The last notes of the music rang out and the four priestesses stopped dancing in their spots marking the cardinal directions. I reached the edge of their outer circle just in time.
I dropped quickly to my knees to begin the second opening prayer. Again, in the ancient language, I prayed for the rain and the warm temperatures and sun that would nurture the life of all plants.
I prayed for these conditions to do well for the crops that we may have a bountiful yield by late Summer/early Fall. I prayed that all creatures would have full bellies enough to survive through the cruel season that was the inevitable winter.
I prayed for streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes to have sufficient water and for the balance of nature to be preserved.
Finished, I bowed my head before rising to my feet.
I raised both arms, palms up to the sky. Taking the cue, the music started again.
I walked past the outer circle and to my inner circle. This dance required the four priestesses and the high priestess.
I began the dance with a slow 'grape vine' all around the circle, before the music picked up at the place I started at, and the priestesses joined in.
Our dance went the rest of the way through, with each group of four dance moves I did repeated by the priestesses (as if it was a call-and-answer song in dance form).
I knew that this dance in particular was best viewed from above and hoped that it looked right.
Once our group dance came to a close, I left the ritual area.
A second dance with just the priestesses, was to begin in a moment. At the edge of the ritual area, a pleasant surprise met me.
Between the edge of the forest and the large wolf standing before me, at least 50 wolves could be seen. They all looked at me, and I looked at all of them.
I smiled. I met the large wolf's eyes and whispered, "Thank you."
He nudged my hand with his muzzle.
"Should I say a blessing over them?" I asked him. "Would they want that?"
The wolf nodded a 'yes'.
"Well alright then." I said smiling. I held my arms up again to the sky, with the palms facing upwards.
"May the Great Goddess of All, Mother of all beings, hear my words and smile down upon us. May she see all present, and may she bless them and keep them safe. May they find resolution to problems under her guidance and teaching. May they find good health after times of illness. May they find enlightenment to truths of life after meditation and thought. May they find peace and love and keep far from war and hate. May they find abundance and plenty after hard work and effort. May they find ease after a struggle and hardship. May they that search find those who will truly love them. May all offspring be born healthy and strong. All of these things I pray to the Great Goddess, that she may hear me and bring them forth as asked. Peace, love, always."
I brought my hands, palms together, in front of my chest and bowed from the waist.
I stood with my back straight and let my arms fall to my sides. I looked at the big wolf, again.
"I have to go, wolf." I told him. "I am needed for all the remaining dances."
I rushed to my inner circle, and stood tall, taking a deep grounding breath before the next dance.
A quick glance around told me the four priestesses were ready. They were waiting for my lead.
I lifted my voice up to the opening notes of the song, and after a moment, they joined mine in unison. Then as if we were one person, we all moved at once, dancing first clockwise, then counter clockwise around our respective circles.
From this point onwards there is no stop between one song and the next, all the songs are high energy and blend easily into one another.
I already know from past experience that the five of us will be exhausted by the end, after all the hours of constant singing and dancing.
By the third song in a row, I feel confident in my dancing and singing. I take the time to notice the small details of things around me.
I notice the still air of the cooled night, as the midnight hour comes and goes. I notice the plethora of stars, the constellations, and the brilliant light of the full moon.
By the light of this moon, I am transformed; the black symbols on the surface of my skin stand out easily from the lighter skin, reminding me of a living yin/yang symbol.
I notice also, all the wolves, who watch the dance with eager eyes. I want the wolves to sing along, so as I spiral around the fire, I take a full, deep breath and let out a howl.
I sense rather than directly see the movement of the wolves, as they shift their weight around and get to their feet from sitting and lying down. They are suddenly restless.
They wait to see what the big brownish grey wolf will do. He lets loose a howl, they watch for a moment, then in some sort of order, join in in pairs or groups.
Our singing and the music, the dancing, the fire, the light of the full moon, and the howling of the wolves, all compliment each other so well, I imagine that even the Great Goddess herself couldn't help but cry at the beauty of it.
I knew, without reaching up to touch my cheeks, that I was. Seconds after that, it started to rain.
It was still raining lightly when the first rays of dawn broke over the horizon. I stopped dancing suddenly as did the priestesses. The music stopped.
We closed our eyes and bent our heads in silent prayer for a moment. We raised our heads and opened our eyes in unison, as a gust of power and wind swirled around the ritual area.
When it stopped, the images of the four priestesses had vanished and the fire extinguished.
The ritual was over, and I was alone except for the wolves.
As the sun continued to rise, I shivered in the rain. Long ago my chemise, drawers and corset had soaked through. The clothing clung to my body as I took a few weary steps forward.
Looking downward, I realized that the white undergarments had gone see-through at all places except those kept concealed in the corset. I shivered again and I tried to force my teeth not to chatter.
A few exhausted steps more and I realized my large brownish grey wolf was walking towards me. I tried to move faster, but my feet slipped in the slick, damp grass.
As I fell, I was so exhausted and weary that I wasn't fast enough to catch myself. I don't remember anything after that; I don't remember hitting my head.