Page 54 of Shadow Running
by the Mighty Hecate,
I cast this Circle three by three.
By dawn’s sweet morning, by noon and night,
I cast this Circle and bind it tight.
By dragon’s fire, by unicorn’s horn,
by darkest night, and brightest morn,
by wolf and bear, by great horned owl,
by the splash of salmon, by panther’s prowl,
by all the powers unseen and seen,
I bind the Circle, So Mote It Be.
As the energy built, I could see the magic weaving around us as Penn created the sacred space.She set down the dagger and picked up a bottle of sage spray, spraying the area around the room.Then, she sprayed herself and we formed a line, and she sprayed each of us with the cleansing water.After that, she bade us form a circle, hand-to-hand around the altar.She took my hand in her right hand, and the energy pouring from her like a sparkling waterfall.
With a deep breath, she said in a loud voice, “Let us form a portal in the center of the Circle, a gate to the other side.A gate to the spirit world, providing safe transition to those spirits who are ready to cross over.”
I focused on a river of light flowing into the center.To my surprise, I could see the actual river of energy.It flowed out from each of us, joining in the center, flying up into a vortex that formed overhead.It was beautiful, and it took everything I had to keep from jumping in myself.
In a voice so strong that it almost rocked the foundation of the house, Penn sang out, her voice clear and radiating power.
All spirits who wander, all spirits who are lost, hear my voice and follow it to the light.
It is time to leave this plane, It is time to leave behind the pain and fear.
Go to your rest, transition into your next life.
Follow my voice to the river of light and follow it into the spirit world.
Let go of fear.You no longer have to hold onto the pain any longer.
No more are you lost.
No more are you forgotten.
Follow my voice and follow the light!
There was a silence for a second, and then a rush of forms flew around us—misty forms of the women who had lost their lives in this house, who had been sacrificed on the altar of Longworld’s sadistic passion.
They fell into line, surrounding our circle.Then, one by one, they flowed into the light, swimming in it to the vortex where they vanished.They disappeared, leaving the in-between space in which they had existed for so long.They entered the new life that waited on the other side of the Veil.As the last one vanished, a softly whisperedthank youechoed through the room.The portal closed, the light vanished, and the house was clear.
“We’re done,” Penn said, swaying.
Dante and I led her to the sofa and helped her sit down.She leaned back, shivering as she struggled to break free from the energy.I handed her a bottle of water as Dante pulled out a bag of cheese and crackers that Penn had prepared in advance.As she drank and ate, a peace settled on the house, and it felt welcoming and free of shadows.
I thought about Longworld and the pain he caused, and the cost it had exacted on so many people.I turned to Penn.“Thank you, for my uncle, and for all the women involved.What a wonderful thing it is to have the power to free the lost spirits of the world.”
“You’re right,” Penn said.“Itisa wonderful gift.Your uncle should be safe now.I’ll come over later and ward the house.But everything should be all right.”
As we gathered up her things and headed out, locking the door behind us, I texted my uncle to let him know that his house was clear and he could return home whenever he wanted.I hesitated, wanting to tell him about my upcoming meeting this afternoon, but again decided that wasn’t a good idea.I tell him later, and hopefully we’d have a good laugh about it.
CHAPTEREIGHTEEN
