The Phases of Life - The Lion Moon's Roar

[TwilightWolf 883]

"Deep in that realm, the Prince does slumber

With royal mane of leaf and umber.

When the days turn long, the sun's veil of fire

awakens summertime from the Lion's choir."

 

Excerpt from the Faerie Tale of Majira, the Midsummer Prince

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The Sixth Moon of the Lunar Calendar of Faeries is known as the Lion Moon, named for the likeness of the druidic fable of Majira, a great lion thought to guard the Court of the Fae Queen. Majira slumbers most of the year at the entrance to the Verdant Glade, where he rests after his yearly roar that brings the crescendo of summer to the realm. He is thought to be the father of the PrideMother fae spirits, roaming hunters of mischievous faeries and trespassing spirits of draoi, and a patron of wild and domesticated feline companions to descendants alike. With Majira's watchful eyes holding the light of dusk and dawn, it is storied that witnessing reflective eyes of cats big and small is a sure sign that there are foul magics or dark spirits afoot.

 

When the Stormtreader stags cascade their cacophony of thunder and rain during the Fifth moon of the calendar, Majira will awaken and loft his head high. His roar shakes the realms of the Forest and Descendants, rich ribbons of summertime season weaving nature's crescendo into the land and sky. Exhausted, the Great Lion shakes his mane, billowing sweltering breeze to shoo away summer storms that have overstayed their welcome. The oceans begin to stir with life, and the world bears summer fruit of sweet nourishment. Then, the Midsummer Prince returns to rest, so that he might regain his spirit to bring the next year's summer.

 

 

Spoiler

 

 

The Pridemother's Chant, Song of the Midsummer Dance

 

Lye orrarae, Maln!

(We hunt, Father!)

 

Lye orrarae karinte, Maln!

(We are going hunting, Father!)

 

Il'Kaean narnae, larionn'an, lye orrarae karinte!

(Come with us, sisters, we are going hunting!)

 

Lye!            Uhierae, ehierae!

Lye!            Uhierae, ehierae!

(The people!)      (We seek, we find!)

 

Maruriar, Maln!

(Roar, Father!)

 

 

Lye!            Haelun, kaean annil!

Lye!            Haelun, myumier ito!

(The people!)      (Mother, guide us! Mother, carry us (to it)!)

 

Ito orrarae!

(Here, we hunt!)

 

Oh, draoi uhierae!

(Oh, we hunt evil!) 

 

A painting of Mother Circle druids partaking in the Midsummer Dance

 

In the Mother Circle, a great celebration is held in honor of this story during the phases of the Lion Moon. Known as the Midsummer Dance, performers travel dressed as Majira and his pride of daughters to spread the joys and beliefs of summertime according to druidic values. The chiefest display involves firedancing, a great demonstration of the story of Majira in the form of a traveling performance and feast. Adorned in bright summer colors and masks of the Midsummer Prince and his hunting pride of daughters, the druids of the circle travel the world to instill strength and faith into those that aim to preserve nature. Summer fruits and laurels are few of many gifts brought to a communal feast, while stories of great accomplishments for the preservation of the balance are shared.

 

While Summer is indeed a season of vitality and strength, it is also a season where the weak perish. When the Mother Circle celebrates the Midsummer Dance, they are praying for the wisdom and strength of the hardy spirits of summer. Wise druids know that no season truly holds an era of quiet when it comes to the protection of the balance, and the summer heat often proves harshest to many. Celebrating the Midsummer Dance and feast forges bonds that many wish to maintain in solidarity of the hard work yet to come.

 

Spoiler

Image sources

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/351912446825747/

https://paintingvalley.com/download-image#roaring-lion-painting-23.jpg

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/594897431999917510/?amp_client_id=CLIENT_ID(_)&mweb_unauth_id={{default.session}}&from_amp_pin_page=true