Morgan had already decided to hike the path leading to the main falls of Tahquitz Canyon, though she had made arrangements for transportation for those who weren't quite up to hiking the rugged desert terrain.  As she walked, she tied red ribbons to bushes and rocks to mark the trail and enjoyed the quiet beauty of the scenery that she had never stopped missing since this canyon was closed to the public back in 1969.  The Agua Caliente tribe, which either still owns or previously owned virtually all of the land that is now known as Palm Springs, found themselves left with no choice but to do so when the "hippies" of that era began living in the canyon and despoiling it.  Though it was possible to obtain a hiking permit to go into the canyon, this year they have re-opened it and now offer guided tours.

Morgan looked up into the "Tahquitz Witch" as she walked, thinking how apropos her choice of a ritual location was.  The "Witch" is really an enormous cleft in Mt. San Jacinto, which is the 8,000 ft. high mountain whose North face rises up from Tahquitz Canyon.  In the midmorning hours when the sun hits the mountain at just the right angle, the cleft takes on the shape of a long-chinned and equally longnosed crone wearing a pointy hat. 

Morgan passes a babbling brook, catching her breath as childhood memories of swimming in the canyon's creeks come flooding back.  Truly, this desert oasis is one of the loveliest spots in California!  But it wasn't always a desert; on the floor of all the Indian canyons are millions of tiny seashells, and it's awesome to realize that at one time, this whole area was under water.

As Morgan continues walking, a raven comes out of the sky and lands in a Smoketree near the path.  He caws as she approaches, cocking his head quizzically at her.  The animals of this canyon are unused to human intruders, but the raven does not appear to be frightened at all.  As Morgan reaches the tree he flies away, dropping a feather in her path as his huge wings spread in flight.  She bends to pick up the feather and, after cutting off a small piece of the red ribbon, ties it into her long blond hair.  She bows her head to the looming mountain, feeling that she could not have asked for a better welcome from the guardian spirits of this place (especially old Chief Tahquitz!) than a gift from her own totem animal!

After walking for a little longer, Morgan at last hears the splash of the towering 60-foot falls.  She smiles, glad that her hike is over and that she will once again see the beautiful waterfall that she remembers so well.  After rounding one more bend, she gasps, both at the sheer beauty of the majestic falls and at the cool air being generated by them. 

The Indian canyons are home to some of the world's oldest and largest date-bearing Palm Trees, and a small grove of them lies close to the falls.  Morgan walks into the grove, intending to find something that will serve as a small altar.  Finally, she finds it; an old hollow stump from a tree that most likely met its end from a lightning strike.  She rolls the stump out to the clearing that she has selected for tonight's ritual, and places it in the center.  She then finds four good-sized stones and places one at each direction.  With the walking stick she has brought with her, she sketches two lines between the opposite stones, making a crude medicine wheel.  With this done, she gathers some of the dead wood laying along the end of the grove and concentrates on making a fire.  As she works, the moon <= BR> pops up in the eastern horizon and slowly begins its climb in the sky.  A coyote howls in the far-off distance and the myriad desert insects begin to chirp in the balmy twilight.

Morgan hears the approaching vehicles bringing her friends to the ritual site, and those who chose to walk follow not far behind.  Along with them are some tall torches that will illuminate the area a little and some juices and snacks for later.  She has brought her drum along and hopes that the others have as well.

From her supplies that have been brought along in the vehicles Morgan draws a sage smudge wand wrapped with some of her homegrown lavender and lights it.  After walking the perimeter of the circle, lightly running the wand across the backs of each participant, she then places it into an abalone shell and puts it on the altar.  Next she lights a long braid of Sweetgrass and waves it gently in the breeze to diffuse the scent.  This too is placed into another shell, wher it continues to smolder.  Lastly she asks the participants if there are any smokers present, and if so, would they consent to blow a little tobacco smoke to each of the four directions? 

Morgan places her cauldron on the altar as well as both a red and white candle on the altar for the Great Father and Great Mother (she will light the white one after she does the Mother call, and hopes that Red Deer will do so as well with the red one after the Father call). Morgan steps back to a place in the circle.   All is in readiness, and the participants listen for the call of the North Wind and Earth Spirits...

...Sunspider, happy to have warm ground beneath her bare feet,steps forward from her place in the circle.  She carries in her right hand a short staff wrapped at the top with yellow ribbons which hold crow feathers and golden beads. Where she is from, this moon is called Aandegogiizis, The Crow's Moon, as it is when the crows return signaling spring is not far away. In her left hand she carries tobacco to offer in welcome of the spirits she will call. She approaches the stone placed in the East and holds her arms up, eyes closed, filling herself with the Mother's energy until she is ready to begin.

" Spirits of the East Wind I call to you on this full moon night Spirits of the Air I bid you lend us your power, send us the wisdom of birth and beginnings As the sun rises each day and exposes the beauty all around us, we too can choose to shine and expose the  beauty we hide inside ourselves let the morning sun hold new life As we gather together this night, join us, remind us each day is a gift and a blessing in the circle of our existence."

The blue-black feathers sway in the breeze and the tobacco is taken by the Air Spirits as they enter the circle. Sunspider bows her head down, breathing in the sweet canyon air. "Miigwech," she nods before opening her eyes and returns to her place in the circle to wait for...

...Boudica, dressed in her usual blue gown covered with silver stars, walks to the north of the circle.  Beautiful location, the moon light illuminating all the details. A small owl takes off from her shoulder and alights in a tree in the north.  A growing red puppy follows his mistress, nipping at her heals. She motions her hand to her side, and the dog sits down, wagging his tail. Boudica raises her wand in the direction of North.  She calls:

"All hail and welcome, the Ancient One of Air, who comes to us from the North.  We call upon you to bring refreshing thoughts to us upon your winds.  We seek your breath of fresh air upon our circle and ask you to grace us with your presence this evening.  We ask you to bind our circle in this place between the worlds.  Join us, make merry, and bless us with your company."

A breeze gently blows her greying blond hair, and the dog sniffs the wind.  Boudica lowers her wand, the breezes settle down, and the owl drifts from his perch to her shoulder.  She turns and returns to the circle, the puppy still nipping at her heals,  to await...

...Breathing deeply of the scent of sweetgrass on the air, Topaz moves to the South point of the Wheel, pausing to place an offering of tobacco next to the designated stone. Dressed in her usual black stretch pants, paired tonight with a white cotton button-down shirt, she'd chosen to partially cover her face with handmade mask of crimson feathers. Her blue eyes sparkle merrily as she opens her arms to the southern sky and calls out"

"Hail South wind, Keeper of fire and place of the noon time sun! We call upon you this night to bind our circle and witness our rite as we celebrate Grandmother moon. Cleanse and purify our spirits with your sacred flame. May our passions...our creativity...our energies be rekindled, so we may direct them to our highest and greatest good. Hail and be welcome!"

As a warm breeze rustles up through the canyon and around the circle, she feels her call has been answered. Stepping back, she waits for...

...Morgan steps forward to the Western quarter and raises her face to the brilliant moon, which illuminates a sky so clear it is almost unearthly.  With the sound of the falls in the background, it is easy to connect with the water spirits of this place.  She raises her arms and says:

"Hail, Spirits of the West Wind and Keepers of the Sacred Waters!  We ask that You bestow Your blessings and presence upon this gathering this night.  Hail and welcome!..."

A slight breeze stirs from the west, and for a moment it seems as if the splashing of the falls becomes louder.  Certain that the spirits she has called are present, Morgan lowers her arms, returns to her place in the circle, and watches...

...As their circle is cast, Deer savors the moment, remembering the day that had brought him here.  He and Myrlen had begun their canyon exploration basking upon a rock, enjoying their view of the San Jacinto, when Morgan had passed earlier in the day.  As she seemed so intent upon her own journey, and the marking thereof for those who would follow, they decided not to intrude.  The decision had been a bit selfish as well, as Deer had hoped to commune for a while with the spirits of this place...  and had hoped further that he might enjoy a brief exchange with the falcons he was sure would inhabit such a landscape.

After Morgan passed, Deer had left Myrlen to her nap and semiconsciously wandered about from one tree to another, occasionally crisscrossing this creek or that.  Having realized that this simple wandering was not going to be sufficient for the transition in consciousness which he sought, Deer picked a likely spot - a bend in a creek where the water slowed and became deeper - then waded in and sat.  Icy cold, the waters had worked their magic, and soon Deer heard the call of his windborne brothers and felt the almost familiar jar of suddenly lurching from what he was into what he could be;  blond hair and brown skin taking on the many shades of tawny and cream etched with black, as he shot from the pool into the skies - finding at last the thermal which had downdrafted his brothers' and sisters' call and riding it ever higher into the morning.  "Ah,"  he'd thought to himself, "I hope that Morgan has or will have the opportunity to share this view of the Witch," as he noticed the extreme effect of perspective - for from this vantage the brilliant light on the cliffs overbore the visual effect of the cleft, rendering an altogether different scene.

Deer may have spent hours or eternities spiraling above the canyon, riding thermals which were just beginning to kick up their heels for the evening's dance, when he heard Myrlen's call, clearly demanding that he remember his host and his responsibilities.  And it had taken no more than this for him to find himself again sitting in the chill water of the natural pool.  After climbing out, Deer had shook himself off before joining her on another rock.  "A moment, please...  let me bask again in the warmth of our Father, lest I hold this chill and remain thoroughly distracted from our circle this eve."  Myrlen had given him one of her all to knowing glances, followed by a rough and tumble dive straight into his arms.  As both then rose to follow the path which Morgan had so craftily limned, Deer - realizing that his hair would be a tangled mess by nightfall - had appropriated one of the lengths of red ribbon to tie it back. Deer and shepherd then traipsed joyfully down canyon, drawn by the thunder which seemed to emanate from the belly of Mother herself.

"Hail spirits of the West Wind and keepers of the sacred waters," impinges upon Deer's reverie, just in time for him to realize that his time in this ritual had arrived.  Tossing his head as though to wave invisible antlers at the moon overhead, Deer leaves his place in the circle and moves slowly towards the altar.  Deliberately, he catches the eye of each of those who have preceded him and - with a broad smile - thanks them for preparing the way for those whom he and Morgan would now call.

Deer arrives at the fibrous stump and stands, arms raised high toward the night sky.  Within, however, he summons an image of the noon day sun suspended high above the canyon floor, radiating heat earthward which returns to the skies after dusk in the thermals his brethren still ride.  Then, taking up the sage smudge, Deer deliberately moves it about himself, breathing deeply of the smoke and incense it releases.  Finally prepared, he holds the glowing smudge against the wick of the blood red candle which stands in the Great Father's place upon their altar.

"Father... Who moved over the land aeons before any of the people emerged.  Whose fire fills the belly of our Mother with new life.  Whom She dances with for our births and shelters with for our reapings.  You who embody all warmths - sunshine, fire, and lover's embrace - and Who embrace the dark and cold which is part of us as well.  I ask the You concentrate here, briefly, within the wheel wrought for our celebration of Your carnal dance.  I ask that You infuse this place and these celebrants with the fire of Your sensible presence.  I ask that You burn brightly upon our altar, and in our hearts and our minds."  Deer blows gently upon the glowing smudge - once, twice, thrice - and is gifted with the dance of flame upon the candle wick.  "Join us, both in celebration and in welcome of She who is to be called here."

After a moment's silence, Deer again bathes himself in with the sage essence, before returning the smudge to its abalone holder.  Then, in a single fluid move, turns to find the one who will join him in these calls, and waits for Morgan to make her way to their altar...

...Morgan approaches the altar and notices that the winds have suddenly settled down in the wake of Red Deer's powerful call to the Great Father.  The air is full of magick so strong that it's a palpable thing.  Morgan raises her arms and face to the moon, and says:  "Hail, Great Mother, Lady of the Raven and White Buffalo! You who never cease to watch and guard Your lands and we who are Your children, we ask that You enter into our circle here on Your own sacred ground and celebrate the full beauty of the Moon with us!  Hail and Welcome!"  Morgan lights the white candle and the flame flares high for a moment, then settles into a steady burn.  She pauses for a moment, catching her breath in a gasp as she feels the rush of energy that fills the circle as the Mother makes her presence known, then retreats to her place and watches as Nym' prepares to call the Spirits of the Ancestors. After saying a silent prayer that nothing serious has prevented Nym' from attending, Morgan steps forward once again to the altar and speaks.

"Just as our own deeds shape the lives of our descendants, so too did those of our own ancestors. We invite and welcome those who reside still in the form of Spirit to our sacred circle this evening, and wish to let all of them know that as long as we, their descendants, continue to live and thrive upon the earth, they will never be forgotten."

Morgan remains silent for a moment, then says, "In the names of the Great Mother and Great Father as well as the ruling spirits of the winds, elements, directional realms and our descendants and ancestors, I declare this circle open for petitions."  She backs once more to her place in the circle, and watches...

... Nym' approaches with a Jasmine plant in a basket. Looking to the moon - "Mother may your voice be heard at the Religious Leaders Conference in our Nations capital."

Nym' returns to her spot and awaits...

...Sunspider hesitantly approaches the altar holding a small boquet of tulips.  She lays them beside Nym's plant and tries to speak.  "Mama, its been two years now this week, but I still miss you.  Happy birthday.  I love you." Tears well in her eyes, remembering how strong Mama was.  "Thank you Lady, Lord, for having her in my life, I couldn't have asked for any better."   She returns to her place in the circle to wait for...

...Topaz makes her way to the altar to place a basket filled with fresh cuttings of creamy white dogwood and pink cherry blossoms.

"Thank you Mother and Father, for the many blessings our family enjoys - a roof over our heads, food on our table, and love for each other in our hearts. This moon I would like to ask for healing for us and for all those who have need of it. Lend us strength to help rid us of ill physical health or bruised spirits."

She lights a small white birthday candle, places it's base in the earth. "So mote it be!"

Stepping back to her place at the South point of the circle and she waits for...

... JourneyWoman, rushes "spiritually" to the grove knowing she is late.. but had to get there. It has been a very real struggle to make it.. the ups and downs of phone connections and a broken leg and right hand are not good for hikes and the hand does not make it easy to type, so the message can make it on the ethereal!

Carrying  a white candle and a bunch of lavendar.. she approaches the altar places the candle next to the other offerings and lays the lavender in front of the candle... lights the candle and whispers through welling tears.. beloved Dad, it is 3 years this day since you silently slipped away... Your family misses you terribly...  and your daughter still gazes at the stars, the sun and moon that you always told her you wished you could give to her... Dad you did! for they lie within you... JourneyWoman says a silent prayer to the Lady asking that she convey the love that she has for her father to him wherever he is.. and send as much again out to be used for the good of all...  kissing her fingers she places them lingeringly on the lavender.. her Dad's favourite flowers, and backs away.. She takes her place within the circle, and waits...

...Once more Morgan approaches the altar and lays on it two quartz crystal points, one clear one for the Great Father and one whose clear point projects from a milk-white base for the Great Mother. Then she lays a small purple Pansy between them.  This is a remembrance for her mother, who passed to the Summerlands two years ago this day.  She squeezes her eyes shut and quietly weeps for a moment as she says a silent prayer not only for her mother but her own present and future descendants (especially her first grandchild, due in September).  Never has the neverending turning of the Wheel been more evident, or poignant...

Feeling sure that all who wished to make a petition have done so, Morgan announces:  "In the names of the Spirits of the Four Winds and the Elements, the Great Spirit and the Great Mother, our Ancestors and our Descendants and the Spirits of this place, this circle is open but never broken.  Go in peace and BLESSED BE!"  The flames of the candles flare and shimmer for a moment as a phantom wind passes through the circle.

Those assembled move eagerly toward the warm, cheery fire and the food and beverages that have been assembled on picnic tables, celebrating life, friendship and shared faith in the glow of the moon above.