The Samodiva And The Dragon

-Diva- One of my last memories of my mom is when I was about seven years old. Actually, she died a little after that. Me, her and aunt Yaga went to the forest near the castle. Aunt Yaga is not my real aunt, as far as I know she is no family relative of ours, but my mom grew up in her care, because my grandmother wasn’t the most doting person. She is the closest to what I can call a grandma. Even though she has never been very affectionate to me, I do know she cares. My mom used to call her “aunt” and it just stuck with me as well. The day before we went to the forest, they told me that we were going to have a celebration, only the three of us and to not tell anyone, even Father. We would celebrate my coming of age, something they further explained to me later on. I was told we would perform a very special ritual in secret. As much as it scared me, it excited me as much. Aunt Yaga kept asking me what I wanted the most, but not what I wanted to become, what I wanted at that very moment, and to think well about what it was. From a very young age I used to have dreams of riding elks, so I didn’t even hesitate to say it out loud. Another dream of mine was to be able to dance freely - with my soul and body, under the open sky and the sounds of Mother Earth. It sounded silly, but that's what I wanted the most. So when I told them, I was surprised they didn't laugh at me, instead my mom smiled and said that if those are my soul's dearest wishes, that's what I'm going to ask the water for. I've heard before of their water incantations and blessings, but have never witnessed one. Before the sun set, they fetched me from my room and all together we went to the lake that is outside the castle grounds. I’ve been there a couple of more times before with them, but just for short strolls through the forest all the way to the lake and back. Always with guards following us, but not this time around. We weren’t really allowed outside the castle and the village surrounding it. It was about a thirty minute walk to the edge of the forest and another fifteen or so to the lake. Aunt Yaga was carrying a silver pitcher, and she asked me to get water from the shore with it. The lake looked serene with no ripples at all. I remember thinking it was frozen or something, so it didn't move at all. I felt bad for disturbing the water, but filled the pitcher as I was instructed to do. We walked to a little clearing in the forest and I had to pour it in a basin that was set in the middle of it. I was told to sit there quietly, not allowed to talk or play and only to think of my wishes. The night was slowly approaching and started getting very dark. I could barely see past my mom and aunt, but for some reason I did not feel any fear. I felt at peace, tranquil and calm, just like the lake’s waters. At some point, my aunt said that now was the time to wish upon the water and that she would start first. She put her hands in the water and started chanting: "I'm Yaga, a daughter of the Earth and the Sun All Waters are one The water that flows from this lake is the water that flowed from the Mother Earth's sacred well All waters are one Mother, here is your daughter Diva Who is descendent from all those Who have loved and fought for what they believe in." She closed her eyes and started slowly moving her hands in the water, as if she was trying to feel it, to find something in there. When she opened her usually chocolate brown eyes, they were now green and somewhat glowing. That made me gasp, and she gave me a stern look and continued: “My little girl, you came down and chose this family May Mother Earth show you your path May Father Sun shine bright upon you May the Moon in darkness guide you May Fate be kind to you May your loved ones aid you in the storms of life May peace and happiness be yours all your days Blessing of All Beings be upon you So be it!" She pulled her hands from the water, and caressed my face by repeating "So be it!" With those words her normal eye color came back and all the glow disappeared as well. She smiled softly at me, for the very first and last time. I don’t know if I did something to upset her after that day, but she has never looked at me with that motherly warmth since. It was my mother's turn. She started with the same words: "I'm Vila, a daughter of the Earth and the Sun All waters are one The water that flows from this lake is the water That flowed from the Mother Earth's sacred well All waters are one." My mother's eyes bored into mine as if she tried to talk to me without words. After several long moments, she finally spoke: "May love for all beings reside with you May hatred and greed never fog your mind and those around you Your future path won't be easy Choose wisely and always follow your heart Love is light May Mother Earth guide you Blessings of all beings be upon you So be it!" That couldn’t be more cryptic of a blessing. It felt as if she wanted to say so much, but her words were stuck. She gently washed my face with her wet hands. It felt as if a little heat ball settled in the middle of my stomach and from there the warmth of it spread throughout my whole body. It was my turn. I had no idea what to do, so aunt Yaga told me that there is no right or wrong way to talk to the water, just to speak from my heart and say what I wish for the most. I did as I was told. After I finished, my mom and aunt said "So be it!" And out of nowhere an elk appeared by the edge of the clearing, on the side closest to the lake. It was majestic, with big thick antlers that looked as if covered with little shimmering stardust. It had a white diamond-shaped spot in between its eyes. It stayed there for some time, while I was mesmerized by its beauty and couldn't take my eyes away. As it appeared from the dark, it disappeared into the dark. I looked at my mom with wide eyes, not able to believe what I had just witnessed. She softly smiled at me with so much adoration. Aunt Yaga stood up and signaled for me to stand up as well. She hugged me lovingly, which was the first time she ever would do that as well, and said: "Congratulations my little girl! You are officially of age and you have inherited not only your mom's good looks but abilities as well! The forest spirit has accepted you, you are a nymph.” My mom gave me a tight hug and patted my head. Her long blond hair was gracefully falling over her shoulders. She had a little golden pin on her left side. Her bright blue eyes held happiness and sadness at the same time. I couldn’t understand why her expression was like that, did I do something wrong?! “Sunshine, being a nymph is a blessing, but a curse as well. You are now forever connected to all the creations of Mother Earth. As your first ritual was here by this forest and lake, you will feel very protective of it." She made a brief pause and with a sigh continued: "Tomorrow you'll start your studies with aunt Yaga. She will teach you all we know about nature's gifts - its plants and their healing abilities. Don't forget this, you can't share that knowledge with humans, ever. You can use the herbs to help them only if it is to save a life, but it has to be a life worth saving. Generally, humans don't carry pure souls, they are often blinded by envy and greed. If you share our mastery with them, they would use it only for gain and never out of their good heart. Of course, there are always exceptions, but lately I see them less and less. Your wish to freely dance tells me that your blood was already calling you. In our nature is to love dancing and singing, but bear in mind that our dances are enchanting and alluring, so it has to be never in front of prying eyes who would want only to possess and use you. Whenever you feel the need to give in to your instincts, come here, in the forest, by the lake, here are your roots. Nature is your origin! If in the future you feel a pull to another place as well, that's ok, don't hesitate to let your soul connect with it. Your roots do not shift, because any forest, lake, river or meadow is still part of your essence. When you come here, don't forget, it has to be dark and make sure nobody sees you. If people see you dancing, they would want your beauty and magic. People would never understand what we are, they would always fear and envy us. They believe we are some monsters that would bring them only illness and destruction. Maybe in old times, that was true, but that was never the intention, they called it upon themselves. We recharge our energy through nature and dance, but there is one more thing that contains all our life force. Never let other people touch your hair. If you deem him worthy, maybe only your beloved one. By touching it, other people could feed on your strength and sometimes even completely drain your energy. Our hair is our source of power. Guard it as your life! If somebody cuts your hair in the base, Diva, you will die.”