Page 38 of Hot Zone

“Holly, we’ve talked about this. You don’t need me to do readings for you. Everything you need to make those decisions is right in here.” I reached out and tapped her chest. “Use your pendulum, read the energy, listen to what Spirit is telling you.”

“I know you always say that, but I just need you.”

I gestured around the room. “As you can see, I’m a little busy tonight. I really don’t think I’ll have time to do a reading.”

Her shoulders sagged, and her face fell. “I understand. You have a business to run. I know.” She turned and slunk away.

I went back to dishing up stew and making sure everyone was enjoying themselves. By the time it was time to go outside for the ceremony, the room was packed. I looked over at Ziva and smiled, and she gave me a nod. She’d been right—no one seemed to care that I’d pared down the event. It was a good reminder to listen to my own advice. This wasn’t about making witch balls, having an herbal tea bar, or doing the crystal swap. It was about community.

“Okay, everyone,” I said. “Up front, we have a bowl of sticks. I mean, sticks, right?” Everyone chuckled. “There’s a marker in the cup next to the bowl. On your way out, take a minute to write down a couple of words that describe something you want to let go of right now. Before the night is over, we’ll toss those intothe fire and release all of those things. Now, I’m going to head out and get our fire going. Once you’re done, grab a drum”—I pointed at the table covered in drums, rattles, and other instruments—“and come join me around the fire.”

It didn’t take long for me to get the fire burning brightly. I smiled as I watched this amazing group of people file out one at a time to take their place in the circle around the fire.

“August, can you play the beat for us?” I asked. He’d been coming to the shop’s solstice celebrations and our monthly drum circles for a while now. He nodded and started to play.

I launched into The Earth is our Mother, and pretty much everyone joined in. I noticed that Amethyst and Poppy had jumped right in, which made me smile.

We sang a few more songs, and then I announced that it was time to let go of any things we didn’t need to hold onto.

“Okay, here’s what we’re going to do. We’re going to pass around this talking stick. When it’s your turn, you’re going to offer something you have in abundance to the circle, and you’re also going to take something you need. I’ll go first.”

I held up the talking stick I’d made for this event. It was a thick stick with ribbons tied around it. I’d also woven in some crystals to help us amplify our hopes and prayers.

“I give to this circle hope, and I take from this circle love.” I smiled at everyone before passing the stick to the person on my left.

She smiled at me and nodded before taking the stick. “I give to this circle friendship and take from this circle patience.” Then she passed it on.

The next few people said things of similar sentiment until we got to one of our younger members, who I knew had been struggling with some things.

“I give to this circle creativity, and I take from this circle peace and safety.”

There were a few murmurs of agreement before they passed on the stick. I locked eyes with Ziva across the circle, and she nodded. We would both be sure to follow up with him later on.

A couple more people spoke their truths, and then it was Steven’s turn. He’d always been supportive and came to my events even though it wasn’t really his thing.

He took the stick and locked eyes with me. “I give to this circle the power to make smart choices for the future, and I take from the circle understanding for those who don’t.” He lifted one eyebrow and looked at me.

What was that about? Roxy gave him an exasperated look and took the stick from him.

“I give to this circle unconditional love and acceptance, and I take from this circle joy.”

When the stick made its way around, I took it and placed it on its spot on the altar.

I nodded at August, and he started drumming again. I launched into what had always been one of my aunt’s favorite call-and-response songs. It was one of my favorites as well. I especially loved it because it was easy for the new people to pick up.

When that was done, we did a couple of rounds with our drums, and then I closed with a call to the universe for peace, love, and water because the earth needed it, and so did we.

Most people had work the next day, me included, so after we closed, people said their goodbyes and started to leave.

I checked the time and saw that I’d been at the shop for 12 hours that day. I was more than ready for bed. Just as Ziva and I were finishing up and getting ready to leave, Holly came back.

“So, now that the event is over… do you have time to do the reading?”

I was tired, and the last thing I wanted to do was a card reading. Very few people understood how much energy it took to do one. It wasn’t as simple as flipping over cards; there was an energy exchange that often left me exhausted afterwards, so I hated to do one when I was already tapped out. But the hopeful look on Holly’s face kept me from saying no.

“I can’t do a full reading, but I can do a short one if you’d like.”

Her eyes lit up. “Oh, yes! A short one would be fine. Thank you so much.”

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