Robin stands shyly by, a newcomer, desperately hoping someone will step forward and save her any embarrassment. But her tension and the time constraints get the better of her, and she strides up boldly. She has always stepped forward to take on tasks no one others would take. Every month for the past year at the Full Moon, she has collected different kinds of wood, and has started a blazing fire. Large logs have by now caught fire, and the flames leap into the air, shooting hot sparks rising up into the sky. She remembers fondly her dedication one year ago, and smiles to herself at the company of friends she welcomes at the last minute, faces unknown, but names which bring a smile to her face as she offers each a hug and a kiss on each cheek.

The setting is the mountains and woods of the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia. It is raining slightly, just damp enough to be chilly, and the humidity is very high. Nevertheless, the fire climbs higher and higher, with a slight hiss as the rain drops into the flames. A light fog rises from the ground, and various animals watch curiously from the dark recesses of the woods as the group assembles.

A makeshift altar has been set up, a large flat stone which holds a silver pentacle, a covered censer with incense still mysteriously smoking, despite the light drizzle. There is also a candle in a hurricane lamp, which protects the flickering flame from the precipitation, and a silver chalice filled with white Zinfandel, which seems to be getting close to overflowing. A large amethyst crystal is near the center.

Robin looks about nervously, still hoping a more experienced member may relieve her, but no one does. She raises her athame, and stands for a moment to ground and center herself. Starting to the North of the fire, and pointing it to the ground, she circles the fire widdershins.

" This circle is now cast, and as we approach Samhain, the turning of the Wheel where the veil between the worlds becomes its thinnest, we honor You, Our Mother, and Your Consort, with this ritual. Blessed Be!"

She turns to the North, and waits for someone to step forward to call the spirits of the North, She smiles as she sees someone step forward...

…Sunspider steps forward, baby Tehya in one arm, having traveled too far from her Minnesota home to leave her there. She places the baby in Fairymoon's arms, knowing they have fairy friends in common. She approaches the altar to give reverence to the Lady and Lord, and to her family members and many friends that have already passed beyond the veil.

She then removes the leather pouch filled with cornmeal from her waist and approaches the North, arms held high:

"Spirits of the North I call to you, powers of Earth, I summon you! Bring us the wisdom of the ancient ones, the strength of the buffalo, the courage of the wolf that hunts in winter. Bless us with your presence this night" She pours the contents of the pouch onto the ground as an offering to the Earth spirits and returns to retrieve the baby and to free the small fairy that is caught in her tightly gripped hand. The fairy flits up into the air, scolds little Tehya for holding her too tight, but darts down to kiss her nose in forgiveness before returning to her hiding place in Fairymoon's hair. They take their place in the circle and wait for...

…giggling at the antics of little Tehya and the fairy, Flidais steps forward to touch the altar lightly before moving to the east. Her hair is almost covered by the tiny bells and many-colored miniature feathers twined within it and the soft tinkling sound is soothing as she takes her place in the east. Raising her arms she takes a moment to sniff the air, so different from the smells at her home and smiling says

"Spirits of the East I call to you, powers of Air, I summon you! Let your winds move through our minds and raise our hearts so that we may become one with the life around us. Bring your caress to blow away old pain and release new hope. We are bound only by the limits of our imagination. Ward this circle with your presence tonight."

lowering her arms, Flidais pulls one feather loose and releases it as the wind starts to blow around the circle. Immediately a low buzzing sound can be heard as hundreds of hummingbirds dart around everyone and it becomes obvious where the feathers in Flid's hair came from. They caress all with their bright wings and where they have touched there is left nothing but joy and open hearts. That is the message Hummingbird brings, the only bird that has seen fit to come to Flidais as guide but one she is eager to learn from. Turning she can't help but laugh at the giggling and the smiles on the faces around her and returns to her place to await...

…As she steps late to the altar, windwalker wipes the last of sleep from her eyes. Having worked last night she finds she almost missed this wonderful casting, brought by such caring people. She stands at the altar and centers and as she does her form shimmers and changes. Slowly a covering of white feathers covers her form and she raises her arms to the air. She feels the wind, smells the earth that surrounds her. In the trees the eyes of her companions show clearly in the bright moonlight, the Wolf with his strength, the Owl with her wisdom and the Raven who guides her to the other planes...and she begins:

"Spirits of the South, here stands your daughter Whitehawke. I call upon the powers of fire. I beseech the keepers of the white spirit to guide us. Let the passion of your being flow through us, encourage us, renew our failing hopes and guard us now in our endeavors."

Whitehawke steps back from the altar and brings her arms together and as she does her form shimmers. Gathering back into herself she turns and looks to those around her. Unfamiliar and yet familiar. The crisp air fills her lungs, she stands to gather in the light of the moon above and catches the faint smell of a fireplace in the distance. Then windwalker steps to her place in the circle and turns to the west for...

With a smile and a wink at the others, she smoothes a few hummingbird feathers into her hair and moves forward, drawn to the altar by the flickering inner fire of the amethyst. Gently she runs her fingers over its smooth surface, now slick with rainwater. Impulsively, she unclips the shimmering blue topaz from her necklace and places it next to the amethyst. Next, from a deep pocket in her robe, she removes a handful of fresh gardenia blossoms and scatters them over the altar, allowing them to float and rest where they may. Breathing deeply of their sweet, heady scent, she heads round the circle to the west, scattering more flowers as she walks.

From another deep pocket in her robe, she removes a small, handmade drum and sets it at her feet. Standing still for a moment she turns her face upward, arms open wide to the sky. She smiles and relaxes, tasting sweet rainwater on her lips. Warmly she greets the spirits saying, "Hail to you, friendly guardians of the west ~ keepers of water and place of the setting sun. We call upon your aid this night to shelter our sacred wheel as we celebrate the fullness of our Mother. With your presence let us be renewed by the flowing waters and so be reborn in spirit."

Out of the stillness the rain quickens for a brief moment, pattering happily on the drum and dancing among the petals. Feeling the cool rainwater wash over her, she turns to face the circle and smiles again at everyone, waiting for...

…Petalla steps out from her place in the circle, walks around the circle smiling at each of the members. The steps into the center of the circle and raises her arms as if trying to catch each raindrop in her open hands, and spread the clouds apart so the full moon can light our joyous circle. "Sister Moon, I call upon you to grace this loving (but wet) circle with your presence. Enchanted Lady, Silver Huntress We wish to give you Thanks and Praises Mistress of Mysteries, I Invoke Thee Hail and Welcome!!!!!!!!!!!!! She takes the Silver Chalice and offers a sip of the wine to the Goddess, replaces it on the alter and steps back into her place...

…Celeste Andre steps forward from the shadows dressed in linen slacks and a peasant shirt and a dark green velvet vest. S/he approaches the altar as her male self. S/he stands facing the altar with her legs solidly rooted to the ground and raises his arms out to the side and then across his chest feeling the power of the One-who-is-known-as-the- god coursing through his body. S/he raises his head to the dark blue sky with his red hair surrounding his face like a mane glowing in the firelight and greets the God by saying:

"Oh Father God, Great Spirit, Loki, Pan, Cernunnos, Lugh, and Mabon, I greet Thee and ask for your presence in this moontime gathering as we come together as community. I ask for your guidance and wisdom as well as your playfulness in this late time of harvests and preparations for our New Year Celebrations coming later this moontime."

S/he lowers his head and arms and he has pulls a dark blue candle out of a pocket in the vest and lights it and places it on the altar. She smiles to greet those gathered around and steps back into his place in the circle and awaits...

…The circle has been cast, the Quarters called, and the Lady and the Lord have been invoked. The bonfire is burning brightly, and glowing eyes watch curiously from the shadows. The light drizzle has ceased, and the clouds parted to reveal the Full Moon in all Her Glory. There is an aqua-blue ring around the Moon, and She is brightly shining down on all the participants, welcoming and blessing them with Her Light.

The circle is now open for petitions to the Lady and Lord.

So Mote It Be!…

…Susan steps forward into the center of the circle. She winks and Robin and mouths, "great job," then turns her attention to the altar. the drizzle forms little drops on her bronze hair and bare shoulders, and the breeze ruffles the eggplant-purple silk skirt that swishes from her waist to her ankles. She savors the squishy feeling of wet grass between her toes, and her ankle bells tinkle softly as she approaches.

From the front of the black sports bra she wears, Susan produces a clear quartz crystal and some tobacco. She places both on the altar.

"Lady, Lord," she calls to the moon, "many changes have come my way since I set work in motion two moons past. I thank you for the courage to leave my unhealthy employment situation. I feel free for the first time in two years. Help me put aside any fears I have for my financial stability in the wake of this change. Thank you for leading Erik to a better paying job, which facilitated my leaving PDI. Thank you for the wonderful friends and coworkers who stood by me and offered me their love and support while I made the decision and the change. Accept this herb as a token of my thanks."

Susan touches the tobacco lightly, then takes up the crystal.

"My request this moon is simple. I ask only for your help in refinding myself, the person I was before I became lost in the misery and soullessness of that job. I am working hard to rediscover my creative side, to find that peaceful place that I used to be in. May you help light the way when it is obscured."

Susan holds up the crystal, letting the moonlight flood it, then places it back in the front of her top, cradled over her heart. She steps back into the circle and waits for...

...EarthChild steps from the circle. The cold wind blows her newly short hair, and the lavender silk dress she wears. She is somber as she approaches the altar.

As she lights a candle and looks into the flame, she begins to speak.

"Lord and Lady, it has been a rough few weeks. I am trying to learn long suppressed abilities and to use my abilities to their fullest. Help me to use them for the greatest good, and to their fullest capacity. I have shed so many tears in the last week. Emotionally, so much has been going on. I am trying to come to peace with myself. To learn what it is I really want, and to have the courage to bring that about. I am trying to find the happiness within myself.

I am also trying to deal with a health issue that is at the heart of my weight problem and seeming inability to conceive thus far. Lord and Lady, give me the strength and perseverance to work through these things. Help me to bring about the changes I desire in my life. So will it be."

Thus said, she looks around at the faces new and old. She see's friends that she has made, and wishes them all the very best. EarthChild steps back to her place in the circle...knowing that she is never alone...and waits until...

…Morgan rises from her place and after flashing a quick smile to her friends, approaches the altar, where she lays fragrant herbs and a fat purple eggplant that she has seeded and nurtured herself. Her long straight blonde hair, pearled by the recent misty rain and glowing in the moonlight, blows slightly in the breeze, as does her voluminous warm black robe, worn in anticipation of much cooler weather than she is used to in Arizona. She raises her face and her arms to the glowing moon and says:

"Lady and Lord, I thank you for the special blessings you have bestowed upon my family and me which we requested at the last full moon. We have accomplished much, but have far to go, and I ask for your continued assistance in our time of need.

I also ask for your special blessings upon my eldest daughter, who is desperately in need of wisdom and maturity to be better able to act as a productive and positive person. May she come in time to realize and make amends for her errors.

My last request is that you continue to grant favors and blessings to all those gathered here tonight, and those members of this group who are not present. May you also continue to grant also, in this week before Samhain, continued knowledge and tolerance to those who do not walk our path but desire to learn more of it."

Morgan slowly retreats once more to her place in the circle, and watches...

…Fairymoon looks down at the innocent face of Tehya and knows those eyes are full of mischief smiling she kisses the baby's face were the gossamer wings of the fairy had touched her cheek. Then remembering how heavy babies can be she hands her back to sunspider and smiles at the joy she sees she also hands sunspider a cross stone so that Tehya will always remember there are fairies everywhere in life she just has to remember to look. she looks around the circle feeling the moisture of the night on her face she takes a deep breath the air is almost intoxicating. Her blonde hair blowing in the breeze and her white ritual dress rustling in the breeze she sees the circle and smiles at her spiritual brothers and sisters she walks up to the alter and lights a candle a tear runs down her face... "to my wondrous lady and her lord thank you for all the blessings i have received since the last full moon mostly i would like to thank you for the gift of hearing this moon to baby shea who was born not hearing the gift of sound on your wonderful earth and now through the gifts you have given man to create she can now hear that was truly a blessed gift "she takes out a rose quartz crystal holding it to calm her " oh, magnanimous crone if you should walk my grandfather into the summerland please do it swiftly, for i can not be with him" she pauses "All I wish to ask for is strength to continue the path IM on and that I may remember to stop and take the time to see the fairies... " she looks at the moon watched for a minute. She steps away from the alter the mist on her face feels refreshing .she turns and sees her sister and smiles . She takes her place back in the circle and waits for another…

…Amara steps forward in a shiny, see through sky blue robe that was damply sticking to her ample frame. From a bag that was hanging from the side of her belt she removed a disk of black onyx that was about the size of a fifty-cent piece. She held the piece of onyx toward the moon and said "Please dear Artimis help me to move on from the horrible and some what abusive relationship that I have had these past few weeks. Please dear Artimis give me the protection to ignore the verbal abuse that I receive daily from the one that I thought I loved. Please allow me to find the strength to be able to confront all the ones who want to claim that the untruths that seem to be floating around my school and among the people who judge before they know me." With tears streaming down her face Amara places the black onyx into a knit amulet bag that is hanging around her neck. Still crying Amara steps back to the spot where she was standing…

…Eve steps out from the circle, she's a little dazed since she hasn't done this for awhile. She has some requests to make up for lost time. She starts to shake with anticipation of her petitions. The fey decide now would be a good time to pop out of the woodwork and dance around her feet as she walks to the center. They've been upset with her lately since she hasn't paid them sufficient attention. She's paying attention now. And those little buggers are clinging to the bottom of her overalls, tugging the pantlegs so she'll notice them.

In any case she rests her knees on the earth to become closer to her mother. She wants to apologize to the wilder elf for stealing his forest last semester. She wants to apologize for yelling at Steve (among other things). She wants to thank you for introducing Matt into her life (please let her keep him)!

"My askings for this month, well please let me find out what is behind that purple door without going crazy. I need to forgive baby Carol and just find out what happened to that poor girl. Please help Steve through these rough times. Please help me to make it through another semester unscathed (and please send me some financial aid). I need to ask that the fey stop teasing me at night (One more knocked over or misplaced object and I will scream). Oh and please make Pete realize what he's done to Danielle. One more thing (I'm a tall order this month, but there's a lot going on): please help Matt in his current situation. I honestly don't know what would be best for him, but if you could find it in your heart to reward him at least for his patience and his hard work (he is trying). Thank you, thank you, thank you."

She pushes her self up from the earth with her hands and offers kisses to the wind, her lately harsh sisters (the wind chill is killing me up here). "I love you all and I promise to return the favor."

She returns to the circle, all windblown and tired, but ready for another month of action...

...AutumnRose steps forward, slightly nervous, as this is a new experience for this solitary fractioned. From the folds of her deep purple robe she produces a heart-shaped crystal quartz and steps forward to place it upon the altar. Raising her arms skyward, she speaks:

"Lady and Lord, I give my thanks to you for the blessings you've brought me during this last moon phase--the comfort you've given, the intuition you've reawakened in my soul, and the hope you've given me when the days were at their darkest. The boon I ask is to be able to let go of the negativity, hurt, and anger towards the two who wronged and betrayed me, so that I may step out of the shadows and into the light towards a productive and loving future. Let me shed the skin of pessimism and grant me balance so that I may be able to proceed on my path with love and hope." She stands silently for awhile, the moon caressing her face and the gentle mist soothing her heart. Slowly she turns, making her way back to her place in the circle. Once there, she meditates silently, until another brother or sister steps forward...

…Sunspider leaves her place in the circle to approach the altar, bringing little Tehya with her. Tehya's eyes glow in the firelight, and with memories that they have both done this before... "Blessed Lady and Lord, I thank you for the changes You have made in me these last few months. Although not without pain, I am finally adjusting to this new softness and vulnerability you have given me. Today I ask for this child and her father-- for Danny, I ask that he may see in himself what I see in him. That he may find the strength and courage he needs to make the changes he knows he must but is afraid to. That he may become the man and father he dreams of being. For Tehya, I ask that she will know her father's heart is always with her even if he is not. That she will someday know her brother. And that she will carry You in her heart always, and continue to see the fairies as she grows. And please, for me I ask, give me enough love to be there for him when he needs me, and to fill this emptiness I feel when he's not here. So that I can give my daughters all that they deserve. Blessed be!"

Sunspider places a single pink rose on the altar, tears escape her eyes and she pulls the baby tightly to her. She returns to her place in the circle and the strength of her sister, and waits for...

…windwalker gets up from her place in the circle and heads to the altar. She pulls from her pockets a dried piece of honeysuckle and a small scarab and lays them on the altar as offering. Standing in the dark, inhaling the scent of the mother so that it fills her every fiber. Feeling the energy of her light renew her and wash away the tiredness she feels from working too much. Letting the stressors of everyday living fall from her like layers of skin that have long since died. "Dear Lady, this time of year reminds me of so many changes. I offer these tributes in memory of my mother and sister long past. I ask now only to find some peace between my other siblings and a way to move past the hurt we have caused each other. I thank you for the calm amid the turmoil I have found these last few weeks towards this thing I call my life. Still I hope you see fit to show me the path I need now to tread and guide me to make the right choices even though I tend to ignore my inner self when it comes to my own good. Still I cannot help but be thankful for all that I have and the peace that I find in every aspect of you that I see. Mostly thanks for this group where I can come and be myself and to share my beliefs with others who fully understand it's joy."

Then before she leaves from the altar she gives one final pat to her tributes and turns to take her place among the living once again…

…It is with a hesitant step that Cailean enters the circle and approaches the altar, and the hesitation worries her. In her hand, blood red roses clipped from the bushes in her yard. She places them amongst the many other offerings.

She stops and centers, letting the wind whip through her hair, feeling the soft mist on her face. "Sweet Lady. I thank you for so much this month. Mike is well, the brain tumor removed. Lynn's lump turned out to be a cyst. My mom has finally found a house to buy; maybe now she will be able to move past my father's death. I thank you for the friends around me, especially those in this circle, who, seemingly without reason, offer support and affection, with intelligence and humor. Keep those who are going to Blessed Be this weekend safe. Indeed, Lady, I beg your protection for all us who have made targets of ourselves. I thank you so much for sending me Buster. He is such a bundle of joy, energy and unconditional love...just what I needed. Help me be the friend that others need me to be. Let my shoulder be strong enough and my advice wise enough. Oh Lady, I've been such a mass of contradictions lately. I feel as if every time I take a step forward, I manage to fall two back. Help me find the path that will let me grasp control over my life once again."

When she opens her eyes, tears run down Cailean's face. She stands silently for a few moments then returns to her place, stopping to give Windwalker a big hug (something she hasn't been able to do on the earthly plane for three years now) and whispers "happy birthday" in her dear friend's ear…

…Peggy steps out from her place in the circle, and walks to the alter. She places a blue velvet bundle tied with a silver cord on the alter. It contains dried rose petals, sea salt from the Atlantic Ocean, and some small seashells.

"Lady and Lord, please accept my small token of thanks. Thank you for all the graces you have practically placed in my lap in the past few months. I realize that I have not taken advantage of your gifts yet... but I will in the days to come.

From an inside pocket in her black wool cloak, Peggy then pulls out a small silver cage shaped as a pyramid. There is a garnet stone, and a quartz crystal inside the cage. It was a gift from her grandmother before she passed on to the other worlds. She holds the pyramid up to the heavens in the palm of her hand.

"This moon I ask for the strength to continue and finish my thesis. I am so close to finishing, I'm afraid that I'm loosing my drive. I ask for a renewal of my will to continue, and the endurance to finish." She then removes a small length of velvet from her pocket wraps the pyramid inside of it, chanting silently to herself.

She steps back into her place and waits for...

…Stepping from her place in the circle, Topaz once again approaches the altar. From yet another pocket in her robe, she retrieves a bouquet of flowers - white daisies, yellow alstromeria, and burnt-orange lilies - handtied and interspersed with rosemary gathered from her garden. Lovingly she places these on the altar stone with the other offerings. Her long, wheat colored hair streams in the light breeze as she stands quietly for a moment gathering her thoughts.

"My Lady and Lord, I give thanks to you for all the bounties that fill my life. My sweet husband, our precious daughter, and the loving ties that bind us with our family and friends. This moon I ask your great favor and blessing in helping me to rid myself of my addiction to cigarettes. Give me strength of mind and body so that I may stick to my resolution to quit and help heal me of the harms I have caused myself and the environment by smoking."

From a pouch at her belt she removes a cigarette and crushes it in the palm of her hand. Clasping it tightly in her fist, she aims for the deepest part of the fire and tosses the crushed tobacco forcefully away from herself saying, "As this tobacco burns away, so with it does my desire to smoke dissipate. With your blessing and as I do will, so mote it be!"

She stands watching the tobacco burn away and fans the puffs of its smoke upward so as not to bother anyone else. When it finishes burning, from the pouch she draws a few pinches of lavender and throws them on the fire to help cleanse the air. As the lavender smoke spirals skyward, she smiles at the others hoping she has not offended anyone present with her request and returns to her place in the circle to wait for...

…Looking around to see if anyone else has any other request, she pauses briefly, and then steps tenuously forward. Her customary silver ankle bells also tinkle as she walks, echoing the little bells on her sister's ankles. She looks over and smiles impishly at Susan, sticking her foot out for an extra jingle in her direction. She has brought sprigs of fresh rosemary from her herb garden, tied together with silver thread. She has been gripping them tightly in her hand as the others spoke, and after she lays them reverently on the altar, she brings her hand under her nose, deeply inhaling the healing fragrance now embedded there. Impulsively, she pinches off a piece, and gives it to Lady Topaz. She steps back to the stone altar. "My Lady, I thank you for the healing power which you have granted me this month and the healing of medical problems of those close to me. I have been powerful this month, and I am drained. Somehow I have forgotten to take care of myself, and my body shows it. Help me to remember to take care of myself and not feel guilty, for I can only be of use to others if I keep up my strength." She reaches into her pocket and pulls out a large, smooth and shiny black stone, hematite. "I leave this gift to be charged on Your altar. I will carry it always to remind me to stay grounded and centered, and as a joyous memento of the time spent here with all my spiritual brothers and sisters." She kneels, and bends to the Earth, holding palms down, and drawing up energy. She stands, and raises her arms, the twin golden bands on her wrists shining with the white light of the Moon, and the golden light of the bonfire. "My Lady, guide me in my journey, I give myself over to Your wisdom, will and Your service. I trust You implicitly, and daily I hear Your voice. In perfect love and perfect trust, so mote it be" She walks around the circle, making questioning and inviting eye contact with those who have not come forward. She feels somehow that some are missing, and she wonders nervously if she has made some grievous error. She steps back to her place, swinging her long red hair, and being caught up in the Spirit of the Lady and her Lord, smiles widely. She will wait briefly before closing this Blood Moon ritual, ever mindful that she goofed by opening the circle widdershins, she usually goes deosil, and hasn't decided how to close now.

The rain has now completely stopped. The last of the wisps of cloud have slipped away, and the Full Moon hangs heavily, pregnant with the promise of the coming month. A light mist rises from the ground.

There being no further petitions, she steps forward one step, walking around the inside of the circle. "Thank you Lady and Lord, for being with us this night. Watchers of the West, South, East and North, Powers of Water, Fire, Air and Earth, we are ever grateful for your blessings. And mind the threefold law you should, three times bad, and three times good. Ever mind the rule of three, Unless in self defense it be. In perfect love and perfect trust, so mote it be! The circle is open, yet unbroken. Merry Meet and Merry Part till Merry Meet Again!"

The circle melts away, individuals again, spontaneously clapping their assent, hugging and kissing each other on the cheeks. It is a time for merry making, feasting and mischief. More logs are tossed onto the bonfire, flames hungrily licking the wood, smoke swirling, climbing higher, radiating an incredible warmth. Then, low at first, and then rising in volume, the sound of tribal drums.

Bum bum, bitty bitty bum bum bum. Boom badda boom. Bitty bitty boom boom, bum bum boom. The sound is primal, it pulls you to the fire. A low feeling in the pelvis, rotation, gyration, stepping jumps. Hands outstretched, face raised, soaking in the full power of the lunar rays, the dancers rejoice and revel in Her power. A falling star appears in the sky, a long smiling arc of approval from the Goddess.

Four children appear, carrying food and drink, which is laid out on a blanket. There is fresh bread and cheese, sliced meats and salads. The children have picked apples from the nearby orchard, and have made spiced applesauce and apple pies. There is feasting, dancing and merrymaking, late into the night.