Part One
I am a solitary Wiccan witch - a pagan of eclectic faith. I have always practiced alone, because I have found rare few who have paralleled my own beliefs (and they tend to be solitary as well). My beliefs are grounded by my knowledge of science. My spiritual understanding shifts as my scientific understanding expands. Many witches who adhere to coven-bred traditions tend to be too unyielding for my tastes. A bit like Christians and other organized religions. Not that I have anything against devotion to any faith, it is simply that rigidity does not suit me.
So, I surprised myself when I agreed to attend an Imbolc festival that my friend's 'coven' was holding. Being an anxious introvert, I was surprised that I was agreeing to any social function at all. It was a general rule of mine, to avoid crowds of three people or more.
However, I had a huge crush on my friend Jesse Beckman. He was tall, dark, and handsome, and mysterious; I was easily besmitten. Also, he told me there was going to be a bonfire, and I'm a sucker for bonfires. Fire is my element, and it seemed to be his, as well.
Jesse was a volunteer fire fighter. We met a couple months before, when my neighbors set the woods on fire accidentally. He came up in the tanker truck as I was running along the edge of the fire, swatting it with a towel. He was impressed with my ability to react under pressure and told me that the fire could have burned completely out of control if I had not fought to contain it. I was impressed by his subtly pagan tattoos.
As he watered the remaining flames, I sparked up a conversation about his tattoos. The conversation shifted to the blend of science and spirituality. I learned that he was fairly new to Wiccan ideas, but he found the topics we discussed fascinating. Before he packed up, he asked for my phone number.
In the weeks that followed, we had many more engaging conversations.
I met Jesse at the entrance to the campgrounds shortly before sunset and followed his blue pickup truck to the clearing where his 'coven' had erected an elegant curtained pagoda. The area was deep in the campgrounds, surrounded by thick pine forests. As soon as I climbed out of my car, I was greeted by the sugary sweet coven. Hands reaching out to shake mine or pat me on the arms. Their cream robes made me think of other hooded groups from the area, but I dismissed the trite thought.
"Hi, Candace! Thank you so much for coming," Amber said, firmly clasping my hand. "I understand you're a solitary practitioner?"
I was not a Nireville native, but I had lived in the town long enough to know Amber Moon was in fact Amber Nyrel, heiress to the Nyrel fortune. It was quite possible she had bought a few books on Wicca and believed herself a high priestess. With her influence, she was able to convince some of her friends to join her little coven. There was no telling if her entourage actually believed the random anecdotes and pseudo spiritual nonsense she probably spouted, but I figured they went along with it for the food, costumes, and roadtrips. I knew that Jesse was a new addition to the 'coven', but I was not sure how they had managed to indoctrinate him.
"Yeah, solitary. I don't do great around crowds," I admitted.
Amber hugged me, unbidden, making me feel more awkward. "No worries! We'll be gentle with you, I promise!" I already felt the urge to leave, but I had promised myself that I would make it through this event without chickening out before it was over.
Deidra Wexler offered me a bundle of green clothes. "Can you change into these?" She asked.
"Umm...sure." I accepted them. The fabric was surprisingly soft. "Where do I..."
"Behind the pagoda, there's a tent you can change in," Amber said. "I hope you like the green...I thought it would compliment your lovely red hair!"
"'Kay, thanks." Costumes, I sighed inwardly.
The dress fit me surprisingly well. As far as I knew, Amber had never asked for my measurements. Hell, I didn't even know my own measurements! However, the trumpet sleeved Renaissance gown hugged my curves perfectly. My bra had to come off, lest it be exposed by the plunging neckline. I also had a little difficulty figuring out how the hooded cloak was supposed to be worn and fastened, but I got there in the end. I took my hair out of the tight bun, so that my curls draped through the hood.
I almost felt like a queen, except for the running shoes hidden under my skirts.
Jesse beamed as I stepped out of the tent, into the glow of the setting sun. "Oh my, you look amazing!"
"Thanks," I blushed.
The group was already gathered under the pagoda. The curtains had been pulled down, transforming the pagoda into a big tent. A large wooden table was adorned with candles, bowls of oats and of milk, and a scattering of daffodils and crocuses. Foldup chairs lined the 'walls'. Aside from Jesse and myself, there were twelve other people present. I only knew Jesse, Amber, Deidra, Gary Metter, Carrie Anderson, Thomas Harper, and Jade Forsyth. Altogether, there were seven women and seven men. Amber stood in the middle of the 'room', beside the table. Everyone was circle around her and the table, in a male-female-male-female pattern. Jesse and I joined the circle. Oh, we're jumping right into this, I thought anxiously.
Amber took a silver bowl of milk from the table and held it high in front of her.
"Brighid, goddess of the hearth, we call upon you. We offer you prayers that pour forth like ewe's milk." She poured the bowl of milk on the ground and then picked up another bowl of milk. "Brighid, goddess of healing, we call upon you. We ask that you cure our bodies, hearts, and spirits of all pains." She took a sip of milk and passed it to her right. Deidra accepted the bowl, took a sip, and passed it. I was wishing that I had considered the widdershins passing, and joined the ring closer to Amber. As it was, I counted nine people I would have to drink behind. When it reached me, I turned the bowl slightly and tilted it up, hoping that I would not catch some dreadful illness. Amber picked up a bowl of dry oats. "Brighid, goddess of the harvest, we call upon you. Bless our crops and protect them from blight." She grabbed handfuls of oats and tossed them from side to side. She picked up a bowl of prepared oats, which also bore a circle of small spoons. "Brighid, goddess of the home, we call upon you. Nurture and nourish our bodies and protect us from harm." She took a small bite and set the spoon on the table. She passed the bowl to her left. I was surprised when they reached me; I had expected plain oats, but they had been flavored with honey, coconut, and apricot. I wanted to eat the whole bowl, but passed it on, as I was meant to. Amber indicated the candles and everyone stepped forward to pick one up. As the circle reformed, she continued, "Holy mother, goddess of flame, we humble servants invoke your name. Brighid, goddess of hearth and healing, of harvest and home, we beseech you in Imbolc's gloam." Everyone around me blew out there candles. My candle flickered gentle light on their faces as they waited for me to snuff it. I felt a bit apprehensive, as it was the only source of illumination. "Blow it out," someone whispered. Feeling the pressure, I exhaled sharply. Darkness consumed the pagoda.