The High Priestess and the Rite of the Sash ©

As recalled from a dream the evening of Monday, November 11, 2013.

     I stood in a hall occupied by many women who have undergone a vigorous training program of which in the past I had been awarded the black sash. The procurement of this sash was not without its tribulations and in order to attain the honor of wearing it, one was to pay the ultimate price by demonstrating one’s merit. As I stood there staring at the dreary dark cloth which contrasted with my peach toned inner palm, I heard the name of someone else called forward to receive the same honor. A cold stillness slithered into my chest. Without looking up and any further thought, both she and I drew swords. Within two strikes, my opponent laid on the ground before me. With eyes closed, I could see the crimson of her blood permeating the ground beneath her. I did not feel particularly accomplished with this act, but I knew this was the one sacrifice whereby liberation was attained for both either the survivor or the sacrificed. Making and abiding by oaths taken long ago, we have all come to much understanding the manner, the way, the path of moving forward. No other alternative for surpassing this grade existed. In battle we met, in battle we parted ways. The body on the ground opposite of me was carefully wrapped and removed. Good bye old comrade. With chills still coursing through my body, I prayed to the gods I did not have to repeat this ritual, which others have had to in the past. Only the elders thought determined if this trial would be necessary. A battle won? There was no winning, only moving, and certainly such sacrifice was for naught.

     I looked down only to see I wore a black robe, a color as rich as the midnight of a new moon. The new day was met with a fresh assignment within the temple’s hall. Unlike before, I was charged with handing out degree sashes to new awardees and come to think about it, I could no longer recall my previous job. There was a beautiful tray upon my hands, where neatly folded sashes of varying colors from white, black, deep blue and yellow laid. Each one bore its recipients name. While I distributed white sashes, members in the hall hailed each other with cheer. On occasion, I disseminated a black one, which members acknowledged with reverence. I continued along in my task wondering which sash would be designated to me. And then, without further ado, I remembered the chill in my chest and thought, “Would it be the black one again?” Recipients, upon occasion received it more than once and I thought: “how would I feel about repeating this sacrifice?” I silenced my mind, as there was no point in a matter that was clearly out of my hands. Either I would receive the sash of sacrifice and fight yet again, or I would simply fail. There was nothing else to it. The possibility of receiving a different degree also existed, but I knew there was no point in thinking further about the matter. In either case, the elders have decided on the matter a long while ago. There was nothing else to ponder.
     Next to me stood another one of my companions who shared the same duties as me. On occasion we would glance at one another, wondering what laid ahead for us. The time arrived for her to call my name & present me with the new sash. She looked on her tray but could not locate my name or the sash. She and I exchanged dreaded looks leaving me with only one option on my plate left- to approach one of the high priestesses. I made a quarter turn to the right and proceeded to walk towards one of the high priestesses to ask her if there was a misplaced sash. The Priestess smiled with both her mouth and her eyes as she touched my right hand. She asked me to look through the batch once again. I nodded and walked back to where my companion stood. In unison, we searched amongst the multicolor sashes, hoping to locate the one with my name pinned onto it. Before reaching the end of the lot, I found a silver metallic one with my name pinned on. I was breath taking in beauty and design. However, this sash was made to be worn over the shoulder and across the body. Instead, it was to be worn around the waist. The front center portion contained an unrecognizable embroidered emblem. Beads were sewn around the image and hung from threads which when worn generated soft bell like sounds. The Priestess instructed me to wear it as she explained to me how she had this made especially for me. Her smile brought me such warmth and I began to briefly dance about the hall. When I ceased my dance, the ceremony came to a close and I happily went about my scope of work for that day within the temple.