 
# The Witches Journal - Book 1

##

Witchy Recipes, Spells, Poems and more from readers.

© Cover design by Paradox Designs Covers & Formatting.

Copyright © 2016 Patti Roberts.

# Other Publications by Patti Roberts

Witchwood Estate

Witchwood Estate – Going Home – (book 1) FREE

Witchwood Estate – Ferntree Falls

Witchwood Estate – Print Edition (book 1 and 2)

Witchwood Estate – Cursed (book 3)

Witchwood Estate – Timeless (book 4)

Witchwood Estate – Witches Bitches (book 5)

Paradox Series

Paradox – The Angels Are Here (book 1) 2010 FREE

Paradox – Progeny Of Innocence (book 2)

Paradox – Bound By Blood (book 3)

Paradox – Equilibrium (book 4)

Paradox – Elemental (book 5)

Standalone Novel

About Three Authors – Whoever Said Love Was Easy?

Non-fiction novel

Surviving Tracy – true stories from the survivors of Cyclone Tracy.
"The hours in a night are never long enough, the sound of rain on a roof never loud enough, a cup of hot tea never big enough, to accompany me and a good book."

Patti Roberts.

# License Notes.

Smashwords Edition.

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author's work. This book is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents depicted herein are either products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

# Acknowledgments.

To all those who submitted their favorite recipes, spells and poems for this book – impossible without you!

To all those who read and review – a very special THANK YOU!

I conjure you, by that which you profess,

Howe'er you come to know it, answer me:

Though you untie the winds and let them fight

Against the churches; though the yesty waves

Confound and swallow navigation up;

Though bladed corn be lodged and trees blown down;

Though castles topple on their warders' heads;

Though palaces and pyramids do slope

Their heads to their foundations; though the treasure

Of nature's germens tumble all together,

Even till destruction sicken; answer me

To what I ask you.

Macbeth – Shakespeare.

# TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 1 – The must have witch list

Moral Code

Chapter 2 – The witches' magic pantry

Chapter 3 - Recipes

Martha's ginger honey syrup

Aradia's apple and cinnamon smoothie

Aunt Mindy's potato pancakes

Refreshing cucumber salad

Witches finger fries

Sweet potato chips

Ramsey lentil soup

No pasta low carb vegetable lasagne

Full moon corned beef fritters

Aradia's orange chicken

Clamenza's Garlic Chicken

Savannah's potato and rosemary bread

Toad in the hole

Tracy's yummy bread spread

Lemon and poppy seed friendship muffins

Crescent moon cookies

Pralines

Magic ginger balls

Hot coco cookies

Aunt Mindy's blueberry cobbler

Nina's bloody tarts

Kat's banana and strawberry tart

Springtime jelly cake

Bread and butter pudding

Grandma Lydia's 1930s bread pudding

Welsh cakes

Kat's salted caramel coconut popcorn

Savanah's honey treats

Woodworm spiders

Chocolate avocado mousse

Wickedly decadent mint chocolate cake

Chocolate covered mice

Andrew's 5-minute microwave mud cake

Tiamat's grasshopper cocktail

Violet's lavender tea

Martha's herbal tea

Chapter 4 – Reading tea leaves

Chapter 5 - Poems

Lovers by Midnight

My Innocent Heart

Books of Time.

Dancing with the Vampire

Shining Light.

Embracing the Wolf

Friday the 13th

The Little Witch

The Seasons Of Man

Springtime Festival

Bewitched

A Witch's Brew

Moonbeam Kisses

The Good Witch

Somewhere in a forest

Magic abound, dreamers be free

Chapter 6 - Spells

Harvey Sisters Creed

Invisibility spell

Springtime spell

Travel talisman

Returning lost power spell

Break up and banishing spell

Chapter 7 – Witchwood Estate witch clans

Chapter 8 – Runes

Chapter 9 – Brooms in witchcraft

Chapter 10 – Celtic tree astrology

Chapter 11 – Tree Magic

Chapter 12 – Flowers

Chapter 13 – Candle reference chart

Chapter 14 – Crystals and gemstones

Chapter 15 – Birthstones and meanings

Chapter 16 – Animal symbols

Chapter 17 – The witches' calendar

Chapter 18 – Herbs in spells

Chapter 19 – Witchcraft terminology

Chapter 20 – Bath time

Going Home – Bk 1 in the WWE series

About the author

Contact

Round about the cauldron go;

In the poison'd entrails throw.

Toad, that under cold stone

Days and nights has thirty-one

Swelter'd venom sleeping got,

Boil thou first i' the charmed pot.

Shakespeare.

#  CHAPTER 1 - THE MUST HAVE WITCH LIST.

# Moral Code.

Many witches abide by a moral code – The Witches' Rede. "An it harm none, do what ye will." It simply means, as long as you do no harm to others, no harm shall be done to you. And - The Rule of Three or Three-fold Law, the Law of Return. The rule states that whatever energy a person puts out into the world, be it positive or negative, will be returned to that person times three.

So be wise little witches, be kind, and always follow your heart.

A broom.

Candle in a variety of colors – see candle section in this book.

A pantry full of herbs.

Incense sticks.

Oils.

Crystals – see crystal section in this book.

Charcoal discs.

Matches.

An old china tea cup and saucer.

Crystal ball.

Journal for your spells, thoughts, poetry and recipes.

A nice pen – which is mightier than the sword.

Chimes and dream catchers to entice the wee folk.

A good book to read and another to press flowers and herbs – pressed flowers and herbs make wonderful bookmarks.

A good friend to share your secrets with.

Pretty bangles.

At least one pair of black shoes or boots.

A black hat or scarf.

A favorite pillow.

Charms.

Little bottles of all shapes, colors and sizes.

Little cloth bags for your treasures.

Talisman.

Wand.

A good heart.

You will also find a copy of Witchwood Estate – Going Home, towards the end of this book. Right after the instructions on how to prepare lavender bath salts. Sounds splendiferous, doesn't it!

#  CHAPTER 2 - THE WITCHES' MAGICAL PANTRY.

The human race is a very, very magical race. We have a magic power of witches and wizards. We're here on this earth to unravel the mystery of this planet. The planet is asking for it.

Yoko Ono

Alfalfa – Money and prosperity.

Allspice - Money, good luck and healing.

Almond - Money, success and wisdom.

Aloe – Protection and good luck.

Apple - Love, healing, magic and immortality.

Apricot - Love.

Avocado – Love and beauty.

Banana - Fertility, potency and fortune.

Barley - Love, healing and protection.

Basil - Love, dispel evil, wealth, security and sympathy.

Bay leaf - Protection, psychic powers, healing, purification, power and strength.

Bean - Protection, casting out evil, gatherings, potency and love.

Blackberry - Healing, money and protection.

Blueberry - Protection.

Brazil Nut – For love.

Cabbage – Good luck.

Cactus – Protection and chastity.

Caraway - Protection, lust, good health and mental powers.

Carnation - Protection, strength and healing.

Carob – Protection and good health.

Carrot – Fertility and lust.

Cashew – Money and communication.

Catnip - Cat magic, love, beauty and joy.

Cedar - Healing, purification, wealth, protection, stopping unwanted sexual advances.

Celery - Mental powers, lust and psychic powers.

Chamomile - Money, restful sleep, love and purification.

Cherry - Love, divination, success and victory.

Chestnut - Love.

Cinnamon - Spirituality, success, healing, powers, psychic powers, protection and love life.

Clove - Protection, dispel evil, everlasting love and wealth.

Coconut - Water, purification, protection, youthful skin and chastity.

Coriander - Love, health and healing abilities.

Corn - Protection, luck, divination, wealth and finances.

Cucumber - Chastity, healing powers, longevity, hydration and fertility.

Cumin - Anti-theft, security and protection.

Curry - Protection.

Dill - Protection, money, lust and love.

Eggs - Healing, remove negativity. Fertility.

Endive – Lust and love.

Eucalyptus – Healing and protection.

Fennel - Protection, healing and purification.

Fenugreek – Money, finance.

Fern - Rain, protection, good luck, many riches, external youth, health, exorcism.

Fig - Divination, fertility and true love.

Garlic - Protection, healing, exorcism, lust, security, dispel nightmares.

Ginger - Love, money, success and power.

Ginseng - Love, healing, beauty, protection and lust.

Gourd - Protection.

Grain - Protection.

Grape - Fertility, plant magic, mental powers and success with money.

Holly - Protection, good luck and dream magic/insight.

Horseradish - Purification, exorcism.

Lavender - Love, protection, induce sleep, chastity, longevity, purification, joy and peace.

Leek - Love, protection from negativity.

Lemon - Longevity, purification, love and good friendships.

Lettuce - Chastity, protection, divinations of love, restful sleep.

Licorice - Lust, love and protection.

Maple - Love, longevity, success and money.

Marshmallows – Healing and friendship.

Marjoram - Protection, love, happiness, good health, success and money.

Mayonnaise – Prosperity and cleansing.

Mint - Money, lust, healing, voyage/travel, exorcism, protection.

Mistletoe - Protection, love, hunting, fertility, good health, rid negativity.

Mothballs – Stop unwanted sexual advances.

Mustard - Fertility, protection, strong mental powers.

Nutmeg – Good luck, success/money, good health, fidelity, relief from ongoing nightmares.

Nuts - Fertility, prosperity, love, good luck, communication with others.

Oats - Money.

Olive - Healing, peace, fertility, strength, protection.

Onion - Protection, exorcism, healing powers, cash, nightmares.

Orange - Love, divination, good luck, cash.

Palm, date – Fertility and protection.

Papaya/Pawpaw – Love and protection.

Parsley - Lust, protection and purification.

Pea - Cash, success in love.

Peach - Love, disperse negativity, longevity, fertility.

Pear - Love.

Pecan – Cash and employment.

Pepper - Protection, quell negativity.

Peppermint - Purification, restful sleep, love, healing, psychic abilities.

Persimmon – Healing and good luck.

Pimento - Love.

Pineapple - Luck, cash and chastity.

Pistachio – For removing love spells.

Plantain - Anti-inflammatory phytochemical, speeds up wound healing, stimulates the growing of new skin cells, rejuvenation.

Plum – Love and protection.

Pomegranate - Divination, good luck, success, wealth, fertility.

Popcorn - Wishes, good luck and prosperity.

Potato – Vision magic, healing.

Radish – Protection from evil.

Raspberry – Protection and love.

Rhubarb – Protection and fidelity.

Rice - Protection, creates rain, money and fertility.

Rose - Love, psychic abilities, healing, love divination, good luck and protection.

Rosemary - Protection, love, lust, mental powers, exorcism, purification, healing, remembrance and clarity.

Rye – Love and fidelity.

Sarsaparilla - Love, success and money.

Sassafras – Good health, money.

Sesame – Money and lust.

Spearmint - Healing, romance, mental powers.

Speedwell - Lotion or skin wash that expedites wound healing.

Strawberry – Love and good luck.

Sugar Cane - Love, lust and sympathy.

Sunflower - Fertility, wishes, good health and wisdom.

Tarragon – Stimulation, protection, wealth and wellbeing.

Tea - Riches, courage, strength. Good health and wellness.

Thyme – Health and healing, restful sleep, psychic abilities, love, purification, courage and strength.

Tomato - Prosperity, protection, love and romance.

Tuna - Prosperity, success and abundance.

Turnip - Protection, ending bad relationships.

Vanilla - Love, lust, romance and mental powers.

Walnut – Good health, mental powers, infertility.

Wheat - Fertility, success and money.

Wintergreen – Protection against negativity and healing.

Witch Hazel – Protection and chastity, cool passions and mend broken heart.
"If you really want to make a friend, go to someone's house and eat with him... the people who give you their food give you their heart."

Cesar Chavez

#  CHAPTER 3 - RECIPES.

First things first. Jazz up that boring sandwich with some healthy toppings.

##  Martha's Ginger Honey Syrup.

Bees are precious little creatures and we such be lobbying for their survival on the planet. Simply put, if they die – we die. Google how you can make your garden more bee friendly, and always try to buy honey from your local bee keeper whenever possible.

Some facts about honey:

Consume honey responsibly and reap the numerous health benefits of this liquid gold.

Alleviates Allergies.

All-Natural Energy Drink.

Boosts Memory.

Cough Suppressant.

Sleep Aid.

Treats Dandruff.

Treats Wounds and Burns.

Add 2-3 Tablespoons to a cup of hot water for tea to settle an upset tummy.

Health benefits: Ginger is very effective in alleviating symptoms of gastrointestinal distress. In herbal medicine, ginger is regarded as an excellent carminative - which promotes the elimination of intestinal gas in the body - relaxes and soothes the intestinal tract. Research revealed that ginger possesses numerous therapeutic properties including antioxidant effects, and has anti-inflammatory effects. Toss some in your smoothies and juices, but make sure it's organic for the best possible results!

Ingredients.

Ginger root – organic. Try growing your own, it's very easy.

Honey – the real stuff.

Directions.

Peel a large piece of organic ginger, grate and place in a pan.

Pour in honey, enough to cover the ginger.

Simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until ginger is soft and mushy - allow to cool slightly.

Pour into a sterilized mason jar then label and date.

Refrigerate. Syrup will last for several weeks stored in the fridge.

Enjoy a teaspoon or two in smoothies, milk, tea, pancakes, oatmeal, and fruit salad.

Martha Barnaby.

Say, if thou'dst rather hear it from our mouths,

Or from our masters?

Macbeth – Shakespeare.

##  Aradia's Apple and Cinnamon Smoothie.

Before you start, sprinkle cinnamon in your palm and blow away as you make a wish.

Ingredients – remember, organic is always best to avoid pesticides robbing you of your witchy mojo!

1 juicy apple, polished until it shines.

Level teaspoon of real cinnamon from your health food store.

Dollop of yogurt.

Blueberries.

Low fat milk.

Sprinkle a little extra cinnamon on top.

Options: Honey.

Add a few ice cubes on a sunny day, then enjoy on the patio before you start your day. Blessed be.

Warning: Cinnamon is not good for pregnant women.

Original recipe handed down to Katrina Whittaker avid book reader and reviewer. (from her mum, Julie Smith.)

##  Aunt Mindy's Potato Pancakes.

great recipe for a rainy night and when you find your pantry stocked to the brim with potatoes.

Hmmm... Pile on that cheese, guys!

Ingredients;

1 cup grated potato.

1 small grated onion.

1 egg – free range is best.

1 tablespoon flour – a little over your shoulder for luck.

1 tablespoon butter.

Tomato Sauce.

Grated Cheese.

Method:

Mix potato, onion, egg and flour.

Melt butter in frying pan – don't burn it.

Spoon mixture into pan and flatten to 1/2 thick.

Cook for 3 minutes each side. You are after a nice golden color.

Repeat for all the mixture.

Top with sauce and cheese.

Grill or microwave until cheese melts. Hmmm... smell that.

Serve with love on an old china plate.

Ideal for a rainy night while you are curled up on the sofa with your fur baby and a good book. Or perhaps you are watching Practical Magic again with the hubby and kids?

Fireplace and striped socks optional, family and friends are not.

Alicia Huxtable. Avid bookworm.

I love witches and magic and dress-up and make-believe.

Helena Bonham Carter.

##  Refreshing Cucumber Salad. (Paleo & Vegan)

Cucumbers are well known for healing many skin conditions, puffy eyes and sunburn. They contain ascorbic and caffeic acids which aids in preventing water loss in the body. Cucumber is frequently applied directly to burns and dermatitis for their healing qualities. Their scientific name is Cucumis sativus. They belong to the same family as zucchinis, pumpkins, watermelons and other varieties of squash.

Yields: 4 servings

Ingredients:

1½ large continental cucumbers

1 tsp Salt

4 green onions

2 Tbsps. fresh coriander - chopped

¼ cup fresh lemon juice

¼ cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 tsp lemon zest

1/8 tsp cracked Pepper

1. Slice cucumber in thin strips. Sprinkle with salt and place in a colander for 1 hour.

2. Rinse cucumber thoroughly to remove salt. Drain cucumber on paper towels or tea towel and dry completely.

3. Slice the onions and finely chop coriander. Zest lemon.

Add onions, coriander, lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil and cracked pepper then stir to combine ingredients.

4. Pour the dressing over the prepared cucumber, then stir and serve.

Serve as an appetizer or as a side dish to accompany with a piece of grilled fish or chicken on a summers day.

This salad can be refrigerated overnight. Make sure to stir before serving to redistribute the dressing evenly over the cucumber slices.

Aradia Abbots. Note: remember to save a couple of slices to pamper tired eyes while you soak in the tub scented with lavender.

Hyper jump to bath time bliss.

O father, what a hell of witchcraft lies in the small orb of one particular tear.

A Lover's Complaint – Shakespeare.

##  Witches Finger Fries. (Paleo & Vegan)

Carrots, not just rabbit food.

Some of the health benefits of carrots include reducing cholesterol, preventing heart attacks, warding off of certain cancers, improving your vision, and reducing the signs of premature aging by increasing the health of your skin. They boost your immune system, improve digestion, increase cardiovascular health, detoxify the body, and boost oral health. They also provide an abundance of vitamins and minerals. Add carrots to your juices and salads. Cut into finger lengths and use instead of crackers for your dip.

Ingredients

Carrots (about 10 to12 medium carrots)

1½ tbsp. olive oil or coconut oil

1 tsp sea salt – toss a pinch over your right shoulder for insight.

½ tsp pepper – toss a pinch over your left shoulder for inspiration.

½ tsp garlic powder

½ tsp thyme

Instructions

1. Turn the oven up to 400. Wash carrots and peel them (peeling is optional if you use organic carrots). Cut the carrots into even sticks (finger size) that are roughly 4 inches long and about ½ inch thick.

2. Put the cut carrots into a bowl and drizzle with oil, then sprinkle the salt, pepper, herbs and spices on top.

3. Place the carrots on a tray lined with baking paper. Make sure the carrots are evenly spaced out and not stacked on top of each other.

4. Put the carrots in the oven and bake for about 25 – 35 minutes. Have a cup of tea – or a glass of wine and check carrots after 15 minutes. Move the carrots around or flip them over to ensure even cooking.

5. Test the carrots with a fork to see if they are tender, and if there is a slight browning/crisping on the edges, they are done. Remove carrot fingers from the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes before hoeing in.

Henry Wormwood would love to cut off the fingers of a particular little witch – after he sank his fangs into her.

Pour in sow's blood, that hath eaten

Her nine farrow; grease that's sweaten

From the murderer's gibbet throw

Into the flame.

Macbeth – Shakespeare.

##  Sweet Potato Chips fried in Coconut Oil.

A healthy treat to nibble on while reading your favorite book.

Okay, before you start cooking, did you know that you can hydrate, cleanse, soften and moisturize your skin with coconut oil? No? Well, now you know. Smells great, too. Certified organic, one hundred per cent pure and raw virgin coconut oil makes a fantastic all-over beauty product. It is totally free of chemicals, making it the perfect alternative for natural beauty, and a fraction of the cost of all those expensive, over the counter beauty products.

You can massage coconut oil into your skin to maintain its suppleness, but you can take a tablespoon each day in its uncooked, raw form too, to take advantage of all that coconut goodness. Coconut oil also cleanses and balances your healthy gut flora, which is thought to minimize the outbreaks of skin rashes, and irritations. When taken internally, coconut oil literally beautifies you from the inside out... What's not to love about that.

Alright, let's get back to those sweet potato chips before you go lathering coconut all over yourself... best to that after you've had a relaxing bath.

Recipe serves 2, so you may want to double up if you have extra company.

Ingredients.

2 sweet potatoes

1/2 cup coconut oil (you may need to add more after frying some chips)

Salt

What to do.

1. Peel the skin off the sweet potatoes if you want to. Cut into thin, chip-sized slices. Used a small 6.5 inch cast iron skillet so that the potatoes are fully submerged in the oil. If you are using a larger pan, you may need to use more oil. Luckily, you can save your used oil for another time! Just strain it through a piece of cheesecloth to remove any residue.

2. In a shallow pan heat the coconut oil. When the oil is hot enough, put in a few sweet potato slices. Try not to overlap the slices too much or it may not fry properly. Fry for 3-5 minutes, turning the pieces over halfway through. Remove them when they look crispy, it's best to check rather than rely on a kitchen timer because required cooking times can vary.

3. Place on a paper towel to drain off the excess oil. Sprinkle with salt.

Options – add a sprinkle of your favorite herbs or garlic salt.

From Grandma Harwood's recipe book.

##  Ramsey Lentil Soup.

Calling this a soup is a little deceiving as it's more of a stew.

Set aside 2-3 hours to have this cooked from start to finish (depends on the size of the shank you're using).

8 portions.

1 cauldron.

1 large ham shank (i.e. on the bone)

1 tbsp. rapeseed oil (or any other suitable oil for frying)

4 white onions (finely diced)

8 carrots (peeled and cubed)

1 large swede/turnip (peeled and cubed)

4 white potatoes (peeled and cubed)

500g of red split lentils

Salt to season (but it might not be needed – depends on how salty the shank is)

Pour boiling water over the shank and then discard the liquid (this should reduce the saltiness of the soup). Put the shank in a large pan (suitable for the hob) and pour boiling water over it. Allow the water comes about 1 inch above the meat. Boil the shank until it's cooked through (this will depend on its size, but 20-25 mins per lb. is a good indicator).

Once the shank is cooked, remove it from the pan and leave it to cool. Decant the liquid (which is a very basic ham stock) into a large jug – you will need it again later.

In the pan you've been using, fry the onions in a little rapeseed oil until soft. Then add the carrots (stir), the turnip (stir), the potatoes (stir) and, finally, the bag of lentils (I always rinse my lentils in a sieve before I add them). Stir it all together for a few minutes and pour the ham stock onto the veg and lentil mix. Bring it to the boil, but keep stirring now and then.

Then turn down the heat and allow it to simmer until all of the veg is soft when tested with a fork. At this point, season the soup (if it needs it), and if the soup is too thick for your liking, you can add more water and continue to simmer.

Just before it's ready to serve, shred the meat from the ham shank and put it into the soup.

Set your table with your favorite tableware, yes, use the good stuff! Then gather your family and friends around and dig in!

Georgina Ramsey. UK Author.

##  No Pasta LOW CARB, Vegetable Lasagne.

What you will need... A glass of wine.

Vegetables:

Onion, Garlic (clove or minced. I like minced), Bell Peppers, Mushrooms, sliced Black Olives, 3 to 4 Zucchinis, 2 Frozen chopped spinach boxes 9oz each.

OTHER ingredients:

1 or 2 eggs Italian Seasoning Ricotta Cheese (16 or 32oz) Mozzarella Cheese (I prefer skim, low moisture grated) Parmesan Cheese (fresh is best, but I do use the canned type too) dried or fresh Basil and other Italian seasonings (If you use 1 egg then you will only need 16oz Ricotta and one 9oz spinach, this will make a small amount. I recommend the 2 eggs, 32oz Ricotta, and two 9oz frozen spinach)

Thaw spinach (I use Green Giant frozen chopped... use 2 of the 9oz boxes. First make your pasta sauce (or use something premade... keep in mind premade usually has sugar and more carbs.) I use tomato sauce, tomato paste and add a lot of chopped veggies. Sauté (in a very small amount of olive oil) chopped onions, garlic, bell peppers; until soft. Then add tomato sauce & paste. Simmer sauce and add chopped mushrooms, bell peppers, Italian seasoning, (and other veggies you like) While sauce is cooking take thawed spinach and express water from it. I found using a strainer and pushing it works when you can't push any more water, use either a clean towel or paper towel press using it. It will absorb additional water. In a bowl add spinach, 2 eggs, ricotta cheese and Italian seasoning. Mix together well. Take Zucchini cut in half then cut lengthwise (you can usually get 6 slices per half). These will be your layers (like lasagna noodles).

PREHEAT Oven at 375

After all prep is done get your lasagna pan.

Put sauce layer first enough to cover pan bottom thoroughly Add layer of Zucchini, lining them side by side (you can overlap but only make one layer). Next add the ricotta mixture covering the zucchini completely. It will be a thicker layer. On top of it add thin layer of sauce. Then add another layer of zucchini (or you can use summer squash cut the same as zucchini. I've seen options for eggplant and kale used also). Then I add another layer of the mixture (thinner layer than before. I should use the rest of the ricotta mix). Next use the rest of the sauce covering completely. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese & basil over sauce and lastly add Mozzarella cheese (nearly covering sauce. Remember it will spread when it melts) However I tend to add a bit more once it starts melting and you can see spaces where the sauce is showing.

Bake for 30-40 minutes until sauce is bubbling and cheese begins to turn golden.

While the food is cooking, cover your table with a lovely tablecloth – don't forget to add your favorite candles in the center of the table. Include some twigs and blooms from your garden for a special touch.

Remove from the oven and let it sit for about 5 -10 minutes, and then ENJOY with your witchy family and friends!!!!

Charidy Anaya.

##  Full Moon Corned beef (Silverside) Fritters.

Witchcraft was hung, in History,

But History and I

Find all the Witchcraft that we need

Around us, every Day

The Poems of Emily Dickinson.

A family favorite, and a great way to use up leftovers.

Best prepared during a full moon and shared with your coven around a table covered with a piece of calico.

Everyone should also bring a spring of rosemary or Tarragon for their host.

Ingredients:

2 cups self-raising flour

1 onion diced

1 cup tasty cheese

2 cups of leftover corned beef - diced.

2 eggs.

1 cup of milk.

Method:

Add eggs and milk to flour mix well then add all the other ingredients - don't make it too thick. If it is, add more milk.

You can add zucchini and corn as well.

Cook in oil for about 5 minutes in a shallow pan with oil.

Serve on mismatched plates with a garden salad.

Afterward, enjoy a nice mug of coffee and a slice of tart as you work on a spell to remove calories from tart.

Original recipe handed down to Katrina Whittaker avid book reader and reviewer. (from her mum, Julie Smith.)

##  Aradia's Orange Chicken Recipe.

When have I last looked on

The round green eyes and the long wavering bodies

Of the dark leopards of the moon?

All the wild witches, those most noble ladies,

For all their broom-sticks and their tears,

Their angry tears, are gone.

**"Lines Written in** Dejection," **The Wild Swans at Coole – William Butler Yeats.**

Perfect for those watching their weight.

Serves: 4

Ingredients.

4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into bitesize pieces – free range is best

1 tablespoon coconut oil

¼ cup chicken stock

3 tablespoons honey

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon orange zest

¼ cup freshly squeezed orange juice

3 tablespoons coconut aminos

1½ teaspoons Sriracha sauce

¼ teaspoon ground ginger

1 pinch red pepper flakes

1 teaspoon sesame seeds for garnish, optional

Broccoli pieces

Broccoli recipe.

2 bunches broccoli, cleaned

2 tablespoons olive oil

water

butter (optional)

salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Melt coconut oil in medium frying pan over medium heat. Add in chicken pieces and cook until cooked through and browned, about 8 to10 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.

2. While chicken is cooking, stir together chicken stock, honey, garlic, orange zest, orange juice, coconut aminos, Sriracha sauce, ginger and red pepper flakes with a wooden spoon. Pour into heated frying pan once chicken has been removed and reduce to low heat. Cook, stirring often, until sauce has reduced and adheres to the back of your wooden spoon. Remove from heat and pour over chicken.

3. To serve, spoon chicken over bed of broccoli and then spoon on additional sauce.

Top with a sprinkle of sesame seeds, if desired.

From Aradia's recipe journal.

##  Clamenza's Garlic Chicken.

Clamenza **is an evil** bitch **witch.**

Affectionately called "the stinking rose", garlic is a member of the lily or Allium family, which also includes onions and leeks, although garlic is richer in a variety of powerful sulfur-containing compounds, which is responsible for garlic's characteristically pungent odor, they are also the source of many of its health-promoting effects.

Ingredients.

One free range chicken

18 cloves of organic garlic

3/4 cup olive oil

Method.

Place the chicken in a big casserole dish. Be sure to take out its insides first and remove all feathers. Also, it should be dead by this stage.

Peel the garlic and put it all about the chicken, stick some up its hole, under its wings etc.

Pour the oil over the top.

Shove it in the oven on a medium temperature for one and a half hours.

Serve with crusty bread and roasted children kittens vegetables.

An edited version of Clamenza's recipe by Tabitha Ormiston-Smith.

Author and editor.

##  Savannah's Potato and Rosemary Bread.

Come, sisters, cheer we up his sprites,

And show the best of our delights:

I'll charm the air to give a sound.

Macbeth – Shakespeare.

Spanning millennia with its traditional uses, rosemary has many well-known health benefits. Today, scientists are also studying its specific effects with regard to memory – the results have been outstanding.

Did you know, for instance, that rosemary has been associated with memory enhancement since ancient times? It's true – it's actually called the herb of remembrance. In Shakespeare's Hamlet, Ophelia says, "There's rosemary, that's for remembrance..." Shakespeare really knew his stuff – a witch, maybe? He did write about Three Witches in Macbeth... Round about the cauldron go...

Rosemary has also long been used as a symbol for remembrance during weddings, war commemorations and funerals in European countries and Australia. Mourners in old times would wear it in a buttonhole, burn it as incense, or throw it into graves as a symbol of remembrance for the dearly departed.

Now, back to the bread.

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Yield: 1 loaf

What you'll need:

1 cup milk

1 Tablespoon of dried rosemary

2 Tablespoons butter

1/2 Tablespoon sugar

2 teaspoons salt

½ cup diced onion

1 package (1/4 ounce or 2-1/2 teaspoons) dry granulated yeast

1/4 cup warm water

2 cups mashed potatoes

4 to 4-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 additional teaspoon butter

What you'll need to do:

Heat milk, butter, sugar, and salt over low heat. Cool to lukewarm, then place in a large mixing bowl – a glass one if you have it. Avoid plastic whenever possible.

Combine yeast with the warm water and stir until dissolved. Stir yeast and onions into the milk mixture.

Add your fluffy mashed potatoes, rosemary and 1 cup of the flour to the milk mixture and beat until smooth. Throw a pinch of rosemary over your left shoulder for remembering a loved one.

Start adding flour to the liquid until a stiff dough forms. Place dough on a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic. Add more flour if the dough is too moist. Place dough in a large greased bowl and cover with a clean kitchen towel. Let dough rise until doubled in size.

Place on a floured surface. Kneed and shape into a loaf and place in a greased 9 x 5-inch loaf pan. Cover with the kitchen towel and let rise until it has doubled in size again.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bake bread for roughly 1 hour, until the crust is nicely browned. The bottom of the loaf should sound hollow when knocked. Brush the top of the warm bread with the additional butter and garnish with rosemary twigs picked from your garden.

Cool loaf on a rack on its side before slicing.

Add a lashing of butter, then just try stopping at one slice! I bet you can't, and neither will anybody else.

##  Toad in the Hole.

Eye of newt, and toe of frog,

Wool of bat, and tongue of dog,

Adder's fork, and blind-worm's sting,

Lizard's leg, and owlet's wing, —

For a charm of powerful trouble,

Like a hell-broth boil and bubble.

Double, double toil and trouble;

Fire burn, and caldron bubble."

William Shakespeare.

Ingredients

Serves: 4

Vegetable oil, as needed for cooking

110g (4 oz.) plain flour

pinch salt

3 eggs

300ml (1/2 pint) semi skimmed milk

4 to 6 pork sausages

Method

Prep:10min

Cook:20min

Ready in:30min

Preheat oven to 230 C / Gas 7.

Into a medium sized deep baking dish, pour in the oil to a depth of about a 1/2 inch and place in the oven until hot.

Mix the flour, salt, eggs and milk together and let rest for 10 minutes.

This is the perfect time to pour a glass of red wine.

In a frying pan over a medium heat, cook the sausages so they are brown all over.

Remove the dish from the oven then add the sausages. Pour over the batter mixture.

Bake in the oven for 20 minutes until batter has risen and turned golden brown.

Serving suggestion \- Serve with mash potato, vegetables, and gravy.

AnnMarie Spiby. Black cat owner and super beta reader for the Witchwood Series.

##  Tracy's Yummy Bread Spread.

Use up that leftover bread. The kids will love this spread, and so will you!

Ingredients.

2 tomato finely chopped

2 slices bread day-old

1 egg beaten

225 g cheese grated

1 onion

1 pinch mixed herbs *to taste finely chopped

115 g butter

1 pinch salt and pepper

Method.

Grate or finely chop the onion Process the bread into crumbs. Combine tomatoes, breadcrumbs, egg, cheese, onion and herbs. Add butter, and place in saucepan over medium heat. Add salt and pepper and simmer, stirring until thick.

Spread onto a crusty piece of bread and enjoy. Note. This should be a good spreading consistency. If too thick, I add a small amount of cream.

Option: For a crunchy cheesy treat, sprinkle with cheese and pop under the grill.

Enjoy on their own or serve with a warm bowl of Grandma's homemade soup.

Original recipe handed down from Tracy De Laurentiis, the infamous baker from Witchwood Estate. Proprietor of Tracy's Magic Oven.

Recipe by Tracy Ehlers, PA for authors.

## Lemon & Poppy Seed Friendship Muffins.

When inviting new friends into your home, enjoy these muffins together to bond your friendship.

TOTAL TIME 45mins PREP 20 MINS COOK 25 MINS.

SERVINGS 10 - 12 UNITS:

1⁄2 cup sweet creamy butter, softened.

2⁄3 cup sugar 2 large eggs separated.

1 1⁄3 cups flour.

1 teaspoon baking powder.

1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda.

2 tablespoons poppy seeds.

2 lemons, zest of, grated.

1⁄4 teaspoon salt.

1⁄2 cup buttermilk or 1⁄2 cup plain yogurt.

2 tablespoons lemon juice.

1 teaspoon vanilla.

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350°F

Coat muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray.

In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until fluffy.

Add the egg yolks, one at a time. Beat well after each.

In a separate bowl, stir together the dry ingredients, lemon, and lemon zest.

With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, alternating two times with the buttermilk, then lemon juice, and then vanilla. Beat just until smooth.

In another bowl, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. Gently fold them into the muffin batter until blended.

Spoon the batter into the prepared pan, 3/4-full.

Bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Cool for 5 minutes before removing to cool completely.

Lemon frosting:

125g butter.

2 tablespoons lemon juice.

1/2 teaspoon vanilla essence.

3 cups (470g) icing sugar.

2 drops yellow food color (Combine the butter, lemon juice, vanilla and icing sugar then beat until light and fluffy.

Add more sugar or lemon juice.

Best served for afternoon tea with friends with a cup of tea. Afterward, read the tealeaves to see what the future has in store for you.

Original recipe handed down from Tracy De Laurentiis, the infamous baker from Witchwood Estate. Proprietor of Tracy's Magic Oven.

Recipe by Tracy Ehlers, PA for authors.

##  Crescent Moon Cookies.

I myself have seen this woman draw the stars from the sky; she diverts the course of a fast-flowing river with her incantations; her voice makes the earth gape, it lures the spirits from the tombs, send the bones tumbling from the dying pyre. At her behest, the sad clouds scatter; at her behest, snow falls from a summer's sky."

Catullus.

A favorite treat for vampires, young and old.

Ingredients

160g butter

50gm soft icing sugar mixture

1 level teaspoon vanilla sugar. Toss a little over your shoulder for love.

2 tablespoons milk

250gm finely ground plain flour (000 or thrice ground). Toss a little over your shoulder for luck.

Sprinkle of salt. A little salt at your front door to ward of gossips.

2 egg yolks.

100gm hazelnut meal.

1 teaspoon lemon rind.

I cup extra icing sugar mixture to roll the cookies in after they're baked.

Heat oven to 180C degrees.

Combine all the ingredients until you get a firm dough. Refrigerate for 30 mins.

Form walnut-size pieces of dough into crescent shapes on a baking tray lined with baking sheet.

Bake 15-20 minutes or until golden brown on the bottom.

While still warm, carefully roll the crescent–shaped cookies in the extra icing sugar mixture. Allow to cool, and store in an airtight container. These will keep several weeks – but not in my refrigerator. They're just too yummy.

Perfect Christmas gift for your writers or book club group. Wrap up in little red boxes and serve on a red plate to entice love.

Enjoy!

Original recipe passed down for centuries through the Dantonville bloodline.

Tima Maria Lacoba, author of the Dantonville Legacy series.

##  Pralines.

Pralines are a New Orleans institution! In Magical Memories, this was the first time this recipe came into the story. A delicious treat, a young mother's love sprinkled into every tasty bite. Two young girls playing a Cajun card game and betting with pennies ran out of coins. So they decided to use pecans spawning a time two best friends will never forget.

Elements:

Okay, prepare your table with all the ingredients. A dash, a pinch or a cup will do just fine. If you prefer, you can use mortar and pestle to coarsely chop the pecans. A cool ceremonial knife should do well for cutting your butter.

1 cup of granulated sugar

1 cup of packed brown sugar

1/2 cup evaporated milk

4 tbsp. dashes of butter, cubed

2 tsp pinches of vanilla extract

1.5 cups toasted pecans, coarsely chopped

Preparation:

Make sure you work space is cleaned well. Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with wax paper and spraying the foil with nonstick cooking spray.

In a medium saucepan, combine the brown sugar, granulated sugar, and evaporated milk over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves, then insert a candy thermometer.

Cook the candy, stirring occasionally, until the candy reaches 240 degrees on the thermometer.

Once the proper temperature is reached, remove the pan from the heat and drop the chunks of butter on top, but do not stir. Let the magic flow through the butter and watch it melt. Allow the pan to sit for one minute.

After a minute, add the vanilla extract and the pecans, and begin to stir smoothly and constantly with a wooden spoon. Soon the candy will begin to get thicker and lighter in color.

Continue to stir until the candy starts to hold its shape. Say a little spell over the spoon to help hasten. It should still be easy to stir, however. It is important not to stir too much, as pralines quickly go from fluid to rock-solid. Once it is a lighter, opaque brown and holds its shape, quickly begin to drop small dollops of the candy onto the prepared baking sheet.

Work quickly to form the candies, as the pralines will start to set in the saucepan. If the candy stiffens before you're done scooping, add a spoonful of very hot water and stir until it loosens, then continue scooping until you have formed all the pralines. Allow the candy to set fully at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Store your pralines in an airtight container at room temperature.

Congratulations you have made a magical treat, one that will leave a lingering sugary taste on your taste buds.

Diana Marie DuBois. The author of the Voodoo Vows series.

##  Magic Ginger Balls.

You have witchcraft in your lips.

William Shakespeare.

**Health benefits:** Ginger has a long standing tradition of being very effective in alleviating symptoms of gastrointestinal distress. In herbal medicine, ginger is regarded as an excellent carminative - a substance which promotes the elimination of intestinal gas - and intestinal spasmolytic, a substance which relaxes and soothes the intestinal tract. Modern scientific research has revealed that ginger possesses numerous therapeutic properties including antioxidant effects, an ability to inhibit the formation of inflammatory compounds, and direct anti-inflammatory effects. Toss some in your smoothies and juices, but make sure it's organic for the best possible results!

Ingredients.

1 cup medjool dates, seeds removed

1 cup raw cashews

1 tablespoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon concentrated natural vanilla extract

pinch of salt – toss a pinch over your left shoulder to keep away bad energy.

1/4 cup of desiccated (very finely shredded) coconut.

Method.

Place the ingredients into your blender or food processor and blend until combined. Roll into (golf ball size) balls. Roll in the coconut while humming a tune.

Place in the fridge to set.

Enjoy with a cup of ginger tea.

Aradia's magic balls – perfect to take on a long journey to aid those who suffer from motion sickness.

##  Hot Coco Cookies.

Perfect cookies to make with your children.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup of butter.

12-ounce bag of semisweet chocolate chips.

1 1/4 cup of light brown sugar.

3 large eggs – free-range is best.

3 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract.

1/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder. Sprinkle a little in the palm of your hand and blow it away as you make a wish.

1 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour – A little over your right shoulder for luck.

1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder.

1/4 teaspoons of salt. Sprinkle salt at your front door to keep away nasty, small minded people.

8 ounces of semi-sweet baking chocolate cut into 1-inch squares.

16 large marshmallows cut in half.

Method.

1) In a medium saucepan on medium heat. Melt the butter and the chocolate chips. Stir constantly until melted to prevent burning or sticking to pot. Remove from heat and let sit for 5 mins.

2) Take a large bowl mix brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla on medium speed until all mixed evenly then beat in the cooled chocolate mixture until completely combined.

3) Add cocoa powder, flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix on low speed until fully mixed.

Cover bowl and refrigerate for 2 hours

4) Preheat oven on 325 f degrees.

Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper. Scoop and drop the cookie mixture onto the paper with a tablespoon.

5) Bake for about 12 minutes on a baking tray.

6) Remove cookies from oven place one piece of chocolate square on top pf center on each cookie, then place half of a marshmallow on top of the chocolate square. Place cookies back in oven bake for another 4 minutes until marshmallows melt.

Let the kids lick the bowl and the spoon, unless you beat them to it!

Enjoy in front of the TV with your family with a glass of milk while watching Hocus Pocus, or your favorite TV series, Outlander – after the kids have brushed their teeth and gone to bed. Try not to fall asleep on the sofa. But if you do, sweet dreams!

Heather Santoro Siguenza.

## Aunt Mindy's Blueberry Cobbler.

Cinnamon is one of the most delicious and healthiest spices on our planet. It has shown to lower blood sugar levels, reduce heart disease risk factors, and is packed with a host of other impressive health benefits. Just make sure to get Ceylon cinnamon, not the Cassia variety which does not have the same health benefits as Ceylon cinnamon. Cassia is cheaper and is usually the cinnamon you purchase from your supermarket. Pregnant women should also be aware of the health risks of using cinnamon during their pregnancy.

Preparation time: 20 minutes.

Ready in 1 hour.

What you'll need.

5 cups of blueberries.

1 cup of sugar.

8 tablespoons (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes – leave some for the pan.

1/2 cup all-purpose flour.

1/2 teaspoon baking powder.

Pinch of salt.

1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon.

1 egg.

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract.

What you have to do:

Heat the oven to 375°F. Toss the berries with half the sugar and spread into a lightly greased 8-inch square or 9-inch round baking pan.

Combine the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and remaining 1/2 cup sugar in a food processor and pulse to combine. Add the butter and blend for 10 seconds. Beat the egg and vanilla by hand.

Drop this mixture onto the fruit; do not spread it out.

Bake until golden, approximately 35 to 45 minutes.

Serve immediately with love, whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Yum! Just try stopping at one piece. Best you invite your coven of sisters over to share it with you, you could do with a good catch up. Perhaps you should talk about setting up a book club – or even better, a writers group to help you get over that pesky writer's block.

***

But I find it necessary to repeat in this particular place that the division into classes, which is so salient a part of modern demonology, had, and has, little significance for primitive man or for the peasant in a comparatively low state of mental development. To such people, spirits of all kinds - fairies, the ghosts of the dead, and even witches and water-kelpies - are all creatures of the supernatural class between which he scarcely differentiates.

Lewis Spence, British Fairy Origins.

##  Nina's Bloody Tarts.

Be bloody, bold, and resolute; laugh to scorn

The power of man, for none of woman born

Shall harm Macbeth.

Macbeth – Shakespeare.

Try these for afternoon tea with your besties while discussing the book that you are currently reading.

Ingredients:

225gm/ 1 1/2 Plain flour

120g butter, chilled, cubed

1 egg yolk

2 tablespoons iced water

Plain flour, to dust

315g (1 cup) raspberry jam

Ingredients for Mock cream

80g (1/3 cup) caster sugar

1 tablespoon milk

1 tablespoon cold water

1 tablespoon boiling water

1/2 teaspoon powdered gelatine

100g unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 teaspoon vanilla essence Icing

230g (1 1/2 cups) icing sugar mixture

2 tablespoons milk ~ red colouring

Method.

Preheat oven to 200°C.

Place the flour and butter in the bowl of a food processor and process until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add the egg yolk and iced water, and process until the mixture just comes together.

Lightly floured surface and gently knead until smooth. Divide into 2 equal portions. Use a lightly floured rolling pin to roll out 1 portion to 3mm thick. Use an 8cm-diameter round pastry cutter to cut out 6 discs. Line six 80ml (1/3-cup) capacity muffin pans with pastry. Repeat with the remaining dough. Place in the fridge for 15 minutes to rest.

Mock cream - combine sugar, milk and cold water in a saucepan and stir over medium-low heat until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat.

Place boiling water in a heatproof jug, sprinkle over gelatine and whisk with a fork until dissolved. Add gelatine mixture to the sugar mixture and stir to combine.

Set aside for 15 minutes to cool.

Use an electric beater to beat butter and vanilla in a bowl until white and creamy. Add the sugar mixture in a thin steady stream and beat until well combined. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside until required.

Bases of pastry cases. Bake in oven for 10 minutes or until golden. Remove from oven and transfer to a wire rack for 15 minutes to cool.

Place jam in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring, for 2 minutes or until the jam melts. Strain the jam into a heatproof jug and pour into pastry cases. Set aside for 5 minutes to set.

Spoon mock cream evenly among pastry cases and smooth the surface.

To make the icing, combine the icing sugar and milk in a medium heatproof bowl. Place half the icing in another heatproof bowl. Add the red food colouring and stir until combined.

Place the bowl containing the white icing over a saucepan of simmering water and stir until runny. Spread the white icing over the cream on half of each tart and smooth the surface. Set aside for 5 minutes to set. Repeat with the chocolate icing and set aside for 5 minutes to set.

Eat and Bloody well enjoy! Original recipe from Nina's Great Grandmother, Grandma Millicent.

Recipe by Tracy Ehlers, PA.

##  Kat's Banana & Strawberry Tart.

I wonder if Kat will ever get an opportunity to make one for D'Artagnan?

Adding a banana to your daily diet has an array of benefits in your body. Bananas help you reach your weight-loss goals, keep your bowels healthy, provide nutrients that regulate heart rhythm and have vitamin compounds for eye health.

Approximate making time ten minutes for tart mixture.

You will need:

1 Can of condensed milk (chilled in fridge for a day).

1 - 2 bananas (you can alternate fruit you would like to use aka blueberries – half a cup and one banana. Or 1 banana and 4-5 strawberries. Or mango half a cup with a banana be creative and use whatever fruits you may like.

Citric acid. (Found in the baking aisle.)

Cream to use for whipping for topping tart.

250 ml Pre-made tart shell, or you can make your own. (Recipe provided below)

Method:

Put tin of condensed milk in fridge for a day to chill.

Empty condensed milk into a bowl and whip with a beater for 5 min.

Add your – mashed banana and fruit that you have decided on. Mix the fruit in with mixer.

Make sure you mix it anticlockwise for that special witchy magic.

Dissolve two teaspoons of citrus acid with a tablespoon of water in a cup. Add this to your condensed milk and fruit and mix – you will notice straight away it thickens the tart and gives it that thick and tarty taste.

Taste test your mix – some people like the tart very tarty – as in tangy in taste, if you want it tangier use more citric acid. Try a teaspoon per time and tiny amounts of water to dissolve.

One can will make two small tarts if you have bought pre-made tarts or one large frozen tart shell from the supermarket.

Tarts are big enough for a morning tea with 5 to 6 people. Depends on how hungry your guests are.

Place in fridge to cool.

Add whipped cream to serve on top or side plate with tart.

You will need to make your own tart shell.

1 ½ cups of plain flour.

125 grams butter chilled and chopped into cubes.

1/3 cup castor sugar.

1 egg yolk.

1 tbsp. water.

1. Combine flour, butter, and sugar in a food processor or use a mix master. Process until mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add yolk and chilled water. Process until dough just comes together.

2. Turn pastry onto a lightly floured surface. Knead until just smooth. Shape into a disc. Wrap in baking paper and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

3. Place pan on a baking tray. Line pastry case with baking paper. Fill with ceramic pie weights or uncooked rice.

Bake at 180C for 10 minutes.

Remove weights and paper. Bake for a further 5 to 10 minutes or until pastry is golden.

Allow to cool.

Find a nice spot in your garden and enjoy your delicious tart with friends as you discuss books that have been made into movies. Or perhaps you would prefer a friendly game of Scrabble? May the best witch win!

Make sure you tuck a flower in your hair, then serve tart with coffee, tea, or chilled homemade lemonade in a mason jar.

Katrina Whittaker. Cairns, Australia. Book lover, mummy, and nanny.

##  Springtime Jelly Cake.

Enjoy a bowl while sharing old stories with friends.

Ingredients:

5 different colored jellies.

24grams of gelatin.

300 ml of sweetened condensed milk.

300 ml of heavy cream.

1 tablespoon of vanilla essence.

Method.

5 different colored jellies made with only half the water recommended on packet.

Leave to set completely.

Cube all colored jellies and place into a silicone ring mold and set aside.

Sprinkle 24grams of gelatin over 250 ml of water and leave for 1 minute.

Place 300 ml of sweetened condensed milk, 300 ml of heavy cream and 1 tablespoon of vanilla essence in a blender.

Stir in 250ml of hot water to gelatin. Stir until dissolved the add to blender. Blend until thoroughly combined.

Gently pour creamy mix over cubed jelly.

Refrigerate to set completely.

Invert onto a plate, slice and serve in a bowl with springs of fresh mint. Be sure to fill a vase with fresh flowers for your table.

Aunt Mindy's magical springtime recipe. As this is a colorful dish, it is also perfect for children's parties.

##  Bread and Butter Pudding.

Ingredients

Serves 6

100g sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

5 slices of any bread

Butter

3 handfuls sultanas

500ml milk

2 eggs

Method

Prep:10min

Cook:30min

Extra time:5min resting

Ready in:45min

Preheat oven to 190 C / Gas mark 5. Lightly grease a baking dish.

Mix together the sugar and cinnamon.

Butter 5 slices of bread, cut in half.

Layer the bread in the dish adding a handful of sultanas and the sugar mix as you go, covering each slice.

Mix the milk and eggs together and whisk.

Pour over the bread and leave to absorb for 10 minutes.

Bake in the oven for 35 to 45 minutes, until the pudding is set and browned.

AnnMarie Spiby. Black cat owner and super beta reader for the Witchwood Series.

## Grandma Lydia's 1930s Bread Pudding.

Use stale bread - doesn't have to be hard but the drier the better (this dish was intended to use older stale bread rather than let it go to waste).

Crumble the bread into the dish (small pieces on average no larger than your thumbnail) and add the dried fruit mixture - as used for baking fruit cakes - to taste.

Pour very hot/boiling water over the mixture until it is completely covered \- make sure you cover the whole mix totally, allowing for the mixture to soak in the water.

Having filled a cup with sugar add 3/4 of it to the mix, saving the remainder.

Add Cinnamon to taste - a large pudding like this one would be around an eggcup full on average.

Stir the mix gently but thoroughly for a minute or so and leave to stand for around an hour.

Bake for around 50 mins at 200 degrees (figures for a fan oven, slightly longer for a conventional oven).

As a rule of thumb, the top should be a dark chocolate-brown, usually with the odd darker tint around the edges.

Whilst still hot from the oven sprinkle the remaining sugar over the top.

The pudding is now ready to eat hot, with custard or cream/ice cream, etc., and will be very soft and "messy" but divine.

The later pictures show it cold, where it will be much firmer and can be sliced.

This is how the traditional cafes in England used to serve it, much more like a cake, although slightly wobbly.

Can easily be re-heated in a microwave, and topped to taste. Easy to make, and absolutely delicious. Enjoy!

There are no hard and fast rules, the recipe I use was my grandmother's, her bread pudding was legendary (she had a transport cafe in the 1930's for truck drivers). Occasionally she would vary it with lemon/orange grated zest sprinkled over the top.

Barry Peabody, Author of the book Genevieve. Barry lives in Scotland.

***

Miles away, down through an opening in the hills, he could catch glimpses of a road where motor-cars sometimes passed, and yet here, so removed from the arteries of the latest civilization, was a bat-haunted old homestead, where something unmistakably like witchcraft seemed to hold a very practical sway.

Saki, The Chronicles of Clovis.

##  Welsh Cakes.

Ingredients

Makes: 20 Welsh cakes

225g salted butter or lard

450g self-raising flour

170g caster sugar

2 eggs

170g sultanas

caster sugar, for dusting

Method

Prep:10min

Cook:10min

Extra time:20min cooling

Ready in:40min

In a large bowl, rub the butter into the flour until it resembles breadcrumbs. Add the sugar, eggs and sultanas. Mix with your hands until a firm dough forms.

Turn out the dough onto a floured board and roll out until 1cm (1/2 in) thick, then cut into rounds using a fluted cutter.

To cook, grease a bakestone or a cast iron pan with butter and then wipe away with kitchen paper. Cook the Welsh cakes for 2 to 3 minutes until a dark caramel color forms on the underside, then flip over and cook the same on the other side.

Arrange on a serving plate, then dust with caster sugar while still hot. Serve hot or cold.

Tip

Traditionally, Welsh cakes were made on a bakestone. These have become popular again and are easy to pick up in high street cooking supply shops.

AnnMarie Spiby. Black cat owner and super beta reader for the Witchwood Series.

##  Kat's Salted Caramel Coconut Popcorn.

Ingredients.

5 cups Unsweetened coconut chips/large flakes

1/4 cup melted coconut oil – or melted butter

1/4-1/2 cup maple syrup

1/2 tsp. sea salt

Broken Pecans

Method.

1. Preheat oven to 350 Degrees. Empty the bag of coconut flakes onto your largest cookie sheet or roasting pan.

2. Add melted butter, maple syrup, sea salt, and optional broken pieces of the pecans.

3. Toss with a spatula and your hand, until it is all evenly coated.

4. Roast in the oven until toasty. Usually takes 15 minutes, stir, then another 5 minutes. Every oven will differ, so keep an eye on it! Once it gets started, it moves fast.

Enjoy with your favorite book or movie on a stormy afternoon cuddle up with your main squeeze or four-legged familiar. Perhaps it's the perfect time to leave a review on for the last book you read.

##  Savanah's Honey Treats.

Ingredients.

1 cup flaked almonds

1 cup flaked coconut

pinch of salt

2 tablespoons honey

1/2 teaspoon concentrated natural vanilla extract

1 tablespoon coconut oil

12 mini patty pans

Method.

Heat a large frypan over medium heat.

Add the flaked almonds. Reduce the heat to medium – low. Toast the almonds, stirring frequently, until fragrant (approximately two minutes).

Add the coconut and salt. Reduce the heat to low and stir for 1 minute, the almonds should be golden. Turn off the heat and drizzle over the honey and vanilla. Continue stirring to combine.

Transfer the mixture to a medium sized bowl and stir in the coconut oil.

Use your hands to divide the mixture between the patty pans. You may like to use damp hands. Place the honey joys aside or into the fridge to set.

Serve and enjoy on a summers day.

Note.

To make these nut free, I would omit the almonds, double the coconut and add 1/2 a cup of sunflower or pumpkin seeds.

You can use rice malt syrup if you prefer.

Enjoy one or two while jotting down your latest poem in your journal. Don't forget to lick your fingers first.

From Savanah Harvey's recipe book.

##  Woodworm Spiders.

**A** favorite **of Henry Wormwood.**

Ingredients

100 g fried noodles

2 tbsp. crunchy peanut butter

200 g milk cooking Chocolate

Method

Microwave the chocolate and peanut butter until melted. Mix well to form a smooth paste. Add the noodles and coat well with the chocolate mixture. Spoon the mixture onto a tray lined with baking paper and refrigerate until set.

Serve with your favorite witchy brew!

Notes: Can also be used as a substitute for newt eyes or salamander legs. I use Chang's noodles when I make these.

Jenny Bynum. Bookaholic.

##  Chocolate Avocado Mousse.

Jacoby Harwood likes to make his Grandma's Chocolate Mousse for his special lady, Aunt Mindy.

PS: I could have used a picture of an avocado, but I opted for Jacoby instead. Hope you don't mind.

Here is something you might not have known about Avocados – the are known for lowering depression. Foods with high levels of folate, such as avocado, is that it lowers the risk of depression. Folate helps to prevent an excess of homocysteine forming in the body, which can block blood and other nutrients from reaching your brain. Excess homocysteine can interfere with the production of the feel-good hormones serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, which regulate not only mood but your sleep and appetite as well.

Ingredients

3 large avocados, soft and ripe

1/4 cup cacao powder

3-6 tablespoons coconut milk

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 tsp coconut oil

2 tablespoons raw honey

Directions

Combine the avocado, cacao powder, coconut milk, vanilla, coconut oil and honey in your blender. Blend on high for 1 minute or until smooth.

Refrigerate for 30 minutes

Serves 2. Perfect for date night.

Jacoby Harwood's Grandma's recipe – bless her cotton socks.

##  Wickedly Decadent Mint Chocolate Cake.

Mint, also known as mentha, is a group comprising of around 15-20 types of plants including peppermint and spearmint. Allergies: Mint plants contain an antioxidant known as rosmarinic acid, which has been studied for its effectiveness in relieving seasonal allergy symptoms.

Preheat oven to 350.

4-6 wax paper pieces to lay on cake pedestal.

Ingredients:

2 cups sugar

1 and 1/2 cups flour

3/4 cup baking cocoa powder

1 and 1/2 tsp. Baking soda

1 and 1/2 tsp. Baking powder

2 eggs

3/4 cup milk

1/2 cup oil

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup hot coffee

1 tsp. Rose water

One mint leaf

Powdered sugar for decoration

Frosting:

1/2 cup butter

3 cups powdered sugar

1 tsp peppermint extract or 3 drops peppermint oil.

Heavy cream (2 Tbsp.- 3Tbsp.)

Glaze:

1 bag (12 oz.) Semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/3 block of (paraffin) or 2 tablespoons butter.

Cake:

Grease and flour to 8 in. Cake rounds.

Combine all dry ingredients by stirring in clockwise motion. Think positive thoughts while doing so.

Add milk, oil, eggs, vanilla and rose water. Stir or mix in clockwise motion. Think positive, send positive love and energy to your cake mixture.

Slowly add hot coffee. Important: Add slowly as to not cook the eggs in the batter. Stir clockwise...slowly and think positive thoughts.

After all coffee is stirred in, fill cake rounds 1/2 and no more than 3/4 full.

Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until inserted toothpick comes out clean.

About the time I can smell the chocolate throughout my home, is when the cakes are done). Place on cooling racks.

Frosting: (Best if prepared the night before baking the cakes)

Cream the butter. Add peppermint to butter and mix through. Alternate adding powdered sugar and heavy cream. Remember: Dry ingredients first and last. When all ingredients are combined, continue to whip in clockwise motion until buttercream is correct consistency. Place in refrigerator to chill.

Glaze:

In a double boiler or make your own with 2 saucepans... melt chocolate chips, butter or wax slowly. Careful not to scorch.

When cakes have cooled, place one round on bottom of top of wax paper pieces on cake pedestal. Layer your peppermint buttercream on top (do not coat sides of cake.)

Place remaining cake on top.

Pour your chocolate glaze on top cake layer and slowly help it partially cover the sides of cakes like a waterfall. It does not need to cover entire cake. Just be sure it coats the top layer and drips down the sides. Allow glaze to cool.

When cake has chilled. Dollop peppermint buttercream in center of top layer. Place mint leaf on the dollop. Sprinkle powdered sugar (lightly) around dollop and leaf.

Sprinkle powdered sugar around base layer of cake. (It should look like a bit of snow around your bottom layer)

Best served at room temp. But decadent at any temp. Pair with your favorite tea, coffee or milk.

Madison Sevier. Romance Author.

##  Chocolate Covered Mice.

Makes 12-24 Chocolate Covered Mice. Aunt Mindy makes these for Halloween and Christmas Presents.

Ingredients:

1 bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips.

1 jar of maraschino cherries with stems preferably but without is OK too.

Toothpicks (if no stems on cherries).

1 bag of Shaved Almonds Slices.

1 tube of gel frosting

Directions:

Take some of the semi-sweet chocolate chips and place them in a stainless bowl.

Get a pan of boiling water going and stick the bowl of chocolate chips on the pan of boiling water.

Keep a constant stir on the chocolate until the chips have all melted into a smooth chocolate.

DO NOT LET THE CHOCOLATE BURN. If you do, you will need start again spell!

Take the bowl off the boiling pan of water.

Get one maraschino cherry with stem out or stab a toothpick from the top to the bottom of the cherry.

Dip your maraschino cherry into the chocolate.

Set the chocolate cover cherry on a cookie sheet with wax paper and let cool and harden for a couple of hours.

Repeat step one once the chocolate has hardened on the cherries.

Take a semi-sweet chocolate chip and dip it into the hot melted chocolate and place it directly onto the front of the maraschino cherry.

Then take two pieces of Shaved Almonds and dip them in the hot melted chocolate and place on the top part of the cherry for ears.

Then the final step. Take your gel frosting and make little dots above the nose to make little eyes.

Voila, you are done.

WARNING: These mice are extremely rich in flavour – and sneaky!

Enjoy with a nice mug of coffee while reading a treasured book of poetry.

For gifts, place ice in a tin lined with baking paper and tie up with a red bow.

Jenny Bynum. Devoted bookie and poet.

## Andrew's 5 Minute Microwave Mud Cake.

Andrew, like most young guys, is always in a hurry. This is one of his favorite quickie TV deserts.

You'll need a large mug for starters.

Ingredients:

4tbs S/R Flour

4Tbs Caster Sugar

2tbs Cocoa

1 egg 3tbs milk

3tbs oil

Dash of vanilla

Method.

Add all dry ingredients mix well Add egg mix Add milk, oil, and vanilla. Mix well and microwave on high for 3 minutes.

Serve with lashing of cream and fresh strawberries.

Option: Enjoy curled up on the old couch while watching re-runs of Charmed.

## Tiamat's Grasshopper Cocktail.

Mix together in equal parts Creme de Menthe, Creme de Cacao and fresh cream.

Serve in cocktail glasses.

Carmen Lancaster has one of these cocktails every night after dinner with Tiamat curled up in her lap, crazy witch that she is.

Tabitha Ormiston-Smith. Author and Editor.

O well done! I commend your pains;

And every one shall share i' the gains;

And now about the cauldron sing,

Live elves and fairies in a ring,

Enchanting all that you put in.

Macbeth – Shakespeare.

##  Violet's Lavender tea.

A favorite of all the Rosenberg witches.

Sleep Issues: If you are a witch who regularly struggle with insomnia, apnea, or restless sleep patterns, it can seriously impact your life. By brewing a few lavender flowers in hot water, you can steep a wonderful tea that has been used to induce sleep and relaxation for thousands of years. This is closely linked to the flower's impact on the nervous system, and can also help to clear your mind of negative thoughts or clutter. You might like to add lavender to a little drawstring bag and put it under your pillow.

Ingredients:

(Makes 2 cups)

For dried petals, use 2 to 4 teaspoons of leaves for 2 cups of water that has been heated to just before boiling -- 194 to 203 degrees Fahrenheit (90 to 95 degrees Celsius)

Allow the tea to steep for two to three minutes.

You can sweeten rose tea with some sugar or honey or drink it plain.

Serve with rose petals sprinkled on the saucer.

Best enjoyed with a Crescent Moon Cookie.

Violet.

##  Martha's Herbal Tea.

Ingredients.

1/4 ounces - about 3 heaped teaspoons of lemon balm.

1/4 ounces - about 3 heaped teaspoons of chamomile.

1/4 ounces - about 3 heaped teaspoons of passionflower.

1/4 ounces - about 3 heaped teaspoons of rosebuds or rose petals.

Sprinkle with dried lavender and store in cool, dry place.

Directions

In a bowl, combine dried herbs: lemon balm, chamomile, passionflower, and rosebuds or rose petals and mix well. Spoon 1 heaped teaspoon of the blend into teapot. Let steep for 3 - 6 minutes. When tea settles on the bottom of the pot, pour into cup.

Mr Barnaby enjoys a cup of Martha's tea morning, noon and night.

Martha.

#  CHAPTER 4 \- READING TEA LEAVES.

We had a kettle, we let it leak;

Our not repairing it made it worse.

We haven't had any tea for a week...

The bottom is out of the universe.

Rudyard Kipling.

Tasseomancy, tasseography or teomancy.is the art of reading tea leaves.

Tea leaf reading is a form of fortune telling. It first became popular during the 17th century when tea was first introduced into Europe from China.

By the 1800s tea leaf reading became a means of telling one's future, and became widely used by gypsies throughout Europe. The name tasseomancy comes from the Arabic word 'tassa', meaning cup and the Greek word 'mancy' meaning divination.

The future is predicted by using the symbols and the patterns shaped by the residue of tea leaves in the cup.

Typically, the tea should be drunk in an old, light colored china cup, one that has been passed down in the family is best. A matching white saucer is also needed to perform the task at hand.

Like most forms of divination, tea leaf reading requires the seer to use their intuition and clairvoyance to 'read' the leaves.

A skillful clairvoyant will be able to see many events and scenes in the cup which would be passed over by others less gifted.

Tea leaf reading remains a popular way of telling the future or fortune.

Romany Gypsy typically practice reading tea leaves for those inclined in their homes and carnivals.

A few important tips:

• Always use fresh, cold water to make tea.

• Take your warmed teapot to the kettle to add the just-boiled water.

• Don't over boil the tea.

• Use a tea scoop or teaspoon to put the tea into the pot. Never handle tea leaves with your fingers as your skin absorbs the flavors of the tea.

• One scoop for each person and one for the pot is the old rule for making a brew.

• Use good quality tea that has a rich color and a good leaf size. Tea such as Earl Grey, English Breakfast, Darjeeling are good as the leaves form the best symbols to read.

Making your brew:

No tea bags allowed!

The tea should always be brewed in a teapot and then poured into a cup.

Drink the tea until there is roughly an inch left in the bottom of the teacup. The person drinking the tea should think of a question or concentrate on whatever they would like an answer to.

Always start and finish the reading with the handle of the cup facing your heart.

Once the tea has been consumed, hold the handle in the left hand with a starting position facing the heart. Swirl the tea around to the left three times, finishing again facing the heart. Turn the teacup upside down on the saucer, then tap the bottom of the cup three times, letting the remaining liquid drain into the saucer for one minute before handing the cup and saucer to the fortune teller.

The fortune teller will read the cup by turning it around so they can see the symbols in the cup. This is done with great care so as not to disturb the images.

Tea leaves read from the rim is the immediate future.

Directly under the handle of the teacup is considered to be related to the immediate situation.

Leaves on the side of the cup represent the past, while leaves on the bottom represent the far past.

Using these times as references, the tealeaf fortune teller can predict time scales.

Some readers will also use the saucer to determine events if the teacup yields little information.

If the saucer is being read, it is typically the inner circle of the saucer which represents the clients reading, with the circle around it representing the home or place they dwell.

Symbols read from the inner circle represent near time, whilst those closer to the saucer edge represent future events. The very rim denotes events way off into the future.

No one can be sure what makes tea leaf reading a powerful method for revealing the future, past, and present events. Some say the person being read for influences the tea when drinking it. However, like many things of this witchy nature, it is wise to make sure you have fun, lots of fun, above all else, and not take too much to heart.

Symbols and their meanings:

Angel – Good news

Arrow – Bad news

Birds – Good news or air travel

Bouquet – Fulfillment of desires

Cat – Treachery if in the bottom of the cup

Circle – Wedding, trust, and love

Crescent moon – Changes

Dog – Good and faithful friends

Eagle – Strength to overcome hard times

Eye – Understanding

Fish – Good fortune

Frog – Romance/love

Knife – Arguments/disagreements

Lion – Power/strength

Lines – Advancement and a long life

Mouth – Listen carefully

Rabbit – A friend needs help

Ring – Engagement or Marriage

Square – Comfort

Triangle – Un-foreseen inheritance

Aunt Mindy. Harvey witch.

By the pricking of my thumbs,

Something wicked this way comes.

Open, locks,

Whoever knocks!

Macbeth – Shakespeare.

#  CHAPTER 5 - POEMS.

#  My Innocent Heart.

Charidy Anaya: I was in High School and LOVED reading and writing, especially poetry. It was my outlet, you know being a teenager and having emotions and hormones running wild. One minute you are so in love and then guy is a huge loser. Anyway, this particular poem was written in the summer of 1988. I have not changed anything from the way it was originally written in my poem notebook. I never gave it a title because I couldn't give it just one descriptive title, the words I felt spoke enough for it. I hope you enjoy it.

If you can see beyond the clouds and know what's there without looking,

then you can see inside of me.

I've died many times over

and many times I've tried to let you go.

Maybe you don't know the emotions you bring out in me,

so I have to let these feelings show.

My friends say I'm a fool

for loving you so much.

They say you don't love me

and you never keep in touch.

But you touched my heart

in so many ways.

And they're so confusing

I can't explain.

We made love to our song

under the stars and moon.

And no matter how early it seemed

we'd have to part so soon.

I could feel the beat of your heart

as we danced to no music at all.

Now I think of memories of you

as I feel my tears fall.

Here's something I know

in my heart that's true.

No one can Love you more

than I love you.

I hope when you come to your senses

it's not too late.

Or I'll drown in my tears

while I sit here and wait.

By Charidy (Williams) Anaya 1988

# The Magician.

The words slip out so easily

Like water through a sieve

Oh Great Magician tell me

What your story is.

Tell me of your triumph

Tell me of your pain.

Look at me Magician

And speak to me your fame.

For those who've ever met you

And crossed your path again

Have told me of the stories

From since you were a kid.

Oh yes please Wondrous Sorcerer

Feed to me your truth.

For when the new day finds me

There will be a whole new you

For each day you wield magic

Building walls and hiding fears

Magic now so powerful

All consuming to the ears

It has hidden you from your darkness

It has covered up your eyes

Yes, my dear sweet Warlock.

It has destroyed all that's inside.

Please find the truth in magic

No longer tricks to fool the mind

Oh Great Magician, walk the path

Please learn how to be wise

For one day yet even your walls will tumble down

And alone in darkness without magic you'll be kept

For no one will know your story

And no one will know your name

Speak to me oh Wizard

After all you are just a man

Copyright © Alexis N. Shade.

# Lovers by Midnight.

The day was full of promises.

Memories were made,

new adventures planned.

The moon shone.

You have loved me

like no other –

still the moon shines.

Copyright © 20th January 2013 Norma Martiri.

# Books of Time.

So many books

So little time

I sit here and ponder,

'Why they aren't mine?'

©Jenny Bynum 2013

# Sonnet #001 Man of Oak

Destiny be not meant when my eyes fell

To the sight so strong and firm before me.

My path was set until that night cast spell

In fire light magic breaks sensibility

He is an oak of solid foundation

But rash and wild unlike any man before

Entranced am I to his presentation

Forgotten so quick my steadfast rapport

For the mind is set for prudent reason

But the heart will act out impulsively

With determination for the season

Where love can grow and steep decisively

And so I fall into his ardent charms

To forever be held in his safe arms

Copyright © Cherron Riser

# Dancing with the Vampire.

A strong heart beats in well-tuned ears,

Like quick steps on the cobblestone.

Thin pale lips curl detecting fears,

Beware a monster's feeding zone.

Blue bulging eyes examine moves,

While silent screams dance on cold graves,

Red hot blood like sweet velvet wine,

As transfused veins are slaked – divine!

Copyright © April 2012 Norma Martiri.

# Shining Light.

I wander through this magic night

Holding dreams and grasping hope,

Goddess of the Wiccan moon

Guide my way with shining light!

When in times of trouble

Or in times of strife

Bless me on my journey

Guide my way with shining light.

©Tracy Ehlers 2015

# Embracing the Wolf.

The world belonged to him at night.

The moon was his lantern, the stars his friends.

He was at home here.

He looked upon his kingdom.

Wayside fires were his altars, smoke, incense to his gods.

He journeyed not knowing why.

He knew no reason for not journeying.

His vague imaginings swung along until he saw the distant hill.

Copyright © November 2012 Norma Martiri.

# Friday the 13th.

A few times a year a certain date strikes a certain day

and woe be fall me and my kind....

Every other day we are normal, but beware

On Friday the 13th most of the world fear us,

Who are we you ask?

We are but little kitties covered in black fur...

Any other day we are anybody's kitties

But on Friday the 13th we are:

The companion of witches

maybe even the Salem Witches...

Copyright © 2015 Melanie Williams.

# The Little Witch.

Amusing – everyone talks.

She is different. What nonsense!

This is her way, she is alone, for herself.

Her clear quiet eyes wide open tearing, passionless, charmless.

A little figure – rather striking.

Copyright © December 2012 Norma Martiri.

# The Seasons Of Man.

Spring:

Each passing day brings its sorrows and cares,

Weekends bring pleasure and joy;

For schooling is dull when the fields are aflame,

And the man is yet but a boy.

The weights are not yet on his shoulders,

Life's cares have not furrowed the brow;

The furnace of youth burns so bright and so hot

When the arms have not tended the plough.

Eyes that are warm and alert and alive,

A mind that is eager to learn;

A confidence born of naïve self-belief,

And a trust that is easy to earn.

Each living hour is a magic adventure,

Brimming with colour and life;

Limbs that are growing in strength and in vigour,

Senses as sharp as a knife.

Values untainted by greed and by malice,

A face that can never deceive;

Cheerfully safe and secure in the knowledge

It's better to give than receive.

Yet the man from the boy is emerging,

The chrysalis cracks with the strain;

Ambition is whispering deep in the psyche,

Stronger with each growing pain.

Opinions that form like the forests and seas,

Sturdy and upright and strong,

Ideals that spring forth in a burst of conviction,

Distortions of right and of wrong.

The shutters have fallen and light floods within,

Naivete loses the war;

Thunder and lightning is rending the soul and behold –

The boy is no more.

Summer:

The strength of a man is a brew to be savoured,

Coursing the body like wine;

The mind is a tool to be used for advantage,

Selecting the grapes from the vine.

The seed that was planted now stands strong and tall,

The eyes are now judging and deep;

The lion springs forth from the kitten of boyhood,

Ready to sow and to reap.

The thoughts and the fears and the hopes and illusions,

Swaying like wind-ruffled corn;

Each tossing ear bearing grain for the future,

In summer no hope is forlorn.

The girl watches on from the stooks in the fields,

His scythe dances on through the wheat;

Shoulders are swaying and sinews are taut,

Gold in the shimmering heat.

A long summer's eve by the banks of the pool,

The lion enjoying his soak;

The girl saunters past with a smile on her lips

And the lion is tamed at a stroke.

Now is the time of enchantment and dreams,

A time when time seems to fly;

Two lovers are dancing entwined in the moonlight,

Under the velvety sky.

Two chemistries merge and the magic floods forth,

This time comes but once in a life;

Love burns white hot on both sides of the coin

And the young man will take him a wife.

The world he will change and the seas he will drain,

Passion comes in at the trot;

The older men sigh and stare blankly at space,

For they know what young men do not.

The path is a long one and littered with flints,

But nevertheless it's begun;

Three harvests have passed in the field by the pool,

Now proudly he cradles his son.

The thoughts and the dreams pass like clouds in the sky,

Slipping like sand through the glass;

And though he will hunt them and try to entrap them,

Somehow they manage to pass.

Another four harvests have stood in the field,

A daughter now lies in the cot;

And though he's as pleased and as proud as can be,

The sun is now not quite so hot.

Autumn:

Ambitions and fancies that burned like the sun

Are kept at a comfortable heat;

And though there are times when he dreams of the lion

His mind is kept busy with wheat.

With three other mouths he must feed and protect,

His time is no longer his own;

The wine in his veins is no longer as potent,

He shoulders the scythe with a groan.

The stout winter store is well stocked to the rafters,

His labours went well it would seem;

And down in the meadow his son and his daughter

Are tickling trout in the stream.

The colours are changing all over the land,

A golden and russet array;

His step's not as quick and the hair of his head

Is tinged with a silvery grey.

At times he is quiet and wistful and distant,

Thoughtful of what might have been;

Smoking his pipe in the chair by the fireside,

Or giving his scythe blade a clean.

The grass on the pasture needs baling for hay,

His son holds the twine for each knot;

And though all the great dreams lie shattered and broken

He dwells on the riches he's got.

The girl with the brown hair and strawberry lips,

Is grooming a horse in the barn;

The boy with the devilment deep in his eyes;

Is helping to knot baling yarn.

But dearest of all is the girl from the poolside,

Many a harvest ago;

When she gives him that look and her lips start to curl,

He feels that warm inner glow.

The cool autumn airs shroud the banks of the stream,

Two lovers walk down by the pool;

Spellbound he watches them glide through the mists,

Reflecting how life can be cruel.

The lovers embrace as they tenderly kiss,

In almost the very same spot;

The man heaves a sigh as he looks to the heavens,

For he knows what young men do not.

The autumn of man is a time of much splendour,

Of counting the fruits of the field;

Of storing the same with one eye for the future,

Ambition is starting to yield.

The path that he treads that was once strewn with flints,

Is worn to the polish of tile;

Each load he has shouldered and borne by his strength,

Has flattened it mile upon mile.

Each turn from the path that he once yearned to walk,

Seems hostile and unsafe to tread;

What once seemed a challenge is fraught with unease,

Where once there was fire there is dread.

Yet still he will glory in what he's achieved,

Complacent in what he's become;

He may not be rich, but life has its comforts,

Plain, but better than some.

Look out to the hills and the far off horizons,

Bringing their portents of ill;

For autumn is leaving in golden procession,

Breezes are grating and chill.

Winter:

Beneath leaden skies come the flurries of rain,

Speaking of snows yet to fall;

While down in the barn unaware of the maelstrom,

The girl tends her horse in its stall.

The boy heaves a spade in the vigour of youth,

Clearing the ditches for flood;

The man sweats and blows as he swings with an axe,

Chopping and stacking the wood.

His wife fills her jars with the pickles and jams,

Smiling with pride and delight;

The purple-black sky comes alive with fresh snowflakes,

Bringing their mantle of white.

Long are the nights of the wintertide season,

Deep are the thoughts of a man;

Slow are his steps for his legs are unsteady,

Walking where once he had ran.

White is his hair and his face has grown wrinkled,

Rounded and knowing and kind;

But yet when his wife smiles across at her husband,

The lion stands proud in her mind.

The snows lie so thick on the roof of the house,

Jack Frost stalks the land like a thief;

But though he is feeble and weak in the body,

The man finds his strength in belief.

The long years have taken the grapes from his vineyard,

Sapping the strength of his wine;

And though he no longer can scythe in the wheatfield,

The old eyes with memories shine.

Gone are the dreams and the prevarications,

Gone is the gnawing self doubt;

Here is a mind that was tempered by decades,

Knowing what life is about.

Outside the icicles cling to the gutters,

Inside the fire warms the room;

The old eyes rest proudly on son and on daughter,

Struggling to pierce the gloom.

So what of the boy when the fields were aflame?

What of the man in his prime?

The lesson of life is not taught in a moment,

But only the fullness of time.

© B R Peabody 2015

From Rhyming Words are for Everyone?

# Springtime Festival.

The festival – it's another world.

It's here!

Escape. Relax. Enjoy.

The music never stops.

Artists just entertain.

It is odd but perfect.

Come!

Copyright © December 2012 Norma Martiri.

# Bewitched.

What is this apparition that bedevils every thought?

And how is it you weave the silken net in which I'm caught?

It only took a single glance and I was lost it's true,

Drowning in the oceans of those stunning eyes of blue.

I find that I am dreaming of your velvet honeyed lips,

I want to put my arms about your slinky swaying hips;

Yet when I'm in a room with you my throat and mouth go dry,

My heart starts pounding madly and I think that I shall die.

I know you like me also for I've seen that little look,

Yet still I wriggle, helpless on your shiny fishing hook;

You must know you have caught me 'cos I know you've seen me glance,

But I do not know how to start this ritual courtship dance.

How hot and bright and glowing is this star to which I'm hitched,

I feel just like a schoolboy who has surely been bewitched;

The magic that you practice is a long-lost mystic art,

Guiding straight along its beam, the point of Cupid's dart.

You are my darling angel from the wispy clouds above,

How fervently I'm praying that you'll take a chance on love;

I want to hold and cosset you and keep you safe and sound,

Yet I am almost frightened of these feelings I have found.

The first time that I saw you, you were wearing lilywhite,

You stole my soul and made me gasp and set my heart alight;

The second time I saw you I was shocked to see you here,

My mind went into meltdown just because you were so near;

And just in case you're not quite sure exactly who you are,

You're the gorgeous Spurs fan in the very sexy car!

© B R Peabody 2015

From Rhyming Words are for Everyone?

# A Witch's Brew.

A Witch's Brew.

Only a taste will do.

A savoring treat

that will make

your heart beat

And a secret brew

that may become

your favorite too.

©Jenny Bynum 2015

# Moonbeam Kisses.

The day was full of promises.

Memories were made, new adventures planned.

The moon shone.

You have loved me like no other – still the moon shines.

Copyright © 20th January 2013 Norma Martiri.

# The Good Witch.

Dressed in black or white with pointy hat or not,

With broom in hand, a spell is bound to follow.

Weaving magic spells at midnight before bed, the good witch could be you or me.

Dancing barefoot beneath the silvery stars, the good witch is just like you and me.

©Felicity Harvey-Santorini. 2000

# Somewhere in a forest.

The raindrops plummet down,

Each one bedecked in crystal gown,

Alive with vital glistening light,

Ten million raindrops gleaming bright,

This world of men will surely drown.

The sodden earth is drenched,

The grass and trees once parched now quenched,

Deep down the roots lie tranquil still,

Untouched by man's pervading ill,

About their neighbours tightly clenched.

The stream is nature's wine

For ancient oak and gangling pine,

Yet where the water lays her jewels

Are gangs of men with iron tools,

Cantank'rous mules drawn up in line.

O what is this we see?

How can this desecration be?

Where once were hues of green and brown,

The oak and pine come crashing down,

Despite the firmest guarantee.

Heed not the men of lies,

Truth whispers low when she replies,

Not always is she understood,

Oft hacked down in pools of blood,

By assassins in their drab disguise.

© B R Peabody 2015

From Rhyming Words are for Everyone?

#  Magic abound, dreamers be free.

Show me a woman, or a man

And I can tell you at one point:

She wanted to be a princess with her prince.

And he that prince, on a white horse!!!

We grew up with fairytales and magic

And I know I wanted to be a queen

Who can save her people and her king...

On his horse!

Witches and wizards brewing their spells,

Fighting evil intentions and agendas to unbind,

Magic, herbs and potions their favorite tools

But sometimes on their brooms they are zooming all around, joining the fight.

There will be fairies around us,

To bring us joy and fun.

The Fae is on board

Spreading their wings in flight or even here to help in the fight.

Ooooh the werewolves are chasing

The small ones in fun

Also protecting our kingdom

From evil abound.

So show me, men and women

I show you dreamers,

Who dreamt of magic and spells

Witches, Wizards and just free to be!

Copyright © 2015 Melanie Williams

#  CHAPTER 6 – SPELLS AND CHANTS.

##  Harvey Sisters Creed.

Bide Harvey laws we must agree in perfect love and perfect trust.

To banish evil from your hearth and hearts one must chant.

Evil be gone, blessed be.

To bind the spell chant, I believe.

For good fortune, dance under the waxing moon with angel's breath in your hair.

When the moon is new a kiss times two will bind your love.

When the moon is full seek your heart's desire.

North wind's blow, protect your heart.

South winds brings true love kiss to your lips.

From the west those past will walk again.

When east winds blow prepare for guests and set a feast.

Over flowing waters toss a stone and the truth you'll hear.

Mind the law of three by heart Three times bad and three times good.

Harm none, for what you do, ye will bring times three.

I believe, so you'll be. Blessed Be."

##  Invisibility Spell.

When the moon is full, grind together:

1-part Fern leaf, dried

1-part Poppy seeds

2 parts Slippery Elm powder

1-part Myrrh

1-part Marjoram, dried

3 parts Dill weed.

Add 9 drops of Rose oil with enough water to make moist, mix well.

Heat the mixture over a low heat until dry. Cool, then return to mortar, and grind again, chanting:

See me now, see me not. Let me be the in between. See me now, see me not. Let me be the in between.

When finely powdered, stitch into a small satin pouch and keep in your pocket.

##  Springtime Spell.

What you'll need.

A timber bowl, filled with water.

Find a sunny spot in the garden and light one yellow candle, the color of sunshine.

Concentrate on candle until the wick bursts into flame.

A handful of sunflower seeds — add to bowl of water.

Hold the bowl up to the sunshine, calling on the five elements. Water, air, fire, earth and spirit.

Close your eyes and chant aloud, let new life begin, let the old fade away. Let new life begin, let the old fade away. Let new life begin, let the old fade away. As the New Year brings light to each day, may this, too, come into my life.

I believe, so you'll be.

Blessed be.

##  Travel Talisman.

What you'll need.

Twig of Rosemary

Powdered Juniper bark

Dried Mugwort

Dried root of Comfrey

Caraway seeds

1 small Quartz Crystal

Stitch up in purple velvet cloth and place in vehicle for protection.

Incarnation

"Water, air, fire and earth, we ask for your protection and magic times three. We summon your power to watch and protect.

I believe, so you'll be.

Blessed Be."

##  Returning Lost Power Spell.

3 candles (1 purple, blue and white)

3 pieces of bark from the Witchwood tree

1 pieces of quartz

1 drop of Harvey blood

3 small pieces of paper

Bound the base of each candle with the bark from a Witchwood tree, setting them in a triangle shape around the person.

White at the head. Purple at the right foot and blue at the left.

Place the purple quartz in the right hand. A drop of Harvey blood on the forehead.

Concentrate on the candles until they ignite.

Repeat the following chant three times. Begin with the blue candle, burning a piece of bark from the Witchwood tree.

Magic mends, fire burns. Illness leave, health return.

Repeat the chant with a purple candle then lastly, white.

Leave the candles burning for half an hour. At which time they will extinguish, and the strength and power has been returned.

## Break up and Banishing of Binds.

***Before any spell, be sure you are grounded and do not carry menace or anger with you into the spell. This is merely to cleanse your spirit from the things that hold you down or back. Do not cast spells with malice or intent to harm. Always remember the rule of three. ***

Harm none above all.

Every living and non-living thing (inanimate objects/material things) come from energy...energy given to us by the universe. When it's time to break free of another person, an emotion or our past, the only way to break that bond is by fire.

If you have in your possession an article of clothing, or something belonging to your ex....or if you have in your possession something that represents the emotion or past you're ready to move on from...you begin by burning it. Changing its form to ash. While it burns (in a safe place/container away from any building or any structure that could burn) allow the feelings that have bound you to burn with the article or clothing or material thing you've held onto. All the fire to cleanse those emotions from your spirit.

When you have cooled ashes, gather them and take them to an open area. Release them into the wind while saying:

"Be gone from sight.

Be gone from sound.

Return to your place within the ground.

So it is. So shall it be."

Once the ashes have dissipated, raise your hands to the sky.

"Erase the scent.

Erase the mark.

Erase the hold upon my heart.

So it is. So shall it be."

Madison Sevier. Romance Author.

## Sweet Dreams Spell.

#  CHAPTER 7 - WITCHWOOD ESTATE WITCH CLANS.

**The** Rivenfell **Clan:** Rivenfells were experts in gems, crystals, and metal magic. A typical Rivenfell witch is kindhearted and likes to be of service to others. They worship Mother Nature and usually have white hair and brown eyes. The Tree of Life is their symbol, and a small tattoo on their right wrist is only visible through magic.

**The Rosenberg Clan:** They are the most mischievous of the Great Clans. They usually have dark hair and dark eyes. They are said to be related to leprechauns. They wear a silver cross with a blood red ruby to represent a red rose.

**The Harvey Clan:** They were considered the good clan (out of all the five) and wrote the first Book of Shadows. They were known for their magical knowledge about spells and properties of magic. The most powerful witches in the Harvey clan have green eyes. The Bloodthorns were their greatest enemies

**The Lochlanach Clan:** A Viking clan, they used runes for casting magic. Many Lochlanach people have red hair.

**The Bloodthorn Clan:** Named after a poisonous flower, they are darkest of all the clans, the Bloodthorns are famous for the use of dark magic, forbidden practices, and the ability to do evil. They worship serpents and often own them as pets. It is their desire to destroy the other clans, becoming the most powerful clan of all the earthbound witches.

**The Stregheria Clan:** An ancient clan of Italian witches thought to be wiped out by the Bloodthorn clan. The surviving clan members roamed throughout the world, looking for a safe refuge. Eventually they hid themselves amongst the Romani/Gypsy peoples of the world.

**Ved'ma Clan:** An ancient Russian clan of witches destroyed by the Bloodthorn clan. Shape-shifting spells involved invocation of the wolf.

#  CHAPTER 8 - RUNES.

#  CHAPTER 9 - BROOMS IN WITCHCRAFT.

**Origins: Not the things of** fairytales **.**

Aside from the pointy black hat, the most recognizable accessory for any witch over the centuries has to be her trusty old broom. The image of a witch flying around on her broomstick wearing a pointy hat is very iconic of Halloween, but where did these legends first come from? As it turns out, the broomstick might have been a way to get high on hallucinogenics... Never a dull moment being a witch.

Those who practiced "magic" were often using herbs to treat various conditions, though various side effects made them appear like sorcery and witchcraft. Some concoctions were used for recreational proposes—not medicinally—which is where the legend of the flying broomstick first came to light.

The ingredients of these "witches' brews" more often than not included Nightshade (Belladonna), devil's snare, (Datura stramonium), black henbane (Hyoscyamus niger), and mandrake (Mandragora officinarum). The blended ointment can bring on psychoactive symptoms that induce hallucinations. These herbs are known to be high in alkaloids, which also makes them very toxic to ingest. Even in small quantities, nausea and vomiting may occur. Applying the herbs topically minimizes the negative side effects without interrupting the hallucinations, and that is where the use of the broom came into play... Look it up, the story will blow your witchy mind.

The term "besom" mostly describes a "traditionally constructed" broom used in witchcraft. They were made of twigs secured to a long handle. The bristles were usually made from various materials such as straw, herbs, or twigs. The broom handle is round to represent the branch of a tree, associating the broom with the magical Tree of Life, an important symbol in ancient rituals. Customarily, a Besom broom is made from hazel wood and the bristles comprised of birch twigs.

Besom brooms were often found just inside the dwelling of those practicing witchcraft with their bristles facing upward to ward off the evil spirits, negative energies and to protect those in the dwelling. Brooms are also hung over a doorway with the bristles facing in the direction of opening of the door to grant the same protection.

Thus, the broom remains a wonderful tool for magical practices and witchy rituals around the world today.

**The Witches' Broom – so it is said**...

The traditional witches' brooms handles were made of ash with birch twigs for the bristles. The twigs are then fastened to the handle with thin strips of willow wood. Ancient and modern witches alike decorate their brooms with flowers and charms, tying them on with decorative string or lengths of pretty ribbon, turning the broom into a talisman to ward off evil and negativity from their home. Miniature brooms can also be made to carry with you when you leave the home as a protection talisman.

Celtic pagans also associated the broom with mystical faeries and forest sprites. Stories tell of witches entering the dark, deep forest and asking the faeries to lead them to the trees most suitable to make the best staff for their brooms. The magical folk of the forests would then bless the broom, gifting the witches broom with the magical powers from the realm of the fairies.

The witch's broom is both masculine and feminine. The shaft of the broom handle being masculine and the bristles being feminine. It is because of this that the broom is still used in handfasting rituals and marriage ceremonies today. At other times, it is used as a gateway to a sacred space. Drawing a magical circle, the witch would enter the circle then set the broom across the doorway to keep unwanted energies or people from entering the sacred circle

Using your besom broom, you can clean a space for your ritual work.

In earlier days, witches would use their broom to conceal their wands, sweep unwanted negative energies and spirits away from your home, then release the unfavorable energies to a remote place away from their home and family.

Some ancient brooms were also discovered with hidden compartments in the handle to conceal magical concoctions of herbs, oils, flowers and a variety of other trinkets used to perform spells.

**Up, up and away - The Flying Broom. A mixture of both** fairytales **and hallucinations.**

Is it a bird, or is it a plane? No, it's a witch... The witches broom is linked to the air element and has magical powers over the spirits. In archaic and modern times, images of female witches riding brooms at night, the full moon illuminating their journey. With rituals and spells performed using magic, along with special concoctions of enchanted herbs, the witch can fly anywhere in the world she chooses, either alone or a coven of witches, most commonly during the witching hour.

# CHAPTER 10 - CELTIC TREE ASTROLOGY.

Birch - The Achiever.

December 24 - January 20.

Those born under the sign of the Birch are often highly driven and ambitious. From a young age, you were always reaching for more of everything, seeking better horizons and obtaining higher aspirations than those around you. The Druids attributed this to your time of birth, which is a time of year cloaked by darkness. Therefore, you are always seeking to find truth in the light. Birch signs are also open-minded, tough, and resilient to people and events orbiting around them. They are cool-headed characters and are natural-born rulers, often taking command of any situation when the need arises. When in touch with their gentler side, they bring beauty to otherwise sterile spaces, brightening up any room with gentle guile while charming friends with their quick wit and offbeat sense of humor. Birch signs are compatible with Vine signs and Willow signs.

Rowan - The Thinker.

January 21 - February 17.

Rowan signs are considered the philosophical minds within the zodiac realm. If you were born under the Rowan sign, you are likely a keen-minded visionary with high morals, ethics, and expectations. Your thoughts are highly original and creative. Quite often the Rowan sign is misunderstood. This sometimes makes you detached when interacting with people as you feel they don't understand where you are coming from. Nevertheless, although you may appear to be standoffish, you are burning with passionate ideals and ideas. This unstoppable passion provides motivation for you when you blaze your trail through life. You have a natural ability to transform situations and people around you by your mere presence. Highly influential in a subtle way, others look to you for your unique viewpoints. Rowan pairs well with Ivy and Hawthorn signs.

Ash - The Enchanter.

February 18 - March 17.

Those born under the sign of the Ash are free thinkers, happily following the beat of their own drum. Imaginative, intuitive, and naturally artistic describes the Ash sign. You have a tendency to be moody and withdrawn at times. However that's only because your inner thoughts are in perpetual motion. You are in touch with your muse and are constantly inspired by nature and the beauty of the world around you. You inspire all those around you, and people seek you out for your whimsical and enchanting personality. Art, writing (especially poetry), science and spiritual matters are fields that interest you the most. Others may think you reclusive and withdrawn, but in all honesty, you are simply immersed in your own magical world. You are in a constant state of self-renewal, and you rarely allowed yourself to be judged on what others think about you. Ash signs partner well with Willow and Reed signs.

Alder - The Trailblazer.

March 18 - April 14.

If you are an Alder sign, you are a natural-born leader. You're a mover and a shaker, and will blaze a trail with burning passion, gaining loyal followers along the way. You are charming, gregarious and socialize easily with a broad mix of personalities. Alder signs are popular - everybody loves to spend time with you. This might be because Alders are confident and have a strong self-worth. This boundless self-assurance is infectious, and others recognize this trait in you instantly. Alder Celtic tree astrology signs are focused and dislike wastefulness. Consequently, they can see through superficialities and untruths, and will not tolerate stupidity in any form. Alder people place high value on their precious time and feel that wasting time is intolerable. They are motivated by fast action leading to optimal results. Alders pair well with Hawthorns, Oaks or even Birch signs.

Willow - The Observer.

April 15 - May 12.

If you are a Willow sign, you are ruled by the light of the silvery moon. Your personality is akin to many of the mystical aspects of the lunar realm. This means you are highly creative, intelligent, intuitive – many psychic people are born under the sign of the Willow tree. Like the moon, you have a keen understanding of cycles, and you inherently understand that every living thing has a season. This gives you a realistic perspective of most things. You tend to be far more patient than most tree signs. With your astute intelligence comes a natural ability to retain knowledge, and you often impress those around you with the ability to recall many subjects from memory quite effortlessly. Willow Celtic tree astrology signs are bursting with incredible potential but have a tendency to hold back for fear of appearing too flamboyant or excessive in front of their friends. It is the powers of perception, however that ultimately allow their true nature to shine. Willow signs join well with the Birch and the Ivy.

Hawthorn - The Illusionist.

May 13 - June 9.

Hawthorn signs are not at all what they appear to be at first sight, so you'd be wise not to judge this particular book, or tree, by its cover. Outwardly, they appear to be a certain persona, while on the inside, Hawthorns can be quite different. They live seemingly average lives while on the inside they carry a fiery passion and an inexhaustible creative flame. They are well-adjusted individuals, and can usually adapt to most life situations extremely well - making themselves content while comforting others in need at the same time. Naturally curious, the Hawthorn sign has a broad range of interests. Excellent listeners, people often seek them out as a reliable sounding board. You have a healthy sense of humor and have a clear understanding of irony. You tend to see the big picture of things and have astonishing insight - although you typically won't pay yourself enough credit when credit is due. Hawthorn signs pair up nicely with Ash and Rowan.

Oak - The Stabilizer.

June 10 - July 7.

The Oak have a special gift of inner and physical strength. Protective by nature, they often become champions for those around them who are less fortunate. The Oak is the crusader and the spokesperson for the underdog. Nurturing, generous and forever helpful, they are the gentle giants among the Celtic zodiac signs. You exude an easy confidence and assume everything will work out for the best. You have a deep respect for history and ancestry, and many people with this sign become teachers in the field. You love to share your knowledge with others. Oak signs have a need for routine, and will often go to great lengths to gain the feeling of control in their lives. Healthy Oak signs live long, full, happy lives and enjoy large family gatherings. Oak signs pair off well with the Ash, Reed, and Ivy.

Holly - The Ruler.

July 8 - August 4.

Among the Celtic tree astrology signs, Holly is one of noble standing. Gallant and high-minded, those born during this time easily take on positions of leadership and power. If you are a Holly sign, you take to challenges effortlessly, overcoming obstacles with ability and diplomacy. When you encounter obstacles, you simply redouble your efforts and remain vigilant in obtaining your goal. This is why many people admire and respect you and willingly follow you as a leader. You are competitive and determined, even in the most casual settings. You can appear to be superior, but in fact, you are just confident in your abilities. You are quite generous, kind and affectionate at once people get to know you. Highly intelligent, you fly through academics where others often struggle. Because many things come to you effortlessly, you may have a tendency to become complaisant. If not kept busy, you may slip into an unhealthy and lazy lifestyle. Holly signs may look to Ash and Elder signs for balance and partnership.

Hazel - The Knower.

August 5 - September 1.

If you are born under the Hazel sign, you are highly intelligent, organized and efficient. Like the Holly, you are naturally gifted in academia and excel in most areas you put your mind to. You also have the ability to retain information and can recall, recite and converse on subjects you've memorized with astonishing accuracy. You know your facts, and you are always well informed in most fields. This ability can sometimes make you appear as a know-it-all. Genuinely clever, you usually know the right course of action because of your extraordinary knowledge base. You have an eye for detail, and like things to be "just right." Sometimes, however, this need for order and control can lead to compulsiveness. You have an aptitude for numbers, science and things that utilize your analytical skills. You like rules, although you are often guilty of making them rather than sticking by them. The Celtic tree astrology sign of Hazel finds harmony with Hawthorn and Rowan.

Vine - The Equalizer.

September 2 - September 29.

Vine signs are born within the autumnal equinox, (the equinox in autumn, on about 22 September in the northern hemisphere and 20 March in the southern hemisphere) which makes your personality changeable and hugely unpredictable, impulsive even. You can be full of contradictions, and are often indecisive, but this is because you are seeing both sides to every story, and can empathize with both. It is hard for you to pick a side because you can see both the good points and bad points on each side. There are areas in your life that you are quite sure about, and these include the finer things of life, like food, good wine, music, and art. You have a very distinctive taste in all these areas and are a connoisseur of refinement. Indulgence agrees with you, and under perfect conditions, you have an uncanny ability to turn the mundane into something of great beauty. You are charismatic, elegant, and maintain a level of class that wins you esteem from all those who admire you – and there are plenty of those who do just that. You often find yourself in public places where others can openly admire your classic style. Vine signs pair well with Willow and Hazel signs.

Ivy - The Survivor.

September 30 - October 27.

Among other valued qualities of the Ivy sign, most prized is your ability to overcome the odds when they are piled up against you. You have a sharp intellect, but more obvious is your empathy and loyalty to others you care about. You have a kind and giving nature, and are always there to offer a helping hand to those who find themselves in need. You are born during the waning sun, so life can be problematic for you at times. This sometimes seems unfair as it appears that hurdles are coming at you without your own doing. Nevertheless, you endure these obstacles with silent determination and grace. Ivy signs have a tendency to be deeply spiritual and hang on to a deep-rooted faith that habitually sees them through hardships. You are soft spoken but have a keen wit. You are charismatic, charming, and can effectively hold your own in social situations. Ivy signs are drawn to the Celtic tree astrology sign of Oak and Ash.

Reed - The Inquisitor.

October 28 - November 24.

Shh... Can you keep a secret? Reed signs can, they are the guardians of secrets. They dig deep below the surface to discover the real truth of things, no matter how many layers the truth is hidden beneath. When there is a need to get to the heart of any matter, the Reed sign will find the most inner core. They love a good story, and can be easily drawn in by gossip, urban legend, and lore. These tendencies also make them excellent historians, journalists, detectives or archeologists, searching beneath the many layers of a forgotten time. They love people because they represent a diversity of unknowns waiting to be interpreted. They are adept at coaxing people into talking. Sometimes the Reed sign can come across at being manipulative; however, they have a strong sense of truth and integrity. Reed people combine well with other Reeds, Ash and Oak signs.

Elder - The Seeker.

November 25 - December 23.

Freedom-loving, Elder and can sometimes appear to be "wild" compared to the other signs of the Celtic zodiac. In earlier years they may have lived life in the fast lane, painting the town red, and often being identified as a "thrill seeker." At the time of their birth, the light of the sun was fast fleeting, so they tend to take their cue from Mother Nature herself. Often misjudged as an outsider, they have a tendency to be withdrawn in spite of their extroverted nature. In actuality, they are deeply thoughtful and philosophical. This sign also tends to be very considerate of others, and genuinely strive to be helpful. These acts of support are sometimes thwarted by their brutal honesty, which they share quite happily. Elder astrology signs meld well with Alder and Holly.

#  CHAPTER 11 \- TREE MAGIC.

**Alder** -The Alder, a shrub or tree of the birch family has special magical qualities in Celtic traditions.

In Ireland, the Alder was regarded with awe. When cut, the wood turns from white to red. It is also believed that Alder trees allowed access into the mystical fairy realms. In ancient times the felling of an Alder was punishable, and it is still avoided today. The Alder is believed to have the power of divination, especially in the diagnosing diseases. Alder or Yew was often used in the fé, a rod for measuring corpses and graves in pre-Christian Ireland.

**Apple** \- The pome fruit and tree of the Apple is celebrated in numerous functions in Celtic mythology, legend, and folklore. It is an emblem of fruitfulness and often means immortality. Apple is a great wood for your magic wand. It is a popular tree amongst witches. Eating the fruit opens the gateway into other magical kingdoms, including the mystical land of the fairies. It provides illumination and the ability for one to gain knowledge. The Apple is also believed to be one of the foods of the dead. Wands of druids were often made from either the Yew or the Apple tree. Use Apple Cider in any archaic spells calling for blood or wine. Apple evokes choice and is useful in love and healing magic spells.

**Ash** \- The Ash tree is a tree regarded with awe in Celtic circles, especially Ireland. Together with the Oak and Thorn, the Ash is part of a magical trilogy in fairy lore. Ash seedpods are often used in divination, and the wood has the power to ward off the fairies. In Gaelic Scotland, children were given the sap of the tree as a medicine and as a protection against black magic. Druid wands were sometimes made of Ash because of its straight grain. Ash wands are used for healing and solar magic. Place Ash leaves under your pillow to stimulate psychic dreams.

**Cedar** \- Also known as the Tree of Life, Arbor Vitae, and Yellow Cedar. Cedar above the entry door of your home will drive away negative influences and evil spirits. Cedar wood is often used to cleanse, heal, and for protection. Many Gypsy wagons and caravans are made with Cedar. Valued not only for its ability to keep insects away, Cedar also has strong magical abilities. Burned during scrying, it enhances the seer's powers of insight.

**Elder** -The Elder is commonly thought of as the 'fairy tree'. In Ireland, many Elder trees were thought to be haunted by fairies or demons. Standing under an Elder tree at Midsummer, is like standing in a Fairy Ring of mushrooms, allowing you to see the "little people." Elder wands can be used to drive out evil spirits. Music on panpipes or flutes made from Elder has the same power as the magic wand.

**Elm** \- Elm adds stability and grounding to your spells. Elm wands are strong in magic when used for endurance, fertility, and a passage through death, rebirth, and invoking the Goddess. Elm energizes the mind and balances the heart. It attracts love, protects, and aids in sharpening your psychic powers. Elm was found in the underworld and at the crossroads leading into the fairy realm. Elm is also very popular with the Elves. Elm adds stability, grounding, and focus on working your spells.

**Hawthorn** \- Wands made of this wood are of great power. The May Pole is traditionally made of Hawthorn or decorated with Hawthorn flowers. As the tree is sacred to the fairies, one must ask permission before taking the blooms or sprigs, and when they do, it is wise to leave an offering when cutting down the whole tree. Planting Hawthorn as a hedge around your home will keep out unfavorable spirits. Adding Hawthorn to an amulet will protect you from evil spirits and destructive magic. The blossoms are highly erotic to men, so keep that in mind when working a spelt to attract a man. Hawthorn is used for protection, love and marriage spells.

**Hazel** \- Wands made of Hazel symbolize white magic and healing. For magical protection, draw a circle around yourself with a Hazel wand. In legend and folklore, the Hazel, along with the Apple and Hawthorn, is a tree often found at the border between the worlds where magical things happen. Both the wood and the edible nuts of the Hazel have played important roles in Irish and Welsh traditions. Hazel leaves and nuts are found in early burial mounds and shaft-wells in Britain. Legends tell of the Hazel tree without leaves as being evil and dripping poisonous milk. It is also believed to be the home of vultures. Thought a fairy tree in both Ireland and Wales, wood from the Hazel was sacred and was therefore considered a taboo to use as firewood. Witches' wands are often made of Hazel. Also divining rods, Hazel is used to find underground springs. Even more esteemed than the Hazel's wood are the nuts, often described as the 'nuts of wisdom'.

**Holly** \- Holly is associated with the death and rebirth symbolizing winter in both Pagan and Christian lore. Therefore it is important to the Winter Solstice. Holly may be used in spells relating to sleep or rest, and to ease the passage of death. Holly makes excellent wands which are used to banish unwanted entities, and command evoked spirits. Planting Holly around the house, or decorating the house with Holly boughs will protect the household from spells cast by evil witches practicing black magic. Holly brought into the home at Yule invites the faerie folk to shelter with you in the cold of winter. A small branch can be hung outside the house to protect your home from lightening. A bag of leaves and berries carried by a man is said to increase his ability to attract women. It is said that many male witches seeking a partner carry small bags of leaves and the berries at all times.

**Oak** \- The mighty deciduous hardwood of the esteemed Oak has played a prominent role in the Celtic imagination from ancient to modern times. Druids made their wands from only three woods: Yew, Oak, and Apple. In both British and Irish fairy lore, the Oak is one of three magical woods. Acorns gathered at night held the greatest fertility powers. The Druids and Priestesses paid heed to the rustling Oak leaves and the wrens perching on the branches of the trees, listening for divinatory messages. Burning Oak leaves purify the atmosphere. Oak is also used in spells for protection, strength, success, and stability.

**Yew** -The evergreen Yew with its dark green, needle-like leaves and red berries symbolizes immortality. Both Druids, with their belief in reincarnation, and later the Christians, with their teaching of the resurrection, regarded the Yew as a natural emblem of everlasting life. Its capacity for great age enriched its symbolic value amongst the Druids. It is still commonly planted in Christian churchyards and cemeteries today. The druids preferred Yew for wand-making over their other favorite woods, Apple, and Oak.

#  CHAPTER 12 \- FLOWERS.

Witches and apothecaries have known about the medicinal uses and the magical properties of flowers for centuries, using them for healing purposes and magic spells.

**Blue:** Rich, deep blues, found in the hydrangea and iris, offer serenity. Blue flowers have a calming effect. They cool the emotions. Blue flowers also speak of intimacy and long-term relationships with loved ones. They communicate deep and enduring trust. Blue flowers also make appropriate sympathy or get well flowers. Blue flowers are a wonderful gift for a friend who is unwell.

**Green:** Green flowers represent harmony with nature as well as health, wellness, and a promise of good fortune.

**Orange:** These flowers offer happiness & joy, warmth, love, adventure & spontaneity. A bunch of orange flowers is perfect for your kitchen or family room.

**Pink:** Pink flowers represent innocence, playfulness, and sensitivity. Pink flowers are the most romantic. Traditionally associated with femininity. Place pink flowers in the center of your table for a romantic dinner for two.

**Purple:** These flowers have an enchanted, otherworldly eminence to them. They represent mystery, creativity, charm, grace, elegance, and refinement.

**Red:** Sends the powerful message of romantic love & passion. Red flowers are symbolic to the heart. Red is the color of seduction and desire. The perfect flower for Valentine's day.

**White:** White flowers are associated with purity and innocence. The delicate white blossoms represent honesty, purity, perfection, elegance and innocence. These flowers communicate pure, thoughtful love & undying fidelity. A lovely gift for a new mother bringing her baby home for the first time.

**Yellow:** Represents friendship and family - the love of a child for a parent. Yellow flowers represent trust, compassion, & respect. Yellow flower also communicates sympathy. A bunch of yellow flowers is a wonderful gift for mother's day.

#  CHAPTER 13 \- CANDLE REFERENCE CHART.

Candles are lit to enhance the powers of a spell.

**Black** \- Opens the levels of the subconscious mind, and is used in spells and rituals to elicit a deeper meditative state and to expel negative thoughts. Black can be used for protection, binding negative forces, and breaking up obstacles and blocks. Black absorbs, conceals, and is used for new beginnings, and obtaining knowledge and uncover hidden things. Burn black candles when seeking the truth of finding lots things. Black candles are one of the most powerful of colors in witchcraft.

**Blue** \- Primarily a spiritual color for love spells and rituals base on wisdom, harmony, inner light or peace. Grants truth and guidance. Blue Candles are chosen for spells relating to spirituality, meditation, healing, sincerity, finding the truth, influencing fidelity and loyalty, and for balancing inner peace and wisdom. Burn blue candles to create harmony around the home and spiritual protection. **Light Blue** \- Spiritual color, helpful for devotions or inspirational meditation. Brings peace and calm into the house, exudes Aquarius energy. To be included when a situation must be created. **Royal Blue** \- Enhances laughter and serenity, color of loyalty. Used to create Jupiter energy or whenever an influence must be strengthened.

**Brown** \- Earth, a balanced color. Rituals for material gain, eliminates indecisiveness, furthers powers of concentration, learning, and telepathy. Also used for communicating with nature spirits. Expands financial success and locating lost items.

**Dark Green** \- The color of ambition, avarice, jealousy. Neutralizes and works against these powers in a spell or ritual. Green candles are used in spells for new beginnings, growth and abundance, fertility and healing, success and good luck, and influencing generosity. Green can also be used alone or with brown for communicating with the nature spirits. Green is often used in spells for love and marriage. The ideal candle to burn on your wedding night. Green influences love and true affection. Green also influences renewal, fidelity, reconciliation, justice, balance, beauty, and friendships. Green is ideal for growth in new ventures spells.

**Golden** \- Enhances communication and attracts the power of cosmic influences. Useful in money spell rituals which are designed to gain fortune and fame.

**Gray** \- Neutral color. Helpful when thoughts complicate questions during a meditation. In love magic, this color often creates confusion, so leave it out. It neutralizes and eliminates negative influences.

**Magenta** \- Combination of red and violet. Operates with a high frequency. Energizes your spells and rituals in which immediate action or powers on a high plane or spiritual oneness are called for.

**Orange** \- Used for creativity. Orange helps in spells for sexual attraction, enthusiasm, and energy. Orange helps with sudden changes to a situation. Stimulates energy, gaining control, changing luck and inciting justice. Burn orange candles when you are working on a creative project or seeking inspiration for your creativity.

**Pink** \- Enhances romance and friendship. Standard color for casting love spells and love rituals which are designed to attract attention and achieve a purpose. The color of femininity, honor, and pleasantness – enhances joyful and lively conversation. Perfect for the center of a table during a romantic dinner. Valentine's day.

**Red** \- Health, passion, love, fertility, strength, courage, willpower. Strengthens magnetism in a love spell or ritual, creates Ram and Scorpio energies. Burn red candles when you need extra witchy mojo.

**Silver** \- eliminates negativity and enhances stability, helps develop psychic skills, attracts the influence of the Great Mother. An all season candle to burn in your home and workplace.

**Violet/Purple** \- Strength, success, idealism, psychic revelation; Ideal for casting spells and rituals which are designed to secure ambition, independence, and financial success or to establish contact with the other, spiritual world; Enhances Neptune energy. Reversing curses, psychic healing, psychic power, inspiration, meditation, spirituality, spiritual power, astral projection, third eye. Ideal color for casting before bedtime.

**White** \- The balance of all colors. Spiritual enlightenment, cleansing, clairvoyance, healing, truth seeking. Used in love spells rituals, which contain lunar (moon) energy and can substitute for any other color. Also ideal for bath time.

**Yellow** \- Are used in workings for passing exams. To enhance learning ability and for speech, writing, and publishing. Yellow rules over gossip, slander, brothers, sisters, neighbors. Yellow strengthens the imagination and concentration in all spells, such as love spells, money spells, and protection spells. Is used in rituals in which the trust of a person is gained or in which one wants to convince someone. For rituals which require solar energy. Ideal candle when casting a spell to secure a new job or position in the workplace, or for studying for an exam.

#  CHAPTER 14 \- CRYSTALS AND GEMSTONES.

**Blue** \- The throat chakra. Blue, is the color of communication. A balanced throat chakra supports self-expression. Blue is a cool color that gives perspective, and it is soothing and peaceful. Some blue gemstones are lapis lazuli, turquoise, aquamarine, sapphire and blue topaz. They produce a calming effect and promote good sleep and relaxation. Perfect for the bedroom for a restful sleep.

**Green** \- Heart Chakra. Green is the color of nature. It is the color of healing, well-being, and harmony. It is also the color of transformation, symbolized by the cycle of the seasons. Some green gemstones are emerald, malachite, moss agate, jade, peridot and green tourmaline. Encouraging growth, fertility, and change, as well as compassion and forgiveness. Perfect color for healing a loved one.

**Indigo -** The third-eye chakra, between the brows, indigo has an energy that connects the spiritual self with the embodied self. Enhances insight, intuition, and understanding. Some indigo gemstones are azurite and lolite. They provide access to the unconscious, cosmic knowledge and clairvoyance. Use these gems when searching for answers.

**Orange** \- The sacral chakra, in the lower abdomen, orange is the color of vitality and curiosity. It is associated with playfulness and willingness to take on life's challenges. Some orange gemstones are carnelian, orange calcite, and tangerine quartz. They enhance self-esteem and strength to embrace change. Take these gemstones along to your new job.

**Red -** Root chakra, at the base of the spine. Red is the color of blood and fire, vitality and survival. It is also the color of lust and love. Some red gemstones are red coral, bloodstone, garnet, red calcite, red jasper and ruby. They increase enthusiasm for life, promote courage. Carry red gemstones for courage on a first date.

**Violet** \- The crown chakra - just above the top of the head. Violet reconnects you with your spiritual and creative source. For inspiration and imagination. Some violet gemstones are amethyst, fluorite, and sugilite. Enhance meditation and your connection to higher self. Nice colored gemstones for artists and writers.

**Yellow -** Solar plexus chakra, yellow, is the color of the mental and creative energy. It is also the color of joy, clarity, and awareness. Some yellow gemstones are citrine, amber, and lemon quartz. They support the chakra's energy and personal power with clear decision-making, concentration, and memory. It you are going to court or have a legal matter to take care of, these gemstones would be ideal to carry in your bag.

#  CHAPTER 15 \- BIRTHSTONES AND MEANINGS.

**January** \- The garnet is thought to keep the wearer safe during travel.

**February** \- The amethyst is said to strengthen relationships and give its wearer courage. At one time, only royalty could wear the gem. The word amethyst comes from the Greek amethystos, meaning "sober" and was once thought to protect against intoxication.

**March** \- The aquamarine was thought to cure gout, liver, and stomach diseases simply by drinking water in which the gem had been soaking. Early sailors believed that having an aquamarine amulet on board their ship, carved in the likeness of Neptune, god of the sea, and protected them from the danger of the oceans.

**April** \- The diamond, a symbol of everlasting love, was also once thought to bring courage. In Sanskrit, the diamond is called "vajra", which means lighting; in Hindu mythology, vajra was the weapon of Indra, king of the gods.

**May** \- The emerald, one of Cleopatra's favored gems, has long been associated with fertility, rebirth, and love. Ancient Romans dedicated this stone to Venus, goddess of beauty and love. Today it signifies wisdom, growth, and patience.

**June** \- The pearl has always been a symbol of purity. Greeks believed that pearls were the hardened tears of Aphrodite, goddess of love.

**July** \- The ruby, regarded by Ancient Hindus as "king of gems". It was believed to protect its wearer from evil. Today, the ruby's deep red color signifies love and passion.

**August** \- The peridot symbolizes strength. Some call it the evening emerald because of its light green color. It was once thought that green peridot crystals found in volcanic ashes were the tears of the volcano goddess, Pelé. When set in gold, this gem was said to protect against nightmares.

**September** \- The sapphire was once used to protect against evil and poisoning. Traditionally a favorite stone of priests and kings, the sapphire symbolizes purity and wisdom.

**October** \- The opal symbolizes faithfulness and confidence. The word comes from the Latin opalus, which means "precious jewel". Necklaces with opals are said to repel evil and protect eyesight.

**November** \- The topaz represents love and affection. It is said to give the wearer strength and intellect.

**December** \- Turquoise, regarded as a love charm, is also a symbol of good fortune and success and is believed to relax the mind. It protects its wearer from harm. Turquoise rings, in particular, are thought to keep away evil spirits.

#  CHAPTER 16 - ANIMAL SYMBOLS.

CAT \- The symbolism of the cat is ambiguous and balances between goodness and evil. In Ancient Rome the cat was sacred to Diana, the Moon goddess, and was considered as the guardian of homes. Agility, magic, mystery, independence, reincarnation, balance, wisdom, mysticism, magic, and mystery.

FOX - The Fox represents cunning, slyness, secrecy, observation, and wisdom. They Fox can take on human form. They possess healing power. The Apache say the Fox brought the first fire to their people. Other cultures such as the ancient Egyptians thought the Fox brought blessings of the gods.

MOUSE \- Pays attention to details and examining things closely, carefully. Mouse can teach lessons of stealth and invisibility for sometimes great strength lies within stillness. Aware of new discoveries and possibilities. Listens to intuition.

OWL \- The symbol of the feminine, the moon, and the night. The owl is the bird of magic and darkness, prophecy and wisdom. Owl people can see into the darkness of others souls. Most owl people are clairvoyant because of this ability.

RAVEN \- symbolizes protection, initiation, and healing. It brings in deep healing and signifies the death of one thing to bring in the birth of another. Harbingers of Death. Raven's other attributes are eloquence, change in consciousness, wisdom, messages from spirit, or the spirit world. The Raven is the hallmark of shape-shifting. Raven could see all and find things that are hidden.

SNAKE \- Symbolizes power in both the natural and supernatural. It represents fertility, regeneration, and wisdom, power, energy. In other instances, the snake represents temptation, feminine sexual power.

WOLF \- Symbol for companion and guardian. In a positive light, they are loyal, faithful, honest and willing to fight injustice. It is seen as a powerful symbol of intelligence, and vigilance. The wolf is an extremely gregarious animal, enjoying the company of others. Wolves mate for life. The clan has a solid social structure, in which all adults participate in the upbringing of the young. Wolves are fiercely loyal to their mates, with a strong sense of family while upholding individualism. Though their clans are highly organized, they are truly free spirits.

#  CHAPTER 17 \- **THE WITCHES' CALENDAR.**

**Winter Solstice -** 13 weeks - Minor Sabbath.

December 21 – Yule.

December 21-22 - Winter Solstice/Yule. One of the Illuminati's Human Sacrifice Nights.

February 1 and 2 - Candlemas and Imbolc, a.k.a. Groundhog's Day. One of the Illuminati's Human Sacrifice Nights.

February 14 - Valentine's Day.

**Spring Equinox -** 13 weeks - Minor Sabbath but does require human sacrifice.

March 21-22 - Goddess Ostara - Note: Easter is the first Sunday after the first new moon after Ostara. March 21 is one of the Illuminati's Human Sacrifice Nights.

April 1 - All Fool's Day, precisely 13 weeks since New Year's Day.

April 19 - May 1 - Blood Sacrifice to The Beast. Fire sacrifice is required on April 19.

April 30 - May 1 - **Beltane Festival** \- also called Walpurgis Night. This is the highest day on the Druidic Witch's Calendar. May 1 is the Illuminati's second most sacred holiday. Human sacrifice is required.

**Summer Solstice -** 13 weeks - When the sun reaches its northernmost point in its journey across the sky.

June 21 - 22 - Summer Solstice.

June 21 - Litha is one of the Illuminati's Human Sacrifice Nights.

July 4, America's Independence Day, is 13 days after Day of Litha and 66 days from April 30.

July 19 - 13 days before Lughnasa.

July 31 - August 1 - Lughnasa, Great Sabbat Festival. August - One of the Illuminati's Human Sacrifice Nights.

**Autumnal Equinox -** 13 weeks - Minor Sabbath but does require human sacrifice.

September 21 - Mabon - one of the Illuminati's Human Sacrifice Nights.

September 21 -22 - Autumnal Equinox.

October 31 - Samhain, also known as Halloween, or All Hallows Eve. This date is the Illuminati's highest day of human sacrifice.

#  CHAPTER 18 \- **HERBS IN SPELLS.**

**ALDER** **BARK** \- use for money, gambling, & luck- also increases the power of what it's used with

**ANGELICA** **ROOT** \- use for exorcism, protection, healing. Used in Egyptian rituals.

**ANISE** **SEED** \- use for protection, increase of psychic powers. Use in dream pillows or blend in warm milk for an aphrodisiac.

**ASAFOETIDA-** use for exorcism, purification, & protection.

**BARBERRY** **BARK** \- use in love spells to incite passion. May also be used to make yellow dye.

**BAYBERRY** **BARK** \- use to bring good luck, money, energy, & clarity. Make candles with it and burn them to bring wealth.

**BENZOIN** \- use for purification and prosperity. Excellent incense base.

**BLESSED** **THISTLE** \- brings strength & protection. Use for healing and hex breaking. (may be substituted for rue)

**BUCKEYE** \- use to bring money, good luck, & healing. Wrap nut with money and carry in a sachet to attract money.

**CALAMUS** \- use to bring luck, money, healing, & protection.

**CAMPHOR** \- use for health. Breath to open the sight.

**CATNIP** \- use in cat (familiar) magic. Promotes love, beauty, & courage. Use as a bookmark in a magical text.

**CHAMOMILE** \- use to bring money and love. Aids in sleep, relaxation, & purification. Use in dream pillows.

**CHEWING** **JOHN** \- use for protection, lust, health, money, psychic powers, & to break hexes.

**CINNAMON** \- use to bring speedy results in matters of love, money, or health.

**COMFREY** \- use for safety during travel. Place in shoes to ensure a safe journey.

**CORN** **FLOWERS** \- use for inspiration and to invoke the Mother aspect of the Goddess. Use to find a new love.

**COUCH** **GRASS** \- use to bring happiness or attract love. Tie this in a knot to bind young love.

**DAMIANA** \- use in sexual magic. Store with a piece of quartz to increase clairvoyance.

**DEVIL'S** **SHOESTRING** \- use when gambling. Carry a piece for good luck, especially employment.

**DRAGON'S** **BLOOD** \- use to clear negativity. Increases the power and potency of whatever it is used with.

**ECHINACEA** \- use in strengthening spells and healing rituals.

**ELECAMPANE** \- use to attract love. Also known as elf-wort. Use in consecrations, scrying, and initiations.

**FENNEL** \- use for healing and protection. Blend this with anise and mugwort to promote sight.

**FIVE** **FINGER GRASS** \- the five leaves represent love, money, health, power and wisdom.

**FRANKINCENSE** \- use in consecrations & religious ceremonies. Increases prayer strength.

**GALANGA** **ROOT** \- use in love spells to heat things up.

**GET** **AWAY ROOT** \- same as comfrey

**GOLDENSEAL** \- use for healing and to attract money. Use to make yellow or orange dye.

**GRAINS** **OF PARADISE** \- use to attract love, lust, & money. Toss to the four winds after making a wish, starting with north.

**GUINEA** **PEPPERS** \- use to bring love and luck. Carry it for protection.

HEMLOCK - one of the foremost hexing agents. Hemlock is used in spell work involving chastity or the reduction of sexual desires, as well as general purification. It is sometimes planted at the front and back of a house to keep any poison from entering.

**HIGH** **JOHN ROOT** \- use it to give a very powerful boost to whatever it is used with.

**HOPS** \- use in dream pillows. Use to make ritual brews.

**INDIAN** **HEMP** \- use for healing & meditation.

**JAMAICAN** **GINGER** \- use to attract love, money, & success. Sprinkle in pockets to attract money.

**JEZEBEL** **ROOT** \- use in love spells where a female wants to attract and command a mate. Aids in protecting purity.

**JUNIPER** **BERRIES** \- use to dispel negative energy. Hang by a door or entrance to a house.

**KAVA** **KAVA** - use in Hawaiian rituals.

**KELP** \- used to increase psychic powers. Used in spells of the sea or winds.

**LADY'S** **THUMB** \- use to draw love.

**LAUREL** **LEAVES** \- used for purification, protection, & healing. Used to make a crown for males in handfastings or weddings.

**LAVENDER** \- use for protection, love, longevity, & purification. Promotes happiness, peace, and tranquility especially in childbirth.

**LEMON** **GRASS** \- use in money spells. Also said to repel serpents.

**LINDEN** **FLOWERS** \- use for protection and luck. Use these in dream pillows and love spells.

**LOTUS** **ROOT** \- use as an offering to the Gods. Symbol of life, spirituality, and the center of the universe.

**LOW** **JOHN ROOT** \- use for protection and hex breaking. Adds a boost to whatever it is being used with.

**MANDRAKE** \- use in gender magic (can be male or female depending on the shape of the root)

**MAY** **APPLE** \- same as mandrake. Used in poppets.

**MOJO** **WISH BEAN** \- use to manifest wishes and desires.

**MUGWORT-** use to promote psychic powers, astral projections, & prophetic dreams. Use in consecration and divination, especially with the crystal ball.

**MULLEIN** \- use to promote courage, love, & protection.

**MYRRH** \- use for clearing and healing. Increases the power of whatever it is used with.

**NUTMEG** \- use as a sprinkle on green candles to attract money.

**ORRIS** **ROOT** \- use for love or divination. Burn as incense to bring peace to the dead.

**PASSION** **FLOWERS** \- use to promote peace, sleep, & friendship. Calms troubled emotions.

**PATCHOULI** \- use in sexual magic. Sprinkle at base of a green candle to attract money, also a substitute for graveyard dust.

**PEPPERMINT** **LEAVES** \- use for purification, sleep, love, & healing. Raises vibration levels, and promotes dreams of the things to come.

**QUASSIA** **CHIPS** \- use to attract love, compassion, & understanding. Use as a base for incense.

**RASPBERRY** **LEAVES** \- use for protection. Carry the leaves to alleviate pains of pregnancy and child birthing.

**ROSE** **BUDS** \- use in love spells and to promote a sense of healing and peace. Wear a chaplet of these petals during a love spell to increase its strength.

**ROSEMARY** \- use for protection, love, lust, purification, healing, & sleep. Use in dream pillows, or burn to learn the answer to a question.

**ROWEN** **WOOD** \- use to promote psychic powers, healing, & success.

**SALTPETER** \- use in vesta powder to clear space of energy and use in scrying.

**SANDALWOOD** \- use as an incense base. Has a very high spiritual vibration. Use in cologne to wash away negativity.

**SASSAFRAS** \- use in a purse or wallet to attract money.

**SKULLCAP** \- use to promote relaxation and peace. Use in handfastings or weddings.

**SEASALT** \- use for purification and grounding.

**SLIPPERY** **ELM** \- use to halt gossip. When placed in a red bag and worn around the neck it will improve speech and language.

**SOLOMONS** **SEAL** \- use in the four corners or the house to protect it. Use in ceremonial magic.

**SPEARMINT** \- use in dream pillows. Breath to clear thoughts.

**SPIKENARD** \- use in helping to remember details when studying.

ST. JOHNS WORT - used for protection, calming anxiety and the hearing or auditory perception of spirits.

**STAR** **ANISE** \- use to wear seeds as beads to increase psychic powers.

**SULPHUR** \- use to prevent or break a hex.

**SUNFLOWER** \- use as an additive to a bath to increase happiness.

TARRAGON **-** commanding, confidence, courage, passion, protection, strength. Keeping secrets, love, peace, prevents theft, retention, sensuality, virility. Contacting other planes, grieving, meditation, rituals for the dead. Spiritually, the smell of tarragon stimulates a deeper sense of true self. It also stimulates lucid dreaming and astral travel.

**THYME** \- use to invoke the fairy folks. Use this to communicate to the dead.

**TONKA** **BEANS** \- use to attract lovers and money. Visualize and wish upon it the throw into running water.

**VALERIAN** \- use in dream pillows. Induce sleep. Substitute for graveyard dust.

**VERBENA/VERBAIN** \- use to scatter around the home to bring peace. Use to consecrate magical tools.

VERVAIN - A magical plant believed to possess the power to cure grief.

**VETIVERT** \- use to increase prosperity.

**WITCH** **HAZEL** \- use to make diving rods. Carry to mend a broken heart.

**WORMWOOD** \- use to banish anger and negative energy.

**YARROW** \- use in love spells. Wrap in terry cloth and place under pillow to envision your true love.

#  CHAPTER 19 \- WITCHCRAFT – TERMINOLOGY.

AFTERWORLD – The world of the dead, the place where human souls go to after death. Also see Summerland.

AKASHA - Element of Spirit, the fifth element, the omnipresent spiritual power that permeates the universe. It is the energy out of which the Elements formed. Usually envisaged as violet in color. It embraces the other four elements - earth, air, fire, and water. This is the realm of pattern, or causality, from which the realm the normally thought of five senses manifests. Some define it is the "other" of the "two worlds" that the witch or magician walks between - the spiritual ether (or Aether).

ALL HALLOWS EVE - Another name for Samhain, a Pagan festival that is celebrated on the last day of October.

ALTAR - A raised structure (as a square or oblong erection of stone or wood) on which the various tools of witchcraft are placed and candles and incense burned to a deity.

ANIMISM \- Belief that a spirit or force residing in every animate and inanimate object, every dream and idea, gives individuality to each. The related Polynesian concept of man holds that the spirit in all things is responsible for the good and evil in the universe.

ANKH \- Egyptian "Cross of Life" which represents the union of male and female and is regarded as a universal life charm. The symbol is a cross with a looped, oval top. Also called the Key of the Nile.

AN-SHET \- Another word for a Witch's magical wand.

APPARITION - The appearance of a phantom seen in a dream or trance or waking state as the result of astral projection.

ARADIA \- Daughter of the Goddess Diana, and a name for the Goddess used by Italian Witches or Strega, commonly used in many Wiccan traditions today.

ARCHETYPES \- Universal symbols that speak in the language of the subconscious. They are the ideal images of deities and other powers.

ARIANRHOD \- A Welsh Goddess-name much used by witches. The name means 'Silver Wheel'. Caer Arianrhod (Castle of Arianrhod), symbolizes the resting-place of souls between incarnations.

ASPECTS \- Forms, facets, or personas of Deity: for example, Brighid, Iseult, Eos, and Kore are all aspects of the Maiden, and the Maiden is an aspect of the Goddess.

ASPERGER \- A bundle of fresh herbs or a perforated object used to sprinkle water during or preceding Ritual, for purification purposes.

ASTRAL PLANE - The invisible "other" world that is unseen from our material/temporal world, another dimension of reality.

ASTRAL PROJECTION - The process of separating oneself (or one's self) from the physical body in trance states in order to visit other planes, times or locations.

ATHAME or RITUAL KNIFE - The Athame is charged with the energy of the owner and is used as a pointer to define space (such as casting a sacred circle) and as a conductor of the owner's will and energy.

ATTUNEMENT \- An activity that brings the mind, emotion and psyche of an individual into harmony.

AUTUMN EQUINOX - One of the eight Sabbats celebrated on the first day of autumn, which is on or near September 23rd. Also known as Alban Elfed and the Second Festival of Harvest.

AVATAR - An advanced soul, who returns to a physical body to teach less evolved souls.

BANE \- An archaic word for bad, evil, destructive.

BANISH \- To magically send away or repel negative energies or entities from the person, home, or ritual area.

BESOM \- The witches' broomstick. Often used to sweep away negative energies from a space before casting a circle there.

BALEFIRE \- The traditional bonfire of the Sabbats, still used in many pagan celebrations.

BELTANE \- An ancient Celtic Fire Festival celebrated on May 1. The modern version still celebrates the marriage of the Goddess and the God, and the passage of the Goddess from Maiden to Mother. Fertility rituals are commonly a part of this Sabbat.

BIND \- To magically restrain something or someone.

BINDRUNES \- A powerful magical talisman, normally made from wood or metal, and inscribed with two or more different rune symbols that are combined into an aesthetically pleasing way.

BLACK MAGIC - Any negative magic performed to harm or manipulate people or situations in a negative way. Practitioners of black magic are said to be on the "left-hand path."

BLACK MIRROR - Tool used for divination and dark aspect meditations.

BLESSED BE - An all-purpose greeting, response and farewell among Witches. It reminds us that everything and everyone are sacred. Pronounced as three syllables.

BLOOD OF THE MOON - A woman's menstrual cycle and her most powerful time, especially if it occurs on a Full or New Moon.

BODHISATTVA \- A human entity so highly developed that they no longer need to reincarnate on Earth but choose to do so in order to help mankind.

BOOK OF SHADOWS - Also known as a Witch's Grimoire. Traditionally this is a hand-written book of Witches spells, rituals, poems, recipes, and inspirations. There is no one single Book of Shadows and each is individual to the writer. In most cases, parts may have been copied from a covens "standard" Book of Shadows or from the book of another adept Witch. Traditionally, this book is destroyed when the owner dies or is returned to the coven for disposal. Sometimes a book is handed down to a sibling, but this is usually only accepted if so instructed by the original owner. Some traditions have a "standard" Book of Shadows that serves as the basis for new initiates, but the initiate's book soon changes as additions are made. The name is believed to be a reminder of the "burning times" when witches had to remain "in the shadows".

BURNING TIME - a term used by some witches for the period of persecution in the middle ages and later. It is, in fact, a misnomer in some places, as Witches were only burned in Scotland, and on the continent of Europe. In England and the U.S., they were hanged.

CAKES AND ALE - This is the ritual meal shared with the Goddess and God near the end of a religious ritual.

CALL UP - To invoke divine forces, as when one calls the Guardians of the Watchtowers before casting a circle.

CANDLE MAGIC - A form of sympathetic magic that uses different colored candles to represent the people and things at which its spells are directed.

CARDINAL POINTS - North, South, East, and West, often marked by candles of green, red, yellow, and blue.

CASTING CLOTH - Layout cloth with appropriate markings, used for tossing the ogham fews (or for runes).

CAULDRON \- A favorite tool of witches, this three-legged cooking pot has many uses. It may be used to cook potions and for SCRYING. On an altar, the cauldron symbolizes the Goddess.

CENSER \- A heatproof container with a perforated lid in which incense is burned. One of the elemental tools, representing the Air element.

CEREMONIAL MAGIC - Involves the use of elaborate rituals, dramatic invocations of the spirit, and mystic sacraments.

CERNUNNOS (Cerunnos) - The only known name of the Celtic Horned God; it is much used by witches, in the Cernunnos form.

CHAKRAS \- Seven major intersections of energy located on the vertical axis of the body. Each is associated with a color and an area of the body.

CHALICE \- A witch's tool, which can be used to represent the element of water and may be used to hold the juice or wine for the offering.

CHANNELING \- Involves allowing a spirit entity to speak through the channeler. The process is virtually impossible to prove and, therefore, does not enjoy a particularly good reputation.

CHARGE OF THE GODDESS, THE - The Traditional words of the Goddess to her followers, or "hidden children". Normally delivered by the High Priestess at every coven Circle. Also known as "The Charge of the Goddess".

CHARM - May be a gemstone, amulet, talisman or another object that has been charged with power for a specific task. Objects made and infused with magical energy, and carried or placed to achieve a goal. These objects are usually infused with specific energy for specific purposes, for example, protection.

CIRCLE - Within this sacred circle, two main activities occur: celebration and the practice of magic. Celebration is most important at the major seasonal holy days, the Sabbats. At these times, the myths of that particular holiday are enacted in ritual drama, and dancing, singing, feasting, and revelry are all part of the festivities.

CLAIRVOYANCE \- The ability to be aware of events, facts or phenomena. A person with this ability will perceive future events in varying detail. This ability is not exclusively an ability to tell the future but also an ability to see what happened in the past without having been there. The insight may be experienced in form that varies from voices to visions and dreams and even music.

CONE OF POWER - Energy or power raised within a circle by either an individual or group for a specific purpose. After the power is raised and visualized, it is released to work the magic.

CLEANSING \- The process of removing negative energy from an object or place.

CONJURATION \- The act of evoking spirits using formulas or words of power. (see also Evocation).

CONSECRATION \- The act of cleansing and blessing an object or place by charging it with positive energy.

COVEN - An organized group of Witches, led by a High Priestess and/or a High Priest who regularly meet for magical workings, ceremonies, worship and fellowship. The traditional membership is 13, but in fact, most covens number considerably less. 3 is the minimum in the Georgian Tradition. In Middle English, "Covin" a group of confederates; In Old French "Covine" a band or group with a single purpose; Latin "Com"-together, "Venire"-to come or move.

COVEN STEAD - The meeting place for a coven.

COYOTE ENERGY - Trickster energies. Named for the American Indian Trickster, Coyote, who tricks man into learning what he needs to learn. Applies to one who constantly jokes and clowns. Also applies to the concept of "Holy Fool" in many traditions.

CRAFT, THE – Another name or witchcraft.

CROSS QUARTERS - The modern name for the Celtic Fire Festivals.

CRYSTAL BALL - A sphere of crystal or glass used for scrying. They come in all sizes and colors.

CURSE - Also called a jinx, hex or execration, is any expressed wish that some form of adversity or misfortune will befall or attach to some other entity—one or more persons, a place, or an object. In particular, "curse" may refer to a wish that harm or hurt will be inflicted by any supernatural powers, such as a spell, a prayer, an imprecation, an execration, magic, witchcraft, a natural force, or a spirit. In many belief systems, the curse itself (or accompanying ritual) is considered to have some causative force in the result. To reverse or eliminate a curse is called removal or breaking, and is often believed to require equally elaborate rituals or prayers.

DARK MOON - Representative of the Goddess as the One, who Transforms in her aspect of Tomb and Womb.

DARK POWER - Generally negative energies were drawn from the dark aspects of the Goddess and the God.

DAYS OF POWER - Refers to Sabbats, days triggered by astrological occurrences, your birthday, Blood of the Moon, and your dedication/initiation anniversary.

DEDICATION - The process in which the Witch accepts the Craft as his or her path and vows to study and learn all the necessary to reach an adept status in a given tradition. This usually precedes initiation, and the learning process before initiation will usually last for a year and a day.

DEFLECTION - Defuse general malevolence and ill will of others. A mirror is most commonly used in a deflection ritual either to return or deflect evil intent.

DEOSIL - In a clockwise or sun-wise direction. It is used in spells and rituals; i.e. "walk deosil around the Circle of Stones." Some Wiccan groups below the equator have switched from deosil to Widdershins (anti-clockwise) movements. In northern hemisphere magic and religion, the deosil movement is symbolic of life, positive energies.

DIANIC - Tradition emphasizing the Goddess Diana. Leadership is generally female though males may be members.

DEITY \- A supreme or divine being; God or Goddess.

DIVINATION \- The use of magical tools and means to seek information on events, people, and situations in the past, present and future.

DOWSING \- The use of a pendulum or forked stick to find the actual location of a person, place, thing, or element.

DRAGON'S BLOOD - The resin from the palm tree 'Daemonorops draco', used by witches as a magical incense for various enchantments.

DRAWING DOWN THE MOON - A ritual used during the full moon in which witches invoke the power of the Moon Goddess to increase their power.

DRAWING DOWN THE SUN - In Wicca and witchcraft, the ritual invocation of the Horned God spirit into the High Priest of a coven by the High Priestess.

DRESSING - Putting an oil on spell items such as candles as part of a ritual consecration to prepare the object to attract and direct the energy of a spell to accomplish a goal.

EARTH - One of the four elements that correspond to the North Watchtower or the magical circle. It has become apparent that some groups associate earth with east rather than north. This is a personal choice. If it feels natural or right, you are welcome to swap the association. Also, see Air.

EARTH MAGIC - A form of magic in which the powers of the Earth are sought and used to conduct ritual and magical workings.

ELDERS, THE - Older and wiser persons. Amongst witches and Wiccans, these would be second-degree and third-degree members of a coven.

ELEMENTS - These are the natural elements of Air, Earth, Fire and Water. Spirit is regarded a fifth element which is used to bring the other four together. At least one part of each of these elements is contained in everything that exists.

EQUINOX \- One of the two times a year when the sun crosses the equator.

ELIXIR \- Elixirs are made by placing charged crystals in liquids and allowing the energy to flow to that liquid for a time. The crystal is the removed and the liquid taken orally.

ESBAT \- Monthly meeting of a coven usually held at full moon. There are about 13 full moons each year. Some groups also meet in the dark of the moon.

ETHERIC PLANE - The level of energy existence between the physical and astral planes.

EVOCATION - The summoning of spiritual entities or elementals to local attendance in visible or invisible states.

FAMILIAR - Usually a pet animal that accompanies a witch or coven. These animals are kept for the psychic support and early warning of negative energies. Though cats are favorites, dogs, owls or any other animal with whom one can "connect" with may become a familiar. Elementals can even become familiars. Not every witch or coven has a familiar, and this does not lessen them to any degree. The decision to take on a familiar is a serious one and to be carefully considered. You may live with a cat or dog for years before taking him or her as a familiar.

GAEA \- The Earth Mother or Mother Earth. The name has recent significance for Environmental action groups.

FIVEFOLD KISS - Also known as the fivefold salute or Witches salute. It comprises of kisses on various parts of the body in the following order: A kiss on each foot, a kiss on each knee, a kiss on the lower belly, a kiss on each breast and a kiss on the lips. These five positions make up the fivefold kiss even though there are actually eight kisses in total. The fivefold kiss is only used within the circle.

GNOMES - One of the earth associated entities or elementals.

GREEN WITCH - A nickname for a Witch, who is skilled in the art of herbs. Also called the Green Arts or Green Magic.

GRIMOIRE - Considered by some to be the same book as the Witches Book of Shadows, but by others as a separate book. The Grimoire to some is that book containing only the practicalities of magic and ritual. If this argument is accepted, then it would only contain spells, formulas, rituals and correspondences. It would not contain poems or personal laments and inspirations.

GUARDIANS \- Ceremonial magicians and some Witches call the Guardians of the Watchtowers to guard the sacred circle during rituals.

HANDFASTING - This is the Pagan or Wiccan equivalent of a marriage ceremony with one major difference. Instead of being "as long as you both shall live", it is "as long as you both have love for one another". Once a couple falls out of love a Handparting ritual breaks that bond in the same manner as does a divorce.

HEXAGRAM - Also known as the Star of David, this is a six-pointed star formed from two equilateral triangles of the same size.

HIGH PRIESTESS - The term given to the female leader and counterpart of the High Priest in a coven. It is usually accepted that the High Priestess is the overall leader of the coven. High Priestess is often abbreviated as HPS.

HIVING OFF - This is the term used when two or more members leave a coven to shape another coven known as a sister coven.

IMAGE MAGIC - A primitive but potent form of magic that works on the basic principle that like produces like.

IMBOLC - A Gaelic word, pronounced "immOL'g" which, when literally translated, means in the belly [of the mother]. This is one of the eight Sabbats, which celebrates the transition of the Goddess from Crone to Maiden. It also signifies the recovery of the Goddess after giving birth to the God at Yule. Usually celebrated on or around 2nd February with the first signs of spring. Also known as Oimelc (milk of the ewe), Candlemas (Christian equivalent), Lupercus and Disting.

INCARNATION - The manifestations of a living entity into physical form; any one of the earthly lives of an immortal human. Individuality The immortal, reincarnating part of a human being, consisting of the Upper Spiritual, Lower Spiritual, and Upper Mental levels.

INITIATION - The term used for that ritual which is performed to add or acknowledge a person as part of a coven or tradition.

INVOCATION \- A ritual to call energies into oneself from outside, sometimes in the form of a deity.

INVOKE- To call energies into oneself from outside, as in calling a Goddess or drawing down the Moon.

KABALA \- Mystical teachings from the Jewish-Gnostic tradition that formed the basis of ceremonial magic and the Alexandrian tradition. An elaborately structured Tree of Life is central to the system of study. Also Qabalah and Cabala.

KARMA \- In Hindu belief where the term originated, this is the idea that the good and evil a person does will return either in this life or in a later one. Among Pagans, the theory is that whatever negative or positive energies one sends out will come back to the sender in like kind. The "Three-Fold Law" is a version of this belief.

LEFT HAND PATH - Also known as the Dark Path, which is the path taken by those who would oppose nature. Satanists are considered followers of the left hand path.

LITHA \- One of the eights Sabbats, it is usually celebrated on or around 21 June. It is a festival that celebrates the Summer Solstice. It is also known a Midsummer.

LUNAR ECLIPSE - Emblem of the Goddess in her dark aspect as Crone, Tomb/Womb, and Transformer.

MABON - This is one of the eight Sabbats usually celebrated on or around 21 September. This festival celebrates the Autumn Equinox.

MAIDEN \- The first aspect of the Triple Goddess, which symbolizes new beginnings and creation.

MANDRAKE \- A poisonous plant associated with medieval witchcraft.

MEGALITH - A huge stone monument or structure. Stonehenge is perhaps the best-known example of megalithic construction

METAPHYSICAL - About realities which are outside those of science, such as cosmology and ontology.

MIDSUMMER \- See Litha.

MISTLETOE - Sacred to the God Apollo, a parasitic plant associated with the oak tree.

MUGWORT - A herb associated with Witchcraft and healing. Also known as "St. John's plant".

MYSTICISM \- The belief that one can achieve direct consciousness of God or truth through meditation and intuition. In mystic practices, one attempts to merge with God or the source of creation.

NEOPHYTE \- Postulant, a newcomer to the coven, awaiting initiation. Newcomers / beginners are also known as Wiclets on the Arwm newsgroup.

OGHAM - An ancient Celtic system of divination popular amongst many witches. Based on casting and reading of rune patterns or characters carved or painted onto stones, beans, wood, bones, etc.

OLD ONES, THE - Used to refer to a group or all Pagan deities including all aspects of the Goddess and the God. Referred to by some as "the Mighty Ones."

OLD RELIGION - Another name for Wicca. Also, Old Path or Old Ways.

ORACLE - Ancient location where divinations took place and prophecies were uttered, generally by priestesses.

OSTARA- The Sabbat celebrated at the Vernal Equinox, the second festival of spring. Symbolized by the egg, it is a time to celebrate new life and sexuality.

PAGAN - Generally accepted as anyone who follows any religion that believes in more than one God. These are called polytheistic religions and are usually nature based. The literal Latin translation is "country dweller".

PENDULUM - An object hanging from a string or chain used in divination. The object could be anything with some weight, like a crystal or brass object. A favorite is a lady's long hair with her wedding ring hanging from the end.

PENTAGRAM or PENTACLE - This is a five pointed star, but it has gained a negative meaning or satanic. Worn as jewelry it can be worn with one point upwards or downwards (two points upwards). When worn with one point downwards it signifies a person is a second degree initiate in some traditions. The two points upward is worn by those specifically rebellious to Christianity and who worship the Christian evil called Satan, the Devil or Lucifer.

PAGAN \- A practitioner of an Earth Religion; from the Latin a country dweller.

POLARITY \- The term given to those energies which balance everything in the world. These energies consist of equal, opposite energies like yin and yang, dark and light, sun and moon, etc. These energies exist in everything.

POTION - An herbal tea or brew used in many magical or healing rituals.

PRECOGNITION - Psychic awareness of future events.

PRIESTESS - A female dedicated to both the service of her chosen deity(s) and humankind. A "High Priestess" is the female leader of a coven and plays the role of the Goddess in certain ceremonies.

PROJECTIVE ENERGY - The energy that one sends out either intentionally or unintentionally. In magic, it is the energy that is put into an object or thought-form to achieve one's goals. It is also the energy of power objects that repel negative forces by sending out positive energy.

PURGINGS \- Lesser exorcisms that cleanse and turn away negativity or impediments, absorb negativity to be buried for grounding, and dissipate negative energies.

QUARTERS \- The North, East, South, and West parts of a magical circle or another ritual area. (See also "Watchtowers")

RADE - "Ride"-the wild ride of the Hunter gathering the souls of the dead; passing of the Wild Hunt or the Rade is demonstrated by stormy weather and fast moving, rolling black clouds.

RECEPTIVE ENERGY - The energy that attracts or is magnetic. Gemstones carried to draw in love or wealth have receptive energy.

REDE \- Rule or law. The Wiccan Rede is traditionally stated as 'An it harm none, do as thou wilt' stating that as long as you harm no one (this include physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, etc. harm) you may do what you want.

REINCARNATION \- The belief that one has lived before in another lifetime, and that one will live again after physical death.

RITUAL \- Can be described as any act (ceremonial or not) to focus or enhance energy to a specific goal. This energy can be used in magic or religion to gain a spiritual union with the divine.

RUNES \- A set of symbols that are used both in divination and magical workings. These symbols may be engraved on small pieces of wood for divination purposes. Runes that fit one's magical goals are often carved into candles for candle magic.

SABBAT \- One of the eight seasonal festivals equally spaced during the year, celebrated by individuals and covens of Witches. Samhain, Yule, Imbolc, Ostara, Beltane, Midsummer, Lughnasa, and Mabon.

SAINT JOHN'S WORT - A healing herb associated with magic and witchcraft. Also called St. John's plant or herb and mugwort.

SALAMANDER - The traditional name for an Elemental (q.v.) spirit of the nature of the Fire element.

SALT - Used in many magical procedures, including Wiccan, as a kind of spiritual antiseptic, or purifying symbol.

SAMHAIN - One of the eight Sabbats which is celebrated on or around 31 October. It is a festival that celebrates the end of summer. Also known as Halloween.

SCRYING \- A method of divination in which one gazes at an object (crystal ball, water, candle) until prophetic visions appear.

SHAMAN \- A word derived from the Tungas language of Siberia, this is a generic term for healers and spiritual leaders in tribal societies. Traditional shamans induced trance states through drums, dancing, ingesting hallucinogens, self-mutilation, deprivation and virtually any means by which one might achieve an altered state of consciousness. While in such a trance, the shaman crosses over into another world to get information for his people such as the cause of illnesses and other misfortunes. The shaman is the peoples' link to the spirit world.

SHAPESHIFTING \- The act of transforming from human into animal or mystical creature and vice-versa.

SIGIL - In Ceremonial Magic, an image that symbolizes a specific spirit, deity, angel or supernatural being. A symbol with some occult meaning that may be used in magical workings. Often a seal, sign or other drawing, it may be carried or otherwise used to control the power symbolized.

SKYCLAD - The term used for ritual nudity. Some consider that clothing may hinder magical energies. Being nude is not a requirement and up to the individual who wishes to practice so in private or trusted coven.

SMUDGING - The practice of waving smoldering incense or herb bundles about an individual or area to cleanse or purify. It was adopted from Native Americans.

SOLAR ECLIPSE - Emblem of the God in his aspects of Dark Lord, Lord of Shadows, Death, Chaos, Resurrection, Hunter, and Leader of the Wild Hunt.

SOLITARY - A term used to describe a Witch, who practices the Craft without belonging to a coven.

SOUL-MATES - Individuals who are continuously involved with each other in successive incarnations, becoming rather like a pair of binary stars.

SPELL - The collection of energy that is directed by word in prayer form to achieve a goal. This may include elaborate, ceremonial or simple ritual.

SPRING EQUINOX - See: Ostara.

SUMMER SOLSTICE - See: Litha.

SUMMERLANDS - A spiritualist word for the Heaven that souls enter after death. Often used by believers in reincarnation to denote the astral stage of rest after physical death.

SYLPH - An "entity" or "elemental" that dwells in the plane of Air or is associated with the AIR Element.

TALISMAN \- An object carried for protection or other goals that have been charged for that purpose. Examples are gemstones, shells, drawings and virtually any small object that one may carry.

TAROT \- A set of 78 cards with pictures and symbols that are used for divination by connecting the reader to the subconscious mind. The origin of the cards is unknown. Some guesses on the origin are from the Romany people, but that is unsupported so far.

TELEKINESIS \- The power of moving physical objects by purely psychic effort.

THIRD EYE - The 6th of the seven chakras situated between the eyes; the body's highest source of power and clairvoyant vision. This is also the Major Chakra.

THREEFOLD LAW - The "law" that any act will return with three times the energy of the original act in the same or a future life.

TREE OF LIFE - The central glyph or diagram of the Cabala. It consists of ten interconnected spheres of Sephiroth, each representing a category of cosmic being and activity.

TRIPLE GODDESS - The One Goddess that encompasses three aspects, the Maiden, Mother, Crone the Triune Goddess.

TOTEM \- An object, usually an animal or plant, revered by an individual or a particular social group. A group totem represents the bond of unity and is often considered the ancestor or brother of the group's members; marriage between those of one totem is often prohibited as incest. The group's symbol and protector, the totem may be pictured on the body or masks, or carved on totem poles.

TRIQUETRA - The Triquetra represents the threefold nature of the Goddess as virgin, mother, and crone. It symbolizes life, death, and rebirth and the three forces of nature: earth, air, and water. The inner three circles represent the female element and fertility.

TURNING OF THE WHEEL - Passing of the seasons of the Sabbats.

UNDERWORLD - In various religions, this is a region conceived to be below the surface of the Earth and separate from the world of the living where souls go after death, the world of the dead.

UNDINE - An "entity" or "elemental" that dwells in the plane of Water or is associated with the WATER Element. Also known as nymphs, mermaids or oceanides.

VAMPIRISM - The draining of psychic energy from one individual by another.

VERNAL EQUINOX - Another name for the Spring Equinox.

VERVAIN - A magical plant believed to possess the power to cure grief.

VISION QUESTING - Using astral projection or Dreamtime to accomplish a specific goal.

WAND - A staff that is used to direct energy in rituals. Though traditionally made of wood, crystal, and various metals are also used. Each wand is individual, with the maker's own magical symbols or character.

WARLOCK \- Derogatory term for a Male Witch. It's original meaning, derived from the Old English "waer logga," is "oath breaker" and it was used in reference to a traitor to the Craft during the Burning Times.

WATER – Element. Also known as nymphs, mermaids or oceanides.

WATCHTOWERS - Originally from the Enochian branch of Ceremonial Magic, now incorporated into many traditions of Wicca, these are the four elemental "directions" or "quarters" (corresponding to the appropriate points on the compass) called to protect the Circle during its establishment. Each of them has a correspondence between the compass point, an element, and (varying amongst different traditions) color.

WHEEL OF THE YEAR - The Pagan calendar that symbolizes the eternal cycle of time. It usually begins with Samhain.

WHITE HANDLED KNIFE - The knife used by a Witch for Craft tasks such as carving candles, making tools, chopping herbs, etc. Though it is not as sacred as the athame, it is reserved for craft work exclusively.

WICCA - In Old English meant "a male witch" and wicce "a female witch". The Old English for witchcraft was wiccacraeft. Thought by some to have originated from the Anglo-Saxon word "wicce" which means to bend or shape. A contemporary Pagan religion with spiritual roots in Shamanism and the earliest expressions of reverence of nature. In more modern times this term is accepted for any person following any of the nature-based Pagan beliefs honoring the Goddess and the God.

WIDDERSHINS \- Sometimes called withershins, widershins or widderschynnes, means to take a course opposite the apparent motion of the sun, to go anticlockwise or lefthandwise, or to circle an object by always keeping it on the left.

WICCAN REDE, THE - The simple rule of Wiccans which states "An harm ye none, do what ye will." This is not the entire rede, but the essence thereof.

WICCANING - In Wicca, the ritual blessing of a newly born baby, the witches' equivalent of a christening, except that it is not intended to commit the child permanently to any one path.

WINTER SOLSTICE - Another term for the Sabbat of Yule.

WITCHCRAFT \- A magical religion with many diverse traditions derived from various cultural sources around which covens and individual practitioners base their practices.

WITCH - Any person who practices magic to achieve their goals. By this understanding, not all witches are Wiccan, and not all Wiccan are witches. The term is used for both male and female practitioners. A male witch is not called a warlock (See: warlock). Also, anciently, a European practitioner of the remnants of pre-Christian folk magic, particularly that relating to herbs, healing, wells, rivers and stones.

WITCHCRAFT - The art of using magic to achieve set goals in conjunction with natural energies and correspondences.

YARROW - A medicinal herb long associated with the practice of witchcraft

YULE \- The Sabbat celebrated on the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. In some traditions, it celebrates the birth of the God and in others the coming birth.

YULE LOG - A log ritually burned at Yule to mark the death of winter and the birth of the sun.

#  CHAPTER 20 – BATH TIME.

Yes! It's time for some YOU time. Every little witch, young and those not so young, needs lots of YOU time to rejuvenate their witchy mojo. Turn the page for instructions on how to enjoy your next bath. Don't forget to light a few white candles, or pink if you are in the mood for some romance...

## Lavender Bliss Bath.

Ingredients:

1 Cup of Oatmeal

Lavender Buds (or Culinary Lavender)

1 Cup of Epsom Salt

Blender or Food Processor

Glass bowl

Jars or Cloth Bags

Optional – Glass of wine. Book. Music to help you to relax... or sing along with.

Not optional – Candles. Peace of mind.

One: Start by processing your oatmeal into a fine flour-like texture in your blender.

Two: Combine the oatmeal with the Epsom salt and stir until combined thoroughly.

Three: Add your Lavender and whisk it up. Use as much or as little as you like – it's your call. A couple of tablespoons generally works well but use more or less depending on how fragrant you want your bath to be. Lavender fragrance is quite strong, so don't over do it.

Four: Spoon the lavender salt into cloth bags or a jar for storage.

To use, add a couple of spoonfuls to your warm bath water - enjoy.

Bliss!

Make sure you add this one to your journal... Also makes the perfect homemade gift for a likeminded witch!

Return to The must have witch list.

#  Book 1 - The Witchwood Estate Series.

Going Home.

There is something very evil lurking in the woods surrounding Witchwood Estate.

Alexandria Santorini learns as a child that she comes from a long line of Harvey witches. Now, as a teenager, Alexandria must say goodbye to Catnip Cottage and the Barnabys, her loving guardians for the last twelve years, and go home to Ferntree Falls to claim her inheritance. Witchwood Estate. The home where she was born and her parents were murdered. Her journey home becomes even more sinister, however, when she discovers that there are those around her who have other plans for her and her new friends...

# Prologue

If you Google the word Prologue, this is what you will find on Wikipedia.

A prologue (Greek πρόλογος prologos, from the word pro (before) and lógos, word) is an opening to a story that establishes the setting and gives background details, often some earlier story that ties into the main one, and other miscellaneous information.

Well, that was what my life kind of felt like. A prologue.

Every day began and ended the same way, as regular as the ticking clock on the wall. You'd think that after twelve years there would have been some kind of evolution to the daily ritual that was my life, but no.

Don't get me wrong, I wasn't unhappy with my life, not at all. I relished the simplicity of it all... Until that morning. There wasn't anything particularly different about that morning as I walked down the stairs to meet Olly and Martha Barnaby for breakfast, the clock chiming to announce my six-thirty arrival.

The Barnabys became my legal guardians when my parents died twelve years ago. They were an older couple with rosy cheeks and salt and pepper hair. They'd not been blessed with children of their own, so when I came along at the age of five, they'd welcomed me with open arms and open hearts. The Barnabys were the only family I could remember with any clarity. The blood that ran through our veins may not have been linked, but I loved them with every nerve and fiber of my being.

# Chapter 1 – Morning Has Broken

"Pull the curtains, dear," Mr. Barnaby said as Alexandria appeared in the doorway leading into the kitchen. A hand-stitched tapestry hung on the wall above an old wood-fired brick oven. Kitchen, the heart of the home. Alexandria smiled every time she read it, marveling at the simple truth of it. She was going to miss this kitchen, and the people in it.

Alexandria ran her fingertips over the growth chart chronicled in blue pen on the doorframe. On the eve of her birthday, after a luxurious bubble bath scented with lavender and honeysuckle, the Barnabys would line her up against the doorframe. "Head high, little lady," Mr. Barnaby would say as Mrs. Barnaby drew the line and the year above her head. The last year noted, marked her sixteenth birthday.

Alexandria smiled with the memory and sighed.

Mr. Barnaby, attuned to all of Alexandria's sounds, as was Martha, closed his newspaper on the robust timber counter in the center of the kitchen and looked up at the girl, his face awash with joy. It was no secret to anyone who took the time to notice that Alexandria brought nothing but joy to the lives of Mr. and Mrs. Barnaby.

Midnight, the Barnabys' oversized black cat, wove himself around the elaborately turned chair legs before jumping up onto the old man's lap. Mr. Barnaby removed the small round spectacles from his nose and rested them on the table; a masterpiece lovingly crafted by his own two hands. He scratched Midnight behind his ears until the animal's chest vibrated noisily with satisfaction.

Bunches of dried herbs and flowers hung from a rack housing pots and pans overhead, filling the kitchen with the earthy smells of lavender, rosemary, bloodroot, mandrake, wolfsbane, snapdragons and numerous others. The smell of freshly baked herb bread in the oven and brewing tea in the old teapot welcomed Alexandria into the kitchen like a grandmother's warm embrace. A fresh bowl of white hydrangeas sat in the middle of the table alongside a stack of golden pancakes laden with strawberries and drizzled with fingers of sticky honey from Olly's beehives in the backyard.

Alexandria looked out over the pretty backyard bordered with a six-foot hedge of dense foliage covered in a marigold rose vine. There was more than an adequate greenhouse, and a herb garden overflowing with herbs, some of which she'd never heard of but she knew well enough that they had their purposes. Tucked beneath an old oak tree there was an overgrown swing-set covered by a passionfruit vine laden with fist-sized green and purple fruit. Looking at the swing, as overgrown as it was, always brought back a flood of childhood memories that somehow made other memories from Alexandria's past less painful. A raven fluttered down from Alexandria's bedroom windowsill and perched itself on the swing-set. It studied her with its beady black eyes through the curtains before she pulled them closed, just as it did every morning, before turning away to preen itself in the early morning rays of golden sunlight.

On that swing, Alexandria would disappear for hours into grandiose worlds full of glamour and adventure. She would dream about being swept away by a handsome prince on the back of a shiny black stallion, its nostrils flaring as it ran. Over green mountaintops, they would gallop until they arrived on pristine white sands overlooking a vast ocean dotted with pirate ships, massive sails stretching high above timber decks. There would be witches on broomsticks, dragons with fiery breath, and fairies every color of the rainbow named after herbs and flowers from the Barnabys' spring garden.

Alexandria sighed again, pulling the curtains closed. "It's a lovely day outside today," she said, sad that the Barnabys could not enjoy it. It seemed a shame, Alexandria mused, to spoil such a nice day with her news. Then again, perhaps they already knew. There was very little the Barnabys did not already know.

"The sun hurts my eyes and burns my skin until it's all red and blotchy, dear," Olly had said the first time Alexandria asked why he tended to his garden and bees in the middle of the night and slept for hours during the day with the curtains closed tight. "Mrs. Barnaby and I both suffer from the same ailment, little Alexandria. So you see, we are a perfect match for each other, Martha and I. You, on the other hand, should go out and enjoy it for all of us."

"That's okay, Mr. Barnaby," Alexandria had said. "I enjoy reading. I don't mind staying inside with you and Mrs. Barnaby. And I really do enjoy playing chess with you. I am getting quite good, don't you think?"

"Nonsense, my dear," he replied, ruffling her long hair. "I'm not saying reading and playing chess is not a wonderful way to pass a few hours, and you really are becoming the master chess player, and I encourage it, it broadens the mind. Nonetheless, a young thing like you needs to take in the great outdoors, and everything it has to offer. You really don't want to deprive yourself of vitamin D. And please, dear little Alex, you will be with us for a while, so do call us by our first names." Mr. Barnaby gave her a huge smile and rested a large hand over his heart. "You call me Olly," he said, drawing his wife in and putting his other arm around Mrs. Barnaby's shoulders.

"And you can call me Martha," the elderly woman said, taking Alexandria's little hand. "We can't replace your mother and father, Alexandria, but we will love you as though you were our very own. We can promise you that, little one."

Mr. Barnaby nodded. "We are going to be what some may consider an odd little family. Nevertheless, we will be a happy family, and you will be wanting for naught."

The Barnabys put their arms around Alexandria, and just like that, they became a family. An odd, but happy family, just like Mr. Barnaby promised.

The first day Alexandria attended Cedar Elementary School was one she would never forget.

Alexandria kissed Martha on the cheek, then nearly fell out of the Barnabys' old Chevy pickup. She didn't manage to save her backpack, though, and the straps slipped through her fingers and plopped on the ground, sending her books flying across the pavement in all directions. She thought about forgetting all about her books and scrambling back up inside the car where no one could see her except for Martha. But Martha gave her an encouraging nod, and said, "This too will pass, Alexandria. Hold your head high and be brave. Mr. Barnaby will pick you up this afternoon and you can tell us all about your day."

It was strange to Alexandria, at first, how the Barnabys would quite often refer to the other as Mr. or Mrs. Barnaby. To her, it was as though they were trying out the name on each other for size. As time passed though, nothing the Barnabys did or didn't do seemed strange to Alexandria. She was loved. And to Alexandria, that was all in this world that mattered.

The Barnabys' old pickup was fire engine red with heavily tinted black windows, making it impossible for the sun's rays to penetrate the glass. You could see out through the glass, but once outside, it was impossible to see the passengers inside.

Alexandria, under the scrutinizing stares, giggles and pointing fingers from all the other little boys and girls, picked up the scattered belongings and put them in her bag. She turned her back on the boys and girls making fun at her and waved goodbye to the old Chevy as it bounced up and down on the road and drove slowly away. Alexandria couldn't see Martha through the dark glass, of course, but she knew Martha was waving, too. She didn't know, however, how hard is was for the old woman to leave her standing alone on the pavement, the wind flapping her purple coat around her skinny little legs.

Alexandria never did make any friends at Cedar Elementary School, but that was okay because she had the Barnabys, Midnight the cat, a swing in the big backyard that took her to faraway lands and the shiny, black raven that was never very far away. Eventually, Alexandria named the raven with the piercing black eyes "The Count", after Count Dracula.

In the mornings, Midnight would be curled up on the end of her bed. The Count would be perched on the back of the chair at her antique study desk. Two adversaries had come together in a pact to watch over Alexandria. Downstairs, the Barnabys would be preparing breakfast for her in the kitchen.

Alexandria used to try to stay up with the Barnabys when she was little, sneaking out of her bed in the middle of the night to watch them tend their garden by the light of the full moon. Nevertheless, Alexandria always fell asleep in the big armchair on the patio and Olly would have to gather her up and carry her back up to her feather down bed stuffed with duck feathers.

Most nights, Martha would read Alexandria a story until she fell asleep. Sometimes, when she woke in the middle of the night from nightmares, Martha would sit with her while Olly checked under the old oak bed and in the wardrobe for monsters.

***

Alexandria padded softly across the floor barefooted.

"Tea, Alexandria?" That was Martha.

"Thank you," she replied as Martha set the dainty teacup and saucer down at Alexandria's place at the kitchen table.

Alexandria fiddled with the dainty china handle, wondering how she should broach the subject of her leaving.

Martha looked at her husband then sat down next to Alexandria at the table and patted her hand. "Drink up, dear, and I'll read your tealeaves for you. See what the day has in store."

Alexandria frowned, wondering what answers Martha would find in the bottom of her cup. Alexandria sipped at the hot, fragrant tea until the cup was empty, and handed it to Martha.

"Okay," Martha said smiling, adjusting the spectacles on the tip of her nose and raising the teacup to peer inside. She turned the cup in her hand, one way then the other, frowning occasionally. Then she smiled. "Oh, how exciting," she said, looking at Alexandria over the rim of her spectacles. "I see a journey and a very handsome young man on a horse that plans to ride off into the sunset with you. Careful he doesn't steal your heart, young Alexandria."

Alexandria closed her mouth and smiled. "You had the dream, too, didn't you, Martha? I should have known that there were no secrets in this house."

Martha smiled. "Yes. The time has arrived, dear."

"Do you really think I'm ready?" Alexandria asked, excited and scared all at the same time. The Barnabys had helped her plan for this day ever since the day she had run, and cried, all the way home from school, and now the day was finally here, she was apprehensive.

"Of course you are, my dear. Otherwise we would never let you go," Mrs. Barnaby said, holding up the kettle. "More tea?"

Alexandria nodded. "Yes please."

Mr. Barnaby helped himself to another pancake, putting one on Alexandria's plate, too. He poured on extra honey, added a handful of plump, red strawberries and a dollop of whipped cream.

"Eat up, Alexandria. You have a long journey ahead of you," Mr. Barnaby said, forcing a smile.

# Chapter 2 – Becoming A Witch

Twelve years earlier.

"Don't even think about sitting there," the pert little blond girl spat as Alexandria placed her lunch tray down on the table.

"You heard Becky," a petite girl with long black braids said, shoving Alexandria's tray off the table and sending it crashing to the floor. "Witches aren't allowed here. Witches spread warts, and make your hair fall out!"

"And they're bad luck," Becky added, glaring at her. "Go away, witch. You stink!"

Alexandria looked at the tray of food splattered across the floor, then slowly around the lunchroom. Every head turned to stare at her. Some whispered, others sniggered, a few even looked afraid. No one came to help her.

"I'm not a witch," Alexandria said quietly, tears filling her big green eyes. "I'm not," she repeated, but sounding even less convincing, even to her own ears.

Small hands pounded on the tabletops. Feet stomped on the floor. "You're a witch, stinky witch. You're a witch, stinky witch. You're a witch, stinky witch."

With the taunts escalating all around her, Alexandria covered her ears, then fled from the lunchroom as fast as her legs would carry her. She didn't stop running until she fell face-down on her bed.

"It's okay, dear," Martha assured her, quickly pulling the curtains closed in Alexandria's room and turning on the bedside lamp.

"They called me a stinky witch," Alexandria said, her voice punctuated with hiccups.

"Wipe your eyes, Alexandria. I have a book here," Martha said, sitting down on the bed beside her. "It was your mother's, child," she said, running her hand over a smooth leather-bound book. Alexandria slowly sat up, her bottom lip still quivering. She bit her bottom lip in a failed attempted to still it.

"My mother's?" she asked, hiccupping again, using the sleeve of her shirt to wipe the tears away. Midnight jumped up on the bed and snuggled onto her lap. The Count flew in the widow and landed on the timber bed head, squawking to announce his arrival. Midnight hissed, then pushed his head into the crook of Alexandria's arm, demanding a pat.

"Yes, dear. It is a book that has been passed down from daughter to daughter in the Harvey family for centuries."

"But my name is Alexandria Santorini," she said, "not Harvey."

"Yes, it is, dear. But before your mother married your daddy, Alex, for whom you were named, your mother's name was Felicity Harvey, and this was her spell book."

"Spell book?" Alexandria asked, staring dubiously at the book in Martha's lap. "A spell book, like the ones the witches use in the storybooks you read me?"

"That's right," Martha said, handing Alexandria the book. "I can assure you, dear, that not all witches are bad. On the contrary, there are far more witches that are good."

"Is it a storybook, too?" Alexandria asked, putting Midnight on the bed beside her and taking the leather-bound book from Martha and resting it in her lap. "How come you've never read me any stories from this book before?"

"Because you are the only one who can open it, Alexandria. It can only be opened with a drop of blood from a Harvey witch."

"Blood?" Alexandria said, eyeing the mysterious book in her lap, a shiver running down her spine. She rubbed her arms, chasing away goosebumps. On the front cover of the leather-bound book was a heart, and in the center of the heart was the letter "H" in gold print. On the bottom of the page was a verse Martha told her was written in Latin. "Credo, sic eris," Martha read out loud. She smiled, then retrieved a needle from a small sewing repair kit in her pocket.

Alexandria's eyes opened wide, her mouth popped open. "What are you going to do with that?" she asked nervously, shying away.

Martha smiled, putting the needle down on the bedside table. "I'm not going to do anything with it, dear. When you are ready, Alexandria, you will know what to do. And no matter what anyone says," Martha said, kissing Alexandria on the top of her head, "you are not a stinky witch. You are a beautiful, clever witch, and full of magic! Just like your mother. I believe, Alexandria, so you'll be. Now, I'm going downstairs to start dinner. You come on down when you are ready," Martha said, closing the bedroom door quietly behind her.

"I believe, Alexandria, so you'll be," Alexandria, said, repeating Martha's words. Remembering the same words her mother used to say, tucking her into bed at night. Alexandria closed her eyes. The heady scent of violets was so palpable; she could almost reach out and touch them. Violets were her mother's favorite flower, and purple her favorite color. It was Alexandria's, too. She was still wearing the purple coat she'd worn to school that day.

Alexandria picked up the sewing needle and stared at it. It appeared to grow longer and pointier as she held it in her fingers. She thought about that afternoon at school in the lunchroom, how all the girls and boys had called her a stinky witch. Did she really want to go thought the rest of her life known as a stinky witch? Then she thought about her beautiful mother, Felicity, and looked over at the family portrait on the wall. "For you, Mom," she said, closing her eyes and pricking her finger with the needle.

She slowly opened her eyes and watched as one drop of bright red blood blistered on the tip of her finger, ran down the side then dropped on the cover of the old book still sitting in her lap.

She held her breath, waiting for claps of thunder, bolts of lightning to streak across the sky, the bedside lamp to flicker... something supernatural at the very least. Nothing. Just the sounds coming from the kitchen as Martha prepared the evening meal. Bangs and thumps as Mr. Barnaby rummaged around in the attic above her room.

Midnight stood up, stretched, then curled himself back up into a black furry ball. The Count watched on silently, unperturbed by it all.

"I believe, so you'll be," Alexandria muttered.

The leather-bound book sprang open on her lap, making Alexandria jump up off the bed. The book slid off her lap and landed open with a thud on the timber floor. A flurry of sparkling dust motes rose high into the air before turning into twinkling fireflies. Every light in her room flickered. Her small pink stereo blared into song... "...have to believe we are magic." It was Olivia Newton-John singing, Magic, Alexandria's mother's favorite song.

She stared at the open book. On the worn ivory pages, she noticed elaborate handwriting. Spells, she presumed. Someone, her own mother perhaps, had taped in pressed herbs, faded now with age.

Midnight sat bolt upright on the bed, meowed, then went back to sleep despite the noise. The Count flew around the room, weaving in and out of the masses of sparkling fireflies. Books, conjured by magic, flew out of her bookshelves and winged their way into the air, following the raven into the swirling whirlwind of pandemonium. Her closet sprang open; her clothing came alive, like ghosts, and began waltzing around the room. Four pairs of shoes tap-danced noisily on the floor. Clippity tap, clippity clap, clap, clap, tap.

Alexandria dashed over to the open book on the floor and slammed it shut.

The books and clothes hung in the air for a moment, then, like missiles, they began falling to the floor. Thud, thud, thud. Alexandria spun around, dodging the books as they fell all around her. She grabbed Midnight, making him hiss, and dove under her bed to safety.

Mr. Barnaby called down from the attic, a hint of laughter in his voice. "Everything alright down there, Alexandria?"

"Yes," Alexandria replied, crawling out from beneath her bed, Midnight in tow. "Everything is just fine," she said, turning off the stereo and looking around her disheveled bedroom. She opened her bedroom window. "Out," she said, holding the curtain back and looking at The Count, "and take your friends with you." The raven squawked, flew out of the window and into the night. A bright trail of golden fireflies slipped out behind him like a long glittering tail on a kite.

That night after dinner, with candles burning bright in every nook and cranny, and a table piled high with herbs from the Barnabys' garden, Alexandria's lessons in witchcraft and magic began.

Alexandria sat jiggling in her seat; her favorite black patent shoes, just touching the floor, tapped impatiently.

"Do you have ants in your pants, child," Mr. Barnaby said, eyeing her over the rim of his spectacles, "because there is a spell for that, I'm sure."

Alexandria shook her head, smiling, and forced herself to sit still in her seat.

Mrs. Barnaby placed a large stone mortar and pestle on the table. She lugged out a large cast-iron pot from a kitchen cupboard and put it on the stovetop. "Okay, Alexandria, find a spell, and read out the ingredients from the page," Mrs. Barnaby said, turning the gas on under the kettle to make three cups of tea. "You can never drink too much tea," she said, whipping her hands on her red and white checked apron.

Alexandria turned the old pages until she came to an Invisibility spell. The spell was written on a transparent sheet of paper overlaying pressed leaves of a herb. "This one," she said enthusiastically. She jumped up from her seat and ran to the window. Outside, the moon was full. "Perfect," she said, jumping up and down and clapping her hands. She ran back into the kitchen "Okay," she said, pulling her chair out and sitting back down. "I'm ready," and with excitement in her voice, Alexandria began to read aloud from the pages.

"When the moon is full, grind together:

1-part Fern leaf, dried

1-part Poppy seeds

2 parts Slippery Elm powder

1-part Myrrh

1-part Marjoram, dried

3 parts Dill weed.

Add 9 drops of Rose oil with enough water to make moist, mix well.

Heat the mixture over a low heat until dry. Cool, then return to mortar, and grind again, chanting:

See me now, see me not. Let me be the in between. See me now, see me not. Let me be the in between.

When finely powdered, stitch into a small satin pouch and keep in your pocket." Alexandria looked up from the page expectantly.

Martha moved from cupboard to shelf to table. "Well then, we have everything we need. Shall we begin?" she said, pouring hot water into three teacups.

"Here you go, Alexandria," Mr. Barnaby said, handing Alexandria a small bottle of dried fern leaf, "your first ingredient."

"Thank you," she said smiling.

Outside crickets chirped, night birds cooed, and a crisp breeze sent leaves fluttering to the ground.

Tomorrow, she believed, would be a better day.

# Chapter 3 – Spring

Alexandria remembered her first spell only too well, and how perfectly it had worked.

The following day at school, with the purple satin pouch tucked away in her pocket, she put her lunch tray down on the table next to Becky and her friends. This time no one bothered Alexandria, they merely smiled and continued with their conversation about whose turn it was to have a sleepover. Becky did shriek, however, when only half of a huge cockroach dragged itself out or her sandwich.

Mr. Barnaby, Alexandria thought, smiling to herself as she unwrapped her own sandwich and took a bite. She never did have any more trouble at school. Her classmates moved around her as though she was invisible. In addition, because Alexandria did well in all her lessons, even the teachers let her be. They never asked her to stand up in front of the class and read from a book. Sometimes Alexandria really did think she was invisible. But she didn't mind, it allowed her more time to do what she liked doing most, read. She did sometimes envy the closeness that the other children had, though, when she overheard them talking about their weekend get-togethers. She brushed the feelings away. She'd have friends too, one day.

Alexandria sipped quietly on her second cup of tea, lost in her memories until Mrs. Barnabys voice brought her back to the present.

***

"Mr. Barnaby," Martha said, watching Alexandria attentively.

"Yes, my love," Mr. Barnaby said, forking the last of his pancake into his mouth.

Mrs. Barnaby looked up at the ceiling.

"Oh, yes," Mr. Barnaby said, rising from the kitchen table with a nod. "Come on, Midnight, give an old man some help with that nose of yours," he said, climbing the stairs to the attic, Midnight in tow.

Ten minutes later he returned, a suitcase swinging in his big hand. "I believe this is yours, Alexandria, and you have a journey to pack for."

***

Alexandria hugged the Barnabys for the longest time, not wanting to let go. Not wanting to let go of the only love she remembered with perfect clarity. The Barnabys had taken her in when there was no one left in the world to love her. Here, in Catnip Cottage, she felt loved, protected. She belonged. However, she belonged in Ferntree, too, and it was time to go home and face whatever demons might be waiting there.

Now, however, after the mysterious message in a dream from her mother, Alexandria was driven by an unyielding compulsion to return to her family home in Ferntree Falls. Witchwood Estate. She couldn't recall exactly what her mother had said when she woke from the dream, only that it was time to go home to Witchwood. No, more than that; she had to go home to Witchwood.

Packing was the hardest thing to do. What to take, what to leave? Alexandria felt a part of her life was over, and it saddened her.

She ran her fingers over Midnight's satiny coat as he slept peacefully on the patchwork quilt on the end of her bed, while The Count watched her every move from his vantage point on the purple chandelier hanging above Alexandria's bed. The chandelier had been a thirteenth birthday present from the Barnabys. She'd spotted the chandelier late-night Christmas shopping with Mrs. Barnaby. It was hanging in the window display theme of a winter wonderland in a secondhand antique shop, and she'd fallen in love with it immediately. Mrs. Barnaby had gone back that evening and purchased it and, before Alexandria had gotten home from school the next day, Mr. Barnaby had it hanging up in her bedroom. That night, Alexandria had fallen to sleep with the dazzling, gem-like shapes dancing on her walls and ceiling like purple fireflies.

Alexandria flipped through her photograph album, pausing on each page to study the pictures.

On her sixth birthday, the first one she shared with the Barnabys, Mr. Barnaby had built her a dolls' house, which just happened to be an exact replica of the house in Ferntree Falls. Witchwood Estate. She'd spent hours playing with the dolls' house, complete with antique furniture and three little dolls. One for her mother, Felicity. One for father, Alex. And one for her, Alexandria.

After a few years, though, she'd put the dolls' house away. Alexandria was growing up.

On her ninth birthday, Mr. Barnaby bought Alexandria her very own chess set, and taught her to play. She'd become quite the player, and won every other game.

'Come on, you two," Mrs. Barnaby would say, wiping her hands on her apron and depositing a tray of freshly baked brownies on the table. "You've been at it all day. It's time for a break. Even Garry Kasparov takes a break between games."

"Who?" Alexandria asked, moving her Queen to put Mr. Barnaby into checkmate.

Mr. Barnaby folded his arms across his broad chest and frowned.

"Garry Kasparov. The world's number one chess player."

Over the years, Alexandria discovered the magic hidden away in books on the bookshelves of the Barnabys' small, but ample library. The characters in books soon became her friends, and Alexandria would spend day after day curled up in the window seat, almost oblivious to the changing seasons flashing by outside. Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter.

With the changing of each season, however, came the ritual of casting a seasonal spell, a ritual that Alexandria embraced enthusiastically.

Springtime, the season of rebirth, rejuvenation, renewal, resurrection, and regrowth. Outside the days began to grow longer, bringing fresh hope. Birds woke earlier, chirping louder, anticipating the new day ahead.

Alexandria gathered a timber bowl, filled it with water from the garden tap, and placed it on a round wooden table beneath the old oak tree in the back yard. She knew the spell by heart, now, but read it aloud anyway, giving the spell a voice.

"Find a sunny spot in the garden and light one yellow candle, the color of sunshine."

She extracted a yellow candle from a calico bag and sat it next to the bowl on the table, concentrating on it until the wick burst into flame.

"Add a handful of sunflower seeds from the garden to a wooden bowl."

Alexandria scooped a handful of sunflower seeds from a brown paper bag and sprinkled them into the bowl of water, stirring it with her fingers.

"Hold the bowl up to the sunshine, calling on the five elements. Water, air, fire, earth and spirit. Close your eyes and chant aloud, let new life begin, let the old fade away. Let new life begin, let the old fade away. Let new life begin, let the old fade away. As the New Year brings light to each day, may this, too, come my way. I believe, so you'll be. Blessed be."

Alexandria opened her eyes to watch yellow sunflower petals swirl from the bowl she held up in her outstretched arms and float magically toward the sun. "I believe, so you'll be,' she chanted once again, lowering the bowl.

***

The coach driver glared down at Alexandria impatiently from his seat, drumming his fingers on the steering wheel. He studied the hands on his watch. "Okay, Miss, that's it. If you don't get your butt on this bus within sixty seconds, I'm shutting the doors and leaving without you, and there isn't another bus going your way until late next week. It's your call."

Mr. Barnaby let go first. "Come on, Alexandria, it's time to go," he said, kissing her on the forehead.

"Take care of yourself, dear," Mrs. Barnaby said, wiping a tear from her cheek. "Call us when you get there. We want to make sure you arrive safely."

Mr. Barnaby took Alexandria's hand, placing a small purple velvet pouch on her palm. He curled her fingers closed around it. "It is a talisman, my dear, to keep you safe on your journey. Mrs. Barnaby made it especially for you last night."

"Thank you," Alexandria said, tears coursing down her cheeks.

"Place it under your seat, dear," Mrs. Barnaby said, dabbing her eyes with a lace-trimmed handkerchief. "It will keep you safe."

Alexandria nodded, fresh tears spilling from her eyes. Clutching the small velvet pouch in her hand, she nodded again, not trusting her voice, and quickly made her way up the steps of the bus.

As soon as Alexandria climbed aboard the bus, the door shut with a whooshing sound behind her, sealing her inside the long, red metal cocoon. She quickly made her way down the aisle, found a spot and deposited her backpack on the empty seat. She scrambled across to the window seat and pressed her face up against the glass.

Mr. Barnaby held Martha against his chest, tears welling in his own eyes as he held up his paw of a hand. Alexandria waved frantically, tears streaming down her cheeks unashamedly, not stopping until the Barnabys were completely out of sight, swallowed up by the night.

Five minutes later, a green illuminated sign read, You are now leaving Cedar Hills. Population 3,555. We hope you visit again soon.

Alexandria wondered if someone would correct the sign. Cedar Hills. Population 3,554.

She opened her fist to study the purple velvet bag in her hand, then lifted it to her nose to inhale the earthy scent.

The heady smell of rosemary burst through first, then juniper, mugwort and comfrey. She pressed the velvet between her fingers and felt what she knew would be caraway seeds and a small quartz crystal.

She'd never needed a safe journey talisman before.

"First time for everything, I guess," she murmured, leaning down to place the talisman under her seat. She rested back into the seat and closed her eyes, willing sleep to steal her away.

Moments later, she opened her eyes and sighed. She reached for the backpack on the seat beside her and pulled out a book. If sleep would not save her from the long journey ahead, then she would lose herself in a book. Alexandria placed the book on her lap. She smiled at the title, The Magician's Nephew, and ran her fingers lovingly over the cover. It was the first book she could remember Mrs. Barnaby reading to her. She flicked on the small light above her head, opened the cover and began to read. This is a story about something that happened long ago...

Alexandria's eyes snapped open with the whooshing of the bus doors. Her book still sat perched on her lap, opened at the last page she'd read before drifting off to sleep. She inserted a bookmark, one of The Count's black tail feathers, closed the book and slid it into her bag. She looked out of the window and squinted to read the illuminated sign.

Spring Bluff Bus Terminal was a quaint little building with old stone walls. Tubs of blooms framed the arched doorways and timber park-style benches lined the stone walls. A small group of people, Alexandria counted at least ten, loaded their baggage in the holding department beneath the bus and then began to climb the steps of the bus, chatting noisily.

A little girl with brown pigtails screwed up her nose and poked her tongue at Alexandria, then promptly tripped over her, all of a sudden, untied shoelaces.

"Do be careful, dear," her mother scolded, tugging the girl up by the arm. "How many times do I have to tell you to tie up your shoelaces?"

"I did," the girl whined, glaring at Alexandria.

Alexandria returned the glare with a smile then turned her attention to those still milling around outside.

A young man wearing a gray hoodie caught Alexandria's attention when he bumped, then apologized profusely to an old woman that appeared to be traveling by herself. She wobbled for a moment, clutching onto her walking stick with two hands. The young man gripped her with a firm, yet gentle hand until she was steady on her feet.

Alexandria called for Air, and a sudden gust of wind whipped the hoodie off the young man's head, exposing a good-looking face and a head of dark hair. He watched as the breeze disappeared into a large oak tree, littering the ground with a sprinkle of leaves. He turned back to the old woman and picked up her carry-on luggage. "Let me help you with that," Alexandria heard him say, swooping up the woman's bag.

Alexandria concentrated hard on the young man, sensing something peculiar about him as he led the old woman toward the steps of the bus.

"Last call for passengers," the driver announced in a gruff voice. "Doors close in five minutes... not a minute later." He climbed in and flopped down behind the steering wheel, checking paperwork, and making a note of the time.

Alexandria checked her own watch. Midnight. The witching hour, the time of day, Alexandria knew, when supernatural creatures, witches, demons, and ghosts appeared and were at their most powerful.

The old woman returned Alexandria's smile as she hobbled down the aisle of the bus with her walking stick. The young man followed a few paces behind the woman with her luggage. His dark eyes locked onto Alexandria's green eyes, rooting him to the spot, then he blinked, breaking the spell, and continued down the aisle.

Alexandria sighed, reaching for the book in the backpack sitting on the vacant seat beside her. She wanted him to sit next to her, to find out more about him... discover his secret.

"Thank you, young man," Alexandria heard the old woman say. "That is very kind of you, helping an old woman. You are quite the gentleman and a credit to your generation."

"My pleasure," the young man replied in a smooth, satiny voice, a broad smile revealing perfectly white teeth.

"May I sit here?"

Alexandria glanced up, surprised by the sudden appearance of the young man standing beside the vacant seat beside her. He was about her age, possibly a year or two older, and was dressed in faded jeans, the long sleeves of his hoodie pushed up to his elbows. Tattooed on his arm she noticed a small, elaborate heart with an "E" in the center.

"Of course. Yes, please do," Alexandria gushed, releasing the book in her fingers, letting it slide back into her backpack. She lifted the backpack off the seat and pushed it between her feet, and quickly ran her fingers through her hair.

"The wind, outside a moment ago, that was you, wasn't it?" he asked, sitting down, folding his long legs in behind the seat and looking at her.

# Chapter 4 – Ghost Of An Idea

The bus doors closed and the vehicle jerked, then coughed noisily into life.

"Yes," Alexandria admitted sheepishly, looking up into his somber eyes. "It was."

"I'm impressed. But why?" he asked suspiciously.

"I wanted to see what a gentleman looked like," she said, smiling. "Plus I know what you are."

"You know what I am?" the young man echoed, surprise raising his eyebrows. He twisted in his seat to face her. "My name is Andrew, by the way," he said, stretching out his hand.

"Yes," Alexandria nodded. She took his hand and shook it. "Alexandria."

"It's nice to meet you, Alexandria. But how do you know what I am?" he asked, releasing her hand. He'd been so careful, keeping his secret. Only his mother and Eden knew. Friends that he'd had soon drifted away when he couldn't explain his disappearing acts.

"I'm a witch," she answered hesitantly. "And a witch knows these things." She'd never shared that information with anyone before and, as far as she knew, the Barnabys were the only other people that knew that about her. Maybe there were others that knew, relatives she'd never met. Perhaps she had met them; she just couldn't remember meeting them. She didn't know exactly what had inspired her to open up to this boy, this stranger, or even why she trusted him. Perhaps it was because he had a secret, too. Alexandria wondered if he felt like she did. She often thought how wonderful it would be to share her secret with a friend. But she, too, knew some things were best left alone. Normal people just didn't understand, or trust, those that were different. She'd been ridiculed as a child, she knew how hurtful that had been, so she was determined to do all she could to avoid being ridiculed as an adult. Maybe they both needed someone with whom to share their secrets, even if it was just for the next few hours. A friend, she thought wistfully. Maybe he could be her friend for more than just a handful of hours. How fabulous that would be. The thought thrilled her, and it took all of her energy not to bounce up and down in her seat.

"How long have you been like this, a ghost?" Alexandria asked in a hushed voice.

"Two years," he answered. "But I'm not really a ghost in the traditional sense of the word. I'm what you'd call an in-between." That was the term his mother had used when she'd explained the curse. "A witch, Clamenza, cursed my mother when she fell in love and then married my father. Clamenza was so angry, mother said, she blamed her for stealing father away from her. On their wedding day, Clamenza stormed into the church and cursed my parents. And, if that wasn't enough, she cursed their first born child. Me. And so, on my eighteenth birthday, the first time I kissed Eden, I vanished. It's always the first born," he concluded.

"That is so horrible, and yet a little romantic, in a sad kind of way. The kiss revealed that Eden is your one true love, but it damned you to a life in the in-between? It must have killed your parents, the curse falling on you."

Andrew frowned "When I was born, it drove my father mad with guilt. On my thirteenth birthday, we found a note written by my father. He thought that if he left my mother, destroyed their love, it would somehow appease Clamenza, and she'd lift the curse. He was wrong. Neither my mother nor myself, has spoken to him since. For all we know he's dead, but my mother lives in hope that one day he'll return. She doesn't actually say that, but I know she does."

Alexandria rested her fingers on his hand. "I'm so sorry, Andrew. Tell me more about this curse, I'd really like to try and help."

Andrew tapped the glass face on Alexandria's watch. "As soon as the sun rises ... it's like being not quite alive, but not quite dead, either. One moment I'm here, as real and alive as the next person, and then I'm gone. Just like that, I cease to exist in the human world."

"So in about," Alexandria looked at her watch, "six hours, you'll just vanish? Poof! Like, up in a puff of smoke, vanish?"

"Nothing so dramatic," Andrew replied with a wry smile. "I just blink out, like someone flicked off a light switch. To the human eye, I cease to exist."

Alexandria had a million questions and only a few short hours to discover the answers. She wanted so much to know everything about this boy, before he vanished from her sight, possibly forever. "What happens when you disappear, go into the in-between?"

"I just walk around and try to keep out of people's way ... sleep when I can. It really freaks me out when someone walks through me though. It's feels like million fire ants are crawling all over my body. And if that isn't bad enough, it really zaps my strength. Sometimes, when someone has a really powerful aura, I get sucked into their bodies and can't escape until they fall asleep. When that happens, the pain of being trapped is so bad that I just want to die." That made Andrew cringe, and he ran his fingers through his thick, dark hair. I try to be somewhere where I know no one will see me when I'm about to vanish. That tends to really freak them out." He feigned a smile, thinking about the friends he used to have, then lowered his head to stare at his clenched fists.

"I can't begin to imagine how horrible that must be," Alexandria said, checking her watch again. "You don't have to worry about me though. You won't freak me out. And I promise I won't suck you into my body."

"Well, that is good to know. But you don't have to worry; I'll get off at the next stop."

"And do what? Just hide in corners at bus terminals until sunset?"

"Pretty much. As soon as it gets dark, and the next bus comes along on this route, I get on it."

"Why buses? Why this route?"

"Eden, my girlfriend, went missing on this route. I figure eventually I'll come across someone who knows what happened to her." He looked at Alexandria, a questioning look on his face.

"Don't look at me," she said. "This is the first time I've ever taken a bus trip, or been out of Cedar Hills in twelve years."

"So why now?" he asked, raising his head to look at her.

"I'm going home to Witchwood Estate, to claim my inheritance. I'll be eighteen in a few months, and I wanted to go home before it is too late, and Witchwood falls into the hands of receivers. There isn't much money left, just the estate really. I thought I might be able to turn it into a boarding house or something... a bed and breakfast maybe. There's plenty of room, and I can use the money to keep the circling wolves from the door."

"How many bedrooms are there?" Andrew asked, genuinely interested.

"Eight," Alexandria replied. "Two bedrooms and living quarters in each wing. The North wing, the South wing, the West wing and the-"

"East wing," Andrew said, finishing her sentence. "Sounds like a big place and a lot of hard work."

"I don't care if it's a lot of hard work; I'm prepared for all the hard work. I just don't want to lose the place to a bunch of bankers who will probably just bulldoze the place down to build condos or something else that's just as vulgar. The estate has been in my mother's family for hundreds of years, so I'll be dammed if I'm the one who lets it go without a fight. No sir. Not on my watch."

Andrew smiled at her. "I admire your determination. Most girls would sell the place off as quick as blink and make for the big city."

"Well I'm not that girl. I'm Alexandria Santorini, and I aim to restore Witchwood to its former glory." Alexandria crossed her arms, and planted a resolute look on her pretty face, her green eyes sparkling with fiery determination, as though she were daring him to challenge her.

He stared at her for a moment. "You'd like Eden," he said, resting his head back on the seat, a smile curling his lips. "You both have that stubborn streak."

"Don't get off the bus," Alexandria blurted. "Stay on it. I mean, you're on your way to Ferntree Falls, anyway. You can spend a few days at Witchwood Estate. Perhaps I can try to lift the curse. From what Martha tells me, my mother had a collection of spell books that belonged to some really powerful witches. They have to be at the house somewhere."

"I couldn't just lob on your doorstep."

"Sure you could, and you wouldn't just be lobbing. I've just invited you, and I suspect I'm going to need a strong pair of hands around the place. Come on, it's a good idea. You know it is. Whenever you are in Ferntree Falls, you can come stay at Witchwood. It's a huge house. I'll rattle around in there all by myself, and it would be really nice to have at least one friend in Ferntree, even if it is just between bus trips. What do you say?" Alexandria examined Andrew's face, searching for answers. She unfolded her arms and clenched her fingers together. "Well?"

Andrew nodded. "It might work. And I'd feel a lot better if I was earning my keep. I'm pretty good with my hands, too, and I love working with timber. It's my dream to renovate an old place. And you being a witch, well, that is why Eden and I were on our way to Ferntree Falls in the first place. We'd heard that there is a witch living up there somewhere that might be able to help lift the curse."

"But then Eden went missing..." Alexandria added. Another witch, she thought, wondering who that could be, and if this other witch might have known her mother.

Andrew nodded. "And I've been looking for her ever since."

"You have to admit, it would be a lot easier to find Eden if you didn't keep disappearing into the in-between."

"Yes, it would," Andrew agreed, nodding. "I'd have my life back, well part of it." He thought about Alexandria's plan, and had to admit it had merit. Not only would he have a friend who knew his secret, but one that also accepted it. And he'd have someone to help him find Eden. It would be nice not having to hide himself away all day, waiting for the night to breathe normality back into his being.

They both sat quietly for a moment, both lost in their own thoughts.

Alexandria spoke first. "The next stop is in about three hours, just before sunrise. When everyone gets off to stretch their legs and get something to eat, we'll stay on the bus. As soon as you disappear, take my seat near the window. I'll sit in the aisle seat and stop anyone from sitting on you. Okay?"

"Won't you be hungry?" Andrew asked, considering her plan. "What if you need to go to the bathroom?"

"I'll be fine. I'll just hang on, and I can eat when we get to Ferntree. Deal?"

"It will be midday when we get there...."

"I know. Just stay close, so I don't lose you. So, what do you think? Will you let me try to lift the spell and help you find Eden?" Alexandria was so excited with the prospect of having a friend, she wasn't aware of the dark shadow that was creeping up behind them.

Before Andrew had time to answer, the old woman reached out with her walking stick and nudged him in the arm.

"I have some homemade shortbread, dear," she said, offering him a small, ornate tin in her other hand. "For you, boy, and your young lady friend. Go on, take it," she said. "Make an old woman happy."

Andrew smiled. "Thank you," he said. "That is very kind of you." He reached back and took the tin from her outstretched arm.

"That was sweet," Alexandria said, watching Andrew pry open the tin.

"Shortbread?" Andrew asked, offering her the tin.

The old woman settled back in her seat and smiled. An almost translucent wisp of black smoke escaped her lips and twirled lazily in the air before slithering into the air-conditioning vents like a snake above her head. "Sleep for all, all but one," she chanted, her eyes holding those of the bus driver in his rearview mirror, and he nodded.

A small boy sitting across the aisle, stared opened mouthed at the old woman.

"Shh," the old woman whispered, holding a knotted bent finger to her lips, a snarl of a smile exposing her yellowy teeth. She conjured a cigarette from her sleeve and butted it out in the palm of her twisted hand. "Just cigarette smoke," she said in a raspy voice. Gone was the sweet murmurings of the little old lady that had been so polite only a short time ago.

The little boy nodded fearfully, then buried his head under the blue travel blanket on his mother's lap.

Alexandria took a piece of shortbread from the tin and took a bite, trying to catch the crumbs with her free hand. "Hmm," she mumbled, nodding. "Really good. Are you going to have some? she asked, taking another bite. "I didn't realize I was so hungry."

Andrew shook his head. "Not really my thing, and besides, I'd feel guilty taking food from the mouth of someone who is obviously on the verge of starving to death."

"Are you sure? I'd feel guilty eating them all."

"There you go," Andrew said, breaking off a small piece and popping it into his mouth. "Now you don't have to feel guilty." He took Alexandria's hand and placed the tin in her palm. "All yours. Eat'm while they're fresh."

Alexandria swallowed the last piece of shortbread and yawned. "So tell me more about you."

"I might put you to sleep."

"I'm not tired," Alexandria replied, resting back into the seat and making herself comfortable. Soon, she realized, looking at him out of the corner of her eye, he would be gone from her sight.

Andrew took a breath. "I was living at home with my mother. My father, as you know, left when I was thirteen. I met Eden the night of my eighteenth birthday, and after her kiss, well, that was the night I first disappeared and...." Andrew turned to look at Alexandria. He smiled, unzipped his jacket, wriggled out of it and draped it over the sleeping Alexandria, her legs stretched out in front of her. She wore blue jeans tucked into a pair of black, knee-high boots and a white t-shirt depicting a comical little witch riding a broomstick. The motto on the front read, This Witch Rocks.

Andrew did the math in his head. He hadn't slept for hours, and now his eyelids were growing impossibly heavy. He stifled a yawn, folded his arms across his chest and took one last look at Alexandria. Strands of her fair hair had fallen across her face, making her look younger than her seventeen years. Smiling, Andrew rested his head back against the headrest and closed his eyes. A couple of hours, he told himself, couldn't hurt. Moments later, with the warm brush of sleep's breath on his cheek, coupled with the rocking motion of the bus, Andrew found himself floating on a fluffy, silver-lined cloud to the land where dreams, the good and the bad, come true.

A golden sun was rising on a distant horizon, its bright rays warming his face, his arms. The fingers of a sudden gust of fresh air tussled his hair, coercing a tuft to fall across his eyes. He brushed it away absently as he squinted into the sunlight. Was that Eden he saw watching him from beneath a canopy of green and gold leaves of a giant Witchwood tree? She wore a beautiful red silk gown. The long scarf draped around her throat and shoulders billowed out behind her like torn sails on a gallant pirate ship. He waved, then began running toward her. Eden shook her head then turned, walking away from him and stepping behind the wide gray trunk of the old Witchwood tree, concealing herself from him.

"No! Don't go, Eden. Wait!" Andrew shouted, running faster. The faster he ran, however, the further away the tree appeared to be.

Andrew woke for a moment, wondering if the dream was a message from the realm beyond. And if this was so, the message was clear. Eden did not wish to be found. Or worse. Perhaps the stories he had heard about the Witchwood trees were true, and they really were portals for the dead to reach the other side from the in-between. Perhaps he could not find Eden because she had already passed over to the other side, lost to him forever. "No," he murmured to himself, his eyelids fluttering with the return of sleep; he refused to believe that. He had seen many that had passed, but were left wandering in the in-between, unable to cross over to the other side, but he'd never seen Eden. Ever. The stories also revealed that dark magic and evil lurked in the in-between, preying on the half-dead, and that, he believed. He had seen things that could only be described as evil.

The bus continued on its journey, bouncing along the twisty road and deeper into the lush valley with its tall trees and dense undergrowth, teeming with mysterious insects and wildlife. There was much that was mysterious in the valley and beyond.

The small township of Misty Falls was only hours away now, and so was sunrise. From there, on the outskirts of Misty Falls National Park, was Ferntree Falls, and Witchwood Estate.

Andrew's eyes closed once again.

# Chapter 5 - Dreamweaver

A little while later, Andrew woke to a gentle touch on his arm. His eyes blinked open and he quickly glanced out the windows of the bus, the darkness outside revealing that the sun had yet to rise. His vision, still blurry from sleep, tried to focus on a figure in the aisle wearing a red wool coat standing alongside him. His eyes dropped to the hand resting gently in the crook of his arm. A signet ring with the initials, E. L., came slowly in and out of focus. He knew what those initials stood for... his brown eyes shot upward. "Eden Lang?" he murmured, more to himself than anyone else. Grasping her fingers tightly in his hand, he found and focused on the bright blue eyes smiling back down on him, bathing him with a feeling of love that was almost tangible.

He glanced quickly up and down the aisle at the passengers, then quickly at Alexandria in the window seat beside him. Except for the driver, all were sleeping peacefully. "I can't believe you're here. Where have you been? I've been searching for you for so long." He spoke in an urgent whisper, in a bid not to wake the sleeping passengers. He pulled Eden down onto his lap, and she giggled, pressing her fingers lightly against her ruby-colored lips. He breathed in the familiar scent of her. "Is it really you?" he asked, brushing a strand of her glossy red hair behind an ear. Holding her face, Andrew felt the flush of her soft skin warm the palms of his hands.

She ran her fingertips slowly across his cheek, along his jaw line to his chin, then let them rest gently on his lips.

He smiled ever so slightly. "Maybe you should pinch me, so I know I'm not dreaming." He drew her face closer and she smiled, her lips parting slowly to welcome his kiss. All of a sudden, Eden's face shuddered, blurred, and Andrew's head jerked backward, his hands dropped away. Eden's pretty face shuddered again, contorted, her sparkling blue eyes sinking into empty black sockets, her perfect ivory skin shriveling into crinkly worn leather. Within moments, she transformed into the old white-haired woman who had given him the tin of shortbread - but now her face was neither welcoming nor friendly.

The old woman was grinning down at him with a twisted curl on her lips. Her teeth were yellow and crooked. Andrew grasped the armrests, pushed himself back hard against his seat to increase the distance between. The old woman was grinning down at him with a twisted curl on her lips. Her teeth were yellow and crooked. Andrew, grasped the armrests, pushed himself back hard against his seat to increase the distance between. The old woman crackled at him, finding humor in his obvious distaste, then, in the next instant, she sprang off his lap and ghosted down the dark aisle, the tips of her worn black shoes hovering four inches from the scuffed red carpet. Reaching the rear of the bus, she turned to look at him with a sneer before vaporizing into a thick, black, shapeless mass of coiling smoke. For a few short moments, the smoke twisted and turned in the air before it escaped through an open rear window. A gush of fresh night air, damp with early-morning dew, raced down the aisle, washing over his face, making him hold his breath.

Suddenly the bus began swerving erratically from one side of the road to the other, nearly throwing Andrew from his seat. A big man sitting opposite him snored noisily. Another swerve of the bus toppled the big man out of his seat and onto the floor. Not for a second did he stop snoring as he rolled clumsily down the aisle, becoming wedged between two seats.

Andrew clutched the armrests to brace himself, then leaned out from behind the seat in front of him just in time to see the driver scramble from his seat, laughing hysterically and flinging himself from the speeding bus. Somewhere behind Andrew, a woman screamed, making him spin around in his seat to find the woman pointing to the front of the bus, fear twisting her otherwise pretty face. Andrew turned back just as the bus swerved once more, directly into the path of an oncoming truck.

The bright lights of the truck illuminated the interior of the bus. Andrew shot a glance at the still sleeping Alexandria, then turned back to squint into the blinding lights and wished he was sleeping, too, oblivious to the impending crash. The thumping in his heart beat faster in his chest, threatening to explode at any moment. His nails tore into the fabric armrests, and he shut his eyes tight, waiting for the deadly impact. He loosened his grip on the center armrest and stretched his arm out across Alexandria's chest to protect her from the collision. He braced himself for the moment metal and glass impacted, when all lives on board would be lost to the realm of the hereafter forever. There was only one thought that lingered on Andrew's mind. Will Eden be there waiting there for me? He squeezed his eyes shut tight, and waited.

Andrew woke with a start. He sat motionless in his seat for a moment, relief calming his thoughts, slowing his racing pulse. Just another god damned dream... His mind was alert, but his body was slow to respond, as though he'd been drugged. He felt the presence standing beside him before he saw her.

The old woman, unaware that Andrew had woken, reached out across him holding an antique blue bottle, pointing it directly toward Alexandria. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see shortbread crumbs speckling the front of Alexandria's t-shirt.

A white mist radiated slowly from Alexandria, rose then drifted into the narrow neck of the bottle. Alexandria began to fading, disappearing before his eyes. He tried to move his arms, to strike out at the old woman and knock the bottle away, but they sat limp and heavy as lead in his lap. He closed his eyes, gathered his strength, then struck out, sending the old woman backward, the small blue bottle slipping from her hands and sending it twirling into the air. A few moments later, it landed with a plop safely in Andrew's lap.

The bus swerved, sending the old woman and her bag of belongings flying in all directions. Shrieking, she fell on all fours, grasping for her spilled belongings and shoving them back in her bag. Some items rolled under seats, down the aisle and out of her reach.

Andrew rose, grabbing for her, the blue bottle falling from his lap, but she was too fast, and before he could reach for her again, she was on her feet, transforming into hundreds of screeching tiny black bats with gleaming red eyes. Turning midair, the bats flew noisy down the aisle, out of an open window and into the darkness of dawn. The other passengers rocked back and forth in their seats, sound asleep. The bus driver held onto his steering wheel and stared dead ahead, his eyes not straying from the dark road. The small blue bottle rolled out from under his seat, bumping gently against Andrew's shoe. He leaned down and picked it up, pushed it into his pocket, and slumped back down in his seat just as the bright headlights of a truck whizzed past.

Beside him, Alexandria was yawning, stretching her hands above her head, and brushing the crumbs off her t-shirt. She pulled herself up, sitting straight in her seat and folded Andrew's hoodie in her lap. "I must have dozed off," she said, pulling her fingers through her hair then looking at her watch. "Misty Falls can't be far away now," she said peering out of the window. Up ahead, she could just make out the lights of the small town still shrouded in darkness. She turned to look at Andrew. "Did you know it's always darkest just before dawn?"

"Yes," Andrew said, looking at Alexandria who was blissfully unaware that she'd just escaped the clutches of a witch. "I think I know what happened to Eden," he began, just as the first glimmer of daylight broke through the thick tree line, silhouetting Alexandria in a golden glow, and vanishing Andrew from sight.

Alexandria sat there looking at the empty seat. "Talk about bad timing," she said, resting back into her seat. The bus eased around a bend in the road and she heard a clinking sound coming from beneath her seat. She leant down, her hand searching. She felt something cold, glass, a small glass bottle. She reached further under until her fingers curled around the neck of the bottle and she drew it out to study it. "How pretty," she mused, turning the red, shiny antique bottle in her hand. It reminded her of the collection of tiny antique bottles Mrs. Barnaby had lined up on her shelves. Alexandria poked it into the backpack tucked between her feet. Mrs. Barnaby would love it, she decided. She would wrap it up and send it to her as soon as she settled herself in Witchwood.

Alexandria glanced at the empty seat beside her again. Her hand reached for the place she imagined Andrew's arm to be. Her fingers quickly recoiled, as though she'd touched a hotplate. He is definitely still there, and is probably cursing me right now. "Sorry," she whispered under her breath, folding her hands in her lap, her mind racing. She would have to find her mother's grimoire, and a spell to lift the curse Clamenza had put on Andrew, or a temporary visibility spell at the very least, if she was going to help him.

The bus shuddered to a halt in front of Misty Falls bus terminal. A small group of people gathered around the front of a brick building operating as a ticketing office, post office, newsagent, dry cleaner and a quaint country style café. A young waitress in a blue apron wove in and out between round tables covered in blue and white checked table cloths, cleaning away dirty dishes as she went, preparing for the arrival of the next customers. The long queue at the counter, made up of travelers and lumberjacks ordering meals and hot drinks, shouted orders at her mother, Alexandria assumed by the likeness both women shared. Both sighed at the bus pulling up outside.

The bus driver, noticing his passengers were still sleeping soundly in their seats, waddled down the aisle, tucking his disheveled shirt into his trousers, then clapped his hands. He smiled at Alexandria as he passed. "Miss," he said, giving her a nod and continuing on his way. "Misty Falls, folks. Wakey, wakey. Those that want to stretch their legs, get something to eat, need the bathroom, or are getting off here should do so now. Bus leaves again in half an hour for Ferntree Falls.

Alexandria waited until the bus was completely empty before she reached across slowly and patted Andrew's seat. No burning sensation, nothing. Good. She gathered up her backpack, folding Andrew's hoodie inside, then zipped it up. She rose from her seat, sidestepping into the aisle, then stepped to one side. "Okay Andrew. If you can hear me, slide into the window seat."

A big man steeped onto the bus, his weight making it dip then rock slightly as he waddled toward her.

"Hurry up," she whispered into her hand, turning her back on the giant of a man closing in on her, "someone's coming. And trust me, you don't want this guy sitting on you."

The man came to halt behind her. "Miss, this aisle isn't wide enough for the both of us...."

"Oh, I'm sorry," Alexandria replied before sliding into the seat Andrew had occupied. She waited for the man to pass, then reached gingerly across to the window seat. A hot jolt shot up her arm and she jerked away. "Sorry, just checking," she said, cringing. She shoved her backpack on the floor between her feet and leant back in her seat, then winced at a sudden pain in her stomach. Her stomach grumbled, followed by another painful spasm as she spied passengers sipping steaming coffee and biting into tasty looking cheese and bacon toasted sandwiches in the little café.

She held her stomach and moaned, the mounting hunger pains becoming unbearable. She wondered if she had time to disembark, order a sandwich to go, and make it back to her seat before any of the other passengers climbed on board. She looked at the long queue of customers and frowned. There was no way she could risk the time it would take to line up in the queue, order a sandwich, wait for it to be made and get back on the bus before customers embarked. If one of them sat on Andrew, trapping him, he would be in excruciating pain for the rest of the journey to Ferntree Falls. Being a witch, she was aware of the burning sensation Andrew radiated, but normal humans would be none the wiser to the pain they would inflict.

She had almost convinced herself not to take the risk when the café door swung open, and smells of hot coffee and sizzling bacon filled her nostrils, making the pain in her stomach double her over in the seat. Why she was so hungry, she did not know. She did know, however, that if she did not eat soon, the pain in her stomach would become intolerable.

At a small window table, a little boy shook his head, pushing a brown paper bag and its uneaten contents away.

Alexandria unzipped her bag, pulled Andrew's hoodie out of her bag, stood up and tied it around her waist like an apron. It wasn't perfect, but it would suffice. "Don't go anywhere," she whispered to the empty window seat. "I'll be back in a second," she said, sitting her bag on the aisle seat. She dashed down the aisle, down the bus steps, and off the bus. She walked briskly to the open café door and went inside. She straightened the utensils on a table, planning the fastest route to the window table and the brown bag of food.

"Miss," a woman in a white buttoned up shirt with a string of pearls around her neck said in a posh voice, shoving an empty mug into Alexandria's hand. "I'll have a refill, if you don't mind."

Alexandria looked at the mug in her hand. "Sure, just give me a moment," she said, quickly turning away, making her way toward the window seat with the little boy and his mother. She set the empty mug on a table occupied by a young couple as she rushed by. So absorbed in kissing each other, the young lovers were completely oblivious to Alexandria and everyone else in the busy café.

Alexandria pulled herself up at the widow table. "Can I clear your table for you?" she asked urgently. She glanced out of the window and held her breath as a passengers started toward the waiting bus.

"We really should take it to go," the boy's mother said, reaching for the bag. "He'll be moaning that he's hungry as soon as we leave."

"I don't want a sandwich. I want chips," the boy wailed.

"He wants chips," Alexandria said, eyeing the bag, then the passengers preparing to board the bus.

"I want chips," the boy repeated.

"The chips are really great here, everyone says so," Alexandria implored. "Really, really good. But you better order them quick, before they all go...." Alexandria drummed her fingers on the table impatiently.

"I want chips," the boy wailed again, raising his voice with each chant. "Chips, chips, chips...." Other customers frowned, then turned to look at the noisy child.

"He really wants chips," Alexandria said, biting her bottom lip and shrugging her shoulders.

"Okay," his mother said, reaching for her handbag. "I'll get you chips."

"So, I can clear the table, then?" Alexandria asked, almost pleading with the woman.

The woman nodded and Alexandria snatched the bag off the table, making a beeline straight for the front door. She pushed her way through tables and customers. "Get a room," she mumbled as she strode past the young couple kissing.

"Miss, where's my coffee?" the woman in her white linen shirt called to Alexandria's retreating back.

"On the counter ... help yourself," Alexandria replied, shoving the front door open and rushing outside, the brown bag clutched in her hand.

People had crowded around the front of the bus, blocking her way.

Alexandria closed her eyes. Come hither little critter from under the bus. Come hither little critter from under the bus. I believe, so it shall be. Blessed be. Alexandria chanted silently to herself, then opened her eyes and waited.

A moment later, a mischief of mice ran from beneath the bus and into the crowd, sending the passengers squealing and running in all directions, some up on chairs, all away from the front of the bus, allowing Alexandria to climb aboard, bag safely in hand.

"Excuse me. Excuse me," Alexandria said, pushing through the passengers that had congregated in the aisle. She stopped short, holding her breath, then rushed toward her seat. "That's my bag, my seat," she snapped, snatching her backpack out of the arms of a young man, pushing her way around him to sit herself down in the seat. She stowed the backpack between her feet, then looked guiltily at the brown bag in her hand. Looking at the empty seat beside her where Andrew would be sitting, she whispered, "I'm sorry. I was just so hungry. It was making me sick." She pulled the sandwich out of the bag, unwrapped it and ate one half in six bites, then the other half just as quickly. Alexandria brushed crumbs off her chin with the back of her hand. "That's better," she sighed, swallowing the last bite of the sandwich.

With her hunger satisfied, and the excruciating pain in her stomach gone, Alexandria sighed, then rested back into her seat. When she saw the woman in the white linen shirt start down the aisle toward her, Alexandria whipped Andrew's hoodie off from around her waist, shoved the brown paper bag into the basket on the back of the seat in front of her, and curled her legs up in the seat. Pulling the hoodie up over her head, she pretended to be asleep, only poking her head out after the woman passed by.

"Can I take the window seat beside you?" a good-looking boy asked in a smooth French accent, making Alexandria sit up straight in her seat. Any other time, Alexandria would have been pleased to sit next to such a boy, but today, she snatched the brown bag from the back of the seat and shoved her face into it.

"Do you know where I can get another bag?" she moaned, not taking her face out of the bag. "I get so sick on these long bus journeys."

The boy shook his head adamantly and walked away, making himself comfortable at the back of the bus, next to the woman with her pearls.

She pulled her face out of the bag and smiled when she thought she heard a chuckle coming from the empty window seat beside her. She had Mr. Barnaby to thank for teaching her that little trick. "It'll work every time," he had promised her with a wide grin.

***

Meanwhile, a dark mass of tiny black bats wove in and out of tall tree trunks, heading toward the deepest, darkest part of Misty Falls forest, a part of the forest where evil resided. Not even the bravest of campers ventured near this swamp-like area. Most of the wildlife, too, steered clear, preferring the lush clearings and bubbling streams rambling through Misty Falls. But here, hidden away by a coiling bloodthorn vine riddled with masses of black thorns and blooms with blood-red centers, was a heavy, black, hinged timber door concealing the entrance to a cave, the home of a witch called Clamenza.

The heavy timber door flew open as the bats approached, slamming hard against the damp rock wall. Inside, a cozy fireplace crackled, illuminating the small cavernous room made snug with thick layers of animal skins and homey furnishings. Candles burned brightly from little nooks and crevices in the wall. The bats hovered above an antique timber armchair upholstered in red velvet and embossed with bloodthorn blooms.

The bats fell silent, vaporizing into a black cloud before forming into the shape of the old woman. She sat hunched in the velvet armchair, her bag in her lap. Clamenza waved her hand in the air, making the door slam shut with a loud bang. Seconds later, her walking stick came crashing down beside her. She sniffed at it, kicking it with her worn-out shoe, then sprang energetically to her feet. The walking stick, of course, was just a prop.

Clamenza sat her bag on a rustic old table, pushing a five-pronged candelabra dripping with old wax out of the way and began to claw through the bag's contents with her crooked fingers. "No, no, no," she screeched, making the flames roar higher in the fireplace. A framed portrait of a beautiful young woman with long, sleek, black hair rattled above the fireplace, then she, too, opened her mouth and screeched, also angered by the absence of the antique bottles. Carmen would not be pleased. It was not that fact alone, however, that angered Clamenza the most, but the fact that she did not wish to remain trapped in the body of a haggard old woman for a moment longer than she had to.

She stood, threw her bag across the stony room and paced back and forth, thinking. She thought about part of the conversation she'd heard between the boy and the witch, Alexandria. Clamenza pushed back a thick, black curtain, revealing a bed covered in plush animal skins and fur. Tomorrow, she decided, she would travel to Ferntree Falls. No one would recognize her, they never did - the dreamweave spell saw to that. She did wonder, however, why the boy did not respond to the shortbread laced with a concoction of deepsleep and a pinch of jimson weed. He should have slept soundly, then wake with a burning desire to eat, the painful side effect of digesting deepsleep, Clamenza's own little potion derived from the bloodthorn flower.

She sat down heavily on the velvet stool at her dresser, took off her hat, and with bent fingers she released her hair from the loose bun at the nape of her neck. Picking up a shiny brush made from blackwood, she began dragging the bristles through the short, gray strands of her straw-like hair, a stark contrast to her once beautiful long, black, satiny locks. Clamenza, disgusted by the image staring back at her, pushed herself off the stool. Striding across the room, she pulled open the double doors of a timber wardrobe and ran her hand across an array of beautiful flowing gowns designed in satins, silks, sequins and velvets. Some of the gowns were over a hundred years old, from an era long gone, an era she preferred, and some others new from more recent shopping trips. All were beautiful gowns designed for a woman much younger than the old woman whose fingers lingered, caressing the lavish fabrics with tenderness. "Not long now," she croaked to herself, pushing the closet doors closed, "and I will be as beautiful as ever." Changing into a long, black nightgown, Clamenza prepared herself for bed.

A large flying cockroach landed on her hand and scurried up her arm. It perched on her shoulder, its antenna transmitting a high-pitched sound only the witch could hear.

"Good morning, my little friend. Are you ready for sleep, too?" she purred, her finger stroking the cockroach on its shiny black wings. The cockroach ruffled its wings in response.

Clamenza climbed into her bed, the cockroach scrambling beneath a black satin pillow. She rested her head on another, covering herself in a thick brown and gray fur from a slain wolf. Outside, rain began to fall just as it did every night when Clamenza slept in her little cave. The earth around the cave turned into bubbling pools of brown, blobby mud. Fat, slimy grubs slithered through muddy gouges in the soil congested with twisted tree roots. Black insects climbed out from beds of sodden leaves and scrambled up tree trunks to higher ground. An orange snake, as thick as a wrestler's arm, coiled silently around moss-covered branches, its forked tongue flicking in and out. With one lightning-quick movement, its mouth sprang open wide, swallowing a sleeping possum whole. Not far away, a white owl hooted, then swept down from a high branch to snatch up a fat, juicy rat that gnawed on the rotting remains of a feral cat.

A while later, the sun peeked through the dense tree line that shrouded the rest of the forest in a warm, golden glow. Butterflies as large as saucers with incandescent wings danced through golden rays. Elk and deer frolicked in the lush green clearings and drank from bubbling streams teaming with fish and ducks of every kind. A fox cub chased his brother, snapping playfully at his tail. A flock of noisy rainbow parrots, with bright green and yellow tail feathers a meter long, took flight to celebrate the start of a new day.

Darkness, however, loomed forever heavy over the witch's cave as she slept the day away. At twilight she would rise, preferring to hunt in the darkest hours.

Clamenza fell asleep almost immediately, dreaming about the day she would walk the earth as the beauty she had once been. She longed for the days when she had turned the heads of every man as she sauntered by, her long black hair tumbling to her slender waist. Ruby-red lips, as tempting as a succulent ripe plum, made even the most devoted husband weak at the knees. All she needed was the souls of six young witches, Carmen's fee for restoring Clamenza to her former beauty. Only two more girls were required to complete the wicked transaction.

The cockroach poked its head out from beneath the pillow and peered at the sleeping witch. Satisfied, the stealthy insect slid under the heavy furs, along the knotty blue veins on Clamenza's leg, then nibbled contently on the dry, flaking skin on Clamenza's foot. The bug scraped its hairy back legs together, sending a silent message as it nibbled. Within moments, others of its kind scrambled up the legs onto the bed and slid under the covers where they, too, feasted uninterrupted on Clamenza's dead skin until nightfall, when the witch would wake, and shake them off unperturbed. "Feast as much as you like on this old body," she'd say, stretching her arms above her head, "because you won't be allowed to feast on the new one, my little darlings. Go on, off with you now," she'd say, shooing them gently away with her hand. "But don't worry; I won't let you go hungry."

# Chapter 6 – Ferntree Falls

The trip from Cedar Hills to Ferntree Falls lasted just over twelve hours, so by the time the bus finally pulled up at the Ferntree Falls Terminal, Alexandria was glad the trip was over. She glanced up and down the aisle of the bus, impatiently waiting for the last passenger to exit, then turned to look at the empty window seat beside her.

"I need to reach under your seat. So you'll have to move your legs a little." Alexandria said. She waited for a moment, giving Andrew time to respond to her request. Her hand moved back and forth, searching for the talisman the Barnabys had given her to put beneath the seat to keep her safe. She frowned when her fingers didn't find the small velvet pouch. She got down on her hands and knees, poking her head under the seat. "Shut up," she hissed, when she thought she heard Andrew chuckle. Why can I hear him chuckle? she thought absently to herself, wondering if it was just her imagination playing tricks on her mind, because it was something she should have done.

"Miss?" the bus driver asked, standing in the aisle with his hands on his hips while admiring Alexandria's behind. "Have you misplaced something?"

"Ouch," Alexandria protested, jerking her head up and banging it on the seat. She straightened up, glaring at the driver when she realized his eyes were still transfixed on her behind. "Huhmm," she said, clearing her throat.

The driver found her unsmiling face and blushed, then stared awkwardly at the floor. He thrust a finger out, gesturing beneath the seat. "You lost something, down there, looks like. Want me to take a look for you?"

"No." Alexandria shot back, making the driver raise his eyebrows in surprise at her blunt response.

"Okay. Just offering, is all. We got a cleaner coming onboard in a jiff. Maybe let her know what you lost and she can take a look for you. Lots of things get left behind on the bus. Some get handed in, and some don't. We got a lost and found box at the ticket counter. Maybe you want to come back tomorrow and take a gander."

Alexandria composed herself. "Thank you, I will. I'll come back tomorrow and see if anyone hands it in. It's nothing really, but it has sentimental value."

"Yep. No worries. Office opens up at five every morning. Can I help you with your bag?"

"No. I'll be fine, thank you all the same," Alexandria said, gathering up her backpack and slipping her arms through the straps, maneuvering it onto her back.

The driver shrugged. "All the same to me, miss. You can pick your other luggage up from the trolley outside when you disembark." He took off his cap, rubbed his head and yawned, then made his way down the aisle and off the bus.

It had been a long trip and he was hungry. The grumbling reverberating from his stomach concurred. He followed his nose and his stomach toward the Parkside Café. A hearty breakfast was just what he needed. That and a quick nap. Maybe a spot of fishing later in the day. A bell jangled above the café door as he pushed it open. "Beryl," he called, tipping his head and waving at the attractive fifty-something woman behind the counter in a crisp red and white uniform.

"Morning, Joe. The usual?" she asked, pouring a mug of coffee for a waiting customer.

"That'd be lovely, Beryl, he said, jerking his head toward the window. I'll be at my usual table."

"Okay, Joe. Be right with you," she replied, then handed a cup of coffee and a hot chocolate to the woman standing at the counter. "I'll be right over with your breakfast as soon as it's ready, love," Beryl said, wiping her hands on the apron. "Help yourself to the complimentary magazines in the rack at the end of the counter. There are comics for your little girl."

The woman smiled. "Thank you. But I think my daughter is happy enough waiting for her daddy to pick us up."

Joe dragged out his usual seat, smiling at a little girl in a pretty, pink dress sitting alone at the next table waiting for her mother.

She smiled back, holding up a small velvet pouch in her hand. "See what I've got, mister," she said, quickly poking it in her pocket when she saw her mother approaching their table.

Joe unfolded a used newspaper sitting on the table. He read the headline. Teen girl goes missing on camping trip. Joe shook his head, clucking his tongue. "Not another one."

"Here you go, hon," Beryl said, putting a steaming mug of coffee down on the table. "I'll bring your breakfast over as soon as cook slaps it on a plate." She noticed the article Joe was reading in the newspaper.

"Terrible, isn't it. I know her parents. Her father, Adam, drops in for a cuppa whenever he's in town with deliveries from New Bridge Cove. Poor man is devastated. He's talking about taking matters into his own hands if the mayor and sheriff don't do anything about these disappearances soon."

"What do you mean, taking matters into his own hands?" Joe emptied a teaspoon of sugar into his coffee, the spoon jingling on the side of his mug as he stirred.

"He wants to arm a posse and comb through the forest from Misty Falls to Ferntree. He believes whoever, or whatever is responsible is hiding out somewhere in the National Park."

Joe slurped on his coffee. "The mayor won't like that. What with tourist season just around the corner and the winter solstice in a few months' time."

"You got that right, busiest week of the year. Without solstice week, I think half the businesses in town would go broke."

"Well, you can tell Adam I'm in if he's after numbers."

Beryl pointed at a flyer with "Have You Seen This Girl?" in bold black print across the top pinned to a notice board near the front door. "That's Adam's poster. You can get his number from that. I'm sure he'll be grateful for your call."

Cook rang a bell. "Table eight," he called, sliding a plate piled with crisp bacon rashers, sausage, two eggs, sunny side up, and a stack of hash browns on the counter. He pulled a checkered tea towel out of his waistband and dragged it across his sweaty forehead before disappearing back into the cramped kitchen.

"That's your breakfast, hon," Beryl said, patting Joe on the back. "I'll be right back."

Joe nodded. "Thanks Beryl." He looked outside to watch children playing on a merry-go-round in the park while some older boys kicked a soccer ball to each other, then watched as the ball rolled down the grassy knoll to the water's edge. The lake was a pristine pool of gold, reflecting the sun and the odd cloud that drifted lazily overhead in the otherwise clear, blue sky. Ducks and swans glided gracefully across the shimmering surface, making him smile. He looked farther still, into the dark forest beyond. Something sinister was lurking there; he could feel it in his bones.

For as long as Joe could remember, there had been stories whispered about the mysterious goings-on in the ancient forests that encircled Misty Falls, Ferntree Falls, and all along the rugged coastline right up to Old Bridge Cove. He used to believe they were stories made up to tell around campfires at night. Now though, he wasn't so sure they were just stories. He began to think that something far more sinister was at work in those woods out there. Something real....

The bell above the café door jingled in response, sending an unnerving chill down Joe's spine. Something evil....

***

Alexandria stood on the platform of the bus terminal, passengers buzzing all around her like a swarm of angry bees. She only hoped that Andrew had escaped the onslaught of bodies and had found a safe haven. She shook her arms and legs and sighed, thankful that the journey was over. She drew in a long breath of fresh air and exhaled.

"Home at last," she said softly, picking up her brown suitcase. "Home at last...."

End of Witchwood Estate – Going home.

I hope you have enjoyed reading this short introduction to the Witchwood Estate Series – if so, please take a moment to leave a review.

Keep reading. Book 2 in the Witchwood Estate series – Ferntree Falls.

#  ABOUT THE AUTHOR.

PATTI ROBERTS was born in Brisbane Australia but soon moved to Darwin in the Northern Territory. Her son Luke was born in Darwin in 1980. She currently lives in Cairns, Queensland, where she is writing the Paradox Series and the Witchwood Estate series.

Patti has also written a standalone novel – About Three Authors – Whoever Said Love Was Easy? She has also published a non-fiction novel – Surviving Tracy. A book depicting true life accounts of those who survived the most destructive tropical cyclone in Australia's history.

In her spare time, Patti designs book covers and formats for other authors.

To the reader.

Find your silver lining. I did!

#  Contact.

**Email** : pattiroberts7@gmail.com

**Web** : <http://www.pattirobertsauthor.com/>

**Blog:** <http://witchwoodestate.blogspot.com.au/p/characters.html>

**Facebook:** <http://www.facebook.com/PattiParadox>

Twitter: <http://twitter.com/#!/PattiRoberts7>
Other Publications by Patti Roberts.

Witchwood Estate

Witchwood Estate – Going Home – (book 1) FREE

Witchwood Estate – Ferntree Falls

Witchwood Estate – Print Edition (book 1 and 2)

Witchwood Estate – Cursed (book 3)

Witchwood Estate – Timeless (book 4)

Witchwood Estate – Witches Bitches (book 5)

Witchwood Estate – The Viking Wedding (book 6) 2017

Paradox Series

Paradox – The Angels Are Here (book 1) 2010 FREE

Paradox – Progeny Of Innocence (book 2)

Paradox – Bound By Blood (book 3)

Paradox – Equilibrium (book 4)

Paradox – Elemental (book 5)

Paradox – Last Hope – (book 6) late 2016

Standalone Novel

About Three Authors – Whoever Said Love Was Easy?

Non-fiction novel

Surviving Tracy – true stories from the survivors of Cyclone Tracy.

Future Novels – Standalone contemporary.

I'm THAT Girl - 2017

Future book in new series.

KLA2EEN – Fantasy/sci-fi. – Late 2016

