PÓSADH - A Celtic Wedding

Dedicated to Phil & Sarah

I hope your wedding is just

as magical as this one

and that you two have a 

happy and wonderful life together.

Glengarriff Forest
County Cork, Ireland
The night was approaching the sun low in the sky, which was filled with vibrant orange and yellows, everything was ready for the ceremony and all the guest had arrived and were finding their seats. Myra was stood in a clearing amongst the trees surrounding by her bridesmaids who were braiding the beautiful oak coloured hair with ribbons and flowers, they were all smiling as they caught glances of the bride who seemed lost in a world of happiness but also nerves it was not very common for Dryads to marry since they always spend time with their sisters wandering through the forest but when Myra met Nolan she knew it was something special and that he was something special.

The two had met on a cool moonlit night she was dancing amongst the beams of light scattering through the trees, as she spun around she noticed that a man was stood watching her smiling she could tell that he was different the Celtic tattoos that went down his left arm revealed that he was a Foaladh. He stood there bare-chested showing a stocky build and an even blanket of dark hair running from his stomach to his chest, the only clothing he wore was a tatty wrap of grey and black tartan and leggings with leather boots, his face was rough with a scruffy beard his hair was shaved on the back and side but the top was slighter longer with a messy spiked appearance but despite the rugged exterior what caught the tree nymphs attention was his eyes, the palest blue you would ever see and with the moonlight they had a slight glow to them. She introduced herself as Myra and the stranger responded that his name was Nolan, he was passing through when he saw her dancing and was astounded by her beauty and he needed to speak to her, after that night they had spent every moment with each other now they wanted to be bound to each forever.

The bridesmaids suddenly bowed when a woman wandered into the clearing, Myra turned to see Flidais walked towards her she wore a beautiful leaf green dress which had vines embroidered from the top right shoulder then grew down going around the back, her hair was a fiery red with wavy curls like a sea of fire and out the top of the red cascade of hair arose two antlers with were decorated with strings of beads and amulets. Flidais was the Goddess of the woodlands and the protector of every plant and creature, Myra was about to bow but the Goddess stopped her for today was her moment and Flidais was more than pleased to be the one that was going to wed the young couple, she placed a hand on the nymph’s thin face and gazed lovingly at the delicate features Myra not matter the season always had a pale rosy glow to her cheeks and her eyes were a stark green like the most lushes spring green of the earliest leaves, Flidais was a mother to all the Dryads and every creature that roamed the woods so when two people had fallen in love she would do anything to help it bloom, she gave a gentle kiss on Myra’s forehead which was followed by a warm smile she left the bride to finish getting ready.

The ceremony was taking place in a glade in the middle of the forest illuminated with lanterns that were placed around the perimeter, in front of the rows of chairs was a large circle of flowers which had a candle at the four cardinal points North, South, East and West. Nolan stood next to the circle with his groomsmen who were fellow wolves this time he wearing an sapphire blue kilt with a black waistcoat and jacket with a blue fly plaid with was draped over his left shoulder the beard was also a bit more groomed having been trimmed and brushed for the evening, he took in a deep breath and let out a huge exhale to try and keep composure, his best man nudged him and gave him some encouraging words to help with the nerves. Flidais come up the aisle and she placed a calming hand on his shoulder, Nolan smiled and Flidais kissed him on the cheek she walked past him and began lighting the candles around the circle whilst chanting out the blessing to consecrate the circle when she was finished she stood at the top of the circle she looked to Nolan with a reassuring smile to show that everything was going to be alright, she then nodded to the musicians at the back to begin playing the music to begin the ceremony.

Myra stood at the bottom of the aisle she took deep breathes and could feel her heart beating quickly in her chest, all the guests stood and turned to face her each one gasping with awe at the dress she was wearing, it was simple and elegant a strapless off the shoulder fitted dress with a lace bust and lace sleeves with a flower embroidery that spiralled down the arms. The crowd despite being made of friends and family was intimidating at first but then she caught sight of Nolan, he looked so handsome and the smile he gave made all that nervousness just fade away. This was it she was going to get married she still couldn’t believe it as she walked down the aisle Myra was welcomed by a sea of smiling faces and many crying faces but there was no sadness this evening, each step Myra could feel the swirl of butterflies in her stomach as she approached. Nolan took in the biggest inhale as he saw Myra walking towards him, everything was about Myra was stunning and he could feel tears welling in his eyes when he saw her, all the focus was on Myra he wasn’t even paying attention to anyone else but that beautiful woman heading his way, he quickly brushed away a rogue tear that rolled down his face. Myra finally reached her man in waiting she squeaked out an excited hi and Nolan replied with how beautiful she looked, they both looked to Flidais who indicated for them to step inside the circle Nolan turned back to Myra and held out a hand, she took hold of the course, rough hand and the two of them stepped over the ring of flowers and stood in the centre of the circle Myra on the left side and Nolan on the right side they stood next to each other facing Flidais.

Flidais held her arms wide and gave a warm welcome to all the guests and thanked them all for coming, the guest were a variety of cryptid and creatures from across all of Ireland there were many of Myra’s dryad family and Nolan’s parents, Leprechauns, several of the faerie folk and even a couple of the Merrow who had come from the sea all of them friends of the couple and all of them giving good thoughts to them as they stood before them.
The red-haired Goddess after giving thanks and reciting opening readings looked to Myra and Nolan and invited them to hold hands, the holding of each other’s hands formed a circle this symbolised infinity and everlasting love. Flidais nodded Nolan’s best man who stepped over to the Goddess holding a braided cord of different coloured ribbons: white for purity, peace and devotion, dark blue which was for longevity and strength and lastly black for wisdom, success and love, at each end was tassels with different types of amulets for good luck and protection for the couple. The other Foaladh gave a slight bow to Flidias and handed her the cord, she took it with gratitude and the best man stepped back to the side as Flidias had the two raise the hands closest to her then asked that Myra and Nolan recite their vows. Myra went first as Flidias began to the wrap the cord around their hands, she spoke about the night in the moonlight when they met and how even though she met a stranger she felt safe being with him and she would love him forever. Nolan paused he was trying to hold back the tears and the crack in his voice he gave a quick clear of his throat, his vows started with how that with all the magic in the world there was nothing more enchanting than the woman he stood before her and that her kindness, purity and positive outlook on the world was Myra’s true beauty and he swore that he would do anything to make sure that she would always be happy and always feel loved.

With their hands now loosely bound and the vows spoken it was time exchange the rings the best man was given a subtle nod again to approach, he took out a box from his jacket pocket and walked back over to the couple he gave Nolan the first ring a small thin plain gold band which he carefully placed on the finger of her left hand which was still bound to his right hand. Next was Myra but before taking holding of the ring she took out a thick silver chain from a pouch hidden in her bust, she took the ring and fed it on the chain and then she placed the chain around his neck, Nolan took hold of the ring his stomach was a flutter as Flidias took hold of a candle and asked Nolan and Myra to hold it together. As the two held the candle the Goddess slowly waved a hand over it as she spoke out another blessing to signify the union of the two of them without anyone touching the top the candle’s wick burst into life, now they were one. With the blessings and services completed Flidias removed the handfasting cord she spoke to the crowd that now Myra would need to bound to someone else to signify the full union of Myra and Nolan’s marriage, Flidais turned to Nolan and nodded for him to get ready he nodded in reply and began removing his clothes.

Nolan had removed all his clothes leaving only the tartan kilt, he looked up to the sky which had gone from a warm orange to a cool dark blue of the coming night but the moon was vibrant and present, Nolan turned to Myra now was the part of the ceremony he was nervous about it was time for the real him to be bound to her.
The crack of bones began and Nolan’s limbs extended his arms growing thicker and longer and his legs making him taller going from his six-foot height increasing to eight feet, Myra was a little concerned when Nolan gritted his teeth for she knew that the transformation was painful for him but this was a part of him so she stood firm. His body had begun to change becoming much bigger and wider the limbs taking on a more animal shape, he then gave a twirl and with the wind his skin peeled away swept away like leaves on a gentle breeze and revealed the wolf’s form underneath, in a full rotation the human of Nolan had faded away now what stood in front of Myra standing on its hind legs was the wolf form of a Foaladh. In myths and legends werewolves or lycanthropes they are usually depicted as horrific monsters but here was something of true beauty a muscular body with large thick arms and a broad chest covered in thick but delicate reddish cream fur, two pointed ears and long muzzle filled with canine teeth. The wolf stepped towards Myra, but he kept looking at the ground and she realised he was scared, Nolan always kept the wolf form from Myra in case she was fearful of it, but she was in awe that he had withheld something so beautiful from her she stepped closer and placed her hand against the cheek of the wolf, the wolf raised his head and Myra gave a slight gasp of surprise the moonlight gave the eyes a soft glow of the purest pale blue, they were Nolan’s eyes. Flidais held the cord and spoke to Myra and the wolf to hold hand again, the wolf raised up a huge right hand four thick fingers were topped with sharp curved claws Myra placed her left on his hand and felt the warmth, even as the large beast stood looming over her just like that day in the moonbeams Myra still had that incredible feeling over safety when she first saw Nolan, now she was really seeing him and it only made her love him more. The cord was once again wrapped around their hands and Flidais gave another blessing for Myra and the wolf, Myra had a tear of happiness begin to roll down the right side of her face the wolf raised his other hand and softly caressed her cheek to wipe away the tear Myra placed her hand on the wolf’s, the two of them put their foreheads closing their eyes Myra ran her fingers through the velvet fur.

When she pulled away and opened her eyes, she laughed happily to see that Nolan had returned to his human form he smiled at her warmly, they both looked to Flidais who looked at them with so much pride and joy she held her arms out wide and gave out the declaration that Myra and Nolan were now husband and wife, she looked to Nolan and said softly that he may now kiss the bride, Nolan placed both hands on Myra’s face and kissed her gently on her soft lips as the guests erupted into cheers and applause.
The groomsmen and the bridesmaids wandered over to the circle with makeshift brooms and began to sweep away the flowers scattering them across the ground, once the circle was gone Flidais kissed Myra on the forehead and congratulated her and she did the same with Nolan then she announced that the ceremony was over. Nolan now dressed in his clothes took hold of Myra’s hand and the two of them began to walk down the passing by all the family and friends who applauded and gave smiles of joy and happiness at the newlyweds. Now although the ceremony was done the celebration was far from over there was still a whole night to eat, drink and dance before the morning dawn would arrive and everything would be gone like it never happened.

END