TygerMoon waits until the last trace of sunlight has disappeared from the horizon, leaving only the milky blue-purple of city twilight. She motions for the fox to follow her and then closes the door to the apartment.

The night is not over warm, rather cool for Florida, and the air is scented with fireplace smoke. Beads of condensation have gathered in the grass and she takes a moment to step off the sidewalk into the lawn, wriggling her bare feet and reveling in the coolness of the wet blades. The fox trots along beside her, stopping occasionally to investigate the tardy lizard scurrying for shelter from the coolness or to yerf at a palmetto bug. With a sigh of satisfaction, TygerMoon cuts across the cypress grove and leaves the buildings behind, skirting the parking lot until she reaches the gazebo.

The gazebo is a large structure, about nine feet in diameter, built in an octagonal shape of dark wood. A bench goes all the way around the inside so that folk can sit if they so wish. The north side looks out over the lake around which are clustered the apartments. A few water loving trees such as willows have been planted near the edge. The water is clear and still, its surface scattered with lily pads, and houses a variety of wildlife: mink, herons, cranes, ducks, snakes, and (it is rumored) the occasional alligator. A path circles the lakeside, illuminated by soft streetlights.

Earlier in the day, TygerMoon and her fox had come down here and decorated the gazebo with evergreen boughs and holly. Over each of the entrances to the east and west she hung a sprig of mistletoe. All is in readiness for the circle tonight except for one thing. Quickly she brandishes her cinnamon broom, widdershins, banishing negativity and charging up the circle with energy.

The fox drops a black gym bag in the center of the gazebo (her porta-altar, Mama Janet used to call it). From this, TygerMoon takes the objects she needs for the circle. In the north she places a bayberry scented green candle and a sea shell filled with salt. Moving clockwise, she places a yellow vanilla scented pillar candle and a small black cauldron. To the south she places a red pillar candle and a fist sized round candle in shades of the rising sun and dusted with glitter. to the west she places a sea blue candle encrusted with shells and a stoneware chalice.

Looking about in satisfaction, she starts to set out the main altar: a heavy black brass four tined stag with head thrust upward on who's back rests a taper holder with a red candle in it, a bell cast of pewter whose handle top is a candle holder holding a white candle, and a golden brass doe with head down eating and a candle holder with a green candle balanced on its back. Out of the porta-altar come other provisions: A jug of aged dandelion wine, put up two years ago ---the perfect thing to celebrate the return of the sun; a jug of warm spiced cider for those who do not care to drink the alcohol; and a plate with a festive looking red waldorf cake. She drops a briquette of charcoal into the cauldron, sprinkles it with her favorite incense (reminiscent of a sunlight mountain forest), and smiles as it begins to smoke gently. Then she lights the ball candle, which gives off the scent of citrus fruit. lastly, she fills the chalice with water taken from a spring in her home in Colorado and saved for just such a special occasion. she positions the chalice in such a way that the water catches the reflection of the full moon.

All is ready.

The fox sits upright on its hind legs (a double look would reveal TygerMoon's mate in ritual gear, including fox ears and tail) and begins to play a melody on the flute, setting the festive beat with his feet. Tyger takes up the shell in her hands, grabs a pinch of salt and sprinkles it clockwise around the gazebo

"With this earth I cast this circle."

Setting it back in its original place, she next takes up the cauldron by its handle and carries it round slowly, leaving a trail of incense

With this air I cast this circle."

The cauldron goes back in its position and she moves to the south, grasping the ball candle carefully, and takes it around the circle lighting the little votives nestled in the evergreen and holly on the railing.

"With this fire I cast this circle."

She dips an eagle's feather (also brought from home, given to her by a Native American friend) in the chalice and goes about the circle shaking the droplets of water

"With this water I cast this circle."

For good measure she traces the circle with her athame, cutting a "door" in the east through which the other participants and petitioners will enter

"The circle is cast. Welcome all and blessed be..."

…Dancing Skygazer, the humanitarian Aquarian, steps forward. Taking advantage of the warm Florida weather, she has donned her sarong with the moon and stars on it. Around her waist, there is a belly chain, from which hang some crystals, her athame at one hip, and a yellow suede pouch on the other. Her long red hair cascades down past her shoulders, and her silver ankle bells tinkle gently with each step of her bare feet. Her face and bare arms bear the marks of silver glitter, rolled lovingly on her by her little girl

She approaches the yellow vanilla candle in the East. She reaches into the suede pouch, and pulls out a small recorder. She brings it to her mouth, and plays a few gentle notes. Replacing the recorder, she then pulls out three sticks of vanilla incense (not to clash with the hostess!), and from the flame, lights the sticks which she then pushes into the earth. Reaching again into the pouch she produces a handful of tiny yellow feathers, which she tosses into the breeze, which flutter about the circle like confetti.

She stands, legs slightly apart, and raises her face to the light of this century's brightest Full Moon. She raises her hands, fingers spread apart

"Hail and Welcome, Guardians of the Watchtowers of the East, Powers of Air. Ruler of the mind, of knowledge, of learning, intuition and psychic power, join us, protect us in our circle on this sacred night."

She stops briefly to give fox a little scratch between his ears, and then steps back to her place in the circle, and waits...

…Susan steps forward, her short brown hair held out of her way with a clip and her bare feet peeking out from under the grey velvet skirt she's donned against the winter breeze. She looks around at her brother and sisters who've gathered here and gives a quick smile and wink to Tygermoon. Then she turns to face the South.

"All those who Watch in the South! Spirits of Fire, the Mountain Lion, the Coyote. Share with us your warmth, your passion, your powers of transformation at this Turning of the Wheel! I bid you hail and welcome!"

Susan places an orange candle on the ground and lights it, then waits for...

...EarthChild steps forward; her short, dark hair being ruffled by the breeze. As she walks, her dress rustles around her ankles. She has traveled a long way to be here tonight, and she is excited that the FMR is going to go on. Before she goes to the western quadrant, she looks around at the old and new faces around her. She smiles at her friends. Then, EarthChild turns back to her task.

She picks up the sea colored candle and holds it aloft.

" I call on the guardians of the Watchtower, on the power of water; the element of emotion. Be with us tonight and aid us in our endeavors. Thank you and so mote it be."

She lights the candle and then sets it down. Next to it, she places a sea shell that she has had since she was a child. It was a gift from her grandfather, who had loved the ocean.

She turns back to her place, glad to be here tonight...and more glad to be calling west, as it is all too appropriate in her life right now. She steps back, and waits as...

…Fairy Firedragon comes up to the circle out of breath. Her long sandy brown hair flowing behind her, steps into the doorway opened at the circle. Stepping into place in the North she inhales to breath in the warm Florida air. Her robe marbled in shades of green with 5 pointed starts all over it, takes on a mystical glow under this very special solstice moon. Walking up to the altar she pulls out of her pocket some rich Iowa farming soil...and sprinkles it near the altar.

Raising her arms into the air facing the North then picking up the bayberry green scented candle she lights the candle as the candle begins to light up the circle she takes in one more deep breath and begins to speak in a soft voice but loud enough for all to hear.

Hail and Welcome, Guardians of the Northern Watchtowers, Powers of the Earth. We ask for you to watch and protect our sacred circle. Powers of the Earth with an open heart, I do ask it...

FireDragon steps back into her place in the circle, smiles at her new friends...and waits for...



… Cariannos steps forward and smiles at everyone surrounding her, though she's not very good with crowds. She's used to just stepping out and asking for things. This time she's going to give back. She's going to ask for help for everyone else (with one tiny wish for herself).

She steps into the center, slowly, deliberately. She opens her bare arms to the sky (freezing cold, but warm with the delight of the evening). She speaks softly and fluidly, lush watery sounds coming from her throat.

"We have come together on this wonderful night to help each other in time for the holidays. We are witness to a full, bright solstice moon (well, those of us with no cloud cover). We have friends and family near to help us celebrate the wonderful wintry season. The cold (for me anyway) is nothing compared to the warmth of love I feel from all tonight. I ask our women, our sisters, daughters, and mothers to raise their voices strong on this night. Should she be a virgin mother, a wizened old maid, an innocent little sister who drives me crazy, or just a woman, she is welcome here tonight."

Cariannos steps back with her little smileand watches as…

...Red Deer comes, from one circle to another. Midnight had found him among a circle of standing stones, newly discovered (for him, anyway) in the country about three miles out of town. A glorious full moon, with only wisps of clouds in a sky which just hours before had been solidly covered, illuminated the lithons of rough hewn sandstone - the quarter-stones of which stood some twenty feet tall. This new circle is unlike any he'd experienced before - not actually a circle but a spiral winding in from the north and completing two turns before meeting the circle of quarter-stones, then one more to the central altar slab.

Deer had lain upon that altar for what seemed hours - watching Mama Moon as She appeared to sail through the regathering clouds - before becoming aware of the fog rolling in from Chapel Hill. Entranced, he held his breath as the fog mounted the hillock in a deosil spiral until wisps of it floated into the circle itself and seemed to dance among the lithons. "Ah, so this shall be my passage to ritual and friends this glorious eve," he thought as the fog rose up to claim even the tallest of the stones.

Deer stood, shed all sense of himself and waited - until awareness of a distinctly different atmosphere accosted his skin and nose. Opening his eyes, he saw the moon reflected now in a lake just north of the gazebo where friends were gathered. Beside him, the lovely altar prepared by TygerMoon for the occasion, complete with Doe and Stag. Inwardly he opened a broad smile, then outwardly as well.

Deer turned to each of the quarters, taking in the scents of bayberry, vanilla, cinnamon and evergreen. He then extends a hand over the cauldron burning on the altar, and fills it with a generous portion of red amber resin and powdered dragon's blood, from which a thick smoke rises to fill the gazebo - dancing among the friends gather there much as the mists had among the circle of stones where he also stood. He takes up the bell with his right hand - gently, so as not to disturb the candle burning atop it - and rings it thrice to call the new year. Finally, he lights the Stag candle from the atop the bell, before replacing it upon the altar. Among the smoke and in the light of this new flame, those gathered might catch a glimmer of one with blood red hide and a rack of mighty antlers standing before their altar, but only momentarily before Deer raises both arms skyward (to the jingling of his own few bells) and begins to speak.

"We call you, through fire and water, earth and air Father. Lord of the Hunt, Master of the cycles of death within birth and birth within death, join us as we celebrate Your own demise and rebirth from the depth of winter. Our Mother - your bride to be - shall awaken with you in the months to come. As the longest night - and the fullest moon - are upon us, we know that the dark half of the year has past its midden. Tomorrow begins the growth of light, its momentum carrying us and the earth toward the light half. Assist each of us to complete the works we have begun, to move into new projects with vitality and passion, and to harbor love for the sensual world in which we are embedded. Slayer and Slain, we ask You to BE HERE NOW!"

Pausing, Deer feels the strength of the Lord among them, then asks: "Men - our brothers, sons, and fathers - our selves, raise voices strong this night. Whether apprentice, bread-winner or warrior-sage, all are welcomed here tonight. Our Father receives you and awaits your petitions."

Deer lowers his arms and moves to his place among the circle of friends, to wait...

…windwalker walks up to the altar and stops to look around. At Tygermoons indication, she comes forward to begin the petitions. She has never been in Florida before and the setting Tygermoon has set is enchanting. She lays a small bough of evergreen that she brought from home in tribute to the Yule. After centering she feels the strength of this moon coursing through her and begins. "Great Spirit, dear Lady I look to you this month to continue for the strength to deal with the stress I seem to find at every turn in my life these past few months. I see an end to the domestic troubles, but still look for your aide to guide me in the right choices in work. If you could find it would not disturb the greater good, I beseech that we find a new surgeon and can again be doing the kind of nursing we have all chosen and stuck to even in these bad times. Still as always I am grateful for your support and guidance through it all and by your strength am able to continue to give help to others."

Windwalker gives a final bow of her head and soaks in what she can of this moon's power, then steps back to the circle waiting for...

…Epona squeezes Windwalker's hand, with a smile and then walks over to Tygermoon and her companion, all dressed up. Epona gives Tygermoon a grand hug and whispers in her ear, "It turned out lovely, dearest Tygermoon. The setting is perfect and everyone seems to be enjoying themselves...you did a fantastic job!" Epona smiles at Tygermoon's companion before she steps up to the altar.

Epona pulls a gift of incense, a small vial of water from the River Liffey, and a slice of the soda bread that was brought for the circle to share, from the blue velvet cape which hangs about her shoulders. Epona's hair swirling slightly in the light breeze. Epona turns to the West, the direction she feels most at home and speaks...

"Great Lord and Lady, I thank you for your guidance over the last moon-cycle. Your presence has been very welcomed and I look forward to continuing my studies further down the path. Thank you for making a place for Dama in the Summerlands, thank you for keeping my daughter safe always, and thank you for your patience with me this month. I know it's been trying for everyone here lately, but I'm seeing the end of this particular journey and it's comforting to know that it will soon be over.

I find it necessary to be a bit selfish this cycle, as I am in need of your guidance and comfort more than usual, it seems. I will finally be graduating from school in less than a month and I find myself quite behind the schedule I have set for myself. So I ask your assistance, gentle reminders to keep on track. I have a week to finish a lot of projects so this guidance will be greatly appreciated." Epona smiles a bit sheepishly and bows her head. "I also ask that you guide my search for employment as now I have to put all I have learnt to good use. I ask that you continue to look after Lily as she is my light and my little star. Please help me to be strong during all these changes, as I am very scared about my future at this moment.

I thank you from the depths of my soul for that which you have already provided for Lily and I. I thank you for your continued guidance and lessons. I thank you for the moon and the sun and your protection of the elements..."

Epona looks from the stars back to the candle along the west wall before turning around and stepping silently back into the circle. Epona gazes once again at the beautiful setting and waits for...

…Owl steps forward and pauses a moment .. then looks toward Red Deer with a wink and a grin, for over his shoulder she can see the Standing Stones! "Thanks for opening the portal, my friend .. it is a wonderful place, and I hope to return some day!"

Turning to the Altar, Owl places a picture of a young boy. "Mother, Father, this child needs your help. We, his family, will do all we can .. but this is beyond us.

I ask for your blessings upon this child .. may he find that which will heal him .. may he be comforted .. and may all who are struggling to help him find courage and strength to do what is best."

With tears and a full heart, Owl steps back to the circle to wait...

...EarthChild steps back out. Her face is solemn, and she holds a handful of crystals.

As she approaches the altar, she turns to look at Susan. "Thank you, my friend. I, too, consider you a friend...even if we have never met in person. You have been a great source of wisdom. For both myself and those around you."

EarthChild goes to the altar. "Lord and Lady, it seems that I come to you this month with a very heavy heart. There is so much going on in my life, and I'm trying to sort it all out and begin to understand it. Please, help me to find the strength and wisdom to face each challenge as it comes."

She places the stones on the altar. "Lady and Lord, I have just found out that a dear friend has been only given 9 months to live. I intend to use these stones in a ritual to heal her. Please aid us in this endeavor.

If healing is not meant to be, please help us to give her the time to take care of what must be done. Allow us to find a measure of peace. I would ask that you allow her to live pain free and well until the end. Let her be able to live the rest of her life to the fullest.

Death is so hard for me to face. Knowing that one I love may soon be gone tears me apart. Help me to come to terms with this, and to be strong for myself, my friend, and my family."

EarthChild steps back...thankful for all that she has. "No matter what, I am grateful for having allowed me to know such a wonderful person. I will ever be thankful for having known her.

I am sad for she will be sorely missed. Not only by myself, but because she is a shining light in this world that is often too dark. She has brightened the life of all that know her. For all of us, thank you." EarthChild looks around once more. She is ever reminded that she is never truly alone. Knowing that she is part of a greater "Family", she steps back to her place in the circle. She waits as...

…Jess steps forward, a little awkward, and takes a deep breath, maybe two. Upon the altar she places two crystal runes: Ken for knowledge and Gera for inevitable change.

"Bright Lady and Lord, thank you for the strength and wisdom I have found in my life. They are drawn from many sources: family, friends, within and without me.

At this time, when the world seems frozen and cold, please help me to see that the thaw is coming, the sun is returning. I know that all things must change and that this is a good thing. Help me find new strength and new wisdom to make the positive changes happen and survive the negative ones."

Jess takes one more deep breath, turns with a shy smile to her companions, and waits...

…Seeing that no further petitions remain, and that Tygermoon is somewhat overwhelmed, Red Deer moves to the altar. "Guardians of the four elements, Wards of the four compass points - we thank you for your valiant service this moon. To join our revelry, stay if you will… or, if you must, go your merry ways. Our circle is open but unbroken."