A solstice lesson

[Brianna Tanner]

Brianna Sings-With-Vision rests in the caern on Monday evening, after much of the activity of the day has completed. She has her flute and is softly playing a melodic tune, apparently not aware of whether anyone else is paying much attention to her or not.

The quiet theme of her music is like an invitation, however, for others to join her if they wish. If they do, they will notice an unlit red candle before her, and not much in the way of light nearby. In fact, it is as if she has chosen the darkest corner in which to play.

As she continues to play her flute, her somber tune begins to gain energy and tempo, the sound of it perhaps stirring anticipation in her listeners. She glances up, acknowledging any who have come to sit near her, the look in her eyes friendly and engaging.

The music stops as she takes the flute away from her lips, but she says nothing at first, just leans forward to light the pillar candle with a wooden match. The candle's soft glow throws flickering shadows into the existing pool of darkness rather than going any distance to illuminate the corner of the room.

"Tonight is the Winter Solstice," Brianna begins, her eyes on the flame and her voice low but loud enough to be heard throughout the room. "The darkest night of the year. I am new to this city - new to the destruction and chaos that exists here, and new to this Sept. Yet I have seen the darkness that waits outside this sanctuary; the Wyrm would seem to have won a great battle here, destroying all it has touched. Its agents are still at work here - we have seen them attempt to uncover our caern, have experienced the calamity the Beast of War is raising through the organization of the gangs and unsavory elements throughout this area. It is indeed a time of darkness and fear, a time in which it is easy to believe that the night shall not end."

She glances up from the flame and her eyes are direct as she meets the eyes of each member of her audience in turn. "But although the Solstice marks the triumph of darkness over light, this victory cannot hold. The balance must be restored - it is the nature of the cycle."

Brianna glances back at the candle flame, flickering softly in the stillness. "Even through the blackest night, Luna's glow lights our path. It is here, between the fear of complete darkness and the light of the moon, that it is easiest to falter. But do not fear - for even now in this broken city the light is being reborn. Our coming here marks that rebirth, and our strength of purpose and commitment to our Mother ensures that all cannot be lost.

"Tonight, remember the lesson of the Solstice - although winter darkness has it's strongest hold on the world, its time of absolute rule is over. The coming days will be brighter, perhaps warmer, until there is balance once again and perhaps even eventual victory of the light against the darkness. All things have a season, and the wheel turns eternal."

With this she lifts her flute once more, and the tune though still soft, has a growing undercurrent of hope, and as it progresses, joy.