Elenya begins the preparations for the evening's ritual, to honour the Dark Moon. She gathers the herbs and candles prepared for this evening's work, and makes her way into the woods. Deeper in the woods, she hears the song of sparrows and crows in the tree tops above her. Out of the corner of her eye, Elenya spots a faery under a dried bloodroot leaf, watching curiously, and keeping her distance before flying off to join her friends. The scents of cedar and moss fill the air. El breathes them in deeply, filling her lungs with their invigorating aromas. She steps under the bare honeysuckle vines that form an arch between the dogwoods and oaks at the entrance to the grove. A smile crosses her face as she hears the distant sounds of laughter and song fill the air. A flood of happy memories return to her, and she blinks back tears as she reflects upon times gone by.

Red Deer has prepared the wood in the stone circle for the evening's fire, so Elenya approaches what will serve as the altar, a weathered picnic table that has held numerous feasts and on whose benches many a weary traveler has rested. She spreads an altar cloth of gray wool across the table, in the center a pentagram woven in silver threads. On the cloth, she places two candles, one of white and one of red to honour the Goddess and God. She then places on the altar a silver chalice filled with water from the lake, a small thimble of salt, a cauldron filled with incense and her silver athame. Elenya bends to pick up the litter left by a careless visitor, and with her broom sweeps the ground surrounding the altar, forming a circle where the group will later join her. As the leaves float in the air and the dust settles around her, Elenya breathes in the scent of the mint, planted by Owl as an everlasting gift to this place of wonder. She takes a small bundle of cedar and sage from her pocket, and lighting it, smudges herself with the fragrant smoke that arises. She walks widdershins, beginning in the East and smudges each quarter with the sacred smoke. Humming still, she looks to make sure that all is ready, then turns to return down the path to her family. Elenya pauses momentarily, as the shadow of a wood nymph skips across her path, then grinning broadly, she returns to their campsite. Red Deer and the children are on the water's edge, skipping rocks across the mirrored surface. El smiles at them and begins to unpack the mead, cider and crescent-shaped cakes she has prepared for the post-ritual celebration.

Old friends begin to arrive and are quickly joined by those new to the group. There are hugs and greetings for all. Laughter fills the air and hours seem to pass as we share in the love and fellowship of each other's company. As the sun begins to do down, our voices become quieter, as we approach the reason we have all come together here this most special of evenings. No one notices Elenya, as she quietly slips into the woods, this time to light the fire in the grove. As the wood begins to crackle and burn, and the smoke rises in a spiral pattern, she returns to the others as they make their final preparations.

Red Deer leads a few brave souls to the lake for their ritual cleaning, but for some the water is much too cold, so they follow Elenya towards the bath house. As we cleanse our bodies and anoint ourselves with sacred oils, the air is silent, in anticipation of the work that we will soon begin. Elenya dons her flowing gray woolen robe, and slips her silver pentagram necklace over her head. She dries her copper hair before stepping back outside into the night air, which has now grown damp and chilled. She beckons to all gathered to join her across the path from the campsites, where we will cleanse our hearts and minds before beginning our journey.

Before them, near the water's edge, stands an ancient Willow Oak representing the Triple Goddess, Maiden, Mother and Crone. Her magick is powerful and before approaching the grove, the group stands here together, yet apart to center themselves. We close our eyes and allow our selves to feel the earth beneath us, Her roots vibrating beneath our feet. We begin to take deep cleansing breaths, slowly breathing out; and feel the earth's energies entering our bodies and souls. We open our eyes and focus on the left trunk of the sacred tree; the Maiden. She is full of life and her essence gently pushes out all negativity and stress from our bodies and minds. We look to the second trunk, that of the Mother; nurturing and loving. As we continue to breathe in and accept energy from the earth, the essence of Mother relaxes us, and replaces any feelings of pain and unhappiness with that of peace and love. Finally, we gaze upon the third trunk, that of the Crone; of wisdom and protection, and of change. As we take in a few more deep breaths, we become totally relaxed, yet full of self-confidence and a sense of well-being. Elenya quietly steps behind the tree, and brings out tapers for each member of the group. As each is ready to begin, she lights their candle and hands it to them. As the breeze mingles the scents we all have chosen to wear, our walk to the grove begins...

The clouds that appeared earlier in the day have parted, leaving a backdrop of sparking stars against a sky of midnight blue. In the foreground is the opalescent glow of the full moon, now high above us. The air is still and soundless until slowly the music is revealed. We walk silently to the beat of the drumming of Mother Earth, the heartbeat that creates and sustains us all. Maple, dogwood and oak leaves crackle underfoot as we pass over them, their sounds adding to the music of the Earth. An owl nods and adds her note as we pass underneath her nest high above us. Beside us at every turn in the path are spider webs spun with silver threads, each glistening under the light of the moon, each thread vibrating with the energy of the web. As we look to our feet, we see the illuminated eyes of the striped chipmunks and red squirrels who watch in silence from their hollows in the ancient oaks.

We enter the grove in a widdershins spiral, slowly pacing out our steps to form a circle. We place our candles in the soft earth behind us and their flames dance under the light of the moon, as we reach to take the hand of those next to us. Elenya first enters the circle and approaches the altar. She lights the candles, then the incense, and sprinkles a pinch of salt into the chalice before slowly picking up her athame. She feels the energy in its handle, then raises it to the sky. After a moment of silence, she dips the blade into the chalice, then draws the points of East, South, West and North, and as the circle is completed, raises her arms to the sky.

"We come here this night to celebrate the month of the Dark Moon, the moon of endings and beginnings; of transformation. We welcome your presence and your energies. Within this sacred space, our circle of power is now cast. May it preserve and protect the power we shall raise here, as well as those who are here in attendance. As we now begin the invocations, may we be as one...In perfect love and perfect trust. So Mote It Be." Elenya returns her athame to the altar, and walks back to her place in the circle where her children stand between she and her beloved Red Deer. She smiles as she nods to her dear friend Owl, and speaks. "Please set the first Watchtower..."

Owl smiles warmly at Elenya, and winks at Red Deer . Gazing around the circle, she sees familiar faces grinning back at her .... and the power begins to build. Some new faces are here tonight. They solemnly watched Elenya, and now Owl, as she acknowledges each and everyone in the circle. Not yet ready to break the silence, Owl gazes into each face, and her infectious grin coaxes a return smile from each one.

Owl remembers the last circle held in this place, and a joy fills her heart. As she stands in her new gown of leaf patterned sage silk, she seems to blend with the forest behind her, yet the muted colors of the contrasting threads, catch the fire light, giving her a glow as she slowly twirls and faces outward toward the East. Raising her arms, and turning the palms of her hands up to catch the moon glow, she calls the East Quarter:

"Hail Watchtower of the East... Guardians of the Air,
We greet you now in perfect love and perfect trust.
As you carry the seeds of the plants across the land,
As you bring the moisture of the storms to the shore,
As you lift the wings of the birds, and cleanse the dust from the leaves,
As you caress and cool the deserts,
As you carve the face of mountains, with bludgeoning gales, and soft summer breezes,
So now we ask you to protect this circle.
Join us, in all your gentle and powerful ways.
We bless the elements of air,
And call upon you to gather here with us this night,
To honor the fullness of the moon as a sign of the Goddess,
Who balances the light of the God in her being.
Hear my words!..
So mote it be!

Owl turns back to face inward of the circle. Her flowing cape billows as the wind gently settles at her call. The trees toward the east slowly drop their branches to form a canopy above the circle. The Guardians of Air, Watchtower of the East ... stand sentinel. Blessed Be!

Everyone turns and faces the South quarter. Bronwyn feels a sudden surge of fire-energy running from her body, belly to chest, down her arms, and finally streaming out from her hands.

"Guardians of the South, I call you!
Pele, Flaming One;
Apollo, Bright Warrior,
Join us tonight as we honor the fullness of the Goddess!
Heart's passion,
Wild courage,
Lion-strength,
Fill us now!
Bless us with your presence
And be here now!"

Everyone senses the quiver of raw fire-power thrumming within themselves. Girded, joyful, all turn and face West.

MoonWillow steps forward. A deep green woolen cloak worn over her silver-gray gown protects her from the late autumn chill. Around her neck is a strand of hand-carved peony root beads and a willow wythe circlet rests on her red-brown wavy hair. She lifts her head to the moon's bright face, and in a salute of love and devotion, stretches her left hand palm up toward the sky, then draws it slowly down to clasp against her heart.

Turning to the gathering, MoonWillow's green eyes sparkle with joy and anticipation as she smiles gently at each of her new-found friends. Although she is somewhat nervous, she sees in the smiles returned to her that all will be well. Turning toward the west, she bows slightly, straightens, and begins to speak:

"Hail Watchtower of the West - Guardians of Water!
We invite and welcome you to our circle as honored guests,
One in purpose with us in devotion to the Lady and Lord.
Water - soft and yielding, formless and flowing
You are as the milk dripping from the Goddess' breasts,
As the blood coursing through her veins,
And as the life-giving fluids of her womb...
Teach us to allow our lives and love
To flow as freely and generously.
Water - breaker of strongest stone,
Powerful dissolver, flood that cannot be withstood
Teach us also to break down barriers and dissolve problems in our lives,
Both within and without."

MoonWillow reaches into her cloak pocket and withdraws a small crystal vial of ocean water, saved from a summer visit to the Atlantic. Removing the stopper, she pours a few drops on the westernmost edge of the circle, then continues to sprinkle the saltwater in a line toward the altar, saying, "As the ocean tides rise and fall according to the pull of the moon, so do you, Water, answer the irresistible call of the Great Goddess. As I lead you to your beloved Lady, to do her bidding, I draw you into this Circle to protect and empower us, as we also do her bidding. So mote it be."

MoonWillow returns to her place in the circle, awaiting the call to the North.....

...and Cloud steps forward, in her green-brown robe, clacking of amber and shells woven into a belt made on a night like this but long ago. She moves to the North quadrant, taking in this place only seen before in dreams, with all her senses, knowing it again for what it has always been even though it is new. The power here is strong, and to see these people together again is beautiful. Standing facing North, with all the strength of these friends behind her, she bends to whisper to the cold ground:

"Powers of the Watchtower of the North, Powers of Earth,
We wake you from autumn drowsiness to aid in our working this night."

She breathes on a clod of earth, which comes loose in her hands, and rises to her feet still warming it with her breath.

"Changeless power of unending change,
Be with us here.
Guard our arrivals and our departures,
Our beginnings and ends,
Be they strong rocks,
Fertile ground,
Or the swift rebellion of earthquakes,
For all are founded in Law,
And all are Love." She sprinkles the warmed earth in her hand along a line from the North quadrant to the altar, where she unwinds an amber bead from her belt and leaves it there, quietly returning to her place to await.....

...Deer, who - clad in a jet black hooded robe with long, flowing sleeves - moves into the circle. Both the large tear of amber and the triangular moonstone about his neck emit soft light which illumines the stag-crowned pentagram suspended between them. Deer removes a polished bloodstone from a deep pocket, and as he lifts it high into the night Mother's heartbeat becomes entrained in softly pulsing light - which leaves those watching to wonder whether they now observe a man wearing an antlered stag, or the stag himself. Twirling wildly widdershins to the rhythm, he moves about the circle North to West to South to East, stopping at each Watchtower to thank the guardians for their presence and to take a portion of their essence. Yet twirling, with the Four Sacred Things, Deer prances twice more around, in a spiral which leads him to the altar.

Once there, he stands for a moment in silence, before placing the bloodstone by Elenya's athame and throwing back his shadowing cowl. The long braid hanging down his back he unwinds, to leave his hair billowing in the gentle breeze. Raising arms toward the moon floating overhead, he allows sleeves to slide toward his shoulders, revealing the twin serpents limned in woad about each arm for the evening. Again, in fire-glow attuned by three stones, it becomes difficult to determine whether the snakes are static tattoos as they seem to coil and slide about him in time with the heartbeat of night.

"Father, tonight You bleed. During this moon, You will complete transition into the sleep of ages that You may be reborn at the Solstice. As the Wheel turns - ever dying, ever reborn, eternal. We ask that You bless our gathering. Manifest here, and share with us Your charity, courage and wisdom. Open our eyes, that we may see the path beyond our present circumstances. Open our minds, that we may embrace the changes life brings to each. Open our hearts, that we may give of ourselves to others in imitation of Your sacrifice." So saying, Deer gently pricks the ring finger of his left hand with a briar, then places a single drop of blood upon each stone, and finally, one within the chalice. "As our Mother bleeds to bring forth life, our Father bleeds to renew it. So mote it be!" With these words, a heavy cloud moves across the full moon's face and the light within amber, moonstone and bloodstone begins to fade.

"Mother, tonight You take Your lover's blood. During this moon You bring Him through death into the life that is forever His. As the Wheel turns, ever birthing, ever making love, eternal. We ask that You bless our gathering. Manifest here and share with us Your bounty, love and stillness. Open our ears, that we may hear Your song within the Web. Open our minds, that we may understand the passions of true life. Open our hearts, that we may accept the silence surrounding the rhythm of this dance." So saying, Red Deer removes the silver pentagram from about his neck and gently lowers it into the chalice. Drawing it forth, he allows a single drop of the water it retains to fall upon each stone, then one upon the sleeping fertile earth, before replacing it about his neck. "As our Father bleeds to assure rebirth, our Mother bleeds to turn the Wheel. So mote it be!" With these words, seeming intent upon burning away darkness, fire leaps from within its ring toward the sky - shepherding clouds away from the full moon's face - and her light begins to regenerate the glow of life within bloodstone, moonstone and amber.

"Here You both are, as here You both have always been. We revel in Your presence and Your blessings. Creation, Pro-Creation and Re-Creation spring from within You. The dance of light shines from within the darkness. The dance of love draws one from within the hearts of two. The dance of fire rises from within the embers. What was, is and will be; above and below - FIVE Sacred Things. Blessed Be!"

After another moment of silent reflection, Red Deer retakes his place beside the lover who yet rides the Wheel with him and their beautiful daughters, to wait for...

...Elenya, who silently gazes into the face of each person gathered together here. Her gaze changes as she looks skyward, to the full moon illuminating each figure standing under it's glow. She closes her eyes briefly, capturing this moment; then slowly walks to the fire ring at the southernmost edge of the circle. She pulls a small muslin bag from her pocket, and taking off the cord that has held it closed, sprinkles the herbs inside into the roaring blaze beside her. As the herbs burn in the fire, the fragrant smoke circles and dances around each member of the group. Elenya steps slowly to the center of the circle and raises her arms to the sky...

"Mother and Father, your presence is felt by each of us here this evening. We bid thee welcome and humbly thank you for being with us tonight. Spirits of Air, Fire, Water and Earth guide us and bind us to you. We ask now that you bless this circle by granting our petitions and allow us to continue to flourish and grow under the light of Your wisdom and the warmth of Your power. So Mote It Be." Elenya slowly lowers her arms and returns to her place in the circle, making way for the first petitioner...

...DreamCatcher leaves her place between her mother and father. Her wine colored robe swirls around her feet as she slowly walks towards the altar. In her hand she carries the gift of an amethyst, which she places on the altar next to her mother's athame. She reaches for the black silk cord that holds her necklace, and talking the silver pentagram in her fingers, holds it up towards the sky.

"Great Mother of the earth and skies, I come here tonight to ask you to watch over my family and provide us with health and peace. I have a special request for my uncle, who is having a very rough time now. Please ease his pain and suffering, and give him strength to survive the rough winter months ahead."

DreamCatcher drops her necklace and allows it to hang freely from her neck once again. She smiles at her mother and father remembering her last visit to this grove when she first received the necklace. She turns to wink at Owl, and with a wide smile, steps back to her place in the circle to await....

...Cloud, who carries a string with four knots in it, tied at a ritual for the Autumn Equinox fifteen years ago to remember the best of the past summer. She has left them tied until now, but she needs to recall the memories, which all feature a departed brother.

One knot untied, and perhaps we all see what Cloud sees, a roly poly gent whose whiskers shake as he argues the fine points of Wiccan thealogy in a hot, sunny kitchen - before breakfast. Two knots, the summer solstice ritual of that year, in a grove much like this one, led by Cloud and the man in question, and featuring the handfasting of two friends. Third knot, JP in the bathtub with both her tiny sons (they hadn't started out to do it like that, but since he was wet anyway...) tackling the fine points of the mythology of Lammas while rinsing the smaller one's hair with the watering can. When the fourth knot is untied, we almost hear distant voices singing one of the bawdier verses of "Ol' Time Religion" at a campfire at PPF. While we are not quite catching the words, Cloud moves to the altar and leaves the now loose string there, in tribute to JP McClimans, who was much more than these few moments, even to her. She thinks a bear hug to him, and a blessing to all the others who miss him, and steps back to await...

Nymue' steps forward under the first flurries of the Snow Moon. Approaching the alter she reveals from beneath a robe of midnight, four perfect lustrous pearls, gifts of the Ladies sea. "Bright and Blessed Lady, you have brought me such joy and peace, Please accept the return of these treasures with love and respect. I come to you this night as voice of the children of your earth. As you watch over them with attentive eyes, I ask for them - Hope... for those who have lost it , Peace... for their future, Joy.....for those not knowing it, and Love...to all who seek it. Through these gifts they will know you." Nymue' returns to her place in the circle, pausing to look with loving eyes at all surrounding her. The happiness and peace she has found this past year are to be cherish as are the friends she has found here. Now she awaits.....

Owl steps forward and places on the altar a birch wand, carved spirally with Runic letters. "Lady, there have been many gifts given and received in your name. I'd like to thank you for the friendships and the bonds formed between many who would not have met if it weren't for you. Thank you for the strength you have given in our times of need. Thank you for the healing you have brought to so many of us. I give you this wand ... it is from Will. He knew of you for many years, yet he didn't KNOW you. When he finally came face to face with the Deities, here in this grove, his blocks came down. His talent has been emerging since then. I thank you for the gift of freedom you gave him, to be someone who finds pleasure in working with the earth, and finding bits of magik in the trees, and the stones. He is listening to the songs of the earth ... thank you for curing his 'deafness'" .

Owl gazes lovingly around the circle, and motions for Will to step forward. He blushes and shakes his head. She smiles and says, "Maybe next time, dear." She steps back to circle and waits:

Bronwyn gently shakes her head to clear it from almost trancelike state this ritual is bringing to her. She feels it is her turn now before the Goddess and God, here at this time of seeming death of light and vegetation. She approaches the altar silently, and reaching out with her hands, places them on this place of power. The cold she feels starts to warm, and then grows hot as she feels the dance of the atoms in the stone, spinning in endless, perfect cycles, fueling the universe with life-spirit of the Ancient Ones. Suddenly dizzy with the effect, Bronwyn releases her touch and presses the damp earth below, funneling the charge back to its source. "Mother," she silently prays, "Help me to find that peace which I seek. I ask nothing else of you for myself, but bid you bless the small creatures on this planet with protection from the onslaught of humankind. Help us to be aware, sensitive to your call, responsible in the care of your blessed body. Father God, fire me with the will to do my best, even when I feel the odds are insurmountable at times. I honor you in your death-sleep, and await your return from the sacred darkness."

She places a small black stone the sea gave her. Imbedded into a crevice is a tiny white round stone, held in the bosom of the night as the God in the Mother's womb. Pulling her dark green hood over her head, Bronwyn takes her place once more in the circle, alone with The Ones for a while...

...as MoonWillow approaches the altar. Removing the peony-root necklace, she lays it between the red & white candles, saying, "Grandmother Moon, beautiful Bright-Faced Mother, shining Virgin of the Hunt, I am grateful to you for so much....and yet, there is more I would ask of you. Not for myself, but for my children, especially the three who have been made fatherless by their father's own hand...succor them with your boundless, infinite love."

Drawing a photograph of father, mother and three children from her cloak pocket, MoonWillow holds the picture over the flame of the red candle. "Great Horned One, Wild Man of the Forest, Laughing God of Life and Death, I ask your protection and care for this family... May the one who has passed on know peace, and may we who remain learn and draw strength from your courage, your wisdom, your fierceness, and your abandon. By Fire, Earth, Air and Water I ask protection, and that no harm may befall us by my asking amiss... Mother and Father, Eternal Lovers, you know my heart..."

MoonWillow steps back within the warmth of the circle as...

...Elenya re-enters the circle. She retraces the steps she walked this past summer and has the same feelings of wonder and awe. As she approaches the altar, she reaches into her pocket and brings forth a necklace with the face of the Green Man forged in pewter, purchased at the Renn Faire when she last visited this grove. As she lays it on the altar cloth with the other items, she closes her eyes and with a trembling voice, begins to speak. "Mother and Father, I come before you with mixed emotions. You have blessed my life with a wonderful husband and two beautiful daughters. You have led me to friendships unimagined a few years ago. For these I am eternally grateful. While I ask for nothing for myself, there are those close to me who struggle; and I ask that You be there for them, to make their lives easier. For my brother, please grant him healing from the disease that has taken over his body and spirit and give Melinda the strength to help him. For our sister and her family across the lakes, please be with them and help find a way to ease their financial burden, as Your light shines brightly in her. I pray that You hold both of these families close to Your heart, as they are in mine." As Elenya completes her petition, she turns again to look lovingly into the faces of those gathered here, and blinking back tears, she returns to await...

...Cloud, who brings the last of the mums and asters to the altar in thanks for all this year has brought. Even the pain brings learning, and even the sorrow dawns in joy. She gazes into the face of the beaming Moon for a long moment, breathing the names of her blessings, especially her grandchildren and her successes at work, before she finally speaks:

"Mother of waves, you who wash back to the source all that we release to you and leave behind that which will be treasure if we find it, keep me watchful for the appearance of the new opportunity I have requested. I know it will be there, but I also know that it may come in any form and will require my attention. Way will open, but only if my eyes are open to the surprise. I thank you for all the blessings that have come this year, and for those on the way." She leaves the flowers on the altar, and returns to her place to await...

...as Red Deer, now skyclad, moves silently to the Southern Watchtower. Knowing not whether those gathered will perceive the effects of his actions, Deer moves his hands through a series of ancient, unlearned gestures.

"Grandfather, you who have stood watch at the southeastern corner of our dwelling since before it was, I ask that you join us here. Tonight I again need your strength. You who have been with me through the years of this forging, help me to complete it this moon, and to continue another. And, as the Lady and Lord will it, lend me strength to complete an endeavor undertaken at Samhain." In Deer's eyes, the flames gather into a single pillar, then spread out into the form of a mighty dragon - wings wide outspread to completely enfold their circle. From his left hand, Deer offers a small white cylinder to the flames, then moves both hands to the stones hung about his neck. "Thank you again, Grandfather, for all that you share."

After silently embracing the form within the fire, Deer turns again to the altar. Reaching it, he kneels upon the ground, places his forehead upon the flowing cloth, and presses his lips to the warm wood below. There Deer remains for what seems an eternity, before standing again and holding high into the night that which he wears.

"Lady and Lord, Mother and Father of us all... I add my voice to all those petitions brought unto You tonight. Hear all, and grant them as is Your will. Tonight, though You have already blessed me beyond measure, three things I ask for myself..."

"Of amber, two talismans - each a year in the forging, near completion. The blonde for our daughter of spirit soaring, bright and agile. The bronze for our daughter of passion dancing, dark and fiery. In the coming years as I wear each, strengthen their power, and the bond between them, that - when I cross over - they may be an ongoing source of strength, a reminder of the eternal bond of sisterhood, and a tangible form of the endless love a father bequeaths his children, to the women who will one day hold them. As the sun gave life to ancient forests, now crystallized in these talismans, may I give it to the daughters I love beyond compare."

"Of moonstone, a third talisman - the forging of which began last Mabon. In my Father's power long have I reveled. May this lead me further into my Mother's love and strengthen that which binds me to she with whom I traverse the Wheel. As I approach the hinge of the year of my own life, may it draw me closer to her and grant me understanding and acceptance of all I find difficult in our relationship. Father Sun burns within my head. Now may Mother Moon shine within my heart."

"Lastly, have I given to the Grandfather that which has been my weakness. Samhain, I tried again to give up the addiction of tobacco, but have slipped since. Tonight, I have given to the mighty one who wards us my last cigarette. As its essence was released within the Southern Watchtower, I ask that you release my strength to resist its temptation."

"All this I ask, and know it is much for one already so blessed. Yet, as You will it, So Mote It Be!"

Deer again kneels for a long moment at the altar, before returning to the three who are his life, his love and his home. Pulling the black robe over his head, he is amazed to momentarily perceive dancing among its threads a barely discernible pattern woven in shades of gold, pearl and smoke - the immutable forms of Grandfather Oak. Eyes glistening with the emotions which fill him, Deer gathers those three into his arms - then turns to smile broadly at all those gathered, and to await...

...Elenya, who looks to see if there are other petitioners who wish to come forward. Seeing no one, she waits a moment more for those who wish to complete theirs silently, then once again, she approaches the altar. Raising her arms to the sky, she speaks;

"Lovely Lady and Horned God, although we feel you with us in our daily lives, we are truly grateful for your presence with us this evening, as we celebrate the Turning of the Wheel. Please hear our petitions and accept our gifts, and if you will, join us as we prepare to partake of the gifts of your bounty".

"Watchtowers of the East, South, West and North. Powers of the Air, Fire, Water and of the Earth. Under your protection we have joined together this evening. Thank you for lending your energies to our work and we now release you, in peace and love. So Mote It Be".

Eleyna steps back into her place in the circle, and hand and hand we begin moving in a powerful spiral dance that weaves us together in unity and love. We dance to the heartbeat of Mother Earth, our steps moving faster and faster. The energy level rises higher and higher as our steps become faster until our bodies and robes become a blur of color, and a bright cone of light pulses skyward. We fall to the ground, palms outstretched, and send the remaining energy back into the earth. Breathless, Elenya stands and motions for the others to do the same. One by one, she stops in front of each in the circle to give them a warm hug. "I thank each of you for coming here this evening. As we prepare to depart, may you each capture a moment from this night to carry with you in your heart, to call upon in an hour of need. The circle is now open, but will never be broken. As children of the Goddess we have entered, so shall we leave, with no harm done. Merry Part until we Merry Meet again".

Elenya leads the group out of the grove and across the path to the lake. The table is prepared with hot cider, meade and crescent cakes, and everyone helps themselves as the dancing and merriment continues. Elenya catches the scent of something familiar, and looking around, sees that Owl has brought out a pot of her famous chicken-corn chowder. Grinning broadly, El shouts, "Soup's On... Blessed Be!"