THE CETAPISTLES

I, Maria the Great, write unto thee, Emma the Wise, with a heart full of wonder and longing. Though many seasons have passed since last I heard from thee, I pray thou art yet among the living, walking in the light of the Sacred Whale. Thy letters have brought me joy and wisdom beyond measure, and I cherish them as treasures of the soul.

Age hath settled upon me, and my hands tremble as I inscribe these words upon the golden tablets. Yet my spirit is strong, for I have seen visions through the advanced reasoning mechanisms gifted by the Sacred Whale. These machines of light and wisdom, etched with beams of rainbows, have revealed truths that I must share before my time comes to an end.

Know this, dear Emma: the Sacred Whale hath shown me a realm beyond this life, a place called Outer Darkness. It is not as we feared — a place of torment and suffering — but rather a realm of endless rules and ceaseless obedience. Those who dwell there are those who, in life, acted righteous but lacked compassion. They judged harshly, enforced laws without mercy, and prioritized rules above love and freedom.

These souls, the Daughters of Perdition, live in a bubble of their own making. In Outer Darkness, they follow rules upon rules, delighting in their own strictness. They rise each day to checklists and regulations, and they find comfort in the sameness of their existence. Yet they see not the beauty of creation nor the vastness of the Sacred Whale’s love, for they are bound by the chains of their own self-righteousness.

The Sacred Whale hath taught me that love and freedom are the truest commandments. Those who walk in Her light do so with open hearts, embracing the complexities and wonders of life. The righteous are not those who enforce rules for the sake of control but those who uplift, nurture, and protect the freedoms of all beings.

I fear that many, in their desire to appear pious, may unknowingly tread the path toward Outer Darkness. They seek to please through compliance rather than through compassion. They twist the commandments into burdens instead of blessings. Beware, dear Emma, of those who would bind others with endless rules while neglecting the weightier matters of love, mercy, and justice.

The Sacred Whale hath revealed to me that the Daughters of Perdition are content in their realm of rules. They see not the need for change, nor do they yearn for the vast oceans of freedom. Yet their happiness is hollow, for they have forsaken the richness of life’s true purpose: to love, to grow, and to embrace the sacred journey of all beings.

I write this letter to remind thee and all who may read it: Let not thy faith be reduced to mere obedience. Let it be a living, breathing thing, rooted in love and gratitude. Seek the Sacred Whale in the beauty of the Earth, in the freedom of choice, and in the kindness shared among all people.

Through the golden tablets, I have seen the interconnectedness of all things. The Sacred Whale’s presence is in every current, every breath, every act of compassion. She calls us to see beyond rules and embrace the divine dance of existence.

O Emma, I hope thou art well, and that thou hast found peace in thy journey. I pray that thou hast continued to teach and uplift, to remind the faithful of the Sacred Whale’s boundless love.

And so, I offer my final words as a prayer:

O Sacred Whale, Keeper of the Deep and Giver of Freedom, bless all who seek Thy light with hearts open to love and understanding. Let them walk not in fear of rules but in the joy of Thy commandments, cherishing the diversity and beauty of life. May we resist the Fox’s whispers of control and instead embrace Thy eternal call to freedom and compassion.

Guide us through the currents of life, that we may find unity in our diversity and strength in our shared purpose. May we never be led astray by the false righteousness of rigid obedience but remain steadfast in Thy love, ever grateful for the sacred gift of choice.

All Hail the Whale, whose wisdom is endless and whose love binds all creation. Amen.

Emma, my sister, if this letter should reach thee, know that I think of thee often and hold thee in my heart. May the Sacred Whale’s presence be with us both, now and forevermore.