The Time Has Come {Tag all Loup Garou}

[Cole Loup Garou]

((This is the beginning of the initiations & celebratory thread. Stryker & Arya are to be initiated. Guests are Aalaria, Kami, & Ursa.))

I stood atop King's Pointe, surveying my people. Thousands of Loup Garou gathered below the large outcropping of rock, all eager to begin the initiations. Syren and Mick both stood to my left, behind them were Midian, Synge, and Arwen. To my right stood Stryker and Arya. Kami and Ursa, our guests at the Luna, stood at the forefront of the gathered Loup Garou. Murmurs flowed through the camp, but silenced immediately as my hands thrust upward. "Friends & family, welcome!" Cheering and howls erupted. "For two nights have we celebrated the news of Lyra's return, and that of her daughter Arya. Lyra will be known as Stryker to us and all other from now on, a name taken by her to bestow strength in times of dire darkness. On this eve, before the clan and with the aid and blessings of the munin, Stryker and Arya will be initiated as true Loup Garou!" More shouts and cheers came from the rapt audience. I gestured for Kami to join us. "And another has come to us, a Kitsune named Kami, a friend and kin, has chosen to become Loup Garou in name as well." The cheers erupted once more, all the more enthusiastic over the newcomer. I smiled, extending my hand to Kami and helped her to take her place beside Stryker and Arya.

The crowd below fell to their knees, all of them in human form for the moment, a rare sight indeed. "Come forth Stryker, Arya, Kami." The three knelt before me, heads bowed. "The time has come, the sun has set, the night is upon thee. The limbs are useless, thy sight dims as thou dost pass beyond. So soon as ever your mazed spirit descends, from daylight into darkness, remember what you have suffered, here in the circle, what you have suffered." A moment of silence passed as each of the initiates recalled their own trials and suffering before I continued with the rite. A large fire burned behind us all, sparks stirred in the wind that was not wind at all, but the conglomerate of the munin. My voice took on a haunting quality as it echoed across the gathered throngs, a chant pouring from my lips.
"After your passage between the worlds
While the mists of time flow past you,
The Halls of Judgement shall loom mightily before thee.
To the left hand there bubbles a black spring
Overshadowed with a great, white cypress.
Avoid this spring, for the waters of the left-hand path
Only lead thee lower.
To the right hand, there lies a secret pool
Alive with speckled trout and fish of gold;
A hazel-tree overshadows it. The primeaval
Serpent of Wisdom straggles in the branches,
Darting out his tongue. This holy pool is fed
By dripping water; Guardians stand before it.
Thou goest to the right; to the pool of wisdom...
And memory.
Then the Guardians will scrutinize you, saying,
"Who are you, who? What have you to remember?
Do ye not fear the flickering tongue of the Serpent?
Go rather to the spring beneath the cypress,
Flee from this pool."
"I am parched with thirst.
Give me to drink. I am a child of Earth & Moon,
But of Wolf also, and of the Craft.
I am also of your thrice-blessed kin.
A child of the Three-Fold Queen of Witches;
You remember me, for I have been here before.
Give me to drink!"
Then they will welcome you with fruit and flowers
And lead you toward the ancient dripping hazel-tree,
Crying: "Thou of our immortal blodd,
Drink and remember the glorious Craft of the Goddess!"
Then you shall drink.
Stand before the mirror
Look far back into the past...
Look far into the depths of your soul."

Syren handed me a goblet of wine and herbs, prepared by herself and Mick especially for these rites. I handed the cup to Stryker, who drank and passed it to Arya. Arya followed her mother's example, passing the chalice next to Kami, who followed suit. Syren took the cup and replaced it on the altar behind her. I turned to Kami and addressed her separately, for her initiation required another step.
"A seeker is among us,
Proven by magick,
Who doth desire to attain to high level
Within our ancient Craft,
And to delve within
The deepest of Mysteries.
Are you willing now
To begin the High Quest?
In an initiation such as this
You must, symbolically die...
Pass through tests and purifications of the soul,
And be born once more
With new portals opened
And new powers within your soul.
But for now...sleep!"
I passed my hands over her eyes, bidding them close as she slipped into a meditative state with ease.
"By earth is thy still and silent body covered.
By earth shall thy soul be tested.
By air does thy spirit go forth
Into realms strange and distant.
By air shall thy soul be tested.
By fire, red and flaming,
And not of this world
Shall all dross be burned from thee.
By fire shall thy soul be tested.
By water shall all which is old and useless
Be dissolved and washed away.
With water, pure and Magickal,
Does new life arise once more.
By water shall thy soul be tested.
Now, in thy mind's eye
A vision does come forth.
Thy soul hath passed the tests
And waits in the cold darkness
Of a great, ancient, and echoing hall.
For a time all is silent.
Then before thee, on a great throne
Grows a nimbus of colored light, glowing ever brighter.
And thereupon, in brilliance and warmth,
Appears the High Queen.
She is clad in soft robes
Of deepest blue and glowing red.
Her hair is a stream of the brightest gold.
The eyes of the Lady
Are blue and shining as the sea.
Wolves sit to her right and her left.
She looks upon you, and through you...
Seeing all that you have been in the past
Or shall be in the future.
She sees your hopes and your dreams,
Then smiles and gives you Her blessing.
The vision vanishes
As you are whirled away
In growing warmth and light,
For life has begun again!"
My hand rested atop Kami's head as I spoke. Cheers once more traveled through the camp as Syren handed me an amulet chosen for Kami. The Jade crystal thrummed warm in my hand, it's green surface lighting up as I held it above her head. "And so I name you, Loup Garou!" The crowd was on their feet, the cheering deafening as I slipped the silver chain over her head. Mick stepped forward, a bundle of sage smoldering in his right hand. With a large feathered fan he swept the smoke toward the three initiates, cleansing and purifying them. The munin settled with a blueish glow around the three. An Emerald amulet was next handed to me, which I strung about Arya's neck. The deep green gem glittered excitedly as it hung over Arya's heart.
"You are all now Loup Garou.
And the deed cannot be denied,
for you are the Mother Wolf's children
And have come full circle in our ways.
Teach them, Lady Moon,
Children of our Mother,
The words of respect She would have us know,
The rituals by which we worship Her
Who birthed us of Herself.
Guide them in the ways of the Loup Garou,
That nurtures all and harms none
As they seek to regain that
which was lost so long ago.
And, finally,
walk beside us as Sister & Brother
for we are all children of Mother Moon!"
As the rite came to a close, instead of the munin traveling through each of the initiates, awaking the wolf inside and giving them the gifts of the Loup Garou, the munin beelined for Ursa. I contemplated this as the munin lifted her from the gathering below and brought her to us upon King's Pointe. "The munin have spoken! Ursa, is it your wish to join us in becoming Loup Garou in name? For your beliefs are closely lined with our own, and it would honor us to call you kin."

[Stryker Loup Garou]

To join, or rejoin the Luna, was an honor above all else, to return home, knowing I would never be turned away but embraced again, warmed my heart and ultimately I knew that no matter what, this was home, it would always be home. Everyone was shocked to see me return, I was gone for many years, and returning was a glorious mean for celebration and joy, also adding to that joy and celebration was the new addition to the clan, my daughter Arya, who was pretty much the apple of everyones eyes. The clan loved her, her father Midian and I loved her, and she was safe with us now, away from the place she was kept for four years. I was glad to have my daughter back, she occupied a space in my heart that would never be removed. Even if she turned evil I would never ever hate her. She was my flesh and blood, and my love would never die for her. Sure I was overprotective too, but I had that right. Being through what I went through, you tend to be more protective than normal. I think.

Before the initiation, Syren had brought me up to King's Pointe, and a ritual was taken place so I could speak to my parents. They had used Syren's body as a vessel to be able to communicate, and after being able to speak to them, knowing they didn't hate me and still cared, I got to say goodbye fully, and now, the pain wasn't as bad. Sure it hurt sometimes, but not as bad as it used to be. Accepting it more, it gave me peace of mind, and also, my son Jayke was with them, a boy who hadn't had a chance at life, who was cruelly ripped from us as he died in my womb, I choked, wiping away my eyes as I pulled on a pair of jeans and a clean tee-shirt, looking rather presentable. Reflecting on the days helped keep me calm, and Arya was quiet for someone who spent allot of time talking. I grinned, giving her a hug. "It's okay to be nervous sweetheart. I am." I replied truthfully, ruffling up her hair slightly.

Soon, we all headed to King's Pointe, my second trip there in less than a week. The air was pure, and clean, and slightly warm with anticipation at the oncoming initiation. Cole stood on top, Syren and Mick, my sisters mate, were standing next to Cole as he raised his arms, calling to the whole clan which were thousands of us. It was really an impressive sight to see, that my breathe caught in my throat for a moment. Midian stood behind along with Synge and Arwen, while I stood feeling rather self conscious on Cole's right, my hand holding onto Arya's. That was mostly for my comfort, I think it didn't phase her. She loved the clan, and being a Loup Garou, even though she wasn't a full Loup Garou yet, she couldn't wait. Syren had even helped her shift a few days ago and she ran with Cole, and judging from that(since I met up with them) she couldn't wait to fully embrace the wolf within her. I beamed with pride before listening to Cole speak again. It would be rude of me not too.

I smiled at Kami, knowing she had no idea what was going to happen, and neither did I for that matter, before were knelt before Cole, my head bowed as I spoke again. Silence passed over us for the moment while we thought, as I thought about my own suffering at the hands of that rapist, being raped, abused and tortured daily. However, now I wasn't so fulled with agonizing rage over it like before. Huh, I wonder why that was. From the corner of my eyes as I thought, I saw sparks from the fire, sparks that spurred within the wind. Wait, no, that wasn't wind. The scent was all wrong, I tried placing it when the answer came to me. The munin. Awe washed over my features before a calming mask settled upon my face.

I raised my head slightly, taking the goblet in both hands before taking a deep drink, the wine tasted different on my tongue, probably due to the herbs that was in it. Tasting my tongue, I handed the cup to Arya, half worried about what the wine would do to her before shrugging it off. Its not like she could get drunk off it. Just a worried mother instinct that kicked in there.

And still the rite continued, I stayed still and silent while Cole addressed Kami, we were cleaned and purified by the burning sage that Mick swept the smoke towards us with a fan, I smiled as Kami was given her amulet, then Arya, my own hand instinctively found my amulet, an Amethyst one, before breaking out into a larger smile. I wanted to hug Arya, but was stunned when the munin breezed over to Ursa. Not a bad stunned, but Cole was right. It would be an honor to call her kin. I had no problems with Ursa, I hadn't spoken to her as much as what the others had, but she wasn't threatening, and a good shifter to be around. This was too awesome for words, and I sincerely hoped she would join us.

[Kami]

The excitement I felt was almost intoxicating!
I gotta admit, I haven't spent allot of time with the Lupe Garou, but they've grown on me.
Before I managed to come into this neck of the woods, and stumbled into trouble they helped me out of, I had never met another shifter of any sort, and with my mother gone, I didn't have any sort of family.
I do have my band, and I'll still have my band, but they aren't the same thing. If I told them my true nature, they'd probably freak out on me.
Here, I am not the only one. Well I may be the only FOX... but that simple detail is greatly outweighed by the fact that I'm around other shifters that I can actually be myself around.
Well, not that I'm not 'myself' around my band... but, I'm only a portion of myself for them.
Here in the Luna, I don't have to hide a thing, they accept me with open arms, and the whole pack feeling is something I never got, even when my mother was alive, it was always just her and I.
It's huge enough to be humbling, the Loup Garou, all on the merit of how many different people are a part of the clan.
But this ceremony, seeing EVERYONE altogether, with the munin in the air... I'm all a buzz with UBER Excitement!
I fall into the hush with everyone else as Cole starts the ceremony, eyes and senses peeled to take everything I can in.
He calls me to join, and the cheer that everyone sends me is electric, I grin widely as I take his hand and go before them all.
He says to come forth, and I kneel next to Stryker and Arya.
Stryker smiles at me, and I give her my goofy grin back, knowing she's got to be an even bigger bundle of nerves than I, her own child joining us... she's got more than just herself to be concentrating on in this right.
At Cole's instruction, I close my eyes, the ritual taking me to a deeper place, I see my mom as she wastes away, because of me.... Because she came to America to give me a better life, and was starved from her roots.
I see myself, falling into depression from her death, and hiding every bit of my Kitsune nature, to try and fit in with regular people, my music my only outlet and true friend.
I see myself, playing alongside my band mates, feeling shame that I couldn't be normal like them, and the self-punishment over being alone in what I am, and not seeing it for the gift it really is.
Cole continues the ritual, and Alyra passes me the goblet, and I drink from it, still wrapped in the ceremony, I can feel the Munin clearer already.
Cole comes up to me personally, and adds another part, special because I am not born a Loup Garou.
I follow his words rapt, nodding my Yes when he asks if I'm ready to begin the higher quest.
He bids me to sleep, and I close my eyes, the excitement taking a back seat to the energy in ritual, and the trance coming over me easily.
I see everything so clearly in my trance, Each Element tempering and cleansing, The High Queen, her colorful robes vibrant, her skin glowing, Then the warmth and light as Cole brings me back from the trance, newly reborn.
The feeling is intense, and I feel that goofy grin sitting on my lips again as I hear him name me Loup Garou, the whole clan's cheering response almost enough to knock me down!
The smell of incense as Mick spreads it is comforting, Cole's voice going through the ritual flawlessly, all of it just flowing together.
I am sure this is where I'm meant to be, this is everything I never even dreamed I could want!
As things start to close down, I feel the Munin more intimately than just the energy itself they exude, and I see them pick up Ursa, the were-bear, bringing her to the right.
I haven't had much of a chance to get to know her, but it still brings me happiness, a shared happiness I believe the Munin have flowed through us, to see her join.

[Arya Loup Garou]

I was so excited all day for the initiations that I think I was bugging Mum a little. I couldn't stop bouncing. Some of the others had told me what was gonna happen, and I couldn't wait. I even ate my breakfast way too fast and it gave me an upset tummy. But Mum got some stuff from Nana Nyta that helped me. It was minty like toothpaste, but I just ate the leaves. So now I know that I like spearamint and it helps your ooky tummy!

Ama Syren said no shifting because after tonight I could do it all on my own. But I still got to run around and play with the others. Some liked to be the wolf almost all the time, and I liked to be in the middle of a bunch of them. I got to pet them and play with them like a normal kid would with their doggies. But the Loup Garou were way cooler than a regular doggy. We were magick! FINALLY it was time for the ceremonies, and everyone gathered at King's Pointe. Mum and I went up top with Cole, Syren, Mick, Daddy, Aunt Arwen, and Uncle Synge. I was hopping from foot to foot as it started. Aunt Arwen says I'm twitchy.

Cole started talking and it was like a chant. I was all wrapped up in what he was saying, like when Mum tells me an awesome bedtime story. I could even feel the Munin around us. It was so cool! At one point Cole had us come forward and he brought Kami too. I really liked the werefox, she was a lot of fun, and had lots of energy like me. Cole gave me my necklace, a dark green stone Mum had told me was called Emerald. When it was on me it tickled and it was sparkling a lot. I'd never take it off. All of the loup Garou had them.

I had to taste some wine too. I didn't really like it and made a face after I swallowed a little bit. It was kinda bitter. At least I didn't have to drink the stuff anymore if I didn't want to, and not until I was older anyway. It's alko...alcho....um...it's big people drink that tastes like rotten medicine. It made my tummy warm and fuzzy though, and that was silly. Cole started to end the ritual and I saw this blue windy stuff floating all around. I knew it was the Munin, and then it went through us all before it picked up Ursa the werebear! I clapped as it brought her up to us, the Munin saying she was supposed to be a Loup Garou too! I tapped Mum's arm. "Mummy! Ursa's gonna be a Loup Garou too!!!" I said it kinda quiet so I wouldn't get in trouble for interupting or anything.

I felt stronger, and I knew that if I wanted I could turn into a wolf anytime I wanted to. I couldn't wait until we got to shift. I wanted to do it all by myself without Cole or Syren to help, then I could howl at the moon for real! But first I had to wait for Ursa to say yes. I looked at her, my eyes all big and I nodded so much that my head almost fell off. Ok, not really, Mum says it can't just fall off, but I thought it might. I really, really wanted her to say yes and be like us too. Then we'd have a fox and a bear with all of us wolves!

[Ursa]

I have been staying at the Luna ever since the Alpha and his first in command found me fishing in their woods.
Where I was without friends on my journey, and without supplies, I am now surrounded by those who call me friend, and I get to help prepare meals and stuff for the pack.
My journey has brought me here, and I see the reason.
The Loup Garou have much to teach one such as I.
Here in the Luna, everyone has another form, and they all live with their ancestors everyday.
The Munin is around and shines through them all.
My tribe was not much different in their beliefs, but have less to show for it.
We worship our ancestors, but they are long past, and only shaman seem to sense their presence in modern days.
Every Loup Garou has access to the Munin.
Nyta is very knowledgeable on herbs and healing, spending time watching her patch up illness and injury is one of my favorite things to do here.
I see old ways walking with new.
With a culture so grounded in their roots, yet welcoming of new ways, it is very different from my tribe.
My tribe worshiped my bear form, and treated me like a commodity. I never minded, for I never knew any different.
But walking through the Luna, in my human form, I never get asked to change, they like me no matter what form I take.
They don't fear me, or have superstition clouding them as to what I really am.
I am a shifter, like them.
I feel more a part of the Loup Garou, unlike the figurehead I had become for my tribe.
I love my tribe, but being here I can concentrate on my own natures, not being responsible for everyone, as they all have the Munin to help and witness their lives.
It is very relaxing and refreshing here.
Getting to see this ceremony, to witness a huge ritual up close with all the clan, is a special treat.
Where they may have celebrations almost every night, a ritual of this sort is not the same.
Cole's words ring further through the crowd, even as he projects his voice, he does not shout or yell, the current and the closeness of all helps the words reach everyone clearly, as if they were standing on stage with him.
Practiced in magicks, I join the ritual in my own way from the audience, swaying a bit as it is not time to dance, leaving my regular senses to embrace my more ethereal.
Through these eyes, Cole glows with a golden aura, his power and position clear in his every breath.
Stryker's aura is a darker shade of green, like fertile earth, her trials making her stronger, I can sense where she has been, even more than the stories that have buzzed around the Luna since she returned from her ordeal.
Her daughter Arya, surely the apple of her mother's eye, still glows with the whiteness of purity, showing the resilience of youth in the face of conflict. Most people would worry that she suffers past childhood for the things she's been through, but they need not. The Loup Garou, and the Munin, so vibrant in her life have already brought her past that, and she has retained her innocence in ways the mundane eye could not know.
Kami's aura is green, like Stryker's, but a brighter shade, her energy abundant.
I see the Munin as well, too many colors to list at a glance, ever watchful over their descendants.
The ritual is beautiful to behold, and I find myself lost within it, So when the Munin lift me to King's Pointe with the others, the flow does not take me by surprise, everything is connected, we are all connected, and this is a part of the loop.
Cole asks if this is what I wish, to be named Loup Garou, and I nod my head to him, I would not have it any other way.
I can only thank the Munin for accepting me as much as their people have.