The Truth About the Light

“The cabin in the woods had been abandoned for years, but one night, a candle burned in the window.”

“And that's why you brought us out here into the forest? To see if there is candle burning in some abandoned shack?”

“There will be a candle burning! It's June 23rd."

“So this candle magically appears on June 23rd and the rest of the year it is dark there? How do you know?”

“I've been out here before.”

“How many times? You'd have to come out every night of the year to…"

“A few times, OK? The candle only shows up on June 23rd. Trust me.”

“Trust you? After that prank you played on Hansen? Come on!"

“Look, you're not Hansen. I would never…"

“Sure you would. In a heartbeat, if you thought I would fall for it.”

“No, but this isn't like that. I swear!”

“I thought we were going to see some interesting rock formations or something and you are taking me to an old cabin with a candle in the window. Sounds like a set-up to me.”

“Its not like that! Look, I've been out her before and it is really, really interesting.”

“So you saw who came to light the candle?”

“No, that's the thing.”

“What's the thing? The candle lights itself?”

"No, there is someone, but... At least I think there is someone.”

“You think someone lights the candle but you haven't seen them, so you brought me here as backup to help you find out?”

“I wouldn't put it like that, but…"

“But that's basically the deal, right? What are we going to do? Walk up and knock on the door and introduce ourselves?”

“No, I was thinking of something more subtle. Like hiding and watching subtle."

“This so sounds like a set-up…"

“Trust me…"

“We've been through that!”

“Listen, there is something special about June 23."

“June 23? What is special?

St. John's Eve.”

“St.John as in…?”

“John the Baptist. Supposedly the cousin of Jesus of Nazareth. Born 6 months earlier. Exactly 6 months.”

“So Jesus was born on December 25 and John was born on June 24?”

“Right - Winter Solstice and Summer Solstice. Get it?”

“And this has to do with the cabin because…?"

“All over the Christian world there are special rituals on St John's Eve. They light bonfires and stay up all night.”

“The shortest night of the year..."

“Right! But the Christian holiday goes back to a pagan festival.”

“Just like all the fun holidays..."

“The fires were supposed to guarantee a good planting season, keep the animals healthy. Farmers would carry torches through the fields and then throw them into the bonfires. Cattle would be driven between fires to ward off disease. Even though it was the shortest night, it was full of danger from…"

“From mischievous fairies! Like in 'Midsummer Night's Dream'!”

“Or how about Night on Bald Mountain? It was originally titled St. John's Night on the Bare Mountain.“

“So witches and demons as well as fairies?”

“Oh yeah. ‘The Spirits are abroad!’”

“So you think there are witches in the cabin having a Sabbat?”

“Maybe... Could be just one witch, I don't know.”

“Is there any running water in case we get chased?”

“Why running water?”

“Like Brigadoon in Tam O'Shanter. A guy spies on the witches at the Auld Kirk and comments on their dancing. The witches take off after him but they can't chase him across the bridge.”

“Well, no bridges nearby, so keep your comments to yourself. We're getting close. Its just around that bend in the trail.”

“I see it. Wow, the place really is a dump. Broken windows, roof caving in.”

“Yeah. No one could live here, right?”

“What do we do?”

“Just find a place to hide and wait till it gets dark, I guess. Tell me more about these witches at the Kirk…”

*****

“It's pretty dark now. Did you see anyone?”

“Nope. Not a soul.”

“Maybe whatever it is doesn't have a soul.”

“Very funny. Now shut up."

“What's that?”

“A bird. A rabbit. You're seeing shadows move.”

“This is creepy, man. It's so dark out here.”

“Shhh. Just can it for a while.”

“The light came on!”

“Yeah, I see.”

“OK. We can go now. You pranked me good. Ha ha ha. Take a photo with your iPhone so you can put it up on Instagram.”

"Would you please just shut up? Just shut up and listen!”

“Listen to what? Wait, I hear it. A voice. Sounds like praying.”

“Now there is chanting. What the actual eff?”

“It kind of sounds familiar. Not sure it is English, though.”

“Let's get closer. Maybe we will be able to make something out.”

“What? No! Let's not get crazy here. What happened to subtle? Let's just…"

“Are you staying or coming? I'm going in for a better view."

“There's nothing to see! Wait up…"

“It sounds like she's saying something like, 'Come now, Lord of Light.’"

“'Lord of Light?' Who is that? Not John the Baptist.”

“I'm going to... Oops!”

“That was really loud!”

“I think I sprained my…"

“Welcome, my friends! “

“Um.. Hello?”

“Where are your manners, boys. Don't stand there on the threshold. Come inside!”

“We're really sorry, ma'am. We got lost in the woods and…"

“No need to lie to me or to apologize. I know why you are here! Now come inside.

“I am old but I am not blind. I can read your thoughts in your faces. You want to know who I am ... what I am. Words are not a reliable refuge. Hear my advice. Words do not make a fortress against time. Sounds wander from one generation to the next. Meanings slip and slide until they are turned upside down. Hear my advice.

“Look into the candle flame. In this you can place your trust. The light is eternal. Truth is true forever. The light is the truth.

“Join me in this feast. Strangers are always invited on this day to share in the abundance. Do not wrinkle your smooth young brows. It is perfectly healthy sustenance. Fresh milk. Good wheat bread. Honey from local apidae with healthful herbs and poppy seeds. Oh, the poppy seeds are essential.

“I am sorry there are no chairs for sitting, no spoons for eating, but this is the traditional way. Scoop some with your hands. Please do not be shy, my friends. Do not be bashful. Ah, you give an old woman's heart joy.

“I see from your eyes that you are enjoying our repast. It has a name. We call it kykeon, but take no refuge in words.

“Now you will gaze at the candle flame and you will remember. The light is eternal. Truth is true forever. The light is the truth.

“We will part and we will not meet again. You will carry this in your hearts. You will carry me in your hearts. The Lord of Light blesses you. The light is eternal. Truth is true forever. The light is the truth. You will remember.”

*****

We awoke at dawn in the middle of a meadow. There was no sign of the cabin or of the forest trail that led to it. As the sun lifted above the trees on the horizon, the Lord of Light gently touched the thousand drops of morning dew clinging to the grass around us, and the meadow transformed into a shining field of diamonds.

We didn't speak about what had happened the night before. Even now, after so many years have passed, we have never mentioned it aloud.

We have walked our separate paths and lived our separate lives. In spite of that, every year on the 23rd of June as I am lighting my candle and preparing to place it in the window, I know for a fact that he is doing the same. I know what he carries in his heart. I know he remembers because I remember. The light is eternal. Truth is true forever. The light is the truth.