No moonlight led the way as she walked softly along the forest path, as this was the time of the Dark Mother who bids us to look within rather than without. Nor did she carry a lantern to light her way; she had traveled this path since childhood and knew every stone, every root, every rise and fall. All around her, the forest was silent, too silent; she knew she was not alone. A thousand eyes, seeing but not seen, danced upon her frame as she moved, like liquid, through the night. A crisp breeze tinged her face with a blush of blood but her thoughts remained focused only on the work to be done. She had learned long ago not to allow distractions to interfere when The Mother called; her own comfort became secondary the moment she first heard the voice of The Mother. How many years have I walked this path in service? she wondered briefly, then pushed the thought from her mind, returning her focus to only the moment at hand.

       She moved with a graceful power, a beauty that shone from within, striding yet gliding, nearly walking on naught but air, completely aware of all her surroundings without even a thought. No mortal would dare to travel this forest at night, especially alone, but she knew she walked in safety under the watchful eyes of her Mother's children. As she walked, she let her thoughts fall into a trance with each step carrying her deeper, as if the fall of her footsteps were the very beating of a tribal drum, yet her footsteps fell but silently upon the forest floor. She knew a complete trance state was necessary if she was to be able to cross through the portal that awaited her. She knew the portal could not even be acknowledged until she had passed through; a forethought would bind her to this world and in this world, the work could not be done.

       Step by step she streamed deeper into the forest and deeper into trance until all at once she stopped. She turned round and, with a motion of her hand, brought down the veil of mist that was the curtain between the mortal world and the Otherworld. She smiled in spite of herself; it had been easier than she remembered, as was always the case. One need only to walk in Perfect Love and Perfect Trust to reach this realm, she reminded herself. Never for a moment did she ever truly doubt her power or ability, for if she truly doubted, she would not even try, but always the thought stuck in the back of her mind, as if a reminder that no matter how strong a mortal she may be, no matter how many gifts bestowed upon her by The Mother, she was still just that, a mortal, and not The Mother herself. With the veil drawn shut, she turned round again and began to ready for the work to be done.

       Before her lay a small clearing within the forest at the head of which stood an old oak tree. T'was the oak itself who had seen to the clearing, its lofty canopy discouraging any other sort of growth beneath its reach. She began by greeting the old oak tree. How long has it been, old friend? Too long, I think. I have missed you. Not a word crossed her lips, only her thoughts carried the sentiment, but the oak heard and gently bowed it's limbs in a show of embrace. She reached out to touch one particular knot within the oak's trunk, stroking the knot with her fingertips as if it were a lover, and slowly, beneath her touch, the knot roused, opening an eye, and smiled at her. The waking dragon turned his head, pulling from his resting place, and reached down to press his face against her body. She wrapped her arms around his head, nearly the size of her own full body, and held him there in a warm embrace before he gently nudged her to return to her work.

       She moved about the clearing with purpose, gathering stones from hither an thither and placing them rhythmically measured around the perimeter. In the Otherworld, it was not so necessary to create sacred space; all here was sacred and only those in service of Spirit could cross through the veil of the portal. There was naught she needed protection from, still, she laid the stones, creating the circle, as a sign of her pledge and her duty. To act lazily here meant to grow careless in the mortal world and, though she was well protected in both realms, she knew the discipline would serve her well.

       Without words, Dragon spoke to her in her thoughts as she continued with her forms. You have been long away from this side of the veil, my Lady. Tis not often you travel to me; more than not, tis I who must travel to you.

       She heard his scolding deep within her heart for she knew it had been far too long since her last visit. It was too easy to get caught up in the happenings of the mundane world and easier still to take for granted that Dragon and all her other guides would be present when 'ere she have need of them. Apologies are excuses, my Lord. I shan't disgrace you with such. You speak the truth; I have been remiss, and I thank you for your ever-present keep despite my tarry amongst the mundanes.

       It is your service to walk the path of that world, Fiona, Dragon spoke with his eyes, and not for a moment would I keep you from your duty. Yet so many times I see you waning in your strength. Know that I am pleased to see you return, if only for a time and a spell, to the land which gives you your life.

       Again you speak the truth, she said through her thoughts, though know you well there is no time here for as one sun rises and sets, a thousand do the same on the other side of the veil.

       Dragon shifted on his perch within the old oak tree then faded from sight, returning to the grain of the wood. Not another moment passed before a human figure stepped out of the same grain and crossed over to stand just behind her where she worked.

       "Know also that I am pleased to see that your fair beauty does not wane with your strength," he said gently beside her ear and she turned from her work and embedded herself deep within his arms.

       "And you wonder why it is that I keep myself away," she playfully reproached him, "when know you full well that you would keep me here for your own." She looked deep into his eyes and this time it was he who knew she spoke the truth. "Now away with you! I've work to do and I know your mind would have me do otherwise!" She smiled at him and kissed him gently on his eyes then turned back to her tasks.

       With a sigh, he retreated to the branches of the oak where he kept a watchful eye to her. "I'll take that as acknowledgment that my guardianship is, indeed, a blessing to you, and I will further assume that when the work is done..." he trailed off and let her finish the thought for herself.

       "You may assume as you wish, Dragon. Only time will tell if your assumptions will be correct," she said coyly.

       "Ah, now tis I who is to remind you that here time has no hold," and he winked at her behind her back and she knew this was so.

       It was but a little game that they played, a game in which she could certainly hold her own, but when all was said and done, she knew the simplest of truths. Dragon was her guardian and teacher first and foremost, and without his service, she would not be half the Priestess she was. She was indebted to him and to The Mother for providing her with such keep. What she hadn't expected was that here, in the Otherworld, Dragon could be as Dragon pleased, and not only could he take solid form, unlike in the mortal world, but he could also take any form he so desired. The guide spirits of the Otherworld were all children of the Mother and as such, there was no need for rule or reign. Here there was no fear, only love, so here there was no need to be confined to one's predetermined form.

       It was on the day of her dedication, when childhood had ended and maidenhood began, that he came to her as other than a dragon. She had been standing naked before the oak, in full invoking stance, receiving her gifts from The Mother, with all her allies in attendance, when Dragon had faded back into the tree. She had not been startled by his departure, for she knew full well that his form was not his mind and the former need not be present for the latter to attend, but after she closed the circle and her attendants had left, he re-emerged under the guise of a human male, perhaps a decade older than herself. She had stood still in disbelief until he spoke to her thoughts with his own. It was thusly that her dedication to The Mother was consecrated, and thusly that his unending service to her was pledged.

       She had completed the formation of the stone circle, five-and-forty stones in all. With the stones that remained, she built a small cairn to the North at the base of the old oak tree. As the cairn grew, stone by stone, she thought on how her own life had grown, how she had grown, here in the shadow of the oak. It's gnarled branches reaching skyward had been here lifetimes before her and, no doubt, would remain lifetimes after she was gone. The old oak signified all that grows and flourishes here in the Otherworld; it presented a great stability that remained so because it knew how to bend in even the strongest of winds, nor could rain wash it away. Only fire was an enemy to the oak, but as the oak had made treaty with the fire dragon and protected him within its hollows, so the fire dragon protected the oak. She was reminded that allies are a good thing to have and smiled, knowing she had the best of allies in both the oak and dragon, as well as her other guides.

       She turned round and jumped back, briefly startled by the figure that stood before her. After a moment, which gave her recognition, she exclaimed, "Brother!" and rushed to embrace the man who stood before her. Oladar held her tenderly and kissed her forehead. "You came," she said, looking deeply into his eyes.

       "You made it difficult to do otherwise, my dear," he noted, smiling.

       "Yes, well..." She blushed and lowered her eyes, her words trailing off, but he could clearly hear her thoughts. I'm supposed to be stronger than this, yet I call to him at the drop of a hat. When will I ever learn to stand on my own? she scolded herself, feeling very much the child again.

       "You are stronger than you allow yourself credit, my Sister, and you do stand on your own, for no one can stand for you. Family is family and, by my blood, I will stand as I choose. And you were not the only one who requested my presence this eve."

       "Oh?" She was intrigued, but she also knew the answer. "Dragon," she said intuitively.

       "Aye," he replied, with a nod of his head. "And where is..." but before he could finish, Dragon craned his reptilian neck and lowered his head from his perch in the lofty boughs of the oak.

       I am disappointed, Oladar, that you must ask, Dragon chided him silently. Perhaps it is time for you to be reminded of your own forms. Dragon blew a wash of hot air over Oladar's face and winked, then settled himself back fully on his perch.

       "In the presence of a Lady, Sir, I will not quarrel with you," retorted Oladar with a stern look. He had no mind to debate with another's guide, yet he also had no mind to be chided by the same.

       "Now stop, you two," she pleaded. "This is certainly not the place nor the time. If you can't behave, then you've no place here and I can send you away just as easily as I summoned you forth. By my will..." and she let the sentiment trail off out of respect.

       Yes, my Lady, their thoughts chimed in unison.

       Oladar settled himself into a seated position in the center of the circle facing the portal, his back to the ancient oak. He was a curious looking man, not small, but not large, bearing the dark hair and fair skin of his Irish decent but looking more like a Native American Shaman. His own path had carried him cross lands far and near and he was well-learned in the teachings of many cultures. Oladar had been, and still was, one of her wisest teachers, but most certainly not in any traditional sense. Through Oladar, she had learned to trust her own intuition and abilities and not to question that which came from Spirit and The Mother. Always one to argue and doubt, this had been a valuable lesson for her, though it was a lesson she was still learning. Oladar was her checkpoint, never telling her that which she wanted to hear, but always sharing with her the truth. He had opened to her the first time she'd ever met him and from that time, his door was never closed. They had been, from the beginning, Brother and Sister, a bond stronger than blood, for theirs was a bond of Spirit.

       "Would that the others were here," she commented softly as she continued with her preparations.

       "Patience, my Sister," was all that Oladar had to say. She sighed, knowing, as always, that he was right.

       "You know that's what I hate about you, don't you?" she jested.

       "Nay, my dear; tis what you love about me." Oladar beamed at her with his mischievous grin.

       "I lied," she retorted. "THAT is what I hate about you!" Giggling, Fiona bent to kiss her Brother's forehead. It was as if the wheel had not turned a full cycle and then some since they had last seen each other; their banter was natural and comfortable and filled with pure love.

       "I suppose it is time to begin," she said plaintively to herself as much as to her Brother. She picked up a fallen cedar branch and began sweeping the circle, spiraling widdershins out from the center, humming and chanting low as she worked. Though it was unlikely that there was any negative energy present which needed to be swept away, she was as much sweeping her own aura, removing any final particles of psychic debris which may have clung to her even as she walked through the portal. Oladar and Dragon silently kept their posts, one seated center circle, the other perched within the oak.

       She moved to the East and took from the folds of her cloak a batch of incense which she lit and gently anchored in the soft earth. She watched for a moment as the gentle smoke rose then dissipated on the air. The rich scent of the incense filled her senses and she felt a warm glow surround her. More smoke wafted from the burning sticks and danced round to form the shape of a hare before it again diffused on the air. She smiled gently, knowing her guide was present, and whispered a blessing in Hare's name.

       To the South, just in front of the portal, she placed three white candles -- one for Brighid, her patron, mother, sister, and child; one for Dragon, her closest companion; one for Swan who guided her soul in love and graced her spirit with beauty. As she lit each candle, she again whispered a blessing to each of these three guides and the flames bowed toward her, acknowledging her words were received.

       In the West she placed a chalice and poured a thick crimson liquid from a small flask into the clear receptacle. Into the liquid she tossed a handful of ground catnip which floated upon the surface. As she whispered a blessing to Cat, the herb slowly sank to the bottom of the chalice.

       She returned to the North, coming full circle, and placed the final stone - a clear, raw, quartz crystal - atop the cairn. After whispering a blessing to Salmon, she moved to kneel center circle across from her Brother.

       She whispered her final blessings to her remaining guides -- Bull, who stood above her, Wren, who flew below her, Adder, who was at her left, and Otter, who swam to her right. She raised her eyes to look upon Dragon, her Spirit guide, as he perched in the old oak tree, and silently gave him her blessings and asked for his in return. Dragon blew her a kiss embroidered with his sentiment. So be it, as it has ever been and shall ever be.

       She closed her eyes and took a moment to connect with the energy of the Universe as it manifest here in the Otherworld. She became the Universe and the Universe became her. She felt her body flow with sun tides and moon tides and all things worldly and Otherworldly, earthly and celestial. She began with the blessing prayer.

       "In the name of The One which has ever been and shall ever be -- anima and animus, chaos and thaos, the first and last breaths of life; in the name of The One which is within us all -- all-knowing, all-powerful, ever-present, boundless, eternal; blessed be this time, which is not a time, and this place, which is not a place, and we, your children, who dwell within as well as without." She spoke softly, yet with immense power, the words resonating throughout the Otherworld.

       After pausing for a meditative moment, she rose to her feet and assumed the invoking stance. "I, Fiona Aidan, am Child of the Goddess, borne of the flesh of her womb. I. Fiona Aidan, am Daughter of the Goddess, Maiden to experience, keeper of innocence. I, Fiona Aidan, am Sister of the Goddess, Mother to knowledge, keeper of compassion. I, Fiona Aidan, am Mother of the Goddess, Crone of wisdom, keeper of the secrets of the Universe. I, Fiona Aidan, am Goddess, incarnate in all her aspects."

       As she spoke, the presence of The Mother descended upon the circle, wrapping them in a silvery light. The immense power surged through her body, seeking to break free from its confines, but she was adept at channeling this power and merely reached out to Oladar, taking him by the hand, asking him, in gesture only, to rise and stand before and beside her.

       Oladar stood to mirror her in movement and in voice. Together, they proclaimed their unification with Spirit and The One. "As above, So below, Spirit unites the whole. Spirit without, Spirit within, Spirit never ends." Their movements were fluid and graceful, perfectly matched without thought. They reached out to one another, joining hands, and circled round once before joining in a ritual embrace.

       In gesture, she gave Oladar leave to make his own offerings and blessings and took her seat center circle. In return gesture, Oladar thanked her for her mindfulness and took a small wooden flute from his cloak. He gently placed the flute to his lips and with his breath of life, the flute awoke and sang her ritual song. The sweet refrain called out to even the deepest regions of the Otherworld and it was as if all life that dwelt within stopped to take notice of the aria as it soared and spiraled on the air. His offering gave her the gift to be at once lost to all time and space as well ever-present in the depth of the ritual. She became everyone and no one; she was everywhere yet nowhere, held betwixt and between by an embrace of beauty manifest in melody.

       As Oladar danced round the circle, joined in Spirit by the whole of the Otherworld, Fiona was mindful of his own power and the beauty with which he walked his own path. I could not have asked for a better teacher, she thought to herself, and at her thought, Oladar turned his dance toward her and bowed low as he finished his forms. He returned the flute to the folds of his cloak and again took his seat facing her.

       "On this night of Samhain, with the veil between the worlds so thin, we come to honor all that have crossed before us, and to send The Mother to her winter resting place. No more is the time for birth or growth or harvest; now is the time for restful and renewing slumber. We have come full circle to this New Year's Eve and as the sun rises tomorrow, we begin life anew, as a babe begins life in the womb of its mother. As we prepare for this ritual rest, let us cast forth all which no longer serves us and all which would prevent us from serving others. Let all fear be shed and buried deep in the Earth, to spring forth as love when the Maiden is born again."

       She rose from her seated position and glided sunwise round the circle beginning in the East and ending in the North. With her bare hands, she dug a small hole behind the old oak tree and from her neck, she took a small leather pouch inscribed with the symbols of her fears. She open the pouch and poured the contents into her palm. Cupping her hands together and raising them to her lips, she blew all her fears into the seeds. With the seeds empowered, she cast them into the waiting hollow and covered them with the moist earth. She returned to the center of the circle and spoke her words of power. "Dark power rule the night in your subtle yet potent way. See now? No moon tonight; the sign of the Wise Crone's phase. Then release me now into the void and purge my very soul. There I am but to be born again -- renewed, transformed, whole."

       She again seated herself before her Brother and together they joined in meditation. Dragon came down from his perch and moved to stand watchfully behind her. Oladar's dragon descended upon the circle and took her own stance behind her keep. Fiona reached out to Oladar with her left hand, interlocking her fingers with those of his right. In turn, he reached out with his own left and joined with her right. Their hands became eternal knots, endlessly intertwining with no beginning and no end. The dragons spread their wings, sheltering the two in a ring of magick. They each gazed into the eyes of the other's dragon, allowing themselves to be drawn into a deep trance.

       In Spirit, they journeyed through the astral realms, guided in flight by the dragons, revisiting all the days of the year which had now come to an end. Together, they viewed each other's victories and defeats and reviewed the lessons which once lay before them, knowing the knowledge gained was theirs for eternity, as it had always been and would always be. They knew they need only remember that which had been forgotten, for they truly were Spirit, Divinity incarnate on Earth.

       The dragons returned them safely to the realm of the Otherworld then faded from the circle. Fiona and Oladar released their physical bond and sat still in meditation. They did not speak or think of what had been seen; they simply accepted, with love, all that the other had shared. When they had both silently come to resolution with the lessons of the journey, Fiona continued.

       "Tonight, let us stand our vigil to meet with old friends and family as they join us here in their own cycles of life, before-life, and after-life. Tonight, all worlds are one world, all times are one time, and all doors are open to those who would venture through them."

       She stood to face the portal and, with a wave of her hand, lifted the veil of mist that guarded the gate between the worlds. Where the mists had been now stood a large doorway, ornately carved with images of Gods and Goddesses once forgotten but now very much alive. Fiona retrieved a silver skeleton key from a silver chain which hung about her neck and slid it into the waiting lock of the door. Magickally, they key turned itself and the door, now released, opened wide. A great gust of wind poured through the portal, followed by a human male.

       "Always one to make a grand entrance," she commented and joyfully embraced the blonde figure.

       "Would you have it any other way?" asked Magus the Magician as he kissed Fiona tenderly.

       "But of course not," she intoned and smiled warmly. "And what perfect timing, as always."

       "I would never miss my Pooh's magick," said Magus as he ritually walked the perimeter of the circle once then seated himself next to Oladar.

       "Mmm hmmm," she muttered and winked.

       "How goes it?" said Magus to Oladar. "I believe this is the first time we've come face to face."

       "Aye," replied Oladar, "though know you or not, we have spoken."

       "I don't doubt it, friend; we've much in common." Magus gestured toward Fiona.

       Oladar agreed and the men bantered on as Fiona closed her eyes and concentrated on sending her thoughts through the portal and back to the mundane world. AutmnMoon, it is time, my Sister. She waited for a reply and faintly heard her Sister's thoughts. On my way.

       Fiona moved to join the men in casual conversation. As they spoke, they were joined every now and again by Spirits of old and Spirits as yet to be. Bits of peace and wisdom were exchanged amongst the guests as they all waited patiently for the full arrival of the family.

       In a moment of frustration, Fiona said crossly, "I do wonder what is keeping her!" Just then, a young woman crossed through the veil of the portal.

       "You rang?" AutmnMoon asked as she bounced into the Otherworld accompanied by a grey wolf.

       "Is all well, Sister?" Fiona asked as she sprang to her feet.

       "Of course," chirped AutmnMoon, "I just had a small altercation with a troll or two on the way. I do so love a challenge! Too bad trolls are no challenge at all!"

       The wolf growled at the mention of the trolls and AutmnMoon gently stroked his head, reassuring him that the trolls were long gone. The wolf headed off to sniff the perimeter of the circle before choosing his resting place at the base of the oak.

       Fiona shook her head and laughed in spite of herself. "The kind of attention you attract to yourself!" she declared and wrapped her Sister in a warm embrace.

       AutmnMoon walked the perimeter of the circle herself, then asked, "Are we ready?"

       "We've been ready, Sister," Fiona said then kissed her Sister sweetly on the forehead. "I believe you know Magus and Oladar," she added.

       AutmnMoon gleefully greeted Magus, then turned to Oladar saying, "So this is the great Shaman I've heard so much about."

       Oladar embraced her and cheerfully whispered "I don't want to know." He followed the comment with a knowing wink and a smile. They both giggled furiously, leaving Fiona and Magus to only wonder.

       They all seated themselves center circle and continued their conversation. Dragon, who had silently kept his post during the whole of the ritual, decided that this was an appropriate time to choose a playmate and began picking golden and crimson leaves off of the tree, igniting them with his breath, and floating them down to land just before the wolf. Fiona spied his antics and silently scolded him. Play nicely, Dragon, she said and Dragon silently returned to his post with a pout. "Children!" Fiona declared and they all broke into a robust laughter.

       Fiona turned her attention to Oladar. "Play for us?" she asked hopefully.

       "As you wish," Oladar replied and again took his flute from the folds of his cloak. He began with a cheerful diddy before turning to something more appropriate for the occasion. Slowly, he began to weave magick into the music as it turned haunting and bittersweet. AutmnMoon reached for her drum and joined Oladar in the making of Samhain music. Fiona and Magus took to their feet and began to dance the magickal dance of Samhain. The ritual had begun.