~Deb and Preston~
7th June 2003
Cimbri's Dream Mountain
Western North Carolina

Announcement
8th June 2003
Christina Nance

To those of you who know ... as well as those of you who do not know--- but are about to find out ... *winks* ... There was a wedding as the sun began its descent over the Ancient Cherokee Foothills of The Great Smokey Mountains last eve.

The weekend met us with strong downpours here in the rolling green hills, adding fuel to an already emotional setting. But the Groom had full faith that this was Heaven's way of cleansing their old life away ... and that the warm sun would break out from behind the darkness of the storm clouds to greet them into their new life together as One.

What a lovely thought, is it not ? Darkness shadows the land ... bringing with it cleansing rains ... then at just the right moment --- One is placed into the Light ... *dreamy sigh*

But I digress ... *angelic smile* ... what else is new when this Blonde Bard speaks, eh ... ?

It rained ... but all plans went forward.
It rained ... but family continued to arrive from out of town and local friends continued to prepare to join us for the celebration.
It rained ... but the tent, chairs and tables were erected.
It rained ... but the decorations were still put up.
It rained ... but the ceremonial things were placed where they belonged.
It rained ... but the aromatic food arrived.
It rained ... but ... four hours before the ceremony was to begin the skies slowly lightened overhead while the black clouds continued to rumble all around - reminding us of the power of The Universe.
It rained ... but the sun broke through --- Leaving a distant Rainbow in it's wake.

The Bride was GORGEOUS ---- yes, she was blushing actually ... *winking impishly* The Groom was HANDSOME ---- walked around puffed up like a peacock with a cheezy grin, he did.

People arrived and relaxed in the celebratory atmosphere ... slowly seating themselves. Mystical sounds of Ireland flowed through the small valley nestled in the bosom of the aged rolling mounds. Then the echo of Scottish bagpipes filled night air ... the wind taking the sound far into the distance. Amazing Grace wafted gently over the roar of the swollen, roaring stream.

I stepped out of the house and raised my face to the heavens ... smiling as I saw the soft hue of pastel pink lightly kissing the billowy white clouds overhead which were gently parting to reveal an ever darkening sapphire sky. My eyes filled with unshed tears as I whispered a prayer of thanks to the Heavenly Spirit for blessing the Couple on this, their special day.

I inhaled deeply and with the challis in my right hand ... the pure white linen cloth in held in my left ... I silently made my way down the candlelit steps, across the pebbled walkway surrounded by stones that were gathered over time by the couple, around the house and down the hay strewn hill to the river's edge. Small twinkling lights guided my bare footsteps.

The children in the family anxiously awaited my arrival - then passed a small torch, alight with the flame from the nearest balefire, to one another until it was placed into my grasp by the youngest of the four.

I set the alter "ablaze" with the Sacred Light. The only sounds that were heard in the quiet of the evening were those of nature embracing us this serene night. The wind rustled through the leaves in the trees, the animals whispered their well wishes in the distance, the birds created melodic harmony ... the river rushed over the rocks at the fall. I turned to the family and friends and initiated the ceremony.

A soft eerie melody began filtering through the storm cooled breeze... then paused for only a moment ... The Celtic Groom and his Bride-to-be came into view at the top of the hill ...

The Bodhrán drums sounded loudly, marking the Couple's arrival, and rumbled across the glen of emerald green - kissed with droplets of water which sparkled in the fire's light from the newly fallen rain ...

And holding his head high he proudly led her to the Sacred Blessed Place where they would stand before me to be joined together as One.

The clouds separated more as the Couple slowly descended.

The sky took on a breathtaking golden hue as the "hand" of Heaven reached down to bless this sacrament - illuminating the land around us in a natural halo ... leaving the guests awestruck into silence.

It was ... Ethereal.

The ones you have come to know and love as Cimbri and Mosiah (Deb and Preston) were joined together in marriage on the evening of June 7th ... at the River's Edge of Cimbri's Dream.

The ceremony ended last night with everyone moving to stand by the river where the guests were asked to take a pebble and cast it into the water upon a whispered blessing of love and good wishes for not only the couple... but for all the world as well. The ripples created spread and weave together as a reminder to us of our connection with ALL things under Heaven.