This thread will contain Animal sacrifice and blood anointing. Any and all who do not wish to participate should not feel obligated to do so. This thread is open to all, so feel free to drop in, and get blessed, or simply watch whats going on.
The Bonfire was well underway, and not far from a second fire had started. A pyre of wood had been stacked some 8 feet high, and a large blue flame sat at its crown. Around the pyre, large stones had been crudely rolled into place creating a ring and walkway up to the flames. Finally at the base of the pyre sat a frame with rope and under it a large wooden trough.
Aylin sat within the large stone circle, beside her Honua sat as well. Both girls seemed skittish to the events that were about to get underway. In Aylin's arms sat Lilly, half asleep but still occasionally looking around. Aylin was unsure of what to expect, while Honua knew full well what was going on here tonight. Not far off Narraine was perched. She stayed close to the pyre, keeping the flames burning as brightly as she could. All three were silent as they awaited Corsalyn and the others.
Corsalyn had made the decision that a sacrifice was needed tonight. The things Honua had told her about the state of their realm concerned her, and she felt that asking Ishtar for her blessing was important. With that in mind, Narraine had gotten all the necessary paperwork handled so that the sacrifice could be considered legal in the eyes of the law. An animal, in this case, a goat, was purchased and registered for the intended purposes.
Before long Cor appeared from the forest, leading the animal along beside her. It did not look distressed or harmed in any way. She led it along the walkway until they reached the frame. There she and the animal stood as if waiting for something. All of the sisters were silent now, watching either the goat or the fire. It created a tension, but strangely one that seemed to carry with it, excitement.
After a few silent moments, Cor spoke.
"I have heard of the troubles back home. Our world falls into turmoil, and the dangers we fought against once again rise up to destroy what was built. We can't go back there. We cant bring balance to the light, we cant protect our sisters. It's times like these that we must turn to our faith. Faith in our sister's abilities, faith in our people, and faith in our goddess. That is why we are here. To offer up a sacrifice to Ishtar and receive her blessing. To ask that she keep our sisters as we once did."
She smiled reassuringly to her sisters and turning to look at anyone else who had gathered to see what was going on.
"Ishtar, I don't know if you can hear us. But tonight, we offer this sacrifice to you. So that you will look upon us with favor and look after our people...."
Corsalyn smiled and nodded to all of her sisters, and gestured for them to line up. As they did she dipped her finger into the blood and painted several thick lines on her face and body. To each sister she put a single finger on their foreheads, tracing a line of blood down their face, stopping at their chin. "May she watch over you, and carry you from torment." She repeated to each sister as she anointed them in the same fashion.
It was at this point that she addressed the rest of the spectators. "If anyone else would want the blessing of Ishtar, step forward and don't be afraid."
The Bonfire was well underway, and not far from a second fire had started. A pyre of wood had been stacked some 8 feet high, and a large blue flame sat at its crown. Around the pyre, large stones had been crudely rolled into place creating a ring and walkway up to the flames. Finally at the base of the pyre sat a frame with rope and under it a large wooden trough.
Aylin sat within the large stone circle, beside her Honua sat as well. Both girls seemed skittish to the events that were about to get underway. In Aylin's arms sat Lilly, half asleep but still occasionally looking around. Aylin was unsure of what to expect, while Honua knew full well what was going on here tonight. Not far off Narraine was perched. She stayed close to the pyre, keeping the flames burning as brightly as she could. All three were silent as they awaited Corsalyn and the others.
Corsalyn had made the decision that a sacrifice was needed tonight. The things Honua had told her about the state of their realm concerned her, and she felt that asking Ishtar for her blessing was important. With that in mind, Narraine had gotten all the necessary paperwork handled so that the sacrifice could be considered legal in the eyes of the law. An animal, in this case, a goat, was purchased and registered for the intended purposes.
Before long Cor appeared from the forest, leading the animal along beside her. It did not look distressed or harmed in any way. She led it along the walkway until they reached the frame. There she and the animal stood as if waiting for something. All of the sisters were silent now, watching either the goat or the fire. It created a tension, but strangely one that seemed to carry with it, excitement.
After a few silent moments, Cor spoke.
"I have heard of the troubles back home. Our world falls into turmoil, and the dangers we fought against once again rise up to destroy what was built. We can't go back there. We cant bring balance to the light, we cant protect our sisters. It's times like these that we must turn to our faith. Faith in our sister's abilities, faith in our people, and faith in our goddess. That is why we are here. To offer up a sacrifice to Ishtar and receive her blessing. To ask that she keep our sisters as we once did."
She smiled reassuringly to her sisters and turning to look at anyone else who had gathered to see what was going on.
"Ishtar, I don't know if you can hear us. But tonight, we offer this sacrifice to you. So that you will look upon us with favor and look after our people...."
Without another word, Corsalyn produced a small knife from within her skirt, and swiftly Slit the goat's throat. Narraine slithered over to help her and the pair tied the animal up in the frame, allowing it to bleed into the trough underneath it. The animal died quickly with little suffering.
Corsalyn smiled and nodded to all of her sisters, and gestured for them to line up. As they did she dipped her finger into the blood and painted several thick lines on her face and body. To each sister she put a single finger on their foreheads, tracing a line of blood down their face, stopping at their chin. "May she watch over you, and carry you from torment." She repeated to each sister as she anointed them in the same fashion.
It was at this point that she addressed the rest of the spectators. "If anyone else would want the blessing of Ishtar, step forward and don't be afraid."
