Free Fate's Hand: Book One of The Celtic Prophecy by Melissa Macfie Page A

tentative hand to the nearest stone to assure herself that it was real. She turned to Alex, who trailed behind her, and asked, “They’re so beautiful,” running her hand along a vein, “Where did they come from?”
    “Since th’ town has reclaimed its ugly history, they ha’ spared nay expense at cashing in on th’ commercialism. They were imported from Ireland—solid slabs o’ blue stone from th’ same deposit.” Indicating with his arm, “Look, ye can see th’ similarities in th’ stones.”
    Brenawyn walked slowly around the interior of the circle, half day-dreaming, thinking about her grandmother and the wild implications of her story. Then turning back, “Alex, do you know anything about these circles? What were they used for?”
    “Ceremonies, rituals, some say sacrifice, but they were built on points of power. Beyond th’ cutting and transport of th’ stones, thaur was geometry, astronomy, and astrology ta be considered afore th’ placement. Most circles are oriented with th’ rising and the setting of the sun, though only at certain times of th’ year does the sun align with th’ stones in perfect harmony. Next week is one. This one haur is oriented in such a way, but th’ effect is lost because civilization blocks th’ true vista of dawn and dusk.”
    Pausing for a moment, Alex then continued, “Druidism is a nature-based religion. All ceremonies revolve around healing and protection. Spells—that’s a topic for another time, but generally, afore any ceremony th’ celebrant would go out th’ night afore or th’ morning o’ th’ ceremony and perform a private rite ta ask permission o’ th’ Earth ta cast on its ground.” Alex let go of her hand and stepped back.
    Brenawyn looked up from inspecting the nearest stone, interest piqued, and asked, “Really, why do you think that was?”
    “It was because,” he said, “th’ Earth and everything tha’ sprang from it were held sacred by th’ Druids. Th’ Earth is a live entity, and ta cast without permission was disrespectful.”
    He walked around the center offertory pedestal, “Though thaur were, and still are, male Druids, usually th’ celebrants were women.” Looking back at Brenawyn to placate any question that she might have, “It may have had something ta dae with women’s ability ta bear children, th’ fertility of th’ woman symbolically representing th’ fertility o’ th’ Earth. The celebrant would cleanse herself ta wash away impurities and don a blessed garment with th’ help o’ her attendants, then prepare and perform th’ ceremony, fulfilling all th’ requirements for it. Then as an offering on specific holy days such as Beltane, th’ celebrant would willingly offer herself as a symbol of fertility.”
    “Offered herself to anyone?”
    “Tha’ was rarely th’ case, though at times it happened. It usually was th’ Shaman of the Order. The high priestess and the shaman were th’ two responsible for perpetuation o’ th’ beliefs. He was ta retain and protect all knowledge of th’ Order. Her responsibility was by far th’ weightier. She communed with nature and th’ spirits through ritual.”
    “What of children that came about through these…um… liaisons?”
    “Ah, sex was seen differently then. Any child tha’ was conceived from such a union led a blessed life. They were seen as nature’s blessing, and therefore received th’ adoration o’ th’ Druids.”
    “What story did you tell your students in class today?”
    “Aye, I did promise ye a tale.” Alex nodded and paced toward the nearest standing stone. He touched it and looked back at Brenawyn. “A while sin [2] this world was th’ home o’ th’ Celtic gods, but they decided ta retreat ta th’ realm o’ Tir-Na-Nog when faith was no’ enough for man anymore. Immortals all, they felt th’ loss o’ having mortal beings so close tha’ many o’ them would visit this realm ta be in th’ company of such radiance. Ye ken,