the Profane, seeking to harm and curse through malfunctioning machines, toxic gases, and mischief in dark places. Their presence is blamed for accidents and disasters, serving as a warning of the perils that lurk where vigilance and light are absent.

The Wanderers

The Wanderers, a diverse and nomadic group, have a more fluid and varied interpretation of the Garden and Grimlung. For some, the Garden is a vast, open landscape, a place of freedom and endless exploration, where they can roam without restriction and discover new wonders. It is a sanctuary of boundless possibilities, reflecting their love for adventure and the unknown. Grimlung, in contrast, is envisioned as a narrow, confining space, where movement is restricted and the spirit is trapped in a never-ending cycle of monotony and despair. This interpretation underscores the Wanderers' fear of confinement and the loss of their cherished freedom.

For the Wanderers, Angels are spirits of the open road, guides who appear as friendly strangers, helpful animals, or sudden bursts of inspiration. They are associated with freedom, discovery, and the joy of endless exploration, offering protection and companionship on the journey.

Devils are the forces of confinement and stagnation, embodied in barriers, lost paths, or the monotony of being trapped in one place. They are seen as the architects of despair and isolation, warning Wanderers of the dangers of losing their sense of adventure or succumbing to fear of the unknown.

Each of these interpretations highlights the diverse cultural perspectives on the duality of existence, emphasising the significance of one's deeds and choices in shaping their ultimate destiny.