Something stirred within the white folds. She stood alone in the cool mist, completely at ease. Turning she looked back at herself sitting in the gazebo. It’ll show you what you want to know,” Dora spoke low, not interfering or taking away from the chants. She felt relaxed, secure inside their circle, sleepy with the rhythm of the voices and the waves of mist. Thin and gauzy it listed like an ocean current from side to side. A mist began to form outside the boundaries of the gazebo. Katherine felt a cool tingle run from the top of her spine to the very tip. Each voice was part of a whole, forming one sound, one melodious cord as they converged into a chant that lifted her to their goddesses and gods. The goddess was called to let the lives lived converge, the memories known in this time of need. While she did not know the language she knew the meaning. They closed in, caressed her skin as if they were animate objects, hands that touched every inch of her, fingers that gently combed through every strand of hair. Words unfamiliar to Katherine flowed around her. When the last one had performed her task they all drew the circle in with her as the center and Dora facing her at the pinnacle. She swallowed as she watched Margaret step forward and she listened to each of them as they petitioned the goddesses and gods they called upon for assistance. Quietly she sat on the floor of the gazebo, her skirt flowing over the edges of the purple pillow with her legs crossed. Then we’ll use it to anoint you and proceed with the ritual.

One by one we’ll each come forward and add an ingredient to the pot and the incantation for it to do as we ask. All of these are the basic elements of magic. “Now, we have representations of earth, the pot, fire, the candles, water, the holy water – which means it’s been purified with sea salt and blessed – air, the incense and spirit, all of us.

Soul Inheritance by Honey A. Hutson