Chapter 7: Light of the Eye

- Year 167 vc -

Hello journal,
     It's been a couple years now since I went to a leeligh. Most Mirans go for every full moon - which is like once a month. But we're not exactly like most Mirans.... I mean first of all, living where we do on the other side of Battle Creek so we're not even in Miras technically. There isn't an ophrysial close enough for us to get to that's worth going to. I think most people don't really think about it and they just go to leeligh for social reasons, and I don't see the point in joining them. If I go to leeligh, I want it to be something that brings me closer to the gods, not just a way to get friends or a man.
     A real leeligh is a completely beautiful experience though, the way it's meant to be. You can celebrate the full moon without really having a leeligh if you have to (take it from someone who knows), but it hardly compares. We celebrate on our own every full moon at this point, and our backyard works fine - although when it's cold or raining we have to settle for a spot by whichever window is the best view of the moon. But there's so much depth of meaning behind traditional Miran leelighs and the ophrysials that hold them.
     "Leeligh" means "light of the eye," which of course is why ophrysials are built to resemble an eye. Anyone who's seen one could notice that, but might not if they don't know already. It's built to look that way from above, for the heavens to see - a glass dome, and inside, the floor is made to look like the beautiful colored iris with the black of the pupil in the center. There are two doors, one in the front and one in the back, each with a sort of patio made of marble usually, definitely something white, as it represents the white of an eye. And as the color of the iris varies from one person to another, the color of the floor varies from one ophrysial to another.
     A leeligh is a symbol of the relationship between us and the gods - a special time when we see them and they see us. And though Nalick is more glorious than we can look at, her sunlight is reflected in the gentle glow of the moon. Gadriel unites us all in the light, and we lumens are their children, represented by the innumerable stars in the universe. And only in the dark can we get a glimpse of that universe, just as we may find the bigger picture revealed to us in dark times.

We gaze into the night sky,

Allowing it to lift us high,

In spirit, dwelling far away

From that which blinds us day by day.

     At some point during each leeligh, torches are lit while Mirans sing and dance in a circle. Thus the ophrysial is lit up in the surrounding darkness of the night. This is when we freely open ourselves to the view of our gods, as they do for us. This is when they see us, though they always see us. But it's more than just "seeing." "Leeligh" does not mean just "the eye." It's "light of the eye." How can I explain it.... It's like when you get an idea, or understanding dawns on you, and your eyes light up. Or when you see someone you love, or even think of them, and your eyes light up.... I think I understand why it's called that, better than ever. It means understanding and love, and happiness. Even if it's only a glimpse of it.