bellies full of field mice, snore in giant oaks. Fairies pee in the Nixie's Mill Pond after a night of reveling. Snow White tosses in her bed dreaming of smashing pumpkins. The seven dwarf brothers march to work on Gold Mountain. The seven dwarf women and Beauty gather in the commune yard carrying salt, wine, and candles.
Brunhilde had prodded Beauty out of bed, chattering about initiation and the blessing. Beauty is sleepily self-conscious standing out doors in a borrowed nightgown that barely covers her bum. Even though she's feeling queasy, she complies because it's nice to be included.
The women divide into pairs facing one another. Beauty is paired with Sigrid, who instructs her to mimic her gestures and repeat her words. Sigrid tugs the hem of Beauty's gown and crooks her finger.
Beauty sighs and squats eye to eye with Sigrid.
"Let us begin the blessing," Eva announces. The women sprinkle the ground with salt, stand upon it, light their candles, and close their eyes. "Allow your body to absorb the candle's glow and meditate upon your need for blessing," Sigrid says.
Beauty feels the candle's warmth and tries to think about her need for blessings. Fairy tale beauties are not accustomed to meditation of this ilk after being repeatedly told they have it all. However, after a moment, Beauty becomes intensely aware of the salt beneath her feet, the earth beneath the salt, the plants growing from the earth, the breath of the seven women, and she feels completely blessed.
"Bless me, Erde, Great Mother, for I am your child," the women speak.
Beauty repeats the words. Sigrid dips her fingers into the wine and anoints Beauty's eyes. Beauty anoints Sigrid's eyes and follows each progression.
"Bless my eyes that I may see your path."
Eight noses are anointed. "Bless my nose that I may breathe your essence."
Eight mouths are anointed. "Bless my mouth that I may speak of you."
Eight breasts are anointed. "Bless my breast that I may be faithful in my work."
Eight feet are anointed. "Bless my feet that I may walk in your ways."
Eight abdomens are anointed. "Bless my loins that bring forth life as you have brought forth all creation."
The women blow out their candles and Sigrid asks Beauty, "When is your child expected?"
* * *
"No doubt about it, Beauty's pregnant. Those women are more reliable than EPT." Elora gazes into her crystal ball with an uncharacteristic expression of admiration. "Their kind has been around as long as me, tapping into the collective consciousness, the divine eternal, and sections of the brain other women have forgotten how to use. The big question now is whether or not Beauty has enough jam to stick to her quest now that she knows she has a stowaway."
* * *
Three weeks have passed since Beauty first learned of her maternal condition; weeks spent absorbed in doubt, fear, and exhilaration. The women said the baby would come in September. Five more months. How long will it take to find Glass Mountain? I must think of the baby's safety. Should I stay with the dwarfs until the birth? Will they allow me to stay? Snow White still hasn't spoken to me. How will I provide for a baby on my own? Can I be a good mother?
A mother. She had not believed it was true. Then Sigrid asked if Beauty's stomach had been sick, and Gerda asked if her breasts were tender. Eva asked the date of her last bleeding, and Beauty accepted the truth.
The first time Beauty had bled, she was twelve years old. She thought she was dying, which is not uncommon for fairy tale beauties that have neither mothers nor friends. With head held high, she stoically trod through the alfalfa field to a
Brunhilde had prodded Beauty out of bed, chattering about initiation and the blessing. Beauty is sleepily self-conscious standing out doors in a borrowed nightgown that barely covers her bum. Even though she's feeling queasy, she complies because it's nice to be included.
The women divide into pairs facing one another. Beauty is paired with Sigrid, who instructs her to mimic her gestures and repeat her words. Sigrid tugs the hem of Beauty's gown and crooks her finger.
Beauty sighs and squats eye to eye with Sigrid.
"Let us begin the blessing," Eva announces. The women sprinkle the ground with salt, stand upon it, light their candles, and close their eyes. "Allow your body to absorb the candle's glow and meditate upon your need for blessing," Sigrid says.
Beauty feels the candle's warmth and tries to think about her need for blessings. Fairy tale beauties are not accustomed to meditation of this ilk after being repeatedly told they have it all. However, after a moment, Beauty becomes intensely aware of the salt beneath her feet, the earth beneath the salt, the plants growing from the earth, the breath of the seven women, and she feels completely blessed.
"Bless me, Erde, Great Mother, for I am your child," the women speak.
Beauty repeats the words. Sigrid dips her fingers into the wine and anoints Beauty's eyes. Beauty anoints Sigrid's eyes and follows each progression.
"Bless my eyes that I may see your path."
Eight noses are anointed. "Bless my nose that I may breathe your essence."
Eight mouths are anointed. "Bless my mouth that I may speak of you."
Eight breasts are anointed. "Bless my breast that I may be faithful in my work."
Eight feet are anointed. "Bless my feet that I may walk in your ways."
Eight abdomens are anointed. "Bless my loins that bring forth life as you have brought forth all creation."
The women blow out their candles and Sigrid asks Beauty, "When is your child expected?"
* * *
"No doubt about it, Beauty's pregnant. Those women are more reliable than EPT." Elora gazes into her crystal ball with an uncharacteristic expression of admiration. "Their kind has been around as long as me, tapping into the collective consciousness, the divine eternal, and sections of the brain other women have forgotten how to use. The big question now is whether or not Beauty has enough jam to stick to her quest now that she knows she has a stowaway."
* * *
Three weeks have passed since Beauty first learned of her maternal condition; weeks spent absorbed in doubt, fear, and exhilaration. The women said the baby would come in September. Five more months. How long will it take to find Glass Mountain? I must think of the baby's safety. Should I stay with the dwarfs until the birth? Will they allow me to stay? Snow White still hasn't spoken to me. How will I provide for a baby on my own? Can I be a good mother?
A mother. She had not believed it was true. Then Sigrid asked if Beauty's stomach had been sick, and Gerda asked if her breasts were tender. Eva asked the date of her last bleeding, and Beauty accepted the truth.
The first time Beauty had bled, she was twelve years old. She thought she was dying, which is not uncommon for fairy tale beauties that have neither mothers nor friends. With head held high, she stoically trod through the alfalfa field to a
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