Tried my hand at a ritual pasta
Ritualistic Altar Do's and Dont's
It's amazing how one day, more specifically, how one single moment can alter your fate forever.
My moment took place when I was ten years old, the summer before fifth grade. My parents both worked. I was a latch key kid back in the days where it wasn't looked down on. I'd be alone in the mornings and my parents would come home shortly into the afternoon, giving me just enough time to myself.
On the outskirts of our back yard was a path that led out into the woods. I would make myself breakfast, get my chores done, and head out on walks. I'd pretend I was a great adventurer. Every sound an unknown enemy, every stick a different sword for battle. It was loads of fun and it kept me from being in front of the television all day, so I figured my parents wouldn't mind.
There was always a set distance that I made myself stick to. If the animal graveyard was in sight, I knew it was time to turn back. My body breaks out in chills thinking about it to this very day. From what I can remember...from what I can't ever forget, the animal church was this huge flat slab of concrete, big enough for me to lay down on and then some. There were statues like I'd seen in older churches. There was a porcelain praying Mother Mary figurine and a couple others I didn't recognize.
Three red candles sat on dishes about a foot apart from each other. Their wicks were long but had signs of recent use. Behind them was a post where rosary beads hung from nails. There were jars with lids also with what I now know was incense inside. Quite a few times I had seen other people's beloved dead pets place on top of it. I didn't understand why they didn't busy them under the ground. Maybe that's just how it's done sometimes. Or maybe there were too many animals under there already, so people have to leave them up there.
To my young mind it just looked like a makeshift pet memorial; a sacred place. Yeah it looked a little weird and the location left a lot to be desired but it was useful to me. It signified a barrier in the woods I knew to stay far away from. Besides giving me the creeps it never really bothered me, and I made extra sure not to bother it. There was never anyone there although I knew it had been used due to the changing candles and statues. It was a Tuesday morning towards the end of June. I had come out for my walk to find my beloved cat Aero dead in the front yard. He was given to me when he was barely old enough to be separated from his mother. The only cat I've ever seen that came running when you called him, just like a dog. It looked like he had gotten in a fight with another animal and died overnight.
My heart was shattered, he was the best cat a kid could ask for. It wasn't fair for me to have been the one to have found him, I wasn't ready for that fact of life yet. I didn't quite understand death and everything that came with it. I did the only thing I could think to do.......
My feet heavily tromped through the house, footsteps angry with the unfairness of life. After a quick search of the house the only candles I can find are birthday ones, it'll have to be enough. Mom and Dad were coming home shortly. I liked to be in the house before then so they wouldn't worry or come home to an empty house. Mom's gardening gloves were on our porch so I grabbed them on my way out the door. I picked up Aero as respectfully as I could and held him in both arms as I down the path.
There it was, the animal church as I had named it years ago. Instead of turning back this time I keep walking forward. There was a disgusting sweet, earthen smell that hurt my head. The triumvirate of candles all sat unlit, like they were waiting for us. The remains of someone's poor Beagle laid at my feet on top of the platform. I hated seeing this and I needed to do something, anything to make the situation better. So I did what I normally did in situations where I was nervous, I prayed.
