FULL MOON RITUAL: ???<P> Ritual Leader: ???<P>

   Deer had spent the afternoon on campus. First, assuring that all was set up with UNC Public Safety to assure that their evening would be interrupted by none but the casual passer-by. Then communing with the green way in the big woods behind the theater. And finally preparing the area of the Forest Theater itself for their revels.

   The girls had helped him draw technicolor images on the seventy-eight brown paper bags which would become luminaria flanking the grand stone stair which dropped from Country Club Road to the orchestra. Hauling in several pounds of sand and a short pillar candle for each had been a hot job.. he had been more than thankful for the cool down the weekend had brought. After days of a heat index over one-hundred degrees, today's high in the mid-eighties seemed veritably air-conditioned. And portended well for a more than mild evening. As he set the last of the luminaria in place on the low steps up from the orchestra onto the stage, Deer watched with anticipation while late afternoon brought its usual billowing of thunderheads. "No rain tonight," he thought, "but a great chance that a summer dragon may provide some spectacular heat lightening."

   Next, Deer turned his attention to the stage itself. He used an old hand augur to drill 39 holes about a foot apart in the hard packed dirt floor - a circle set exactly on center stage. "How convenient," he mused, "for this is the only spot on the decline from up above into the big woods where the stair could enter the theater as a straight arrow from the south. And the stage, with its flanking stone towers, be both perpendicular to the stair and perfectly aligned on an east-west axis. All arranged by nature, the architect and time to perfectly complement the progression of tonight's circle."

   Back to the truck for more supplies.. then the next step on stage was the physical definition of their circle. Into each augur bore, a slender upright about three feet tall was placed. Several needed careful trimming to assure they stood at the same height as their companions, but Deer accomplished this task quickly. Next he brought down the four triangular stone slabs which would mark the quarterpoints of their compass and set each upon a few pieces of green oak. Deer checked to assure that each was aligned with one point outwards toward the circle itself, then brought down the circular stone for their altar. This he placed - also on a few chunks of green oak, just south of the circle's center. "Whew," Deer grimaced to a pair of eyes moving in the lengthening shadows atop the back wall, "I'm sure glad the heavy work is over. I know better than to ask y'all to help with hauling stuff - but please keep an eye on things between when I'm done and when the gang arrives. I'm gonna have to go shower or smell riper than a bushel of fruit left to take a heat."

   After a cool bottle of water and a breather, Deer brought down the rest of their accoutrements from the truck. Working from heaviest down, he placed El's iron cauldron just north of the altar stone. The Public Safety Officers had stood firm on the rules against any ground fires in the big woods, but he'd been able to negotiate a small flame in a pot. He didn't quite think they'd imagined that he'd haul the big cauldron down. In a flash, the tripod was up and the cauldron hung. Then he turned his attention to the quarters. To South, an opalescent sphere filled with oil and wicked stood at the triangle's center. On the Western quarter, Deer placed a reiku censer replete with a ring of charcoal, a large chunk of Dragon's Blood and several smaller pieces of jasmine resin. The Northern table received a mound of finger-sized quartz points (which he hoped folk - including the fair ones - would take as remembrance of this evening). And finally, in the East, a copper bowl filled with clear water from the stream far down the hill near the heart of the wood.

   Along one of the stone benches which stood row upon row up the side of the hill, Deer began the preparations for their feast. Several bottles of mead he placed in a large tub of ice. Bowls of fresh, raw nuts. Almond cookies. Fresh-baked Challah. Bowls of strawberries, blueberries and blackberries. Turning to a rustle at the edge of the wood, Deer smiled. "I know little one, the beginnings of a feast difficult to resist." He tossed several cookies in the general direction of the sound he'd heard, then took a small bowl of sweet cream and left it at wood's edge. "Please let this satisfy your appetites until after we feast. I promise plenty to follow!" Back to the bench, Deer laid out several bowls of heavy cream with the berries and then covered the whole stone with fine netting, making sure there was plenty to cover whatever goodies the others might bring.

   Now, the altar and cauldron. Only three woods to the cauldron this eve - all seasoned and ready for their purpose. Each so dry it would take little more than a spark to set them to flame. And on the altar, Deer placed the staff he'd cherished for nearly thirty years - the one covered in some distant cousin of hieratic or cuneiform, crafted and left by unseen little sisters on a mountain path for him to find. Then his blade, a razor-edge flint handled in antler and bound with doe sinew. Followed by a pewter and crystal Isis chalice (also filled with water from the stream) and a mound of sea salt. Then a stick of fine Tamil Nadu sandalwood, and finally, a pair of foot-tall pillars, each about six inches in diameter and with three wicks. One silver and one gold.

   "Last the rose," Deer thought, lifting his staff and beginning to move back and forth across the space. From the altar to the circle's limn, over and over, tracing arcs on the packed soil with the but of his staff. Deer twirled and swayed - with each pass more aware of the increasing numbers of glowing eyes which watched his progress from the high wall, from deeply shadowed seats within the theater, and even from the boughs of over-hanging oaks. When he stopped - having no idea of the number of spirals nor of the fullness of the compass rose he'd just completed, but instinctively certain that it was appropriate to this evening's work - Deer looked up in surprise.

   The small circle of sky visible through the surrounding trees ("As above, so below," he thought) was nearly dark. Knowing that the other's were to arrive at nine, and knowing that this depth of evening heralded that nine was nigh, he immediately gave up on the idea of a shower. Glad that he'd brought all he needed for the evening, Deer replaced his staff on the altar and headed back down the hill. There was a singular spot where a the stream dropped about ten feet below ground level, over which a small bridge passed. Shedding his clothes, Deer dropped into the stream. Only about four feet of water at this pool's deepest, but still quite enough to submerge, relax and let go of the sweat from his labors...

   …Harmony arrived breathless and filled with anticipation.

   She smiled and hugged Adrianna, "yummy jellies there! This is going to be a great feast" Then she walked over to the stone bench, lifted the netting (“Smart man, our Red Deer!” she thought) and sat down a fragrant loaf of rosemary bread followed by a tub of herbed butter, sitting in another bowl of ice. Finally, she bounced over to Red Deer and gave him a big hug. "I LOVE this place. I'm a theater geek from way back, so this is *wonderful* to me!" before meandering about greeting others who've already arrived, hugging and chattering.

   Then, it's time to quiet down. She's riding high tonight already, so she needs to be firmly anchored. Gathering her skirt around herself, she plops on the ground and breathes deeply. She takes in the smells of the trees, the packed dirt and the bits of oak. She touches the stone in her western quarter. "Ahhhhh now I'm feeling a little more balanced, but not so grounded that I don't see you wee folk" she whispers with a gryn. "Thank you for letting us share your space. I promise to share my goodies with you, don't you fret!"

   Soon the circle is starting...

   …CrystalAquana arrives late and frazzled as usual. Out of her basket she pulls several bottles of raspberry wine that she found at a quaint winery in the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania, a bowl of crab dip made from Maryland crabs and a box of crackers she found in a little shoppe in Virginia. Her journey has been long but full of purpose and rewards. Adding them quickly to the feast table, she runs to give quick hugs to her friends, some old and some new. Now she needs to ready herself for tonight, ground, center and relax. She waits...

   …Floating in the small, cool pool and inhaling the heavy scents of summer, Deer's mind began to wander. Soon, he found himself reviewing words from a massive standing stone in the nearby countryside, and engraved poem by Wendell Murphy:

   "I will go among the trees and sit still.
   All my stirring becomes quiet around me like circles on water.
   My tasks lie in their places where I left them, asleep like cattle."

   "Then what is afraid of me comes and lives a while in my sight.
   What it fears in me leaves me and its fear of me leaves it.
   It stays and I hear its song."

   "Then what I am afraid of comes and I live a while in its sight.
   What I fear in it leaves it and my fear of it leaves me.
   I stay and it hears my song."

   Had it not been for the frenetic machinations of one small chipmunk upon the bridge, Deer might have lost himself in the glory of the evening and the energy of the pool - completely forgetting that a brief trek up the steep hill would lead him to friends and revelry. Suppressing his initial impulse to fling a rock at the critter, he roused himself from his reverie and gathered his clothes from the bridge. "Thanks, little one, for keeping me on task," he whispered before making his way silently back up the path.

   Back in the amphitheater, Deer stashed his stuff in the western tower and retrieved the supplies he'd left there in his pack. The night hung - heavy and humid - as even the coolest of summer nights do in the Southern Part of Heaven. Deer stepped into the uncast circle massaging a quart bag of fresh rosemary leaves. In the damp air, even unlit, the scents of dragon's blood, jasmine and sandalwood already twitched and teased in an olfactory dance notable even beneath the powerful scent of freshly bruised rosemary. He carefully followed the track drawn earlier with his staff, painting the arcs of their compass rose with the leaves he fondled. Quietly, Deer lit the charcoal waiting in its censer. One piece he carried to the cauldron and nestled it among the pieces of dried oak, holly and mistletoe placed there. He was in no hurry for this flame to rise, and knew that in time, the flickering coal would do its appointed job. Back to the censer, Deer lit a small taper before covering the coals there with the Dragon's Blood and Jasmine. Then, taper in hand, he approached first the ward of fire and lit its oil lamp, then the central altar and lit Mama's and Papa's candles.

   Looking about, and satisfied that all was ready, Deer made his way up the steps slowly, lighting the luminaria as he went. It was no surprise that most of tonight's crew were already gathered beneath the stone gates above the top of the steps - mostly because he'd noticed several additions to the feasting table and, of course, the excited chatter from above. Deer enjoyed a spell of hugs and welcomes, small talk and the occasional mention of plans for this evening's rite. Then, taking note that high overhead the full moon was shining through the iris of leaves like a spotlight onto center stage, he beckoned those gathered to proceed into circle. Down the stone stair where, flickering brilliantly in the heavy southern night, images of Kokopelli danced - seemingly right out of the luminaria on which they were painted - the group passed and Deer followed. He'd no idea whether others heard the chiffy flute calling in the distance nor did he need any. Deer *knew* that the flautist would dance among them tonight...

   …Boudica winks at Red Deer. “Hi sweetie, how you doing?...”

    ...The group circled up on stage and Deer, the last to mount the low steps toward their circle, brushed his still lit taper against the slender mast to his right. With a sputter and a shower of sparks, the cat-tail (which had been soaked in liquid paraffin with a hefty dose of rosemary, jasmine and patchouli oils) ignited. A brief flurry of sparks leapt the short space to its neighbor, and so on domino-like until their circle was aglow. More that appreciative of the occasional "Oohs" and "Aahs" from the group, Deer thought this might be an inkling of how a master fireworks maker feels when showing off his craft. And he knew from experience that these torches would burn plenty long, probably past the end of their rite and on into the time of feasting and revelry afterwards. Not only would they provide light, but also hold at bay the worst of the night's biting things...

   …Jess joins the gathering, flying down the stairs and quickly depositing a few bottles of her Raven's Nest Tigers Eye in the cooler. The scent of rosemary still hangs about the circle as she hugs and kisses friends. Settling in the North, she listens and watches her fellow participants, sometimes focused on their words, other times letting her ears wander to the surrounding flora...

   …Quietwaters, arriving very late (most unusual, but nothing in life has been usual at all lately), brings bottles of mead she homebrewed last year and bottled at Mabon. She places them on the table for the feast, opens a small bottle, pours some into a small glass, and brings it as an offering of thanks...

    ...Moving to the altar, Deer ladled sea salt into the chalice of fresh water with his blade. He then retraced his steps to the southern entrance and proceeded clockwise - asperging the ground as he went. Rounding back to the South, he paused and pronounced, "By Water and by the salt of the Earth is this circle scribed." Back to the altar, Deer gingerly laid down the chalice. He took up the stick of Tamil Nadu and split the first inch of it with his blade. One side he lit in Papa's candle, the other in Mama's, before returning to the southern reach of their circle. Again deosil about, he censed the boundary of their space and smudged each who indicated desire with a gesture or a smile. And closing his second round in the south stated, "By Air and by Fire from the Tree of Life our circle is limned." A final journey to the altar, where Deer left the sandalwood to burn, preceded his remaining turn about the circle. This time without accoutrements, other than the faint peal of bells, Deer made his way around those gathered pausing to greet each with a warm smile, a hug, and - upon occasion - a kiss. Finally back at South, Deer proclaimed, "And by Spirit and by Love is this circle sealed. Tonight we journey between the worlds. From this place which is all places and none, in this time which is finite and eternal, we each shall meet what the Gods hold in store for us at the peak of summer. And journeying, we shall send back into the world those works we deem fitting. Our circle is cast!"

   Deer quickly slips into the space between Boudica and Owl, and with a wink awaits the Ancestors' call...

   …Wearing a dark cloak over her purple gown and carrying a staff with a small bell on it, Boudica steps into the center of the circle, tinkling. She pulls her hood up over her head, and settles into a non-descriptive form of shadow. She smacks the end of the staff against the ground three times. She raises her hand and walks around the circle. From inside her cloak, her muffled voice can be heard loud and clear:

   From the earliest dawn of our time,
   to the time that just was..

   From the tops of the mountains,
   to the depths of the earth..

   Come to the time we have now
   Come to the place we have prepared..

   We summon our ancient mothers and fathers,
   We call upon our ancient brothers and sisters..

   We send out our invitation to those of our linage,
   We invite all those who shared our blood and our heritage..

   The Song of the Summer bubbles on our tongues,
   The Dance of the Green moves our feet..

   We welcome those who have brought us
   to this time and place Dance with us..

   Share in our merrymaking
   And help us remember the sweet Celebration of Summer..

   Be welcome!

   She ends with a swirl in the center of the circle. She stops, breaths deeply for a few moments, and then drops the hood.

   She bows to the four directions, and returns to the circle...

   …With a nudge and a grin at Boudi, Deer leaves his spot and takes the Southern quarter. In the air above the oil lamp, he thrice drew the sigil of fire before saying, "Spirits of the South, keepers of the flame - you whose fire burns in our veins and our loins, whose energy illuminates the summer sky with heat lightening, whose dance in the noon-day sky changes the look of the world - I invite you to the time we have now and the place we have prepared. Come. Dance among us and within us. And ward this quarter of our circle."

   Turning back toward their altar, Deer is not in the least surprised to note that the coal he'd left in the cauldron had achieved the heat required to spark the wood collected there and that a beautiful yellow and orange flame now shimmers above the iron rim. He returns to his place and, after tickling Owlie, grins across the circle at Harmony and waits in anticipation...

   …Seeing the cauldron ignite and glow, filled Harmony with an inner tickle. She quickly glanced around and saw the glittering, glowing eyes gathering. There was an added twittering, tickling energy to the air. She glances over as Red Deer finished greeting south and gryns back at him, standing to greet the west. She wondered how on earth she was going to light the charcoal, then she glanced out to those glowing eyes. She knew it would be fine.

   "Spirits and entities of the West; you who accompany our minds on great explorations, you who travel with the stars, as well as the fireflies, you who fill the air with scent and promise, and fills the air with music. I greet you and welcome you to our circle tonight. Dance, laugh and play with us. Please ward this quarter of our circle."

   As she was speaking, a small spiral of smoke had started to rise. It was just enough to fill the circle with a hint of spicy sweetness of dragons blood and jasmine. As she finished speaking, she breathed deeply, hmmm perfect! Not too much, won't irritate mine or anyone else's pipes. She smiled out to the eyes in the dark and whispered "Thank you beautiful ones!"

   She smiled at Deer, then turned her smile and attention to Jess in the North...

   ...Breathing deeply the scent of Jasmine from Harmony's call, she brings her senses back to the circle. She holds her staff at arms length before her with the tigers eye tip pointing to the sky. The humid heat of North Carolina makes it hard to focus on the cold, dry winds of the land of her birth. Quietly but clearly she calls:

   “Spirits of the North: trolls, giants, mountains, rocks, glaciers inching their way across the planet. Remind us that all things happen in their time. They cannot be rushed. Ice will flow in time. Seeds will grow when given the water, sun, and soil they need. Plant your fruit, your flowers. Make the soil fecund. Make way for the ice.”

   “Spirits of the North, join our circle if you will.”

   Jess lights a fat green candle labeled "protection." and turns back to the circle...

   …Out of the pocket of her robe, CrystalAquana pulls a large shell and three vials of water. “As we are joined here from all parts, I now join water from the Atlantic, from the Chesapeake Bay and water from last winter's first snow.” Pouring the water together to form one, “I call upon the Spirits of Water, Energies of the East. Nymphs, mermaids and all sea creatures come and join us here in the circle cast tonight.” With that said Crystal returns to her place and...

   …Cailean sighs. It had been a long hot trip from dry dry Southern California. She was tired and cranky. But looking at the beautiful setting with all the work Deer put into it made her smile. The sparkly “candles” and luminaria gave an other-worldly party feel to the setting. Being amongst her friends, old and new, banished the weariness. Smelling the green things again made her heart sing. Hearing the flutes made her feet dance.

   The wonder, the magick, the splendor of the ritual had moved her into the between-worlds space so it was with a start that she realized it was her turn. She walked to Deer and gave him a hug, and for the first time, asked permission to rub those amazing antlers.

   She stepped to the center of the Circle and gazed at those gathered. Her body still swayed to the flutes and drums that her heart heard. With a shrug she dropped her shawl. The new summer gown of layers of pale green chiffon seemed almost sheer, but not quite. She took a deep breath but could not stop moving to the music, and then realized that she wasn’t supposed to. It’s Summer, it’s time to dance and sing and feast and play. With a broad grin, she placed the deep blue bowl filled with bright red strawberries, picked by her own hand, on the altar (and hoped she had brought enough for all -- human and non -- to enjoy that had already been placed with the other foodstuffs). She added the large shell found this Midsummer Night on the beach and filled it with Pacific Ocean water from a small capped bottle. Bringing just a touch of the West to the East. Standing straight, her hips still swaying to the music, she raised her arms to the heavens.

   “Lady, come join us as we celebrate our humanness, our aliveness. Join us as we celebrate the green earth and the music of life that each of us hears in our hearts. Share in the joy that we feel being here with each other and with you.”

   She danced her way back to her place in the Circle, waiting for the next to come...

   …Peg steps forward, takes a deep breath, and lets it out with a sigh of contentment. She looks around the Circle at all these folks who are her family, closes her eyes, and says:

   "On this majickal night, I invite the God, Lord of life and of sunlight, to join with us, the Fey, and Your Lady - here, in the languorous orgasm of summer! Kiss us with golden light and warmth. Kiss and touch Your Lady and tell her you love only Her. Touch, caress, and hold Her in Your Love and Light. Let your heart be gay, as you touch, caress and kiss Her, again and again! Let your light shine on all here assembled, and throughout the world, bringing peace, love and joy to all."

   Peg's eyes fly wide open. "Eeek! I've been goosed!" she exclaims, before returning to her place in their circle, to await...

   …and Deer, from his place, calls to all those who would bring petitions before the Lady and Lord of Summer:

   "We stand, for now and ever, in that place which is none and all, in that time which is never and ever. Our circle is raised, our space consecrated and our spirits free. Welcomed are the ancestrals ones and the elementals. And deity dances among us. Let each gathered recognize this in her or his own fashion and raise petition for that which is needed..."

   …Typo steps forward, his black and silver robe shining in the moonlight and glowing by fire's from the cauldron of the south. He walks over to the cauldron and lights the candle from the fire and walks to the altar. Placing the candle on the altar, Typo speaks:

   “Lord and Lady I only have one request. Free me…”

   …Adrianna says, "If I could ask in humble request for the way and means to pay the last $2000 remaining on the mortgage, so that I am freer to focus on the needed building, repairing, and necessary things for the work with people.. and for safety to explore, along with gentleness where possible, for those who are healing and for those opening to Life Purpose.. if it please the Lord and Lady to hear my petition. Thank you for the beauty of Full Moon and the warmth of friends in the journey!..."

   …Doreen steps up to the center of the circle with an offering of dried rosemary and sage.

   "Ancient Ones - My life has gone through so many changes over the last year and the end of this year and the year 2004 are going to be even more tumultuous. I will be leaving my life as I know it and moving to England. I have a lot to deal with - giving up the house, my friends.. everything. Hopefully this will happen by Yule 2004, if not sooner. I ask that you please look after me and help me make the right decisions to make this transition in my life a smooth one. I honor and thank you with this humble offering."

   Doreen, slightly scared but hopeful, leaves the offering at the altar and steps back to her place in the circle...

   …Tina walks around the Circle sharing loving embrace with each of her old and many new friends, then walks back to share her story and petition.

   “I've been unemployed since Jan 2001 - at first this was a blessing in disguise. I thought I'd have so much time to concentrate on my studies, get the house packed up to move, unpack in and decorate the new house, do lots of gardening, etc. I have accomplished quite a bit, but not nearly as much as I planned - I have no idea how I did anything while working.”

   “Meanwhile, hubby has been working his butt off and we're just making ends meet. Unfortunately, this doesn't include paying down the credit card debt we managed to get ourselves back into after we moved. UGH! I know it's our own fault, however something needs to change.”

   “I have been seriously looking for a job about 6 months now, with zero bites. I have continued to look in the IT (computer) field, and am now speculating that no one is calling me back b/c my heart isn't really in it anymore. My needs are to pay the bills and this field would pay much more than any other. However, if I'm not getting any hits, then this isn't true now is it? Being my wants are elsewhere, I need to find a way to merge the two.”

   “I am currently working towards a Masters Certification in Herbal Medicine and a PhD in Holistic Nutrition. I am also a Reiki Master/Teacher. Along with all this I am usually a very creative spirit and have some wonderful nurturing products that I have made (bath salts & teas, massage oils, spirit sprays, dream & eye pillows, etc.). I also make crafty items too - lots of pretty beads included. So, I am petitioning now for some "get up and go" to move forward in my dream of owning my own business and actually being able to contribute to the "GREEN" bottom line of the household once again. I want to be able to take some stress off my husband as he works too hard to keep things going and our time together is suffering. If I can bring some decent money into the household, he could slow down a bit, and we'd all be much happier.”

   “I envision a shop with lots of foot traffic and interested folks who enjoy spending their hard earned money to purchase my quality items and love them when the get home or share them with others. I also see me giving Reiki workshops and treatments, being paid going rate. I see my website developing into a successful venue of selling my wares and bringing new people from near & far into my storefront. I see my creative juices flowing freely to offer more unique items folks can't find elsewhere, all in the spirit of keeping our Mother Earth safe and sound, and nurturing the world's mind, body & spirit. I see my studies continuing to move forward at a pace suited for my development, and what I learn adding to my business - one day soon offering sound herbal and nutritional recommendations. I also see my success impacting the community around me - being able to get more folks involved in "cleaning up" and preserving their greater community, doing more for others. Overall, I see great success in terms of money coming in to our household and Garrod and I having loving, quality time together, and being able to share this with our family and friends as we always have done in the past.”

   “May the God & Goddess shine their light upon all of us, and may we know their presence around and within us, may be strive to be better each and everyday and relish in their warmth.. I thank them for their time here, and I thank each and everyone one of you for being a part of my life. Brightest Blessings to All!...”

   ...Adrianna whispers, “May many prayers and good fortune keep you surrounded. Love and hugs!”...

   …Storme steps up to the altar and lays a spray of copper beech upon it.

   “Lady and Lord, I have not been here for quite some time but I want to thank you for welcoming me back. I want to thank you for all you have done and shown me in my life. I have never known exactly what happened during that awful time and, for years, I have felt 'stuck' unable to deal with the issue and move on, because so much was unknown, so little was confided to me. But last month you truly showed me that I do not need to know, to lay the issue to rest, that knowing would not help me and you truly helped me to put it all behind me. For the first time in many years I feel light and free. For this you have all my thanks and my thanks also to the beech who gave me these leaves as a token.”

   Feeling light and happy, Storme returns to her place in the circle, so grateful to be here...

   …Pomb lets her tiredness and discouragement slip away as she makes her way past the glowing luminaria, lightening with every step. She gathers her conviction and lays a bunch of dried southernwood to the fire. "Thank you for growing so beautifully last summer and perfuming my home. Thank you for coming back this year from the seeds you scattered so creatively. Please open and bloom from the earth and on the fire and bring your gift to me and all who need it." She hears a little ghost of mirth somewhere over her shoulder. If southernwood is to share its gifts and healing anywhere, it would be here, she thinks, as she slips back into the circle...

   …Cailean quietly steps back into the circle. Moving to the fire, she adds a few pieces of the jade plant that grew outside her home. "I hope your new owner takes good care of you."

   This has been a time of changes, drastic changes, in my life. I thank you for your presence, Mother, during the times when I was riddled and almost crippled with self-doubt. I ask for guidance on this new path.

   She steps back...

   …Owl steps to the center of the circle, taking a baggie from her robes, she opens it and flings a strange powder around the circle, so that it gently dusts all who are gathered here. With a grin, and a wink, Owl petitions.. "Lord, Lady, may all who love find those who love them more. And may we all have great sex!"

   Owl returns to the circle and laughs to see the faces of those who have heard her petition, and hugs the Red Deer as his giggles fill the night...

   …Fern steps forward. The trip to the circle from Arizona was a strange one, but she was able to add some kicking salsas to the feast foods.

   "No petitions from me this month, High Ones. Just a simple offering." She reaches into the basket, and adds sage to the fire, the scent of the smudge working its way here and there on the playful breeze.

   She returns to her place and...

   Nivasi steps forward, with two infant blankets, one of pink the other of many colors. "Dago and I ask that the Lord and Lady send their blessings onto both our daughter in blood and our daughter of love healthy babies." She lays the blankets down upon the altar, then she stammers as she asks: "Lord and Lady of the forest, bless the opening of my coffee shop. It's been chaotic waiting, but I'm sure you have your reasons."

   Nivasi steps back in hopes that all things will come as asked...

   …CrystalAquana steps forward from her place. She smile at all her friends, old & new. In her hand she has a bundle of wild flowers, herbs and beads wrapped in a piece of tattered blanket. Laying them on the altar she say "Dear Lady & Lord, Fifteen years ago you blessed me with a precious son that I wrapped in this blanket. I thank you with all that I am for he has made me a better person. You have tested me through this one. Please grant me the courage, wisdom and patience to continue to guide him as he grows into a man. CrystalAquana steps back to her place...

   …tofumidget speaks up. “in the name of the goddess i ask for help to heal the pain in my heart from the loss of both my son and brother. give me a sign from them to put some peace in my heart. i hope i am not too late for you to include my petition .i desperately need the help of the goddess to get me through this, the most painful time in my life. blessed be...”

   …Kevin steps nervously into the circle (because he is new here) with an offering of a spray of oak leaves and one of apple leaves.

   "Great Lady, as these trees bear fruit to nourish us and stand tall to protect us from the storm, so I ask that my hopes be nourished and that I may find protection from my fears."

   Kevin places his offering on the altar and returns, still nervous but hopeful, to the circle...

   …Adrianna scoots to place carnelian stones and orange-toned flickering sunstones on the altar among the other gifts. Moving back quickly to her place within the group, she whispers, " Oh, Ohooooo! I think Owl just created havoc in my nicely ordered life! I thank the Lord and Lady for the confusion and surprises to come..? Yes, I really do. It's been a long loooooong time since sex and playing have been a part of my life. Wow! May the new begin!..."

   ...Next comes Quietwaters. "No requests.. just a big thank you for the blessings of beauty I'm being gifted with as I grow older, including the gift of learning about my own beauty.. something I couldn't appreciate in my younger days, but I'm glorying in now."

   "Thank you.. and thank you.. it might not all be 'good' but it's certainly all real, the joy and the sadness interwoven to form this marvelous whole.. I don't regret a moment of it (well, maybe a split second here and there.. hehehe).. and couldn't ask for more right now. I feel full and hope that I can carry this joy with me into whatever may come."

   ..."and maybe one little request.. that I stop being so quiet (a lurker!) and get to know the people hear a bit better.. or let them get to know me"...

   …Seeing that all who would have come forward for this moon, Red Deer moves from his place to the cauldron of fire - it's last remnants sputtering towards oblivion. With both hands, he draws smoke from the ebbing fire towards himself, particularly pleased with the scent of white sage and the momentary visions of red rock country it brings to him. From there he thanks the ancestors for their presence in the time we had now and the place we had prepared.

   He moves to the East, takes up the copper bowl from its stone slab and raises it high. While in his mind's eye nymphs and mermaids dance, Deer thanks the spirits of water for their warding as he flings the bowl's contents high into the heavy night. Then, in the North, he retrieves the last remaining crystal. Holding this before him, more visions.. this time trolls and giants whom he also thanks for warding, and the point seems to disappear into the night of its own will. At the Western quarter, he retrieves the reiku censer. No visions at first, but when its contents are swung in a wide arc upon the night, it seems that thousands of fireflies take wing - thrice circling those gathered before rising in a spiral of incredible beauty. And last, to South, raises the opalescent sphere with its flame - and feels the fire which he thanks as the last remnants of oil are burnt and the wick passes from flame to smoke.

   Deer retakes their Circle's center and stands, momentarily entranced, before the pair of wonderful flames still dancing high from the pair of candles there. "Lady, we thank You that which grows, the green earth, the songs it grants - all of which mirror your presence in our lives. And Lord, in this season we are grateful mirrors of Your joy and love.. To all who have joined the circle or warded it, we offer most sincere gratitude and implore that you return a moon hence."

   As Deer awaits the words to finish this rite, many impressions pass across his awareness. Each he experiences briefly, before sending them aloft on the still faint spiral traced by the fireflies.. a home unencumbered, a move across the ocean, a new avenue leading to an old way of life - each takes wing.. a past filled with issues laid to rest, a gift of southernwood, guidance asked and granted - each floats gently above their circle.. a passion responded to, a simple offering, grandchildren - Deer caresses each and releases them to the heavy air.. one mother's loss of the boy she's loved and gain of the man she'll admire, another's loss of her son and her brother, and the nervous steps of a young man onto the path of the Old Ones - Deer savors the depth of each need, each inquiry before releasing it to the night sky.. the joys of havoc, the blessings of beauty, and his own silent request for fulfillment - Deer raises his hands and watches each circle the flames still dancing upon their altar. Then, with a silent caress, a breeze kicks up its heels and releases both dancers from their wicks..

   "Where we have stood this eve, those forces about and within us stand always. And this place, whether here tomorrow or not, is here forever in our hearts." Deer looks, smiling, about the Circle - thankful for such a wonderful group of kin. He notices that the cattails are now burning low as well. "Our Circle is open but unbroken.. each time we dance beneath the night sky, each time we bask in the noon day sun.. each time we love.. these acts will always bring our spirits back to the Circle.. back to this place which is none and all, this time which is never and ever. And we will always remember deity dances not only among us but within us. Let each gathered recognize this in her or his own fashion."

   As the last flames which limned their Circle sputter and die, Deer's stomach rumbles loudly. "Party!!!" he exclaims, heading for the feasting table and with hugs brushing aside all who get in his way.