A breeze stirs Jess' hair, calling her attention back to the task at hand. It's a warm, early spring day. Jess is wearing a straw hat with a big, plastic poppy on the brim, shading the sun from her eyes. Jess returns to the wheelbarrow in front of her. She stirs the dark soil, loosening the large pieces. The soil is warm and fragrant.

Looking up, Jess sees the sun slip toward the tenement building to her right. Six floors up, laundry hangs on a fire escape. On her left, another building rises ten stories. The southern side is open to the street, allowing sun to pour into this garden all day. The garden is divided into four sections. At the height of the summer, the northwest corner will be a riot of color. Northeast will yield fresh vegetables to be used in a community kitchen. Southeast is already home to early flowers and greening herbs. Southwest is the Children's Garden. Several dark plots already are marked: Mrs. Cardozo, 3rd Grade, Sunflowers; Mr. Reynolds, 2nd Grade, Sweet Peas.

A sand path divides the quarters. In the center is a circle with a sun dial. This will serve as the altar tonight. A pair of saw horses with an old door will be the working table. Several dozen dixie cups are stacked on the table. Each with a couple of small holes punched in the bottom. A bowl of sunflower seeds has been soaking since mid morning. Standard gardening tools will be replaced by charcoal, candles, an athame, and other less mundane tools for the Full Moon.

Leaving the wheelbarrow, Jess fills a watering can from a hose attached to one of the buildings. This she places by the sundial. A cool breath of air reminds her that sunset is approaching and the participants will be arriving shortly. Taking her broom, Jess sweeps the sandy path, removing both the scraps from yardwork and the tension of the large city. She uses the rhythm of the broom to calm and center herself.

With a last look, Jess prepares for the evening's activity. A trowel rests in the dark soil. The seeds await their small beds. The first Full Moon of spring is about to begin... Folks arrive through the hour of twilight. In pairs, in groups, solo. Jess directs them to take a cup from the table, but not to fill it until after the earth has been charged. As the sun finally passes behind the tall buildings, Jess calls everyone to the circle.

"Friends, gather round! The sun has set, the moon has risen. This first full moon of Spring brings us to think of new beginnings. We plant seeds with care, cover them with soft earth and clean water. Then we must let them alone to germinate, to take the warmth of the sun and turn it into green life. We must do the same in our own lives. Come to the circle ready to begin something new. It doesn't have to be a momentus life change, it can be as small as a new book. But whatever you do, take your time, plant with care, and don't rush it! So, take a deep breath. Smell the air and the earth. Let's begin!"

As the seeds buried deep within the Earth begin to stir at the coaxing of Spring. Owl steps barefoot to the gathering site.  Taking Jess by the hand, and reaching out for Nym's hand, she asks that everyone form a circle.

When everyone has joined with hands clasped, she asks everyone to step back a couple of steps so that their arms are outstretched, hands still clasped together. "Make the circle as large as we can get it.

"We will begin with a quiet, guided meditation.  Slip off your shoes and feel the cool, damp earth beneath your feet.  Please take three, deep cleansing breaths.  Now controlled breathing, slowly, as we visualize and sense the Earth stirring the seads of the new season to life.  Feel the life beginning.  Feel the energy tingling through the soles of your feet. As your awareness increases, bring the energy up into your body. As it rises to your Crown Shakra, let it flow thru your arms, and as you send the energy through your right arm, into the hand of the person next to you, receive the energy flowing from the person on your left.  No tools or herbs or salts or smudging.  Just each of us participating, creating, and building the Circle of Sacred Space.  As the energy flows into, and between us .. we begin to chant:

   Above as below
   Within as without
   Cast the Circle
   Thrice about
   Me to you,
   And you to me
   Sacred Space may Blessed Be!

As the chant continues, the Circle is strengthened and each feels the wonder of connecting with the Earth and each other. The chant ends: 

   The Circle is Cast
   Sacred Space is here to last.
   So Mote it Be!"

....EarthChild steps forward to the wheel barrow.  Her purple dress rustles with the cool breeze.  She stand silent a moment and then puts her hand into the rich soil in the wheelbarrow. As she lets the handful of dark, moist, soil fall back in she begins to speak.

"I call upon the power of Earth.  The land that supports us and nourishes us.  The land which is now re-awakening from its slumber.  As we feel that time upon us; we are glad to see the green shoots, the trees budding, and the first spring flowers blooming. We see, and we know that all is being renewed.  May the power of Earth seal this circle.  May the soil cantained within this wheelbarrow be blessed that our seeds and wishes take fertile root and grow to their greatest and best potential.  So mote it be"

EarthChild wiggles her toes in the cool earth beneath her feet.  then she steps back to her place in the circle as...

...Owl steps to the center of the Circle .. and from her robe takes two skins, bulging with water from the Mountain. Pouring a bit from one of the skins, she calls "Element of Water, .. cleansing, cooling, torents of the falls ... join with us in this Circle of fullness. As your energy is necessary for all living things, so may you lend your essence to us in this time and this space." Placing the one skin on the altar, Owl sets out a stack of paper cups. Then begins filling one at a time, and handing them around the Circle. When all have sipped .. Owl steps back to wait...

... Jess accepts a cup of cool water from Owl. The liquid slips down her throat, reviving her energy.

Then, standing over the wheelbarrow, Jess extends her hands over the fragrant soil. "Though the sun has set, we can still feel its energy in the earth and stones below our feet. They radiate the heat they've stored. This heat will warm the seeds which will become green, vibrant plants. I call upon the sun, the element of fire, to give us your heat. Help us warm our own seeds and bring to life our little plants."

Stepping back, Jess waits for Nym to call the wind...

Nym' steps to the center of the circle, her hair a wind blown mess. Spring blossoms entwined with the curls, a present from the air. A butterfly still nestled in her pocket.

   "Spirits of Air, gentle breezes, warming zephyr.
   Lend us your gentle wind... carry the seeds of our dreams,
   Sweep the land anew... Join with us."

Taking a small bottle from her pocket, setting the butterfly on his way, Nym' draws a wand from the top of the little bottle and fills the air with a cloud of bubbles. Then she returns to her place to await...

...and Deer comes forward, to perambulate their space before approaching the graceful dial at its heart.  Softly he steps, and slowly, carefully spying all those who trod on and in this earth before them - and who will remain when this group has departed. Here, in the heart of the city, Deer knows that the shadow antlers he often seems to cast will likely be the only ones present - however, a pair of falcon circle overhead in the full moon's glow.  "Perhaps," Deer thinks "though this is not your usual haunt, you may find safe aire here my cousins...  the tall buildings not so different from the canyons and peaks to which your kind are more accustomed.  Strafe these streets.  Search for game.  Seek out a height. And, should this place seem kind to you, you may have found new haven."

Deer returns his attention to the rich earth about him, digging in his toes to become more consciously rooted, and seeking affinity with the myriad little sisters who abound here.   And even within the city's heart, Deer finds his senses flooded with the stirrings of life, wild and free.  This faint hiss of annelids who pass unseen between his toes, and beneath the feet of all gathered here above, aerating and enriching the soil - tending this earth with the faithfulness of the Lady's own gardeners.  The clinking of minute, hairy black feet upon grains of earth which marks the passage of formids who tend their own farms within this soil. The buzz of a thriving hive, apids who oversee much of the vegetation in its reproductive phase, who's very bodies in motion (flight without moving) both warm and provide air to their queen during the night's stay-over until the morning frees their squadrons to again seek permanent sanctuary for the warm months. The almost imperceptible sibilation of crimson-spotted coccinellids - the specific little sisters who still bear our Lady's name and are known as friends even to human gardners who fear, loath and mistrust most of the other clans. And the faintest, almost imperceptible whisper of gossamer wings upon the moonlit air draws Deer's head about to spy the first actiads of the season - their luminescent green softly floating upon gentle currents over the table as they seem to inspect each of the implements and accouterments there before coming to light upon the sundial's gnomon.

As these many sensations flow into Deer's mind, he stands transfixed with the sight of now flightless wings slowly folding and opening - each cycle revealing our Lady's progress through the evening skies as the large, purple spots on each wing phase from round through crescent to invisible and back again, depending upon the angle with which they present to his view. They mark for him a rhythm, with which the night pulses.  A harmony to the lunar cycle itself, with which the amber at his breast begins to resonate, as does his own heart.  And Deer thinks to himself, "What call could I possibly provide beyond recognition that you, my myriad sisters, were here before me and will persist long after?  What offering could I possibly bring that equals what you give to the Earth and to our Gods without being asked?  What but humble can I be when recognizing the necessity of your uncounted small labors and gifts, all of which sum to the maintenance of the cycles of growth and decay?  Each of you - seen and invisible, heard and silent, felt and apperceived - carry the necessities of my life.  In that, I thank you for allowing that our garden, and our circle, occupy your sacred space."

Deer retrieves from the table a deftly woven apiary constructed from the wild grape vines of his native Carolina woods - his gift to the gardeners who tend this place - and leaves it at the gnomon's foot before returning to his place among this circle of friends.  After a warm smile to owl, and a silent "thank you" to Jess for choosing this magical setting, Deer again digs his toes into the sweet earth and waits...

...Boudica comes forward to the center of the circle.  Dark blue as night gown with tiny stars on it, barefoot and freshly from her own garden, the earth still on her hands.  From her shoulder flies a small owl to a nearby ledge on a building.  

Boudica carries a large earthenware bowl, and she walks by the wheelbarrow filled with dirt, she stops, and places her hand in the warm earth and whispers a blessing.  She moves to Owl, and places her hand over the water skin that Owl still has, and whispers another blessing.

She then places her hand in the bowl and pulls out a fistful of sunflower seeds.  She allows them to gently fall back into the bowl. She whispers a blessing upon the seeds.She then faces all the members of the circle. 

"As we petition, we shall plant the seed of our prayer.  As the see grows, so too will the blessing we ask or the boon we request shall see its fruition.  Take some earth, place it in the cup you have, take a seed, place it gently into the earth, and then give it some water.  Then ask your petition." 

Boudica then looks to the moon. 

"Great Mother, as the Father Sun warms your bosom, as the first buds appear, as we see the earth awaken from its winter sleep and return to life, as we are reminded of the Circle of Life and the Wheel of the Seasons, bless each of us as we start again on our cycles of living. Bless, protect and walk with each of us to guide us as we need it."

She then places the seeds next to the wheelbarrow, fills her cup with earth, places a seed in it, walks over to Owl, who drips some water into the cup.  She smiles at Owl, who always seems to be refilling her cup... 

Walking to the center she whispers again, this time asking for something for herself, and as the owl drops from the tree and back to her shoulder she walks back to her place in the circle to await the next petitioner...

...Owl steps back to center and gazes upwards, grinning back at the full face of the moon. "Mother, I'm not here to petition, but to give thanks. You've helped so much thru the past trials with my family, and I wanted to thank you for the good thing which happened today. The hearing regarding Casey's status for Social Security was last week. Today, we got the news .. he's approved! This means many more doors will open for us in seeking treatment for him. We started working on your Labyrinth today.. and hope you will be pleased."

Owl walks around the circle, hugging those who have helped support her family thru these difficult times. Red Deer, Jess, Boudica, Nym... each and everyone of you who have listened, and provided information, and been our cheerleaders when times were tough. Blessed Be, and thanks to all of you! In the names of our Lady and our Lord, may you all be blessed, as you have blessed us. Owl steps back to circle next to Red Deer, and leans into the warmth of his comforting arm. Hugs are good...

...looking around to be sure that petitions have opened, EarthChild steps forward.

"Lord and Lady...I have very much to be thankful for.  I have three beautiful children, two loving partners, Greg is working again and seems much happier, I've found a new connection to the Horned God, and in general things are well."

EarthChild picks a seed from the bowl.  As she steps forward to plant it, she speaks once more.  "I have but one request in two parts this month. These last 6 months I have had symptoms that indicate heart problems.  The first round of tests found nothing.  Since the problem has worsened in the last few weeks, I am back to see the doctor and get refered to a cardiologist.   Please.  Let me speak so that they understand.  And this time, may they find the root of the problem. The symptoms are becoming serious and I am becoming all too aware of my mortality.  I am young and I have just begun to get beyond my past enough to really live. I want to grow old with my partners and see my children grow into the beautiful, intellegent adults that I know they will be."

EarthChild places the seed in the rich earth, covers it over, and pours a bit of the water over it.  At the altar, she places a bottle of her favorite sparkling cider.  Then she takes her place in the circle as...

... Jess takes a cup from the table and fills it with an inch or two of soil. She pokes a well in the center and adds a seed from the bowl. Taking the water skin, she adds a stream of clear water and then gently pats the soil into place. Holding her hand over the cup, she takes a deep breath.

"Lady, I have many things to do. Some things are already started, some have yet to begin. I know it is up to me to do the work. I ask for inspiration, for direction, and strength. Help my projects grow to fruition."

Jess turns back to the circle. She hugs Boudi, Owl, Red Deer, Nym, and Earthchild...

...Windwalker walks up to the circle late, but in better spirits than she has been in for the last few weeks. Taking up a cup of dirt and placing the seed inside, she walks to Owl for the water and smiles, anticipating meeting in person soon. Then she takes the cup and places among the others. Then from her medicine bag she takes a pinch of sand and places next to her cup. This sand is from her newly formed Medicine Wheel and the new home of her Pepper's ashes.

"Mother, let the warmth of your earth-heart help these seeds to grow and as they do Let our dreams and hopes flourish. Let us all find some measure of happiness and peace in time, wado."

Stepping back into the circle, Windwalker winks and gives Jess a hug,slippping her a small inflatable seahorse for future use. Then opens herself to the energies around her and waits for...

...Sunspider squeezes Windwalker's shoulder as she passes to take her turn planting a seed.  She has a thousand things racing through her mind, the events of the past few months having unburied parts of her she thought were long gone, hopes and dreams and insecurities and something... she's not sure yet. She takes a cup of dirt and presses a seed into the center.  She smiles at Owl as Owl waters the soon to be growing seed, reminding herself to ask when would be the best time to venture to the Mountain this summer.  She places her cup alongside the others and gazes up into the glowing moon. 

"Mother, I plant this seed in thanks.  I plant this seed in hope.  I plant this seed in joy,  I plant this seed in patience, it seems as though that's all I'm lacking now, but I'm getting better<G>.  I'm not sure what's coming, but I know Your hand is in it and its beautiful.  Thank You so much."  She leaves a pinch of the sage that came as a gift next to her cup, returns to her place in the circle to wait for...

...Red Deer who, releasing owlie from an unreasonably long and happy hug, moves to the table.  Two cups Deer takes from the table and fills gently with soil, adding a sunflower seed from Boudica's bowl gently to the first while offering thanks to the Gods for the now burgeoning spring.  For the second Deer, ever the non-conformist, removes from it's place stuck to the amber about his neck a tiny seed from last year's garden, which he sets gingerly in the second cup, with a broad grin.  Ever so gently, Deer pours water into his cupped hand and drizzles it over the two cups of life's potential.

    This small gift from Carolina he takes to the northwest corner of the garden and, finding a good spot there which is not, as yet, planted sinks it into the fertile soil.  "A favorite from our neck of the woods - Moon Flowers  - for the denizens of the night in this city garden (we've noticed that luna moths are especially attracted to them), as well as for those people who may pass through during the evening.  May your white trumpets remind all who encounter them that darkness harbors beauty as well."

    Deer returns to his own place among the circle of friends, and another hug from his sister, then watches as...

...DreamDancer brings himself back to reality after sitting for however long just watching Nyms bubbles float and dance in the breeze with a silly little grin on his face and steps up to the table. Picking up the cup he hold it for a moment and, not being one for saying much out loud in circle, tilts his head up and feels the moon caress his face, his thoughts "thank you for bringing me together with these special people".

Lowering his head and opening his eyes again, he pokes a small hole in the soil contained in the cup, lightly places the seed in the hole, and gently fills the soil back in. He thinks :may the relationships I've come to find here, and the people I share them with come to grow and bloom as this little flower soon will".

Knowing that he really should say something, and keeping in character, he raises the cup to the moon, smiles and says "while this seed has just been planted and may take a while to bloom, looking to the future Lady, this bud's for you".

DreamDancer smiles to those gathered around him, then catches sight of yet another little bubble floating on the breeze, and follows it back to his place in the circle...

... Jess looks around the circle. Bubbles still dance over the heads. The table is full of cups, each holding hope as they nestle the seeds.

"You knew we weren't going to leave without a song, didn't you?" Jess takes the nearest hand and begins a slow spiral. Each step is a beat in the song:

   Inch by inch, row by row,
   Gonna make this garden grow,
   All it takes is a rake and a hoe,
   And a piece of fertile ground.

One quarter around the circle, more steps and more voices join.

   Inch by inch, row by row,
   Someone bless these seeds I sow,
   Someone warm them from below,
   Till the rain comes tumblin' down.

The first two verses are familiar. The voices, some clear, some ragged, some loud, some quiet, repeat these verses while the song continues:

   Pullin' weeds and pickin' stones,
   Man is made of dreams and bones,
   Feel the need to grow my own,
   'Cause the time is close at hand.

   Grain for grain, sun and rain,
   Find my way in Nature's chain,
   Tune my body and my brain
   To the music from the land.

The spiral is winding tighter. Bodies press in the center, then turn back to spiral out. Faces pass before faces, singing and smiling.

   Plant your rows straight and long,
   Temper them with prayer and song,
   Mother Earth will make you strong
   If you give her loving care.

   An old crow watching hungrily
   From his perch in yonder tree,
   In my garden I'm as free
   As that feathered thief up there.

The spiral opens back to the original circle. Faces are flushed. The wind has picked up and there is a hint of moisture in the air.

Jess returns to the sundial. So many beautiful faces look back at her. She looks up to see them Moon clouding over.

"Earth and water, sun and wind. Thank you for blessing our seeds and help us bring our plans to a full and timely harvest. Lady and Lord, thank you for joining us, for in you is the divine act of creation embodied. And to our often hidden friends: thank you for keeping busy. Rarely do we city folk recognize how integral you are!"

Droplets land on Jess' upturned hands. She squints at Owl, but sees the water skin is laid by. So you're innocent this time, she thinks. More water falls as the skies open with a gentle rain.

"Folks, the elements have spoken and called our ritual to an end," says Jess. "This circle is open, but never broken! Merry part, and don't forget your cups!"

Hugs are exchanged across the circle. A tarp is thrown over the wheelbarrow (the soil will be added to the plot later). Tools, mundane and otherwise, are hastily gathered. Damp but happy, the participants adjourn to far corners and nearby cafes.

(lyrics of the GARDEN SONG by Dave Mallet)