The Altar Of The Light

The Altar of the light- isn't like any other modern temple.

Rather, the whole temple has been carved onto the top of the mountain itself like some sort of prehistoric architecture. It has 8 pillars that are supporting the triangular pyramid type looking pointy top.. There are a few caves too, but nobody lives there. The pillars and walls have engraved pictures that speak of the Moon goddess and Alpha Adrian's story. The steps are towards the valley where we live. The temple has a four feet high altar where we arrange for our rituals and place the moonstone. Our rituals occur every full moon and we pray to the emerging glorious herself.

It was time for the Moon goddess to rise. I started to arrange the rituals. The wind is cold, but not cold enough to make anyone shiver. Weirdly, I am shivering. I realized it could be because I was nervous. But there's this constant curdling going on inside me. I'm fasting today, I may be feeling this way because of that. But I fast every full moon. It's weird how happy this makes me. It was an alien experience for me. It was just this rush, this sensation that I couldn't put my finger on. If I have to describe it, I'd say It was a strong pull, like Gravity, that pulled me to some unknown presence. I could only feel it. I looked around but as expected, there was no one else except me. Somehow, I still feel this presence- a very strong one- I also somehow know from my heart that this presence means no harm.

As the moon rose, I took a deep breath to control my distracted mind. I started with putting the moonstone on the altar, As the goddess rose like a magnificent silver disc between grim-highland and lone-crescent. the moonstone started soaking up the luminous moonbeam and started reflecting it. I stood before such scenery that could bind anyone under its spell. I never was one so much for following rituals but the magnificence I have just gazed upon, drove me onto a trans.

'Oh rituals' I thought to myself as I pulled myself out of the whirlpool of that natural beauty.

But that's not all. The gravity-like pull in my body is only getting stronger, the curdling inside me is keeping its pace. It's hard to get out of this distraction that I felt for the first time.

'wait, I think I forgot the ritual' I just can't wrap my head around it. 'This is just too hard, why can't I concentrate'.

But I have to finish the ritual at the earliest and leave before it gets too late.

In confusion, I thought to myself "I sure needed to put the moonstone which I just did, but what's next? Am I supposed to burn milk thistle or clary sage? Why is it so hard to remember?"

'I'm going with milk thistle, definitely milk thistle, Should have paid attention when Nana was explaining. Anyways Nana isn't here to see I murmured to myself.

I put the milk thistle in the silver bowl and was about to light it when I heard a strange voice ''Offering milk thistle alone before myrrh is a disrespect to Moon Goddess..''

'Oh yeah right, I remember it's not milk thistle, it's myrrh.' I spoke up thinking it must be uncle Joe "So Nana couldn't trust me with her rituals, after all, huh.. haha. I guess she knew that I would hamper her ritual" I chuckled while still arranging the ingredients without looking back at the person I thought of as Uncle Joe. As I finished the arrangements and turned around expecting to see Uncle Joe standing behind me, there was no one " Uncle Joe, Uncle Joe. I called out but No one answered. But I sure heard someone. Is my ear ringing? Am I going insane today? Seeing things, hearing things, feeling things- I was unsure what was happening to me. I just rushed to finish the rituals and get out of there.

I went on to burn myrrh first, offered passion flowers, said a prayer, and combined all other herbs and burned it along with burning myrrh. I realized this is a place where I could be real and pray and ask for everything that my heart wants- If she is real she would make it come true, wouldn't she? "Dear moon goddess, my Nana does it so well, but I am not her. So I am going to ask you for things I need. Please bless my Nana that she would get well soon, please bless uncle Joe and Mrs. Myers, keep them happy and healthy. Maybe it is quite selfish for me to ask this but if you can stir up my stars up there and bring me a boyfriend" Well part of the wishes were sarcastic cause I was sure the moon goddess wouldn't be listening but I swear I heard a chuckle. I couldn't help but wonder if it was the Moon goddess herself. But It was more like a masculine tone. What do I know? I have never seen her. I was very confused about the turn of events that happened that evening. I figured It was time I should go back.

I cleaned the altar, put the moonstone in my silver bowl, and rushed back home.

As I reached home I saw, uncle Joe holding some snacks, passed out on the couch with his legs up on the coffee table, while the TV was on with his all-time favorite sports channel. So I didn't disturb him and directly went to check on Nana. Nana was sitting on her bed, reading some book. I kept the silver bowl with the moonstone in it on her nightstand. I went near her and asked her how she was feeling.

"Feeling much better," she said.

Nana was eagerly waiting for me to tell her how my first time at the altar went.. But I didn't have the energy or patience after going up and down the mountain. 'Later Nana, everything went smooth, even the moon goddess chucked on my joke.'.

What? Nana asked in a confused tone.

ahh, It's nothing- I replied.

I kissed her forehead and started to walk towards my bedroom but stopped and gave her a questioning look while biting my lips "Nana tell me this, does anyone live up there in those caves?'

'No, why... everything's ok?' Nana asked

'Yeah totally, just curious' I smiled back at Nana and went to bed...

'Offering milk thistle alone before myrrh anger moon goddess. That chuckle... That feeling of fullness in my heart. What was it?.. I've been up there so many times with Nana. I never felt so before...' I drove deep into dreams while these strange things ran through my mind.