Guest Post: The Silent Supper by Áine P. Massie
“Are you really cooking for the dead?” Nicholas asked, coming into the kitchen.
“Of course. Declán and Geoff are working on the
Jack-o’-Lanterns in the back yard for later.
I already have everything else,” Anya explained, again. Nicholas could not seem to wrap his head
around a vampire making a special meal for the dead. It just didn’t seem to mesh with his view of
death, vampires, and spirits. The fact
he was raised Anglican probably didn’t help his confusion.
Moving around the kitchen as
if it was a natural place for her to be, Anya worked on her preparations.
“Okay, I’ll bite,” Nicholas teased with a
little snap of his teeth. “What are you
making? Other than a mess with the
potatoes.”
“I’m making boxty with baked
apples and nuts because Kayla and Declán asked me to. I’m also making Barmbrack. All traditional foods. If you really want to be around and useful
you could help me set the table and the ancestors’ altar up.” She was smiling, happy with her preparations
and work.
Once she tidied up a bit the
two of them set out for the formal dining room.
Working in tandem made everything go faster and more smoothly.
The tablecloth was black and
white, half and half, which had knot-work in the opposite color down the centre
making a single design. Gesturing to the
side Anya explained the setup for Nicholas’s sake. “The settings alternate black with silver accenting
then the next setting is white with gold.
The candles go in the centre.
They have already been dressed with oil and herbs so all you have to do
it place them. I’ll work on the other
side as well as set up the altar.
“The head of the table will be
our ‘place of honour’ for the spirits so please be extra careful with it. Also, the candle there – the black and white
one with metallic trimming is set there.
I’ll check its placement, so don’t worry.”
Nicholas looked at her like
she was slightly off but did as instructed, helping to set up her special
‘silent supper’ as she had explained it to him.
He watched her as he moved around the space, noting how easily and sure
she was of her placements, intentions, and work.
As she was setting up the altar
Declán entered the room, sliding in behind her.
“Mmmm, it looks amazing in here.
See you even got Nic in on it,” he noted, a slight laugh in his
voice. He suddenly went still, staring
at what she had just placed. “Where did
you get that?” he whispered.
“Mo ghrá, you mother sent it
to me. Kayla called and let her know
what we were doing and shortly after this arrived.” Sitting now in a place of honour on the altar
was a small shadow box with two sets of wedding rings, wrapped in pairs with
ribbons. She knew they were the rings
from his grandparents. His mother had
kept them like this after their passings.
She had sent them – to be returned promptly after – as representatives
for their ancestors.
“Never thought she’d part with
those, even for a short time and especially not now,” he murmured, lightly tracing the edge of the ornate box.
“She said it was important for
you to have these for your first supper
away from home. She was very
helpful. Now, go grab the small round
table over there so I can set up the offerings to chose from that we will all,
later, place on the altar. You know how
it’s done.”
Declán’s eyes shown awe as he
moved around the area to set up the offerings stand next to the altar. Just as he was finishing up Kayla came in,
setting a single white rose on the altar.
“The flowers only just arrived, sorry.
Louie sent this in to add for you also Anya. He said he didn’t know your family but that
this should work for your honouring them.”
What she handed over surprised Anya and nearly brought her to
tears. It was a Celtic Tree of Life,
ornately carved in exquisite detail.
Hanging on branches and roots were tiny ‘ornaments’ that held the names
of those he did know the names of – like her lost husband, Braden – and symbols
for those he didn’t – tiny markers for her mother and father. It also bore the House symbol. “We don’t have things to mark your family so
he had this crafted for you.”
“I- He . . .” she choked, not
seeming to be able to work out what to say.
As she reverently placed the carving the blood tears finally spilt over,
silently streaking her luminous, pale skin.
As Anya set up the last of the
ritual items she sent Declán to fetch everyone that was attending. She would wait to cast circle and begin until
everyone was at their places. Once
invoked, no one was to speak again until the dinner was over.
Placing the holy items at the
four corners – spear, sword, cauldron and stone for the four great treasures of
the gods – she waited, centring herself for the coming work.
Once the others were standing
at their places she began.
Taking up her besom and
sweeping from the circle all unwanted energy she spoke, nearly singing, “By the
force of love. I banish all ill and
negativity. Allowing only purity, love,
and truth remain.
Beginning in the east, she
walked the circle (outer most point) pointing the athame (ritual blade) at the
ground and said, continuing in her near singing tone, “By light and sound. Of deities and truths. I call upon the essence that is the divine to
witness this rite.”
She returned to the east, again
walking the circle (first inner circle) sprinkling the circle area with the
herb/water mix she made and blessed earlier. “By love and giving. Gentleness and strength. I call the power of life, Goddess come.”
Finally, she walks the circle
(second inner circle) one last time, waving the smoke of the incense to spread
the smoke. “By grace and power. Of softness and might. I call that which is the divine male.
Come great God.”
Pausing a moment she calls the
quarters silently before turning to gesture everyone to sit. Then with one last vocal flourish she begins
the supper, “Welcome to this place of protection and growth; between the Realms
and between all times. So Mote It Be!”
She uses her voice to chime three times and the meal progresses in
reverent silence. Each participant listening
within to discern any messages from the deceased, any prayers or messages,
jotting them down on the paper provided.
When all have eaten or drank
their fill and the last fork has been put down, Anya again intones the ringing
the bell with her voice, signaling the end of the silent portion of the meal.
“Thank you for sharing a meal
with us, your humble descendants.”
Each takes a moment to either
aloud or silently within, say thank you and send their love to those that have
passed before. Before the ritual ends
and the circle is broken, the prayers and messages to the deceased are burned
in a small cauldron sitting on the altar.
“Each who wishes to, please
place your offerings on the altar of the ancestors before heading out to the
revelry planned. I will sit the tray out
for the spirits once everyone has had their time.”
Thank you for joining us to
take a peek within the House at this time of year. Mistress Anya is yes, a vampire, but she was
never taught to “be” a normal vampire.
She still holds to her human morals, mostly, and her faith. I hope you enjoy the quick look with.
*Be sure to check out my interview with Aine P. Massie...HERE!
If you would like to check out a couple of yummy recipes from the Silent Supper...run on over to the House Millar Site!
