A Guest

It was already dark when Joe got home. Hope was standing in the doorway.

"You’re late."

"I didn’t know I was on a timeline."

"Did you forget what day it is?"

He turned towards the door and saw the moon had already risen. He forgot it gets dark earlier in the winter. It is full too.

"A gathering." He said.

"Yes."

"Anything special this time?"

"Not really, Just a charging, reinforce the protectors and ask for guidance for our daughter. She is developing fast now. We are going to ask for her to be granted power and wisdom."

"Is everybody coming?"

Yes and a guest.

"Who?"

"I don’t know, but I feel their presence."

Joe started towards the bedroom to get ready.

"I already have everything we need."

Joe felt rushed as Hope got in the car. He followed close behind and they headed towards the park. Not much conversation and when they arrived Hope got out, grabbed the stuff, and headed into the woods. The moonlit the path. As they entered the opening she noticed there was no fire yet. Everything was set but nothing was lit.

She put her stuff down and started to set up the circle. The little basket she turned into the altar again. She took out the instruments incense and offerings. The candles were set.

The rest of the group gathered in silence until one of them asked? "Same usual stuff or something special this time?"

"We have a guest coming. I don’t know who it is, but I know they’re coming."

"Should we wait for them or get started"

"We should get started it’s getting late said an unfamiliar voice."

No one but Joe turned to see who it was. A tall skinny man dressed in black stood just inside the clearing. "I’ll follow along and add when appropriate."

Hope stood in front of the altar with the unlit fire behind it.

The others gathered round in a circle.

First, she raised a glass of salt to the heavens. "Blessings upon this creature of salt."

Then she took the blade and scooped some of the salt on the tip, and put it in the cup of water. "Cleanse and purify."

She turned and walked to the outside of the circle with the blade raised to the heavens and said "I call upon the circle." She then pointed it to the ground and traced the circle around the group saying as she went "I call the power in the protection of the circle."

There was more, but Joe didn’t hear it. When she was back at the altar she lit the two candles and the incense. She traced her steps again with the incense and then with the candle. When she got back to the altar she stepped in front and bent to light the fire. It started slow then quickly grew. She put the candle back on the altar and turned to face the center.

"We gather for our usual charging. Does anyone have any requests?"

No one spoke up. She raised her arms again. They all raised their arms. "So may it be."

The fire seemed to grow, reaching towards the sky. The group seemed to glow with the added energies.

After a time Hope said. "We give thanks to the energies."

She turned to the group again and repeated. "Does anyone have any requests?" One of the ladies chimed in, "Can we send some of this positive energy to my friend who is ailing."

The guest interrupted. "May I say something?"

"I come from a group of elders who have been waiting for a leader to come to show us the way. This sole has been waiting for the right time. We have noticed she has chosen this time to come into existence. She has chosen her parents and they have chosen her too. I have come to inform you that she has also chosen this group. Why we don’t know or question. She will have choices to make when she gets older. You can not make them for her, but you can influence them. You must raise her with your morels and ethics. Show her what is right or wrong by example. Teach her what power is, How to grow it, and when to use it. She must learn using these powers have consequences. She will learn to control these powers and look to them as gifts to make life better."

One of the group asked. "Why us?"

"Don’t know, It just IS."

Hope looked around then asked the guest, "Would you care to join us in calling the energies to help heal?"

"I would."

They raised their arms in silence and concentrated on the sky. "Positive energies flow through us and to those in need."

The fire again flared but this time more intense. Was it the addition of the stranger’s energy? Who knows but they all felt it. Even the guest noticed the unusual energy.

When they finished Hope thanked the energies and bade them farewell. She banished the circle.

"It’s time to celebrate. Would you care to join us?" Hope asked as she looked at the guest.

"I have other urgent business to attend to but thanks." He turned to leave.

Joe asked, "We don’t even know your name?"

"It’s not important now. You probably won’t ever see me again. If you do it is because you need something. If you do I will come again."

"What kind of help will we need? Will you need to protect us?"

"Joe. You are the protector here. More powerful than you know. Before all is done you will protect us all. Destiny will save us." He turned to leave and as he went said "If She chooses. Teach your children well."