| Do you think you could you resist a special invitation | | | | Negative or vengeful wishing is duly warned against. |
| to a magickal gathering under a full moon in Hawai'i? I | | | | Wiccans are very aware of how to properly use |
| certainly could not. And in this story, I invite you | | | | their magick. |
| along to a chance to wish for what you want, a | | | | As with everything else in life, there are some basis |
| chance to explore new mystical territory, and a | | | | philosophies to remember: "Be careful what you wish |
| chance to learn how to expand our own boundaries. | | | | for." "Do not use your magick for bad purposes." |
| There are many magicks in The Islands, but a special | | | | "What you give, you get back threefold." |
| few know the truths of goodness and light. Sacred | | | | I wish for success in business. I wish good health for |
| are certain sites in this land of aloha, and respect is | | | | my family and I. I wish to find true love. I wish to |
| paid in full by we the people... Thus I share with you | | | | buy a dependable car. I wish for a good grade on |
| this virginal experience - a night sure to be magickally | | | | that last report. These, I'm certain, were some of |
| remembered by us all... | | | | the wishes written out by group members. This was |
| When our close friend, DJ, asked my wife & I if | | | | my favorite part, and I had many wishes! |
| we would like to document an assembly of white | | | | The High Priest and High Priestess invite members |
| witches under a sky of stars, we jumped at the | | | | into The Circle. The following words are posed to |
| opportunity. This monthly meeting of a coven | | | | each individual: "It Is Better For You To Fall Upon The |
| (congregation) is called an Esbat, and is usually held | | | | Sword Than Enter This Circle With Fear In Your |
| when the moon is full. | | | | Heart. How Do You Enter?". Each answer is the same: |
| DJ was raised in the Wiccan religion, and continues to | | | | "With Perfect Love And Perfect Trust". One by one, |
| observe those traditions. Wicca is a religion of the | | | | each person accepts the invitation into The Circle and |
| Earth, and its followers honour the earth, planets | | | | to The Watchtowers. |
| & stars, along with Goddesses and Gods. | | | | The group forms a circle within The Circle, and the |
| Because of past harassment from others who | | | | High Priestess begins the ceremony. This writer's |
| wouldn't understand, many of the Wiccan practices | | | | eyes close, and I am surrounded by the soft music |
| and philosophies are passed from generation to | | | | and her soft words. I am in my own Magick Circle |
| generation by word of mouth teachings. Since | | | | right now... |
| Wiccans believe all earth is sacred, there is no need | | | | My eyes open to wishes that are placed one sheet |
| for churches. This is why worship and rituals can be | | | | by one sheet into the cauldron. The coals have been |
| performed anywhere. | | | | lit. Fire leaps up, almost mischievously - then, as |
| When DJ advised us of the location, she informed us | | | | quickly, settles again with its offerings. The cauldron |
| that we should be clothed in white. Though Barbara | | | | accepts all requests. The High Priestess asks for all |
| & I had a dinner party planned for that evening | | | | wishes to be recognized and acted upon. |
| and did not have the appropriate attire, we quickly | | | | A late arrival stands out once he has entered The |
| rearranged our evening's itinerary with just a phone | | | | Circle. Bobby is a handsome young man, stunning in |
| call. | | | | black, and adds drama to our white contrast. I learn |
| Our next challenge was to find a friend to transport | | | | that he is a warrior, as well a healer. I read |
| us there. (Our mopeds were not suitable for this | | | | humbleness and warmth in his eyes. His face is very |
| journey around the Island!) A close friend was very | | | | kind and gentle, and I see a serene blue aura, with |
| eager to accompany us and participate as well. She, | | | | flashes of a dark power, surrounding him. |
| too, looked forward to this new experience and | | | | A goblet of wine is passed from person to person so |
| thanked us for the unusual distraction. Everything fell | | | | you may never thirst. Cookies are distributed so you |
| into place so easily, as if we were meant to be | | | | may never go hungry, as the rite of communion was |
| there. | | | | originated by The Pagans. I like this thoughtful & |
| The ride to this gathering featured clouds oozing | | | | compassionate remembrance. |
| slowly down the mountains. The peaks of the valley | | | | The High Priest and Priestess utter special |
| were lost within a thick billowyness of 3-D giant puff | | | | incantations, and begin to close The Circle. They ask |
| clouds, floating over all. Hawai'i skies possess powers | | | | that good forces remain strong so that evil shall not |
| all their own. Dusk was upon us, and beckoned were | | | | prevail. Again, directions and elements are beckoned |
| we by the enticement of the evening. | | | | and thanked by the High Priestess. The group leaves |
| Approaching the location, we weren't quite sure | | | | The Circle, with the altar intact, and cauldron & |
| exactly where we should be meeting our friend. It | | | | candles still flickering. |
| was now dark and eerily quiet, with nary a soul in | | | | I stay a seated observer. I ponder. I watch. I hear. I |
| sight. We drove back & forth on the dirt road a | | | | absorb. I write. But I have not yet placed myself |
| couple of times... Even my wife, who has a built-in | | | | within the circle. |
| compass and can find her way anywhere, began to | | | | A light has drawn me into its hypnotic glow. I gaze |
| doubt our direction. | | | | into a glass hurricane, and the candle seems to |
| "This is the right place, isn't it?" we were asking | | | | become a golden saber. My visions are in full force |
| ourselves. After all, we did not expect to see signs | | | | tonight. |
| on the road "This Way To The Coven Gathering"! | | | | Champagne is served in the spirit of love and trust. A |
| And, this was a unique location, so we were certain | | | | sense of unity is felt. Laughter and stories fill the |
| that we followed the directions. Still looking, still | | | | night air. I learn the High Priestess is not feeling well, |
| searching... | | | | so she is clothed in black as a form of invisibility, |
| Wait! There she was, up ahead now. We were | | | | protecting The Circle from illness and negativity. The |
| greeted by a lovely vision of swirling white - lighting | | | | illness I felt from her I learn is deep within, and |
| our way in the darkness. While we were being | | | | incurable. She remains realistic and tries to live her life |
| introduced to the others, they were advised of our | | | | "normally" - whatever that word is supposed to |
| mission there. If anyone had an objection to this | | | | mean. She maintains her inner strength, though at |
| article or the taking of photos, they were to let us | | | | times her physical body is in turmoil. I immediately |
| know. But no one did offer resistance. | | | | feel more respect for her, and wonder if I could be |
| About a dozen people were ready to participate in | | | | as strong faced with her situation. |
| this evening's rituals. There were a couple of people | | | | Anyone is now able to enter The Circle; but The |
| we already knew, which enhanced our gathering. | | | | Dark-Robed One remains alone in there. He exudes a |
| Everyone seemed inviting & comfortable with | | | | contagious inner peace. His disciplined motions are |
| our presence, so we were completely at ease. The | | | | slow, calculated, and languid. His eyes remain closed |
| group shared pleasantries and wine while The Magick | | | | as he moves inside The Circle. His balance never |
| Circle was being created. The Circle is where the | | | | falters. He and his mighty sword are one. |
| celebration and practice of magick occur. | | | | He is one of the people we already knew before this |
| We commence these rituals with purpose, curiosity | | | | night, and now I know my intuition about him was |
| and enchantment. Tonight Barbara and I are | | | | right. I had always felt the extremes within him, like |
| historians. Documentarians. Witnesses to Magick. | | | | goodness & sincerity, along with everything else. |
| We're invited to participate if we wish. To enter into | | | | I watch in amazement and bewilderment. Upon |
| The Circle Of Magick. | | | | completion of his ceremonial tasks, he turns to leave, |
| The ground was nearly as dark as the sky - | | | | pays his respects to the altar and exits The Circle. |
| beginning with the making of the white circle was | | | | DJ gifts me with yet another honour: I can wear one |
| first, in white powder; then the pentagram was | | | | of her bewitching capes. This is a magickal experience |
| drawn inside. | | | | in itself. The writer adorns it as if she were born to it. |
| Four Swords of Strength were planted into the dirt, | | | | I am now completely cloaked in magick's embrace. |
| grounding The Circle in all four directions: North, | | | | Spreading my wings of white, I take this opportunity |
| South, East & West. Each of The Corners has a | | | | to finally enter The Circle, sans quill. My eyes take in |
| corresponding candle colour. The Gathering of the | | | | every item, on and off the altar. I study the swords |
| Graces would now be underway. | | | | planted in the ground. I close my eyes to further |
| A small table was put into the center of The Circle. | | | | absorb the intensity of The Circle and its elements so |
| On this table were flowers placed; many candles of | | | | that I, too, would be filled. I add one more wish to |
| various colors for many wherefores; a koa wood | | | | the cauldron and leave The Circle, already eager to |
| bowl containing water, and another bowl with salt for | | | | attend the next gathering... |
| purification. Elements represented on the altar were | | | | The remainder of the night proved to just as mystic |
| Earth, Fire, Air and Water. There was also a golden | | | | as the evening, and we just couldn't go right home... |
| goblet of wine to share within The Circle, and | | | | Looming everywhere over us, the night sky now |
| incenses & oils for consecration. There was also | | | | manifested great strength. So on the ride back, we |
| a cauldron of charcoal. I would learn the reason for | | | | park at Makapu'u Beach, walk along cool sands, and |
| this later during the ceremony. A large blue glass jar | | | | see a lone lighthouse standing out on its darkened |
| held water for blessing and cleansing. Mystic music | | | | cliff dwelling. Personal reflections abound, and we are |
| played as soft bells were chimed. Slowly but surely, | | | | hypnotically drawn to the moon. |
| the altar was formed as the centerpiece of The | | | | Visions in the sky are definitely dramatic and |
| Circle. | | | | distracting. The creamy clouds seem to enhance our |
| Before entering The Circle, you are invited to write | | | | mood by mightily sweeping across the sky, as if to |
| your wishes. Magick paper was distributed - small | | | | show the true force of nature. Standing so small, we |
| beige squares with large gold, solid circles. Each wish | | | | are evermore spellbound by the magick of the night |
| must be written out on separate sheets; then folded. | | | | and the magick of the Islands... |
| You must write out exactly what you wish for. | | | | |