The Mentor

I remember my first event after I became Wiccan.
My family and I lived in coastal Mississippi, a few blocks from the beach actually.

I had found out a group of Solitaries were meeting on the beach for a Midsummer open circle and a bonfire.

So I selected a white dress. I loved the dress, but not the color. So I dyed it with a paint Dye. It was a color somewhere between purple and deep pink. I thought it was beautiful! I prefer this method of dying because I get a wider range of colors and effects.

After the dress was dyed, I hung it to dry in the strong breeze coming off the Gulf of Mexico. While it dried I made a flower crown and some accessories in silk wildflowers. When the dressed dried I perfumed it by hanging it in a small closet with Nag Champa incense.

I felt like dressed in my power color smelling of my power scent, I was sure to have a wonderful time.

On the day before the evenings event, a baked some peasant bread and made homemade honey butter to take to the potluck.

When the night finally arrived, my husband at the time, took care of the kiddos so I could go and he wished me a good time.I was so excited for the bonfire.

When I arrived, around dusk, there were lots of people gathered round a large pile of wood for the fire. I was very nervous.

I added my bread and butter upon the table where all the the food had been placed and sat in the sand near the musicians.

It was group of several musicians, men and women, playing acoustic instruments and hand drums. They shook hands and clasp each other on the shoulder as they shared greetings. Each looked thrilled at seeing the next. It was as if they were old friends that were only able to get together for special occasions.

They began to play light upbeat Pagan folk music and I began to sing along with the songs I knew. I was completely wrapped up in the music when a few people got up and moved to the bonfire
pile.

They carried a coil of rope. A knife and a bouquet of roses and wildflowers.
I watched closely as one person held the end of the rope and the other two worked the coil around the bonfire pile. Then cut it free from the coil with the knife and tied the ends together to form a circle. Next, they cut runners of rope and tied them to the circle and laid them in the sand, like the spokes of a wheel.

The music stopped and as the musicians set their instruments down, people began the circle round the pile.

An older man and woman, the Priest and Priestess, walked closer to the bonfire and began to explain to us the work we would be doing.

We would build energy with a solar wheel. Then we would cast our needs and wishes into the fire. Afterward, we would fire scry for those with the skill.

Finally, we would welcome the rising sun with music dance, and song.

Some people picked up a spoke, others sat in the sand.

I picked up a the last spoke. We began to circle the pile as the priest set fire to it.

Faster and faster we circled the bonfire, until we all were running round the fire. It seemed we all ran faster as the fire grew, the power of one encouraging the power of the other.

We ran in the sand at a swift pace. I thought my heart would burst from excitement and exertion.

Then the Priestess called out, "Release!" And everyone tossed their spoke into the vigorous flames.

Then the Priestess said,"For the Goddess!" And tossed the flowers into the flames. The flowers were gone in an instant, taken by the flames for the Goddess.

Then many people plopped down where they stood, myself included, as the energy built during the Solar Wheel seeped through our bodies into the ground, and we were left breathing hard with our efforts.

The Priest called out to us to come to the table and write down our needs and wishes on strips of paper and toss them into the fire.

As I left the table, my strips of paper held to my heart, I felt electric, the energy still buzzing inside inside me.

I tossed my strips of paper into the fire and watched them immediately turn to embers. I watched the embers float up, carried by the rising heat from the flames, until they met the stiff breeze blowing in off the Gulf and floated away out of sight.

I returned to my spot and sat down, unsure what to do next.

A lady with long silver hair and a wrinkled smiling face sat beside me.

"I've not seen you before, dear."

"Hello. I'm new to the area. I'm Sorcha. It's very nice to meet you," I said quietly.

"My name is Bella. It is nice to meet you too, Sorcha. Will you be scrying tonight?",she asked kindly.

"I'm afraid I don't know how.", I admitted.

"Come with me and learn something new," she said as she rose in a way that belied her age.

I followed her as she walked around the bonfire looking for a fair pile of glowing coals. She found what she was looking for and sat me down in front of the coals.

"This is how to Fire Scry.
Think of a question. Gaze into the fire and coals. Open your mind to the images dancing in them. Allow thoughts, words and images to pass through your consciousness. Your answer will come." She said as she settled herself on the sand.

As I wanted the gentle flames and glowing coals, I began to feel a bit hypnotized. I began to see things in them and knew my question was being answered, it was up to me to interpret what I was seeing.

Then we broke to eat. My first Pagan potluck was wonderful
So many dishes I'd never tried before and my bread and honey butter was a hit.

The musicians began to play again as they grounded themselves with food.

Then my new friends gathered around the fire with their instuments and voices.
We sang, danced and made music to welcome Sun in!

Many wonderful things happened for me that night.

I knew I had found my path. That night effected me in a way that would influence my path to this day.

I met my mentor, Bella. She taught me many things before she crossed through the Veil. I miss her so much but still feel her beside me.

She taught me that knowledge and experiences are a gift that should be given freely and joyously. And that's what I do.

As I prepare to take new students I can hear Bellas gentle words, "Come with me and learn something new."

Thank you for letting me share this experience with you.

For Bella...
Tha gaol agam ort!
I love you!