“Oh, nothing much,” Lilith answered. Her hands were still trembling with fury and she made a great show of carefully smoothing her hair. “I just found out that my daughter is a right wing extremist lunatic, and apparently, I’m a no-good left wing traitor. Did I ever mention to you that I simply love family reunions? You learn all sorts of things that you never knew about the people in your life.”
***
After their unpleasant exchange, Lilith and Sarah took great pains to avoid one another. This was made easier by the fact that the wedding preparations needed to go ahead despite any differences between them. In short order, Lilith had once again lost herself in her work, and very nearly forgot about an important Zommerlaandar tradition.
With only a day to go until the wedding, she and Ingrit were in their bedroom, getting ready to greet the morning, when her wife-to-be mentioned the subject. In addition to everything else, Ingrit reminded her that they also had to take part in a sauna, or a sauvna as the local women called it, and that it was to be held at the Saveet Huus.
Lilith already knew that sauvnas were an integral part of the Zommerlaandar culture. Wherever there were large concentrations of Zommerlaandar women, a Saveet Huus was sure to be present, and whenever the Marines built military installations, it was always included in their plans. Up until recently however, she had never considered the sauvna to be anything more than a comfort item, intended to keep up ‘Zommie’ morale. Now, she was beginning to realize that it had some special significance that went beyond this.
“Well,” she said, coming in close to wrap her arms around the woman. “A steam bath certainly does sound wonderful, but what in all space does it have to do with our wedding? You never told me.”
“It’s more than just a ‘steam bath’,” Ingrit corrected as she gathered her in. “The sauvna’s actually a very important part of the marriage ritual—of any ritual. We use it to purify ourselves. When we go and sit in the Saveet Huus, we honor the powers of fire, stone and water, and we call up the breath of our Ancestors. It’s a very sacred thing, and sometimes, women even have visions in there.”
Lilith shrugged, and laid her head on the woman’s massive shoulder. “Of course,” she agreed. By now, she’d learned to just accept her adopted world’s odd beliefs. It was easier than arguing against their sheer illogic. If Ingrit said so, then there were spirits living in the steam bath, and their blessings were vitally important. “I certainly wouldn’t want to offend anyone.”
Ingrit smiled down at her, and Lilith’s breath caught at this glorious sight. This was a magic that she did believe in. Unable, and unwilling, to break the spell, she stood up on her toes and kissed her, and Ingrit responded in kind.
“There’s one more thing,” Ingrit said when they were both able to speak again.
“And that is?”
“We won’t be taking our sauvna together.”
Lilith pulled back from her, and cocked an inquiring eyebrow. “What!? Why not?”
“That’s also part of the wedding tradition,” Ingrit explained. “On the day of the marriage, each person goes into their own Saveet Huus--and they don’t get to see each other again until it’s time to marry. I’m going over to the Appvelveld farm tonight, and take mine there. You’re going to do yours here, tomorrow morning.”
“Oh, I couldn’t,” Lilith protested.
Ingrit laughed at her. “What is this? Is my pretty little starship commander suddenly feeling shy? You can run an entire battle fleet, but you can’t go to a sauvna with a few friends and neighbors?”
“Well—maybe—I’m just a bit shy,” Lilith admitted. “Besides, I wanted to be with you through the whole thing.”
“You will be with me,” her lover assured her. “Just not for the sauvna. Besides, onselhaart, Grammy, Hanna and Marina will be there the whole time. They’ll take good care of you, and after we get pairmated, you won’t be able to get rid of me no matter how hard you try.”
Lilith joined in her partner’s laughter, but she still wasn’t happy with the idea, even if it were only for a single night. Sensing her reluctance, Ingrit reassured her with another kiss, and as it became deeper and more passionate, Lilith responded with equal ardor.
Two hours later, and after they had made love, Ingrit grabbed her things and went outside to meet the hovertruck from the Appvelveld farm. As Lilith waved goodbye to her, she consoled herself with the fact that the next time that they were together again, it would be for forever.
***
Shortly after dawn, everyone who was taking part in the sauvna gathered in the front of the farmhouse. In addition to Lilith, Grammy, Hanna and Marina, all of the children were present, as well as a half dozen older women that Lilith knew were Vitkaa, Wise Women, just like Grammy. Their respective students, most of them teenagers or young adults, were also there, as were Sarah and Maya.
Her daughter and her companion kept to themselves however, standing off to one side and watching quietly as the rest of the assembly organized itself.
Which was fine as far as Lilith was concerned. They still hadn’t spoken as much as a single word to one another, and aside from a mutual nod of acknowledgement, neither of them had made any move to change this. Silence for the moment, was better than risking anything that might spoil this special day.
Grammy called everyone to order, and then led the way up into the woods to the lake, and the Saveet Huus. The structure was much smaller than the main farmhouse, little more than a single room cabin, with an extended porch fitted with benches, and a long thin pier that extended into the deep waters of the lake.
Pale blue smoke was rising from its chimney, and fresh green bundles of branches, tied together to make primitive whisks, were waiting for everyone. As they arrived, little Fryya took up a place next to the bundles, and passed them out.
When Lilith stepped up to receive hers, the girl gave it to her with a broad smile. “I made this one just for you, Aunt Lily! The branches were the best I could find, and I even tied a special wish into it for you and Ingrit.”
“Why thank you, Fryya. It’s quite beautiful!” Lilith replied, admiring the craftsmanship and making certain to pay special attention to the handle. It had more knots in it than the bundle actually needed to stay together and she recognized their purpose immediately. One aspect of Zommerlaandar witchcraft involved ‘tying in’ wishes to an object in the form of knots. The belief was that the knots would bind the user’s desire into the object and somehow make it come to pass.
“What did you wish for?” she asked.
“Oh, I can’t tell you that, Aunt Lilith!” Fryya replied. “You’re never supposed to tell anyone what your wish is, or it won’t come true. But my wish is a good thing! It really is!”
“Well, thank you, “Lilith told her. “I’ll use this well, and I’m sure that your wish will come true.”
“I hope so!” Fryya declared. “I’d really like another little sis---“. Realizing that she had been about to betray herself, she clapped a hand over her mouth and giggled. Lilith playfully tousled her hair, and stepped aside to make way for the next guest.
“The little ones always go out and make the vittaa for the sauvna,” Grammy told her. “With the teenagers showing them how, of course. This year, it was Fryya’s turn. They are always made from the branches of the silver birch tree. Those are the best, and it looks like she worked extra hard on yours.”
Although she had mentioned them to Lilith, in her haste to explain everything and also get herself ready for her own sauvna, Ingrit had neglected to tell her exactly how and when they were used.
Realizing this, Grammy enlightened her. “We use the birch switches in the sauvna. They help to stimulate the skin and make it sweat, and also to relax the muscles.”
To demonstrate, she took her own switch and lightly struck her torso and shoulders with it. “It’s quite invigorating, and the scent is otaar vunderblik! You’ll see once you’re inside.”
Then she took Lilith by the arm and d
irected her over to the benches, where everyone was stripping off their clothes.
“We go into the sauvna naked, and we come out naked, “Grammy said. “For us, it is like the Mother’s womb. Everyone is equal in there, né vaar?”
Yes,” Lilith agreed. “Everyone.” As she undressed herself, Grammy left her and took up a place at the entrance to the Saveet Huus itself. One of her students stood with her, holding a bowl filled with water, and as everyone filed past, Grammy dipped her switch into it and sprinkled them with a few drops.
“Ven da Oude Maansz omvaa Zee,” she chanted in a strong firm voice. “Ven juu leefa en möeda zoonmaak”, “May the breath of our ancestors embrace you. May they cleanse your body and your spirit.”
Lilith’s turn came, and Grammy dipped her thumb into the water and traced something on her forehead that made her skin tingle. Deep down, Lilith knew that this sensation had been produced by something more than just the kiss of cold water, and for once, she didn’t deny the feeling. At certain times, like this one, a little magic could be allowed to exist.
“For the new bride, a special blessing,” Grammy declared.
“Thank you Grammy,” Lilith answered, her throat suddenly tight with emotion. She hugged the old woman.
“Now go inside,” Grammy told her, wiping away a tear. “Gaane an, we have to get you good and clean so that you can get married.”
The interior of the Saveet Huus was dim, lit only by tiny ventilation windows, and what illumination was lent to it by a small stove set in the center of the room. As Lilith’s eyes adjusted to the shadows, she took in the three tiers of benches that lined the cedar wood walls.
The lowest, Ingrit had told her, were for newcomers to the sauvna experience, and for children. The higher ones were reserved for the more experienced participants. Not surprisingly, the other Wise Women and their students occupied these heights, and for a moment, Lilith was worried that she would be seated with them, or with the veterans on the second level. The heat was already intense and she was well aware that it would become even stronger the higher she sat.
But in deference to her inexperience, one of Grammy’s teenage students gently guided her to the first tier to sit next to Fryya and the other little ones. Sarah and Maya were also seated at this level, but had purposely chosen a spot well away from her.
When Grammy came in, her assistant handed her a dipper filled with water, and after saying something in a voice too low for Lilith’s ears to catch, she poured it carefully over the rocks that were heating on the stovetop.
Steam rose up from them immediately, and as the temperature inside the Saveet Huus rose, Grammy began to chant. The other Wise Women joined in, and someone accompanied them with a small drum.
“Ven Grosfraan anz grosfraane, juu wek onz hören”, they sang, “Grandmothers of our grandmothers, we hear you calling.’
“Anteeke zwestern, juu gesaang onz hören”, “Ancient sisters, we hear you singing.’
“Vrendaa en liefa ven dee verloenkeer, juu laag onz hören”, “Friends and lovers of bygone times, we hear you laughing.’
“Daateraan ven dee euaan, juu hool onz hören”, “Daughters of the centuries, we hear you weeping.’
“As ven dee voorgeboor, juu vohl onz “, “Breath of our ancestors, we feel you.”
Then the chant was repeated.
Gradually, Lilith felt herself becoming drowsy. At last, she gave into the sensation, letting the beats of the drum and the women’s voices carry her away. Something that was halfway between a dream and a waking vision, overcame her.
She found herself standing, or floating in front of a great tree that seemed to be made of luminous crystal, or pure light. Its branches reached upwards into the sky, and although she couldn’t see it, she knew that its roots went down into the very heart of the earth.
Instead of leaves dotting the branches, there were points of light and as she tried to focus on them, she realized that they were actually stars.
The tree began to spin, slowly at first and then with greater speed. At the same time, she caught a glimpse of three women standing at its base. She couldn’t discern what they were doing, but whatever it was, it seemed important and as much a part of the tree itself as everything else.
This tree holds up the entire universe, she thought, totally at a loss to explain how she had come by this knowledge. She simply knew. And a word came into her mind, but it was in no language that she recognized; ‘Irminsul’.
Even as she searched for a correlate, the vision/dream faded, and she felt someone gently shaking her by the shoulder. It was another one of Grammy’s teenage students.
“Gaane an,” the young woman urged. “You’ve had a seiðradroom and you need to get out of the heat for a bit.”
She helped her to her feet, and led her outside. By the time she was seated on a bench on the porch, the details of her vision were gone, leaving only enigmatic fragments behind. Something had happened to her, she knew that.
She wasn’t certain what it had been, and the longer that she sat there, the less there was of it to pursue. At last, she gave up on the attempt and simply let herself enjoy the cool air and the beer that the young woman had pressed into her hand.
The taste of it was pure heaven, and she leaned back against a post and took in the sight of the lake and the woods beyond, enjoying the feeling of simply being at peace without a care in the universe.
As she savored this sensation, Grammy came out of the Saveet Huus out to cool off, and Lilith smiled up at her. “Thank you, Grammy, “she said.
They both knew that she was thanking her for far more than just the simple pleasure of the communal sweat, and the older woman smiled back at her in understanding.
“Welcome home, daughter,” Grammy said.
***
After the last round had been completed in the Saveet Huus, Grammy formally thanked the ancestors and the spirits of the place. It was time for the marriage ceremony itself to begin.
Lilith was guided from the lake and up to the High Place by little Fryya and her mother Hanna, with Sarah and the other guests walking behind them in a long train. Ingrit, she knew, was also coming, escorted by Hanna’s pairmate, Marina, but by a separate path. This was intentional. It signified the individual lives which they had lived until this moment, and were now coming together in marriage.
Both groups arrived at the site of the ritual at exactly the same time. They found Grammy and a group of other Wise Women waiting for them.
The Vitkaa were all dressed in their ritual aprons, which were marked out with sacred symbols, and they were wearing shawls on their shoulders that bore even more religious markings. Lilith only recognized a few of them, but once again, thanks to Ingrit, she knew that the largest of these, a snowflake-like design, called the Aeshjahlmuur, signified their names, and their positions as elders of the Zommerlaandar faith.
Grammy’s was by far the largest, and the most elaborate, and from this, and the fact that the other women were flanking her, it was obvious that she was the seniormost among them. In keeping with the sacredness of the occasion, Grammy and the others wore serious expressions, but as Lilith and Ingrit approached, she rewarded them with a small, secretive smile and a friendly wink. Smiling back, the couple took their place before her, clasped hands, and then stole a moment to gaze at one another.
Ingrit looked positively radiant. She was clothed in a brilliant green gown that matched the one that Lilith herself was wearing, and like her, she also wore a wreath of wildflowers in her long golden hair. Lilith had never seen anyone so beautiful, or that she loved so much.
A moment later, Grammy raised her hands, calling for everyone’s attention. The assembly fell silent, and she began speaking, her voice carrying strong and clear across the open space.
“In the old times,” she said, “men and women married like the gods and goddesses. But when the great sickness came, the men died, and with them the gods, leaving the women and the goddesses behind to mourn the los
s of their mates.’
She paused for dramatic effect, before continuing.
“Then, Frigga and Siif, the widows of Odhinn and Tor, decided that life had to go on. They forged a new union, marrying one another in the sight of the other goddesses. From this Pairing came the first new child, a girl they called Bergljót, the Light that Rescues. It is said that from her, we, the new women, are all descended.”
Many in the assembly made holy signs at this, Ingrit included. Grammy went on.
“Today, we have come together to celebrate another marriage, one between two mortal women, who have chosen to join together and create a family of their own. Through them our life continues, and they honor the Alte Volk, the Old Gods, whose spirits still watch over us from the afterlife, and the goddesses who guard us in this one.”
Grammy looked over to the woman on her left. Like her, she was attired in ritual finery and bore a large silver cup. Decorated with swirling knot work and stylized images of animals and humans, it was filled to the brim with the strong honey wine the Zommerlaandars called mjørda, or mead.
The cup-bearer offered it to them, and they each took a sip of the drink. The stuff burned like fire down Lilith’s throat, but then the sweet aftertaste came to her tongue, and she recalled the meaning that the Zommerlaandars associated with this. In the marriage rite, it was meant to symbolize the fire of love that the two women shared, as well as the pain and sweetness that often accompanied it.
As they returned the cup, Grammy signalled to another Vitkaa who was standing off to her right. This woman was holding a spear over two meters long. The weapon was centuries old; Ingrit had told her that it had been in her family for generations, having been passed down from mother to daughter from some dim forgotten point in Old Gaia’s past. Mystic symbols similar to the ones on Grammy’s clothing were carved into its wooden shaft, curling up and around its entire length like snakes.
Sisterhood of Suns: Daughters of Eve Page 38
