The Eight Stages of Grief By Brother Thelonious First Draft, 22nd Hammer 152When contemplating your recent death, you may experience many unpleasant feelings. Know that you are not alone in your struggle! We who wear the garb of the Red Skull Temple may have felt similar feelings once, but after completing the grieving process, we now seek to follow the example set by the Red Skulls before us and ascend to Eternal Paradise.
The feelings you experience upon coming here and realizing the truth can be defined in eight stages. Not everyone will experience all of the stages or visit them in the order listed. Most people experience between five and seven of the stages. The eight stages are: Shock, Denial, Fear, Bargaining, Guilt, Anger, Depression, and Acceptance.
The first stage, Shock, is obvious. This is the moment when you are first told that you have died. Death is quite shocking, and for most of you, it is unexpected. Whether your death was accidental or deliberate, it was premature, and your God has sent you here to complete your destiny.
The duration of the second stage, Denial, is different for each person. When dying suddenly, the spirit is unable to deal with this event and often carries on as if nothing happened, creating a massive illusion to entertain itself. You may appear to eat, drink, and sleep as normal, and your spirit may punish you if you do not behave according to the laws of reality you are accustomed to, but these no longer have any true effects on your physical body. By now, your body has been cremated, buried, or picked apart by scavengers, and those who knew you have already mourned your loss and moved on. The longer you remain enthralled by the illusion, the easier it will be for the Devils to corrupt you.
In the third stage, Fear, you may fear the many Devils of Hell and their minions who roam this place, or you may fear the unknown and what lies ahead in your path. Through prayer and meditation, the Red Skull Temple can help you find a source of strength that will guide you along your path.
The fourth stage, Bargaining, may seem unusual. You may have had many possessions and might offer them in trade for a return to your previous life. Legends tell of arcanists who were able to fulfill wishes through magical means, but know that such pursuits are pointless here. Your God has given you a new purpose; to attempt to return to your previous life is an insult to his or her plan. Though it may be tempting to make a deal with the Devils who rule this place, they will only twist your contract to serve their own ends instead.
The fifth stage, Guilt, is full of questions. You may blame yourself for meeting your death. You may think of "what if" questions and alternate possibilities. You may wonder what you could have done to avoid the events that lead to your death. Do not dwell on such questions. Know that there are many ways to travel between two points. Sometimes, it is better to take the straight path, and other times, it is better to take the winding one.
The sixth stage, Anger, is a sign that the process is nearly complete. You may swear vengeance towards that which caused your death, or be angry at the healers who failed to save your life. However, there is nothing you can do to affect those who still live, as they exist in a world separate from ours, and it is only your memories that bring them here with you in this grand illusion.
In the seventh stage, Depression, you may experience feelings of hopelessness or incredible sadness. This is a common feeling, take comfort in knowing that it will pass. Know that the Red Skull Temple is always there to support you.
The final stage, Acceptance, is when you have fully understood that your life as you knew it is over. You must help others around you to realize the illusion and explore the truth just as you have. These others will have the same feelings you had and would benefit from your experience. Pray that you will hear the call and ascend to Eternal Paradise, as the Red Skulls who ascended before you have, and the Red Skulls who remain hope to someday.