Under the Moon a Star is Given

Our Nana tells this story every time a new baby is born within the family as we wait outside her house in the Makire family garden for something magical. A tradition that’s older than our time, she would say, but experienced by us all 4 months, 4 days at the 4th hour after every girl’s birth. 

“Sit around my children. Let us quiet our voices and listen before it’s time.” Said our Nanna as she took my cousin Lilly from her daughter Loraine.

We all sat around her on a paved circle surrounded by the garden that our ancestors grew. Nanna walked up a short set of stairs and stood on a stoned platform in the center to tell our family legacy.

“Long ago, a woman called Rose was running through the forest around us to escape her cruel husband who had sacrificed her and her unborn child to the shadows in exchange for his life. Before meeting her he’d been dabbling in black magic to one day claim wealth beyond measure and offered anything in return to live as the master’s he served. After years of performing rituals in the basement of his master's home, an evil creature of black shadows and red eyes appeared to him in his dreams to answer his call,” Nanna looked at us all as she spoke the words of the beast.

“You will wake into riches in exchange to one day never wake again in the flesh, but as a part of me.” Nana imitated the voice of a creature and even scared some of the younger ones.

“In this dream, the creature sliced its hand and told the man to drink of its blood. He did so and woke to the death of his master who had left his riches to his most humble servant, himself. Now rolling in the riches given by a dead man, he lived a life he’d only dreamed of. At the peak of his existence, while walking through a street market to enjoy his old favorite meal, he met Rose who was selling the very roses she grew from her garden. She was beautiful beyond the measure of his riches and had the purest hearts. Their love blossomed so sweet as they became one under unity, but it was only then that he showed his thorns. Rose’s husband treated her kindly in the public eye but scorned her harshly in the privacy of their home.” Nanna paused at the sound of whispers. 

“Try that now with one of us and he’d have worse than that creature to face,” an aunt said under her breath making everyone snicker and chuckle at the truth in that statement. Nanna gave her a stern look before continuing.

“One night in their home, while she was preparing dinner, she heard her husband scream at the top of his lungs. Despite his actions, she ran to his rescue and witnessed a shadow creature that swallowed the side of the dining room opposite them. Out walked a black creature in the form of a human with eyes glowing red. When it opened its mouth, its sharp teeth exposed its hollow contents."

“I have come for my payment and will devour your flesh so that your soul shall live within my legion.” Nanna covered the child’s face with her arms to protect her as Rose probably grabbed her stomach to protect hers.

“Take her instead of me! Her life and the unborn in her womb!” Yelled her husband as he pleaded with the beast.

“Rose was terrified. Not of the best but her husband who would dare sacrifice her and their child for his promise. The red eyes of the beast turned to her in acceptance and she fled the home. Running as fast as her tired heart could let her, she ran through the forest for her life and her unborn child’s. All the while, she prayed to the heavens that they shine a light her way and give her the strength to protect them both,” Nanna stood still, centered on the stone, and looked to the heavens.

The entire family did the same and Loraine walked towards Nanna as she continued the story. It was time for the transfer. 

“She came to this paved circle and stood on this very stone. Surrounded by the powers of the shadow creature, she cried out with all her heart and tear-filled eyes.” Nana then placed the child in the arms of Loraine so that she could take her place on the stone. It was now 4:44 am.

“I give you my heart and my life to protect this child of mine!” Loraine yelled to the skies while embracing Lilly. 

The night's black sky then turned an array of bright colors, similar to the Northern lights, as a star fell towards the stone engulfing the entire garden with its bright light. Everyone closed their eyes as the star fell and only opened them when the glow from Loraine and Lilly was all that resided. Nanna then finished the tale.

“Rose stood still on the stone as a tear fell to its surface and the glowing outline of the star in the paved stone surrounding her then appeared on her right hand. The shadows had descended from this place and took her fear with it. Before she walked down the short steps, a heavenly voice said to her something that will forever be indebted to our family," the night went quiet as we all listened to Loraine for the most important part.

“For a heart as pure as yours I give the power of starlight, 

and it shall be passed to every child under the moonlight.

To protect your loved ones from the shadows that taunt you,

never love one of their brethren or it will surely find you.”

Aunt Loraine said these words as the star on her hand shined bright and disappeared only to reappear on her daughter’s hand. My little cousin began to laugh and coo as the family cheered at the acceptance of their protection over her. Everyone rejoiced around them, but Nanna walked away from the paved circle into the garden. I followed her, curious about where she was headed while everyone else was celebrating.

She was walking through the roses and suddenly stopped at the edge of the rose bushes. There was no path but instead, a huge gap between the garden and the distant woods. She began to whisper something as I tiptoed behind her but I couldn't cipher her words. Once I also reached the edge of the rose bushes I stared into the distance when I noticed what was out there.

“Nanna, what is that and why is it so dark out there?” I asked her.

She never looked my way but stayed focused on the red eyes that glowed in the far distance. A huge part of me, which Mama said was the strength and power of the star, was not afraid of what was out there, but a tiny part of me was terrified.

“For if you bed a brethren of the shadows and bring a child to this stone, you will be protected no longer and call the shadows your home,” Nanna said as she turned back on the path towards the stone. I followed behind her.