Page 9 of Obsession

Goddess Moon, with the charm of this doubloon.

Show us a glimpse of things to pass soon.

The Goddess’s wisdom we seek to commune.

I gaze down into my bowl and focus on my coin, clearing my mind. Not having a pressing question, I just set the intention for the Universe to deliver whatever message I might need.

Soon everything goes black, and I’m curled in the fetal position in a very small, dark room. I start to sit up, but quickly realize I can’t—the room’s so small, I’m unable to move any part of my body. Waiting for my eyes to adjust to pitch blackness, they never do—I literally cannot see a thing. The only sound is that of my heart pounding frantically in my chest. Panic starts to build as my breathing becomes erratic. Oh my Goddess, what if I’m stuck in here forever? Before that question can be answered, the trance is broken, and I’m back inside the circle.

The next day, I’m out of sorts, not sure what to make of last night’s vision. Was it a subconscious fear bubbling to the surface? I don’t consider myself claustrophobic. I’m not a huge basement fan, but if you were kidnapped and held hostage in not one, but two basements, then you wouldn’t be either.

My thoughts are put on hold when I spot a package by the front door. Stepping outside, I grab the small box addressed to me. It’s missing the sender’s info; curious, I rip it open, stunned to find my old book of shadows.

A note flutters to the ground, and I pick it up.

I thought you’d want this back. I’m moving to Sedona and found it while packing. Pretty sure I stole it from your shop sometime last year back when I was using. I’m very sorry.

Take care,

~Leigh Williams

So Maddie’s mama stole my book of shadows! All this time I blamed my ex-boyfriend, Todd. Seems I owe him an apology. I’ll get on that just as soon as he apologizes for drugging me in an attempt to steal my magic.

I lock up behind me and make the short walk to the Mississippi River. Taking a seat on a bench, I flip through my old book of shadows. There’s not much to it—a single manifest spell and notes on tarot card spreads. Todd was right about one thing—I was a lazy witch. Was, as in past tense.

Holding the small leather-bound book to my heart, I say quietly, “Thank you for being a part of my journey.” I toss it in the river, letting go of the old and making room for new magic in my life.

Returning to the shop, I enter our private library in the back next to the break room. I’m in search of a book about Litha traditions. Litha, known as summer solstice, is fast approaching. It’s the longest day of the year, and in honor of the sun, we celebrate with fire. Not a bonfire, though; we don’t want to set our building ablaze. Instead, we have a small firepit on the rooftop patio that we’ll light.

Speaking of making room for new magic, I thought adding a new ritual to our annual tradition would be nice. Not remembering the name of the book I’m looking for, I figure I’ll know it when I see it. I think it’s on the top shelf, so I grab the stepladder and start scanning the titles on the book spines. This might take a while, as there are four floor-to-ceiling shelves in our library.

“There you are,” I announce as I pull the book from the shelf. As I do so, I spot a book that’s hidden behind it. It’s positioned flat to the shelf, and I have to move other books in front of it so that I can pull this book out. Returning the other books back to the shelf, spine side out, I step off the ladder. I take a seat at the table and open the nondescript, large leather book.

Only those invited may enter here.

Trespassers a curse you should fear.

The book of shadows of Cora Brooks,

of darkness and light.

Be hidden from those unworthy, out of sight.

Holy crap, it’s my mama’s book of shadows! Witchcraft is a tradition passed down from generation to generation, especially from mothers to daughters, so I feel confident she wouldn’t consider me a trespasser.

Turning to the first page, I hear footsteps down the hall. Quickly, I close the book and position it underneath the stack. “Hey sugar pie, whatcha up to?” Grandma asks, leaning against the doorjamb.

“Just working on the Phenex bowl,” I fib.

She nods. “I’m heading upstairs. Florence brought me some squash from her garden. How about a squash and sausage casserole for supper?”

“That sounds good. I’ll be up in a little bit to help.”

Waiting until I’m sure Grandma’s gone, I open my mama’s book of shadows. I do a quick flip through, and from what little I see, I know that I should just put it back on the shelf and pretend I never found it. So instead of doing what I should do, I stuff the book in my tote bag, walk upstairs, and hide it under my bed.

“Sugar pie, fetch me some parsley,” she commands as soon as I join her in the kitchen.

“Yes, ma’am.” I grab the shears and head to our rooftop patio. From the electric feeling in the gusty air, a summer storm’s about to head our way. I make quick work of my task and get back inside just as the bottom of the sky falls out.

---