SECTION III - STORY TIME

Healing Circle - Arianne ShadowWalker
CatCorner - Kittenhood - Sorcy SummerWind
Fiona & Julian - A Thanksgiving Festival - Selene SilverWind
Meagan's Mabon - Kat Dyer

Healing Circle
by Arianne ShadowWalker

Walking quietly through the trees,
Ignoring the knocking of our knees.
Familiar faces spotted in the setting sun,
Growing excitement about what's to be done.

Hugs are exchanged from Maiden to Crone,
Each secure in the knowledge..we aren't alone.
The altar is set, and our Circle is cast,
Individual deities called, from Kali to Bast.

The women clasp hands and all start to hum,
From off to one side, comes the sound of a drum.
Feet start to tap, and bodies begin swaying,
We let ourselves go with the music that is playing.

Each lost in her own personal trance state,
Thinking on the reason why we meet so late.
Things never shared tonight will be revealed,
In order that each of us can be fully healed.

The music gets louder as we call out our parts,
Each drumbeat echoed in our fast beating hearts.
For we know that as we all share and let go,
Stronger and stronger the energies will flow.

We feel the power flowing from hand to hand,
And exchanging glances, we all understand.
As one screams freedom from pain and hard use,
Another lets go of her own substance abuse.

Yet another breaks down and sobs with the joy,
That she will be united with her lost little boy.
Each of us lets go of our fears and deep pain,
And we know that we can now be whole again.

As we all rapidly dance the Circle around,
We feel our feet slowly lifting off the ground!
Yet we aren't fearful, we're safe from harm...
All surrounded by the Goddess's strong arms.

The drumming slows, and we revel in the feelings,
We started out dancing, and finish this kneeling.
The cone is released, and we are all free,
Sisters with one voice we cry, "So Mote It Be!"

(c) Arianne ShadowWalker
June 1999

CatCorner - Kittenhood
By Sorceress SummerWind

Raising kittens, for those with nerves of steels and no particular attachment to their precious furniture, is one of the 'small' blessings Mother Nature offers to us. I found that no heart, however indifferent, can remain so for long when faced with the innocent bravado of a miniature tiger intend on getting TLC. I have seen men who openly (and adamantly) professed to be a dog person, and gods forbid, have no use for a fluffball whatsoever, sitting in a chair smiling big boy smiles when a tiny creature starts purring in their laps. Usually within days, even the most manly men surrender, and it is just too funny to watch how they defend 'their' kit when someone offers to take it off their labs. Devious as women can be, we have often resorted to that trick of 'oh hunny, its just for a few days, until we can find a home for it' to acquire a feline member of the household. It never fails, and heaven hath no fury worth than a man facing separation from the one little creature who adores him so completely, and trusts him, and, well, you get the picture :)

If at all possible, everyone should be able to enjoy raising a litter of kittens at least once in their lives. Of course, the aforementioned nerves of steel do come in handy when the gang starts walking and exploring their surroundings. Usually at about four weeks of age they are bravely tottering beyond the nursery. From then on out, the next four to six weeks will know no peace. Nothing is sacred, or beyond the inquiry of sharp claws. I found out just how adventurous little toms can get when I padded towards the bathroom in the middle of the night, and tripped over one of them.

Reaching out to steady myself on the wall, my hand grabbed into another one, hanging upside down from the (grass) wallpaper. We looked at each other for a while, and when I could control my heart rate again, I carefully extracted 20 sharp claws from my wall. Never mind the bits of paper who came off along with the kitten. I have also resigned myself to have eternally shredded drapes and curtains. There just isn't much sense in replacing them, when the next litter will find out just as well how beautifully one can swing in them. Just be sure to have them securely fastened to the ceiling. There is nothing scarier then hearing your drapes (possibly WITH the curtain rods) crashing down in the middle of the night.

Equally fast I learned that leather furniture is out. I mean, really, really out. No matter how fast the little ones learn not to sharpen claws on the sofa, they will not leave a leather chair alone. It is just too much fun, and thousands of little holes render the best recliner fit for the junkyard in just a few, short weeks. Cover a large roll of plastic or cardboard (to be found in carpet stores...they are usually happy to get rid off the rolls their carpet was delivered on, and if one buys a leftover piece of carpet to be glued to it, they're even happier) with something matching your home's design, and you'll have the whole brood hanging off it hours at a time :) I always measure them from ground to ceiling, they can be wedged in a corner without any further installment necessary.

Oh, and, always, ALWAYS leave the toilet seat down! Kittens can jump, but they can NOT balance. Not a pretty picture, especially not when one uses blue cleaner. I found out that stuff is color proof. Anybody wants a blue shaded red tabby, perchance????? He's in good condition, only his coat is a tad bit shaggy from too much scrubbing and bathing.....

Brightest Blessings, and always a full bowl of cream on thy tables (or in Minou's case, soymilk).

A Thanksgiving Festival
by Selene Silverwind
Slvrwind@aol.com

A few days before Mabon, a very pregnant Fiona bustled in the kitchen testing her new bread recipe for the harvest festival being held by the new eco-village her parents had moved into a few months earlier. She let out a slight groan as she bent to open the oven door and Julian raced into the kitchen and whisked the pan out of her hands. "No you don't!" he cried.

"Julian, I can do this. I'm not THAT big!" she protested without much conviction.

Julian clucked like the mother hen he had become. "No, you need to go rest while I put this in the oven. You've been slaving in here for hours. Go! Now!"

Fiona shrugged and shuffled off to the living room to finish reading the rest of her downloaded magazine. She sighed in relief as she eased down onto the soft cushions to rest her aching feet and sore back, relieved that Julian had come to her rescue. And it didn't hurt that it made Julian feel more a part of this when he helped her.

Once the bread was in the oven, Julian came out to the living room and settled onto the couch beside her, laying on his side to rest his head on her belly and have a little chat with his son. "Listen, there's a few things I need to say while your mom is busy reading.... Consider this a little advice for later in life. Sometimes your wife will be thickheaded and try to do everything herself when she's pregnant. Just help her anyway. It'll be worth it later."

He felt Fiona's eyes boring down on him and he glanced up at her, eyes full of innocence. "Yes, dear?"

"Thickheaded?"

"Oh, did I say thickheaded? I meant... um..."

Fiona chuckled lightly. "Okay, okay. I get it. Thank you for being such a sweetie. I love you." She was interrupted by a sharp kick from their son. Julian jolted from her belly, looking down at the spot where the kick had come from. "I think that's his way of saying he does to."

"He's a strong one. My own personal field goal kicker."

"Too bad we don't have football anymore," she reminded him.

"Hey, I don't let that stop me from being optimistic."

Two days later, Fiona wrapped up a fresh loaf of the bread she had made earlier and set it in her pack along with her containers of herbs and all the other items she needed as she started her third trimester. "Julian!" she called to the other room. "It's time to go. We don't want to be late."

Julian came out of the bedroom dressed and ready to go. "Okay. Let me get that for you." Julian swung Fiona's pack over one shoulder and gently took her by the arm to lead her out of the apartment. She had found herself having a hard time keeping her balance as her belly grew larger by the day. She was more than happy to have all the help Julian wanted to provide.

"Where are we going, again?" he asked as they reached the monorail station.

"Mom said to take the monorail to the Harvest Adobes station."

"Harvest Adobes, huh? Sounds like a relic from the late twentieth century."

"I know. I always hated the name," she said. "But I guess it's better than self-sufficient single-dwelling residence village."

Julian laughed. "You're right about that."

They boarded the train and eagerly watched out the window as the City buildings gave way to a small grouping of single-level homes roofed with recycled clay and solar panels. Fiona pointed out the glassed in greenhouses and gardens behind each pueblo. From the train they could see that each garden was already blooming with fresh fruits and vegetables. Small gatherings of people dotted the road that cut through the middle of the village, all moving toward a meeting house at the very end of the road.

The train slowed to a stop at the proper station and Julian helped Fiona step out of the car just as Jensa and Eion emerged from the train a few cars down. They waved merrily as they stepped from their car with a basket of fall pies. Fiona and Julian waited for them at the end of the platform as Jensa approached to give Fiona a warm hug. "You've gotten so big since the last time I saw you!"

Fiona smiled deeply and hugged her back. "I know. I feel like a boat," she said. The four of them went down to street-level together where Gregory was waiting with a solar cart. He extended a festive greeting as he took Fiona's bag and the basket of pies and set them in the back before motioning for them all to climb aboard. The ride down the paved road to the village was a short one and as Gregory pulled the cart to a stop in front of his house, Vyviane came out to the front porch to wave hello. Julian helped Fiona slide out of the truck and the five of them walked up toward Vyviane who wrapped Fiona in her arms, amazed at how wonderful her little girl looked with the child growing inside her. "I've missed you."

"I've missed you, too. I promise to visit more once the baby comes."

"You won't have to, darling. I'll be camped out in your entryway," she said. The two women laughed and Vyviane turned to her other guests. "Shall we take the grand tour?"

"Oh, I'd love that!" Jensa replied.

Vyviane led them on a quick circuit through the simple living room, east-facing bedroom, warm den, and efficient yet homey kitchen. "It's beautiful," Jensa said. "But how can you stand being all the way out here?"

"We're not that far out and we can always take the monorail into the City if we need some culture or the little necessities we can't grow ourselves. I haven't given up my chocolate yet!" Vyviane said as she took them beyond the kitchen to her indoor garden. She pointed out with particular pride her fresh tomatoes and herbs growing in the window. "I love having all this fresh food within arms reach and wait until you taste it!" Vyviane glanced at the clock on the wall, "We should make our way down to the meeting house though before the feast begins."

Gregory offered Fiona a ride, but she insisted on walking, despite Julian's minor irritation. The families fell into two groups, men and women, and as they walked, Jensa asked Fiona how she was balancing her work with her pregnancy.

Fiona sighed with contentment as she thought about how blessed she felt at that moment. "Oh, it's fantastic. The baby seems to bring out so much creative energy. The City has been great about my pregnancy, giving me extra time on my deadlines and they offer so many resources for pregnant women.

"You are lucky to have so much here," Vyviane commented.

A few steps behind them walked the men. Eion turned the conversation over to Gregory by asking how his work was going. "Oh, I can still work from home as a financial analyst. The City wired us. But you'd be surprised how many Citydwellers want to come out here for an in person meeting," he said.

"I wouldn't," Julian laughed. "I still remember how I felt the first time Fiona took me out to the waterfall on Mount Komo. It was incredible. I wish I could go there every week." Fiona looked back at him and smiled to herself. She loved the way he had changed since they'd met. From what Jensa had told her, she'd been able to do what no one else had: get him away from the computer. If only she could get him to move out here. As Fiona fell back a step, Julian caught up to her and could tell just by looking at her what was running through her mind. He leaned down to whisper in her ear. "You want one of these, don't you?"

A simple nod was Fiona's only reply. This would be her dream come true. A man she loved, their child, and a house with a garden. Something she'd never thought she'd have growing up, but now the City had made all that possible.

They arrived at the meeting house a few minutes before the feast was to begin. The small building was bustling with the new Villagedwellers and their families and friends from the City who wandered through the barn-like structure admiring the goods grown by the proud Villagedwellers. Bright yellow corn, ripe tomatoes, thick potatoes, and giant pumpkins weighed down one rough-hewn table while another bore loaves of thick-crusted bread and fruit pies. A large turkey sat center stage waiting to be carved.

Fiona breathed in the scent of the fresh food and the hearty aroma awakened her appetite. Vyviane laid their contributions on the table and Gregory led their guests toward the end of one table where a special chair had been arranged to support Fiona's swollen shape. No sooner had they seated themselves than the Villagedweller who had organized the festival stood and welcomed his fellow Villagedwellers and their guests to the celebration. Without further ado, he lifted a large knife and made the first cut into the large turkey. A cheer went up and the crowd broke into merry laughter as the sounds of chairs being pushed back on the floor and people moving toward the serving table filled the small meeting house. Fiona made her requests to Julian who filled her plate with heaping servings of homegrown acorn squash, green beans, fresh home-baked bread, and of course the delicious farm-raised turkey flown in specially for the event.

Once everyone had been served, Vyviane started the circle of thanks and asked everyone at the table to follow suit. "I give thanks for all that has been provided for me and my family this year. For my beautiful new home and the wonderful bounty of your earth, for my new son-in-law and soon to be grandchild and for all that will come in the future," she paused. "I thought it would be nice if we all went around and said something."

The six of them went around the table making their thanks for all they had received or accomplished over the past year. It took more effort from Eion who still felt his sister's loss deeply, but he managed to make a brief thank you. After Eion, it was Julian's turn and he turned to gaze at Fiona for a moment before speaking, "Lord and Lady, I've said this before, but I will say it again. Thank you for Fiona. Thank you for bringing her into my life and all the changes she has brought into my life." He laid a hand on her belly. "And thank you for the healthy child growing inside her."

Fiona wiped a tear from her eye after listening to Julian's brief speech and paused before speaking. "Lord and Lady, there is so much I'm grateful for this year. Thank you for bringing me the new life inside me. Thank you for providing me with continued creative success. Thank you for sending Julian my way at just the right time. And thank you for your support during the difficult times of this last year." After Fiona had spoken, they paused to let their thanks reach the heavens, then lifted their glasses of sparkling water and raised them upward, clinking them together at the center of the table.

The meal was quite festive and all celebrated their Thanksgiving feast as the extended family they had become. Vyviane and Gregory regaled their guests with tales of their first days in the house when the water in the sinks had come out an odd shade of green and the climate controls were set just a hair too warm for comfort, but the computer wouldn't let them access the controls. The house cooperated now and they couldn't get over their good fortune at having been selected to live there.

"Do you think we'll get you out here, Jensa?" Vyviane asked.

Jensa laughed. "Oh no. I'm a City girl. Have been since the day I moved to Old Chicago." She glanced over at Fiona and Julian. "It looks to me like Julian and Fiona might be putting in an application though," she said, referring to the way Fiona and Julian were trying to hide their wandering eyes and wistful glances out the window.

Fiona and Julian smiled and blushed. "You got us," Julian said.

"I think it will be awhile for us though. I want to make sure we have all our little ones in the City where the hospital is nice and close," she said, patting her swollen belly. Their parents were in agreement. No need to tempt fate.

Once the main course had been finished, the pies were passed around the meeting house and there were enough for several to be placed on each table. Fiona's family table was graced with apply, pumpkin, rhubarb, and pecan pies. She and Julian each took a small slice from each and were equally amazed as the flavors burst on their tongues. Never before had they tasted food like this.

The day had been very long for the easily exhausted Fiona and she started to nod off at the table and Julian reached over and stroked her arm to wake her up. She glanced at him through sleepy eyes. "We should get you home," he said. She nodded slightly and Julian helped her to her feet. They followed their parents back to Vyviane and Gregory's house where hugs were once again exchanged all around and Jensa and Eion decided that they had best be going as well. Gregory drove them back to the monorail station and the train arrived just as they had reached the top of the platform.

Fiona and Julian sat silently watching the small outside village fade into the distance as the monorail passed back into the large City. Julian reached out and squeezed her hand. "Someday," he said.

Fiona nodded. "And someday not too far away," she looked over to him. "I want our children to know what the country is like before they get to be our age."

Julian squeezed her hand again to show that he agreed completely. Before he'd met Fiona, he never would have thought the country was important, but now he saw how right she was. "They will." He glanced down at the swollen home of their child and gently placed his hand on it. "They will." And he knew deep down, that they would.

MEAGAN'S MABON
by Kathryn Dyer ©1996


Once upon a time there was a little girl named Meagan. She lived with her mommy and daddy, her big brother Corwin and her beautiful cat named Starweaver. It was a cool day. The leaves had started to change color. Meagan walked home looking at all the pretty colors. She was wearing the new sweater that her Nana had made for her. Meagan sighed. Her brother had gotten his cast off of his arm. But he still didn't seem to want to play with her. Meagan wished that things would go back to being the way they were before he broke his arm.

Suddenly Meagan saw a flash of color at the door to her house. She looked closer and started running. It was her best friend Cindy! "Hey!" she called out. Cindy turned around and grinned. "Guess what?" asked Cindy. Meagan stopped by her panting, "You haven't got a cold anymore." Cindy giggled, "Yeah, but that's not all. My mom said that I can go with you to pick apples at Jeremy and Sybil's farm!" "Yay!!" shrieked Meagan. She and Cindy started jumping up and down and dancing around. She had been looking forward to picking apples but it would be even more fun having Cindy with her. Especially since Corwin wasn't paying attention to her.

The two girls went inside the house. Meagan's father smiled as they walked past him chatting about how many apples they were going to pick. "My Nana said that she'd help teach me to make applesauce and apple butter," said Meagan, "Then we can have them for Mabon." Cindy frowned, "Which one is that?" They sat down on Meagan's bed. "Mabon is when we celebrate the second harvest." "Huh?" said Cindy, "I know that a harvest is when you bring the crops in on a farm but I didn't know that there was more than one." Meagan nodded, "Yeah, remember I told you how Lammas is the grain harvest?" Cindy nodded. "Well," continued Meagan, "Mabon is when you harvest the fruit, like apples. And then Samhaine is when you harvest the meat if you eat meat. 'Cus you have to choose how many animals you can feed through the winter." Cindy looked puzzled, "But we don't have to do that anymore." Elizabeth appeared in the doorway, "That's right Cindy, but we still celebrate many of the holidays that our ancestors did. But Mabon is also one of the two equinoxes. That's a day when the sun is up just as long as it's down. But I didn't come in here to lecture. Would you two like to come help me make cookies for Mabon?"

The girls jumped off of the bed and went into the kitchen with Elizabeth. They laid out the ingredients and began making cookies. They rolled out the dough and used the special cookie cutters. They had a stag for the North, an eagle for the East, a lion for the South and a dragon for the West. They also had a star, a sun and a moon. Cindy looked through the rest of the cookie cutters. "Hey, here's an apple! Wouldn't that be good for Mabon too?" Elizabeth nodded, "Yes, you're right. And we have a pumpkin cutter you can use too." Everyone worked busily making the cookies. Soon Meagan looked at her mother, "Mom? How come Corwin is such a grouch lately?" Elizabeth set the timer and put a tray of cookies into the oven. "Well," she said, "your brother is going through some changes right now. His body is changing and so is his life. How he sees things. How he relates to people and what they expect of them. So he has lots of stuff to deal with right at the time his body is changing which makes it that much harder. You'll understand better when your body starts changing more. Try to give him some space. Once he works things out he'll be able to be your favorite brother again."

"He's my only brother!" laughed Meagan, "He'd better be my favorite!"

Elizabeth smiled at her. "I remember my cousin Lisa getting really weird when her body started getting to be like a grown-ups," said Cindy, "I hope I don't get like that." Meagan nodded, "Me too!" she said. "Well," said her mother, "it helps if you know what is going on inside. And remember, you can always go talk to a grown-up, even if it isn't me or your father. You should never try to keep everything inside. If it's inside too long it might burn, like those cookies will if we don't get them out soon!"

Soon it was time to go to the farm to pick apples. Meagan and Cindy had a good time. They were made the official apple inspectors since they were still too young to climb the ladders. Sybil had even made them buttons to wear on their coats. They checked all the apples for worm holes. The apples that didn't pass inspection went into baskets that went to the animals on the farm. Some other apples had started to rot or had other damage. They put these into another basket to go to the compost pile. When all the apples had been picked they divided them up. Jeremy and Sybil got the most because it was their farm, but everyone got at least some apples to take home with them. When Meagan and Cindy got back home, Meagan's Nana was already there, ready to teach them to make applesauce and apple butter. They worked so long that Elizabeth called Anna and got permission for Cindy to spend the night.

The next day Meagan and Cindy carefully packed some jars of the applesauce and apple butter for Cindy to take home with her. Elizabeth also let her have some of the cookies that they had made. They were just finishing when they heard Anna's car in the driveway. The girls rushed outside to put the packages in the car. "Hold up!" said Anna, "I've got a few things in the car that need to go inside." In her car she had some pretty gourds. Meagan hadn't known that gourds could come in that many colors. She waved good-bye to her friend and went back inside with the gourds.

It wasn't very long before it was time for the Mabon celebration. Meagan put on warm clothes under her robe. She helped lay out gourds and grapes and apples on the Altar and around the Circle. She felt a little better after talking to her mother about Corwin and he wasn't acting so weird either. Someone lit the candles and the Coven members began chanting. After Circle was over Meagan wasn't very tired so she helped clean things up. But soon she began yawning. It was time to go to bed. She picked up Starweaver and went to her room. She got ready for bed and was just about to snuggle under the blankets when Corwin put his head in the room. "Hey Sis," he said, "sweet dreams." "You too," replied Meagan and she went to sleep. It had been a good day.