Lunar eclipse

I was still asleep when an invisible force lifted me into the air. Sensing danger, I woke and began to struggle from the invisible embrace. Only after a moment, when I was released, did I fall painfully onto my bed. I saw nothing. Impenetrable darkness reigned around me. All I could do was hold on to the bearskin with all my strength, as the Spirit tugged and shook it alternately. I struggled helplessly for a moment, until it finally vanished, driven away by the spells I began whispering through lips pale with fear. Silence fell again in the small room. All I could hear was the rustle of leaves rustling in the wind. I sat down, burying my face in my trembling hands. This wasn't the first, and probably not the last, warning I'd received from the Otherworld. I wrapped myself in the skins again, lying down on the hard bed. Sleep wouldn't come. I was afraid to close my eyes for fear of what I might see, but exhaustion quickly overcame my fears. Without even realizing it, I fell asleep. I saw a sky crimson and a vast clearing, the ground soaked in blood. In the din of battle, horses neighed heartbreakingly, and I heard the desperate cries of dying men. The clang of armor and crisscrossing swords seemed to rival the clap of thunder. I saw bloody bodies, severed legs and arms, skulls split in half, and the bellies of horses ripped open. I could almost smell the stench hanging in the air. But from all the chaos, a single silhouette emerged, enveloped in a silvery, magical aura. It was a tall man with violet eyes and midnight-black hair. He was dressed in light leather armor, and in his right hand he held an exceptionally long sword, which he used to crush the skulls of the attacking warriors. I didn't understand the meaning of this dream. For as long as I can remember, I have never seen such armed knights or such cruel battles...

It was just dawn. The sun was brightening the horizon, bathing the sky in a mixture of red and pink. I rose from my bed. On a stool made of several boards, I laid out my deerskin robes. First, I put on the top, its long sleeves interwoven with horsehair, then the long skirt, adorned with hare tails and the tiny bones of field mice. Everything the priests wore was closely linked to the forces they served and wielded. We believed that by wearing the deerskin, we absorbed its swiftness and grace, while the eagle feathers were meant to help us see more clearly and navigate different worlds. Finally, I sat at a table and braided raven and hawk feathers into my long hair and placed a necklace of wolf fangs around my neck. Thus dressed, I walked out into the narrow corridor that led directly to the temple. It was a large, circular room with a vaulted roof carefully covered with reeds. In its center stood a massive, flat stone, white, almost crystalline, while the oval walls were covered with ancient writing and mysterious symbols, the meaning of which only I knew. Without a word, I knelt before the stone, holding out my hands, palms up. I froze, closing my eyes. I breathed deeply, listening to the steady beat of my heart. Only when the first birds began to awaken from their sleep did my lips move, and a soft chant emerged from my throat, in an ancient language no longer known to my people. It was a song in honor of the Great Moon Goddess and the Horned Sun God. My grandmother taught it to me, and her grandmother taught it to her. This is how it went for generations, for we never wrote down our secrets. The knowledge we possessed was too precious, and words held too much power for us. By the time I finished singing, it was completely bright. I could hear the first conversations in the streets below the hill, and the first two-wheeled horse-drawn carts clattered over the stones. I rose to my feet and began lighting herbs arranged in clay bowls surrounding the white stone. Thick smoke filled the temple. Only a few streams of light filtered in through the narrow, elongated windows just below the roof. I pottered around the temple for a moment longer, then went into my room to retrieve my wicker basket. A pleasant, warm breeze enveloped me as I stepped outside, carrying the sweet scent of flowers. I smiled sleepily as I began to slowly descend the hill. I walked along a narrow path marked by low poles driven into the ground. Finding myself between the first wooden huts, I looked around curiously. The narrow, stone-lined streets were lined with stalls selling various goods. There were fruits, vegetables, spices, leather, precious stones, iron tools, clay bowls and many other things whose purpose I did not know.The shouts of vendors echoed through the long rows of similar, reed-roofed huts. I turned left. Walking along the wooden wall, I hoped to encounter only a few people, who, upon seeing me, quickly disappeared through their doorways. I didn't like to look into their eyes. There was a fear in them that they themselves didn't quite understand. Fear mixed with respect. I quickly slipped through the wide-open gates, emerging directly onto a dusty road that snaked like a snake between the fields. The grain was already turning golden, heralding the coming harvest. I walked slowly, brushing my hand over the large ears of grain. I had to move away from the settlement to find myself in the vast meadows. I picked only a few select flowers. White clover, marigolds, meadow cress, geranium, ragged campion, cornflowers, and bluebells... My grandmother told me that if I listened carefully, I could hear the Spirits of Nature playing them. Supposedly, it was the most beautiful music in our world. I walked among them, thanking them for their sacrifice and promising to compensate them for the wrongs they had suffered. When I had collected a whole basket, I returned to the settlement. The guards didn't like to let me outside the safety of the walls, as the times were turbulent, but they understood that I had to fulfill my duties. Meanwhile, traveling traders reported more and more battles, bloody slaughters, and people fleeing north. They spoke of a vast army conquering new territories. No one knew the motives of the knights clad in black. They usually attacked at sunset. They appeared like nightmares and vanished from the battlefield just at dawn, leaving dozens of bodies behind them to be torn apart by ravens and hungry wolves. I heard only snippets of what was being said with great excitement on the streets and in the taverns. I knew only one thing: we had never been in such great danger before. And I didn't need traders and travelers for that. It was the wind that carried the scent of flowers and ripening grain, but also the scent of death.Thanking them for their sacrifice and promising to compensate them for the harm they had suffered. When I had collected the entire basket, I returned to the settlement. The guards didn't like to let me outside the safety of the walls, as the times were turbulent, but they understood that I had to fulfill my duties. Meanwhile, traveling merchants reported more and more battles, bloody slaughters, and people fleeing north. There were rumors of a vast army conquering ever new territories. No one knew the motives of the knights clad in black. They usually attacked at sunset. They appeared like nightmares and vanished from the battlefield just at dawn, leaving dozens of bodies behind them to be torn apart by ravens and hungry wolves. I heard only snippets of what was being told with great excitement on the streets and in the taverns. I knew only one thing: we had never been in such great danger before. And I didn't need traders and travelers for this. It was the wind that carried the scent of flowers and ripening grain, but also the scent of death.Thanking them for their sacrifice and promising to compensate them for the harm they had suffered. When I had collected the entire basket, I returned to the settlement. The guards didn't like to let me outside the safety of the walls, as the times were turbulent, but they understood that I had to fulfill my duties. Meanwhile, traveling merchants reported more and more battles, bloody slaughters, and people fleeing north. There were rumors of a vast army conquering ever new territories. No one knew the motives of the knights clad in black. They usually attacked at sunset. They appeared like nightmares and vanished from the battlefield just at dawn, leaving dozens of bodies behind them to be torn apart by ravens and hungry wolves. I heard only snippets of what was being told with great excitement on the streets and in the taverns. I knew only one thing: we had never been in such great danger before. And I didn't need traders and travelers for this. It was the wind that carried the scent of flowers and ripening grain, but also the scent of death.

For the first time that morning, I attempted to climb toward the temple. I walked alone, listening to my footsteps. Before me, the tall, cylindrical walls of the temple rose proudly toward the sky. Its walls were carefully sealed with river mud. From the village side, the small room built just outside the entrance to the temple was invisible. This was where I lived. I brought fresh flowers into the temple and began arranging them around the white stone altar. Each flower had its place. I placed some to the east, others to the west, others to the north and south. All were assigned to different Nature Spirits, different energies that governed the world. Gray incense smoke filled the temple. I inhaled it deeply, feeling my head grow dizzy. It was becoming increasingly difficult to circle the altar, holding the stone symbols of the sun and moon in my hands. Finally, I knelt before the altar again, but this time I bowed before it, my forehead touching the ground. In sudden flashes of light, I saw bloody battles. Innocent people were dying. Houses, sheds, entire settlements were burning. Animals were slaughtered. Estates were plundered. Knights dressed in black on black steeds. I heard the sobs and curses of the Spirits. I saw blood being spilled, and my heart wept. Who were they and what did they want...? Why were they shedding innocent blood? Suddenly, I saw a man surrounded by a silver aura. He was mounted on a swift steed, surrounded by the leaders of the various legions. He must have been someone important. Someone very important...

A sudden pain shot through me like lightning. I jerked back, my eyes widening. For a moment, I breathed deeply, trying to gather my thoughts. My vision was interrupted. Had someone sensed my presence? I slowly rose from my knees and left the sanctuary. Helplessly, I sat down on my bed in the room. It was still the same. Over and over again, I saw blood, battles, death. The same dreams, the same visions. But what did all this mean? The spirits had warned me of approaching danger before. But they didn't speak of knights in black armor, nor did they speak of battles. They spoke of a young man who had killed his brother. They spoke of guilt and the punishment he had suffered. They said a time of change was coming...

The sound of footsteps roused me from my thoughts. I slowly raised my eyes to the old man, who approached me, bowing low. I rose and looked at him expectantly. He began slowly, clearly considering his words. He had a long beard and white hair falling over thin shoulders. He was dressed in priestly robes, intricately embroidered with ivy and wildflowers.

"We discussed this young man for a long time. Our opinions were divided. He comes from such a poor family that many on the Council of Elders cannot accept the fact that he could be the Chosen One. However, your opinion, Lady, influenced our decision, and we decided to bless him and admit him to the Circle of the Chosen."

I nodded slowly. I was pleased with their decision. I knew they were doing the right thing by following my advice.

"Today the Great Moon Goddess will appear to us in her full glory; today she dresses in the form of the Great Mother, She Who Gives Life. Tonight she will bless him with her power and care for him, just as she did with us.

" "We have prepared him for his service as best we could. In the evening, we will anoint him with fragrant oils, and when he is ready, we will come to the temple to consecrate his body and soul.

" "So be it. When you arrive, everything will be prepared."

The old man bowed low again and left the room, leaving me alone. For a moment, I stood motionless, watching his slender figure disappear around the corner, then buried my face in my hands, exhaling sharply. The Council of Elders had agreed to him only because of me. My vote had decided this man's fate. I paced nervously around the room, thinking about the upcoming ritual. I had to prepare everything, and above all... the mere thought of it sent a cold shiver down my spine. I unconsciously made my way to the temple and knelt amidst the clouds of fragrant smoke.

"Lady..." I whispered, stretching my hands upward. "You, to whom I have devoted my entire life, you to whom I have subordinated all my thoughts, hear me in your kindness. Come to me and listen to the prayers of your devoted servant. Lady of the Moon, Lady of Life, Lady of Fertility, hear me. Please answer my call."

Suddenly, a bright beam of light streamed through the window, falling upon me. I closed my eyes, bowing my head in reverence.

"Thank you for your kindness, my Lady. Please hear me. Tonight, a man will be consecrated to you. His body will be anointed with fragrant oils and sweet blood. Tonight, the power of the most sacred earth, our benefactor and nourisher, will flow into his body. Please be with us and fill him with your energy. May the Spirits hear your voice and obey it. I saw him in the visions you allowed me to see; I know he is the one you desire as your servant. I ask you to accept his offering and accept my sacrifice, for without you, our deeds would have no future. Hear me, my Mother..."

I fell silent. Without raising my head, I knelt until the beam of light receded and vanished, leaving the sanctuary in semi-darkness. Only then did thin streams of tears flow down my cheeks. Something inside me told me I had been heard and that my prayers would be granted. I touched my forehead to the ground, added fresh flowers to the herbs burning in the clay bowls, and left the temple. Now I had to go beyond the settlement walls again. I descended the hill again, passing reed-roofed huts, vanished into the shadow of a high wooden wall, and then slipped outside. Every time I saw the wide road winding between fields to the horizon, I felt like running. No matter where this road would lead me. No matter what awaited me at its end... This time, I turned in the opposite direction from the morning. I circled the settlement and found myself at the edge of an old forest. Its enormous trees, with massive trunks and spreading branches, towered majestically toward the blue sky. The branches were so dense that no other plants could survive. The ground was covered only with rustling, yellowing leaves. For a moment, I stood motionless, gazing at the trees. They were so massive! Far larger than the highest walls of our settlement. As I gazed at them, I realized how insignificant I was in the world, what a small and insignificant part of it I was... Without even realizing it, I began walking through the forest, following an invisible trail deeper and deeper. I don't know how long it took me. I passed enormous trees toppled by the wind, and I saw hills pierced by powerful roots, twisting along the ground like living snakes, waiting for prey. Until finally, a beautiful clearing covered in tall grass came into view. The forest wall surrounded her on all sides, and only here and there the light of the setting sun peeked through the dense tree branches. I felt my heart begin to beat faster and faster in my chest. As I stood there, unable to cross the tree line, I saw my hands begin to tremble. The silence around me only seemed to deepen. I took a shaky breath and slowly entered the clearing, standing in its very center. For a moment, I stood still, lifting my face to the sky. Then I raised my hands high.

"I call upon the holy Spirits of the ancient and mystical elements—air, fire, water, and earth. Come to my call and bring me the sacred animals. Lead them through the forest, so that I may offer an offering to our Great Mother, the Queen of Fertility and Inspiration."

I hadn't finished speaking when a light breeze arose, stirring the long stalks of grass and surrounding me on all sides, playing with my loose hair. I smiled, opening my eyes.

"Thank you," I whispered, sitting down in the grass and resting my head on his chest.

The waiting time had come. I never knew how long it would take the Spirits to bring the sacred animals to the clearing. Meanwhile, I was running out of time to prepare the most important part of the ritual. I didn't really want to be here. I couldn't forgive myself for having to choose the sacred animal...

Suddenly, I felt the ground beneath me begin to tremble. Birds flew violently from the trees, flapping their great wings. I stood up, looking around, searching for horses... our sacred animals. Only after a moment did I see a herd of beautiful steeds galloping. I waited in silence, not moving from my spot. When the horses stopped in the clearing, a depressing silence fell over the forest once again. I said nothing, just walked among the long-legged horses, searching for the most beautiful one. Finally, I found it. It was a snow-white mare with a long, silky-soft mane. My heart sank at the sight of her. She was so beautiful...! I slowly approached her and looked into her large eyes. I think she knew, understood that she had to come with me, because she obediently left the clearing, then the forest, and then walked calmly along the village's main street. The villagers emerged from their homes and showered us with flowers and green leaves. I walked alongside the mare, holding her long mane. I felt relief only when we began to climb the narrow path leading to the temple. Silently, I led her to a circle formed by five stakes driven into the ground. Intricately carved into them were ancient signs, symbols, and letters that gave this place a special power. This was my first time leading the Initiation Rite. My heart pounded in my chest as I tied her long legs to the stakes and placed the rope around her slender neck. The mare stood still, her head bowed, and looking at her made me want to cry, knowing that soon... I quickly turned away, heading for my room. I still had so much work to do. I cleaned the iron cauldron and placed it on the altar, then brought in a censer filled with myrrh and a white candle, on which I had previously carved the name of the chosen youth with a special knife. Now I still needed a clay chalice of water, a bowl of salt, a bell, and two kinds of flowers: one white for the Goddess, the other yellow for God. Yes, now everything was ready. I heard the voices of the Council of Elders. It was completely dark outside. Only the bright full moon illuminated the darkness. I took a shaky breath and went out to meet them. One of the elders, the High Priest, approached me, and we all entered the temple. We went first, followed by the youth, and then the Council of Elders. As is tradition, the members of the Council formed a circle, standing against the walls, holding hands, and observing our preparations for the Ritual. The High Priest took a bell from the altar and rang it three times, while I, taking the ritual knife, began to draw a large circle around the altar.

"I am drawing this magical circle, this candle is bright white, for I call upon the elements to guard and protect this sacred ritual," I said.

Then I took one of the clay bowls in which the herbs were burning and turned my face toward the direction of the birth of the sun.

"O mighty Sylphs, guardians of the east, powers of air and mind, in the name of the elders, I summon you and your magic. Be blessed." I slowly returned the bowl to its place and turned toward the south. "O mighty elemental Salamanders, guardians of the south, powers of fire and spirit, in the name of the elders, I summon you and your magic. Be blessed!" I slowly took a sip of water from the chalice and set it on the altar.

Then I took the bowl of salt and, turning toward the north, whispered, "O mighty elemental Gnomes, guardians of the north, powers of earth and flesh, in the name of the elders, I summon you and your magic. Be blessed."

Sprinkling a pinch of salt, I set the bowl of salt on the altar.

"Behold, spring turns to summer," I said, raising my hands high, "and the great sun wheel turns again, when nature's green spell rejuvenates our souls and when the hours of darkness are shortest. On this holy night, I invoke and call upon you, O Great Goddess and Horned God. In this sacred circle of Shadow and Fire, I vow to honor you, to love you with all my heart, and to serve you well for the rest of my days. I promise to respect and uphold the law of love for all living things and swear to uphold the terms of the counsel—do as you desire, but do no harm." I slowly poured the rest of the water from the cup onto the ground.