In my writer's reflective mood here tonight, I'm thinking again of the Faery Queene and Lewis' observation: ‘Evil is portrayed as lawless, upsurging energy in Shakespeare, Milton and Marlowe—where it's all about the momentary choice. But the Faery Queene gives a lifelong portrayal rather than focussing on the momentary choice... The result being that the Faery Queene invokes a different emotional response to the shape of reality...' 2 That *lifelong* is what gives the lie to the devil as far as I'm concerned. Further on, Lewis continues, ‘Evil says, “Let go, lie down, sleep (the false rest of evil)”, whereas Good says, “All aboard, kill the dragon, marry the girl; blow the pipes and beat the drum—let the dance begin!”' 3 Finally, the day of my appointment in another city, arrives. But even as I drive there, my mood is remains sceptical. Best case scenario will be medicated for the rest of my life; next best, have to go see the therapist every month for the rest of my life. Third best: locked up. I knock on the door of the healer's home. He opens the door and it's good: he's so normal and harmless looking, like an accountant: definitely not creepy. Passed test number one. Inside his office I ask my question. ‘Do you mind if I pray and sanctify this time and this place in the name of Jesus?' ‘No problem.' ‘Dear God in Heaven,' I pray. ‘I sanctify this time and this place in the name of Jesus and of his blood shed at Calvary. Amen.' The healer has passed test number two and we talk—not much at all about me—mostly about what hypnotherapy is and is not. He fully gets my concern about the quacks, the shows in RSL clubs and the dangers. It emerges that although we both believe there's a Higher Power, we don't have the same worldview. I kind of like that. I feel reminded that God is bigger than theology. I'm already starting to slide. Think I'm in good hands. We will see. 2 CS Lewis (with Alistair Fowler) Spenser's Images of Life (Cambridge University Press, 1967, 2013 University Printing House, Cambridge CB2, UK) p. 66 3 CS Lewis (with Alistair Fowler) Spenser's Images of Life (Cambridge University Press, 1967, 2013 University Printing House, Cambridge CB2, UK) p. 95