The Blessing of T’Pau (A Dream)

I was coming of age, and having taken a long pilgrimage, the end of my journey was a demanding hike up a red mountain. I sought an oracle from T’Pau, the renowned Vulcan priestess, elder, and sage. It was an arduous journey, but worth it because my cultural expectation—and my personal desire—was to receive the “blessing” as the youth did when they were my age. When you knelt before the Priestess, she would make a pronouncement, the result of meditating on your Vulcan identity and life purpose, after having spoken to your family and friends over a period of weeks or even months. Often what the priestess would say would be foundational for the recipient. There were many rituals and rites, but then the moment finally came. I knelt before T’Pau and awaited Her wisdom. I listened carefully as she was preparing to speak my destiny. She said,

“I have been unable to find Vulcan words for you, my son. Rather, God has asked me to share, of all things, this Klingon proverb:

First, you die.
Then you are reborn.
Next, you hunt.
Then, only then, do you eat.”