~
The next afternoon Jolene and Sabine had their heads together behind the counter as Lilly was stocking the book shelves. Jolene looked up and called to her, “When you are finished, please lock the front door and join me in my kitchen.” Lilly assured her she would be there in a few minutes.
Several times during the week Lilly, Jolene and Sabine would meet in Jolene’s kitchen for coffee and discussions. Some evenings they would meet in the Meditation temple. She was receiving instructions in the practice of ‘the craft’ and other esoteric teachings. Her mentors instructed her in the casting of magick circles, protective wards, properties of herbs and stones, the creation of crystal grids, meditation for self-knowledge, the pathways on the tree of life and their co-ordinates in the tarot.
It was an overwhelming body of knowledge. For the most part, Lilly had a strong attraction to the teachings and relished the time spent developing new abilities. She gave special attention to the practice of meditation for she was determined to focus and rebuild her life grounded and centered with strong, positive intentions.
Jolene placed a pot of tea and jar of honey on the table and spoke in a serious voice, “Before Candlemas, we want to offer you your first initiation into the mysteries. James, Sabine and I will be present.”
Lilly took a deep breath, a big smile raced across her face followed by a puzzled look. “I haven’t been studying a year and a day. How can I...?”
Jolene gaze was serious as she leaned forward, took Lilly’s hand in hers and spoke, “I have been getting messages from my guides and ancestors and those beings who assist you on your path. They say you are ready. You have more training than you realize. Your abilities were highly developed in your previous lives. In this incarnation, you have been led to Panthea’s to awaken your power and knowledge; to continue the training your father and your Aunt Pearl began when you were a child. In witchcraft, we call it coming in the back door. In other words, you were born into a magickal family. Your family ties point to your many lives with highly developed magickal abilities.”
She paused, pursed her lips for a moment, and continued, “There is also the matter of your Fae bloodline.”
Lilly tilted her head to one side and frowned slightly, “My what?”
“I noticed indications of a possible Faery connection the first time I looked at your palms. Sabine, who grew up in this area, says there are rumors of Faeries living in the Deep bayou near LaPoint.
Lilly blanched, set her tea cup down and stared blankly across the table. “No, this is crazy. There are no such things as faeries, are there?”
Jolene smiled her secret witchy smile, her black eyes sparkled for a moment and she nodded her head slowly. “Not in the way you may think about faeries. I’m not talking about Tinker Bell. I’m talking about ancient magical beings of great beauty. Ancient Sumerian and Babylonian tablets tell of the Annunaki, our star family ancestors who visited our planet thousands of years ago. They came with great magic some interpret as highly evolved technology. The Faery were the first creatures the Annunki created through DNA manipulation and they loved them dearly. The Annunaki were giants. To them the fairies were tiny creatures, none more than four feet tall. When our star family departed from Earth, the Fae turned to the evolving humans on Earth for comfort. A new breed of Faery resulted as the two species mated. The offspring has the combined DNA of highly developed humans, which contains DNA from our star family ancestors and the beauty, sensitivity and magic of the Faery. This race of long-lived, musical, magical creatures is still alive on Earth. I believe you, Lilly, are one of them.”
Lilly’s head shook and she opened her eyes wide, “How? Who?”
Jolene tilted her head and said in a matter of fact voice, “Your dad, obviously.”
“My dad had Faery blood?”
Jolene laughed, leaned back and rocked the kitchen chair on its two rear legs. “Your dad was a descendent of a strong Fae bloodline. His ability to see auras, his fishing skills, and his amazing wood carvings are all indicators. Surely you have held his carvings in your hands and felt the magic.”
A light passed before Lilly’s eyes and she nodded her head. “I knew he was wonderful and special. Now, I find out he was truly a magical being. He was part Faery. It is crazy weird. Wait a minute, how do you know about his wood carving?”
Jolene looked surprised for a moment, but explained to Lilly, “When you told me about your dad, a light went on. I knew I had heard the name Avery LaCouer before. I thought about it for a while and remembered the beautiful carvings he made. A friend of mine in Lafayette carried them in her art gallery. They demanded a high price. The magick in them is priceless.”
Lilly shook her head, “This is a small world. I use to ride with him to Lafayette when he delivered his carvings to the gallery.”
Jolene laughed and hugged Lilly, “ma chere, your magical path has finally brought you to us and we are thrilled. Your Aunt Pearl is your dad’s sister. She is also part of the Faery clan.”
“Wow, my Aunt Pearl was magickal. When I think of her and the pink light around her as she worked in her garden, harvested herbs and made medicine, I am certain there is magick on my father’s side of the family.” Smiling, she lifted her arms over her head, threw her head back in amazement and exclaimed, “I have Faery ancestors!” Her exuberance faded and her face grew serious.
“What is it ma chere?”
“My mother told me my dad’s relatives weren’t human. She said they were unscrupulous and mean.”
Jolene shook her head back and forth quickly. “That is a misconception.
