“How long had it been? Days? Hours? Minutes? I tell you I was long lost in the flames. A day of revelry was how we got ready, the herbs and wines we created from the bounty of the forest. Diana was thanked for her gifts, the incense were lit, we drowned in wine; when our heads bobbed and our necks gave out we all moved to the great fire. The elders of our order watched over us keeping our heads up, and our minds awake, staring into the great fire.

The lights burned my face, I could feel the heat against the rims of my eyelids. After a time the flames no longer rose, instead they were simply there. Rising, falling, growing and shrinking. Everything in my vision was a yellow and white boil of water. Beams of white brightened and faded as my eyes and mind gave way to the flame. The crackle of the fire gave way and the beat of the drums were all I could hear. Their intensity grew, louder, faster, the maddening sound came from all around. Until, it stopped. Then like the drums our minds ceased and it was our time to experience death.

I could not say how long I was in the darkness for. I was not sure how long I was being watched. It was not until I saw the outline of a hand in the darkness, wrap a thin silver string around my wrist.

It was a being made of wood and flowers. Their face had eyes as a human would and I knew they were smiling at me. They wanted me to dance. I could feel it and emotion overtook me. I could see myself from outside of myself.

The creature of nature rose up, floating up into the darkness. Gradually I too rose, the string of silver connecting us. Around us lights flickered and grew alive. Stars. We were dancing among the stars. They grabbed my hand and sang. Hundreds of voices in harmony. Thanking the goddess for her bounty, and a promise to take on her work past their living lives.

We rose and the dark sky became a canopy, beyond its leaves I could see the night sky. I rose past their branches and hundreds of small green hands brushed across my body. I saw my hair curl and turn to stalks of green. Flowers bloomed in my eyebrows and branches grew from my skin.

Ecstasy.

I was a tree with my many siblings, looking up at the moon as Diana smiled back down at her children. We existed that way for an eternity, understanding each other and the nature of the world around us.

I’m not sure when I woke. But suddenly I was aware of how cold I was. The pale light of the morning in the forest. The soft crunch of people moving. I lay there wondering if I had ever truly closed my eyes.

I smiled. I felt a tear fall into my hair and cool my skin.

This is what to expect when it is your turn to dance with the dead. With the blessing of Diana you may find your purpose in the world.”