Mel unconsciously wiped her hands on her jeans before unwrapping the tissue and placing the book on the dining room table.
The overhead light revealed the weathered leather cover, with all its nicks and scratches. It was a lovely shade of deep caramel brown. She opened the cover and began leafing through the parchment. The pages were brittle but all intact, with no sign that moving them caused damage. The script was legible but quite faded. There was no index or list of what the book contained. Mel would have to read through each page to know what was there.
"'A spell of knowing - when your love’s secrets must be found'" She read aloud, flipping the page from one spell to the next. Given the slim volume, she would have been surprised if there were more than a dozen spells in the whole book.
"'Binding their will to thine...A spell to conjure fortune to your door...Creating a poppet for curses...A spell for blessing new mothers....A spell of banishment...A spell of three.'" Mel stopped at that spell, wondering what might be a 'spell of three'. She had never heard of such a thing from her studies with the Sisters. She leaned closer to the faded script to read.
"'Thrice will be ye power for good or for woe, Thrice and thrice again, the spell of three will send your words into the world. Cast this spell when ye need the strength of Maiden, Mother, and Crone.'" Mel read the words again, this time silently, trying to make out their meaning. What did it mean? She thought it was some kind of signal boosting spell - making the witch's magic more powerful and potent. It didn't sound like any kind of dark magic - it could be used for good or for woe according to the book.
A spell to be more powerful as a witch seemed like something worth knowing. Mel's own spell casting was amateur at best. Being around such powerful witches as Morgan and her Coven, she'd need a little help. Maybe Margaret's ancient spell could do the trick.
"What does this spell take for ingredients?" Mel asked the empty apartment. The list was a short one and she thought that she had everything she would need to cast it. She might even be able to do it before Ana got home.
Mel gathered up the few things on the list and sprinkled rock salt around her in a small circle. She'd have to vacuum the carpet before Ana got home - the Undine hated salt in the carpet.
"Et vocate ad me in virtute, et vocate ad me in virtute, et vocate ad me in virtute," Mel said, unsure of the Latin words. Maybe she'd need to add a course of Latin next semester, she thought. In the small bowl near the white candle she had equal parts of ground cinnamon, slivers of sage and coins of fresh ginger. Taking the flame from the candle, she tipped the candle toward the bowl, watching the herbs catch fire and smoke. The scent was equally savory and acrid - definitely not a pleasant blend when burned. She'd have to get the windows open before Ana got home.
"In virtute tres, et vocant ad te." Mel chanted, closing her eyes now that the reading was finished. She let the scent wash over her, keeping the vision of the candle focused in her eyes even with her eyelids closed. The smell permeated her, and she heard the words echoing in the living room, as if another voice spoke and not her own.
The candle in her mind's eye danced and then split into three different candles, forming a pyramid. The candle flames flickered and danced in her mind and she felt the herbs enter her nose, flowing down her throat. The warmth spread through her fingers and she felt a heat piercing through her fingertips. It was warm but it didn't hurt. It felt good. Really good - like the warmth of a first kiss, or a good glass of wine, or deep sleep. She gulped in the scent, opening her mouth to take in more air. This feeling was wonderful and she wanted more.
"Mel? Everything alright?" Mel heard Ana's voice, far away, calling to her from somewhere. Her mind wanted to continue to watch the flames and breathe in the herbal smoke, but Ana's voice became louder, pulling her from the vision.
"Mel? Can you hear me?" Ana said, and Mel's eyes flickered open. The candle in front of her had burned down to almost nothing. How long had she been in the circle?
"Ana, I'm fine. I was just...I'm studying." Mel said, using her fingers to pinch the flame out on the candle. The herbs were burned away to nothing.
"It smells...not nice in here, Mel. Can we open the windows? What were you cooking?" Ana asked, putting her grocery bag down on the table, next to the old spell book.
"Nothing. Just some incense. Yeah, let me get some air in here." Mel said, standing up stiffly from where she had been kneeling. Her legs cried out from being folded that long.
"If there is salt in the carpet, will you also get the vacuum?"
Gathering
Moon at One Hundred Percent Visibility - the Pink Moon
Two weeks had gone by quicker than anyone could believe and now the members of the Sisters of the Crescent Moon were up with the sun, getting prepared for the start of the Festival. They had all been so busy with their own lives that they'd hardly spoken before the big day. Texts had passed between them; Helen had called Frankie and checked on Sage, but now they would all be spending the day together, working to make the Festival memorable.
With all their hard work, how could it be anything less, she thought. Memorable didn't always mean pleasant, Frankie had said during their last phone call, but Helen had squashed that commentary. Nothing but positive thoughts for the Festival and the Coven.
Without the use of Darro's truck to help move their equipment, Helen had rented a trailer to load up with their supplies. They had camping equipment, ritual equipment, snacks, folding tables and items for every kind of contingency. Helen had made first aid kits, packed fire extinguishers, brought mylar space blankets and anything else she could think of for the "need assistance" table. After all, she did work in insurance claims.
They had agreed to rendezvous at The Stockpot for breakfast and then caravan the twenty minutes to the state park. Kat and Helen would be pulling the trailer in Helen's Suburban. Frankie drove her little motorhome - she didn't believe in tent camping. Sage and her kids were going to give Mel a ride in their SUV. Diedre was coming on her own.
No one had seen or heard much from Diedre in the two weeks since the meeting at her house. She'd quit her job at Katelyn's shop and gone mostly radio silent, only chiming in on a few texts here and there on the group chat. Helen hated to admit it but it had been a relief not hearing much from her. She really couldn't handle more drama and that was all Diedre seemed to be bringing with her these days.
Helen and Kat were the last to pull into the parking lot and everyone was accounted for, ready for the big day - except Diedre.
"Has someone texted her?" Frankie asked, coming out of her RV.
"She knew the schedule. If she is late, that's on her. Let's eat." Helen replied. She was not in the mood for coddling a wayward witch.
"Works for me. The kids are hungry anyway. Let's get a table." Sage said, leading the way to the small restaurant.
Gathered at their table and drinking mugs of coffee, the women oohed and ahhed over the coloring pages of the twins. Gabbi and Grace had chosen to wear pink and blue princess dresses to the Festival and Sage had finally given in that they could wear them all day - tiaras included.
"Mel, how are your studies going? Enjoying college?" Helen asked, keeping the conversation away from the topic of Diedre. The waitress had brought enormous blueberry muffins for the table and they were all tucking in.
"Yes, it’s really great. I've met some cool people too. Even the Zetas are awesome, which surprised me. At first, I was just gonna check them out because of the situation with Diedre, but they are really cool and I've learned a bunch about magic from them. I really don't think Morgan's group had anything to do with what happened to...you know. Why would they bother? They have so much going on for themselves they wouldn't take the time." Mel added a few purple stars to Gabbi's drawing as she spoke, before setting down the crayon.
"We don't know for sure, of course, but all the signs pointed to Morgan being involved. Even though Diedre is awake now, there still might be something going on. I think you should be careful
." Helen said, breaking her muffin into small chunks.
"Of course, but in the last few weeks, I feel like I've learned more than in the last two months - no offense, Helen, honestly. I'm very grateful for everything I've learned with everyone here but I may be studying with Morgan's group full time from now on." Mel looked up, clearly nervous at the effect of her words. This was the first she had said to anyone about wanting to leave the Sisters.
"Mel, you have to do what you feel is right. We knew that being in Seattle made it challenging for you to be in our group but I would strongly urge you to look for another Coven to join. Where there is smoke, there is usually fire, as the old adage says and I just believe Morgan might not be as she seems to you right now. Please consider your decision carefully."
Mel nodded but didn't answer. Helen knew that look from her own teenage years. She didn't agree with Helen but she wasn't going to start a fight. Helen made a note to herself to talk with Mel later about it all. Maybe she could get to the heart of why Mel really wanted to leave to join the Widdershins Circle.
Breakfast behind them and loaded up for the drive, the group departed after sending Diedre a text to just meet them at the park. Who knew if she'd even show at this point, Helen thought. With Diedre lately, anything was possible. The drive wouldn't take long and it looked like the weather was going to be good. The forecast had not a drop of rain in sight for the whole weekend. Perhaps some weather witches had influenced that, but if so, Helen was grateful. There hadn't been a lot to be grateful for lately.
"How are things with Jimmy? I saw some pictures of you two together on your social media page. You're adorable together." Helen said, glancing at her passenger as she followed Frankie's RV. Uncharacteristic of Frankie, there was a large purple bumper sticker that read "Free Flying Lessons" with a picture of a broom on the spare tire cover. When had she added that to the RV?
"We're good. He's coming by later, to cover the event for the paper. He wanted to be sure I knew he would be reporting on the Festival." Kat chuckled.
"Well, naturally. It isn't every day that a witches' Festival is held in Enumclaw's backyard, right? We might see some other media there today too."
"Maybe some protesters also, or that is what Jimmy says anyway." Kat said as they turned onto the Veazie-Cumberland Road. With Frankie leading the pack, they would likely break a speed record getting there.
"I heard the same rumor. I'm not worried about it. People say a lot of stuff, especially online, but will they really take the effort to get off their couches to come protest a peaceful group? I mean, what's the point? Trying to provoke some kind of clash? I don't think we need to worry about it, but just in case, I already have a protection spell ready to cast once we get to the park. You know me - always be prepared." Helen heard Hester stirring in her cage in the backseat. Most witches might not think to bring their familiar to the Festival but Helen thought the old girl might enjoy it. A bunny field trip, as it were.
"Yes, you always are, that's for sure. I wonder if we will ever figure out what is going on with Diedre? I just can't figure her out."
"It's a mystery, for sure. I've tried scrying and reading the cards and neither showed me anything about her. There is some kind of fog over her every time I try a reading. Of course, my own readings are all gloom and doom, so who knows what is happening. I apparently am going to be having some bad luck soon." Helen reached into the small console next to her seat and pulled out a baggie of carrots, passing the bag to Kat. Without a word, Kat pulled out a chunk and slipped it into Hester's cage.
"I'd say the blessing circle tonight can't come soon enough. With that much witch fire power in one place, we should all be having a very lucky year. Dozens of witches all blessing each other." Kat pulled out one more carrot for Hester before pressing the bag closed and returning it to the console.
"That's the idea. Blessings for the witches and the community. I'll feel blessed if we pull this event off without a hitch. Witches without hitches." Helen chuckled at her bad pun and Kat joined. They tore down the road toward Kanaskat-Palmer state park and the Festival grounds.
Crystals
Twelve Hours Until Full Moonrise
The parking lot was empty except for the caravan from Enumclaw. Diedre's car wasn't there, which didn't really seem to surprise anyone. The event didn't officially kick off for a few hours. Vendors and food trucks were due to arrive in an hour or so to set up, so the group put their focus on getting the tents set up and the registration table organized. Hosting a big event wasn't nearly as fun as just attending.
"Kat, you and Mel get all the vendor tents popped up. I have the registration table. Frankie, can you and Sage get our sleeping tents set up so we don't have to worry about them tonight? Here's the map of our campsites. If Diedre shows, she can help with the decorations."
Helen watched the flurry of activity taking shape in the open meadow near the large kitchen picnic structure where they would have the registration, refreshments and first aid, if needed. She started unpacking her rubber totes with all the clipboards and pens, ready to sign in visiting witches from all over the area. The day would start with a welcome speech, music and vending, food and games, and culminate in dancing and a large blessing circle at moonrise. The witches would then disperse to their tents and enjoy being in nature together. If all went according to plan, it would be a lovely day for witches and locals alike. If...
"Don't look at me like that, Hester. I know I am borrowing trouble. I can't help feeling like something is going to happen today. Let's hope my intuition is wrong, for once." Helen said, setting Hester's cage on a picnic table and placing a light blanket around it to keep the chill out. Helen drew out a small pouch from the bin and pulled open the drawstrings. The strong scents of sage, fennel and rosemary wafted into the shelter. Helen closed her eyes and drew out a large pinch, rubbing the herbs between her fingers.
"On this eve of May, protect and bless this gathering day and guard the Sisters from harm's way. Rosemary, fennel and sage, calling forest spirits and the fae, by the light of this witches' day, protect all who enter, so I say." Helen chanted softly as she scattered the herbs before her, letting the wind take the particles and scatter them. Maybe they wouldn't need the extra protection but it never hurt to be prepared.
Another car pulled into the lot and Helen recognized it as Diedre's. Their wayward witch apparently planned to join them after all. Helen felt her lips flatten in a grimace and she forced herself to soften her face. Holding hard feelings against Diedre wasn't going to help anything. After the festival, they would have time to talk and perhaps Diedre would decide she didn't want to be part of their group anymore. If that was her choice, that would be alright with Helen. Things change, as do people and their desires.
"Well, isn't everyone just busy as bees. I am sorry that I overslept and missed the rendezvous. But I am here now." Diedre walked up toward the picnic shelter with a black bag over her shoulder. She had on a long black gown, far more appropriate for casting a ritual than setting up tents. Everyone else had brought their robes to change into later. She placed her bag on the table and came over toward Hester's cage.
"Ah, you brought Hester," She pressed her fingers against the rabbit's orange fur through the bars. "She is so soft."
"Glad you could make it. Perhaps you can help with the balloons and signs? That shouldn't get your gown dirty." Helen said, hoping she didn't sound rude. Diedre smiled broadly and tucked her hands in her pockets, walking slowly from the table to the signs leaning against a bench. She picked up some of the signs with wooden stakes attached.
"No problem at all, Helen. You know I am happy to help. I'll go mark the way for our visitors." The sight of Diedre in her long flowing gown, carrying yard signs was something to see and Helen couldn't help but smile. Sage's daughters caught sight of her and ran up from the campsites - princess gowns flapping in the wind.
"Can we help? We don't want to get dirty. Princesses never get dirty." Gabbi spoke for the pair. Die
dre was already far ahead and Helen didn't really want the girls close to the road.
"You can be a big help and blow up balloons here. How about that? We'll also need some flower garlands hung up. I can help you with that since some of the bushes and trees are tall. Sound good?" The girls nodded, forgetting about the retreating figure in black as she stuck signs along the driveway into the park.
Two hours later and the parking lot was almost full before they were even officially open. The vendors had arrived, setting up their vendor market area of crystals, herbs, wands, candles, gowns, and grimoires - so many gorgeous things that Helen could have spent the whole day just looking through the wares.
The musicians had also come early, looking for an undercover area to set up their instruments. There was another picnic shelter set aside just for them, with benches arranged into a makeshift amphitheater.
The members of the Witches' Council were also arriving, apparently keen to see the set up. Rachelle made her way toward Helen and the girls as they finished tying off the last of the balloons.
"Very impressive, Helen. Everything looks marvelous. How ingenious that you have food trucks to help feed everyone. So much easier than last year's potluck debacle. I still think someone cast a spell on that jello salad that I ate - I didn't feel well for a week after." Rachelle followed Helen back toward the registration area and the girls took off to find their mother, with Helen's strict instructions to stay away from the river trail. The Green River was especially swift near the park.
"We hope you approve of everything. Our main goal was to make this a fun and approachable event. We want the public to feel comfortable interacting with us. The less secrecy about what we do, the better, in my opinion. Fear begets hate and witches have seen enough hate over the centuries." Helen put the twine and scissors back in her rubber tote. She pulled out her thermos of tea, along with a stack of paper cups.
Pink Moon Rising: The Witches of Enumclaw Book One Page 11