The Witching Hour

All hallows eve or Sauin, Samhain, was arriving soon. Witches, yes, or more accurately Dianic Wicca. They were/are healers, practitioners of natural healing with herbs, potions, touch and conversation, and spirit if you will accept that. They use the 5 realms, Earth, Wind, Fire, Water, and Spirit.

They spend much time with their coven. They use their knowledge, learned and given to them from both female and male, lesser from the male, of the coven. They help heal or teach those in need. Some times just a few kind words or a pointing in a certain direction of life makes the difference, even touch can alter life strings.

This is where I found myself not to long ago. Things in a marriage I thought was perfect turned sour, then gray, then died. It took time for me to try and heal somewhat, but never completely. There was a piece or pieces of me missing.

My partner in life had been bewitched by so called friends and family, they lead him astray in to the dens debauchery, so I thought. I should have seen this, but he was a smooth talker, eloquent with words. The men of his family seemed alike now that I reflect, little words spoken, maybe a innocent looking touch but still seeking the same reward. Even the younger not quite men yet, the man child, seemed to have the same issue of arrogance. Women were second class to be used.

I was berated once for wearing certain swimming attire which my husband enticed me to wear, as I feared there was a malfunction with the attire. He was aggressive, accusing me of making that happen while at play in the pool with the younger teens. The boys had grabbed me up off my feet tossing me into the pool. I heard or was whispered comments for the rest of that day.

We moved past that until another time, he, I am sure made happen. We had taken his younger brother out for his twenty first birthday. I did like his brother he was mild tempered, kind, but timid and shy at times, but very intelligent, we had some stimulating conversations. Totally different from the rest of the males of his family, he was harassed and at times a target for their cruel comments.

The evening ended and we returned home with my drunken spouse being in a raucous mood. We got him in the house and seated, when my husband proclaimed I should perform an act of sexual stimulation on his brother for his birthday. I was aghast that he would say such a thing. I could only look at his brother in mortification at what he spoke. His brother shook his head, not smiling, not grinning, just somber.

My heart went out to him to have to tolerate this from his brother, his family, with their insinuations, I did want to hold him in my arms to comfort him, protect him if possible.

I chose my path, I stepped to my brother-in-law, I could feel his nervousness as we locked eyes. I stroked his cheeks lightly pulling his lips to mine, then pressed my body against him, aggressively. The reaction was quick, he reacted as I had expected, I wished him a 'Happy Birthday' with love and stepped away, he was a bit stunned but managed a smile.

My husband was not pleased with me for I did not bare my flesh to pleasure his brother. My husband rose and unsteadily left them room when he returned there was a fresh lager with a shot glass next to it, he consumed both.

My brother-in-law and I began to converse on a topic, we liked, not long after we heard the snoring. The two us managed to get my husband to bed, there we left him for the night.

It was getting late in the evening I offered to take my in-law to his home, he refused for fear of my safety, stormy weather was coming soon. I offered him the second bedroom to sleep, he realized I would be designated to the living room sofa, he took the sofa.

We conversed more as the storm began setting in, soon the power was out, darkness filled the house. I located a light then went to change into my sleepwear before bringing bedding and pillow to the sofa, I located another light for my in-law for the night.

I realized to late my night wear had become translucent in the little light they emitted, my in-law gazed upon me. I became possessed, taking him in my arms pressing my lips to his lips, our tongues sought out each other's. Soon we were in the second bedroom our bare skin bodies relishing the touch. I found him to be a very competent, endowed man. He could be gentle or powerful at the right moments, I reached many peaks.

I did not realize that I had fallen in love with him, he was the kind of man I thought I had betrothed myself to with his brother.

I awoke to an empty bed with early morning sun in the window. I searched the house to find our guest missing, my husband still asleep and the power on. I walked out on the porch to find my vehicle missing as well.

Returning inside I stripped clean the second bedroom bed and put the clean bedding from the sofa on this bed. I thought it best clean myself also, while doing so I noticed I was tender in places and smiled.

I found the note my in-law left behind stating where my sedan could be found, at his residence. I could hear my husband grumbling and moving about, I made coffee. He questioned where his brother was I told him he had returned home last night he did not question it.

We had a bit of breakfast before we left to get my sedan. Once there my sedan was in the parking place where my brother-in-law's vehicle usually sits, his was missing. My husband went to knock on the door, but no answer, I saw him take an envelope and return to the truck. Inside were two sets of keys, one set to my sedan the other unknown to me. My husband ventured they were to his bothers home, with a puzzled look crossing his face.

I followed my husband to the door, the key fit the lock. We entered to find an empty domain, no furnishings of any kind, just an envelope on a counter. It was addressed to his mother, he read the letter inside the envelope.

My husband face told of something was possibly very wrong. I questioned him and was told to take my sedan home, he had to go see his mother. I found later that my youngest brother-in-law was an illegitimate son to my mother-in-laws sister, who passed giving birth to him. My husband's parents adopted him and he didn't know about this.

I gathered the mail a few weeks later, going through envelopes I found one addressed to me, no return address, it appeared to be personal correspondence. I took the letter, bills and trash bin to the house. I opened the envelope to find a short typed letter.

I MADE MY ESCAPE, YOU CAN ALSO. SOMEDAY WE MAY MEET AGAIN.

LOVE JAY

I felt tears well up, I was happy for him and sad at the same moment for myself. Weeks later I began planning to make my escape. I sought an attorney and readied the documents. I appropriated a rental for the time I would travel, I re-established family contacts and a close friend if needed. I took cash needed for leaving, every thing else was left except for what I needed or wanted. Just a few things on the wanted list.

The date arrived and my husband left for work, by mid morning I was two hundred miles away, the state line was in sight. I wasn't sure what I felt now, grief, sadness, happiness, joy, no nothing, just a sense of freedom.

Late mid afternoon I was setting in a restaurant enjoying a meal with my new freedom. I was gazing out the restaurant window, I was approached by an older woman. She had braided auburn hair and loose draping dress made of cotton. It was multi-colored like a rainbow, she wore a Celtic knot around her neck with a small five point star above it. My thought was of that of Hippie style of life. I felt an easiness in me, I invited her to join me.

We quickly became friends like we knew each other for a long time. We conversed for awhile before she gave me an invitation, I accepted. I followed to her community.

Once we arrived I found it was not what I expected, there were many there even children. I gazed around as I was introduced to a few of the adults, women, men, even toddlers. It looked more like a farming community at first glance. Evening was coming as the sun began to sink. I was invited to stay for evening meal and the night if I wished by my hostess who I found was referred to as 'Mother', I accepted. I bedded down with two other younger women and my host for the night.

It was cool in the small house and no heat source so I was intending to stay clothed. I was given a gown to wear by one of the women, I was surprised when my friend approached and began helping me disrobe, I became nervous. She smiled assuring me.

"It is a customary practice we do in the, coven. That last giving of the day, for most." Mother said as she smiled.

That one word jolted me I tensed, my friend sensed that correcting the word to 'community'.

She stripped away my clothing, completely, before placing the gown over me, I watched as the two young women did the same ritual to each other. Then I watched one young women come to us and to perform the same, ritual, for 'Mother'. I found later that was her birth mother.

I was ushered in to the one bed and watched as the other two lay in the second bed. Then 'Mother' joined me in the bed and as lights were extinguished. I was soon drifting asleep feeling content.

I awoke to find 'Mother' and the two ladies gone and light pouring in the room, I didn't want to rise out of the bed. I also noticed my gown seemed to have shifted downward off my shoulders and there was a sweet fragrance around me some where. I knew I had to get moving, I still had some distance to go. I searched for my clothes finding them easily and dressed, I notice that fragrance was still lingering. I saw a clock and noticed the time, it was past mid-morning.

The door swung open and 'Mother' stepped in, she smiled and wished me a, 'Good Morning'. I smiled back thanking her and returning the greeting. She inquired how slept, I told I slept well. She then told me I had trouble in my sleep and asked if I would like to talk of it. I declined.

I told her I needed to be on my way that I needed to reach a place as soon as possible today. She fed me a meal and saw me to my vehicle, I was on my way. My thoughts kept returning to that small community. She did invite me to return.

I got to my home town and returned my rental, my uncle's son took me to my final destination. The house looked well, my uncle had kept the up-keep on it. I had intended to sell it but had not yet, my cousin had been residing there a few years.

I spoke with my cousin for time then went to the garage to get what my father left to me.

I inserted the key turning the ignition on, then 'Betsy' she came to life with a roar. My cousin and I gave her a bath having a joyful time, I transferred my things to the trunk, one more thing to retrieve.

My cousin asked a few times if I would give Betsy up for a certain value knowing the answer. He was serious but so was I, my 69 Chevelle was not for sale, it was my father's pride and joy, just like his daughter he would say and smile..

I picked up a shovel and went to the backyard to a designated spot, minutes later I had my second treasure. I took the buried treasure from metal box, taking care, this was my lore. I had placed it there when I turned a certain age, it would now reside with its younger sister and myself.

I spent seven more days before I left visiting family before Betsy and I were on the road. I pointed Betsy back down the road I had traveled seven days ago. I knew where our destination would end.

'Mother Jasmine' was joyed to see me as I was to see her again. Betsy received much attention before she was given a place of repose. I would be residing with Jasmine until suitable quarters were found when I announced I would not be leaving if they would accept me. It seemed it would take more time than I expected to find a suitable domicile. So I lived with Jasmine and her daughter in the interim.

She began my teachings in the Wicca ways and the praise of the five, Earth, Air, Fire, Water, Spirit. She stressed a creed 'An it harms none, do what you will.', and the 'Threefold Law' of "What you give out will return threefold".

I felt like I had been struck by a lighting bolt, my mother spoke of this, like in a child's story she may have read to me.

I showed her my 'Books of Life', my diaries, with many of the flora and fauna that can be found most anywhere in this area. The edible plants, herbs, and spore. She was impressed by what I had done and saw in life. She laughed softly telling me maybe the teacher would be taught this time and was anxious to walk the woods together.

We had our evening meal and retired for the night. We performed the evening ritual for each other and retired to our individual beds. Jasmine's daughter and her love moved to another building that had became available.

It was still quite dark when I awakened, I was in dream state and it was frightening me. Then I felt a touch on my bared shoulder, her hand was kneading at my flesh. My gown was off my shoulders has her hands traveled down my spine a short distance. I felt her breath on my neck as she whispered nurturing things to me. I was having a bad dream I was told and moaning loudly.

I felt her hand stroke from back to front across to the hollow of the throat 'Mother' put light pressure on my shoulder rolling, me to my back. She stroked my cheek softly speaking nurturing words to me, then she placed a kiss on my forehead, then one on each bared shoulder, then pulling on my gown slightly, one on each nipple. Then touching my forehead she drew a circle to each point she had kissed speaking very softly, I shivered at her touch.

She looked deep into my eyes and smiled, the sleeves of my gown were drawn off my arms. She rose off the bed going to a cupboard, coming back she placed a drop of sweet tincture on my tongue and one on hers. Then removing her gown, lying down next to me she turned me on to my side and pressed her body against my bared back, wrapping me in her arms, I was a sleep in moments cradle in loving arms.

Their Samhain festival was coming soon Mother Jasmine told me, the veil between worlds would be at its thinnest allowing communing with ancestral spirits. Food and drink would be prepared for the light hours and the dark hours of the festival. It was the ending of one and new beginning of the next. It was the time of gaiety and happiness, music, dance, song, reflection and new beginning.

The circle made, the fires lit for the night, the music, dance, and song began. I was nearly over whelmed at times. The Witching Hour came and went, some slept where they had fallen from drink and celebration or just celebration, near the fire. I could could almost feel my mother and father near as the ending passed and the new beginning started. We made our way to our abode 'Mother' and I.

This night we forewent evening ritual and laid ourselves in the bed bare, nestling our bodies together for the warmth. She placed kisses gently on my face, stroking my cheek in the dim light. That lit a fire inside me quickly, consuming me, soon consuming her. Our loving was, gentle and delicate.

One thing I surely knew, I wasn't ever leaving now. I had never felt love like this around me, but for my parents.

List of my herbal remedies was very welcomed by Jasmine so we began to teach each other the things we had knowledge about, I was now thinking my mother may have been raised in a coven like this one.

I had found my home here. I was home.

The End