Harvest Legeica
Just as her father was before her, and his father before that, she was destined to be a shaman. It was a tradition that had been in her family as long as anyone could remember and it was expected she would follow in their footsteps. It had always been a dream of hers to do exactly that, however the pressure of to do so was far greater than she had ever expected. The whole village waited for her just outside the leather flap of her hut.
Drawing in a deep breath, she stepped out of her dwelling to join her fellow villagers as they began an ancient chant, welcoming her within the circle of bodies as they danced and drummed in celebration. She walked down the path from her hut to the stage set in the center of the village where the high shamans were gathered to perform the necessary blessings to ready her spirit and soul for her journey ahead.
When she reached the center she knelt in front of the chief shaman who held a round charcoal tablet with copal, lavender and myrrh smoldering within. In his other hand he held a large feather used to wash the smoke over her to ensure she received the blessing. As she knelt, the chief shaman nodded in greeting, offering a soft smile before beginning the blessing.
”Welcome the energy of the rising sun, the beginning way and light of illumination, the clarity of the heavens and the energies of the East. Accept the energy of provision, the intensity of the noonday sun, the knowledge of the animal spirits and the energies of the South. Receive the gifts of healing and renewal, the strength to use those gifts and the energies of the West. Seek out the energy and wisdom of our ancestors long gone, the generosity and honor of their presence and the energies of the North. Let the spirits of our ancestors guide you towards enlightenment and balance as you become one with the spiritual realm and learn to traverse between this world and theirs. May you use your gifts for the betterment of your people and may the people find comfort in your guidance.”
As the chief shaman blessed her, the smoke of the smoldering concoction on the charcoal tablet billowed around her. Though the smoke was thick, she felt herself breathing more easily as the chief completed the blessing leaving her feeling whole and connected to those around her in a way she hadn’t before. The other high shamans joined in the chant as the chief continued to brush smoke over her to complete the ritual.
Suddenly the drums silenced as the other shamans stopped chanting, their eyes all turning to look behind her at something she couldn’t see. Confused, she looked over her shoulder to see a large gathering of birds as they fluttered down from the nearby trees. The sudden appearance of the birds frightened her and she tried to stand but was stopped when the chief shaman took her by the wrist.
”Be still, my child,” he said softly though his eyes never left the gathering of birds. Calming herself as she knelt again near the chief, she watched as the birds continued to gather before the flock of them suddenly lifted into the air and swooped down towards her. Some landed on her shoulders and legs with others simply landed on the ground near her. The birds were completely silent and as she was able to look at them closer, she noticed they were not completely whole. Instead they had an ethereal appearance which meant they were not of this world, but of another. As silently as they had appeared, they took off again and disappeared into the tangled canopy above.
The gathering of shaman had started to chatter but the chief held his hand up, silencing them. ”My fellow shaman—such a sign has not been witnessed for many, many years,” the chief shaman started to speak, looking out among the confused gathering of shaman. “Our newest sister shaman is destined for things far greater than we could imagine.”
Turning to her now, the chief spoke more softly. “You will deliver your people from great peril. The ancestors have entrusted you and you alone with this task. Inside you lay power greater than any your fellow shaman possess.” Placing a gentle hand on hers, the chief shaman smiled. “We are truly blessed to be in your presence.”
When the ceremony had come to a close, she left the gathering of people for the quiet solace of her hut. The chief shaman’s words reverberated in her mind; she was to deliver the villagers from some great threat. What could this great peril be? She could only muse on the words spoken to her today and wonder what her future would hold.
♥️ Credits ♥️
♥️ Profile art by
odduckOasis♥️ Profile mods by
Celestial♥️ Story by
Celestial♥️ Font from DaFont
♥️ Autumn leaves from 123RF
♥️ BG from Magic4Walls
♥️ Shaman blessing from TaosHerb
