Ritual of Revelation

[HamsterHyde]

Ritual of Revelation

Answers were needed. Nixidea had a lot of information about the matter yet she was not sure how to proceed. After the visions, the priestess knew exactly what to do with no hesitation. This made Nixidea think about her own task. She did not know the position of her goddess regarding that matter, and considering many deities were involved in this incident, it may be important to her, as well. She did not want to anger The Lady of the Veil; she was her patroness and the one allowing her to travel through her reign. These visions of dreams seemed quite important, especially considering her relation with the Dreamworld. Therefore a divination was needed, she must speak with her goddess, and she must know how to favor her.

Thus, Nixidea went to speak with her master. The best way to access the gods is through their priests, and so the best thing was to ask him for advice. Of course an offering was needed and so Nixidea brought with her an artifact she found long ago. She thought it was a proper offering.
Master accepted the gift with no hesitation; and in exchange for it and a couple of gossips, he told her what may be the proper sacrifice and offer himself to help with the ritual. And so they did.

Like in other rituals, fasting is important. Also to purify the body and mind, the whole process must be followed with extreme care. The bath is waiting within the shadows of the cave, only illuminated by the flickering light of the candles. They represent the many lives of the followers. Those candle wicks burning slowly until they are consumed by the ruling darkness. Silently I approach the circular tab, leaving my clothes behind me, walking the path guided by the lives of many. I make my vows. I feel the white threads rising from the incense burners caressing my sensitive skin; the Jasmin scent piercing through my nose. Once I sit inside the tab with my crown of holly, my fingers spread the violets’ pigment in the border of the tab. Then I feel the cold spring water being spilled in my neck, running down through my chest and flooding my hips. I chant my psalms:

“Oh, my Lady! You, that brings dreams upon us. I am your servant. Oh, my Lady! You, that holds the vail in front of us. Allow me to purify my soul.”

After that, I dilute the essence of shadows in the water and I deep myself in that darkness to wait the right time.
I ignore how much time has passed since I sank myself in the waters of emptiness, but I knew it was the time. I felt the void inside me and the urge to fill it. I raised and took a deep breath; I felt my lungs pumping air as it was the first time. New clothes were waiting for me in my master’s hands. I wore them and a new chant begins:

“Oh my Lady! You that punish through nightmares. Come among us! Oh my Lady! You that rip the veil apart, allow me to foreseen the truth behind.”

Step by step, chant by chant, I approach the burners lighting them. Dried poppies where inside and soon the aroma spread across the cave. Inside the circle, the sacrifice was waiting calmly; a black sheep. It received me with her round eyes, looking at me as she knew her fate. The sharp knife made from bone was firmly held by my grip; and soon the blade run across the animal’s neck. Not a single bleating, not a single gasp. The sheep received the Lady’s blessing with silence, while it’s blood spill inside the circle. And over a little wooden bowl I held in the other hand. Once the body lay resting peacefully in the ground I rise the bowl offering it to the black ceiling. A live has been offered to The Lady of the Vail, and I take a sip of that life we both share. After drinking a bit of blood I shower myself with the rest, participating in the grace of my mistress, rejoicing in the blessing of the sacrifice. And laying down with the wool as a pillow I cross my arms over my chest and close my eyes, intoning my last psalm, asking The Lady of the Vail for a revelation:

“Oh my Lady! You that see what lay inside us. I am your servant. Oh my Lady! You that hold great power, reveal to me your plan.”

[HamsterHyde]

The end of it

I open my eyes. She is angry, I feel sorrow. The answer is given, and yet not what I was expecting. She spoke to me, but she was not pleased. Why do you reject me, my lady?
The ritual must finish, it must be closed, and nothing else matter. The the flames dance frantically in the brazier. I offer the knife, I brake it against my knee; and the pieces are given to the fire with a last song:

“Oh my Lady! This is you claw, with it I made a sacrifice in your honor. Oh my Lady! It carries all my guilt and shame, take it with you.”

Watching the bone burn and crackle my sorrow turns into fear and confusion. What can I do? What should I do? It doesn’t matter, but I ‘must’ do. This is important, I cannot leave it on the hands of others, she spoke clearly and I must obey; even if it ends with my doom.

Without a word I depart from the cave, leaving my master behind, silence rule the night.