The Hatchling—1995
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VII—Depths of Darkness
"Look at her frolic in the leaves," Holly said, laughing so hard he dropped his rake.
The hatchling had been unusually frisky since the first frost had changed the leaves seemingly overnight into a rainbow of golds and reds and oranges. The sweet gum trees added their deep burgundy and purple and almost blue shades and the unicolt would race through the leaves leaving them swirling in her wake, then turn, cock her head (her horn catching the sunlight), and dance back through them, prancing and pirouetting. As Holly and Arnica raked them into a large pile, she discovered that she could run toward the mound of colour and jump with all four legs right into its midst. She was having so much fun it was difficult to feel any irritation at the scattering of their many hours' work. Instead Holly and Arnica found themselves working fast to pile up the leaves as high as possible so the munchkin (as they liked to call the young Unicorn) could have a safe landing.
"O.K., loved ones," said Arnica, "it's time. We must stop our play and begin preparing for the Feast of the Dead on this Hallows Eve."
"I'll set the candles," offered Holly. "I'd like to use that new oil we made and prepare the candles for the altar and Circle first, then I'll set out the candle lanterns all through the woods along the path back to the stone Circle."
"Wonderful," mused Arnica. "I wonder what herbes should be added to the bread dough for this Dark Night…"
The hatchling said nothing, but trotted off quickly and soon caught up with Holly, her basket hanging from her mouth. She had learned that she could help by carrying the basket so that herbes, candles or ritual things were more easily transported. Before either Holly or Arnica had begun anything obvious in setting the garden Circle for the last New Moon, the hatchling had appeared at the back cabin door, sitting there holding the basket. For a unicolt only five sabbats old, she was both wise and precocious well beyond the turns of her horn. She would make many trips back and forth from the cabin to the stone circle before this night's ritual would begin!
Arnica and Holly stood ready in their warm, wool robes. Holly was holding a lit, wax taper with flame gathered from the hearth. Arnica held forth the open lantern so the candle within it could be lit. The sun long set, they would enter the Hallows Circle alone this night. Jewel and Lotus were home soothing Dagon who was cutting his first tooth. Yes, it was early but this was an unusual baby, to say the least. Amber was uncomfortable making the trip from the River Mountains through Merrydale during this Sabbat, Phoenix and Pearl were staying at home. Gino, the boy who helped Arnica and Holly in Merrydale this past Autumn, had begun learning the old ways and Phoenix and Pearl were the ideal teachers. Amethyst and Crystal had taken a journey east to assist Crystal's great grandmother in letting go of her dying body and passing over with grace and love. The candle was lit, the little door to the lantern closed. They set forth quietly, followed by the hatchling.
Candles along the path lit the way. The night was cloudy as if the Mother had pulled a comforter over her, keeping her warmer until morn but it shrouded the stars and made the darkness more mysterious. If it wasn't for the candles, they would not be able to see. Moving deeper into the woods they felt the presence of the trees whose spirits were always more evident during the night. A few more candles lit the path back to the stone Circle. Pausing at the entrance to this temple beneath the tallest firs, Arnica felt a chill run down his back and he shuddered.
"What is it?" asked Holly.
"Nothing," answered Arnica, "just the night."
Holly stood poised at the East, chanting the song of Air. A breeze stirred and the wind chimes hanging in the cedar stirred, waking their tones to life. As the last note drifted across the stones into the night Arnica's athame flashed bright as he lit the South candle and began singing the song of Fire. It seemed noticeably warmer within the Circle. The cool damp air was no longer a distraction.
"Greatest Goddess burning bright…Dance around the fire bright…" As Arnica chanted and the small fire pot flamed with abandon, Holly moved around, behind Arnica and stationed himself in the West. Arms raised, he picked up the last note from Arnica and began singing to the Waters as Arnica quietly moved around to the North.
The elements present, the four directions in balance, the walk continued. From the time they stepped into the Circle every step was known, every pattern traced by their feet as they had done so many nights as the Wheel Turned, as the Moon shone down upon them and on those nights when the Sun and Moon were hidden, far beneath the Earth. Their choreography was a simple design, but one they knew well. The hatchling had taken her usual place at the Circle's centre, watching them in their sacred dance as they censed and aspurged, lit elemental candles and followed their ritual forms.
When the Goddess was called forth, the hatchling rose to her feet and as the presence of the God was called her tail flicked in anticipation…but of what? The energy within the circle of the stones shifted dramatically as Holly and Arnica set the cauldron in the centre of the Circle. The hatchling moved over to the altar to watch them as they lit the fire then danced and chanted.
"Gone to the Summerland, distant shores grown past;
Winter draws upon us now, summer didn't last…"
Arnica and Holly were dancing the Circle, now, gathering all the energy and images of the ritual into a grand swirl of energy.
"Near we now the gates of death, on this fearsome night;
We'll call lost loved ones from within, to join us on this night…"
And at this, the Goddess, Herself stepped into the Circle from within the great tree, the ancient sentinel which stood tall near the northeast portal.
"I go now," She said to the hatchling who bowed before Her, trembling. "I must leave you, for I descend into the Underworld to keep My rendezvous with Death."
The hatchling whinnied, and tears came to her eyes.
"Cry not, for I shall return. I give you My word. You are My chosen and you are the hatchling not only of the great line of Unicorns, but you hold within you the promise."
Arnica and Holly could not see the Lady but they felt Her presence and Her voice was clear and spoke directly into their hearts. As the hatchling watched, the Mother raised Her arms to the heavens and, as She spoke, wind moved through the trees and even the earth seemed to tremble.
"I am the beauty of the green Earth,
And the white Moon among the stars
I am the Mystery of the waters
And the desire within the hearts of humans…"
When She finished, the Circle was quiet. Nothing moved but the flames, dancing in the cauldron. Holly and Arnica held their scrying stones, gazing through their clear crystals into the fire. The Goddess put her hand on the hatchling's neck and said, lovingly, "Look, gaze into the fire. There will you see into the future."
As the hatchling looked deep into the flames, a vision formed. She saw the Goddess descending spiral stairs deep within the earth, coming to a large, wooden door. The Lady raised her hand and knocked three times upon the door. When the door opened, an ageless male figure with large, stag horns upon his head stood there, wearing robes the colours of the shadow. The Lord knelt before the Lady, kissing Her feet as he said, "Blessed Be Your feet, which have brought you through the Gates of Death…"
Just before the vision faded, Holly and Arnica saw the Goddess as She spoke to the unicolt.
"Remember, little hatchling, you hold the promise. The nights grow dark and death will be prowling the land but you are My dark star. I will be with you at Spring…"
And the flames went out, the cauldron dark. No one moved, neither Arnica nor Holly, and the hatchling sat there as if entranced. Holly first moved, whispering "Dark Star…"
Arnica rose, silently taking his athame and beginning to close the Circle. The ritual things were carried back to the cabin in silence. Not a word was spoken although both Arnica and Holly would whisper the hatchling's new name when emptying the basket.
That night all three slept restlessly and all shared a dream unremembered in the morn. The earth was seen shrouded in darkness, trees hewn, streams empty, voices wailing and pleading with their gods, asking for light, for a sign. As this dream faded, another replaced it, this one to be remembered. Not even images, it was like the memory of the Goddess, with Her voice speaking to the hatchling. "You are My dark star…I will be with you at Spring…"
VIII—Dark Star's First Yule
The air was filled with the sounds of humming and singing, of scissors and paper, of the rustle of dried herbes and clatter of containers. Arnica and Holly were sitting at the kitchen table making Yule baskets for their friends. The kitchen counter was filled with jars of berries and dried herbs, bowls of apples and nuts, dried flowers and evergreen branches and spools of bright ribbon in all the holiday colors.
"Dance 'round the Yule this night, as the fire blazes bright…" sang Arnica. He picked up a basket and checked it carefully. There were different shapes and different sizes and different colors. Arnica and Holly collected baskets throughout the year, usually bringing one or two home each time they went to market or attended a fair. "Love, what do you think of this one for Amethyst and Crystal?" Arnica held up a wicker basket the colour of a feisty dragon.
"Oh, that's wonderful," said Holly. "It will make my peppers look like they're glowing." Holly held up the red and orange string of peppers he was threading with a needle. Holly loved making strings of dried peppers to hang in the kitchens of their friends just as Arnica liked stitching bay leaves into wreaths. This year there were small jars of bay leaves but their tree had been lightly nipped by a late frost last spring decreasing the harvest of the pungent laurel.
"Dance until the Sun comes in," sang Arnica
"Sing a song and raise a din," Holly chimed in.
And just then a loud whinny from Dark Star left them almost falling off their chairs in laughter. What a beautiful unicolt she was.
"Listen to the munchkin," Holly exclaimed, his words coming out midst his glee. "I think she likes our song."
"Here, Dark Star," said Arnica, offering her a handful of hawthorne berries to eat. "You know, I'm still having to adjust to calling her by her name. When I see her face I still think of her as our hatchling, but she has been touched by the Goddess and I know that her role in life will be much more than in our quiet lives here with our gardens."
The hatchling looked at Arnica. It seemed her eyes grew deeper in color. Although she was usually frisky and filled with the never-ending curiosity of a unicolt, since her encounter with the Goddess at Hallows there were times she seemed almost touched by the threads of sadness. She turned and went in to the altar room to lay near the fire.
"There, this one is done," said Holly with obvious pride in his voice. He held up a two foot length of bright, dried peppers, their hues shiny and bright. At the top he had fashioned a blue ribbon with tufts of holly leaves. Holly liked their pointed green shapes and used them in many of his gifts.
"Can I use it in this basket for Amethyst and Crystal," asked Arnica. "I've got the apples and nuts put in it, and seven jars of greene herbes for their kitchen. Let's see, there's sage and thyme, rosemary, rue and dill, and one each of oregano and spearmint. And I've put in a jar of horseradish and packets of mistletoe and holly berries. There's just room for a jar of your preserves and a pepper string."
"Here it is." Holly handed it to Arnica. "It will look beautiful."
Together they wrapped the basket in clear cellophane and tied a bright ribbon on it next to the tag. Holly set the basket in the front room on the altar next to the two baskets already finished. There was a green, woven basket for their Pictish friends, Phoenix and Pearl and a lovely straw basket for Gino's mother. The lad's father had found it necessary to leave Merrydale and travel far over the mountains, hoping to find work in Mill City, where much of the grain from the upper plains was ground for the bakeries. Since Gino's father had voiced his displeasure to the Politicos over their plans to cut down more trees, he had lost his position as town warder and Gino's mother was usually so busy taking care of her neighbor's children to earn a little money, both were grateful to Phoenix and Pearl for the attention they gave the boy. Arnica had been pleasantly surprised to learn that Gino's parents believed in the old ways and were quietly supportive of the Renaissance Tribes.
"I'm bushed," said Holly. "My fingers don't want to push another needle."
"There's just one more," said Arnica. "We ought finish the basket for Jewel and Lotus. All our other gifts have been delivered and tomorrow being Yule Morning, I'd rather get them done now and be able to relax. Tonight we will do our Yule Eve Ritual alone, with just the three of us and tomorrow morning is our Feast and we'll be giving the baskets from our altar."
"You're right," Holly sighed, "let me light a candle and try a verse. 'Fill the forest with the Sun! Let Pan rule so winter's done. Bring Him to this holy night! Start us now to summer's rite.'"
As their voices blended in harmony, Holly's fingers moved lightly as the string of peppers quickly grew. Arnica finished working on the deep, blue basket for Jewel and Lotus, an extra-large one with room for some little poppets they had made for Dagon, stuffed with chamomile and herbs to protect the toddler in his sleep.
"There, we're done. Let me blow out the candle and let's sit back and enjoy this magick."
Holly and Arnica sat down on the floor near the fireplace where Dark Star was laying. Arnica picked up the brush and started on the hatchling's coat. What a color it was. In some lights it looked blue, a hue reminiscent of the unicolt's father, Andrius, but not nearly so strong a color. But in other light it looked the same colour as the seapinks growing in the rockerie. There was an iridescent quality to it just as there was to her horn. Sometimes her horn looked like pale gold and at other times like pale silver.
As Arnica brushed, Holly scratched her ears and chin. What a contented unicorn this hatchling was. Her eyes grew heavy and soon her head was laying happily dreaming in the warmth of Holly's lap.
"What do you think about tonight? Do you think she'll be able to stay up until dawn to see the first sunray over the eastern horizon?" Holly bent over and kissed the tip of her horn.
"If we sit here long enough, she'll have quite a nap. This will be her first Yule Eve. So far she's done well with ritual. She seems to understand the magick as well as any human. I can't believe she's only been with us since Eostara. Look how she's grown."
And Arnica set down the brush and they sat there, warm with the hatchling, as the fire danced and sparkled in the late afternoon.
The scent of snuffed candles still floated in the air, along with frankincense, Arnica's preferred incense for Yule Eve. Dark Star seemed restless. She enjoyed spending time in the warmth of the cabin but even on a crisp, clear night she usually wanted to go out and romp about in the clearings, check the gardens for tasty leaves and dance with the stars. The cabin seemed empty whenever she was let out but they knew that the time would come when she would no longer be a unicolt and their cabin would be too small for a growing unifilly.
Arnica stood at the sink washing the chalices while Holly put away the censer. Their Yule Ritual was done, the baskets blessed and the glass ornaments hung on the Yule tree in anticipation of the morning's first ray of sunlight. As they did their work in the kitchen, the final stanza of the Yule Song filled the air.
"From this night He grows to full…Heed His throne and feel His pull…"
Holly took down the large stockpot as Arnica opened two large gallons of his best home-made cider. They went to the herb cupboard and brought forth cinnamon and allspice and other mulling herbs.
"You know what I'd like," said Holly, "some mulled wine."
"My sweet, it always puts you to sleep and this is the night we stay up until past sunrise."
"But it's the holiday and I think it would be just fine."
And so a second pot was set with wine to mull as they finished touching up the decorations for the morning, put away the ritual things and prepared the cabin for their guests.
"Dancing 'round the Yule Tree…Dancing for eternity…"
The wine ready, they filtered off the herbes, set the cider to spend the night bathed in the moonlight drifting through the kitchen window and took their glasses to sit before the fire, sip their wine and feel their love. And before they had even emptied their glasses, both were sound asleep on the soft rug as the fire sparkled into their dreams.
"It's morning!" Arnica's voice was loud with surprise. "We must get up and ready ourselves."
"Oh, no," Holly said laughing, a touch of sleep in his voice. "The sun's already risen. See Him shining through the window? Our tree is bright with His promise." The ornaments all caught the sun's reflection and the tree looked as if it had brilliant lights tucked all about.
Just then there was a loud knock at the door.
"Hang on, I'm coming," said Arnica and he scurried to the door, tucking his shirt back into his trousers. He pulled the door open and, much to his surprise, Dark Star scampered in, snowflakes stuck to her coat and mane, a small clump of mistletoe attached to the tip of her horn. Her eyes were wide open and she looked filled with excitement.
The hatchling shook all over with bits of snow scattering all over the room. Some flew right into Arnica's face. They laughed.
"Wait a minute, something's wrong here," said Holly, and he went to the door and opened it wide. The sky was clear blue, the sun just reaching over the gardens but there wasn't any snow to be seen and it was too warm. "Where did the snow come from? Dark Star, how did you get snow on your coat?"
And the hatchling whinnied lightly, nudged Holly in his tummy with her horn and seemed to chuckle as if she had a secret. Obviously, Dark Star was the only one to witness the birth of the Sun Child.
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