Druids Magic: Whom the forest hides

Arlen and his family had cleaned theier cottage all day long.

Afterwards, his mother and sisters had prepared the food for the feast later on.

They had baked oatcakes and bannock and made butter.

They also brought out the cheese they had made yesterday.

During that time, Arlen and his brothers had prepared torches under theier fathers strict watch.

Arlen's hands were freezing from the work outside, and everything around him was covered in snow, painting the whole landscape white.

Even so, he was happy.

Hogmanay was a special feast and thanks to that his teacher had allowed him to stay the whole week with his family.

Later, the whole family gathered around the wooden table and they started eating the prepared feast.

Arlen's mother had baked the oatcakes with dried fruits and quiet a lot of honey, as the sweet smell and taste trage away.

That was something they only had for such special occasion as this.

Moreover, they even had put some ham on the table, that his father had buyed just for today during the last big market in the neighboring village.

Everyone was allowed to drink two cups of Met, which was even rarer, but it was a tradition everyone happily followed.

By the time they finished eating, the sun was setting and everyone got up and put on warm clothes again.

Arlen quickly gave his mother some incese he and his teacher had prepared and they lit it up.

Then, Arlen's mother and father put out the fire in the stove.

Once the new year had started they would light a new one.

This symboled a new beginning.

Before they left the house, Arlen's father gave out the torches they had prepared.

One for himself, one for Arlen's mother, one for his oldest brother Calahan, one for Calahans wife Faya, one for Clahans first son Blair, one for Arlen's second brother Brannon, one for his third brother Sullivan, one for his oldest sister Maria, one for her husband John, one for her oldest son Markus, one for her second son Johannes, one for his second sister Kyla, and one for his third sister Mornes.

Then, his father gave torches to Arlen's sister Anne, theier cousins Lukas and Finja and one to Arlen himself.

The four of them had just turned ten this year, so it was theier first time being allowed to carry torches during the torchlight procession which was held every Oidhche na Bliadhn' Ùire.

All villagers participated and everyone who was ten or older was allowed to carry a torch.

Under theier fathers and mothers guiding, the whole family started walking towards the plaza in the middle of the village.

As they started walking through the snow Arlen looked into the fire of his torch.

Carrying it for the first time during an official festival made him feel big and awesome.

Then they arrived at the plaza after ten minutes of walking most of the familys were already waiting.

Since Arlen's father was the head of the village, he would lead the whole procession together with the pastor and the pastors oldest son, who was carrying a big cross.

The route was simple.

They would walk around all the fields once and then return to the village.

There, they would light up a big fire, which should keep away evil spirits in the next year.

Once all family's had assembled, they started the procession.

As they walked out the village and through the snow covered fields in silence, only disrupted by the crackling sound of the torches flames, Arlen felt as if something holy was enveloping them.

He silently started praying to god, while wonderingly the others were doing the same.

He felt like he was drifting through the air, while at the same time being hugged by his mother.

As he breathed out a small white cloud appeared in the air, quickly mixing with the strong red, orange and yellow flames of his torch.

He couldn't feel the cold air around him anymore and neither the snow that was beneath his feet.

Even the normally sharp winterwind had completely stopped blowing, as if not to interrupt this procession.

Instead the boy felt warm and cozy, which made a happy smile appear on his face.

During each Hogmanays torchlight procession he had felt like this, but this year seemed even more special, as if he was even closer to this holiness which seemed to be filling the air.

Was it because he was also carrying a torch this year?

Arlen didn't know, but he was simply happy.

He looked up and saw a brilliant clear nightsky filled with thousands of stars above his head.

The moon was gently shining down his silver light on theier path, as to make sure, that no one stumbled or fell.

Befor he noticed it, the procession was over.

Then they reached a small field next to the village, were some people had already prepared everything for a big fire to be lit, Arlen's father, the pastor and five other men of the village stepped forward and lit up the pile of wood with their torches.

Some woman went to the smaller piles of wood and lit them up as well.

Through the light, evil spirits should be kept away from the village while good ones were invited in.

Then, the pastor told them about gods glory and held a small mass infront of the fire, which ended with the whole village praying, thanking god and wishing for blessings for the next year.

Afterwards, the village's musicians went and quickly got their drums and pipes.

As they started playing, the other villagers stepped forward and threw their own torches into the big fire as well, lighting it up even more.

Someone started singing a folk song and soon the whole villages was singing and dancing traditional dances.

Arlen stood at the side and watched,as his sister Anne suddenly took his hand and said:" Dance with me, Bràthair càraid!"

She pulled him further into the light of the big fire and they started dancing as well.

Arlen was filled with pure happiness and they continued enjoying celebrating Hogmanay and the New Year with theier family and everyone else of the village.