The meadow is silent, save for the sound of wind rustling what leaves remain on the ground, and a sometimes whistling sound created as he whisks through the bare tree branches. It is unseasonably warm this evening, and the sky is a deepening azure, decorated with clouds backlit by the setting sun. Midnight is struck by the awesome beauty of the sky this eve as she enters the meadow, wearing her usual robe, feet clad in moccasins.

By ones and twos the others enter the meadow, laughing and talking, everyone's robes being whipped by the feisty wind. The phrase "the winds of change" echoes through Midnight's mind, as it always seems to when the wind is strong and gusty as it is now.

Once assembled, the group makes its way along a path through the ancient forest, falling silent, greeting this place in their hearts. They come to the clearing, where stands the stone altar, hewn out of the side of the mountain at a time long since forgotten by mortals, but sensed now by those present.

The wind in his play has cleared the circle area of most all debris, and it takes little time for the remaining twigs to be swept aside. The altar is set, and the quarterpoints bear candles. The group joins hands and forms a circle, silently connecting with the earth and clearing their thoughts.

Midnight passes around the circle three times, casting the circle and consecrating this ground that has seen countless full moons. The wind seems stilled, though it can still be heard whistling through the branches nearby. The pines whisper to each other.

Midnight steps to the center of the circle, but does not speak. Instead, she nods to Owl, signaling that the time for calling quarterpoints has come. She takes her place in the circle, awaiting Owl's words...

...Owl stands in Circle and glances at those assembled, greeting old and new friends with a wide smile. Her leaf green gown, with threads of lighter sage green, catches the fire light, sometimes holding it in shadows deep, and sometimes reflecting the glow so that she seems more like a part of the shrubbery, rather than a real person. From the folds of her cloak she brings forth a rather small twig broom. Turning to the East, she brushes the ground a bit and then, raising the broom on high she calls;

"Guardians of the East,
in the Watchtower of the Air,
on this the nite of the Storm Moon,
come forth and join us.
As the winds and storms cleanse the earth,
so too do we pray for the healing of the Earth.
Stand with us this nite,
and guard our circle,
as we promise to guard and protect the realm
of the God and Goddess above and below the Earth."

Owl lowers her broom and turns back to the Circle, saying softly "So Mote It Be." She then waits...

...Nodding to Owl and the others who are present, Asham walks slowly to the Altar and, picking up the Staff, turns and proceeds to the South Quarter. As he lights the red candle placed there, he silently thanks the Goddess and God for their help since the last full moon.

Drawing his Athame from the belt at his waist and with the Staff in his right hand, he raises his arms skyward, then tapping the Staff three times upon the ground, he cries out,

"In your cavernous fire filled hall,
echoes the name I now call!
Fafnir! -- Fafnir! -- Fafnir!
Dragon Overlord of all the Fires and of the Sunbeams,
Bring us your fires of Enthusiasm, Courage, Daring and Passion.
Cleanse from us our hates, jealousies and fears.
Favor us with your strength, wisdom and knowledge.
Protect us while seated in the Tower of the South
until this circle is uncast."

With this said and done, he returns the Staff to the Altar and retakes his place in the circle to await the call of the West...

...Cloud, feeling warmer already, pauses a moment in place, feeling her roots, letting the winds of change move her usual green-brown robe a little. More of the green is showing in the weave tonight, and the gray in her hair bounces moonlight. She moves to the west, feeling the breeze shift, and catches a whiff of rain somewhere far away. Her small traveling chalice will stand in the West tonight, taking the place of a candle well because the friend who made it for her wound it, oddly, with symbols of fire. Water and flame together, West and coming Spring. Cloud raises the fire chalice to the beaming face of the Moon and then turns to the West point, where she lifts it to the guardians, and speaks:

"Hail, guardians of the watchtowers of the West,
first water of Water,
whether gentle rain or rushing torrent
the bringer of the changes of Spring.
Melt the snows of the winter,
wash away the griefs of the past,
rain on our growth.
We ask that you guard our circle
and ready us for changes to come.
Be here, now."

We feel, perhaps, a slight increase in the humidity; certainly a swirling wave of peace. Cloud places her chalice on the ground and returns to the circle, waiting...

...Stepping forward and smiling to Midnight, Asham walks to the North Quarter and withdrawing his Athame from its sheath, he kneels to light the dark green candle. As he raises, he takes with him a handful of the soil and facing the Moon in all her Glory, he trickles the soil from his hand and with his other arm outstretched, he says,

"From your mountain caverns deep,
allow us to roust you from your sleep!
Nicor Grael -- Overlord of the Dragons of the mountains, minerals, gems and moonbeams,
bring to us your powers of responsibility, endurance, stability and purpose in life.
Share with us your strength, wisdom and knowledge.
Protect us while seated in the Tower of the North
until this circle is uncast."

Turning slowly and nodding to Red Deer, he retakes his place in the circle...

...as Red Deer, clothed in amber and moonstone, leaves Elenya's side and dances thrice deosil about the circle. During his first round, he pauses to exchange a warm embrace with each here gathered, pausing a little longer when he returns to face his beloved. During the second, he anoints the forehead of each friend - old and new alike - with a tiny drop of pine oil from ancient trees growing upon the windward coastal cliffs of the Isle of Skye; remembrance of the dark, cold nights of Winter now passed. And during the third, the breast of each with a drop of jasmine absolute; anticipation of the riot of high Spring approaching with the equinox. Again, he pauses before Elenya - to take up in his right hand the staff, found on a mountain some twenty-two years before and written upon by the little sisters of the Earth with strange glyphs which may be interpreted at only a subconscious level.

With steps reminiscent of the whirling dervishes of another time, he moves toward the massive altar, pausing there to center and ground. Deer places both hands upon the altar's edge, bending to press his forehead into the warm stone which hums with the stirrings of a new Spring-time's life force. Lifting hands to either side of his head, Deer removes a small weaving of newly set buds from the red maples at his and Elenya's back door, which he places upon the altar. Then, standing erect and shaking free his long hair - which is whipped about by a renewed gust of wind - he lifts the staff high above his head with both hands, forming an inverted triangle above him.

"All-Father, to the tomb You went, from the Womb You emerged.
Now, during this Moon, You ascend to the time of Light's triumph over Darkness.
We anticipate with You Initiation into the Mysteries of our Lady
as the Wheel turns towards the light half of the year.
We invite You here this eve, to join in our merry- and magick- making.
We invoke You by all the names which each know,
and by ones known only to those who have gone before.
As the evergreens anticipate their deciduous cousins' return to vigor,
we contemplate Your return power.
Cleanse us in the Storm, but bring no change to any
from which they are unable to learn and grow.
And reassure us that, even amongst the Winds of Change,
the Calm of Your ascent awaits us."

Having spoken, Deer stands a moment longer. Those gathered might perceive that, in tune with the ancient altar's rhythm, fire grows in the hearts of the amber and moonstone about his neck flowing deosil through his right arm to the staff, then back through his left arm to his chest - forming an incandescent triangle floating above him.

"As ever has it been, You are Three - Blue, Green and Horned.
As ever it is, You are Three - Blue, Green and Horned.
As ever it shall be, you are Three - Blue, Green and Horned.
This moon we ask that You walk among us
as the God of the Greenwood,
the life-force of our Mother flowing through the season of growth.
Bring growth, strength and healing to those here gathered,
and join the Lady in granting their petitions, as is Your Will.
So mote it be!"

Before lowering his arms, Deer notes that the swirling white fires above him have resolved into three - blue ascending his right arm, green across the staff, and gold descending his left arm. He turns once deosil - to face each of those gathered with a broad smile, and proclaims,

"The Greenwood God walks among us.
Take Him into your hearts and minds
and know His love for all of Mother's children."

Deer slides his hands toward the center of the staff, then turns it to vertical and lowers it before him. To the surprise of some, however, a faintly flickering triangle of blue, green and gold remains hung in the air above the altar as he returns to Elenya's side, resumes his place in the circle and watches...

...as Elenya closes her eyes and breathes in the scents of pine and jasmine which mingle in the breeze that dances across the clearing. That same breeze catches the hood of her forest green robe, and as it falls to her shoulders, she shakes her head to feel the wind caress her auburn curls and to enjoy the Full Moon's glow upon her face. She releases Red Deer's hand, and picking up her drum, she begins to beat in time to the ancient rhythm she feels from the altar and in her heart. Elenya follows her husband's steps, thrice moving desoil around the circle of friends, chanting the names of the Goddess as she walks. When she reaches Red Deer, she hands him her drum for safe-keeping, and slowly approaches the altar. She takes a white candle from her pocket, and before placing it on the altar raises her arms to the sky

"Mother of many names who watches over us all,
we rejoice in knowing that Your presence is ever with us.
You who are Three at the beginning and ending of all time;
Maiden, Mother and Crone,
abide deep within us.
You who are with us as the seasons change,
Your spark warms our spirits and awakens our hearts
to allow us to grow in Your strength and love.
We call upon You this special night to descend
and join Your children assembled here.
We welcome You into our circle,
as we have welcomed You into our lives.
With Your Lord by Your side,
You honor us by hearing and granting our petitions, as is Your Will."

The wind is quiet for a moment, and Elenya lowers the candle onto the altar and lights it. As the smoke forms a spiral around her head, she slowly crosses her arms across her chest,

"The Light of The Lady
surrounds us and protects us all.
She is within us;
She is power;
We are Her;
We are One.
So Mote It Be!"

Elenya returns to her place in the circle, and taking her drum back from Red Deer, waits for Midnight to continue...

...Midnight smiles at the warmth that has been created in the circle from the powers that have been drawn down. She feels a tingle throughout her body as she moves toward the center of the circle, and as she nears the altar, indeed, she feels heartbeat of the earth emanating from it. She smiles to those gathered, overjoyed to see the return of old friends, and to be learning the faces of new friends. She speaks in a voice made husky with the tears of joy which have begun to roll down her face:

"Dearest Friends, old and new, met and remet,
the Circle is cast, the powers are with us.
Let us now come to the altar
with our gifts, our needs, our thanks.
In this time of change and of new growth,
let us come with our hearts and minds open,
speaking with the Lord and Lady
of what truly is in our souls.
The Circle is now open for individual petitions."

Midnight makes her way back across the ancient ground to her place beside Asham, and awaits the petitions...

...Looking around the circle of Old and New faces a large mist cloaked man walks to the altar kneels and speaks. "Oh Mother and Father of us all I have been away to long, and have missed the friends that are gathered behind, in front and beside me. I am now known to most as the Mountain of Mist, having hidden my self from all that would harm my soul. To which I harmed those that meant the most to me as My Lady Midnight does, and many, to many others to mention now, but do wish forgiveness for my actions I ask for your Forgiveness as well. Mother and Father, for I pushed you aside for the love of the flesh of a woman, who I now know was to try to pull me away from your guidance and teaching which has been my life in the past. Please answer my petition to be forgiven and allow myself to again walk in your path of love, light and peace." Standing, Mt Mist turns to the circle and walks to Midnight, kneels and takes her hand, "My Lady, I ask for your forgiveness in my actions and wish to be among your circle once more," kisses her hand and stands to remove the clouded cloak to reveal the deep burgundy robe of his past. "I am and shall always be and shall remain Shegar, the Dark Rider and shall be renamed as such." Shegar turns and looks at all in the circle and asks "I ask the forgiveness of all my brothers and sisters gathered here." Returning to the altar, Shegar bends to take earth in both hands and asks, "My Lady I ask for this in this hour of love and friendship as I have never asked before and will turn my soul to your use as I have never done before." Standing Shegar lights two white candles and places them on the altar, and lights a stick of Goddess incense and places it in the center of the altar. "My Lady take this smoke bring my petition to your ears and give me a sign that I am again among the ones that mean the most to me." Returning to the circle, Shegar again takes his place and waits for the next to place their petition...

...Owl steps forward and places a small sack of Runes on the altar. Waving her hands above the candles and incense, she scatters the smoke above the altar. Lifting her voice so that all may hear, she asks: "Lady, as winds carry the ash, let us all be aware that we can affect the currents by our actions. We can change the course of events in our lives and the lives of others. We can be crafters of earth, of air, of fire, of wind, and of spirit. Let us use our tools, the knife, the plow, the forge, the mind - to enhance the beauty of the earth, and the strength of the spirit. Lord, help us to balance that which is, with what can be. Help us to give as well as take, from the earth and from each other. Help us to find that which gives us joy and peace, within those things that discomfort and challenge us. You have both walked with me and mine this past year, and I am very grateful. Let me not forget your support and strength as things get a bit easier. And help me to pass on the awareness of your gentle nurturing to those who need reassurance, or those who may need affirmation. Help me to use the strengths you have shown me, in ways which will help others as well as the earth." Owl then turns to all and smiles warmly at old friends who will understand her petition. "Blessed Be all!" She returns to the circle and waits...

...as Red Deer returns to the altar. He stands silently for a long moment, eyes fixed upon the massive stone, before beginning. "By You Both have I been blessed beyond measure - with family and home, health and happiness, career and possessions - yet there is a longing I can not name which still fills me. Help me to learn satisfaction; with the gifts I have received, with the goals I have accomplished, and with the works I am given to do. Guide me along the path I have chosen to follow; with strength for long endurance, with humility for my own weakness, and with passion for life. Teach me the lessons I have not yet completed; to become the child I carry within, the man I need to be, the human I desire to become. As is Your will." Deer raises his arms to the moon above, as the faintest of cloudy veils slide across Her face weaving a halo that encircles the night, with one star blazing in its southern quadrant. Silently, he moves about the altar in a widening spiral until he stands face to face with an old friend, whom he embraces "Merry Meet Again Shegar, may your face never be hidden from us!" Deer then returns to his place in the circle and waits, as...

...Elenya again lets go of Red Deer's hand to enter the circle of friends. Approaching the altar, she reaches into the pocket of her robe, and brings forth a small bunch of pale yellow daffodils her children gathered this morning. She lays them on the huge stone gently, as if they were made of glass, then turns to look at each of the faces surrounding her. Elenya pauses, looks skyward, then closes her eyes and whispers a private message to the Lady and Lord. Turning again to her friends, she pulls a worn piece of paper from her pocket, and begins to read aloud

"Life lived with dim awareness of pieces missing
Parts glanced, but scattered
Repeated attempts to stride through the haze
Lead to a lifting of the mist,
Discoveries anew about herstory
She lived, she thrived, she influenced
She was loved, she was accepted, she was equal
Only fantastic, concerted efforts
Could nearly bury her,
But light glimmered, though dimly
Through the centuries
Bolstered by people's need for each other
And something deeper, untapped, untouched
A gradual moment to reestablish our past,
Realign our lives within networks
Of people who care, support, learn from each other
An array of facts now validate the known and unknown
The Goddess has prevailed against all odds
It is She who helps define our lives
It is She who holds hope for our future.
(Nancy McRae)

Elenya refolds the poem and places it back in her pocket. She steps quietly, head bowed, back into her place in the circle, and awaits...

...as VW drops Loki's hand and moves silently to the altar, where she places an offering of crescent cakes and honey. She spins in a slow circle, enjoys the sensation of the breeze in her hair and on her skyclad figure, and smiles at faces in the circle...

"Lady of the Moon,
Queen of the Universe,
Shine brightly your fortunes upon me,
Your child.
Bathe my body with your sweet moonbeams,
Let your gentle light stream down upon me,
Reflecting from my hair, my face, my skin,
and my heart.
Fill me with your love -
Let my body pulse with your joy -
Oh, moonmother,
Help me accept your love and your will."

Virago spins in one last circle, retakes her place next to Loki, and waits...

...til Bronwyn moves toward the altar. As she bends forward to center herself and greet the mystery again, all notice a strange, dark sack over her shoulder. Bronwyn turns and faces the circle of friends gathered under the face of the Goddess. Their questions are answered when she pulls a small harp out of the bag. She paces deosil slowly around the circle, gently stroking the strings up and down. The sound is hypnotic and ancient. It seems to arise from each listener, windsong calling wind, wind over the water, wind bending the flame and animating the ground. The wood frame of the harp flickers and seems to move... is that an angel's wing Bronwyn carries, or perhaps a falcon in feathered splendor? Bron completes the circle at the altar. As if in trance, she closes her eyes and sways slightly, as if to music of another world. She lifts her hands again to the strings, pulling out strange and beautiful sounds that could only be the voice of the Goddess. Soon another melody is woven in, powerful and insistent, wildness rising from her hands. The God is present here too. Abruptly the songs end, and Bronwyn voices a small request for healing, ending with "As You will, so mote it be." She returns again to her place, music still illuminating her hands and arms...

...as Cloud, who has been thinking mainly about a small, mundane, but important request, steps forward with a rather tall pile of resumes. She places them all on the altar, for she thinks the difficult decisions before her, so many good people for so few openings, probably belong in the hands of the Gods. She meditates a moment, recalling every name on the pile, and will meditate on her choices again later, definitely. "Guide my intuition on this one, Mama," she breathes, and steps back to her place to await///

...then Owl joyfully begins to clap, a light cadence of tapping sounds, and begins to side step in time with her clapping. Nodding to Elenya, she begins to hum, a familiar tune, and asks that Elenya repeat the words. Then she looks to the harp and encourages it to sing along as the circle begins to move widdershins...

...Elenya again picks up her drum and her as her hands beat in time to the familiar tune, she spins as she moves widdershins, slowly at first, as the harp sings out joyously. Her voice harmonizes with Owl's, their words reaching far beyond the circle and the forest... beyond the meadow...

...And the circle pulsates with energy; radiates pure joy as the harp lifts the voices skyward and the voices entwine in perfect empathy with the strings and drum, sound becoming a sacred entity unto itself. The Goddess and Her Consort join the exuberant chorus with the songs of wind and waves, making a tender yet sensual counterpoint to the celebrants' music. It is the sound of rising sap and unfurling bud, the matrix of life itself that is building here. Life IS magic, and magic IS life!!!...

...With laughing voice and tripping feet, Owl grins and sings of many things. As the voices sing their final note, and the echo of joy lingers on the air, it seems as if we can still hear the music of those who had sung before us. Again, listening a bit closer, we can hear the songs of the future. Was that the wind? Or did we really hear the Goddess whisper "Blessed Be"? Was that the sound of the water rushing past? Or was that the God murmuring "Blessed Be"? Or is it the sound of our own hearts beating "So Mote it Be"???

...Midnight returns to the center of the circle, deep blue velvet robe swirling about her feet which are still dancing a bit. She is giggling joyfully, and smiles happily to her friends. The energies of this night are indeed pure magic. She needs no words as she looks skyward with silent thanks. She hails the quaterpoints and bids the elementals farewell, gently extinguishing each flame, bows momentarily before the altar and then rises to bid the God and Goddess farewell, and extinguishes the altar candles. As she returns to the center of the circle, the moonlight plays in her long brown hair;

"The circle is uncast,

Blessed Be,"

she says simply, smiling. Hugs, Blessed Be's, and warm smiles are shared as the circle moves again into a group, and then makes its way back through the forest to the meadow. We remain there for a while, sharing.