May's Moon

Prompt 11 National Chant at the Moon Day 1141 Words 8/29/24
May’s Moon

Professor Smythe dismissed his ten o’clock Astronomy 102 class ten minutes early. Luna and Marta looked at each other and smiled widely. Ten extra minutes unexpectedly added to their day was surely a gift. They had rushed to make it to class on time. Sigma Alpha Chi’s New Year’s party played on until moonset. Indeed, the moon rose and set on fraternity parties for the Delta Delta Delta sorority sisters. Inseparable friends since second grade, the two walked out of class gesturing a thumbs up to their professor. There was time to go to the Student Union’s lounge to put on their faces before lunch.

Putting on their makeup reminded them of their Junior High and High School musical roles in “Guys and Dolls” and “The Music Man” and others. Professional make-up artists tended to them in their Senior year’s production of “Mama Mia!”
“I need more rouge, Mimi,” Luna said to her artist. She would be upstage, at the back of the stage, and needed more pronounced color to be noticed. Marta played the lead, Sophie Sheridan, in search of her father. Luna was proud of her friend and was content to be part of the chorus.

Both girls pledged Delta Delta Delta in the fall. Dreaming of a spot in their moms’ alumni sorority had persisted in earnest through Senior year. Triple D was prestigious. Many pledged; few were chosen. They talked about the sorority pledge, colors, and rituals while attending afternoon teas which were pledge parties arranged by various campus Greek house alumni. When the votes were counted, each was offered to pledge DDD. It was the epitome of their success.

At the Union, Luna saw Apollo, Sigma Alpha Chi’s president, walking in her direction.

“Are you going to be at the New Flower moon ceremony on Tuesday?”

“I wouldn’t miss it, Apollo,” she answered. Wouldn’t you know she would run into him without makeup.

The semester would close two weeks hence. One last salute to their moon sign was to be the most elaborate event of the year. When the moon is conjunct with the sun, blocking out all but a skinny slice of illumination, it is a new moon. Each month’s moon was named, this one coming up was called the New Flower Moon. The following one, the new strawberry moon, would occur after the girls returned home for the summer break. The names of the new moons are published in the Old Farmer’s Almanac. The hills are blooming with bright, pastel, and multicolored flowers.

Marta and Luna prepared for the celebration. Memorizing the new moon chant was like old times for them when they would run the lines for their theatrical roles. The words implored bountiful new growth and renewed energy. Their supplicating cries were directed at Selene, the moon goddess, with her long hair and half-moon crown. Her chariot moves across the sky ensuring the moon rises and sets. The women donned wigs of long, blonde trestles, proceeding to brush one hundred strokes. Their flowing gowns, Luna’s in silver, and Marta’s gold, shimmered in the waning sunlight.
Marta’s older brother picked them up and drove them outside the city limits to the crest of Skyline Drive. He took a sharp right turn at the entrance to the County’s Enchanted Park. He agreed to return after the festivities ended around midnight. They lifted their gowns up off the ground as they followed the trail to the summit. Scores of students were gathered in small groups, voices subdued. Luna saw their sorority sisters gathered at one end. Each one looked stunning in their flowing gowns. Soft piano music was playing as more participants arrived.

“This is it, Marta. Our last chant. I feel happy and sad at the same time,” Luna said.

“I know, Luna. It is all so bittersweet. Let’s get this ceremony started!”

Marta picked up her pitch pipe and softly played a G note. All sorority sisters sang the one note first gently then fortissimo!

         ”Gloria! Gloria!
(indent}May’s moon, May’s moon, May’s moon!
         All hail! Hail! Hail!
         She beckons, beckons, beckons!
         Glory be to the flowers,
         Glory be to the moon glow,
         Bring on the flowers fair
         Dare! Dare! Dare!
         To care, care, care,
         Gloria! Gloria!
         Hallelujah! It is here!
         Sing Hallelujah here she is,
         New moon! Flower moon!”
“Raise your hands up to the sky for the New Flower Moon, all who are assembled here,” Marta shouted. “Now, sway to and fro. Know the rhythm, feel the rhythm, BE THE RHYTHM!”

Everyone clasped hands and danced to the right; the circle spun right. Moving to the rhythm of the chant. The rhythm of the beat, ONE! TWO! Three! Four! Voices raised in unison, direction changes to the left, the chant repeated with more fervor. The fraternity brothers break into the center chanting. Apollo and Luna lock eyes as he raises his voice blending in with his brothers.

         ”Mother Moon we adore you!
         Nohoha! Nohoha!
         Mother Moon we implore you!
         Nohoha! Nohoha!
         Spread your light upon us, spread your light among us, spread your light around us!”

Suddenly, along the right cusp of the moon, a gentle light emits the entire length of the right side of the moon. Applause starts from far back moving to the front of the revelers. Assured of the moon’s travels across the aside for a new month of moon phases, the crowd hoots and hollers then bursts into song. Praise songs stirred the air upward to the sky. The chants sealed their hopes and dreams for this season’s c as the songs were sung with passion and enthusiasm.

         Glory be to the Father Sun and to the Moon Goddess and all she holds dear.
         As it was in the beginning, is now and always shall be,
         World without end!
         Amen,
         Amen!

The participants retreat and the crowds disburses. Their job is complete. The moon has once again been reverently worshiped and encouraged to begin another cycle. The passion displayed by the chanting was palpable.

As Marta and Luna walked to the area where her brother was waiting to take them home, they shared silent glances upon one another. It was as it always was, the moon cycle begins again as it will in the months and years ahead. They agreed to reassemble next May, their favorite time of renewal and rebirth.

As they climbed into the car, they noticed the hems of their gowns gathered some soil and blades of grass.

“No worries, Marta. Come to my house tomorrow so we can clean and restore our dresses to what they were when we arrived tonight."

“That suits me just fine, Luna. One last ritual to mark the finish of our celebration with our everlasting hope for our flowering bushes and flower gardens to grow and flourish.