When the elders returned from the New Year’s procession, they took off their robes and stood waiting for Atnas to light the incense vessel, then bowed and sat at the table. Atnas took out the ledger, or passing book, as it is also called, and read the passage for the first full day of their New Year.
“Another round of suns is a gift given to us this day. We are thankful for the time you have provided us. We stand ready to serve and shall honor all that lives among and around us. Your charge we willingly accept, and we await the time when our life’s reward is to be there with you. May this next traveling of suns be filled with the energy of life and the joy it bestows. Let our gathering this eve be fruitful and may our decisions prove worthy of your blessing.”
He closed the book and went over to the lodge entrance. He picked up the large round stone that sat just inside the narrow opening and placed it on the table before them.
“My brothers, the time for the placement of the stones is upon us; for we know that this, the first day of the suns is one which honors those who came before us. Each of you this eve may choose a place to set your chosen stone, and here it will stay, a marker of your life, like those set long ago."
Each elder went to the rear of the room and picked up the stone they had choose the prior season of suns and brought it back to the table. Atnas then swung the incense vessel over the collection, and said:
“Each stone is a record of life long ago, pressed into a unique formation. We honor those who walked the land before us. Let the setting of these symbols represent our respect for the time of their life and that which they passed on to us.”
When it was finally dark, the elders took their stones and marched to the sacred rock* just north of the great marsh. Atnas climbed to the top of the bolder, held his arms to the sky, and bowed to the east. He took his staff and upon his striking the rock three times, the elders set out, each in their own direction, each knowing where they would leave their stone and their mark.
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*We believe this to be Enoch’s Rock or Doane Rock, as it is more commonly called.
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