The Fire

The darkness came quickly. The mist in the air seemed to hang like a curtain stealing the last bit of light. The chill went right to the bone.

Off in the distance, there was a dim light. I drew me like an insect to a flame. I had to get there.

For some reason, I dropped my day pack and started toward it. There was no path. I made my own. Up and down hills, around trees, over some small streams. When the light was obstructed it would reappear as I went forward.

The light became stronger as I neared. When I was close enough I could hear some chanting

As I stood there in the shadows of the fire I thought maybe I should not be here. I understood their chant.

Send us your offering.

Maybe I should leave.

Too late. I was captured by its intoxicating light. The lure of its warmth. The company of those there. Didn’t matter what they were doing. I had to be a part of it.

One of the group noticed me. They stopped chanting. The robed figure approached me with an outstretched hand. I could see her face.

I took her hand as she led me to the group. When inside their circle she turned to me.

She said you look cold. Join in our warmth. She opened her robe to reveal her naked body. She reached for my hands. The rest gathered and started to remove my clothes. I tried to resist but she gently squeezed and said It will be OK.

When I too was naked she let her robe drop to the ground.

The others spread it open as she embraced me. Her warmth felt wonderful.

It felt so rite.

Join us in our celebration.

We started to circle the fire. The chill in the air faded.

She turned to the fire with her arms raised to the sky and said:

Our offering has arrived. Accept this energy as a gift offered willingly.

They started chanting again. This time a little different.

The energy of life shared.

We started to circle again and when we got back to her robe she stopped. She turned to me and took my hand again. She knelt on her robe she tugged me to join her. As I belt next to her she laid down. And pulled me with her. The others wrapped us in the robe. Her body, soft and warm. It felt good. We became one.

The others started chanting again.

The energies of life shared.

The whole group gathered around and touched us as we moved. The natural feelings of the moment took over as we both came together as one. The energy was enormous. The gods of the universe along with the rest of the gathering joined our energy. A part of myself seemed to be taken. Consumed in the act. I felt drained and empowered at the same time. We unwrapped and stood. Another robe was brought and was draped around me. She was wrapped in her robe again.

We circled the fire again holding hands. The chant this time: Energies shared.

They raised their arms to the night. I followed.

She said: Thanks for sharing in our energy. Go in peace. Hail and farewell.

We all repeated.

When we stopped she turned to me and said:

You are one of us now.

Stay or go as you please but you will always be connected to us.

They opened a small basket and gathered its contents to share with the group. Some wine and other goodies.

When we finished what was left was added to the fire. I became extremely tired and relaxed. Still wrapped in the robe I slumped on my side. My pile of clothes my pillow.

When I woke I was alone. The fire was out. The morning chill didn’t seem to affect me. I dressed in my own clothes.

I felt like I knew where I was. I no longer was lost. I went back to the spot where I left my gear. It was all there. I picked it up and as I prepared to go back home I could not help but feel something was missing. Some of my essence. I was now a part of something. I didn’t know what was. But it felt good.

What could go wrong!