Susan had come early to the bluff, to spend some time with the spirits before the rest of the circle arrived. After the long trip from Texas, across miles of August prairie and oceans of burgeoning wheat, she needed some time to relax, refresh, and reconnect with the spirits of the land. Tonight, from near and far, they would come to share fellowship and healing and joy. Before then, she needed to come back into herself for a bit.

She had chosen this spot because she always felt more connected to herself, to her roots, to her earth and her gods here. A softly sloping bluff overlooking the Missouri River Valley, where Lewis and Clark had their first view of the magnificent Dakota floodplain all those years ago. It was here, not so *very* long ago, that Susan had first really listened to the Coyotes cry and understood what they said. It was here that she had sat and for the first time felt the spirits creep up to her elbow, stroke her hair, speak to her in a way that she could never describe but which she felt she had always known, in a language that was more real than any of the sounds produced by human tongue and throat.

It was here she had run for comfort from a thousand childhood and early adulthood hurts, and it was here she returned to share her joys with the spirits of the land. She wanted to bring her friends here, to experience the love and the healing she had always found here.

The prairie grass waves ankle-high, softly browned by months in the sun. A faint odor of baking bread wafts on the breeze as the sun begins to go down; the grass parching in the sun, getting ready to give its seeds to the winds so that life can spring anew when winter's snows have passed. The bluff is the highest point for miles around, and in each direction Susan can see forever -- miles and miles. To the west, the Mighty Missouri arches along its meandering pathway, silver and gentle and wise. As night descends the damp smell of the river mingles with the baking grasses, creating a perfume that is uniquely Dakota.

To the north is a small stand of pines, planted there by chance and maintained by some enterprising farmer for years. Ponderosas, they change from green to blue to black in the fading sunlight, momentarily lit purple and ocher by the spectacular prairie sunset.

Susan sits and watches the sun sink over the river, the sky a peacock explosion of light. As the last light fades,she knows it is time to get to work.

She turns her attention to the avenue and circle of torches she and Erik have set up earlier in the day. Slowly, sacramentally, they light the wicks, first on the torches that form the path,then on the circle torches themselves. They are bright in the blue-black prairie night.

A Coyote watches from the underbrush, not getting too close, but coming in close enough that he can see all the action. The nightbirds and crickets begin their evening songs. Erik finds a soft place to sit and begins softly drumming on the djembe, a gently hearbeat to call the spirits and friends who will share the circle.

They have built a small fire in the center of the circle, which they will light when the others arrive. A small pine stump serves as altar. Susan places on it a thick braid of sweetgrass, an earthenware dish of salt, a chalice of ocher-red clay, and the candles -- Green for the lady, Red for her Lord, and a fat blue one for healing.

"Great Spirit.." she says "May we please you and all those Relations who attend tonight. May it be done in beauty."

She lights a sage stick and carefully smudges herself. Then she walks around the circle, saying,

"I create this space between the worlds. This circle, this sacred hoop, this is a place apart from time and space. In this space we stand before the Gods, and they before us. By Air and Fire, I charge the circle. May all who enter find power and strength here."

Susan places the smudge in an abalone shell and takes up the chalice. She takes up the salt and sprikles some in,with a little sage oil. She walks the circle once more.

"By Earth and Water, I purify this circle. May all who enter here find peace and connection, may their Hoops swirl unbroken when they leave here."

The second round completed, Susan puts the chalice on the altar. She begins to move around the circle once more, giving herself to the rythm of the drum, the music of the prairie. She moves easily in the black leotard and bright purple skirt she has chosen, and the tiny bells and shells around her ankles tinkle with her movements. She moves once more around the circle, saying,

"By my Spirit I cast this circle. I call forth the spirits of the land, or my Relations, to be here with me. May all who enter find joy and fellowship here."

As she dances past the north, Susan sees Wolf, steadfast and sure, within the pines. The East brings a flutter of wings and the wisdom of Eagle. In the South she glimpses laughing Coyote, and in the West the Thunderbeings wait.

"Welcome, All My Relations. Hetch ehtu aloh."

The drum echoes softly down the river valley as Susan waits for...

…Kashana walks sedately up the torch lit pathway. She hasever been this far west and is tremendously touched bythe sights and sounds of the great plateau that is before her. She see Susan standing bidding her welcome on this joyous night.

Already Kashana can feel the spirits of earth and air as she moves with slow stately steps towards the northern point of the circle.

The drum beats bring a tempo to her thoughts as she composes herself for the calling.

"We call this night upon the spirits of the North
Old man sorcerer, The guardian of night
Black is the colour by which we perceive thee
Hear us now! Come now among us.
Wrap us closely in thy blanket of power and protection.
view these procedings, and let your presence be felt by those who enter this circle."

She turns now and bows to the center towards the wooden altar and sees that Susan is caught up in the spirit of the drumming. Kashana is content. she gatheres around her her light cloak and waits...

…With the surprising rain of the past few days, Annie had lost track of the days of the week. While Goddess would understand if she marked this Moon with continued work in her garden, Susan would not. She had promised to join this new Sister and many friends as the Moon came full, and so she would.

The journey had seemed part of another Annie was taking at this time and she measured the miles not in numbers but in the changes as she passed from wet Eastern landscape, through an area of mountains on to the wide plains. A slight grumble in her belly got Annie to wishing that maybe Susan had thought to bring her some tamales from Texas - not the commercial chain brand mind you, but from one of those little storefronts where you buy them by the dozen. Annie put the pedal to the metal at the thought.

Most everyone had arrived by the time Annie found the parking area, and as she made her way up the bluff she kicked off her shoes and put them in her Felix bag. Though the torch lit path was a bit rocky in places, she wanted to feel the ground against her bare feet, to get a soul sense of the land. What she found is that each last step seemed to bridge the next step in a continuous flow towards the circle. The intoxicating fragrance of the prairie grasses releasing the day's heat into the moist night air cleared her thoughts of anything but this place. It was no wonder that Susan loved it so. She wished for this young woman many such journeys in her lifetime.

Standing in the circle, Annie focused as Susan designed a hoop of sacred space. And when it was her turn she approached the Eastern quarter with a quiet spirit. She had planned a different call, but time had not allowed her to complete the words; perhaps she would share later.

Annie had not known how difficult the hike would be to the circle, and so had worn jeans and a green T-shirt. Over her shoulders she had draped a feather mantle. Only the first and second row of feathers had actually been attached to her deerskin, but in itself that was right. She carried to the East a yellow flag attached to a Pine staff. Before placing it she swept the spot with a small bunch of Broom, from the same plant she had used to dye the flag. She raised it to the East saying:

Those of the East, of Dawn and unending promise bringing hope
Those of the East, of soft breezes on gentle dreams sounding future
Those of the East, of clear sight that cut the darkness ending confusion
Those of the East, advocates of new beginnings inspiring acceptance...
Those of the East, with the power of vulnerability creating potential
Those of the East, of flight and courageous seeking ending fear

Be with us now...

...and Annie cast the petals of Broom into the air to raise the winds. She placed the Staff into the ground binding it in a ring of rocks to secure it. The wind caught the flag like a sail raised to propel a vessel home.

She returned to the circle to wait for...

...Red Deer, still in awe of the prairie summer, makes his way to the altar. His movement given away only by the ring of bells, Deer pauses before taking up the sage smudge - captivated by this juxtaposition of the four elements as thick air emanates from the firing of an earth spirit lain with the sea shell. Then, whirling the stick thrice about him Deer takes in the sweet smell and whispers a quiet thank you to the myriad of crickets who lift their songs high into the night.

Turning South, Deer moves to the Watchtower. The sigil of fire he limns in the air before him, silently assigning that space to its watcher.

"Coyote laughing in the moonlit shadows,
hidden being of bright flame
guardian of the heart of summer
denizen of the South and keeper of its fires,
I invite you now to ward our southern quarter.
Dance within and about this sign I've drawn,
lighten the hearts of all who join our circle,
and lend the energy of your passions to our rite.
In beauty, be here now!"

Following a brief communion with the southern spirits, Deer lets forth a deep belly laugh - although any listening might as well have heard Coyote himself baying at our Mother - then gleefully returns to his place among the circle of friends and looks to...

…Shae stepped out of the shadows from where he had been watching the preceedings. He moved with a flowing representation of the Quarter and Element he was to call. As he passed his gather friends, he greeted each. He made his way to the Western quarted of the circle and then stopped. Raising his arm with his eyes closed, he breathed deeply and slowly, feeling the energies that ebbed and flowed within the circle already and added a bit of his own. He opened his mouth to speak and his tenor voice flowed:

I call on ye, Guardians of the watchtowers of the West, stir and witness this rite. Protect our circle. Powers of the element of water, fill us with love for all. Naelyon, send us your blessing.

Shae then took his place among his friends and waits...

…Nymue' steps forward in a gossamer robe. Summer blossoms in her hair, silver bells lightly jingle with each step. Lighting a large white pillar she looks skyward;

"Gracious Goddess, Brightest Lady,
Thine is the skill of the Fairy Women,
Thine is the virtue of Bridget the calm,
Thine is the faith of Danu the mild,
Thine is the tact of the women of Kildare,
Thine is the beauty of Emir the fair,
Thine is the tenderness of Darthula delightful,
Thine is the courage of Maebh the strong,
Thine is the charm of Binne-bheul.
You who are Queen of the Gods
The lamp of night The creator of all that is wild and free;
Mother of women and men Lover of the Horned God, protectress of all,
Descend, I pray, With your lunar ray of power
Upon your circle of children here!"

Nymue' bows her head to take a personal moment with The Lady... then returns to her place to wait...

…TygerMoon Foxx moves into the circle supported on either side by two people at least five years younger than herself: the one tall and spindly with the roses not yet back in her cheeks and the aura of illness recently endured but not yet passed and the other tall and dark with the coltish gate of adolescence and deep amber eyes that seem to fill with the luminescence of the full moon or perhaps tender adoration for the womanly figure that is Tyger. She caresses each atop the head and then moves into the circle through the sweet prairie grass under her own power.

The sky blue robe with its darker blue sleeves, so like the Dakota sky in late summer just before the rain comes, is cast aside and there she stands in naked elegance to the north where she sings an old, old song that has called the Lord Cernunnos to her in many circles passed. The music is hypnotic and driving, commanding gracefulness and rhythm and compelling those who wish to dance with her. Somewhere half way through the song comes the pounding of a bodrhan and the lilt of a set of Irish pipes. She sings, courting him, cajoling him, enticing him into circle:

"Green Man, come to me
come to me, my lover be
Green Man, come to me
come to me, my lover be.

Oak and elder ash and thorn
bless me with your sacred horns
Green Man, come to me
come to me, my lover be."

To which a voice seems to resound from the stars themselves, sending a ripple across the dry prairie grass:

"I am here, my maiden fair
I am the wisdom if you dare
I am the blood flowing through all things
I am the harvest and the food it brings
I am one you salute with the sword
I am the one that you call Lord
Oak and elder ash and thorn
with you I would dance until the morn."

Exhausted but happy she could make the circle after all, TygerMoon drops back into the arms of her lovers and waits to see what else will transpire…

…In awe of the power reverberating through the circle -- was it just her imagination, or were the prairie grasses full of drums and rattles? -- Susan moves forward to the altar. She takes up a stick from the fire, lighting it over the candles of the Lady and the Lord. She holds the brand up for a moment, presenting it to the sky. Then she lays it in the center of the pile of kindling. The wood and prairie grass catches easily.

"Welcome, Great Spirit!" she calls. Then she takes up the fat blue candle and three hematite stones wrapped round with silver. "We ask your healing guidance and healing this night for Tyger, for Vicki, for Simmie, and for all of us. We charge this candle with healing energy for all of us, and for those who are not present. The stones we charge with healing for Tyger, Vicki,and Simmie."

She holds the candle for a moment, then the charms. Then she walks to Kashana at the North point and hands her both candle and stones, whispering, "Put a good thought into these, then pass them on."

Let's pass these around. The circle is also open for other petitions.

EarthChild stands in the prairie grass, marveling at the beautiful land. She steps forward, charges the candle with healing energies and says,"May Vicki and TygerMoon Foxx both find the healing they need. I also ask for healing for myself, as I have been fighting an infection for the last week and a half. May healing happen for all who need it."

She takes a stone. She holds it aloft in the moonlight. "I give my heart felt thanks for the answers and gifts given in response to last months petition. I have discovered love, healing and happiness that I have only dreamed of. I cannot express the depths to which I am thankfull." With tears in her eyes, she gazes at the full moon. She says in parting, "I wish that all those here, and especially my husband, can find the same joys that I have discovered."

EarthChild steps back into the circle and waits...

…Star Dragon steps up to the alter. the dark maroon hareems make a slight swishing noise as he walks. as he kneels before the alter he touches his forehead, his lips, and over his heart saying lightly," mind, body and soul as one." he then crosses himself and says " in the name of the father, son and the great Earth mother please hear me."

standing he takes the candle for healing for a moment. "may the healing come to those that need it. Lord and Lady first i must thank you for all that i have. i have a wonderful, loving wife." he winks to EarthChild. "two happy and healthy children. i life though not easy is still far better than could be. for these i thank you."

"i would ask for help in several things. may the other that has maid my wife so happy find the job he seeks so that he can stay in the area. may my uncle finally get the backing he needs for his business. not only would it help the environment it would also help my mother. may i find the relief from the stress in my job."

" guide us to do what is right and best even though it may not be easy. thanks."

he bows to the alter. turns and bows deeply to everyone in the circle. then goes back to stand next to his wife…

...Arcadia steps forward, and salutes the altar. It has been many years since she has smelled the wonderous scents of the open prairies. Holding the candle aloft, she charges it with her own healing energies, then turns to TygerMoon, and offers a soft smile. Again, turning back to the altar, Arcadia lifts her face to the night sky.

"Gracious Mother, I express to you, my heartfelt thanks, for the soft gentle passing of my mother earlier this month. When I think of how she could of lingered and suffered with the cancer, I cringe inside. But you have blessed me with such a beautiful family, that answered my call, and helped my mother to pass peacefully in the embrace of their loving energies.

As she dances with you now Mother, My heart is filled with peace."

As Arcadia leaves the circle's csnter, she first stops to embrace Owl, and Red Deer, Elenya, and Meli, LadyGrn, Flidias, and all the others that answered her call. "I love you so very much" she whispers to each, and then returns to her place in Circle…

…TygerMoon stays where she has fallen and notes that both lovers have disappeared into the shadows. She does not sense them and knows that they have withdrawn, the light one forever the dark one in confusion. She does not disrupt the proceedings in the main circle but lets the tears slide to the prairie grass. Only the grass might hear her murmurrings, low as the wind in the prairies from which she originally came.

"Please...I have heard your arguments and seen your visions. Please, stop playing with me. Either let me gain a solid, happy life and keep it or take me out of the cycle. You have told me that I would never suffer more than I can handle. I have suffered enough. Even you who power the Wheel could not agree and there are those among you who think I have had enough. I tell you as your child, I HAVE HAD ENOUGH."

TygerMoon pauses to let the tears clear and presses her heart to the earth. "Listen, you who created and guided me. It is _broken_ and I cannot, cannot bear the pain. Please, if you will not end this then send me some small solace. Do not return me to those who would make me tear down my altar, put away my books, and attend church. Do not force me to take up the life of one who accepts money for pleasure. Do not allow me to remove myself from the cycle.

"I have used up all that I have caring for the ones who have withdrawn...give me something on which to build, a solid foundation that will not crumble."

TygerMoon sighs softly and whispers, "I do not wish to be alone but I do not wish to keep giving my heart to those who would take it and other favors in the name of love and then discard me. Help me to find enough love within myself to ignore the cruel comments which have been made by my former lovers. I want to know what true love is, one being for another in spite of faults and snarls and medical problems. There is one who might be such if we could see ourselves clearly. Help us to SEE clearly [I had permission for that part of the petition] beyond the doubt that the other has cast on us."

And so the tears, like a silver river, fall to the ground in benediction and mute appeal…

…fairy moon steps up to the alter buterflies in her stomach since this is the first time in an open circle with others she looks up at the moon and calmness fills her .she looks upon the praire and sees the glosomer wings of her fairy friends as they watch in observance . she places her hand upon the the healing candle and lets the healing energy flow into it " Great mother and lord fill this candle with with love and comfort for all those in need of your healing power. i also ask of you to protect your sons and daughters of this circleso the know more joy and less hardships." fairymoon pauses for a moment places the candle back upon the alter looks at the moon in all its radient glory a tear falls from her eye as she can feel the supportive power of the circle she returns to her place in the circle…

…Inhaling deeply of the prairie grass and loving every minute to revel in the energy and love in the circle, Sherry moves to the altar and lights a beautiful candle she found at a candle shop. She holds it aloft to the beautiful moon and says...

Lady of the Moon, blessed Mother Divine
Bestow on us your blessings as we enter this circle.
May the light and glorious love fill us.
O Glorious Goddess.
O Gracious God,
You who have created all that is:
Help me participate in this ritual
In Your honor
At the time of the full moon.

…Sherry bows her head slowly to inhale the energy and to collect her thoughts for this has been a tremendously exhausting journey. Lifting her head and tears in her eyes, she speaks...Thank you Goddess for the peaceful passing of my grandmother 2 weeks ago and thank you that I participated in her last moments. I petition You Oh loving Goddess for your aide in taking care of my grandfather as he travels his last days. May I remember that this is but a passing into a new life. I especially want to petition for healing and love for Vicki and TygerMoon and Simmi, bestow your full light upon them. May the energy and love surround them and heal them. As a last petition , something personal and somewhat selfish, I ask for your blessing for my lonely life. Not to be filled only by a man, but to find meaningful and lasting relationships to spark that life in me of the outside.....my heart aches for companionship (thank you for those 3 sons though).

Thanking the Goddess and God, Sherry moves slowly to her place in the circle, enjoying the night air and breathing in peace and to wait...

…Sunspider arrives feeling late to the circle, her moccasins dusty from the long journey. She carries a bundle of dried yarrow flowers in one hand. She closes her eyes and breathes in deeply, filling herself with the rhythm of the drum, the scent of smudge and prairie air, and the energies gathered here. She feels the presence of her mother's love (and the orange&white VW van) who took her across Dakota so many years ago. Her body is nearly vibrating as the energy flows through her, and she steps up to the altar. "Great Spirit, Blessed Lady and Lord, I am here today feeling blessed and thankful, for my soul-brother and lover have returned to me. The last two years I have been so much alone and shed so many tears. But in that solitude I have found my strength and learned to love myself. I have found my spirit's path and have learned to love others as they are instead of who I wish them to be. You have also blessed me with another daughter to show me the beauty of life. I stand at yet another crossroads, wondering which way to turn. For this I ask your guidance and vision, to do what is best for myself and all those I love." Sunspider places the yarrow bundle on the altar. "Please accept these herbs as a symbol of healing and love for us all." She places her hands on either side of the blue candle and sends her own energy into it. "For TygerMoonFoxx, I ask that you send her the same strength and healing you have given me. Help her find her will to survive, and the courage to meet each day as a new beginning." Her petition complete, Sunspider turns and takes her place in the circle…

…fairy moon steps up to the alter buterflies in her stomach since this is the first time in an open circle with others she looks up at the moon and calmness fills her .she looks upon the praire and sees the glosomer wings of her fairy friends as they watch in observance . she places her hand upon the the healing candle and lets the healing energy flow into it " Great mother and lord fill this candle with with love and comfort for all those in need of your healing power. i also ask of you to protect your sons and daughters of this circleso the know more joy and less hardships." fairymoon pauses for a moment places the candle back upon the alter looks at the moon in all its radient glory a tear falls from her eye as she can feel the supportive power of the circle she returns to her place in the circle…

…Not really knowing how to begin, I speak and let the words flow... "Goddess and God, Please protect the remaining cats on campus and allow for the clearing of the pagan name. I know that uninformed people would rather belame the cat disappearances on a so-called fringed group rather than admitting they don't know what is happening to the missing animals. Please send protection to both the cats and my fellow students... Thank you…"

…Amara, not really knowing how to ask for help, steps forward. " Goddess and God" she says quietly "Please grant me the strength to be able to talk to my best friend about our relationship and where it is heading, please help me with figuring out what my feelings are toward him. I thank you for all the gifts you have given me." As the tears of joy start rolling down her face Amara steps back to where she was sitting…

…fairy moon sits quietly back in the circle she ask for a the goddess and god for a blessing for all the children returning to school this year may they be spared any more violence in school . blessed be…

…Susan steps forward, after looking around to see if any other petitioners are making their way toward the altar. She doesnt want to do all the talking in this circle, or make it seem like she's "running" it, but her heart is so full and she has had so much to say this night. Having brought her friends and friends-to-be together in her sacred place, and having worked for her wounded sister, she now feels it is time to speak for herself.

She walks toward the altar and makes a circuit of the circle stopping to put her hand on TygerMoon's head for a moment. Then she comes back to the center.

From the pocket of her robe she produces one of her business cards.

"Dear Lord, Dear Lady," she says, slowly, "thank you for your gifts. Thank you for the joy and opportunities this new semester are bringing to me. I have one request, I hope a simple one, this full moon.

"Since I have reentered class this fall I realize how very unhappy I am in my current employment situation. There are organizational changes that I feel are detrimental to my job, changes that will not allow me to ply my special skills any longer. And so I seek another situation. I have found that there are opportunities at my University that will allow me to continue my education and also meet my financial needs and obligations. Please help me find the right situation for me. I pledge to do the legwork, to check the job postings, to do my best. I only ask for Your guidance to the appropriate position, and Your help in pursuing it.

"I cast away the negativity that surrounds my current employment situation. I will remain positive in my remaining time there, and will remain positive in my efforts to improve my situation.

"I ask that this work be complete, or at least well in progress, by Samhain, the new year."

Susan lights the corner of the card in the fire. She uses the flame to light a green pillar candle she has brought. The candle is annointed with patchouli and cinnamon, and gives off a spicy scent as she gets close to the fire.

"Stability, prosperity, creativity, so mote it be!" she cries, and Erik gives a fast roll on the drum from somewhere in the darkness.

…As the last of the petitioners returns to the circle, Susan quietly asks for everyone to join hands. When they have done so, she steps to the middle. Erik begins a slow hearbeat on the drum as the calls, "All my relations! All my friends! Lady, Lord, Elementals, and all the assembled spirits! We thank your for your presence in this Rite. Thank you for your gifts, your love, your guidance, your joy. Thank you for being here with us. Go if you must, stay if you will. Blessed Be!"

Slowly the drum picks up. Susan returns to her place, taking the hands of the friends on either side of her. She begins to move widdershins, to get the entire circle to move widdershins. They dance the circuit three times round. Then she motions everyone to kneel or sit, to ground the energy.

"The circle is open but unbroken! Merry meet, merry part, until we merry meet again!" As the last drumbeat resonates, a pack of coyotes begins to sing on the next bluff over.