Chapter Five - Rebirth
The following evening Sabbina fixes the electrodes to her head one final time and settles into the bed under the pyramid. Part of her is glad that this will be her last visit to the past, though part of her wishes she could continue her travels and explorations. Still Peter is right. Just this one last time - for now. Secretly she reserves the right to visit again sometime in the future. But where to go now? Perhaps even further back; perhaps the Stone Age ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The procession wound slowly along the worn, rocky path and up the dark, heather cloaked hillside. At its head two acolytes with flaming torches lit the way. Behind them came first the priest then, step by cautious step, Sela - the new High Priestess. The rest of the clan plodded after them, including the chosen one whose virginity would, this night of rebirth, be surrendered to The Goddess.
Sela lurched as she caught her toe on a large stone. Careful, it wouldn't do for her to stumble at this time, that would undermine the clan's confidence in her; suggest that Mother Earth had deserted her, and them, and that she should be replaced.
She fixed her gaze on the broad shoulders of Rawk, the priest, as he strode ardently ahead. As their elected clan mother - their spiritual leader - it had fallen to Sela to pick the priest. Rawk had proved a good choice, performing his duties satisfactorily and, in addition, being a pleasing and agreeable mate when the rituals demanded they openly copulate. There was no-one in the clan more suited to performing the ceremonial seeding of the virgin.
A soft south-westerly wind caressed her cheek. Her gaze drifted up past the bright moon to where the stars shone clear this night of Beltane - this night of no-time between spring and summer when new life sprang forth. It augured well for a joyful rebirth and bountiful harvest.
Her thoughts went back to when, during the time-honoured exchange of females, she had been given to this clan. That year she had been the one chosen to be deflowered on the great altar. Then the priest had been a halt, repellent man. She could still recall the sudden pain when he'd rammed his meat into her tight tunnel - how she had cried out. Which had only made him thrust harder, for he was one who believed that the louder an offering screamed the greater the veneration of our Earth Mother.
At first she had not understood why her predecessor as High Priestess had chosen him to be the Priest. Then, as other men enjoyed her, Sela came to realise it was because he had the largest shaft of any in the clan and was the only man who could properly satisfy that woman. Unfortunately it meant other females, like herself, who could be well pleasured by more normal men, had to suffer when he chose to take them. Clan gatherings were happier since she'd had him replaced.
The lights disappeared momentarily as the acolytes went over the ridge and down into the saucer shaped hollow of the sacred site. The sheep who cropped turf short stirred restlessly and moved away. As they reached the high palisade enclosing the shrine the acolytes moved to stand guard, one at each side of the entrance. Rawk continued into the sacred enclosure and led the line three times widdershins round the large altar stone at its centre.
Stopping he turned to face the assembly, Sela slightly behind him on one side, the virgin, with her minders, on the other. The moonlight fell full on his well-defined features and curly beard as he raised his arms to start the ritual; his deep, melodic tones gripping all who heard.
'To this hallowed place we come to show all that is in our hearts. . . The blood of ancients runs through our veins. . . The years may pass but the circle of life remains. . . .We are here to honour the Goddess, our Earth-Mother who by her union with Beltane, her husband and lover, our father and protector, gives life anew.'
He paused and slowly looked at each member of the clan in turn then asked, 'What gifts doth our Earth-Mother give, that we may share the renewal of life?'
Together they replied, 'The waters of life and the joys of mating.'
Once more he questioned them, 'And how do we know these gifts?'
Their response was enthusiastic, 'By drinking of the waters and uniting seed with egg.'
The priest gestured to an acolyte who handed him a large bowl filled with alcohol. Saying, 'Consecrate these waters, and let all who will honour the Mother partake of them,' he took a sip then returned it to the acolyte to be passed around the throng so that each could drink.
Rawk waited motionless, a silent, commanding figure, until the cup had travelled the circle and returned to the start, where it was placed in Sela's hands.
She drank, then spilled the remaining liquid across the altar, proclaiming, 'Oh Earth-Mother who gives life we praise thee. Remember us and speak to us in our hearts. Give us your teachings and laughter, become one among us here tonight. By our offering we do thank and honour thee.'
