Once everyone had arrived, the High Priestess summoned everyone to gather around the circle. She wore a deep sea green cloak, and stood at the base of the altar, underneath were the jagged rock formed the mountain face. The moon was full by now, and it shone through the pines lining the courtyard.
I had remembered what Rowan said about the pendant he gave me. Moonstone can prophesize the future. The full moon's power would help me interpret my dreams. I wanted to know what was happening to me. Why I had evoked Dantalion. And why the words from the Grimoire didn't release his demon curse. I wanted to see him again. And my obsession with him wouldn't let me stop. Every time I tried to tell my friends, they thought I was losing my mind. I thought I'd keep my nightmares to myself from now on.
The High Priestess spoke in a hypnotic tone, "Welcome all, to our Samhain ceremony. For those of you who are new, and do not know of Samhain, it is said to be the only time of the year that the outer boundary between men and the souls of the dead can cross between the two worlds. This is the time to honor those who have passed on, and to summon up those we would like to see once again."
She took her athame, a beautiful gem garnished dagger with moonstone and clear crystal on the hilt. She pointed downward to the earth and began casting the circle chanting….
"I conjure thee, o circle of power, that this outer boundary between the men and the realms of the great guardians preserve and protect the powers I shall raise within."
She pointed her athame up to the sky in the Northeast direction of the Courtyard.
"Ye Lords of the Watchtowers of the East, I do summon, stir and call you up to witness these rites and guard in this circle."
She repeated this chant facing each direction - South, West and North, kissing the blade at each point. She proceeded four times around the circle, each time with a different element, fire, air, water and earth. After the circle had been cast, all the members of the coven held hands and formed an interlocking circle.
"Let us begin the spiral dance!" the High Priestess commanded.
All the thirteen coven members joined hands and since I was on the end I reached for the other members who had joined us for the ceremony. We chanted over and over again, circling around the bonfire, faster and faster. The chant became louder and stronger, and I could feel the full moon's power being raised from within us all.