Near darkness: Then light spills from a door nudged open, illuminating the smooth grass path leading to the stones. And ah, such stones! It is the night of the full moon at the Great Circle in Avebury, England. The door closes, leaving a wraithlike figure whose white gown glows in sisterhood with the Lunar Goddess. It is Bronwyn, preparing this ancient and powerful sacred space. She is excited and joyous - soon her fellow celebrants will join her in this place of mystery to follow the Old Path once more.

Stones taller than the tallest man loom in the evening breeze. The soft and sweet air currents bathe them and Bronwyn in the sanctity of the moment. But first, before the others come, Bronwyn has work to do - "Don't surrender to that intoxicating breeze yet!" Bronwyn admonishes herself. She carries a wicker basket filled with fresh flowers of the burgeoning Spring. Pacing the circle, she places a bouquet at the foot of each stone: Bluebells, hyacinths, narcissus, lilac, arabis, primrose - the name for each blossom pours through her mind like the names of goddess. "We meet in the time of the flowering, to dance the dance of life," she bids each stone. Then she gently lays her hand on the rough yet sinuous contours of rock, feeling the pulse of life leap up to meet her own. The stones, male and female around the ring, are ready to enter the time between the time.

In the center of the Great Circle a pile of wood awaits union with fire. Bronwyn sets down her basket and reaches in, finding matches and a pink candle. But before she strikes a flame, she tilts her head to the moon above in Her glorious fullness and raises the candle in her left hand. "Hear me O Great Mother of many names: May your light fill this candle that it may shine with your radiance and blessings tonight. Goddess is here. Goddess is welcome. Welcome Goddess!" And that said, Bronwyn strikes fire to candle, then lights the tinder with the candle. Flames flare at once for the God is here too, so eager to begin the rites that he waits not for formal invocation.

Bronwyn smiles in acknowledgement of Him -" I know, it is impossible to resist the greening, yearning spell of this season as we run, full tilt, toward Beltane," she imparts. The flames surge up in agreement, illuminating the seamed faces of the stones. "It is time," Bronwyn thinks, and as if in answer, the same door leaps open, releasing a laughing, enthusiastic group of people all feeling the same overwhelming tides of emotion that only a balmy Spring night can induce. As they enter the center and form a circle, all fall silent, each engaged in her or his own silent communion with the white-light moon. After greeting each comer with a warm welcoming smile, Bronwyn nods slightly to Red Deer, who seems to have an aura of fire and wildness about his shoulders. He knows fire and flower are sufficient altar tonight. He steps forward to invoke the first two directions as all wait with pulsing anticipation...

...Red Deer unwinds his fingers from Elenya's hand and steps lightly toward the great fire in the circle's heart, with the faint sound of a hundred small bells like a distant carillon. From his left hand, three clusters of Wisteria hang, which he offers to the fire. He carries in his right hand two candles for the quarterpoints, one of which he lays upon the ground at his feet while lighting the other from the fire, then proceeds to the Easternmost point of the circle. Raising both arms for invocation, Deer speaks:

"Spirits of the East, Power of Air, descend from your vaunted heights to guard and protect our circle this evening. Breath of life over a world having escaped winter, invigorate all growing things as we enter the light half of the year. Spirits of the East, we welcome you!"

Deer then places the yellow taper in between the stones, there marking the Eastern quarterpoint and returns to the fire. He takes up the taper left there and, after lighting it, moves to the Southernmost point of the circle. Again assuming the posture of invocation, he speaks:

"Spirits of the South, Power of Fire, dance into the flame of this candle to guard and protect our circle this eve. We are grateful for the spark of life which you have spread across the greening world, recognizing that without heat there is no life. Spirits of the South, we welcome you!"

Red Deer places the red taper between the stones to mark the Southern quarterpoint and, after briefly returning to the bonfire, resumes his place at Elenya's side. He kisses her, then smiles as...

...Elenya releases Red Deer's hand and slowly steps towards the bonfire. Her soft, green robe flows silently upon the warm earth below her bare feet. Caressing her auburn hair is a braid of fragrant jasmine vine, intertwined with fresh spring flowers; the hues matching those at the base of the surrounding stones. When she reaches the edge of the fire, she leans forward, and lights a blue candle, then turns to walk to the Westernmost point of the circle. As she reaches her arms rise to the sky, she begins to speak:

"Spirits of the West, Power of Water, arise from your liquid depths to guard and protect our circle tonight. In this season of dazzling growth, we feel your power as you fall from the sky to nourish the Earth and the fields freshly tilled for spring. We dance joyfully amid the green explosion all around us. Spirits of the West, we welcome you!"

Elenya places the taper between the stones to mark the Western quarter and slowly returns to the fire. She brings forth a green candle, and after lighting it, walks to the Northernmost point of the circle. Again her arms rise to the sky, and she begins to speak:

"Spirits of the North, Power of Earth, arise from the heart of living stone to guard and protect our circle tonight. As you nourish the garden of our world, we thank you for growth that you bring. Spirits of the West, we welcome you!"

Elenya places the taper within the stone circle, marking the Northern quarter and turns to walk slowly back to her place next to Red Deer. She takes a deep, cleansing breath and turns to await...

...Cloud, who places a single grape bud at each stone around the circle in token of the bounty to come, and steps to the center. Her silver bracelets, the copper moon crown, and much of her hair reflect the brilliant moon as she raises her arms to the sky.

*Lady of Silver Magic, Mother of joy, be with us here in this ancient place as we come together to celebrate Your wonder. We know that among such miracles as your sweet return offers in Spring are still those that sustain us always, if we pay attention. Lend us Your strength this night, that our words of praise, thanksgiving and petition may be for the good of Your people and Your world. Come to us, join with us, see with our eyes, hear with our ears, kiss with our lips, empower our hands to be Yours in the world. Be here, now*

Cloud returns to her place with a little bounce in her step, the green-brown robe perhaps reflecting more green than at other times, and starts a handclasp around the circle - first circuit of small power this night, while we await...

...the Mystery man. No one noticed him as they came to the circle, but now, his presence is striking and undeniable. At 6 1/2 feet tall, with wild, flying honey-gold hair to his shoulders, he is a powerful human representative of the God. But - is he truly human, or perhaps from the otherworlds? The man steps up to the fire, then turns to address the celebrants. His gaze has the spark of lightning as he catches each eye with a personal greeting. Antlers seem to waver over his head, and over his shoulders and around his trim waist is seen the skins of the wild beasts. He pulls an oak wand from his garb and holds it to the sky, and begins to speak. His voice is at first gutteral and hesitant, as if speech has not passed his lips for a long time. Then he finds his stride.

"Friends old and new I greet you well--we are merry met under the moon's gaze and under stone's shadow. I call to us here the God in all his passion and strength. His realm we cross into tonight. Here he is in full power. In the greening season, he stretches forth his lust for life, his compassion for the wild things and for those in need, and his desire for sweet union with His Beloved. God of fire, God of sun, god of the wolf's cry, God of the eagle's piercing eye, join us in our circle tonight! In all your names I bid you come, Be Here Now!"

And with that, the man leaps up and runs clockwise 'round the circle. He reaches into a pocket and pulls forth handfuls of pungent gold powder. It is Spring pollen,the God manifest in plant form. The Mystery man throws it into the air with a whoop, coating all with a fine shower of golden light. The celebrants answer his cry with the nearly unbearable joy of the season of desire. The God is indeed here! When the Tall One again takes his place in the circle...

...Bronwyn claims the center again. "The circle is rightly cast. We are between the worlds! Tonight, under the Mother's silver light, we come together to celebrate the waxing, the growth, the expansion of ideas,of emotion; of the incredible and beautiful complexities of our bodies and of all living things. Tonight we plant the seeds of our desires and wait to see them come to fullness and fruition." Bron picks up her basket, which now holds only some moist, rich earth and hands it to the person in front of her. "As we pass this basket representing the freshly tilled ground, each of you speak or silently indicate what you would like to symbolically plant in your life. Earlier in the wheel of the year we all have the conception, the germination of ideas, wishes, desires, or needs. Now we offer them to the fragrant soil that they might take root and grow. After all have planted their "seeds," I will place them into the ground, that they may grow to fullness in their own time. So mote it be!"

And the others chorus back "So mote it be!"

The basket completes the circle, and Bronwyn reverently sets it a safe distance from the fire. "The time is now open for all petitions, prayers, and communion with the Ancient Ones." And Bronwyn steps back into the shadows near the mysterious visitor, waiting until...

...Once merry, now solemn, Norda steps haltingly from stone-shadow into moon-light. She draws from the folds of her heavy copper robe the first offerings of forsythia and pussywillow from her wilderness garden. She speaks slowly and in a low voice, her hesitancy not born of unwillingness but of frailty and shyness. "Goddess Mother and Father Life-Gatherer, I come to welcome you this night and to honor you with these Spring gifts. I come to ask for clarity of mind in dealing with my current physical state, and I ask for the emotional strength to continue to foster in others the love and care of the fellow creatures with whom we share this precious and beautiful Earth. Help me to move back in to the circle of perfect love and perfect trust, and away from the anger that clouds my eyes towards the people in my life."

She nods to those ringed about the Great Circle and lays her offering of first Northern flowers upon the warm earth. She raises her head to the sky, bathing her face in the brilliant light of Mother Moon, and covers her silver-laced brown hair with her copper hood. Then Norda steps back into her place in the Circle, her tiny figure hidden amongst shadows again, as...

...Elenya renters the circle. She is awestruck by the beauty of the stone circle and the intoxicating smell of the surrounding countryside, and she pauses momentarily to take it all in. She steps towards the center of the circle, and slowly reaches deep into her pocket, bringing out a small package. She pulls on the raffia ribbon holding the paper closed and stepping towards the bonfire, sprinkles the contents into the fire. The ashes are lifted by the flames and fly wildly about, dancing merrily with the sparks before settling down among the logs, embers and ashes of the bonfire. Elenya's cheeks are warm from the heat as she turns and looks towards the moon, then lowers her head.

"Mother and Father of us all, I bring ashes from across the ocean, from a night such as this. May the love and magick that was shared that evening join with the energies created here tonight. And may the seeds of friendship and community prosper and grow within us all and be reflected in our daily lives and actions..." Elenya reaches into another pocket and brings forth a small picture. "As I watch my daughters grow up far too quickly, I want to take this time to thank you for allowing me see the world through their eyes. Without their insight and view of the world, I would miss so much. They bring me closer to you every day." Elenya lifts her head and smiles at the friends gathered in this circle. She winks at Cloud as she returns to Red Deer's side to await...

...Cloud's answering wink, as she steps forward with her basket full of daffodils and her hair scattering moonlight. One for the Lady and one for all those present, she fairly dances around the circle with a big grin. She is feeling particularly springy, looking forward to Beltane and summer, rejoicing that there *are* flowers at last. She does have one request, and when she finally remembers it she is back at her place, more centered, feeling the warm earth through bare feet and gazing at the brilliant moon:

*Mama, it has been one LONG time since I've done a wedding, but it looks like I've finally found the words to go with the ritual in my head. Thank you for that, and the beauty of spring at last which has given me the inspiration. Stay with your children Tara and David as they maneuver themselves toward the big day, and hold all our hands as they dedicate themselves to each other and to You. Blessed be*

Dang if Cloud doesn't actually kiss the ground before she winks at the moon and settles back into the circle to await...

...Red Deer, who slowly moves back to the circle's center. He stands before the great fire, now hotter but of slightly lower flame, in silence. Softly, softly he begins drumming, tapping his foot upon the ground and slapping his thigh. As both rhythm and volume build, others - some of the circle, some of this bit of countryside and, perhaps, some of the place that is no place and time that is no time, take up the beat and focus it to the circle's center, where the flames begin to dance with the same rhythm.

Deer begins to move in a stately dance about the flames. His motion is reminiscent of a basket-weaver's nimble manipulation of his creation. In and out, over and under - with ever widening loops, higher jumps and lower ducks. Those watching carefully may begin to see the pattern, for light from the great fire, focused in the large piece of amber about Deer's neck becomes a static element, woven into the night air.

Over and over, Deer dances the spiral pattern about the great fire - feeling the energy of his body becoming the energy of the night. His movements accelerate, becoming more and more forceful - though none the less graceful. And with each turn of the spiral, both inward and outward, the golden pattern hanging in the air becomes more solid.

Suddenly, he turns from the outer edge of his weaving to rush madly at flames which still lick the sky at more than a tall man's height. In a moment that appears effortless, but costs him all of the focused energy he's built, Deer spins about the outer edge of the fire and leaps high, clearing the still massive pile of timber and passing through the heart of flame. At the apex of his flight, Deer releases that which his has carried within him to the night... "Mama, Papa - hold close all the little ones who began their journeys with spring. Too many of my brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews will want for parents this season. Comfort them."

As Red Deer drops lightlty to the ground by the fire's southeast limn, he turns to face the flames, arms upward as though to offer embrace. "Father, Mother... I thank you for the Dance, in all it's many guises." With that, Deer quickly resumes his place by Elenya, and watches as...

...unbidden, each member present steps into the glowing fire-basket Red Deer has woven, turning, flowing, joining to the pattern in rhythms more ancient than the stones that ward the furthest reaches of the circle. The fire, now a sentient entity, jumps and throbs with the dancers' beats, coating the stones with amber's glow. And in response, the stones themselves seem to reach higher and higher, releasing a singing vibration that penetrates our hearts with the voice of Earth Herself: "Dance my children, dance the Dance of Life!" they call. And in response we all hasten our steps and weave the web tighter and tighter, until helpless to restrain this power any longer, we stop and send it skyward, moonward, to the stars and back! In this great rush we shout with the cry of Goddess and God, calling like to like, giving our aid to the mysteries of life itself... and the fire leaps to touch the face of the moon... and then suddenly spent, we slowly, gracefully sink to the soft ground, power flowing from our arms and legs, blowing with our breaths. Into the arms of the Great Mother we plant ourselves like the seeds delivered earlier into Her breast.

As if in silent cue, we all take hands and pulleach other back into the circle. As we wove, now we unweave. North, West, South, East: each direction is thanked, blessed, and released. Goddess and God bidden to go in peace. Each carries with himself a small piece of divinity which all shared under this moon. Catching eyes, laughing, feeling like the flowers, we affirm:

"The circle is open but unbroken. Merry meet, and merry part, and merry meet again!"

*Blessed Be*