THE DANCE OF THE MENSTRUATING THEODOLITE

 THE DANCE OF THE MENSTRUATING THEODOLITE

Spring was late this year.

Ice was still on the dew pond at the end of May, the snowdrops had not awoken from there hibernation by Pentecost and the ground was frostbitten and foreboding. The huge sky was dark and threatening as the local community went about there daily business. The cows and goats still needed milking, the geese to be led to new pasture and the hogs to slaughter. 

The daily routine was the same what ever the weather and climate threw at the villagers, and this had always been the way. 

Although the community was small, it was large enough to have an elected council of The Elders, who officiated at the occasional trial for misdemeanors and criminal activity,  and oversaw the general management of the rural settlement. There were three Elders, each of whom emanated from a long standing and well established local family.

 Their position was permanent, and could only be terminated by death or ill health.  However, although there were a triumvirate of Elders, there was always a predominate figure, and as far back as anyone could remember came from the De Oude-Smit clan.  

The De Oude-Smits were established in the locality before the settlement achieved village status, and were renowned for having arrived from inland Europe prior to the voyages of Erik the Red, Cabot, Cartier, Amerigo Vespucci or Columbus. With a reputed Dutch / Irish / Welsh heritage, the family were predominant in local history and folk law.

 A family of many trades, they specialised in the production of Theodolite like instruments that were utilised in surveying the land that was reclaimed from the surrounding marshes and encroaching forests. 

The tradition in "Theodolite" production had taken on a semi mystic and quasi religious position in the mindset of the other villagers, and as a token of their respect held an annual ceremony where an enormous theodolite was carved from an old oak tree and placed in to the middle of the village green.

 A special grove of sacred oak trees had been planted on the edge of the village many centuries ago, planted by the original settlers according to oral myth,  and the trees that grew there were maintained as the special preserve for use in Theodolite ceremonies.  

Hoss De Oude-Smit was the current preeminent Elder, and his rule was as strict as custom would reasonably allow. However, he was at odds with his fellow elders due to his stringent adherence to the sacred doctrine of St Hookens of Sudbury and the Rossgates Creed. The Book of Bohiem was a semi mythical scripture that detailed the teachings of St Stavros Hookens and his fellow acolyte, Deacon Rossatron Gates of Sudbury.

To be continued.........