One of Winter's last days - cool shimmering in light gleaned from the waxing Sun, who now approaches his first point of balance upon the wheel - settles into cold evening breezes. Round about red desert, red rock and red canyons flow - accented by the intense colors of blue sky, white granite capstone on the inner rim of the canyon twelve hundred feet below that mirrors the snowy thunderheads above, and the dull green Colorado River nearly a thousand feet farther down. As last wisps of sunset reach to paint the highest cloud tops with vivid hues, Red Deer waits. In time, he greets friends old and new upon the narrow isthmus, barely fifty feet wide, which leads out onto the point - an island suspended in a sea of sky.

Once all are gathered, Deer beckons them to follow, and leads the way out upon the point. Crisp moonlight illuminates their path along the vertical outer rim, where they emerge upon the northern shore, from where the isthmus leads back to a seemingly endless expanse of desert. Upon a massive sandstone block, the group find a torq of twisted copper and brass lain to mark the northern watchtower. Deer leads them in a deosil spiral about the stone before moving on to the eastern shore. There, they close into a circle about a twisted juniper stave, set squarely into the earth. Again, Red Deer rotates their circle slowly deosil, and moves on. Their spiral opens to a line, and follows Deer to the southern shore, only to be redrawn to a circle around a silver athame resting upon another block of red sandstone. Once again the deosil spiral, again the movement out and away to the the western shore. There, they circle a hand-hammered copper bowl filled with water from the ancient river clearly visible in the moonlight below. A final turn of the group, this time about the bowl of water still mysteriously reflecting the last light of winter sunset and the group moves as one toward the island's center.

Three times they circle deosil, in a spiral ever tightening upon a gnarled juniper near the northern edge of the circle. Approaching this living altar, Red Deer removes from his neck a silver pentagram overlain with the bust of a stag. This he hangs once again upon one of the juniper's limbs, verdant green even at this cold time of the year. "Our circle is raised, by the power of our love for Lady and Lord, by the rhythm of our perigrination about this space, and by the recognition of that which bounds us. Let us take our places within it and call to those spirits allied with us. So mote it be." Deer leads the final spiral opening out to the inner perimeter of their circle - small and wonderful in this expansive backdrop of space and of the ages, but vast and timeless of itself. He turns to face inward toward the altar, awaiting the first call...



...and El Bee, from his place among the celebrants circled round, intones the blessing "May the Energy of the Earth rise up through your feet and give you Power." Those gathered anticipate the first quarter being called, and...



...Ocean steps to the north, reaching down and taking up a handful of thin dirt she rubs it between her hands and fingers lost in thought and feeling for a moment.

"Spirits of the north, with open arms and open hearts we welcome you this night to this our celebration. We welcome your rock solid beneath our feet on which to dance and build our fire, we welcome your strength in our hearts on which to build our faith and belief, we welcome your warm embrace to nestle our souls as they return from their flights."

Letting the sand sift through her fingers and back to the ground, rubbing the lingering dust to her cheek Ocean steps back to her place among kindred spirits and awaits...



...Annie felt like she was destined to bring up the rear of this procession and scurried to catch up as the group moved to claim the space. Red Deer in extending the invitation for Annie to join the circle had offered the opportunity for a bit of personal indulgence as well. Although this canyon was unfamiliar to her, the red stones were not. She had visited such places many times and though now removed from these treasures, her feet remembered the strength of the stones beneath her, the eroding character of wind and time, that fashioned a beach of sort upon oceans of rock.

AND as important at this passage for her was the chance to experience the color of the rocks in a manner of return. It was the tradition of the Indians of this area to gather the rainwater from the pools which had leeched the essence of the stones and with a bit of toil and trust would transform onto materials a salmon or rose stain leaving vague traces of these hues upon the people's handiwork; Annie was not sure if the tones imparted memory of Mama's blood or the Sun's kiss upon the Earth.

The time of year had made her work more difficult. Rainwater was hardened by Winter's face; unsure of the outcome Annie had busily heated rocks and placed them around depressions in the stone, hoping to retrieve the hues from the warmed waters. She gathered as she could, then over her earlier fires placed a large cauldron fed by what wood she could scavenge from the area she placed her harvest. And, as the heat built like a rising sun upon the waters of her pot, she first beheld the rosy streaks dance on the bubbles rising - and then pulling up the fabric she had placed within with her magic stick, she was greeted with dawn.

In this space of Red Deer's choosing additionally one experienced a unique blessing; this a place where the sky seemed to lift the Earth in open embrace and the expanse of wholeness swept over one in waves of inclusion. And to hold sunrise in her hands with her finished product, challenged Annie to ever be less.

She moved along the route that Red Deer had chosen, never but ever amazed and in awe of the depth with which he approached the Mother, and when her turn came she stepped forward. Upon the Juniper stave she tied a flag that rejoiced in the moment of rising sun - rosy and salmon after the streak of birthing red, when the fluids of body human mingled with spirit at dawn, and said quite simply:

"Guardians of the Watchtowers of the East, powers and beings of air, beginnings, potential and clarity, we ask that you be with us to witness and protect our circle. Hail and welcome."

A soft breeze courted the flag upon the Juniper and the thing was done. Annie ever impish as a parting gesture on returning to the circle, placed a Coca Cola bottle cap at the base of the stave and sang softly to herself as she found her place, "I'd like to teach the world to sing, in perfect harmony."

She returned to the circle to wait for...



...Rowan, who circles the inner perimeter of this sacred space until she reaches her destination, the southern quarter, marked with a red sandstone. She feels at home here, in this place, and help but chuckle to herself when she feels the within her fire burn, as it always does when entering the south. The moonlight dances off of her long fiery red curls as she bends to place a red candle at the base of the sandstone and athame.

She straightens and begins her summons.

"Oh blessed Guardians of the Watchtower of the South, I call on you this night to lend us your protection in our rites. Salamanders, Eternal Flames, be with us and shield us from negativity. Fiery Ones, let us feel your heat in our hearts and lend us your strength for our workings this night."

Rowan returns to her place amongst her friends within the circle and waits...



...Nymue' steps forward quietly.

"Spirits of the west hear our call. Ye gentle Nymphs that so sweetly speak, flow like a river where we emotionally meet. You are the waves that splash on the shore, touching our emotional core. Droplets of water from the sky, reflecting mirrors of asking "Why?" You are the bloodstream of the Earth, her life source that bubbles forth from the Mother's heart. Her Living Waters. Within you are the gentle rains, the cleansing storms - sustaining and purifying us as your Earth. Blessed Be the powers of Water - mutable, sensual, and feeling. Hosts of the watery realm. Please come join us now and lend us your vicissitude in our rite." Nymue' brings forward from beneath a gossamer robe, an old glass vial. This is the remains of the ocean's tears she collected on her last trip to the shore. "Powers of Water, residing in the West, I pour this liquid in offering to you. Welcome to the circle. Blessed Be!"

Nymue' steps back to her place to await...



...With the corners having been called, Johnathan makes his way to the center of the circle. On his left walks a tall bear with golden fur, to his right a bear with fur as black as night. Johnathan Walks slowly his head hung, his facial features hidden behind the dark cowl of his robe. Once he reaches the center he pauses, kneels to the ground leans forward and kisses the Earth beneath his feet. He then returns to a standing position. The two bears sit and face him, their heads lifted toward the sky. Suddenly Johnathan snaps his up toward the sky and removes the Cowl in one swift moment. As he does so a shaft of moonlight, falls upon his face, illuminating his features. He lifts his arms up in praise and begins to sing:

"Great Goddess, You who are known by a thousand names and faces by a thousand different people; Maiden of the dancing waves and glittering stars; Mother from whose womb all life was birthed; Wise Woman of secrets and universal mysteries; You who dwell within all; bring forth all your love to manifest upon those gathered here today. Watch over this sacred circle, keeping negative energies at bay, insuring that harm may come to none. Join us now, oh Lady, that we may honor Thee. Blessed Be."

Johnathan then produces a candle lights it and places it upon the altar. This having been done, he and his companions retreat to the rim of the circle...



...Owl slowly walks to the center of the Circle, smiling broadly at Jonathan. She looks deeply into his eyes, and quietly begins to chant:

"Horned One, Strong One, Lover, Son, and Sage Dancing with the Goddess through the living Age Cernunnos, Osiris, Mythros, Thor and Pan Weaving in the Circle, the essence of a Man."

Three times the Chant repeats. And Owl lifts her arms and eyes to the sky. In the silence she calls out, "Father, Son, Lover, Sage; by all names known, we ask that you join us here within the Circle of Friends who honor you in all your forms."

Then placing her hands on the shoulders of Jonathan, Owl gives him a gentle kiss - and whispers, "Thou art God." And steps back to the Circle to wait...



...until Red Deer returns to the ancient juniper which serves as their altar. Gnarled she is, with many fine branches for hanging offerings upon and a trunk which in some breadth runs almost horizontally across the rock before winding up to the sky.

"Sister," Deer addresses the old one whom he has known for many years and more than a few rituals, "we are gathered. Mothers and Fathers, Grandmothers and Grandfathers," he says, lastly adding with a mischievous grin, "and more than a few Children yet." Then, addressing the vastness beneath, above and about them he intones, "We ask You, our Lady and Lord - in which ever of Your myriad forms You take for each of us this moon - to hear and grant the petitions we bring before You, according to Your will. So mote it be."

Deer moves back to his place in circle, silently sending to Owl a kiss and the thought "Indeed, and thou art God as well sister, or Goddess," then looks to the first petitioner...



...Ocean steps forward, a small well worn brass disk in her hand, etched into it's surface, the number 764, and places it upon the altar. "Thank you for your message, it has been received, help me to understand it's meaning, to come to terms finally with all the weight it carries with it.

She stands for a moment in the candle light and intones silently a single word, and steps back...



...Johnathan once again returns to the altar, the two bears still at his side, but this time he has a firm grip on the two creatures, as though using them as crutches. He stumbles to the center of the circle, his eyes sagging, his face flushed, his mind appearing to come in and out of consciousness.

He finally makes it to the center of the circle and drops to his knees. He opens his voice to speak, but cannot. He hangs his head and begins to make simple gestures with his hand, yet their meanings seem to jump into the air as though they were spoken words.

"Lord and Lady, the cycle again has come once again. From frailty to strength, from sickliness to health. The signs have been there for some time, but now it is to late. I ask you now the aid me through this time of frailty and sickness. For now you are in my life, as then you were not. My mind grows weak with each passing hour. My thoughts become jumble, my words incoherent. See me speedily through this period of decay, so that I may soon be strong in your light."

Johnathan tries to stand once again, but collapses. Unconscious from the energy he has expended, The bears gather Johnathan up and carry him outside the circle to rest...



...Maureen watches as the breath of those around her turns to clouds that rise above their heads in the chill of the night. She feels such a deep peace within her spirit on this evening and she savors the clarity that comes with this state of being.

She awaits her turn and then steps forward and offers a handful of raisins and caraway seeds and places them before the altar. Raising her head she prays:

"Please accept this offer in appreciation for all the gifts I have been given in this life, the easy lessons and the more difficult lessons too {s}. I select this gift to offer you as it strongly connects me to my Mother whose presence I have sensed for the first time since her passing to Summerland. I welcome this woman's presence and hope she will visit again soon."

Bowing her head, Maureen feels the energy within the Circle prickling at her senses causing a shiver to run through her body as she again takes a moment to appreciate all that has come her way, including finding herself among such a wonderful group. And she returns from whence she came...



...Cloud slips quietly to the altar/tree, and gazes at the beaming moon through the gnarly branches as she reaches into her capacious pockets for - well, actually, it's Santa Claus on a bike, a small yule ornament of unknown origins, for a friend whose favorite Godform is the Claus, for the strength and energy - enough for a bike ride- that he hopes soon to regain. Cloud hangs the bikin' bearded one on a low branch, and as she smiles at the effect catches - is it a wink from the Goddess, through the moon? And Her smile follows Cloud back to her place in the circle...



...Norda blinks back surprised tears of joy in finding herself once again in Circle with old friends long absent and new ones just waiting to be met. This setting is one unfamiliar to her, but a very comforting one - rocks, hills, outcroppings of the bones of our Mother, capped over by extraordinary sky. Norda has brought nothing but herself to the Circle this Moon; her needs have become very simple of late. "Mother, I thank you for the good things in my life and ask as always help with the difficult things to manage - patience and anger.

"You've stood me well - I just need to listen more closely. Thank you for all those here, for the space and time we share. Blessed Be to all..."



...Nymue' steps forward once more. It is heartwarming to see the trust and love of so many gathered here. Her mind has been elsewhere of late - on a student of hers. A bright young girl not yet 16, frightened and confused. Wandering in a world of uncertainties. "Mother it is for this child, I ask your help. She has run away, she trusts enough to call me and assure me she is safe, but I hear the frightened child in her voice. She wants so much to be a women and care for herself, but the little girl in her knows she's not ready. Guide me, Blessed Lady. Show me the way to reach out and help her. Help me bring her home safely."

Nymue' steps back to her place and looks to her brother Red Deer...



...Phoenix, shy and unsure brings herself forth; the Goddess shines down and smiles upon all of the love sent through out her children. I now know that there are many thing that I can do with my magic. And that I have the strength to do them. I see the goddess smiles upon this place, warm full of light, and comforting place. Just like a new born in their first blanket. I like this I just want to thank all of you for the welcome you gave me, the inspiration and the "zaps" I needed to do my first circle and my and my first major weaving. Blessed be and Thanks...



...Seeing the petitions completed - except one - Red Deer returns to the juniper. He agilely weaves himself among the limbs, moving in to hug the aged trunk. The wind brings to those gathered a long "screeeeeeeeeeeee," though whether of falcons rising over the canyon rim or from that center of their circle none may easily determine. Stepping back, Deer raises his arms to the night. "Mother and Father, for myself, I ask that You hold my wife and our youngest especially close while I am away from them. A moon hence shall I stand physically in this spot, with our eldest and introduce her again to You and Father, but for the first time here in the heart of the desert. Grant hearing to the petitioners gathered this moon, and facilitate the meeting of their needs - as is Your will, so mote it be..."

Red Deer lowers his arms, then removes a mermaid's purse - found upon a beach almost a continent away this very moon - hung upon a leather thong from about his neck. "Sister, another gift of far away oceans I leave for you this moon - in grateful appreciation that you have again joined our circle and been our altar," he says hanging the small black pouch and then retrieving his silver pentagram. For a moment, just where the amulet had hung, Deer spies the shadow of a sea star left here years hence. "May the bond between us again be strengthened - for wearing this I shall often think of you."

Facing each of the cardinal points in turn, Red Deer chants: "Grandmother Earth - bosom of growth, concealer in death - we sprang from your womb and to you we shall return. We thank you for joining us this moon and for forming our very bodies. Father Sky - bearer of light and darkness, shaper of winds - we stand in awe of the vistas you encompass, above us, among us and *here* below us. We thank you for joining our circle this moon and for holding our minds and hearts still, yet dancing, within these mighty vistas. Grandfather Fire - eye of summer, giver of light and warmth - we apperceive your season of strength. We thank you for joining us this moon and for kindling heart and mind. Mother River - bringer of life, shaper of worlds - we feel you always, even here in the desert. We thank you for joining our circle this moon and for infusing flesh and blood with life. We invite each of you, stay if you will and join our celebration, or go your merry way knowing that we appreciate you each." To those gathered, he simply states, "That power from our Mother which has risen in you and not been used this eve, return to Her with all thanks and good will," and places his palms squarely down on the rock upon which they stand.

After a long moment, Deer straightens and then moves about their circle, warmly embracing each celebrant gathered, before returning to his place. He turns again towards the juniper and chants:

"Gratitude to Mother Earth, sailing through night and day and to Her soil: rich, rare and sweet in our minds so mote it be."

"Gratitude to Plants, the sun-facing light-changing leaf and fine root hairs; standing still through wind and rain; their dance is in the flowing spiral grain in our minds so mote it be."

"Gratitude to Air, bearing the soaring Swift and the silent Owl at dawn. Breath of our song clear spirit breeze in our minds so mote it be."

"Gratitude to Wild Beings, our sisters teaching secrets freedoms and ways; who share with us their milk; self-complete, brave and aware in our minds so mote it be."

"Gratitude to Water, clouds, lakes, rivers, glaciers; holding or releasing; streaming through all our bodies' salty seas in our minds so mote it be."

"Gratitude to the Sun: blinding pulsing light through trunks of trees, through mists, warming caves where bears and snakes sleep - he who wakes us - in our minds so mote it be."

"Gratitude to the Great Sky who holds all the stars - and goes yet beyond that - beyond all powers and thoughts and is yet within us - In our minds so mote it be."

"Our circle is open but unbroken," Red Deer declares and, after a widdershins turn around the island including a silent stop at each of the four quarters, leads the line of celebrants to a southwestern feast lain upon the ground among the pinyon pines and juniper at the side of a roaring fire. There for all are fry bread with honey; blue corn chips and salsa (mild or searing to the individual's gustatory delight), chilis and habaneros; and thick, hearty chili (five alarm, at least but magickally tolerable to all and bringing inner warmth to match that outer provided by the fire). Pitchers of clear water wait at every turn, with strong earthenware mugs at hand. "Feast and be merry, friends. Enjoy the moon, and the sky filled with more stars than you'll likely see any where or any when else. They, too, are part of the magick of this place. Tonight is the last moon of Winter and Spring is close upon us."