Читать книгу LoveDance: Awakening the Divine Daughter - Deborah Maragopoulos FNP - Страница 4

Hebrew Year 3757

Far from his home near the headwaters of the Nile, Belshazzar steps from the periphery of drummers into the dance. The Great Sea draws back its curtain of fog from the cragged mountain crevice, leaving salt upon his tongue. Towering high above the pass, the fortress of Migdol glistens as rays of the morning sun lick the marine dew from the pale stone.

Grasping his walking stick, he beats a path to the palace gate. Servants escort him through lavish gardens into a grand hall. He is greeted by a small child.

“Hello, I’m Martha. Have you come to see my new baby too?”

Smiling, he asks gently, “And who else is paying respects to your sister?”

“A great sorceress from Alexandria.” Martha takes his large dark hand in her small fair one. “Come, I will bring you to her.”

Spacious enough to house two dozen children and as many caretakers, the nursery is filled not with infants, but animals. Little Martha whispers, “Mary has many friends.”

Mari-a, of course, the perfect one.

Birds fly about monkeys climbing the pillars. A spotted leopard stretches lazily upon the edge of the fountain, one paw in the water. Gazelles frolic, their hooves beating charmingly upon the tile floor. In the center of the menagerie stands an imposing figure. Golden bees and an emerald-breasted hummingbird hover about the tiny bundle in her arms.

“Sahirah, what brings you out of the temple of Isis?”

Black hair capped in white, the high priestess narrows kohl-painted eyes. “I am here for the child. What brings you so far north, King of Aksum?”

“I am here by Osaze’s request.”

Her frown draws dark brows to meet over a sharp nose. “And what right does the Egyptian prince have…”

“You know very well.”

“No! Mari-a must be raised within the protection of the temple!”

Ignoring Sahirah’s sharp tone, Belshazzar looks down at his side. “Martha, please go find your parents for me.” The child skips out of the nursery. “You know what must be done. Mari-a is to be raised in Galilee.”

“The mother is so terrified of the child’s gifts, she will never develop!” Hearing footsteps coming down the hall, Belshazzar shakes his head but the priestess’ zealous plea will not be thwarted. “And her husband…! She shall be smothered in the patriarchal worship of Yahweh.”

“How dare you adulterate the divine name!” A slight man of rich bearing enters the nursery shaking with anger. Syrus.

Coiling down her arm toward the bundle, a young constrictor flicks its tongue but Syrus holds his ground. Sahirah sneers, “Once again the sacred feminine will be inhibited by man,” and steps back just as a frail young woman adorned in rich silks comes through the doorway. The blanket falls away and she screams.

The babe hovers in the air.

As Belshazzar catches the swooning mother, Syrus rushes to tenderly enfold the child in his arms. Snakes and cats trailing her furious wake, Sahirah takes her leave. Settling her slender mother upon some cushions, Belshazzar asks little Martha to keep watch before approaching her father.

“I am Belshazzar, king of Aksum. I am here on Mari-a’s behalf.”

“I knew you would come.” The babe in Syrus’ arms entices a smile. “I had a vision of her birth and was guided to name her… Mary.” The Hellenized form of Mari-a, Belshazzar nods his approval. “I even saw her marriage… to the king of Yisrael. Could it be the anointed one?”

Relieved that Syrus has the sight, Belshazzar explains, “Only the messah queen can bring a man to sovereignty. Mari-a’s birth has been awaited in our lands, just as the birth of the prince of peace was predicted in yours.” His gaze sweeps over the wild animals making themselves at home in the nursery, “When did they arrive?”

Syrus shakes his head in wonderment. “The night Eucharia began to labor. When the babe was born at the break of dawn, the animals’ zest frightened the milk from my wife’s breasts.”

“Mari-a has special gifts. She is connected to the natural world and the creatures revere her.” Belshazzar reassures him, “You have a home in Magdala, the sister city to Migdol. Bring this child up near the healing waters of the Sea of Galilee. When she is older, you can send her to Mount Karmel.”

Vehemently, the priest shakes his head. “No! She will not be exposed to such sorcery.”

“You fear her gifts as well as your own. Syrus, your sight is true; the father of the Davidic prince has had your same vision. I advise that you not hinder her innate abilities.”

“But you do not understand. My people are quite suspicious of anything not of Adonai.”

Belshazzar laughs and the infant gurgles with delight. “She is a gift from the Divine. You shall see.” He hands Syrus a small leather pouch exactly like the other he gave to the newborn prince some three years earlier. “Place this upon her body.” Syrus cringes as a black crow flies through a window, cawing loudly. Belshazzar touches the man’s shoulder. “Have no fear. I shall watch over her.”

“Your magic is stronger than …?”

“My connection to Source is clear. You are the one to guide this child. Make haste and return to Galilee.”

“But my wife has not recovered.”

“I have special herbs that will strengthen her, but you must go now.” Belshazzar relieves Syrus of the child so he might ready his wife and daughter. Once alone with the babe, her dark skin glistens as she speaks silently to him.

Hello, drummer! My friends are here but where is my partner? I wish to dance.

The ebony king’s laughter fills the nursery, causing the monkeys to chatter excitedly over the screeching birds. Belshazzar silently reassures her. Mari-a, I will keep the beat until you are ready to join your partner. You shall return to your home and so must all your animal companions. Please release them to be with their families.

The newborn haze of her light eyes clears to a brilliant green as a wave of energy leads the creatures out of the palace. Against the surge of gazelles, a petite but curvaceous woman enters the nursery, her dark skin setting off unusually light eyes.

“Isn’t she dear?”

“Eshe, why have you come?”

“On behalf of my brother, who sent a fine wet nurse. The mother will not put her own child to her breast.” She reaches for the baby, but Belshazzar holds her close. “I can love this child as one of my own.”

“Time will tell why Mari-a is born into this family. Soon another child will need you. Yeshua is coming with his parents from Galilee. His father has concerns about the boy’s purpose. Fortunately, the mother is well-connected to the Great Spirit. Have Osaze make arrangements for you to stay in Alexandria at the house of Arimathaea.” The woman kisses the baby’s forehead, whispering her love and devotion to Mari-a.

With his keen sight, Belshazzar notices that a tiny curl has been shorn from the crown of the babe’s head. “Please keep watch over Sahirah. You know how to contact me.”

Eyes shadowed by concern, Eshe nods her consent. Beautiful little Mari-a gurgles joyfully, the protective pouch lying at her heart. Belshazzar prays that the elestial quartz’s smoky interior might absorb the darkness from her life.