Lilly smiled nodding her head emphatically, “I am going to ask Jolene about it, maybe she has some books I can read.”
“Ha!” Madeline exclaimed. “She is married to a Druid, you want to talk to James.”
Lilly mouth flew open and she was speechless. Gathering her wits, she took a breath and returned to the discussin of the new magick shop. “Where is the new magic shop? What is it called?”
“It’s called Raven Moon. It’s on Decatur right past The Abby Bar.”
“Do they know Jolene?”
Madeline snickered, “They know of her. They do not know about James being a Druid so don’t mention it. Only a few people know.”
Madeline looked intense as she continued, “They know about Panthea’s, but are not interested.”
“Claude and Regina are the owners of Raven Moon. They are both extremely talented psychics. Claude follows the teachings of The Golden Dawn, a powerful secret magic society. Regina is into ancient occult teachings. She works from a centuries old Grimoire.”
“I know Regina better than Claude and I guarantee she does not hesitate to use magick to get what she wants. Go check out the store when you have time. Tell them I sent you.”
“I will. I’m curious and I’d like to meet more magick people.”
Madeline stood, put her hand out and pulled Lilly to her feet, “I’m ready for desert, how about you?”
“I’m always ready for desert,” Lilly said.
Madeline walked into to her tiny kitchen and returned with a king cake. “Come on let’s see who gets the baby,” she said as she cut into the sugarcoated Mardi Gras confection baked with a tiny plastic baby inside.
~
Lilly thought about Madeline’s love altar throughout the next day. She knew she wanted another altar in her apartment, but vetoed the idea of an altar specifically for love. She decided to create an altar dedicated to the more universal themes of love and protection.
It was near closing time the next day when Lilly collected candles for the four directions and one for the center of her altar. She splurged on a brass pentacle with imbedded gemstones and a package of frankincense and myrrh.
Sabine eyed her selections as she tallied up the items and deducted Lilly’s 25% discount. “It Looks like you are preparing for a private ritual.”
Lilly smiled, “Yes, I’m building an altar focused on love and protection. I feel safe in my apartment however it never hurts to boost protection. I want to fill my life with more love and less fear.”
Sabine smiled, her eyes filled with admiration as she looked at the young witch, “You are a wise young witch, Priestess Lilly.”
“Thanks, Sabine. I have a long way to go before I am wise as you are, I truly appreciate your kindness. I think I am on the right track.”
Taking her bag of magical implements upstairs she dragged the end table from the living room into the corner of her bedroom. She wanted to put the altar together immediately but disciplined herself to take a ritual bath, dress in her ceremonial robe and place Inanna’s crystal around her neck.
A silk scarf decorated with moons, stars and planets made an excellent altar cloth. She spent time dressing each candle with oil, visualizing the elements each represented, finishing with the white pillar candle for the center. Collecting the small cut crystal bottle of water from the windowsill, where it had spent the night absorbing the light of the moon and the day absorbing sunlight. She cleaned and consecrated each magical tool with the charged water. A small bouquet of flowers was the last element she added, bringing earth energy to her ritual altar.
She sat quietly for a moment, picked up matches and lit the incense and each candle invoking the Elements of air, fire, water and earth. In the center of the later, she lit the white candle dedicated to the Goddess. Sitting crossed leg before her altar, she breathed slowly, staring into the candle flames.
“This altar is consecrated to the Goddess of ten thousand names. I ask for her blessing of love and protection.” Slowly she chanted:
“Maiden, Mother, ancient Crone,
Bless my altar and my home.
Free from all fear and woes
Now my home with joy be sown.
Maiden, Mother, ancient Crone,
Bless my life with loves true tone
Released from all doubts and cares
Now my heart I’ll truly share.”
She chanted for a long time, inviting the triple goddess, her guardians and guides to be present. Her eyes were closed as she drifted through pastel colored mists and floated through the astral plane into the fourth dimension.
A shining pink light appeared from the mist, followed by a beautiful face. The Goddess smiled kindly, a silver circlet shown within her golden curls. Lilly recognized the youthful face of the Maiden goddess.
The vision faded and another appeared. Ancestors, guardians and guides appeared in the misty periphery of the vision. A new aspect of the goddess appeared. Tall with brown skin and a swollen belly, the Mother goddess rubbed her pregnant belly, smiled at Lilly and slowly faded.
Milky white mist swirled through the higher dimensions as a grandmother goddess approached leaning on her staff. Her long gray braid hung over her shoulder. Lilly could feel the arms of the Crone surround her and draw her close. The feeling faded slowly. Lilly smiled, grateful for the love and protection of the triple goddess.
She continued to sit absorbing the higher frequency of love permeating her home. She was about to stand and close her ritual, when another vision appeared. The room vibrated with power as a tall woman with flowing black hair stood before her suspended in a galaxy of swirling stars. The Goddess’s deep-set eyes stared into Lilly’s as violet light shot off the crystal hanging between the goddess’s breasts.
“Greetings, young priestess. I see you hold the crystal of the violet fire. The stones greater power is unknown to you at this time. Through the centuries on earth there has been no Priest or
