"I would hear more of the star people. Are they fashioned like us? Or are they closer in substance to the high spirits and angels?"

"Star people. Angels. Spirits. Just words, my dear, fashioned by the limits of our mortal tongue. For how shall we describe the indescribable? But we must try our best, must we not? Call them higher beings, if you will. They are the walkers between the worlds. Some of these are our ancestors, those who have walked further ahead down the good red road. Then there are those who have never walked amongst us before but have now chosen to do so. Yet each of these share with us the deepest kinship."

 "Have you ever encountered such a blessed being, my teacher?"

"I believe the Lady of Estakhr was such a being. But let us tread carefully and quietly when speaking of such sacred matters. The high spirits flee from those who talk too loudly. They are butterflies in a lilac meadow. And, just like butterflies, are startled away by the sound of heavy footsteps."

"But how shall I recognise such a being if I should be so blessed to meet one?"

"Tell me, Heshel, how shall you recognise the one for whom your soul does seek? In this question, you will find your answer. And it is not the habit of the star people to draw undue attention to themselves. This is not because they wish to remain hidden, but because only the true heart can bare the rapture of their undiluted presence. Yet even they are revealed to the heart that sees, for they are unable to conceal this one precious thing: the look of divine wonder that shines in their eyes. How shall you recognise them? Why, these blessed ones are the children with the faraway eyes, who carry a wisdom far beyond their earthly years. They are the humble ones, who speak less of "I" and more of "we". They are the dancers upon the rainbow's edge. The gentle and pure ones with a fierce warrior spirit. The kind ones. The shining ones. Ah, my apprentice, how shall I find adequate words to speak of them."

By Uriel

(From 'The Garden Where Four Rivers Flow')