Greeting the Sun

The sun was slowly setting. The dark green of the moss was only sporadically broken by colourful flowers that still had managed to thrive in the shadows of the forest’s tall trees. Maple and cedar, pines in the distance, nature was showing its most wonderful side this early evening. Birds were singing still, litte critters were running in the tall grass, hiding from predators. It was peaceful, yet alive.

A group of three women was gently walking through the forest, trying to not startle its inhabitants. They wanted to become one with nature tonight. They were not intruders, they were friends. Their long black capes were flowing in the light wind, dancing around their naked ankles. They were carrying incense and blankets, and seemed to know where they were heading.

They held each other by the hand when they climbed over a small stream, they helped each other over fallen branches and hills. And then they halted. A lusciously green meadow, in its middle a fireplace. They had spent all morning to gather the branches to build their meeting place for the night. And stones to keep the flames controlled and their celebration safe.

It was warm on this Midsummer’s evening, the sunbeams still finding their way onto the young women’s faces. “Come now, girls. Let’s make it cozy. Did you bring the wine, Shannon?” the shortest of the three said as she looked at her two friends. They had known each other for years now, and this was not the first time they were performing this ritual together. Shannon was to bring food and drink, Lorraine blankets, and Mona was responsible for the incense and herbs. The tote bags they were carrying looked full but not too heavy.

Arriving by their perfectly arranged fireplace, they put down the bags and breathed out. With closed eyes they enjoyed the warmth of the sun on their faces. Midsummer’s night, the longest night of the year, the time to welcome the second half of the seasons, to feel connected to Mother Earth and the sun. Placing the blankets around the fireplace, Lorraine was carefully making sure that none of them had to sit in the wet grass during the few dark hours of the night. They all sat down on the comfortable soft fabrics and a bottle of wine made its round. No one spoke a word. They seemed calm, at peace and connected to the nature around them.

Mona stood up and lit the dry branches in the middle of the fireplace with a few matches, raking leaves closer to the center of the heat. The light from the yellow gleam of the sun was slowly being replaced by the orange glow of the fire. The skies wouldn’t turn black today, and in only a few hours, the orange of the fire would be reflected in the orange of the heavens.

They each stood a few feet apart around the not yet fully burning fire, barefoot on the soft blankets, seemingly deep in thought, staring into the rising flames. Hoods covering their hair, the black capes were open, revealing long wavy dresses. They were all dressed the same. The skies were in their darkest blue of the night now. Mona handed each of her friends a bundle of incense and they each knelt down to the fire to release the sweet smells from the dried leaves. They stood up again and held the smoking incense over their heads. In solemn voices, they spoke in unison:

Mother of our mothers, guide our hands in yours,
Remind us how to rekindle the hearth, to keep it bright.
Your hands upon ours, our hands upon yours,
To kindle the light both day and night.

They threw the rest of the incense into the fire and starting humming a melody they were all familiar with. Eyes closed, they were dancing around the fire. Like in trance, they were starting to allow their hands wander over their bodies, capes were sliding to the ground and the three women were now dancing in their wavy long strapless dresses. Soon those were sliding down as well, and Shannon, Lorraine and Mora were dancing in their underwear.

The three women stopped humming, looked at each other and smiled. They were overcome by the smells of the incense, the warmth of the fire, the closeness to nature and the trance-like humming. They sank down onto the blankets and leaned back. Feet towards the fire, they could make out each other through the flames but the flickering red, orange and yellow also made them seem far away from each other.

Legs spread, the women started humming again. Their heads were tilted back. Knickers tossed to the side, bras removed, the women were naked and felt like one with nature, with the fire, connected to each other through the melody. Hands in between their legs, fingers were dancing to the music they were creating. The humming picked up in speed, as the motions between the women’s legs were getting faster. Mona turned silent as her blonde hair that shone golden in the light of the fire got tossed from one side to the other, and a wave of pleasure ran over her naked body.

Both Shannon and Lorraine were still picking up the speed of the humming, the sounds turning into moaning, panting and then a loud squeal and Shannon started twitching. Her green eyes opened, looking at Lorraine through the fire. The last girl’s gave out a scream, as she fell backwards and pushed her pussy into the air, her juices landing in the heat before her. Not enough to extinguish the fire, but for a moment the flickering of the flames halted and small amounts of steam mixed with the smoke.

The three women crawled towards each other and when they met, embraced each other. They pulled a blanket over their naked bodies. No one spoke a word. A few moments later, Mona exclaimed “Look!” and pointed at the horizon over the trees. A flimmer of orange could be seen, pushing the dark blue into oblivion for another day. The women stood up, still naked. They allowed the warmth of the light envelop them. And so they greeted the new morning:

The sun is high above us
shining down upon the land and sea,
making things grow and bloom.
Great and powerful sun,
we honor you this day
and thank you for your gifts.
Ra, Helios, Sol Invictus, Aten, Svarog,
you are known by many names.
You are the light over the crops,
the heat that warms the earth,
the hope that springs eternal,
the bringer of life.
We welcome you, and we honor you this day,
celebrating your light,
as we begin our journey once more
into the darkness.