Solstice - The Goddess Awakens

The large circular copse of trees that was Lisnagade Fort could be seen from all over Ballyvalley, lying high on a hilltop three miles out of town. Lola turned off the narrow country road onto a thin dirt track that was obscured by the heavy shrubbery on either side. She had made this journey countless times before otherwise it would have been quite easy to miss the turn-off that led to the ancient site. Slipping the car into second gear, Lola slowly made her ascent up the winding road, the overgrown hawthorn hedges gently tapping the side of the car. Finally she came to a halt on the side of the skirting track.

A fresh wave of panic began to erupt in Lola’s stomach as she wrestled with the thought of turning back and going home, but she was distracted by the news report booming from the car radio. Lola listened absently to the voice.

Another teenage girl has gone missing from the seaside town of Portstewart, the second in as many weeks. Former Miss Northern Ireland, Victoria Jones was last seen at a house party on Saturday 12th June. The 19-year-old media student is described as being 5 foot 10, slim build with long blonde hair. On the night she disappeared she was wearing a red dress with red shoes. Police are currently appealing for anyone that may have seen or spoken to Victoria before or after the party to please come forward with any information they may have. The Causeway Police have not said if they believe this recent disappearance is connected with that of Karen Watson who disappeared a week previously. An information hotline has been set up to help with inquiries.

Lola had had enough bad news for one day. Shutting off the engine she calmed herself and stepped out of the car wondering what was ahead of her. The large iron gate that usually sealed the entrance to the site was open and as she rounded the trees Lola could see why. Five cars were neatly parked into the small inlet. Lola realised that she was the last to arrive. The sun was still very strong even though it was almost 6.30pm.

Following the overgrown path, Lola finally reached the large granite steps that led to the outer ring of the fort. She stepped softly to the central pathway between all three tiers. She briefly admired the wild primroses that decorated the steep banks of the fort. As she came closer to the inner ring her senses were immediately ignited by a profusion of scents. A warm summer breeze rustled around the surrounding ancient oaks carrying the aroma with it.

As Lola inhaled the soothing smells, her tense body seemed to relax. In the unfamiliar fusion she could detect lemon, mint, and a hint of something earthy, which was totally intoxicating. Each intake of breath seemed to lighten Lola’s mood. Finally, approaching the inner ring she could hear the soft murmur of voices. No one seemed aware of her arrival; the small group were deeply engrossed in conversation. She lingered at the edge of the inner circle soaking in the enchanting sight that lay before her eyes.

The rath, which had been there for over a thousand years, had been completely transformed beyond recognition. There were two seats positioned at the top of a loose circle, with five seats positioned at each side, and one directly opposite the two at the top. Each seat was draped with white linen.

Each piece of cloth had an intricate symbol embroidered on it in vivid gold thread. The symbol was of an oak tree and in the centre of the tree was a large sun disc, its beams of light radiating in every direction. At the foot of the oak, just beneath the sun, lay a crescent moon. The linen covers with the golden thread were complemented by the emerald green grass underfoot, which provided a natural carpet. Turning her attention to the twelve people now gathered at the centre of the makeshift circle, Lola noticed that they were wearing cloaks. The long-hooded garments mirrored the seat coverings, and were identical, apart from two of them. Markus and the lady that Lola had seen him leave the church with were the exceptions. Their garments were of a deep rich purple, and they both wore ornate garlands on their heads. It was clear even to Lola’s uneducated eye that they were in charge. Standing wide-eyed, Lola drank in every last detail. It was still warm as the leafy trees around them formed the most perfect canopy, which allowed shafts of sunlight to spill through and illuminate the floor of the fort.

Suddenly Lola could hear Arthur’s voice, it was so clear that she turned around, believing he was right behind her.

The pair had come here many times. She loved to hear about this ancient fairy ring that he said dated right back to the Neolithic period. At school she had been taught that it was just a dwelling place for farmers and the people that worked the land. But Arthur’s tales of fairy battles, royal feasts, mating ceremonies and burials from the mists of time were always much more entertaining.

‘This place holds such powerful energy, Lola, that only a few can feel and see,’ he used to say. ‘It’s a triple-ringed fort and that is very special indeed, three is a very powerful number.’ For some reason Lola had never asked any questions – she had hated to interrupt his reverie. Instead, she loved to listen to him, and so desperately wanted to believe him, but to her it was just superstitious nonsense, mythology and nothing more.

However, standing now observing the spectacle in front of her, the energy was tangible; the air was thick with it.

Finally her presence was detected. Markus beckoned her to join the group. As she approached the gathering she was greeted by faces she had never seen before. Each person wore a kind smile. Lola concentrated hard to see if she recognised any of them from the church. The large wooden pyre that sat in the centre of the fort escaped her attention until she finally reached Markus.

‘I’m sure this is very strange for you, Lola,’ he apologised. ‘But Arthur specifically said he wanted you to be here.’

Her eyes darted back and forth to the massive rectangular basket behind him. Examining it, Lola could see large pieces of reed and wattle intricately interwoven. She admired the beautiful roses, angelica and yarrow which were delicately threaded through for decoration. Finally, she allowed her eyes to reach the top of the pyre where she could clearly trace the contours of a body under the fine linen shroud – it was Arthur.

Abruptly, Lola turned her head as if that would somehow erase the sight from her memory. Markus had stopped talking now and was looking worriedly from Lola to the lady beside him.

‘It certainly is strange, Markus. But I’m fine really, there’s no need to worry,’ Lola answered eventually. She lifted her head to look directly at him, though he didn’t appear convinced. ‘Honestly, I’m fine; it’s confusing more than anything. I’m glad I’m here,’ assured Lola, forcing a smile. ‘It’s what Arthur wanted.’

Lola looked down at her feet feeling a little awkward. She prayed that she had said enough to convince Markus that she could handle the situation and whatever it was that she was about to learn.

‘Welcome, Lola. I’m Celeste Moone,’ said the woman dressed similarly to Markus who had remained silent until now. Her voice was like liquid velvet and almost rendered Lola into a trance. The lady extended a graceful hand towards Lola, and spoke in a hypnotic tone. The name made Lola want to laugh a little. It sounded as though it had been made up. ‘Arthur had a lot of faith in you, and trusted you very much. It has taken a lot of courage for you to come here today, not knowing what you’d find. I’m sure you are scared and confused, but hopefully everything will become a bit clearer after the ceremony.’

Celeste guided Lola to her seat at the bottom of the circle while the others took their positions along the flanks, with Markus and Celeste standing at the top. Now holding everyone’s attention, Markus began the ancient burial ceremony.

‘Brothers and sisters of the Ancient Order of the Golden Dawn, for centuries we have gathered on this most sacred day, the Summer Solstice, to celebrate the ancient secrets we have been bound together to protect for millennia. We also gather to celebrate and give thanks for all that is good in our lives and the bounties our earth has provided. On this most sacred of festivals, when the veils between this world and the far world is at its thinnest, the symbolism could not be more poignant.’

‘Our most high priest and druid Arthur, who throughout his rich lives often shared in this celebration, has now made the ultimate sacrifice in laying down his life for those most sacred secrets. Today, not only do we celebrate the end of the summer, the light half of our year, the unity of the God and Goddess, we also celebrate the life and regal soul that was Arthur Delphian.’

Lola sat transfixed, listening to every word spoken by Markus.

‘On this great festival of fire and here on this hallowed site where we are flanked by our sacred oaks and protected by the smouldering vervain, mugwort and lemon balm, we cast the infinite soul of Arthur Delphian out into the great cosmos, back from whence it came and wish him well on his transcendental journey back to the divine, the source of all life.’

Plumes of white smoke began to emerge from the pyre as it ignited, but Lola didn’t see anyone move from their stations to light the kindling. Markus continued to speak as the fire crackled. Lola’s attention was drawn in by the flames, finding something comforting in their warmth and gentleness, as they licked and caressed the reeds and flowers. Gathering pace the orange, blue and yellow flames intensified, as did the citrus aroma, rising higher and higher until they finally enveloped and consumed the earthly remains of Arthur Delphian.

A well of emotion erupted inside Lola, in tandem with the accelerating flames, she began to weep again. This time, though, she didn’t feel sad and pained; instead she felt joy and peace. Joy that Arthur was now spirited away to a better place than this one, yet she could feel that in some way he was still with her. Her attention fell back to Markus.

‘We ask for help in the dark days that are to come, the battles that must be fought and won. The flames guide away Arthur’s spirit but they also signify the waning of our glorious and life-sustaining sun and the coming of the dark. This year, my friends, our resolve will be tested in this time of darkness. So we must endeavour to stand together and keep our resolve.’

Markus’s face was sombre yet his voice was full of authority. The intimate gathering began to murmur, the gravity of the ceremony clear on their faces. A robust man then rose to his feet. Lola guessed he was in his fifties, portly, with auburn hair and a weathered complexion. He spoke with a soft voice in a distinct southern-Irish accent, which suggested he was from the west of Ireland. Like Markus he spoke with confidence.

‘So what are ye sayin, Markus?’ asked the gentleman. ‘I mean, is this da beginnin? They’ve killed Arthur, our leader, so does this mean we should all fear for our lives? What about the objects that Arthur had in his possession? Does the Hell Fire Club have dem now?’

Lola played over those words again – ‘beginning’, ‘killed’, ‘Arthur’, ‘Hell Fire Club’. Celeste elegantly rose to her feet in one fluid motion and placed a hand on Markus’s shoulder. He sat down, giving her the floor as she turned to answer the questions. She looked at the man as a mother would her disobedient child.

‘Eoin,’ said Celeste calmly. ‘You are one of the oldest and most loyal members of our Order. You more than anyone should know what this turn of events means! Arthur had fore-warned us for the past year that an attempt on his life would be made, which they unsuccessfully have tried to disguise as a suicide. Time is beginning to run out for the Hell Fire Club so, as Arthur predicted, they are becoming desperate!’ Warning them for the past year? Lola soaked up those words, wondering who they were talking about. It couldn’t possibly have been her Arthur! He would have said! He would have told her if someone was trying to kill him.

‘They have little time to achieve their aims as soon the new epoch will be upon us.’ Celeste’s voice remained temperate and reassuring as she turned to address the rest of the group. ‘Sisters and brothers, Arthur’s death is a great blow to us all, but we must implement the plan that he has laid out for us. The Hell Fire Club’s global agenda is almost complete, yet we must prevail. Arthur has revealed to us the ancient key. It has been returned to this realm and he has sought out and nurtured it. It is our duty, as it has been our duty for millennia to protect it at all costs. If our foes should discover it, all hope for the new epoch would be lost.’

Lola watched on in bewilderment as the man they called Eoin contemplated what Celeste had said. Lola was waiting for Arthur to burst from behind a tree and tell her it was some joke. She even wondered if she was still sleeping. All this was so far removed from her reality it was almost funny. These people were weird. Arthur was nothing like them.

‘That’s all well and good, Celeste,’ continued Eoin. ’We will not desert our duty, but are you sure this key,’ Lola noticed how he emphasised the word key, ‘is what we seek? Can we trust that this is the true key of prophecy?’

For a moment everyone seemed to be looking at Lola, some nodding in agreement with Eoin. All she could do was smile at them. Some faces smiled back, others seemed to be studying her as if she were some curiosity. Lola supposed to them she probably was!

‘I understand your concerns,’ reasoned Celeste in her soft tones. ‘All of your concerns, some of which I share. But, I pose this question to you, Eoin. To you all! Do you trust Arthur?’

Eoin wore a sudden look of indignation. ‘Our trust in Arthur is not in question!’ he hissed, clearly annoyed at any accusation. ‘We trusted him beyond any doubt!’

‘Well then,’ continued Celeste. ‘Arthur trusted in the ancient key beyond and above any doubt. He did so for a reason, reasons that he was not prepared to divulge to all of us. But I believe these reasons will be justified in due course. This is a very challenging and uncertain time for us, but only together can we hope to achieve our sole purpose.’

The crowd began to settle, somewhat appeased by Celeste’s words. A toast was raised to Arthur and prayer offered to the God and Goddess. It was almost twilight when the ceremony ended. Lola watched the last of the embers burn as Celeste dismissed the gathering.

‘Before we part let us raise our vibrations in loving memory of Arthur Delphian, druid, healer and sage. Let us pray for the strength and courage to ensure his death has not been in vain. We must now go our separate ways. Each of us has our own part to play. The road ahead is an uncertain and perilous one but we will prevail.’

Lola had never seen anything like this in her life and was completely lost for words. It was certainly dazzling, but what did this all mean? It was so hard to digest, though only the beginning for her. Could this really be the same Arthur Delphian she loved? Her mind slipped back to the package she had received and to the dreams she had been having. Any fool could see that it was linked. But still Lola’s mind screamed in defiance, even though she understood that her life had changed forever. He had wanted to tell her something the night he died. But what could she offer, what did Arthur want from her? Why had he brought here to these people and why could he not have told her all this before he died? Lola began to feel the anger burning inside her stomach. After all, what could she do? She was only a young girl. How could she fight this Hell Fire Club?