Jewel of Inanna (Perils of a Pagan Priestess Book 1)

by Hannah Desmond

  “James, I’ve been having dreams for the last few nights. I have tried to ignore them but today, during our meditation, I received undeniable instructions.”

  James made a small inquiring sound in his throat and leaned toward her. Jolene’s voice broke as she spoke, “I believe it is time to relinquish the crystal. The messages are coming from my guides and the energy of the crystal is leading me in this.”

  James slowly nodded, “We knew the day would come, Jolene.”

  Putting her hand out to James he moved next to her and put his arm around her, gently pulling her close to him. She rested her head on his chest for a moment, “I have prepared myself to relinquish it, however I’m surprised the chosen recipient is Lilly. It seems impossible. She’s been here less than three whole months. She has not received her first initiation. The crystal is pulling towards her. My guides and hers are adamant she is the new guardian of the stone. We must initiate her into the priesthood immediately.”

  James held her tight for a moment, “Let’s prepare to initiate her and gift her with the sacred stone. You will be able to guide her in its use and help her as she attunes to the power of the crystal. If the masters and guides and the crystal says this is what must be, we place the crystal in her keeping and allow the mystery of life to unfold.”

  Jolene put her hand on his cheek and kissed the lips she had known for over half a lifetime. “You are my wise Druid and I love you.” James took her hand from his cheek and pulled her into an embrace, kissing her as they slowly lay back on the pillows.

  ~

  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. Part of Faery magick is mirror power. Those who are ruled by the ego energy of the dark side see their darkness reflected back to them when they interact with the faeries. Don’t worry about that aspect. It won’t effect you. Your Faery ancestors are part of the group who have been communicating with me, encouraging your initiation. There is no need to fear and no need to wait a year and a day.”

  Lilly’s eyes grew large, “Jolene, you’re psychic, can you scry and locate my Aunt Pearl? She has the same Fae blood as my dad. It would be wonderful to have a real family again.”

  Jolene nodded in agreement, “I will be happy to scry for her. Do you have a picture or anything of hers?

  Lilly’s shoulders sagged, “No, I have nothing of hers. When I left Alex, I took a few of my necessities in a garbage bag. I am positive Alex will never allow me get the rest
of my belongings.

  Jolene put an arm around Lilly’s shoulders, “Let us complete your initiation, Lilly. We can work on contacting your Aunt afterwards.”

  Regaining her composure, Lilly said, “You’re right, Jolene it is a discussion for another time.”

  “I’m so honored to be offered initiation. What do I have to do for the ritual? Is there something special I need to study?”

  Jolene took a sip of her tea, “Ah, ma chere, the road to mastery of spiritual magick, which is the heart of the craft, is a never ending journey. You will never stop learning. At Panthea’s we believe the best way to approach the priestess process is in increments.”

  “For this first initiation, be yourself, trust your heart and all will be well. We will perform a consecration, ask you a series of questions, anoint you and welcome you into our coven.”

  “Let’s do it tomorrow night, okay?”

  Lilly’s smiled and nodded her head vigorously.

  Jolene continued, “On February 2 our coven will be meeting in the courtyard to celebrate Candlemas with a ritual honoring the Goddess Brigid. We would love for you to join us. It will be a perfect time for you to experience group ritual.”

  Sabine explained, “All of our members live at Panthea’s and will be at the ritual. Oh, except one young man who is out of town.”

  Lilly sipped her tea and said, “I would love to be a part of the ritual if you think I am ready.”

  “You are ready,” Sabine said. “It is time for your initiation and the beginning of your magickal life.

  Jolene agreed. “On Candlemas we sweep away ideas, attachments and judgements which no longer serve us. We focus our energy toward the increase of the new light growing within and without as spring approaches. We invoke the spark of creativity and the strength of Brigid, the Goddess of inspiration. Through the ritual we acknowledge our ability to shape our potential and consciously craft a new beginning with a will and purpose unique to each participant in the ritual.”

  Lilly could not stay in her seat. She stood up, leaned down and gave Jolene a hug and walked around the table to put her arms around Sabine’s shoulders. Her heart was bursting with gratitude. She had found a loving, trusting relationship with these two women, similar to the one she had as a child with her Aunt Pearl. She trusted Jolene and Sabine and knew they held the keys to the wisdom she wanted and needed to live a life free of fear and insecurity. Lilly settled back in her seat at the round oak table and listened to the story of the Goddess Brigid and the part she would play in the Candlemas ceremony.

  The sun was setting when a tall attractive, older gentleman entered the kitchen from the courtyard. He bent and kissed Jolene on the cheek, nodded to Sabine and introduced himself to Lilly, “Hi, I’m James, Jolene’s husband. You must be Lyla.”

  Stammering a bit, Lilly replied with a quiet “Hello.” After a moment, she found her tongue and spoke up, “I didn’t know you were married to Jolene. She kept mentioning James. I thought you were another member of the group.” Lilly stood, put out her hand to James. He smiled charmingly, took her hand, lifted it to his lips and lightly kissed her knuckles.

  Expecting a firm handshake, Lilly was surprised. James’ blue eyes sparkled as he held Lilly’s hand between both of his, “Ah, she didn’t mention I was her crotchety, old husband, heh Lyla? I know I haven’t been around much lately. I’ve got a shop on Royal Street and recently received a shipment of antiquities from Ireland. I’ve been busy overseeing the unpacking and the inventory.”

  Jolene took James’ hand and gently pulled him into the chair next to her. Looking at Lilly she explained, “James will be joining us tomorrow for your initiation and for the ritual at Candlemas. The new shipment is taken care of. Now, you will see him more often and get to know his crotchety ways and his charm.”

  James smiled broadly, “Well said, Jolene!”

  ~

  The next evening Lilly soaked in her candle lit ritual bath of scented oils. Sacred music flowed from her tape player and the sweet aroma of frankincense drifted in the air. Cleansed on multiple levels, she began to dress for her initiation ceremony. Her hands were shaking as she lifted her white robe from the bed. “I’m more nervous than I thought,” she said to herself.

  Putting her robe back on the bed, Lilly sat in front of her meditation altar. She lit the white pillar candle and opened her mind to the meditative space she was getting to know. It took a few minutes for her mind to clear and her nerves to calm. She sat, eyes closed, waiting for a sensation she had only recently become aware of.

  The feeling was not completely physical, it began as a quiver permeating her aura. The tingling began in her hands and diffused through the essence of her being like the scent of a fine perfume or the remnants of a golden memory. As she embraced the feeling, she realized it was not new, but a familiar sensation. Scenes of childhood summers spent with Aunt Pearl returned. As memories flooded her inner eye, the quiver of magick increased, engulfing her in a golden light of bliss.

  The memory of peace and joy, emotions she had once known well, reawakened in her heart, body and mind. This was the familiar, pleasant state she had known as a child. She put her hands over her heart, felt her body solid in the present moment, and returned from her mediation.

  ~

  The rain had just begun to fall when James, Jolene and Sabine arrived at her door, greeted her warmly and walked with her to the temple. James and Jolene had created the sacred space years before in one of the two apartments enclosing the back of the courtyard. Interior walls had been removed to fashion a single large room. The walls of the temple were made of the old brick used to build most of the French Quarter three hundred years before. The wide planked wood floor was covered with plush, oriental carpets and cushions for sitting. Tall cast iron candelabras stood in the four corners, each holding eight lit tapers, providing the only illumination.

  James, as the high priest of the coven, cast the circle. Jolene called the Quarters. Sabine stepped forward with the censor allowing the sweet scent of frankincense to waft through Lilly’s aura.

  The elder magicians stood with Lilly inside the sacred circle of protection. In a strong voice, Jolene proclaimed, “Through this rite you cross the threshold into new territories of knowledge and abilities. We, the elders of this coven, have sensed the subtle shifts within you. We have watched you devoutly dedicate yourself to your personal and spiritual development. Today you put your foot intentionally on the path to your greatest good, you commit to the development of your full potential. Today you honor and accept your ability to be of service. Through this rite you embrace the journey to your authentic, magickal self.”

  The elders questioned her, testing her knowledge and abilities. Lilly’s voice quivered slightly as she spoke her truth, acknowledged her gifts and lack of understanding in some areas. Lilly thought the ritual was drawing to an end when James stepped forward and asked her to describe the path she was presently walking on the tree of life.

  She licked her lips and began to recount the visions she was having during meditation and the slowly returning ability to see auras. “With these experiences in mind, I know I have been traveling on the path of the Universe. I travel the path on the tree of life from the earth to the moon, traversing the astral plane moving toward the higher realms.”

  Her mentors nodded and smiled. Jolene stepped forward and anointed her with sacred oils stating simply, “You are most welcome in our coven.”

  Chapter 10

  Matrix Magic

  Lilly stood alone in her bedroom slipping her white satin ritual gown over a white leotard and tights. She tied a red silk ribbon with small gold bells on the end around her waist and slipped on a pair of white suede moccasins. Walking over to the mirror on the back of her bedroom door she chuckled and thought, ‘I look like am about to go down to the river for a good old fashion baptism.’

  Sobering a bit, she placed the circlet of red roses on her head and recalled what
she knew of the ritual. There was a light tap on the door and Jolene stuck her head in, “Are you ready, ma chere?”

  “I’m a little nervous, but I am ready. Can you think of anything else I need to know before we go down for the ritual? Do I look okay?”

  “You look radiant, Lilly. Being part of Panthea’s is good for you.

  A few minutes later, the high priestess and the newly initiated priestess joined James, Sabine and the rest of the coven in the courtyard. They stood in a loose circle in front of the fountain, chatting among themselves. A large cauldron was raised on bricks, appearing to float in the fountain. The cauldron was filled with sand, a thick white candle stood in the center.

  The group gathered as Jolene addressed them, “Tonight we affirm our connection to the rhythm of the Earth. We are reminded of the divine spark within each of us. This sacred ember has been tended through the dark days leading up to the winter Solstice. Tonight, we celebrate Candlemas, the festival of the Goddess Brigid. We ritually honor the spark of divine light as it grows brighter. The flame is fanned as we continue to burn brighter with life, strength, passion and inspiration.”

  “On this Candlemas we welcome, Lyla, a new member into our midst. She has been studying and performing the personal rituals necessary to prepare for this night. She has passed the tests of her first initiation. Let us ask the Goddess Brigid for a special blessing on our new member.” All of the members came up to her, said “Hello,” and squeezed her hand as they moved into the sacred circle.

  Sabine walked around the inside of the circle, anointing the members with consecrated oil. Lilly felt a light touch on her third eye and heard Sabine say,”May the sacred fire of Brigid purify, inspire and guide you as you walk the path to your greatest good.”

  “So mote it be,” Lilly replied.

  The group formed a larger circle. Swinging an incense burner on a long chain, a tall young woman walked behind them as they chanted in unison; “We are a circle, within a circle, with no beginning and never ending.”