Page 102 of Samuel

“Oh, just on the back porch in the sunlight.” Sylviewalked towards her with a smile. “I made this for you, if you want to wear it.”

Evie set down the crystals on the kitchen counter and smiled as Sylvie handed her an intricate floral crown.

“I made it with yellow flowers for you, which match your aura, and white for the baby.”

“It’s beautiful.” She couldn’t get more than that past the lump of emotions in her throat.

“Mom?” Abby’s voice filtered in from the front room.

“Kitchen, Honey!” Sylvie called out.

Little feet stomped through the house and in barreled Katy, sporting the most precious princess dress and fairy wings.

“I’m a goddess like you, Goddess!” Katy launched herself into Sylvie’s arms.

“I see that, little sprite. Here, every good goddess needs her flower crown.” Katy’s eyes went wide with excitement.

“Look, Aunt Evie! I’m just like you!”

Aunt Evie.Abby patted her arm, giving her a knowing smile.

“I wasn’t sure if you’d want to participate, Abby, but I made a crown for you too.”

Sam had told her a few times that Abby had a hard time dealing with their mom’s eccentricities. But something seemed different with her now.

“I want to participate, Mom. I’d love to wear the crown.”

Sylvie placed the last floral crown, this one with beautiful blue and purple flowers woven through it, on Abby’s head.

“Mommy, you are so beautiful!” Katy giggled as Abby scooped her up.

“We are a gorgeous group of goddesses, that’s for sure.” Sylvie laughed. “Alright, Solstice Sisters, it’s time to get out into nature!”

The women all made their way outside, where Sylvie hadset up a circle with bowls of flower petals and various crystals placed sporadically around. Katy began twirling, grabbing a handful of dried flowers and sprinkling it around like fairy dust as she weaved around the circle.

“Very good, little sprite. See? They already come to Earth knowing just how to celebrate!”

Evie and Abby shared a smile.

“Evie, if you’re comfortable with it, I’d love to say a little blessing over the baby, since this is the season where she will come into the world.”

“I’d love that so much, Sylvie.”

“Wonderful. You pull your shirt up over your belly and make sure your skirt band is low. I’ll get the paint ready.”

“Paint?”

“Don’t worry. I made it myself from some red clay I had stored in my holistic remedies cabinet. Nothing bad in it that could hurt you or the baby.”

“Okay.” Evie worked to situate her clothes just how Sylvie had asked.

“Evelyn came into our lives when everything began to bloom. And she herself blossomed with new life. As we head into summer, we watch our crops grow, full of the promise of a bountiful harvest. And that is what we pray over Evie and her sweet baby today. That they will continue to grow in harmony. The baby, growing strong to make her appearance in this world, and Evie, staying strong as she grows closer to bringing her daughter into the world.”

Sylvie dipped a paintbrush into the bowl of wet clay and painted it over her palm. “It’s a beautiful thing to be a part of, and we thank you, Mother Earth, for bringing Evie and her baby into our family. Blessings from the Mother, to the mother and babe.” Sylvie pressed her painted hand on Evie’s belly. “Blessings, to you, Evie, and your beautiful baby girl.”

Evie’s eyes filled with tears as she thankedSylvie.

Abby was next, painting her hand and then pressing it against Evie’s skin. “Blessings, Evie. I can’t wait to meet my niece.”

---