While traveling with Sean for his application to the American Pistolsmith Guild and the annual S.H.O.T. Show; we were able to visit his parents as they participated in the Alifiah River Rendezvous; aka a pre 1840 Fur Traders re-inactment camp.
It was a throwback to simpler times; tents, food cooked over an open flame and to my surprise, an induction into the sisterhood. The women of the Clan of the Wolf, invited me outside on Monday morning to receive a gift of a hearth stone, and then surrounded me with prayer and hugs. Below is the text of the simple ritual:
A thousand blessings to you on this your kerchting day. Upon this day you will don your spousal crown which will signify to all your position as a wife. Care for your post well, know the strength of a wife is silently powerful. Firm as a rock, steadfast as oak, soft as down, and gentle as fervent prayer. With your feet upon your hearth stone, know from this day on you are the keeper of the hearth. From kindle to smour you will order the heart of your home. As this kertch is placed upon your head, pinnacle wise symbolic of the three that will guide you and keep you all the days of your earthly walk. On this day and all that come walk proudly in thy Kertch, provide will for your family; speak not ill of him thou ill he may be, be not boastful, but do be self assured and know the community of women all the days of your life.
There is power in ritual, to be connected to something bigger than ourselves, hundreds of years old, that leagues of others have been through. I have come to appreciate the history and traditions of people more over the years. They connect us to another way of living and remind us that some day, what we do will be evaluated by those who come after us. I pray we will giving them a solid rock on which to stand.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment