Who: Luna and OPEN When: Sunday at Sunset Where: The woods by the Lovegood Home What: Solstice Celebration Rating: potentially high Status: In progress
All guests can apparate to the Lovegood home, Luna will lead them to the clearing where the unicorns gather. A bonfire has been set up in advance, as well as tables full of food and drink. Fairy lights shone in every tree, but it's quickly apparent that they're real fairies and have gathered on their own. Soft singing can be heard from nearby trees, and if you're still enough you can catch glimpses of the nymphs and nyads waiting there.
Luna beings the ceremony by saying "Today, to celebrate Midsummer, I honor the Earth itself. I am surrounded by tall trees. There is a clear sky above me and cool dirt beneath me, and I am connected to all three. I light this fire as the Ancients did so long ago." When she lights the fire it flashes hundred of different colors as salamanders dance in the flames.
She looks into the fire and says: "Today is Litha, called Alban Heruin by my ancestors. A time for celebration. Tomorrow the light will begin to fade As the Wheel of the Year Turns on and ever on."
She turns to the East, and says
"From the east comes the wind, Cool and clear. It brings new seeds to the garden Bees to the pollen And birds to the trees."
A powerful breeze kicks up around everyone, causing a funnel of leaves to rush through everyone's hair and stick to their clothes.
She turns to face South, and says
"The sun rises high in the summer sky And lights our way even into the night Today the sun casts three rays The light of fire upon the land, the sea, and the heavens"
The fire casts bursts of light that touch every guest on their chest above their heart. There is no pain, but each guest may feel warmth or chill depending on their mood.
She turns to face West and says:
"From the west, the mist rolls in Bringing rain and fog The life-giving water without which We would cease to be."
A fog rolls in, obscuring everything but the leaping flames. It rolls put almost immediately, but the earth and the people are drenched in water that does not feel wet. What it feels like is personal to everyone involved, to Luna it feels like starlight and dancing
She turns to the North, and says:
"Beneath my feet is the Earth, Soil dark and fertile The womb in which life begins And will later die, then return anew"
The fire pulses in a heartbeat rhythm, and Luna begins to sway to the beat. All others are compelled to join, but whether they do or not is up to them.
"I give honor to You, O mighty ones, By all your names, known and unknown. Bless us with Your wisdom And give life and abundance to us As the sun gives life and abundance to the Earth. Cleanse our hearts and minds, that we may see thy gifts as they truly are.
I make this offering to you To show my love To show my honor To You."
Luna takes a small ever knife and slahses the palm of her hand. She throws a spray of blood into the fire, which explodes into a frenzy of life abd movement. In moments it has died down. The spell is broken, and Luna's hand is healed. She smiles at her guests and steps forward.
"The cleansing ritual is complete. Thank you all. Please join me in worshiping the old gods in whatever way you see fit."
*Please start sub threads for whatever interactions you would like! Swimming is available in the unicorn pool, but only naked. There are hundreds of creatures in the forest that have come to watch, anyone who is quiet and calm may speak to or interact with any of them they wish. It is customary to have sex in the moonlight on Lithia, but it is not an orgy and no one has to participate. Groups or couples will consumate outside of the firelight. Anyone who is disrespectful of the forest, the fire, or its creatures will face the proper consequences (which can be made up as we go along!)