(We live deep in the woods of Chatham County, situated upon the watershed for Jordan Lake yet near Chapel Hill and the UNC Campus. Id like to meet at our house, then proceed to the main quadrangle at UNC for the Circle. Afterwards, all please return to our home for feasting and merriment! I'll apologize in advance, but you all know that I'm not, typically, a man of few words {vbeg}!)

As you proceed up the long driveway to the house, be sure to notice the many large trees (elm, oak, holly, maple and sweet gum) in their full summer regalia - each a diffferent shade of green, some with pale white undersides which reflect the lights from the yard and mimic the steady glow of the full moon. And all adding to the heady, thick aroma of a summer night in Carolina. The house is a large log structure, fronted by a greenhouse which runs across the length - and floor to ceiling windows of - the living room and den. Beside the greenhouse door, to the east of the house, stands an aged twin-trunked white oak. Please be sure to stop and wish him Brightest Blessings, for he his the heart of the oak dragon who wards our home.

Enter through the greenhouse door, passing through the cacti, then snake plants of all types, cycads, dracaenas and aralias...noticing in particular, upon entering a night blooming cereus whose sweet, white orchid-like flowers fill the evening air with sweet perfume, and before stepping into the foyer a Kaffir Lily, whose orange and yellow blooms grace the table where a small terracotta bunny watches as you pass. In the foyer, feel free to stop at any of the sacred objects and meditate a moment, from the Sioux Shamans mask to the anvil and heavy chestnut cobblers bench / sawhorse, to the household altar covered with candles, tools, sacred symbols and likenesses of the Lady and the Lord in many of their aspects.

As you feel ready for company and conversation, proceed into the great room. The twenty foot high cathedral ceiling is dimly visible above the smoke of Dragons Blood, which langorously swirls upwards from the altar as the ceiling fans create a slow, spiralling up-draft. Everything around you is wood, from the old oak flooring, to the walls of original pine salvaged from century-old tobacco barns, to the massive beams supporting the roof. Folks are chatting, placing dishes brought for the feast on the large butcher- block table in the breakfast room and generally excited about tonights celebration of the Mead Moon. El is heard laughing from the kitchen, where one of the cats has just performed some hilarious act of attention-getting, probably involving food (ours, not hers).

As we prepare to leave, Red Deer and Elenya lead followed by Apollo, Poseidon, Midnight and Avalon, bearers of the spirits of Fire, Water, Earth and Air; Sharon and Shegar, invokers of the Goddess and the God; and all petitioners. We leave by the greenhouse doors, after each member of the group stops to pick up one of the three-foot beeswax tapers and light it from the flame burning in a small cauldron. Passing behind the Oak-Dragon (who, to some who scry him in the right spirit, stretches out beautifully arched wings which seem to spring upwards from shoulders held at eye level, and whose scintillating eyes gently smile from within the a canopy of leaves), Red Deer asks Watch over our home tonight Older Brother, as we take our leave to the circle...and watch over the path we take both in the journey outwards and in the journey home.

We take a path through the woods which seems to magically transport us the five miles to the quad with little effort. During the walk, we pass through stands of old oak, maple and beech trees; bottoms of poplar and dogwood, echoing the babillage of small streams; and pine barrens crowning the higher hills. Summers night hangs heavily, the warm and spicy air so present that we feel ourselves passing through it more than smell the transitions from leaf mold to fresh running water to the incense of the pine. At one point, a great barred owl hoots from her nest in a massive pine tree, at another chipmunks twitter overhead as we pass.

We emerge, seemingly directly from the woods onto the greensward. The Old Well fountain playfully dances beneath its colonaded dome before us at the south end of the quad, although no one is there to hold the handle down. The entire area is filled with the soft glow of the full moon from overhead, and of the faintly flickering gas light from pole lamps stationed beneath the leafy canopy. It is a place of seeming contradictions...of a full forest canopy covering a sward of emerald green grass, of trees whose thoughts were old before our youngest memories standing among brick sidewalks that branch and coalesce in seemingly mystical designs, and of the heavy stillness that is true night laced with the echoes of many minds engaged in learning.

From that southern point we move northeast - circling a space that is old as the trees, yet is also new and alive. At the east side we pause beneath the Weeping Cherries, and again at the great oak standing on the northern end of the quad. Moving southwest we stop before a two century old holly... Red Deer raises his candle into the night sky and calls Blessed Be, Old Friend... we come this night to celebrate the sabbat of Our Lady and Our Lord. We recognize in you the Dark King - resplendent in your power and knowledge, leading the year full circle to its close and yet still in the vigor of high summer. To your honor, we move widdershins this night. Then he steps forward to hug the tree, breathing deeply of its essence from the smooth, silver-white bark. Moving on to the west side, we circle an elm, then return to the Old Well at the north.

We then turn from the well and move in a slow, left-handed spiral approaching the center of that vast space, where stands (or more correctly leans) the Davie Poplar...a four century old specimen of that massive breed, approximately six feet in diameter at shoulder height. Though its tulip-like green and orange flowers have long since passed with the spring, the tree spreads a canopy of palm-sized emerald green leaves over a hundred foot circle.

We continue to tighten the spiral until Red Deer comes to a stop before a large stone. The black granite has been rough-hewn into slabs, which form a massive bench situated about six feet from the poplars northern butress. Red Deer warmly hugs each member of this assembly, as they pass north of the stone to encircle the poplar, holding hands and candles high.

Then circling the tree widdershins, he intones, Blessed Be, Ancient One, who stood tall and proud before our forebears came to this land; who teaches through thy very age strength of character, resilience and steadfastness; who presents many faces to those who come here, join our circle this night. Red Deer stops at the south buttress of the mighty trunk gives the poplar a lengthy hug. Old friend, welcome new friends this night. For tonight I am not alone. Let your roots feel the bare feet that move upon the earth this moon, and feed us. Let your trunk, though aged, gray and bent, be center to our circle, and remind us of that Tree who stands nowhere yet at all points of the Web. And let your wondrous canopy encircle all who join or watch this celebration, and protect us.

As Red Deer kisses the old trees trunk, members of the circle become first aware of a soft light which seems to float upon the breeze, the light of each candle they hold magnified and reflected in the space beneath the canopy. And as each looks upward into the tree, they perceive a myriad of faces passing through the bark, all smiling, all welcoming, each for one of those gathered. Somewhere within their minds, each hears a voice as old and as deep as the soil upon which they stand :::Blessed Be. Merry Met - in Perfect Love and Perfect Trust - all you children are welcome.:::

Red Deer then returns to the stone slab. He lifts a cloth so green that it is almost black from over the items assembled there: a silver Georgian dagger, an antique copper bowl filled with rain water, a copper torq, and a tall, spiralling black walnut staff. Also placed about the slab are a black, three-footed incense bowl, a thimble of frosted green glass filled with salt, a plate of cardamom laced shortcakes, and a reiku earthenware cup and jar of mead - from the honey of linden flowers. Red Deer places a large rock of Benzion on the burning coal within the incense bowl, and sprinkles salt into the clear water of the copper bowl.

He then takes the bowl and moves out the south side of the circle, under a pair of clasped, upraised hands. Circling to the east, Red Deer weaves about the circle, sprinkling the ground with drops of salt water as he turns. The circle cast of water and salt upon the warm bosom of Mother encloses those of her children who come here tonight.

Making a second round of the circle, he sprinkles each in attendance and on the third, he sprinkles himself. Returning through the south point to the slab, Red Deer replaces the bowl, then takes up the smoking incense bowl. Returning through the south, he again weaves the circle, dancing round the thick cloud which emanates from the bowl. The circle raised of sweet smoke between the many arms of Father uplifts those of his children who come here tonight. He again completes two more turns, smudging each member of the circle and finally himself and returns to the stone slab. He replaces the bowl and takes up the Georgian dagger, covered in scroll work of endless spirals and knots.

As Red Deer returns to the south point, the dagger is held in both hands, point up, against his chest. This time he moves steadily round, limning a circle upon the ground about all gathered. The circle sealed with the blade secures all who join it this night. In Perfect Love and Perfect Trust...So mote it be.

Red Deer moves to the south point of the circle, where he embraces Apollo. Welcome this night, bearer of the spirits of fire. Let the first watchtower be set...

Apollo enters the inner circle center, dressed in his green robe adorned with cubic white symbolic of this night. He looks to Red Deer and all here present. A simple smile says it all, as apollo is awe struck by the beauty of nature and in all its splender, its glory does abound this night, BB to one and all.

"O Spirit of the South

Ancient one of Fire

I call you to attend this circle

Charge this by your power, Old Ones.

As this the eve of midsummer, I pray that

WITH YOUR FIRE,

You charge our lives with wonders and joy.

Help us in attuning with the energies

adrift on this enchanted night air.

I give thee thanks."

Apollo, still in almost trance like state, exits the circle and makes way for...

Poseidon, who is clad in his Black and gold robe. He moves forward and raises his hands to the Heavens and begins to speak.

"Hale gaurdians of the west,

your water is the essence of our being.

Come on this journey between the worlds -

where time stands still and the souls of many become one.

Be here this night to share our love and cleanse our souls."

Poseidon lowers his arms and retreats back to his space making way for...

Elenya, in her hunter green dress with a garland of wildflowers in her hair. She faces North, hands high, and intones

"Greetings Guardian of the North and of Earth,

sacred Mother of us all.

Ward your quarter of our circle this night...

share our joy of the sabbat."

Elenya then returns to her place in the circle, awaiting...

Avalon steps forward from her place in the circle and walks slowly to the altar. She wears a flowered green chemise and her auburn hair is cut close to her head. She looks around the circle at the participants and smiles at all, pleased to be able to join this ritual before she leaves for her much-needed vacation. Avalon raises her arms to the sky and speaks firmly:

"Guardians of the East, we bid your presence please.

Your winds have traveled this world around us.

Impart to us the wisdom and the knowledge of their travels to use at this time.

So mote it be!"

Before taking her place once more in the circle, she quickly hugs friends and her daughter, Willow Sage, and exchanges places with...

Shegar... wearing a black robe with silver trim... moves to the altar... and raises his arms to the sky...

"O God of us here below...

I ask that you join us as we pay respect to you and the Goddess...

Join in the circle that is for the divine pair...

and feel the love that comes from us...

and feel the need that we have for your guidance...

I ask that you listen to the petitions that we will be asking

and grant the answers as you see fit...

Welcome...

to our circle and to our lives...

So Mote It Be!"

As Shegar returns to the circle...

Red Deer moves to the altar.

"Great Goddess,

Mother of all that was, is and shall be,

join our circle this night.

We are at repose with thee

in the month of the Holly.

Bring oneness to this cirlce of your family,

and listen closely to the petitions offered.

So Mote It Be!"

Red Deer returns to his place within the circle of hands, and again raises his voice to the night. We come here to celebrate the sabbat, the Mead Moon. A time of joy and pleasure and comfort in all that has grown through the waxing year. A time of repose and respite and revelry before the work of autumn harvest. I call upon the trees, old and young, to stand beside us as witness, and invite them to stand among us as elder brothers and sisters and raise their own voices to the Lady and the Lord with ours this night. We are enthralled at the beauty of the Lady and the Lord with all of their children. Red Deer looks to the first of the petitioners...

Elenya steps from her place in the circle and approaches the atlar. She lays a bouquet of fresh herbs and flowers and raises her hands to the full moon above her.

"Thank you, Holy Mother, for making the path to you clearer for me, and for the many blessings you have provided myself and my family this year. For this I am truly grateful. I would ask this moon that you would grant me more patience and understanding of others, and that your love and energy will overflow here and heal the negativity and tension felt in our day to day lives, as well as the world around us."

Elenya steps back into her place in the circle of friends gathered around her, and smiles at Red Deer as the next petitioner approaches...

Breck, wearing her green robe and wondrous cape... curly red hair falling on her shoulders... approaches the altar. In her hands are a piece of rose quartz and a pink candle annointed with rose oil. She places these items on the altar and then after a brief silence speaks...

"Dear Lady and Blessed Father...I offer these tokens as a thank you for what you have seemingly wrote miraculous for me. I know that beginings are scary times and ask for your blessing as I embark on yet another adventure in my life..And smile as I go... Many FMR's ago, I made petition and you have answered in three times three and then again... I have no words for the thnaks I offer you now. And as I send thanks, I ask also for courage and strength to take the next step, and the next and the next... and so on. Mother, you have been with me through this all, stay with me now... Father, your blessing on this I ask., approve this developement."

Breck heads back to her spot in the circle, leaving the way clear for...

StarDancer, who steps forward to the altar wearing her white robe. Her blonde hair rests on her shoulders. She puts a white candle on the alter along with a white rose.

"Lord and Lady, Mother and Father. I must first thank you for helping me find a job. It has been almost a month and I was in great need. Thank you. But I must also ask you for help. I have recently told my family about my religion and they are not reacting as I had thought and as they had told me they would. I love them and want them to understand instead of shutting me out of their lives. I need your help with this. Mother guide me with your wisdom and Father protect me with your stregnth."

Star Dancer steps back into her place in the circle only after looking around at the people also gathered here. She smiles at all of them as a thank you for accepting her here in there circle. Then she looks as...

Cloud steps forward, clad for her local heat wave in a slightly garish sundress and carrying the usual basket, this time filled to the brim with mulberries. She offers some to all who wish a bite of summer sweetness, all the way around the circle. "Brothers and sisters, I offer this greatest bounty of my place, a free gift of the Gods. You can't buy these trees, and you can't even encourage them much; they grow as they will, and offer this gift of delight for the energy expense of picking. I love them, and just wanted to share."

Cloud's big grin fades a little as she turns her eyes to the moon, places the remaining berries on the altar, and stands a moment in silence before she speaks:

"So many blessings, Mama, and still I seem to need more. I ask special assistance for my friend and former student who seeks employment in a far place; it is his destiny to be there, and though gone from this place he has much to offer the community of your children. As for MY children, I thank you beyond thanks for my increase in inner peace this last week, but would appreciate it if we could work together to extend it to the whole household."

Somewhat fortified, she turns a beaming smile on her friends assembled in this wondrous place, and steps back to await...

"Blessed be to all here..." Shegar says as he steps to the altar... and lays down his robe of Deep purple on the altar... reveling his new silver and red flamed robe... to all in the circle...

"I have asked many times to be shown the path that I must follow... and you... My Lady of the Moon... have now shown me my path.... Blessings on you and your consort... of the Hills... I have come to thank you and to give you my old life... Shegar... has gone to the spirit world of his maker... and a new figure has been shown to the altar.. and I introduce myself to you..." Taking a Silver wand, topped with a Rubby fire stone from his cape... he holds it above his head... "I, SilverFire, do here by give myself to your service... and proclaim my self your attendant... to all that you would have me do... I find it hard to let go of my old self, but I must... as I feel that I have grown to a new level... and wish to become new in myself... I wish to find a place in your circle as easy as Shegar, the Dark Rider did..." SilveFire looks at all the faces that have looked upon him before and asks, "O grand Mother of us all... I come to you as new and fresh... as the flowers of spring and as welcome to myself as fresh rain... O Father of us... I ask for acceptance in your eyes... and am at your beck and call..."

Rising to full stature... SilverFire... holds his silver wand above his head and turns to allow the flames of peace and quiet... to fall upon the circle... and returns to the circle and waits for the next...

Coyolxauhqui moves forward, small silver bells ring as she walks. She wears a lavender robe and a scarf binds her long cury brown hair. She places a pink seashell on the altar.

"Oh Lovely Luna, look upon me and all gathred here tonight. Grant us your love and protection. I ask healing for Paul and for my mother, Flora. For me I ask that you help me on my path to you. Keep me full of passion, full of questions, and the drive to find Your answers. Help me become a better mate to Jenn. Thank you Maiden, Mother and Crone."

Coyolxauhqui rejoins the circle and gives way to...

Apollo, who reenters the circle, having gained his composure but still at a loss for words. The enchantment, the peace, the serenity and the recharging of energies ever so high, he looks around to old and new friends, and says

"Thank you Lord and Lady for all you have done for us all, for what has happend here this full moon ritual, and for the greatness that is still to come. For some it will be a new life, for some a new love, for some an awakening of powers they had let become dormant. For all this and more, I Give you THANKS... Oh Lord and Lady on this special eve I ask thee for help in the areas that trouble me more at this time. I ask for guidance and help for my sixteen year-old son, who is still holding on to two dear friends who have gone beyond due to a tragic car accident. This was about one and a half years ago,but it still lingers and with it attitude and self esteem are at an all time low for him. Its tough enough to be a teenager, without the added pressures. Please help him to find peace, and move on with his life. As for myself I ask for wisdom with my business. And lastly I ask for guidance in my quest to continue my study and knowledge as to my goal for being able to increase my skills in the craft, as the name of APOLLO, signifies. Lord and Lady you know my heart and my motives for this which I ask. As well as you know that this which I seek is to help others. For this and all you have done, a mere thanks just doesn't seem enough but for now thats all I can offer. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANKS YOU... SO MOTE IT BE."

Red Deer moves slowly back to the altar. Standing before it, he raises his arms high into the night.

"Blessed Be. Mama and Daddy, you have welcomed us to this, Your circle, tonight... and for this we are profoundly greatful. As we move deeper into the darkening year, allow that memories of this time of respite and plenty sustain us throught the works of Autumn and the darkeness of Winter, knowing that the Wheel will turn again, that the Web is unpredictable yet cyclic."

"You have given to me and mine in most generous measure - such that we want for naught; hence, my petition this night regards the cakes and meade which I now ask that You bless."

Red Deer takes a cake, and crumbling it casts most of the crumbs high into to air and onto the ground. As he does so, the sweet smell of cardamom permeates the circle, and coveners feel a gentle breeze laden with the scents of fresh grass from a summer meadow. "Mother and Father we invite you to join us in partaking of the bountiful harvests of Earth and Fire. We thank the spirits of the grain and the yeast for this gift to us. Fill these cakes with blessings for the physical body. Allow that all who partake of them leave this circle hale and hardy, and - in Your wisdom - deal with each petition for the health and well being of others." He eats the remaining crumbs from his hand, then passes the plate to the Southern Watchtower, from whence it goes widdershins round the circle. "As we eat of the grain harvested, milled, leavened and baked... remind us all of the Mystery of Grain. Strengthen our awareness that every act of eating is an act of communion with You and the Web, for it is inevitable truth that life feeds upon life. In the darkening year, help us to learn and also accept that life feeds upon death, and to develop a closer kinship with endings... for from the ashes of all endings arise the ebmers of new fires."

Red Deer pours the cup full with meade, and swirls it until a spiral of meade glides out through the summer breeze before breaking into a myriad of tiny droplets and settling to the lawn. The sweet smell infuses the circle and the coveners faintly hear the drone of summer bees and know the deep perfume of flower laden linden trees. "Lady and Lord, we ask that you share our harvests of Water and Wind. We thank the spirits of the Little Sisters and of the yeast for this gift to us. Fill this meade with blessings for the spiritual body. Allow that all who drink of the cup leave this circle uplifted and renewed in their personal relationships with You." He drinks the remaining meade, then refills the cup. Red Deer then passes both cup and jar to the Southern Watchtower, from which they proceed round the circle. "As we drink of the honey harvested, leavened and fermented, remind us all of the Mystery of Mysteries. Give wing to our spirits with renewed awareness that every act of consciousness is an act of Magick, for it is inevitable occurence that every act forever alters the Web. Help us find ways to strengthen our ties with what You have birthed, that those threads we weave may shine within the Tapestry. As the sun wanes, remind us that the petition seemingly unanswered is and help us to accept the wisdom of Your actions."

"We again thank You for this enclave, and ask that even as we leave the circle, You travel in each of our hearts."

"O Spirits of the South, Ancient Ones of Fire - I thank You for attending this circle. We were charged Your power, Old Ones. WITH YOUR FIRE, You charged our lives with wonders and joy. You helped us attune with the energies adrift on this enchanted night air."

"Hale Gaurdians of the West, Your Water is the essence of our being. I thank You for coming on this journey between the worlds- where time stood still and the souls of many became one. Under your protection here this night we shared our love and cleansed our souls."

"Greetings Guardians of the North and of Earth, sacred Mother of us all. I thank You for having warded your quarter of our circle this night... and having shared our joy of the sabbat."

"Guardians of the East, I thankYou for Your presence here. Your Winds have traveled this world around us and have imparted to us the wisdom and the knowledge of their travels to use at this time."

"The circle banished is not, yet ever is. Remember this rite, and know that the circle always awaits those who would cast it in Perfect Love and Perfect Trust."

"So mote it be!"

"Now, friends, let us retire quickly - for Mother Night approaches her center and our tapers burn low. Our rite has passed to other eyes and ears, and we thank our brothers and sisters for joining us this night."

As we retire along the seemingly magical path to our home, the ever present scents of a high summer's night whet our appetites for the feast that awaits. We reach the old Oak Dragon just as our tapers sputter out, and are blessed with a vision that many never experience. Throughout his canopy, millions of lightening bugs dance. For this moon, the local females have chosen to grace his boughs with their mating pheromones, and all the males from miles around converge here... foreshadowing our decoration of a Solstice Tree with tiny points of light to warm the darkness of Winter.