First Flame and First Light 

In a time before even the Sea of Everything lapped the shores of the Blessed Isles, there was truly nothing. The world was devoid of heat, light, movement, and of becomingness, the very principle which drove the creation of the cosmos. Nothing existed, except a veiled council of Gods, who sat in quiet conversation with one another, discussing things which are yet to exist.  

The faceless council is more numerous than stars among the skies, for they are infinite. And in their timeless scheming, they plot the course of the world, its past, present and future, the endless cycles that the world and its inhabitants, the Gods and Mortals, thrive in. 

After a timeless time, the Centon, They Who are First, spoke to the assembly.

Becoming Comes, and We are Its heralds,

It is time to wash this world in waters,

To flood the inky dark with blazing light.

Raise Your voices in harmony,

Flood my body with Your symphony,

Speak that which is to come.

The infinite assembly gathered around the Centon and spoke the names of all things which will come to be. As harmonious as a forest at dawn, and loud as a rolling storm, all things were poured out into the Centon. Upon hearing all of existence in one moment the Centon became inflamed, the First Flame the cosmos had ever known. 

I am Kindling to the Flame,

My body and mind becomes all -

In a burning blaze. 

First Flame and First Death,

I become the Fire which ratifies our words,

The heart and soul of the world,

And even though I am consumed,

I am becoming.

The Centon was consumed wholly by the Flame, which in Its towering form is a terrible sight to behold. Its ephemeral dance of form informed the assembly that Their work had been complete, and one after another They threw Themselves into the Fire like the Centon before, saying in unison this.

We are Kindling to the Flame,

Willing and worthy,

Our words have been woven and now ratified,

And through the burning of our bodies,

Becoming is drawn to the vacuum,

Filling in the space We once filled.

We are Becoming.

And with the cessation of Their existence, the substance of all things flooded from the Flame, a whirling torrent of all that will be forever, filling the void. Papopettiā Mori, the Sea of Everything, now resided calmly in the world. The Flame, as the catalyst of creation, shone down upon the Sea, revealing the boundaries between beings, giving form to the formless. In that time before time, the August Flame whispered into the darkness,

I am the wisdom which lights minds,

The burning curiosity –

Which impels the noble seekers,

Whose chariot of comprehension,

Is my blazing body and warm light.

Alone, my flickering form informs,

Shining form unto the formless,

I sit eternally in service.

From the Flame shone forth wisdom and differentiation, giving form to the Gods which were radiated from the Light. Within that vast and swirling Sea of Everything, the Gods discerned Themselves. The First among Them was Sirona. In a graceful arc the Mother of Goodness rose into the sky above the Sea, and shone forth Her silver light, like a beacon in the darkness. Dancing alone for a timeless time, Sirona reveled in Her form. Her gentle swaying caused Others to arise from the darkness, beckoned by Her silver shining. Sirona then said unto Herself and Her new followers, first among whom was Esus:

Hear me speak now – great flames within,

I usher you forth from within,

Hide no longer in the darkness,

Come forth and rally among us.

I am Your mother and sister,

I am Your seeker and escort,

Hear me speak now – great flames outside,

Take your rightful place among us.

Upon hearing the hallowed call of Sirona, the great flames within Herself and Her Siragonos[i] leapt from Their chests and rose up by the power of spirit into the heavens, holding Themselves aloft and shining light in the six directions.[ii] The newly born flames, children of Sirona and Her Siragonos, spoke unto the world.

From within You we were ushered,

Enchanted with the foremost flame,

We breathe light into the twilight,

Presenting all fates and fortunes.

We have come at your beckoning,

Our presence and bright lights are sworn –

In service to You, Silver Queen,

As Your eternal attendants.

With the sky now resplendently cloaked in stars, the darkness which typified the Sea of Everything was pushed back by the gentle radiance of Sirona’s children. Sirona now fully took Her place within the heavens, where She danced and travelled with Her children, while the Siragonos divined Her will and gave worship to Her and Her children’s heavenly bodies.