Source: https://picryl.com/media/the-storm-spirits-by-evelyn-de-morgan-2be126
It was a cold and dark night in the village of Dunmore, where the people were preparing for the festival of Samhain. They believed that on this night, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred, and the spirits of their ancestors and other creatures could roam the earth. To honor them, they lit bonfires and offered sacrifices of crops and animals. They also wore costumes made of animal skins and heads, hoping to blend in with the spirits or scare them away.
A young boy named Fionn was excited to join the celebration for the first time. He had always been fascinated by the stories of the otherworld, and he wanted to see if he could meet any of the beings that dwelled there. He put on a wolf skin and a mask, and grabbed a torch. He followed his father and the other men to the largest bonfire, where the druids were chanting and performing rituals.
As he approached the fire, he saw a strange sight. A man dressed in a white robe and a crown of mistletoe was standing in front of the flames, holding a staff. He had a pale and solemn face, and his eyes were closed. Fionn recognized him as the high druid, the most powerful and respected among them. He wondered what he was doing there, and what he was waiting for.
Suddenly, the high druid opened his eyes and raised his staff. He spoke in a loud and clear voice, “Behold, the gate of the otherworld is open! The spirits are among us! Welcome them, honor them, but do not fear them! For they are our kin, our guides, and our protectors!”
As he said these words, a gust of wind blew through the fire, creating a shower of sparks. Fionn felt a chill run down his spine, and he looked around. He saw shadows moving in the darkness, shapes that were not human or animal. He heard whispers and laughter, cries and moans, coming from all directions. He felt a presence behind him, and he turned to see a figure standing there. It was a woman, dressed in a long black dress and a veil. She had long silver hair and pale skin, and her eyes were like stars. She smiled at him, and he felt a strange attraction to her.
“Who are you?” he asked, not afraid, but curious.
“I am the Morrigan, the goddess of war, death, and fate,” she answered, in a voice that sounded like music and thunder. “I have come to see you, Fionn, for you have a great destiny ahead of you. You will be a hero, a leader, and a king. You will fight many battles, and win many victories. You will have many lovers, and many children. You will have many friends, and many enemies. You will have many joys, and many sorrows. You will live a long and glorious life, but you will also die a tragic and noble death.”
Fionn was stunned by her words. He did not know what to say, or what to think. He felt a mixture of awe, fear, and wonder. He looked into her eyes, and he saw his future, and his fate.
She leaned closer to him, and whispered in his ear, “Do you want to know more, Fionn? Do you want to see what awaits you in the otherworld? Do you want to come with me, and be mine?”
Fionn felt a surge of emotion, and he was tempted to say yes. He wanted to know more, he wanted to see more, he wanted to be with her. But he also felt a tug in his heart, and he remembered his family, his friends, his village, his people. He realized that he had a choice, and he had to make it.
He looked at her again, and he said, “No, thank you, Morrigan. I appreciate your offer, but I cannot go with you. I have a life to live, and a duty to fulfill. I have a world to explore, and a destiny to achieve. I have a love to find, and a legacy to leave. I have a fire to light, and a spirit to keep. I am Fionn, son of Cumhal, and I am alive.”
The Morrigan smiled, and she kissed him on the cheek. She said, “Very well, Fionn. You have chosen wisely, and bravely. I respect your decision, and I bless your journey. You will not see me again, until the end of your days. But I will always watch over you, and guide you. Farewell, Fionn, and happy Halloween.”
She vanished into the night, and Fionn was left alone. He felt a warmth in his chest, and a light in his eyes. He knew he had just met a goddess, and he had just made a choice. He had just experienced the night of the spirits, and he had just begun his life. He smiled, and he joined the celebration. He danced, and he sang. He ate, and he drank. He told stories, and he listened. He played pranks, and he laughed. He had fun, and he was happy.
Unless stated otherwise, all images are created with Bing's AI by me.
