Walking to the sacred room

"Let the spark of life within each of us light the path ahead," Elle said as the lit the small lantern she held. She thought back to that day nearly ten years ago when her mentor taught her those words. That day, the day of her First Rite, it had been just the two of them making the journey rather than the group of nine people gathered behind her. She thought briefly of each time she or someone else had lit the lantern as they began their way to the sacred room ahead since then as she opened the door and led the small gathering of mystics down the corridor.

Soon, she stopped at a brazier. She said, "Let our search for truth bring us new knowledge, greater understanding, and improved clarity, as the person to her left lit the brazier. She thought of all the lessons her mentor and other mystics have taught her since her first right. She considered the things she learned by herself – often through mistakes. After a moment, she led the procession onward toward the second brazier.

As this new source of heat and light was lit, she said, "Let the knowledge we have gained always bring us wisdom, that we may use that knowledge for the betterment of all. She pondered all the ways she had grown and matured over the years. No longer mere seeker or student, her mentor and the other leaders deemed her capable of leading this procession and even helping in the training of new acolytes. She silently sent out a thanks for the opportunity to serve as she led everyone toward the final brazier.

"Let us find the courage to use our knowledge and wisdom to act boldly, taking risk when necessary and appropriate. Let us be bold, yet not brash." Her thoughts again went back to her First Rite. She had been both nervous and excited. She was not certain what she would find at the end of that journey and had to put so much trust into her mentor. Here she was years later, and she found herself anticipating the coming uncertainty ahead rather than fearing it. She did not know what would happen in the sacred room – no one ever did – but everything was familiar enough to her by now that she knew it would be wondrous. She felt safe in the tension between familiarity and uncertainty. She wore that comfort like another robe as she led the group to the door at the end of the corridor. She spoke, "Armed with knowledge, wisdom, and courage, we now step through the threshold to confront and embrace the great mysteries. May the life within us be renewed by what we experience here." She paused for just a moment longer before she pushed the door open and walked into the dimly lit room.