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The Legend of Wesoomi:
Fifteen, Rite of Passage:
June 10, 2002:
When Spirit Guide returned to his village, he found Gentlehand
in the gardens, as always. He embraced his father with vigor.
"I see that you have found your peace, my Son," laughed
Gentlehand.
"Indeed, Father. A great burden of sadness is removed from
me."
"My heart sings for you Spirit Guide. It pained me to see
your grief."
"Thank you, Father. Yet, I must needs beg your forgiveness.
I caused you needless worry."
"I think not. Your sadness was of a real loss."
"Yet, there was no loss, save in my faith."
"Oh!" exclaimed Gentlehand. "I begin to know your
thought."
"Indeed, Father. I need only trust. Nothing is lost in the
Domain of the Great Spirit."
"You speak wisdom my, Son."
"The wisdom of my mother," remarked Spirit Guide wryly.
"I was chided."
"Then you have learnt a great truth. That be a good result,"
grinned Gentlehand.
"A truth I hope to never forget," laughed Spirit Guide.
Gentlehand laughed along with his son. There was a joy in his
heart to see Spirit Guide in good humor again. They went up to
the lodge of the Elder so that all would know that Spirit Guide
had found his peace and returned. In the following days, routine
returned to the village of the Quiet Folk. Spirit Guide returned
to his lessons and his work in the gardens.
As the harvest approached, the excitement rose in the small village.
All knew of the special event planned for Spirit Guide wherein
he was to enjoy the Rite of Passage. Spirit Healer, spent much
time in his lodge seeking the guidance of the Great Spirit. It
was his to guide the ceremony. This was to be no usual rite.
It would be as special as Spirit Guide was destine to be.
Spirit Guide had told the elders of the prophesy given him by
his mother. It served to verify what all had thought, but it
also made it very real. It brought a sense of destiny to the
Quiet Folk. They were the caretakers of the true Spirit Guide
of the Nation of People.
Still, there was the harvest to be done. Spirit Guide did his
share as did the others. Then, two days before the harvest festival,
Strong Oak retired to his lodge with Spirit Guide and Gentlehand.
There, they gave themselves over to cleansing themselves and
entreating the Great Spirit while singing his praises. Spirit
Healer remained in his lodge, cleansing himself and begging the
indulgence of the Great Spirit. The others give their time over
to preparing the Shrine for the Rite of Passage and preparing
the longhouse for the celebration. It would be a festival to
be remembered in sagas and songs.
On the festival morn, all of the Quiet Folk assembled in the
Shrine of the Golden Earth Mother. Also in the shrine were the
invited elders from several nearby villages. In front, facing
the offering stone stood Spirit Guide, with his father on his
right hand and Elder Strong Oak on his left hand. Spirit Guide
was wearing only a short kilt. His body shone with the ceremonial
oils. Never before used in the village of the Quiet Folk, the
perfumed oils had been a gift from the village of the Husbandmen.
Beside the offering stone stood Spirit Healer. He was clothed
in a saffron ceremonial robe of his own design. All of the guests
were clothed in their finest tunics. Many were painted, oiled,
and perfumed. Spirit Healer raised a hand and all went silent.
Spirit Healer began with a song of entreaty to the Great Spirit.
He asked the indulgence of the Great Spirit on this great occasion.
He asked for the safe keep of the Quiet Folk and the protection
and blessing of the harvest. He thanked the Great Spirit for
placing Spirit Guide in the care of the Quiet Folk. He begged
the Great Spirit to smile upon Spirit Guide and give him the
strength and wisdom to guide the Nation of the People. He offered
his praise and the praise of all present.
When he finished, he turned to the three participants.
"It is the day of festival and the day of passage,"
he sang.
"Do any come before me on this day?"
Gentlehand answered. "I Gentlehand the father of Spirit
Guide do come before you, Elder. I come to offer Spirit Guide
into the Rite of Passage."
"I hear your offer, Gentlehand. Be there one who would be
sponsor of this offering?"
"I offer myself as sponsor of Spirit Guide to this Rite
of Passage," sang Strong Oak.
"It is well," sang Spirit Healer.
He turned to Spirit Guide. "Do you come to this rite of
your own choice, Spirit Guide?"
"I come of my own choice, Elder," sang Spirit Guide.
"I come to offer myself into the service of the Great Spirit
and of the Nation of People."
"It is good," sang Spirit Healer.
He turned his eyes upward and sang again to the Great Spirit.
He begged the support of the Great Spirit in the Rite of Passage.
He again offered praise to the Great Spirit. He turned again
to Spirit Guide.
"Know you," he sang, "what it is you offer.
"Do you offer your life into the service of the Great Spirit?"
"I offer my life into the service of the Great Spirit,"
sang Spirit Guide.
"Know you what it is you offer.
"Do you offer your life into the service of the Nation of
People?"
"I offer my life into the service of the Nation of People."
Know you what it is you offer.
"Is it your wish that I offer you up in service to the Great
Spirit?"
"It is my wish to be offered in service to the Great Spirit."
"Know you what it is you offer.
"Do you pledge to keep this debt you now make forever in
your heart?"
"I pledge to keep this debt forever in my heart."
Know you what it is you offer.
"Do you pledge to keep this debt you now make forever in
you actions."
"I pledge to keep this debt forever in my actions."
"I will then offer your service to the Great Spirit, forever."
Spirit Healer again turned his eyes upward.
"Oh Great Spirit, I offer Spirit Guide into your service
forever.
Accept this offer, I entreat you.
I sing your praise.
Hear now my praise."
Spirit Healer's song continued for several verses. In the song
of praise, Spirit Guide was offered as the selected tool of the
Great Spirit in a new role as Spirit Guide of the entire people.
The support and wisdom of the Great Spirit were requested to
guide Spirit Guide in his appointed tasks. In the final verse,
Spirit Guide joined him.
"Oh Great Spirit, I offer myself into your service forever.
Accept my offer I entreat you.
I sing your praise.
Hear now my praise."
When the song was done, Spirit Healer handed the cup of passage
to Spirit Guide. Spirit Guide took a sip and passed it to his
father. Then the cup was passed to Strong Oak and to Spirit Healer.
Meanwhile, another cup was passed among the guests. That concluded
the formal Rite of Passage and the people went out into the day.
As Spirit Guide stepped from the Shrine, another wonder came
to pass. The sun slipped behind a cloud and a single shaft of
light shone through the center of it. The brilliant light fell
upon Spirit Guide who stood beside the Tree of Life. The tree
was also bathed in light. It lasted but a moment, but all noticed
it. They whispered to each other with awe in their voices. Indeed,
Spirit Guide was the chosen tool of the Great Spirit. There would
be songs made about that miracle.
In the open space outside the longhouse, it was Strong Oaks turn
to perform. He took Spirit Guide to the front of the people.
There he presented him to the gathering.
"Oh great people of my village and great guests of our village,
I present to you Spirit Guide, the chosen tool of the Great Spirit.
Spirit Guide shall be a great teacher of the people. He will
seek the true path through the wisdom of the Great Spirit. He
will guide all of the People of the Nation into the proper service
of the Great Spirit. So it was just revealed by the sign. So
it was revealed to Spirit Guide by the Golden Earth Mother. So
we believe.
"Harken to Spirit Guide in the days and summers to come.
He will receive the Wisdom of the Great Spirit. He will share
that wisdom with all who will harken to his voice. For many ages
the People of the Nation have awaited the true Spirit Guide.
Now he is among us. The Great Spirit is the father of all things.
He is the father of the Nation of People and the father of Spirit
Guide. He gives to us his own Spirit Guide to lead us. So we
believe."
After the introduction, the Quiet Folk and the honored guests
came, one by one, to greet Spirit Guide and to wish him well.
To the great surprise of Spirit guide, one of these was Little
Warrior of the Bandar. As he stepped forward, his eyes again
showed a shrouded depth of power, and, perhaps, wisdom.
"We meet again," said Spirit Guide, "as you foresaw."
"Indeed," smiled Little Warrior. "I come as a
servant of Chief Crazy Wolf, to wish you well."
"I am honored," said Spirit guide.
"Crazy Wolf, sends his wish that you will soon honor our
village with another visit."
"And, what of you, Little Warrior? What is your wish?"
"I share the wish of Crazy Wolf. I would please me to speak
with you."
"Then I shall come," replied Spirit Guide."Soon."
After the greeting, the people gathered in and around the longhouse.
There were many songs and festival dances. All enjoyed the activity.
Then came the harvest feast. Along with the plentiful food, a
fermented juice of the local grape was provided. Many partook
and a few of the guests found it necessary to retire early in
the eve.
Spirit Guide spoke to many people and enjoyed many complements.
He bore himself well, though he had no other experience of such
great notice. He sought to speak with Little Warrior, but when
he looked for him, he was already gone. By the time all guests
had retired and Spirit Guide went to his lodge, stars decorated
the sky and soft moonlight washed over the land.
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