On this cold winter's night, Elenya stands alone beneath the massive overhang of Raven Rock. Above her, the stone outcropping rises to meet the sky, but from this sheltered site she surveys the blanket of snow and crystalline water that covers the forest floor and creeps into the river which flows past at the Ravens edge. Majestic long-leaf pines, bent under the weight of winter ice, sparkle in the light of the full moon, and the river laughs within the darkness - its voice during the rowan month as ice chimes singing the glory of the beautiful Chaste Moon.

Skyeclad she stands briefly, reflecting upon the many changes in her life, upon the growth she has undergone from a seed first planted in this place. Here, at her friend Jinx's side, she first heard the call of the Lady and Lord - a seed buried deep for a hundreds of moons before finally taking root, putting out leaf and stem and now approaching full flower. Here, beneath the massive black basalt Raven thrust from Mothers' breast, Elenya awaits the arrival of friends who come to celebrate this nights ritual, signaling the return to growth from another winters' dormancy.

Elenya raises her silver athame with her left hand - forged within its grip a likeness of the Goddess - to the Full Moon above, then right hand over her heart brings it down pointing to the frozen earth beneath her feet. "Mother and Father, for the return of light we give thanks. For the coming growth of spring we thankfully await. Blessed be all those who will gather here tonight." With that, Elenya dons a flowing woolen robe of deep silvery-gray which is embroidered around the hem and sleeves with stars and moons in copper thread whose gleam matches that of her auburn hair. While awaiting the others arrival, Elenya picks up her guitar and begins to sing - a journeying song, one moving through the rural south to the Raven herself, one of passing ways, one of uncertainty as to the nature of the new spring to come, but of the clear knowledge that come it will.

"I'm a town in Carolina,
I'm a detour on a ride
For a phone call and a soda,
I'm a blur from the drivers side
I'm the last gas for an hour,
if you're going twenty-five
I am Texaco and tobacco,
I am dust you leave behind
I am a town...
I am peaches in September,
and corn from a roadside stall
I'm the language of the natives,
I'm a cadence and a drawl
I'm the pines behind the graveyard
and the cool beneath their shade
Where the boys have left their beer cans,
I'm the weeds between the graves
My porches sag and lean,
with old men and children
My sleep is filled with dreams
And now I shall fulfill them
I am a town...
I'm a church beside the highway,
where the ditches never drain
I'm a Pagan unlike my daddy,
and the Goddess knows my name
I am memory and stillness,
I am lonely in old age
I am not your destination,
I am clinging to my ways
I am a town...
I'm a town in Carolina,
I am billboards in the fields
I'm an old truck up on cinderblocks,
missing all my wheels.
I'm Pabst Blue Ribbon, American
and "Southern Serves the South"
I am tucked behind a Jaycees sign
on the rural route.
I am a town...
I am a town...
I am a town...
Southbound."

As the circle of friends begin to arrive - led by Red Deer, Elenya lays her guitar aside, smiles to herself and whispers a quiet apology to Mary-Chapin Carpenter for having paraphrased her song. She watches as those of whom she has grown so fond of pass along the well-worn path which leads through the woods past an aerie, home to a pair of Bald Eagles, placed in the crown of the highest tree. Walking this path beneath the towering long-leaf pines, each begins to sense the subtle reality of trees as the columns of a mighty pipe organ, surrounding them with a song which echoes the heartbeat of the earth.

Elenya greets each celebrant beneath the Ravens overhang with a warm hug and a smile. "Red Deer and I are blessed to have our daughters' DreamCatcher and ChinaCat join with us this moon" she announces, and smiles proudly at the two young girls who stand next to their father among the group. "Please welcome them in their first petitions to the Lady and Lord."

She then takes up her drum, and finds a rhythm in time with that of the trees song. Then, she leads the group in a widdershins spiral up from the Ravens shelter, over steps cut from the heart of living rock, to the top of her back beneath the winter sky ablaze with stars. The group circles the large level space upon the Ravens back, where her neck rises as a flat shelf at the northern quadrant.

Upon the shelf an altar is prepared, just inside the circle from the Watchtower of the North, covered with a gray altar cloth the same shade of Elenya's robe, and in the center is a pentagram, embroidered in copper. The remaining Watchtowers will be set about the Ravens back: West overlooking the river below, South level with crowns of long-leaf pines, and East at the head of the stone steps leading up to the circle.

"Lady and Lord, widdershins we have come from winter and deosil shall we emerge, under the Chaste Moon, to celebrate the passage of Imbolc and to prepare for the resurgence of life from the womb of the Earth. Tonight we celebrate your climb, Young Lord, towards the strength of summer, and your return, Lady, from winters sleep to the glorious fertility of spring. We dedicate this moon to our sisters and brothers who find themselves beset by this winters storms, and ask you to watch over all who have need of You. Hear our petitions, grant them according to Your will, and hold us all close between You - both tonight and afterwards. What was, is, and will return."

"SO MOTE IT BE!"

Elenya steps to her place in the circle, with DreamCatcher and ChinaCat between she and RedDeer, and smiles as her friend Oceans Edge approaches the Eastern Watchtower...

Ocean steps to the alter, her refurbished robe of midnight blue now run through with fine silver threads that glisten in the moonlight. Turning and smiling on each of her dear friends and their loved ones and a warm inward smile for the one that watches her from the shadows. She turns again and places a large white seagull feather on the alter, remembering that even the lowliest and most common of Her creatures share in the love and light that is the Lady and the Lord.

"Hail Guardians of the watchtowers of the East
Welcome here this night.
Sweet air of life
The gentle breeze of spring across a new crocus
That fills us with tender care.
The gale that blows across the North Atlantic
That stirs our blood with fire.
The whispering breath of a loved one asleep upon our breast.
That sings to our hearts of joy.
Swift currents the great eagle soars upon
That brings us awe and wonderment.
Air, power of the East.
Guide us with thy light."

Ocean steps back and for a silent moment drinks in the light of the moon and fills her lungs with the cool night air. She takes her place back in the circle, making way for.....

NightShade who moves to the South quadrant of the circle, her hooded cloak pulled close for warmth. Reaching the Watchtower, she throws back her hood and cloak revealing a gown of fiery red embroidered with gold thread in symbols representing the element of fire. From a pocket in her cloak, she produces a flint and candle. Striking the flint, she lights the candle, watching as its flame takes hold and grows brighter. Holding the candle in her left hand, she raises her right in greeting:

"Hail and greetings to the Guardians of the South,
you who are the elementals of fire.
Your energy, in its varied forms, is always with us.
Always present in nature, we see you in lightening, sun and stars.
Destructive, yet cleansing, your energy transforms the old into the new."
"As the great Wheel takes another turn, we move closer to your time of greatest power.
We approach the time where your energy will transform
the dark and cold of winter to the light and warmth of spring.
The earth is still cold from the grip of winter,
yet it is the time of new beginnings and growth.
The nights grow shorter and the days longer, bringing your energy in greater amounts,
slowly warming and awakening the earth, renewing its fertility."
"I call upon and ask you to watch over this circle.
Be with us and lend us your energy as we celebrate the coming of spring.
Protect this circle, our sacred space, and all within from harm."
Placing the candle on the ground, she walks back to her spot in the circle, making way for...

Sharon, who enters the circle and faces West. Her long robe of dark blue swirls around her as she raises her arms and speaks:

"Guardian of the West, Great One of The Water, come be with us this night.
Watch, witness and protect us as we gather and join our energies.
We welcome You and acknowledge our need for Your power now and always.
From Your element we are formed, to You we must always turn and return.
Blessed Be!"

She lowers her arms and moved to the altar. Reaching inside a pocket, she takes out a long feather, deep blue in color and striped with black bars. She sets it on the altar, bows her head for a moment, then steps back into the circle, making way for...

Cloud, who swirls to the North in her black winter robe with its embroideries symbolizing people who have helped her on her way; their silvery threads sparkle in the moonlight as she bends to touch the not-quite frozen ground and raises her hands to the mountains.

"Powers on the North, first earth of Earth,
we welcome you to our circle at this time of reawakening.
Bring the sun-touched dependability of eternal return to our circle this night,
to warm the seeds in us as your own are warming.
Lend us your strength on the road to spring,
reminding us of the imminence of renewal.
Be here, now."

She steps back to the altar, and places there the stone that will be her outside altar when the ground warms, and moves back to her place to await...

Owl steps to the center of the gathering. Removing her cloak she stands quietly for a moment as the moonlight picks up the glints of the silver and gold threads woven through the alabaster wool of her gown. Taking a dried gourd, filled with seeds from her pocket, she gently shakes the gourd and steps slowly round the circle. Returning to her place, she picks up her broom and gently sweeps, again going round the circle. When she has completed the circle, she rests the broom against the altar.

Taking up a bowl of herb-scented water, she bathes her hands, then offers the bowl to each and everyone. As each bathe their hands, she smiles and says "welcome, Blessed Be". She returns to the altar. Placing the bowl on the floor next to the broom. She then asks all to join hands and come closer to the center of the circle. Placing one hand on a male supplicant, and the other on a female supplicant, she asks that all cleanse their thoughts and minds as they have cleansed their bodies. All angers, disappointments, sorrows, and misfortunes, for this time, in this space, shall be washed away.. Then she asks all to breathe deeply and slowly, one with the other. As she begins the invocation, all step slowly back, still clasping hands, till the circle is enlarged to it's fullest extent.

"Are we ready to invite the Deity?", she asks.... upon hearing a positive response from each and everyone within the circle... she says

"Goddess, may this gathering be pleasing to you, and may you find us ready and willing to welcome you .May you find comfort and sustenance within. You came to us as Mother, and your children welcomed you. You came to us as Crone .. your children's' children welcomed you. Now it is time for you to come again maiden. Let us nurture you, and light your way. (Holding high the lighted candle, she sprinkles the seeds around the circle, then taking the bowl of water, she sprinkles the water round the circle, upon the seeds} Let us help fulfill the cycle, and as it pleases you, let us help to plant the seeds, let us help to craft the tools, let us help to heal the earth. As Blessed you are, as Blessed you be, May you join with us now . so mote it be."

Raising her arms, Owl turns to the to each of the elements and asks ..."Will you light the way?" Then she faces the Altar once again and waits for......

Red Deer, who releases Elenya's hand, and - clad in a plain homespun robe of charcoal wool - moves towards the altar, his bare feet hardly disturbing the new-fallen snow which shifts in the frigid breeze across the Raven's back. Deer first throws back his hood, allowing golden-brown hair to fall over his shoulders, then sits cross-legged upon the rock.

Removing a Tibetan singing bowl and wooden pestle from one of his pockets, Deer first raises both to the sky, allowing them to bathe in the full moon's light. Then, holding the bowl lightly on the palm of his left hand, he gently swirls the pestle around it's lip. A clear, pure tone rises from the inaudible into a pulsating wave which washes over the Raven and all those gathered upon her, before rising to join with the song of ice and trees. As their songs blend, all those who listen become aware of the singular richness of that sound, one which - within its unbelievable clarity - encompasses the range of sound, undertones and overtones blending into an unbelievable harmony of one voice, felt within chest and belly as much as head.

Deer pauses, still holding the bowl in his outstretched hand, then rises to gently place it upon the Pentagram embroidered into the altar cloth. At the touch of the still ringing bowl, the Raven herself begins to sing - a song of night giving way to morning, of winter passing into spring, of one turn blending into another. Briefly, a sensation as though the Raven had taken flight with all those gathered still upon her back passes through the circle, leaving those open to it momentarily breathless beneath the wheeling lights of the black sky. "As the breath leaves us, so it returns," Deer intones, and the rock seems once again solid beneath their feet.

"Father, You who are by turns Blue, Green and Horned, You who ride the Wheel with She Who Bore All, You whose ways are of the carpenter, the hunter and the smith - we ask that, finding this gathering pleasing, you should come among us tonight and make merry with Her. Boy who is raised, Man who is initiated, Husband and Father with whom Our Lady lies - we welcome you as Brother, Father and Grandsire. Bring us the knowledge to sow and tend, the patience to await that which is to come, and the dignity to accept our own harvest. As you move from the darkness of the womb towards the flower of manhood - preparing for your own initiation through and induction into the unending Mysteries of the Turning Wheel - receive from us the love which makes all strong."

Deer then moves to the place where Owl stands within the circle, and bows low before her. "Lady, blessed are thy feet which have brought thee here..." He then enfolds her in a warm embrace, before returning to take up the hand of his beloved, and stand with their daughters as Elenya returns to the altar...

Elenya stands silent for a moment, feeling the energy that has grown around the circle of friends. She looks beyond the group and sees the spirit of her childhood friend, nodding with approval at the work that has begun here this evening. Elenya looks upon the faces of each of her Brothers and Sisters gathered here, closes her eyes to hold this moment close, then speaks.

"The circle is now cast...let us now bring before the Lady and the Lord the petitions that we hold in our hearts." Stepping back into her place in the circle, Elenya awaits the first to come forward...

NightShade steps into the circle once more and walks to the altar. From a pocket in her cloak, she produces a small packet of seeds. Placing it on the altar, she looks to the moon and raises her arms:

"Mother, accept my humble offering of seeds. Though tiny and dormant, they represent the new beginnings of this time. When planted, they will germinate, grow and blossom in the fullness of your fertility, as will the earth in the coming spring."

"Mother, I thank you for being with me, for all you have given me. I thank you for opening my eyes to what was, what is and what can be. I ask that you be with me and guide me in the coming months. Changes and opportunities are coming and decisions will need to be made. Help me to see these coming things, to accept what must be accepted, to change what must be changed. Give me the strength to do what must be done."

"My thanks and blessings to you, Mother".

Lowering her arms and moving from the altar, she walks to where Red Deer and Elenya stand with their daughters. Smiling at the girls, she produces yet two more gifts from the pockets in her cloak, small bags of soil and tiny packets of seeds.

"Welcome DreamCatcher and ChinaCat. It is a pleasure and honor to be here on this night of your first petitions."

"This soil is from Mother Earth, filled with her blessed fertility. These seeds are of her bounteous beauty. Plant the seeds in the soil and nurture them, watching them germinate and grow. As the plants grow, so it will be for you. As their roots take hold and spread, so it will be for you. As the new leaves come forth and uncurl, so it will be for you. As the blossoms emerge and open, so it will be for you. Like the plants, take in the nourishment of Mother Earth and the Goddess, send out your roots and branches, let your flowers emerge and open. Allow yourself to grow within the fertility and love of the Goddess, for she will be with you always. Brightest Blessings to you, DreamCatcher and ChinaCat, on this special night."

NightShade hands the girls their gifts and returns to her spot in the circle, making way for.....

Elenya, who re-enters the circle and approaches the altar, trying to hold back the tears. She reaches deep into the pocket of her robe and brings forth a wooden recorder to lay upon the altar.

"Mother and Father of us all, I come before you tonight with a heavy heart. I have but one request of You this moon. My dear friend, Sweet Jane, was diagnosed with cancer this past weekend, which is rapidly invading her body. Please watch over her during the upcoming surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatments to follow. Please provide her strength and healing in the weeks to come so her music may once again fill the air. In Your infinite love and wisdom, So Mote It Be."

Elenya slowly returns to her place in the circle, pauses to give her daughters a hug, takes Red Deer's hand for and turns to await...

Ocean steps once more to the altar and places upon it a small irregular stone of highly polished Lapis Lazuli, it's bright blue reflected and shimmers in the tears in her eyes.

"Mother, Father, the wheel turns very fast for me now. So many blessings have you brought to me, all that I have asked for answered, since the last turning. You as always answered my heart in ways I could not have foreseen. Now as I emerge from the winter of my heart and see the first signs of spring. As I place my first step upon the path you have prepared me for, one that will be rocky, fraught with pitfalls and yet I fear it not, I step gladly to that which you call me to, eager to serve you well and in so serve myself. I ask of you this night, Father continue to grant me your strength that I may face all that lays ahead with a stout heart. Mother continue to grant me your light and love that I may not lose my way or allow the difficulty of the journey to harden my heart."

Ocean steps back from the alter and goes around the circle and hugs each friend in turn, pausing to press into the hands of her friends' daughters two tiny stones of Lapis, "Perhaps one day little ones you will gaze upon these stones and remember me and remember this night for only once will you have your first petition, I am honoured to share this memory with you"

Stopping for a moment to gaze upon the moon and revel in the love and warmth in this circle of friends and those outside it too, Ocean steps back to the circle and awaits.....

SongSpring stepped into the Circle and moved before the alter. She placed a rose upon the alter with a tender and loving smile.

"Beautiful and Blessed Goddess, you have indeed blessed me this full moon. You have seen and known and responded in such a way that cannot be ignored! Blessed Lady, I thank thee for crossing my path with the most special person that I could possibly meet! May I prove worthy of his love and affections!"

SongSpring stands a moment, feeling the inadequacy of her words, knowing that words could never express the joy and openness that she feels, and so she sends out to the Lady all the emotions that she feels, knowing the Goddess will know and understand...

Stormsdancer steps forward with a gentle smile, and places five acorns and a handful of dried fruits and nuts upon the altar.

"Bright and Blessed Lady, Thy path has brought me much joy and learning, but there are those in dire need of thy sustenance. May thy strength be granted to all who endure this winters season in lands blanketed in thy icy splendour."

Stormsdancer then picks up four of the acorns. Starting in the north she places one acorn at each of watchtowers. completing her circuit deosil, she then turns to all in the circle and asks that all may join her in sending lightness, warmth, love, and strength to those who are Ice-bound? then she moves to give way to...

Red Deer, who returns to the altar and pauses for a long moment to enjoy all the sensations of the moon.

"This moon I want for not, and come to thank you for all with which I am blessed. I, too, ask healing for Jane... according to Your will. And this moon, I bring to the circle two of the three greatest gifts bestowed upon me," Deer says, smiling and Elenya, Dream Catcher and ChinaCat. "What was given I lovingly seek to return."

Red Deer then leaves four Monkshoods on the altar, in remembrance of both the dark of the year, and of that which persists in blossom even through the coldest winter - blue-black blossoms which gently nod over the garden's blanket of snow. Turning again to smile at each celebrant present, Red Deer returns to his place and the circle and gently coaxes ChinaCat away from her sister.

ChinaCat, in her favorite turquoise dress - which flows to the cold earth in many layers, moves hesitantly towards the altar. She, too, pauses for a long moment before speaking. Then, with a voice of whispered laughter, she says

"Thank you for letting me be here tonight. Please take care of my family, and most especially my kittens."

ChinaCat the runs back to her family, and watches as...

Cloud, whose basket is brimful of sprigs saved from her Yule wreaths. Even the stormiest year has bright days, and as we face the promise of returning light she invites us all to invest one good memory of our own in the spruce branchlets we take as she rounds the circle, and keep them until spring is truly here as a reminder of joy in any storms left in the tailings of winter. When she has finished passing out sprigs and hugs, Cloud piles the remainder, still sweet-smelling, by the altar, and takes the hands of the nearest friends. We all stand, hands around the circle, and breathe hope to those still in winter's grip, as we await...

Dream Catcher silently walks towards the altar. She is wearing a long midnight blue robe, embroidered with crimson stars around the cuffs, and a sliver moon on the bodice. She places a seashell on the altar to help the plants grow that we will plant in the spring. Dream Catcher raises her hands and speaks,

"Lady and Lord, I ask you for two things. It is not for me it is for my mother, Elenya, and her friend, Jane. Mom is going through a tough time. Two of mom's friends and her mother had surgery last week. Now another one of mom's friends, Jane is going into surgery. Please help Jane heal faster and Elenya be strong for them."

Dream Catcher turns to smile at her new friends and walks back next to her mother in the circle...

Elenya, seeing no other petitioners, again comes forward to the altar. She smiles at all present, then raises her arms to the sky.

"Lady and Lord, we thank You for Your presence with us this moon. Please accept our gifts and remain with us through your continued love and support. Watchtower of the East, Guardians of the South and of the West, and Powers of the North, we thank you all for lending your energies to our work this evening and bid you a fond farewell."

Elenya lowers her arms and picks up her drum, leading the others in a spiral dance across the Raven's back - slowly at first, then faster and faster till a cone of energy is suddenly released skyward and the ritual is completed.

"The circle is open, but will never be broken. As we have entered in love, so shall we leave, with no harm done. Merry Meet, Merry Part until we Merry Meet Again."

"So Mote It Be."

Elenya beckons the others to follow as she walks in a deosil spiral across the surface of the Raven, then down the stone steps leading to the sheltered overhang. A fire is lit, gingerbread and hot cider are passed around. Under the glow of the full moon, Elenya steps to the river's edge, finds an ancient white oak tree and throws her arms around the kind spirit's trunk. Having been hugged back, she returns to her family and friends, as the dancing and merriment continue into the evening.