Lilly watched the corners of the courtyard burst into magical flame as the four directions were called. Her second sight awoke to reveal huge, glowing energies. Each corner was consumed in flame; silver in the East, gold in the South, turquoise in the West and deep green flames in the North.
Jolene and James approached the fountain and lit the tall, white pillar candle in the cauldron. Jolene stepped into the center of the circle and invoked the masculine energy, “Lord of Light, I call your spirit to this rite. The reborn sun of Yule, stands with us in our circle. We ask that you fill this priest with light, shine through him, kindle hope within us all. Through your touch the seeds of rebirth awaken. As it is willed, so mote it be.”
James stepped into the center of the circle and invoked the feminine energy, “O bright Goddess of Fire and inspiration, mother of life who called us forth from darkness, I now call you to this celebration of increased light. Fill your priestess with the wisdom of your spirit, through your touch the Goddess is awakened within us all. As it is willed, so mote it be.”
Two glorious beings of light overshadowed the high priest and priestess. The strength pouring through them was palpable. Lilly felt the air vibrating. Glancing at the others standing in the circle, she saw wonder and amazement on their faces.
Her attention turned to Sabine as she stepped into the circle, “The darkness passes, let it go. Foster the light as it grows stronger. Let us fill ourselves with visions of new ideals and goals. As the light grows, may it crystallize into visible form, individual and unique for each of us. Tonight, we call upon the Goddess Brigid, to ignite a bright new light within us with love and inspiration. May our light grow so we may share it with others.”
Approaching the white candle, the members of the circle turned clockwise as each member stopped and lit a taper from the flame of the center candle in the cauldron. Standing in a circle of candlelight, the group chanted, honoring the Goddess Brigid in all her forms.
Lilly’s fingers tingled and her body grew warm. The magic spread to the core of her being. Again, the circle turned as each member, continuing the chant, placed their burning tapers in the sand around the large white candle in the cauldron.
The circle reformed as Jolene instructed, “Keep the energy flowing. Focus your thoughts on sharing your creative healing light with others and with our Mother Earth. Feel the energy of this light flow from hand to hand and see it fill the circle and expand beyond. Your intention carries it.”
Her instructions were not necessary, Lilly’s attention was on her tingling hands, and vibrating body. A powerful wave moved through her as the energy passed from the young man beside her in the circle, into her left hand, through her body and out of her other hand into her neighbor, Madeline’s, hand.
White light danced behind her closed eyes as the vibrations grew stronger. Energy was building and shifting within her. She opened her eyes, a rainbow of glowing color swirled in her vision. A cone of energy formed in the center of the circle. “Aaahhh!” she gasped, as she watched the cone spiral up into the star filled sky.
Closing her eyes, she floated in space through a matrix of energy. She felt herself connected to each person in the circle. Glowing hand in hand, they formed a circle of light beings. The bond was strong as each unique energy fed into the circle of light forming one powerful force. It was only a few minutes of earth time. To Lilly, it was an eternity of knowing oneness and unconditional love.
The vision slipped away as she opened her eyes and looked around the circle. For the first time in her adult life, Lilly experienced a deep sense of belonging. A huge sigh welled from deep within her. She exhaled and the weight of the world lifted. Her next inhale filled her with light. The members of the coven exchanged wide eyed looks of amazement at the powerful vision they had shared.
Jolene closed the ritual. “Mother of Life, of fire and inspiration. Thank you for your love and vision. We bid you hail and farewell. Blessed Be.”
When the four quarters were released, the group joined hands and spoke as one;
“Merry meet and merry part and merry meet again.”
Although the energy had been dispersed, Lilly was trembling. Each member of the coven pulled her into an embrace. As she put her arms around them, a matrix of vibrant spiritual energy began to build a bond of trust.
Lilly shivered slightly in the night air, ran up to her apartment and changed from her ritual gown into jeans and a sweater. Running back downstairs she joined the other members of the coven in Jolene’s kitchen.
This was the first time Lilly saw all the members of the group together. She knew Madeline and was excited to meet the rest of the coven members in physical form, having already merged with them as beings of light.
The main topic of conversation was the shared visions the group had experienced during the ritual. They had never seen the flames appear in the four corners and the protective beings of light. Everyone was awed by the energy they experienced as one, floating in a glowing matrix of love and trust.
James sat next to Lilly on the couch, and put his great bear arms around. “Congratulations on your first ritual Lyla, you did beautifully. How did you like it?”
Lilly looked into the high priest’s vivid blue eyes and spoke sincerely, “I loved it. I’ve never been a part of anything so beautiful. The energies, invoked in the ritual vibrated through my body. Every cell was dancing with life, activated is
