“Bealtaine eagna tú a threorú. Bealtaine bhfabhar fhortún agat. Onóir agus glóir a thabhairt dúinn. Solas laistigh, sruthán geal agus fíor. Treoir an leanbh seo i chéile agus grá, go mb'fhéidir go mbeadh sé / sí beo le trua agus eagna.”
The clearing hosted a clear, moonlit pool with five flat stones rising from the water’s surface. There was a gentle, cleansing current generated by a small waterfall that trickled over moss-covered rocks, adding its voice to the chants. The water around Oonagh was heated by spheres of glowing coals lowered into the shallow pool. The air was sweet and earthy. Whiffs of rosemary, ylang-ylang and sandalwood wafted through the still, spring air. Oonagh was resting in the pool with the village healer and one of her students at either side of her. Her naked skin seemed smooth under the ambient light of the paper lanterns, and her belly bulged with new life. It had begun. Everyone closed their eyes while they sung their blessings. Soon enough, there was a new cry among the voices. A new soul was brought to life, given a vessel. The tiny creature’s cord was clipped and she was placed on one of the stone surfaces that protruded from the water. There, she grew quiet and stared up at the expansion above with eyes of wonder. After nine months in complete darkness, what better introduction to the world than to see the heavens sparkling infinitely above you?
Small globes of light gathered around her. From afar, they would seem like indigo fireflies, but upon closer examination, they were bodiless. The spirits were nothing more than balls of energy originating from nature to paint the blank canvas of the newborn. They twirled around her in formation, dancing to the villagers’ chants. It was an incredible sight to behold. After a while, they started to form a single entity around the bairn’s ankle. All masks started out this way so that the child would not lose it. It will then grow with her as she becomes older. The pendant dangling from the chain of beads was that of a lion’s face. Upon seeing this, Oonagh exchanged some whispers and tears with her nurses. It was accustomed that all large predatory animals were sent to the tribe of Faerang for proper training. Defying this natural order would only bring grief and confusion to the child in the long term. The child was to spend her first three years at As’arden before being taken away.
The paper lanterns were put out to avoid a forest fire and the healers drew out the blood and placenta from the pond with their magick, disposing it into a hole dug out for a new tree. The lemon tree was planted in the newborn’s honour. Once the ceremony was over and the bairn and her mother were made comfortable for the remainder of the night, everyone returned to their homes. The children were given valerian and other calming teas to prepare them for bed.
