Samuel has left the hand-held mic on the podium and is now going to use his voice to complete the ceremony. “First we’re going to evoke the moon goddess and ask for her blessing,” Samuel explains to me, but I know that his voice is booming over the pack grounds, reaching everyone’s ears.

Out of nowhere, he brings out this silver pitcher and I can see there’s some water inside. “We’re going to pour this water into this bowl and while we’re doing this, you’re going to repeat everything I say,” Samuel looks at me and I nod in response. He lifts the pitcher overhead and lets a steady stream...