............

I Am Somebody                  by Kelyla na Fili


        On this day Nap felt something different in the air. A heaviness that weighed upon his chest. He can not believe his father, Nam Neerg, is going to die. He can barely remember his mother, Unad, who had disappeared when he was 7 years old. At times he believes his father blames him because Unad left one day, never to return and Nap had said hateful words to his mother that morning but all children do that....Right? A woman shouldn't just forget her babies. Now his father laid in his bed, waiting for his own journey to come to its end. The terror of looking forward to Sonunnrec's gaining the crown was not a pleasant thought. He never felt so alone as he did now.

        There was a light tapping at Nap's door. He could hear the door open but Nap was not ready to face this day. " Are you awake, young one?" the sweet voice of Adaun always made Nap calm down emotionally. She had been there for him since he was a babe and as he open his eyes to look upon her graying hair, he realized just how much he loved her. " You are always kind to me, Adaun." and then taking notice of the plate of boiled mutton and roasted medlar." And you keep me fed, woman!!!" shouting over the noise coming from his belly.
" Come on now, lad, and eat up. Your father's kin has been showing up all night and I am sure they are going to want you around. Sonunnrec arrived last night and has been in your father's chamber for awhile." Right then she noticed the faint glamour of tears form in the child's eyes. " Well, maybe after you eat, you should go on one of those walks you like so much and clear your head. You are not a child anymore," she paused and reached for his hand," I see something different in your eyes, Nap. I see you changing."
Nap held back his sadness and eased her brain,"  I am fine, Adaun. Please do not fret over me." And with that she made a sound to indicate she wasn't buying his words and turned to leave. " I must warn you, though, Sonunnerc has been taking to the mead and is in one of his fine forms, I am sure. Take heed , my boy." And with that she was gone.
Nap was not in the mood to see his brother and deal with the same ill-temperament that he has had to face over the years. " The giant arse!" Nap realizing he said that aloud, finished his morning meal and dressed himself for a woodland outing. He loves taking his walks in the woods and feeling as if the trees and animals hear his every word. They are his friends, they listen and understand him. Sometimes Nap feels as if he belongs amongst the forest creatures and not man. But right now Nap would just like to disappear before his brother comes a calling. Swinging the cloak around his shoulder's, Nap quietly moved toward the end of the corridor, slipping through a secret passage door at the far end under the ugly old tapestry that should be burned, but that was just his opinion. Nap descended down the narrow stairs and out into the lower garden near the kitchen door, where he could hear drunken laughter coming out from the open cooks door and one voice louder than the rest sent a pain straight up Nap's spine. The last thing he needs right now is to have to deal with his brother. Moving slowing against the garden wall, Nap crept his way to the outer wall gate that lead out to the Great Forest.
               Then it came!!! Howling!!! " Damn it, Bordon. Stupid hound!!!" The large mutt came running up to Nap with tale wagging and a group of bone heads behind him.  "Shite, Bordon!!!"
          " Hey, boy, where do you think you goin' " Sonunnrec's drunk walk caused him to trip and step in a fresh pile of horse dung. " Son of a.....!"
           Nap couldn't make out the rest of it because Sonunnrec was having issues with holding a balance.
           " OOOO welcome, Sonunnrec. When did you get here? It is so good to see you, brother." Nap was feeling even more uneasy watching his brother move closer and closer to him.
           SMACK!!! " Hey!!!" screamed Nap as he started to rub his cheek. " What was that for?"
           " Today is your birthday, brother, and you are a man now and need to toughen up. You are like a woman.!! If I had a bit more Mead, I may lay with you." The rest of his drunk herd started roaring in laughter, making Nap feel the rush of tears building in his eyes. " All you need now is a dress!" The laughter grew and grew in volume. Nap turned around and ran so fast through the back gate and the tears burned his face but he couldn't stop the flow of them.
            " Life sucks!" as he reached a patch of oak trees near the Crooked Bend stream. Since his mother disappearance, he had taken so much abuse from is bull headed father and equally bull headed brother. Nap sat there for what seemed liked hours crying and whimpering with his face deep in his hands.
           " Are you quite finish with all that bluppering?" said a voice from with in the darkness of the trees.
           " Who....who said that? You better show yourself!!! I am Prince of these lands!!!"
           " These lands? Who told you that?" The voice was deep and low and disturbing. Nap had a fear just swift through his very core. " Who told you that you had authority here?"
            " Show yourself or I'll have you hung from the highest branch on these grounds!!" Nap had such a strong feeling a fear that he did not even realize he had backed himself up against a tree and was on his bottom.
              Just then he saw them! Eyes that glowed yellow and he could swear they cut through his flesh and were looking deep into his soul. Then the darkness moved! The shadow grew and grew till before him stood the largest wolf he had even seen. " Please do not eat me!" Nap covered his face with his hands, waiting for the creatures jaws to start ripping his flesh.
             " Calm down, boy. I will not hurt you."  Nap looked up to see a wolf with great pride before him. The animal looked like royalty with its chest proudly out and its head poised with honor.
             " Are you a God?"
               A frightning laughter bellowed from the wolf. " My name is Adgad and no I am not a God. I am friend not foe." Adgad slowly moved closer till he sat across from the lad.
               Shacking his head in disbelief, " I....understand your words?" Focusing closer into the creatures eyes, " How....how do I understand you."
            " Well, Nap," The wolf paused for a moment, " You will see clearing as time goes on."
            " How do you know of my name?" Thoughts that this maybe death coming to take him away, Nap started to rise as if he was preparing to sprint across miles like a rabbit about to be dinner.
               Adgad stood up and started to slowly circle the boy and in a soothing voice, " I need you to listen and hear what I am about to tell you. No questions, just hear my words for I do not like to repeat myself."
               Nap was confused enough but that level just went up a few. Not believing in the fact that he was hearing man words come from this being but it knew him.
               " Today is a special day for you...."
               " How did....sorry..." Nap remembered the warning he gave him.
               " As I was saying...from the day of your birth plus seventeen years, you were nothing but a human man. Today is the day you will grow into another chapter in your life." Noticing the confusion on the lad's face, he continued. " It is in your blood that gains special gifts that will come to you. Understanding and communicating with the wildlife is just a beginning for you. As the day rolls on, you will take note of changes happening to you."
               Nap had so many questions and the first would be, Who would wake him from this dream? But as if Adgad could read his very thought, " This is real, my boy. Let me tell you a tale of long days past." Nap tried to focus hard on hear the tale with an open mind. " From the beginning of life there was man and man knew who he was. He was part of the One Tribe, One Clan. A brotherhood between all life as you know it. One language was shared between man, animal and even Earth. One rule, one hope, one goal, " Adgad looked slyly into Nap's eyes," one King."  The wolf moved so he could look straight into the lad's eyes. " Then over a period of time, a great darkness started to spread across the lands and things changed. Most of man became different. They didn't speak to us anymore or for that matter....listened. Man became cruel and selfish. There became many Kings and wars and they became blind to  the land around them. They did not see, hear or feel the beauty that was right before their eyes."
              " But I hear you?" confusion was setting in deeper. The more the wolf spoke the more scrappled his brain got. " I understand the sounds falling from you with no trouble."
              " The connection between worlds is not totally lost forever.....yet. There is still hope. There is a clan of folks who are pure at heart and who are still commented to the old ways. Generation after generation the gifts come through with the bloodline of this family."
              Suddenly Nap broke out in laughter at the thought of his father and brother as pure hearted folk. They were the meanest men he knew. " You surley have the wrong person. No way my bloodline would care as far as the wild creatures and Earth alone are concerned. That is to funny. You have not meant my father or my brother." Nap's continued laughter stopped when he saw the look on the wolf. After listening to the silence for a moment, it hit him. Softly, with a hint of sadness and anger, the words fell from his lips." My mother." An overwhelming flood of emotions covered Nap's soul. " Don't mention her!! She is not loving and pure! She left me in the hands of my father and brother. What kind of woman would do that?" His eyes glistened with tears.
               " That is all I have to say for the moment. You are one of the clan, boy. You have a responsibility to seek knowledge about what is going to happen to you and who you really are. I am a friend.....and a guide." Adgad moved and sat very close, almost lovingly, next to Nap. " I will stay by your side always now. But you must not speak of this to anyone unless I say otherwise. Is this understood?"
              " Yes." Was the only word that softly spilled from his face.


               Figuring it was safe enough to sneak back into the castle without being seen, the pair quitely made their way through the court yard and up the East entrance way toward the dining hall.
            " Mmmmmmmmm......something smells good." Adgad stomach was so empty, he could eat a whole pig.
            " Shhhh! Trust me, you don't want this crew to see us."
            " To late, scab!"  Sonunnrec reached out and grabbed Nap by the back of the neck and knocked him on the floor.
            " Ouch, Sonunnrec!" Nap felt like his neck was broken. " Why did you do that?"
              Sonunnrec jumped up right into the boy's face. Nap could smell the bad odor of mead and boar on his breath.
            " Listen, boy, I'm about to be King and you must bow down to me. You need to remember that you are nothing but a thing. Your mother was not mine and she was nothing but a whore. You should feel lucky enough to be still in this castle and not in the barn cleaning up after my horse. Uuummm, sounds like a good idea."
            " GGRRRRRRR!!! " The low sound sent shivers up the human's spine.
            " What the........?" Sonunnrec spun around as if he was ready to draw his sword, but he froze when he came eye to eye to a beast with the largest fangs he had ever seen. Adgad slowly pushed his way between the two brothers. " Where did this mutt come from? Hhhhmmmm doggy? You want to follow a real man?" Adgad roared at Sonunnrec  causing him to fall back on his arse. Reaching again for his sword, Nap jumped up and screamed.
            " NO!!! Please. he's my birthday gift. Please," Nap lowered his eyes in shame, " as my King, I beg you."
 
              Sonunnrec's pride was thick and Nap had hit the right nerve. The elder brother stood up and laughed the most evil laugh Nap had ever heard. " You are lucky I am a kind King but if I see that scrap hound in my way, I may change my mind and skin him for my ritual fur." He knelt down to face Adgad, " How would you feel about that?" But before Adgad could jump to rip the "soon to be King's" face off, Nap jumped into action.
            " Thank you so much!!!" Nap screamed as he dragged the wolf down the hall.

              He found himself slowly ascending up the stairs in the West wing and paused in front of his father's door. " Da." The word was faint and Adgad doubting anyone but him could have heard it. The look of sadness was deep within Nap's face and the wolf's heart felt heavy for the lad. Reaching out, Nap placed his hand on his father's door and slowly pushed it open. Peaking his head inside, Nap could smell the odor of death lingering like a thick cloud. Nap could feel his stomach turning and was so glad he had not stopped to eat before he came up here. He is sure he would have lost a belly full all over the floor.

            " Where have you been?" The door flew open and Rikard, who was a hard man and it was understandable after being his father's companion for over thirty years, moved a side. He felt sorry for him because he never recalled Rikard being a married man or having children but then on second thought, who could blame him after watching how this family has been for years. " I was getting to know my new pet...."
            " Great. Another useless mouth to feed around here."  Nap lowered his head and he knew his birthday meant nothing around here. Nap looked up at Rikard and then toward the bed where his father laid. " How is he?"
            " How in the hell do you think I am?" Choking on chest fluid in his throat and yet he still had a growl  that could make your skin crawl. " I am dieing you idiot!! Where is your brother? I want to see my son."  Nap fought back the rush of tears that suddenly over took him. In his heart he felt that his father never gave a damn about him. How could his mother have loved him so little as to leave him here with this man when she left? Bitch!
            " Today is your birthday." The boy's eyes opened wide because his father never mentioned Nap's birthday. But his amusement disappeared as fast as it came. " For your last gift from me, I will be sure to tell your new King to allow you to stay here in the castle for the rest of your days. Plus we all know how useless you are and I am sure you'd be dead a week if you were left out in the real world."  The King started a hash coughing session before adding his last insult. " Useless like your mother. Get outta here and send me my son."
             " I'll go tell him that you are need of him." And with that Nap bowed to his father and ran out of the room. Once in the hall, the tears streamed down his cheek. It only lasted about a minute before Nap could regain himself but Adgad saw it with his own eyes and felt so bad for the boy. Nap wiped his face and spun around to run down the hall when he saw Madie, the West wing chamber maid. She was younger than the other maids, at least she looked it. Nap had a hard time believing that she use to be his mother's companion. She looked not much older than Nap himself. But the lad looked upon her as a sister he never had. She was always so kind to him. She would actually behave like a loving mother also to him at times and she did help the days alone go by much sweeter. 
            " And where are we off to in such a rush..." Her words faded as she took notice of the tear stains on his cheeks. " Oh, Nap. I am so sorry. Don't let that ogre get to you with his evil words. He is about to face his pains when he enters into his next level." Madie reached out to lift Nap's chin. " He's just an old fart." Nap smiled at her words. She always cheered him up. " Happy Birthday, my sweet man. I have a surprise for you." She reached underneath her apron and pulled out a key and placed it within his hand. In a low voice Madie said sweetly, " Nap, I give this to you as a gift." Nap looked oddly at the key and as if Madie read his mind," This is the key to your mother's room."
            " What would make you think I care about her room?" Actually he had been trying to break in there for years but the foot thick oak door was never going to open for him. Madie looked at the boy and was sure she was on the same line of thought as he. She remembers how he used to sit in front of the room and cry for hours when she left. She never understood the situation to begin with. I mean we all understood why she would not want to be with the King, even though he was wonderful to her but if she could see him now......but anyway...." You need answers and I think you need to look in there for some of them. I remember how much she loved you...." Madie let her words fade after seeing the tears developing again in his eyes. " Now cheer up and explore. This is your day and I see wonderful things happening to you." And with that she kissed Nap on the forehead and whispered, " I'll go send for your brother. You run along." After she gave him a hug, she turned and went toward the direction of the drunk noises on the other end of the corrador. Madie sure hopes Nap finds the things he needs to get over all this anger he held inside himself. He was such a darling young man. Now as for his brother.....she'd like to choke the last breath out of him!!!
             Nap looked at Adgad and whispered, " How did she know I was going to get my brother?"

              A Key!!
              The key......Nap kept rolling it between his fingers. How long as she been gone? How long had he wondered what was inside her little world behind that thick door? " I don't want to know" It was as if Nap was trying to talk the years of wonder out of his head.
            " Are you sure?" Nap almost had forgotten about his new friend. " No." replied the boy. Naps legs hurt after what felt like forever, walking down the empty rock hall that led to her room. He noticed the large amounts of dust and the hanging webs from years of neglect. His father must have ordered this area to be left alone. He did find that he had no trouble finding the oak door even after the past years of not caring anymore. He looked down at the key in his shaking hand and tried to place it in the hole. Breath! Was the word he kept repeating in his head. What did he care about this stuff anyway? So with that thought he placed the key in the door and ....Click! The sound echoed in his ears. Looking at Adgad, he whispered...." Here we go."

      

            " What? You can't be serious!!!!" Sonunnrec was furious. He could kill someone with his bare hands right now.
            " You heard what I said you, Twit!!!" He thought the King was actually laughing!

            " I am to be King!! I am the oldest and I am a fighter!! I am to be the next King, not that skinny, little troll boy!!" His father could not be serious and must be so far in the path of death, that he in not thinking straight.
            " HA!!! Yes, I die and you are King but what will you be King of? Nap will be a more powerful King than you.
            " Like hell!!" Sonunnrec could not hold his anger any more, as he reached out and grabbed his father by his shoulders. " You best explain." But it was to late. He was dead. The King was dead. He was King now. YES!!! But wait.  Sonunnrec's looked up at Rikard. " What the hell was he talking about?"
            " I,....Sire...,am sure I do not know. Might just be words of a dieing man. I shall leave now and make arrangements for your father's burning." And with that Rikard left swiftly.  Sonunnrec looked over at his father's shell and an evil flowed through his face, " I am King."


                               
              The smell of wild flowers filled Nap's nostrils. How could her smell still be within these walls after all these years? A sudden feeling of warmth overwhelmed his body. " Adgad.....I feel her."
              The room was dark and Adgad went off to pull the heavy rose colored drapes open. The sun beamed around the room as if it were flying from corner to corner, just like a bird. Like a bird of fire. It flew from candle to candle, illuminating everything. Nap started to look around and follow the light and as he was spinning, the walls transformed and took on the shape of trees and he could hear water. Sounded like a stream and then he could see things moving!! He saw animals and even these little insect creatures that seemed to be focused on him. They were smiling, very curious little things.
             " Where are we?" Nap could not believe his eyes. " What happened to the room?"
             " Follow me, boy." Adgad stood and walked like a human. Nap could not contain the bewildered look on his face. A walking wolf. Was he turning into a man? But without question, Nap followed straight behind him. Adgad lead the boy down a trail that went through a group of giant Willow trees and continued along a brook that flowed into a crystal lake. Nap could swear he heard laughter coming from within the lake. As they walked to the other side, the boy saw three pixies splashing and laughing in the water. " Strange." Then he realized he was about to loose sight of his guide. after walking for about another 30 minutes or so, they came upon a clearing with a small shack. As they got closer, they noticed a young woman, he'd guess in her twenties, standing outside cleaning her cobblestone walkway. Nap thought it odd that she would have a walkway that seemed to lead no where but so far it seems everything here was a little off balance. Adgad approached the woman and whispered something to her and then followed her inside the small shack. Nap thought it weird that she did not seem surprised that a wolf was flatly speaking to her. " Come" Adgad yelled to the boy.
               Nap walked into the shack and was stunned to see the large banquit room filled with strange animals walking on their hind legs and other odd creatures sitting around eating and talking. " But this place looked so small from outside....."
             " Quite, boy. Do not speak here. Not to anyone, you hear!!" Adgad know it was risky to bring the boy here but he really didn't have a choice. Nap nodded and followed his guide to a small table in the back and the woman came with some mugs of cider and some plates filled with fruit and cheese. Nap couldn't help but stare at his surroundings. He noticed Giants and goat men laughing and drinking mead with each other. " Quit ogling, boy. You will draw attention to us. Now eat." The lad did as he was told except of course, staring. He just tried to hide the fact he was amazed he was here.
               The silence lasted a while between them until the woman returned and whispered something into Adgad's ear. " Nap, I want you to wait for me outside." And with that the wolf arose and turned toward Nap and said," Remember do not speak to anyone." And then he was gone to the other side of the room. The boy finished his fruit and put a few block of cheese into a rag for later and swallowed the last of his cider. He was heading toward the front door when he looked one more time toward where his friend went and saw him speaking to a giant bull man. His horns were huge and his first thought was that if the bull wanted to seriously hurt someone.....they would die!! Of course in the middle of Nap's continued amazement, he did not realize he was about to walk right into a shadow of a man.
             " Oh excuse me, sir." the boy said as he went out the door. Words. Human words. The dark figure turned, smiled, and whispered, " I found him."


             " Ok, Nap, we need to get going." The lad jumped up from a log he was sitting on and followed his companion down the cobblestone path from earlier and noticed it ended after about twenty feet. As they got to the end, Nap was amazed to see Adgad disappear at the end of it. With a stunned look on his face, he followed right behind his guide and they came out onto a grass covered trail that led to another beautiful lake with shimmers of colors that would become so bright with the suns rays. Adgad walked up to a giant ox horn that rested on a pile of rocks and blew hard. The noise vibrated the very ground they stood on but oddly the small creatures around them did not seem to be bothered. Nap was not prepared for what came next. The water of the lake started to raise up in the air, like raining up instead of down. Seemed to be opening a spot for something to come out of the water. Nap could see it!!! It was monstrous and scary vision. A huge catfish like creature was walking on its fins and was coming towards them. The boy found himself stepping backwards till he tripped up his footing with a rock. This creature had to be at least 10 foot tall!!!
                Adgad walked up to the beast and said firmly, " Let them know we are here." and with that, he handed the fish a rolled piece of parchment and that was it. He was gone. " After you pick your mouth up off the ground, we better make camp for tonight." Adgad know the boy had so much going on inside his head but he know that his answers will come with in the couple days.
              " That was incredible!!"  Nap followed his wolf to a close glen and clear a way for a fire. His new friend left for about 20 minutes and returned with two small rabbits for their dinner and they both laid down on the soft grass for the night. Adgad was laying with his eyes closed when the lad broke to silence. " Are you ever going to enlighten me on what's going on around here? At my mother's room, you did not act suprised that this place was there. I mean in all fairness here, I am at a loss. Each day I end up with more questions than answers. " Adgad open his eyes and sat up to stir the fire, seemingly as if he had not heard a word the boy said. " Damn it, I deserve some answers here. I have been doing what was asked, without any questions!" Adgad knew the lad was right, but his orders were simple, fetch him, bring him, no questions, no answers. Plain and simple.  With a heavy sigh, Nap rolled over and squeezed his eyes shut. "  Sonunnrec is right. I am nothing. I am here in a place I don't know and following a talking dog."
             " We're waiting for our fish friend to come in the morning. You are in danger." Adgad rolled himself over to go back to sleep and Nap knew that would most likely be the most he would get out of the wolf tonight. He just kept thinking why would he be in danger? Then Adgad looked at Nap one more time and whispered," Your father has passed."



              A few hours went by and Adgad was already up with some fresh fruit and cream which he explained was from a farmer up the road. They sat and ate in silence till they heard a loud splash behind them by the lake. Adgad instructed Nap to put out the fire and follow. Upon his arrival at the lake, he took note that their fish friend had returned and his wolf guide spun to look at Nap with a serious look.  "You are in some real danger. I also have word that we are being followed. I fear now that you are a man, your enenies will be out to hurt you now more than ever." Adgad had grown a custom to the confused looks Nap has been carrying, but he knew that the boy's answers will be coming soon. " Jagen," the giant fish turned his attention to the wolf, " we need to get this boy to Her now. I am afraid his life is in my hands now more than ever."
            " Not a problem." and with that Jagen produced a large bubble and Adgad stepped in to it. Nap just stood there with his tongue drying out , when Jagen cleared his thought and firmly said, " We best be leaving now." That woke the lad up from his daze and he rushed inside the waiting water craft, which was surprisingly light in feeling.Nap thought he was on the very air but was inside. Adgad rested next to the boy and could feel his body shaking. He was scared.
            " We are going to have your questions answered. Trust me, you will be safe with me." Nap's guardian turned to Jagen and started to speak in a tongue he never heard of, but Jagen understood. He just shook his head in reply. Jagen started to push the bubble into the water and it seemed to sink, the further they went out. Nap knew Jagen would not drown but he was not so sure about them as the bubble totally submerged under the lakes shimmery top. " Relax, boy. You will be fine." And they were, they could breath safely inside of the bubble. He noticed all the wonderful sights under the lake. He saw mermaids and more fish men as they would wave at them. " We are traveling underwater because it would give us a lead on who ever is following us by at least a day or so. We are now harder to track. I think someone must have heard your human words and who ever is after you also now knows of what you look like." The guardian turned and looked at his companion, " You might as well try to sleep some more because we will be a while and then we have a hike ahead of us after this."


             " Damn!" Sonunnrec starting kicking up the ashes that were still alittle warm, which of course meant they had just missed them but this Shadow figure who he met in that pub, said that their trail was gone. This Shadowman seemed familiar when he met him but he could not figure out where he heard his voice from. But what luck for Sonunnrec finding this guy. He had went to kill that brat brother of his and found out that he had been seen going down the hall to that bitch's room. But he did not expect to find this strange place behind that door but he saw the tracks that lead into the trees and knew he had to find that boy and kill him. His father's words were ringing over and over again inside his head and he just couldn't take a chance of his destiny on the thrown be threatened. " You lost them!" That damn shadow guy said he knew exactly where that brother of his would be. He didn't want to be in this place to long. He was very uncomfortable here, almost haunted. " I can not take any chance of that brat becoming King.!"
             " Ah, no worries, my Sire. You are the King and that is the way it is. Stop stressing yourself. Damn humans fret too much." Sonunnrec was feeling a little uneasy but stopped to collect himself with a deep breath and tried to slow his spinning mind. He just had a feeling he needed his wits about him while dealing with this being. Focus. Where could Nap be? Shite, he didn't even know where he was! What did his father mean by " King"? OOO he was angry that he had no answers. He could feel himself becoming tempered again. He just couldn't take any chances, he had to find and kill that child.
             " Well, my guess would be that he has a Trout guard helping him." The dark man noticed a formation on the gravel near the waters edge. " See these?" He pointed to the way the markings slide on the pebbles toward the water. " A fish man. A big one at that. If he helped them, they have a good start ahead of us." The Shadow turned toward Sonunnrec as if he was searching his brain to find some answers. " The Queen. I bet that's where he is going." AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH! It is time of Festival. I think I know where he is going."  He instructed the new King to stay put and make camp. He had a good idea where the boy would be lead too and he needed to get a spy there as soon as soon as possible to make sure. He knew they most likely had a good day's lead on them and traveling with this human will cause them a slower journey.



                Nap was going over the days events inside his head. His father is dead. In a way he was very sad. His father could not help his anger over his mother's leaving them. Nap was the only son out of their relationship and from what he could remember; his father had a great passion for his mother. Actually, almost like a sick love. The lad closed his eyes to whisper a short prayer for his da. But then suddenly, Nap's head started to hurt. Raising his hand to feel where the source of pain was coming from, he felt to quarter size lumps, one on each side of the front upper part of his head. He was trying to remember where they may have come from. He didn't recall hitting his head anywhere.
             " We're here." Jagen's words snapped Nap from his train of thought. He took a moment and looked around himself as he stepped out of the bubble. This place was beautiful and full of commotion. Music was playing in the background and Nap looked at all the wondrous creatures that where around them. He saw unicorns and a baby dragon that he had only heard of in stories. Animals that walked like men and looked like the humans in their dress and diversity from his homeland. Birds were speaking to raccoons and he could see goat ladies shopping for hats at a street mart. He looked toward the south end of town and saw actual Giants and Ogers encaged in card games at outdoor eateries and pixies flying around singing along with the music as they hung decorations on the town buildings. It looked as if they were getting ready for some grand party. But suddenly, Nap felt something very familiar about his surroundings. He could remember some of the senses from his imagination. He had heard about this place from tales. HIS MOTHER"S STORIES!!! OOO searching his mind he could not remember the name of this place. " Nede!!" the boy screamed out causing Adgad to spin around and look at the lad with amusement and curiosity. " That is correct, Nap."


               " Where the hell did he go?" Sonunnrec slammed a pint down on the table. After his dark friend had returned from somewhere last evening, they ate and then travelled all night and he was in no mood for anything right now. He had been so irriatated that he didn't even stop to notice where he was. Sonunnrec looked at the strong happenings around him and took note that there were talking and walking animals all around them! " How odd." he took a moment and looked down at his mug. " Did someone tip my drink?"
               " No, Sire." Shadow wanted to laugh at the idiot with him. " You must take a moment and remember you are in the Otherworld, Sire. You must remember things here are different," Shadow paused for a few seconds," at least till your dead."
               " Be quite! Just because you are more familiar with this realm does not mean I am powerless. I will take you down too if need be."
Sonunnrec was angry. He hated it when anyone made him feel stupid.
               " Oh really?" The dark Shadow moved his face into the light and what Sonunnrec saw made the color drain from his face. Sonunnrec couldn't make out the major details of Shadows face, but what he saw was death's decay in front of him. " Looks like someone beat you to it." His low laughter sent chills up the King's spin, but after a few strange moments, Sonunnrec started to laugh also. An evil chuckle.
               " What better man to help kill somebody." The two roared so hard it made some of the locals very uneasy. But just as fast as it started, the dark man's fist came crashing to the table which brought the King's laughter to its end.
               " Remember,.........King..........., a man can die many times." And on that note, Shadow laughed again as he took another drink.
               " Yeah." was all that Sonunnrec could release from his mouth.


                  From the stories of his youth, his mother used to speak of a village called Nede that was filled with the most mysterious of beings. From Giants to Feary folk and from Walking Lion knights in their armor and dancing in their ball gowns, the cat would swing. He remembered his mother speaking of an old Crow woman named Bdab and her crazy little friend Eaf, who would disappear and move items all the time on her. Nap started to smile as he remembers the tales. He remember his mother speaking of Giants who were addicted to gambling and even of a weird innkeeper named Boris who had three eyes, yet was blind but would never admit it. He would walk into things and blame other folks for trying to hurt him. Nap started to laugh to himself. He loved those stories. Nap wondered if he would run into Boris so he could see the magic crystal glasses he wore. Oh the memories of Unad's stories would make Nap dream of great adventures. But after a heavy sigh, he knew those dreams were no more. He started to feel a heaviness in his heart and the tears start to build within his eyes. STOP IT!!!! He screamed inside his head. He tried real hard to regain control of himself but not before Adgad took notice.
                " Come, Nap," Adgad started to move toward an alley way, " we need to get somewhere safe. We can not have you seen here just yet. Plus you need some rest and food."  The wolf turned quick enough to throw a red jewel toward Jagen who returned just nodded and retreated back to the waters. Looking back toward Nap he placed a paw on the lad's shoulder and try to comfort him. " You are a man now, huh? I need to stop calling you a boy." With that Nap got to see him grin for the first time. " You are a very important man and may see things that frighten you but stay strong." Then Adgad spun back around to follow the narrow passage ways that led to an inn. Nap could smell the food inside and realized he was tired and hungry.
                   They walked inside the inn and Nap noticed how beautiful it was with its gold trim and red carpet. The hall was created with a dark wood and smelled of fresh roses that were set along the tables in the seating area. The wolf rang the bell for the keeper and they both turned when they heard a loud crash. " Who put this damn chair here in my way. I swear you all are trying to kill me!" Shouted the voice from behind the counter. Nap couldn't get a good look at the keeper because of Adgad's large frame but he laughed about him all the same.
                 " I need a room in a quit hall, ole' man."
                 " I just so happen to have one room left. You know you are lucky because with the Festival starting soon, it will be crowded around here."  Nap peeked his head around Adgad's shoulder to see the innkeeper. And upon looking at him only one word could he force out of his mouth " Boris?"


                 " Can you think of any reason why that wolf would be leading that boy here?" Shadow was curious in knowing if Sonunnrec had any idea on what was going on. They had been riding some horses they stole off a farmer all night and they had finally made it to Luag about twenty miles from Nede.
                 " How in the hell would I know why a damn dog is taking my brother anywhere, let alone here." Sonunnrec was wondering exactly where here was. This place gets stranger and stranger by each day. He was also wondering why this Shadowman would believe the dog was leading the boy.
                 "Here is not where your brother is. We will reach that place in the morrow but...." Dog?" Shadow had forgot for a moment that this man had no idea who Adgad was. He wondered if he should enlighten him and see how his reaction would be. " Let me grow your mind some, my friend, on exactly the nature of that beast." Shadow jumped down from his horse and tied it up in front of a shop. After waiting on his partner to do the same, the dark figure grabbed Sonunnrec's by the shoulder and whispered in a deep scary tone, " That dog you so speak of so carelessly is very dangerous. He is a shape shifter, you see. He was honored by the Queen of this land for his mission of killing over two thousand Rif Glob people."
                " Rif Glob people?"  Sonunnrec's voice was nervous and he didn't care about whatever people but the number of two thousand was enough to rattle anyone. But he kept repeating it in his head. " Rif Glob." Wait a minute. Where had he heard that before? His father? No, no, his father only told him boring stories of his war issues. Unad? YES! He would eavesdrop on her telling that brat stories at bedtime and she spoke of these folks. " I remember hearing that brat's mother, Unad, tell stories of these people."
                " Stories? No. They were real once." The dark man looked at this king's eyes with amusement." They were more like history." Shadow turned around and walked toward the stables and felt happy with himself. He loved to ruffle feathers. But his grin soon disappeared as he realized something. " Unad....Damn!"


                 "Aye, that is I, boy. Do I know you?" The innkeeper looked as if he was struggling really hard to see through his crystal opticals, which started to shine yellow when the keeper looked Nap up and down.
                " Just give me the key." Adgad was irritated that now they had attention towards them. He snatched the key from the keepers hand and went toward the stairs." Come, Nap." The young man followed right behind but kept looking back at Boris. Boris thought to himself that the boy looked so familiar but could not place his face. " Just mind your business ole' man, if you don't want anything to happen to you." And with that Adgad tossed a gold coin toward the man and watch how for a blind man, he had no trouble catching the payment.
                " Would you like me to send up some food, Mister?"
                " Adgad and yes." They pair disappeared up the stairs. The innkeepers daughter came out from a back room and looked at her father." Someone needs food?"
                " Yes." His daughter took a harder look at her father.
                " Are you ok, father?" she said calmly as she placed her hand on his arm.
                " Aye, lass. I have a feeling that this years festival is going to be a start of a new beginning for us all." A smile started to curl on his lips.



                  Sonunnrec was trying to remember the stories Unad use to tell word for word. He did happen to recall a tale about a soldier named Aggie or something that was a great worrior but a tribes woman had placed a curse on him for all the murdering he was doing to her people. The curse would not be broken unless he completed a mission on humanity. The old woman had turned the warrior into a wolf. A WOLF! NO! " Do you think it is the same wolf?" The dark figure turned to face him and was curious on what he was speaking about. Was he starting to remember? YES! Unad use to speak of a warrior who was upset with the world when his son was killed in a battle and ended up being a hero for the Queen because he literally massacered a whole tribe of people who would not bow to the royals and they were planning to killing the Queen. So, there was an old Crow woman who belonged to the Rif Glob but was saved because she loved the Queen and watched over her daughter. But for her peoples sack she still felt like she had to do something, so she cursed the solider who led the slaughter and she hide the Queen's daughter from her and swore to bring her back when the Queen was to pass on." Sonunnrec still needed more answers. He search his mind to remember more of the stories but right now he was just to tired to think. " I need to eat!" He spun around and heard where all the drinking was coming from and started heading that way.
                  " I will join you after I attend to some business." The Shadow disappeared around the stable in search of his friend the Goblin. He was sure he should have located the boy by now. Shadow looked in and out of the alley ways till he found who he was looking for. " Have you news for me?" He whispered behind the Goblin, scaring the life out of him.
                  " Why do you do that?" The Goblin has been uneasy about following a human but he knew not to say no to a Shadow. As the Goblin caught his breath he sat down on a mead barrel and told the dark man that Nap was indeed at Nede and that he did also see Adgad leading him. He also let him know that the Queen would be arriving in Nede for festival. This was very interesting news.
                  " You need to go back and find me the boy. Follow him and make sure when I get this useless King to Nede, that I know exactly what Adgad is up too." Shadow had noticed that the human King went into the local pub and turned around to head in that direction.
                  " Why do you use this human? What are you up to", the Goblin knows when a shadow latches themselves to a human, no good for the human will come out of it.
                  Shadow looked behind him at the smelly fea and warningly said," Don't you concern yourself in with my matters." The Goblin could see the red deep in the dark man's eyes. And he spun again and was gone.
                  " I almost thought I was a dead one." and the Goblin left to go back to Nede.

                   Sonunnrec was trying drunkenly to remember so more of the Unad tales. DAMN! It has been at the least he guessed ten years since he heard them. " I hate her." He whispered as he sipped a shot of local clear whiskey. That bitch ruined his father. Just came and moved her way into his father's heart about  two years after his own mother died. Damn fever took her so fast. But his da was never as upset with loosing his mother as he was with Unad. That woman just absorbed him. Unad. There was always something strange about her. His father found her. Odd but true. He was hunting in the forest and came upon a woman who looked hurt and that was it on that story. Who was she? Where did she come from?
                   


                   Nap was sound asleep. After stuffing his belly and soaking in his hot bath, the boy was done. Good, thought Adgad. He had business to take care of. It was time for him to get to the pub and get the latest updates.
                   As he entered the pub, Adgad looked around for his contact from home and he found him. How could he not. His dear friend, Fin, was a bullman and standing around 9 foot plus, no one could miss this big guy. Fin and Adgad was were brethen of the Royal military and Adgad had great respect for his friend as a warrior and knew that he could totally place this boy's life with in his hands. " Ah, Adgad!" The giant bullman stood up to give his friend a hug. " It is so good to see you have not been killed yet." Followed by his witful laugh. Him and his wolf friend always bet who will be taken out first with their ever growing list of enemies.
                   " I see you are still a brick wall." Looking upon Fin's large frame. " And you are in need of sharpening those horns. Age wears them down."
                   " HA! Ramming them in to those damn buggers who get in my way wear them down!" Then a roar of laughter came from them both. Fin was a member of the Taruos clan and Adgad really needed the strength of the big guy. " Any way, never mind my horns," Waving toward the barmaid for some ale," I think we need a few of these."
                   " Oh you just don't know, my brother! But I am glad to see that your kinsman from the Widow's buffet house got to you soon enough." Adagd swallowed his ale in one swallow. " Oh yeah, that hit the spot!" Adgad grabbed another and they both went to go sit down and discuss the matters at hand before both of their brains get cloudy. " What's the news?" trying to keep his voice down, being concerned of spies eavesdropping.
                   " Well, She is very excited about the boy and happy that you were able to connect with him so quickly."  Fin raised his hand to signal for another round. " Has he been asking nine hundred questions?"
                   Slamming his drink down the wolf answered, " Actually no. He seems to take direction well." Adgad waved for more ales, " I do want to tell you that I have a feeling that I'm being followed. I was able to get a head with Jagen to buy us sometime but I fear whom ever is after the boy will be here soon. So I will need you to stick around for some time and be my second eyes." The wolf swallowed down his drink and Fin waved for more. " I feel, Fin, that this boy is in some serious danger."
                   " I heard a rumor that a Shadow was seen in the area and it had attached itself to a human. And it was also said that this human is a King." Fin could see the irritation on Adgad's face and realized this news was very important. " I take it that you have more information on this?"
                   " Aye. That King is most likely the boy's brother." The wolf went through a brief explanation on the relationship between Nap and his brother. " That poor boy won't care one way or another if he dies because of his emotional feelings." Finishing his drink and waving for another, he continued, " We have to make sure he is safe till Festival. Enemies toward the boy are not really hard to handle for us but if this Shadow has connected to his brother, then we have our work cut out for us."
                   " Anyway, She should be here the day after the morrow for Festival. I am not happy about it with all the dangers around, I fear for Her safety." Fin's brain was starting to spin alittle but waved for another round. " I think in the morning I will run around and see who is following you. Maybe they are watching now and see that you have a big, strong protector with you."
                   " Shut up , you big lump!!!!" A roar of laughter escaped the two has the forgot business and remembered the good times they had shared through the years.

 The sun was bright and warm as it beamed across the room onto Nap's face. It felt so good to sleep again in a bed and he felt like he had been out for days. Stretching his arms and yawning he slowly opened his eyes in hopes of finding himself back at the castle and in his room. But he was not and it actually felt like a good thing. " I do believe it is going to be a beautiful day!"
                    A giant mound on the floor started to moan. " Be quite, boy." Adgad didn't feel to good. How in the hell did he end up back here. " Oh my head. Someone chop it off." The wolf sat up and buried his face in his paws. " How did I let that Beast talk me into this?"
                    " Well, if that's a thank you, you are most welcome, brother." Fin was all clean and ready to start the day. He had been waiting for these two to wake up, so he could eat. " Come, boys, lets get motivated. I am starving!" Fin could see the lad's eyes open wide and he could guess the kid was amazed at his wonder form.
                    " What are you still doing here? I thought you were going to find our tracker." Adgad's stomach started to make weird sounds. " I think my body is going to explode."
                    " Oh come on, ole' man. I am hungry, plus I already for the snit. It seems the Shadow has put a Goblin on your tail." Fin sat his large body down on chair and Nap wanted to laugh when he heard it crack. " I helped you here last night and then when back out to visit that barmaid and on my way back, I noticed our Goblin friend talking to a Troll about a human youth staying at Boris's place." Nap was just so fascinated by this bullman. He could almost see a human side to the creature. Then Nap looked over at Adgad and took note that he too was shaping more into a man form than wolf. Strange. " Good morning, son. Are you hungry?" Nap spun his eyes to gaze back upon Fin.
                    " Good morning, my lord. I am Nap and yes, I am in need of some serious food." A roar of laughter filled the room from Fin and Adgad's head couldn't take it. Fin sat there for a second and stared upon Nap's face.
                    " Adgad," the wolf looked up at Fin, " young Nap here looks like someone we know." Nap looked at Fin with so many questions on his face.
                    " Shut up, Fin." Adgad was up on his feet now. He knew that if he just sat here, the boy would get bored and start asking questions and if he knows Fin, the answers come so loosely from his lips. " We need to get the day going and get stuff done before She gets here."
                    Nap sat quietly and put his boots on. Who was this " She" that they spoke off? Were they referring to the Queen of their land? What did She want with him? " Ready, boy?" Nap snapped out of his daze and was ready to follow where they led as long as his stomach was happy. " I can not wait to get to Besty's place." Fin checked to see how Adgad's progress was coming. " Come on and let us get some sap into those veins, ole man."
                    " I am not in the mood for you nit picky, WOMAN!" The wolf was getting irritated with his teasing. " I am ready. Let us be on." But Adgad froze for a moment. VOMIT! All in the wash bowl next to the door. Boy, did he need that!! " I feel much better now."



                    " Where the hell have you been?" Sonunnrec was not in a good mood. It seemed he had no idea where his dark friend had disappeared too and he got alittle out of control with his mead. He should have known better than drink when he had so much anger in him. He doesn't remember how he woke up in some wench's bed but he was glad that at least he didn't pass out in an alley way or something. But Sonunnrec had made his way to this eatery to get his fill of buscuits and boar. He had been getting frustrated waiting on his dark friend.
                    " Well," said the Shadow in a softy but eerie spoken tone. " in you many rambles, you were speaking of a town called Nede. Are you starting to remember things? Things from these tales or stories from Unad?" Shadow, himself, was growing tired of how slow this humans mind works.
                    " That's right. Nede." Sonunnrec was starting to remember. " The story. A town where they held great Festivals for the Kings and Queens of this land." He recalled the runts mother saying something about how the Fae folk and the animal people blended so peaceful with each other there.
                    The Shadow moved up behind him and whispered in his ear, " Yes....but it is a real place. And the boy is there."
                    " Nap?" Sonunnrec jumped up and shoved his last piece of biscuit into his face. " Let's get him."
                    The Darkman was growing excited about the power he would get when that boy was slaughtered.



                    " Well, the bar lass said she saw one of these shadow forms in here last night speaking to a goblin about a human boy." Fin turned his eyes toward Nap. " Do you actually taste your food as you shovel it in?"
                    Nap tried to slowly chew his food. He just couldn't get over how wonderful simple food tasted here. After he swallowed Nap just had to ask," Shadow form?" Nap was lost again but took the silent moment to grab a fig and start talking with a mouth full of it. " I am never going to get this stuff straight."
                     " Don't strain yourself, boy, just eat." Realizing again he would most likely learn more if he just listened. Adgad thought for a moment and looked at Fin. " I remember seeing a Goblin near the blacksmiths this morning. Maybe we should visit him." The wolf had an evil grin slowly forming on his face and Fin knew exactly what he meant by " visiting". "Hurry up, Nap, we need to get you back to the room. With all the folks arriving for Festival today, I believe you are in more danger."
                     " Why don't you make sure the lad gets back," Fin stood up and tossed a few gems on the table, " I am going to go see if I can find our green friend." With that Fin was gone and Adgad and Nap left not long behind him to return to the room.

part 1

Part 2........................

                     Nede. So this was the place of mystical legends. Damn it! There are to many creatures here. Sonunnrec was not looking forward to trying to find Nap in all this chaos.
                     " Relax." The dark man tried to calm his human counter part. " I have a contact here that has been following your brother." Shadow just had to figure where that nasty bugger Goblin would be this morning. " Why don't we go get a mug of mead and then we'll go get your Nap and kill him." The way Shadow had calmly said that sent a chill up Sonunnrec's spin.
                     " You know I don't quit understand why you are so eager for Nap's end." He was starting to get a real bad feeling about this guy and it really made him uneasy.
                      " Let us say we both have the same interests in making sure that boy is never a King." Shadow knew saying the word " King" would touch a nerve.
                     " He won't!" I am King and I am my father's first born! No one can take that from me!" His blood was starting to boil again. How many times does he have to say it?
                     " Yes you are, my friend."



                     " There's that little smell hog. I swear human's are so ugly!" The Goblin finally got sight of that boy this morning. He was getting a little worried and did not want to have to tell that Shadow that he lost track of the lad. He for one knew the nastiness that those dark creatures could do to someone and he did not want any part of it. " Oh but I did hear they taste real good. I wonder if I will be able to pick his bones clean."
                     " I hear they give you an upset stomach." The Goblin spun around to see a giant bullman in front of him. But he was able to see the anger in his eyes because Fin was more than happy to grab the goblin around the throat and raise him to his level. " Who sent you to follow the boy?"
                     " Wh...What makes you think I am not following him on my own?" Feeling the bullman's grip tighten at his neck.
                     " You are from a race of idiots and can't manage anything without being dictated too." And with that Fin planted his fist into the middle of the smelly beings face and knew he would be out for a while. Fin started to search the nasty being's pockets for any information but only came across a piece of paper with two words. " Horned One".


                     " Merry Festive Day, my brethren!" And with that Fin dropped the goblin onto the floor in front of Nap and Adgad. Laughing at Nap's first reaction to the smell of the being. " Yeah they are a stinkin' lot."  Nap was sure his breakfast would come up from the stench but held it down but Adgad wasn't so lucky. " Ha! I told you , Wolf, not to eat the dates." Fin roared with laughter and Adgad was not the slightest bit amused.  Fin turned to open a window and then plant himself on a stool by the window. " When I left you guys earlier, I noticed this shite tripping over stuff to hide and I bet he honestly believed no one saw his arse." A moan came from the Goblin and Fin laughed out loud. " I hit him pretty good and I believe he'll be out for a few moments. So I think we should go get a few needed items and wait for him to get up and let him lead us to whom ever want you gone, boy."
                     " I still do not understand why someone would want to kill me. I am nothing." Adgad hated to hear the lad say such things but he knew that Nap knew no better because of that damn father of his. The wolf had faith that the Queen can help the boy realize just how special he is. He did not like the fact he could not better explain this to him.
                     " Well, lets get some answers then." The wolf led the trio out the room door but not before giving that Goblin a good kick in the groin for making him sick again.



                       " Why are we just sitting here? We need to be looking for that brat!" Sonunnrec was getting antsy and did not want to be in this strange world long than need be.
                       Shadow was getting a little irritated himself. " Where did that damn Goblin go? He was suppose to be here." Shadow looked around and saw the his green fae  stubble out of the inn. " There he is. What is he drunk?" The dark man had a sudden need to punch the Goblin in his face. The pair made there way toward the smelly demon that seemed to be holding his face. The dark shadow reached out and snatched the Goblin by the back of the neck and dragged him down the East side alley way and threw him up against the wall. " What the hell is wrong with you? Drink a bit to much, you stupid bugger!!!! Where is the boy?"
                       Sonunnrec's never realized how angry this Shadow could get. He still can't figure out what he was to gain from his brother demise.
                       "Please, sir, have mercy. I 'm not full of the mead, some giant attacked me. Never seen the bull before but he knocked me on me arse! My face feels like it is in a million pieces."
                       Bull? Why would a bull man even be concerned about a goblin? " Did you piss him off?" The shadow did not need any of this goblin's issues interfering with his plans. He'd kill this snit if he screwed things up. " Never mind. Where is the boy?"
                       " Do you know where my brother is?" Sonunnrec was getting tired of the delay. He wanted to get home and be King. He had orders to give and this was wasting his time.
                       " All right, no need to get out of sorts." The Goblin rubbed his face and neck. It was so hard to breath when a fist went through his nose. " Damn humans have no sense of patience." He snarled and looked toward the Shadow. " I see why you chose him. Two peas and all."
                       Shadow had enough and grabbed the Goblin at the throat again. The shadow was angry and brought his evil breath up close to the eyes of the goblin. " Don't even try to think you are on my level. You know I could end your worthless life at any moment. Now answer the " King's" question." He lowered the creature back to his feet.
                       " King?" the Goblin looked and measured up the human. " So you are the new human King? You don't look special to me."
                       " I am counting in my head the time you have left!"
                       " He is here!" The Goblin wanted done with these men so enough. " In town here. I saw the boy last eve with that wolf of his." His eyes focused on the shadow before he whispered, " I also heard " She" is coming."
                       She? " Do you mean the Queen?" Shadow's interest drew Sonunnrec's attention. Shadow quickly looked at the human King and yelled, " We need to get that boy now!" Shadow actually looked scared for a moment. Sonunnrec made a note to himself that this Shadow has a fear, it seems.



                       " Well, there ya go, lad. Do you recognize anyone over there?" Nap took a peak around the Fin's torso toward the two human forms speaking to that Goblin Fin had knocked out earlier.
                       At first the two forms looked like twins but after a moment, Nap had no trouble in identifying one of them. " Sonunnrec !" Nap quickly buried his face into Fin's chest in hopes of hiding and no one seeing him. He had a fear just crawl over his whole body. Adgad had a deep anger run through his blood. He felt the boy's fear and he swore to protect this young man with his very soul. Doing this humanitarian mission to rid himself of his curse meant nothing any more. Who believed in Her. " Is he really going to kill me, Adgad?"
                        " Get him to the Old Crow's house. I will be there shortly." Fin nodded in understanding and Adgad turning to face Nap. " No one will ever hurt you. This I promise you. She is here." With that Adgad turned down the alley way and ran off on all fours.
                        " Boy, I haven't seen him on all fours in years." Fin smiled in attempt to soath the lad. " You are in for a special treat, Nap. The Crow is the witch of this land. She is the last of her people and a close friend of Adgads." Fin grinned and laughed softly " I guess you could say she is who made Adgad who he is today." With that the pair were on their way to see the Crow.



                          Adgad found himself in front of Arat Castle just outside of Nede. He knew that this would be where She would be staying. He missed Her. Adgad focused on the task at hand and went around the back to the Gardens. When he rounded the large row of roses, he knew he was right. There She was. She had long flowing hair the color of night and skin that would hide her in the snow. She was beautiful and he loved Her. Who didn't. She was Queen. But for him it was something else altogether. He had done Her every wish because from the moment he saw Her, he was under the Queen's spell. He never had a chance to tell Her. The Crow had changed him right before he could utter a thought on loving Her. But soon. Adgad knew he was about to make Her very happy and the thought almost made him cry.
                          " My lady." Adgad whispered from behind Her. " Miss me?"
                          The Queen spun around to face the wolf. Her wolf. " But of course, my dear Adgad. Ever so loyal to me." She wrapped Her arms around him and placed a warm kiss upon his nose. " I have been waiting for you. Have you news?" She spun toward a tree stump throne that sat as Her meditation chair in Her garden. " Have you met the boy?"
                           " Aya, I have and he is here. In Nede with Fin." Adgad could see the tears build with in her eyes. " He has many questions but like you said, I answered nothing."
                           She could not believe Her ears. " Nap is here." She whispered into the wind. The Queen raised Her eyes toward Her wolf. " You have made me so happy, Adgad. I love you so much for this." That comment made his heart skip a beat. She a rose and placed Her hand upon his chest. She could feel his heart beating in his chest. She looked into his eyes and ask how did Nap fair.
                            " He is beautiful, Unad."



                             The house was deep in the wood and well hidden by the greenery of the trees and brush. Luckily Nap was able to follow Fin because with his large frame he was able to clear Nap a path with no troubles at all.
                              " We are here." Fin stepped up upon the wooden porch and knocked on the door. But when Nap reached the house a sharp pain ran through his head. His hands attempted to ease the pain but a shock ran over him as he felt two hard bone pieces sticking out from his head. " What in the God is happening?"
                              " In the name of God indeed." the voice was low and deep. Fin turned to look upon the Crow of Nede. Some say she is over centuries old yet he has witnessed first hand how she can look old one moment and then so young and beautiful the next. She was the last of the Rif Glob. They were a race of mystics that were effected by the hatred and disease of the human world. A race that would eat the bones of the dead to suck the very soul into their own bodies. But there were a few called the Crows of Nede. These were women of great magic and wisdom and knew that their own kinsmen were heading for extinction. She is the Queens council and the woman who changed Adgad.
                               " A do, madam. I am sure you know why we are here." The Crow looked at the young man that had fell onto her steps. " Do you have somewhere we can lay the boy?"
                              " Yes. Bring him inside, quickly." Fin reached down and picked the lad up. Upon taking him inside, Fin looked at the strange horns that had appeared on the top of Nap's head. Crow noticed them also and a faint smile came to her face. " I see the time has come in the land for a change." She went to go get her bowl of water and a towel.
                              " My head hurts so bad. What is going on?" Nap had his eyes closed. It felt as if two swords were pushing backwards through the front of his head.
                              Fin noticed that these were not average horns like his or others of the horn kins men. These had extra stems but he could tell that they were not at there full growth yet. These horns still had a covering of soft baby fur. " You're going to be alright, Nap. Hang in there, son"
                               The Crow said a prayer above Nap's head and started to notice the sweat from his brow. " I have waited a long time for this." She looked up to see the worry in Fin's eyes. " Do not fret, Bullman. It has to be."
                               Fin sat there while the Crow did her healing spells. She did seem to be easing Nap's pain and he feel asleep. Then she was quietly off to fix some food for the pair. " Where the crap is Adgad?" Fin was speaking to himself out loud.
                             " Right here, woman." Adgad had been hiding outside, making sure he was not followed. " She sends her love."
                             " I bet She did." He could tell from the wolf's grin that he saw Her. " Nice to see you chipper."
                             " Shut up, ole man." Adgad looked over at Nap and then to a face he had not seen for awhile. " Hello, Bdab, looking good."
                             " Well, well wolfman." a smirk slowly came to her face. She changed her appearance to that of a young woman with flaming red locks that hung down to her bottom. Skin so fair, she almost looked angelic. Fin and Adgad were both amazed at how beautiful she was, yet very deadly to any man's soul.
                             " How is the boy?" Adgad re-directed his eye sight because she was becoming to hypnotic.
                             " Boy? Come now, Adgad. He is a man." Along paused silence hung in the room. " Or.....should I say, " A King"? What might you say........Wolfman?"
                             " I say what are those on his bloody head?" The wolf just happened to take notice under the wet rag, a horn....no.....an antler sticking out. Adgad's eyes opened wide as a sudden shiver flowed through his body. He fell to his knees and looked at Fin. " Could it be true?"
                              " I was waiting for someone to say something." Fin connected eyes with the wolf. " You should have seen them growing out of his very skull. But like I told the witch, these horns, I mean antlers, are going to get bigger. They're not done goin' " Fin turned to look at Bdab for some sort of response. But all he saw was a huge smile on her face.
                               " Oh come now, Gentlemen. It is a wonderful thing for this world and the other. History in the making for us. Rejoice, my brethren." And with that she turned and left the room.
                              
                              " Adgad, we still have another issue to think here. If this is truly " The One" and we are being followed by a Shadow who has connected himself to the human King, we have a serious problem here." Fin helped Adgad up and they sat at the table close by and whispered, " I give it to this evening and this.....lad.....will be in full form and that Shadow will make sure he does not do that." Fin turned as the Crow returned with a large and dusty book.
                               " You see......Chapter 8." She dropped the book on the table and whispered the words as her finger followed to show. " The Return of the God."




                              
                                Shadow peeked through the leaves and saw Her in the garden. " Look familiar?"
                                Sonunnrec turned and looked in the direction Shadow was facing and saw immediately to whom he was speaking of. " Unad? What is she doing here?" Sonunnrec looked even harder and was amazed that She had not aged a day. " I would have thought Her died."
                                " Welcome to the Otherworld." Shadow slipped into the garden without a sound and motioned Sonunnrec to stay put.
                                " Well, hello, my Queen." Unad disappeared and re appeared a few feet away. " I see your power is still there. Which brings me to the conclusion that " Your King" is back."  A low evil sound came from the Shadow and She knew it was his why of laughing.
                                " Nwara." That made the Shadow screech and shiver.
                                "No one has spoken my name is centuries! How, woman, do you know my name?" His anger was great and yet Her saying his name actually inflected a little pain inside him. " I will kill him, you hear! I will find him and he will be part of me and I will run this land into darkness!" Shadow spun and flew over towards Sonunnrec and whispered hatefully, " Return to Nede. NOW!!!!"
                                 Three of Unad's guards came running up the path, " Are you alright, my Queen?"
                                 "I am fine but we need to get to Nede fast before full moon circle tonight and our King returns." She gave out the needed orders to Her guards and knew that time was something they did not have right now. With Nwara attaching himself to the human King, his power has grown greatly. She could feel his energy grow as the full moon comes to its peek. She had felt him in the area for days and has been expecting him but now that he's been here. Her fear has reached its point and She had to save Her son.



                                  " We should get busy. We need to get him to Nede before the moon reaches its power point." Bdab turned towards Agad and raised her hands in the air and her eyes started to glow a yellow color and a great wind blew in through the window, sending papers and other small items flying across the room. " I must do something first."  She yelled magical words up into the wind and Adgd could feel his body raise above the ground and a sharp pain and heat rushed all over him. The wolf in him howled as if it was being tortured, then the same effect came again but in a roar of human suffering. " You have proven your worth in the race of Others. You have scarified oneself for the face of Humanity. You, Lord Adgad, shall never be fully human again but a half breed. Cursed by most yet worshipped by the chosen." Lighting and Thunder roared through the sky outside and Adgad was screaming in such pain as his body flipped across the floor. Then silence.
                                   Adgad was breathing heavily on the floor as sweat rolled off his fur. In a low whisper, " I am still wolf, woman." Fin rushed over to help his friend.
                                   " Stop!" Adgad's paw went out to stop Fin. Fin stared at his paw and watched as it turned into a human hand. "  You are both, my friend. I long to see my Queen happy. You have done that but I also need you to save Her and our God King." She knelt down next to Nap and removed the remaining cloth from his head. " She gave birth to a God. The old one past a long time ago. This world is in need of its guardian, its protector from the evil. The wild things need their Father, their hope. So do the humans." Bdab ran a finger across Nap's cheek and he slowly moved under her touch. " He is the hope for both your worlds, Adgad. We must get Him to his Goddess Mother."
                                   Fin reached out again to help his man like friend up off the floor. " I feel so much energy inside you, brother." Yes, the man-wolf was feeling a strength growing inside him. Adgad could stand on his own again and turned toward Bdab.
                                   " I am truly a shapeshifter?" The Crow nodded to him and he knew that this was a great power and responsibility to control. " Thank you, witch."
                                   " I like you wolf-man and I feel that with the love you have for the Goddess and your warrior qualities, I feel the King will need you always." She turned and handled Fin a satchle and gave Blessings. It was time to go to Nede.



                                   Unad could see the candles being set up around the outdoor alter. It was going to be grand tonight. A total night for rejoicing and family to love each other. It was Spring and time for Her son to be King. The true King. She would have Her son tonight. But She could not get Adgad out of Her mind either. She loved him and She has for a very long time. She blamed Herself for his curse and She doubted that She could ever forgive. All She could hope for is that Bdab would have mercy on him.
                                    " My Queen, we are here." One of Her guards waved towards the crowd that had be gathering all day to celebrate the Festival. But this year would be special with the arrival of their King. As Unad climbed on Her horse, She was led to the tents that awaited Her. She had to change into Her ritual robe and wait patiently for Her son. She so regretted the way She had to leave him behind so many years ago. But Her mother Goddess and to enter another realm and it was Her turn to take Her place and She had to leave then and there. She would get reposts every now and then from Maddie but Her eyes and heart weighed heavy to see and hold him. She was so sadden by the news of how his father and brother treated him so. She never realized that Her husband would never get over having no control of Her destiny.
                                    " I will fetch you some water, My Queen." Her guard turned and walked out from the tent but before She could speak and knife came to Her throat and Sonunnrec voice made Her skin crawl. " Hello, there, Unad. It has been along time." His low laughter did nothing to settle ones nerves.
                                    " You are making a big mistake, Sonunnrec. If you honestly believe that Shadow will help you, your insane. He is just using you." Smack! Sonunnrec hand came flying across Her cheek. Unad could do nothing because of Her oath in hurting humans, especially ones who know not their wrong doings. She knew that the Shadow had a grip on this poor fool's soul and he didn't even know it. " You can attack me all you like. It still won't change the fact that if that Shadow has his way, you will be dead in the end of all this. He just needs you because of that evil you carry inside you and the fact that you are the new human King." Sonunnrec could not help but listen to Her. He had wondered what that Shadow's need of him was. " You hush, woman. You have brought nothing but chaos in my world and know I am going to kill your damn son and take my place on the throne." He started to walk a circle around her. " You have the pleasure of watching this happen."
                                     " You no not of what you are saying, Sonunnrec." Unad's eyes grew bright white as She felt Her wrath grow. " You are not able to kill my son. You are NOTHING here." She knew Her words hit a nerve inside him. " You are just a human. My son is King."
                                      Sonunnrec's temper was hot and he reached for his sword but was stopped by a heavy weight crashing into his spine. " You are about to be a dead man!" Shouted Adgad as his wolf form stood upon his back. "
                                      " Ha! It's that doggie!!! Come to protect the mother of that basterd." Sonunnrec's back felt as if it would snap. Adgad slowly backed off the human and looked up at Unad. She looked at him in wonder as She watched him transform into his man shape. His hair was long and black as night and his eyes were a sky blue with a star within them. He was so beautiful. His body shown every inch of muscle he carried with him. Her memory did not do him justice. Her heart started to beat even more now. " You're human? Ha! Wait till the Shadow finds out." Sonunnrec took off while Adgad was finishing his transformation. Unad ran to his side.
                                    " Adgad, my love. Are you ok?" She looked around him to see if he had hurt himself and his eyes opened to meet Hers. " Did the Crow change you back to a human? If so, you will not be able to stay with a King here." The man-wolf looked deep into her eyes and did not listen to her new words because he still had Her declaration of love spinning again and again in his head. Adgad lifted his head to lock Her lips into a deep kiss. It spoke volumes and a low growl came from deep within him.
                                     " I am fine and Bdab made me a  Shape shifter so that I may stay and watch over you and your son." He could see the tears building in Her eyes, " He's here, my Love." His smile warmed Her heart as she thought of seeing Her son. " But we are not out of danger. Bdab told me that if that Shadow kills Nap before the full moon is at its peek, he can drain is soul and become a Shadow God. He will have the power to darken both worlds and this could mean the end of millions of creatures."
                                     " Oh, my Adgad! Nap is in danger! I don't know where that Shadow is." Unad had a fear she never felt before.  Please bring him to me. We have about two hours til the moon is at its peek." Fin nodded and left out the back of the tent. Unknowing to him, the Shadow was lurking in the back and spotted the Bullman his Goblin was speaking about.
                                      " Where is that blooding human King! I need him!" Shadow followed the Bullman to a stable where Nap was laying in. Just as he was about to jump Fin, Sonunnrec stumpled into the stables and screamed when he saw Fin and noticed Nap lying on the ground, " Stupid human!" Shadow thought to himself. " Doesn't he realize that he's no match."
                                      " Oh if it isn't the human arse King!" Fin roared with laughter. Sonunnrec was about to make his usual smart arse comment, when he took note of the Shadow man behind Fin.
                                      " Well, Great Bull man. I am not here to fight. I see the errors of my way and I am here to help my brother any way I can. I did not know that the Dark man was going to harm me." Sonunnrec played the act as Shadow came up behind Fin and slammed him in the head with the back end on a sickle. Down went Fin and the Shadow roared with laughter. " Good job, Shadow man." The Shadow glared up at the human King which made Sonunnrec very uneasy.
                                      " We have not much time. Help me grab the boy....." His words trailed off as he took note of the antlers that sprung up through Nap's head. " Help me carry him to the alter!" Sonunnrec followed his lead and stopped for a moment to take in what he saw on Nap. " don't just stand there you idiot. Move now!"




                                        Adgad was getting worried. It sure was taking Fin a long time to bring Nap to them. " Where is he, Adgad?" Unad was getting nervous. " We don't have much time. He will be changing to his full form soon."
                                        Just then, Fin fell through the tent flap and landed on his knees. With his heavy breath, " They got him!!!"
                                        " NO!" Screamed Unad. " It is almost time! We have to get him!" With that She ran out of the tent with Adgad close behind. She pushed Her way through the crowd that gathered at the alter and saw Her son for the first time in many years lying helplessly on the concrete alter slab with Sonunnrec and Nwara over top of him.
                                        " Ah, the Queen is here to witness a new change in the worlds." Nwara pulled from behind him a long blade and held it high in the air.
                                        " No, you can't do this! Don't you understand that you will destroy both worlds. We and man will be finished!" She turned to face Sonnurec. " You will not be King! There will be only one ruler and it will be him if you let him do this. He's going to kill you!" Sonunnrec looked at the Shadowman with a questionable look in his eyes.
                                        Shadow pulled his hood off and stared at Sonunnrec and his face changed to look just like him. " She's right." and with that the blade was thrusted into the human Kings belly. " You die first.......Sire." Sonunnrec screamed in pain as blood flowed out of him and he placed his hand over the wound in hopes of stopping it. " You see, " King", I am your dark side. It was so easy to lead you around because I am obviously stronger." Sonunnrec fell to his knees. He could feel death over coming him. " I feel myself getting stronger with every slipping breath of you. Did you really think I would need you to kill this boy?" A roar of laughter escaped the Shadow as he praised himself. " I just need the two Kings to complete my goals." Sonunnrec reached out his hand to touch Nap and whispered a single word before he passed. " Sorry."
                                         " You have to do something, Adgad! If he kills Nap he will be so powerful that no one can stop him!" Unad was so scared for Her son. She looked above toward the moon, and saw its light growing brighter. " It's time, Adgad!"
                                         " Yes it is!" And at that moment, Shadow raised the blade and brought it down hard toward Nap. All of a sudden a huge light that blinded everyone beamed across the town. You could hear the people scream in horror as they witness the death of their King. " I will be a God!" Shouted Nwara.
                                         " Not today." The voice was deep and echoed across the crowd. As everyone’s eyes adjusted to the His towering seven foot frame shadow that stood in the light. Antlers huge with a least 30 plus stems and as the glowing light disappeared, Adgad could make out details. He had hoofed feet and hair that went up his legs. His chest and shoulders with massive and he had deer like features added to his face and eyes that glowed white as he spoke. " You are to late, Nwara."
                                          As the Shadow's name fell from His mouth, great pain ran through his body. " How do you know my name? I pushed the blade into you! This power is mine!" The Shadow fell backwards into a pillar of marble and his eyes opened wide as if scared for his very life. " You are a nothing!"
                                          The Giant Stag man turned toward the Shadow and in a deep harsh voice replied, " I am a God." Shadow could feel Nap's breath hot on his face. " I am everything."
                                           Nap reached out to touch the Shadow. " No do not touch me!" Too late. From His hand came a great light that vaporized the darkness of the Shadow. The dark screams flew up into the air and Nap raised His arms and roared so loud, the very Earth shock beneath everyone’s feet. "
                                           " I am your King. I am the Wild Things, the Guardian of our Doorways, the very life that Grows around all of you...." Nap looked down at Sonunnrec and placed His hand upon his chest, " in both Worlds." Then a small red glow shined on the Human Kings chest, and everyone bared witness to life restoring back with in him. Sonunnrec coughed and tears ran from his eyes. " I give you back that was taken from you. Not only your life, your title, but the compassion and heart that was robbed from you as a boy. Do not make me regret this act. For what I give, can be taken back." Sonunnrec smiled and grabbed Nap's hand and kissed His palm.
                                            " I understand, My King." Sonunnrec rised himself to his feet and bowed before Nap.
                                            Just then Unad came running up to Her son. " Nap!" The God turned to look upon His mother. " You are the most beautiful being I have ever seen."
                                            " Goddess Mother, you need to look into a mirror more often." Nap reached out his arms wide open and She ran into them. " I understand everything now, My Queen." He placed a kiss upon the top of Her head. " It is a wondrous time!" He shouted to the crowd. Whom in return, yelled their cheers and were ready for Feasting, with their drinking horns in the air, they praised their King.
                                             Adgad walked slowly to Nap and kneeled down on to one knee. " My King."
                                            " It is I who should be kneeling before you, Lord Adgad." Nap reached out to help raise his friend. " It t'was you who saved the Worlds. You saved me. For that I owe you everything." Adgad looked over toward Unad. She smiled at him and this did not go un-noticed by Nap. " I see everything is right with the Forces of Nature, huh?" With that came a roar of laughter from the trio.
                                            There suddenly came screams from the back of the crowd as they were being shoved to the side. " Get out of my way! I need to kick some arse and....." Fin was pushing his way through the crowd without really looking where he was going and ran smack into Nap's chest, causing him to stumble backwards. " Who put a damn wall here!" The Fin realized who he ran into and suddenly dropped to his knees. " I am so sorry, My Lord. I did not mean....." His words were cut of by the sound of Nap's laughter.
                                         " Come now, friend. It is time to drink!" Fin jumped up and gave Nap a great hug.
                                         " Anything you say, My Lord!" Just as the barmaid Fin had enjoyed before walked up to him with a horn of mead in her hands. " Ah! You see. The spirits are in full bloom with my blessings!" Throwing his arm around the woman and swallowing his drink. " Come, woman, tis Spring and I am feeling the flow!" He scooped her up and she giggled with glee. She knew what he meant.
                                         Unad turned to look at Nap, as He was walking away. " Nap, my son, where are you going?" She felt a sudden heaviness with in Her chest.
                                         " Do not worry, My Mother. I just need to visit my realm." He showed Her a great smile and walked away.
                                         Adgad walked up behind Her and wrapped his arms about Her shoulders. " All is fine, My Love." He whispered into Her ear. But turning his attention to Sonunnrec for a moment, " You better get back to your Kingdom before you turn into a Donkey." Upon hearing that Sonunnrec jumped and took off. Unad smacked Adgad playfully. " I was only teasing."
                                         She gave him a kiss on the cheek." You are a wolf."

 ....

               

2009 MySpace Pagan Gathering is only 17 days away!!!!

Below is the scheduled planner but subject for change......http://groups.yahoo.com/group/2009Gathering/

July 26~ Meet and Greet!!! To see if we want to kill each or love one another.
Plus go over " House Rules" and meal planning....

July 27~ 11am discussion on the ADF w/ Ember from the Shenandoah Proto Grove of
the ADF
Noon break for lunch
1p discussion on Warriorism then and now w/ Tim also from the
Shenandoah Proto Grove

* all evenings will ending with firepit~ we could do
drumming, Tell tales, drink and be merry!!!

July 28~ 11am discussion on Roman Paganism w/ Virginia Carper
Noon Lunch
1p discussion on Animal totems w/ Virginia Carper ( nice of her
to do this. She will be bring some of her books and animal stone jewelry to
sell)

July 29th~ 11am discussion on Oracle cards w/ Greenwomen ( Jo-Ann)
Noon Lunch
1p continue discussion with Greenwoman

July 30th ~ Early morning folks will be treated to a trip to the Shenandoah
River ! We will pack a picnic lunch and enjoy some time with
nature.
When we return we will have games!!!

July 31 ~ 11 am discussion on " Who exactly were the " Celts" pointing out Myths
and Facts w/ Kelyla na Fili
Noon Lunch
1p WANDMAKING or smudging feathers!!!! It was such a big hit last
year, we can do it again!!!! Remember to bring offerings for the tree you
wish to use a branch from.

Aug 1 ~ Lugh!!! Day of Celebrating!!!
Mead making w/ Cellina & Glasshawk.
Games!
Face Painting!
Dress in costume if you like, music, and dance!
~Ritual will start at 3p~ Please be respectful on the subject of
drinking and ritual. Some wait to after ritual is through but some also use
during.
Potluck supper!!!!

Aug 2~ Shane's birthday!!! We all get to beat you.....
Trip to Crystal Caverns!!!!
Family fun day. We are close to DC if some choose to go visit or
just drive up Skyline Drive and take in the beautiful Valley.

Aug 3rd~ TEARS!!!! then get out of my house....HA!!!



(Crystal caverns

Hours of Operation

Tours at 11, 12:30, 2, and 3:30 and by appointment.

Closed: Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Day, and Easter Sunday
Admission

Adults - $10.00
Discounts with ID, discounts offered to children, seniors, students, AAA/CAA, AARP, fire, military & police.
$8.00
One child under age 6 free with each paid adult admission.

Group Sales Available

Reminders!!!

1- Dressing in Renn Faire Clothing for Lugh ritual would be fun. If you own a
kilt and feel comfortable, we wear them daily around here. I want everyone to be
comfortable.....word of the day!!! Make sure to bring bathing suit and
COMFORTABLE shoes for walks.

2- I NEED to know for staying guest, who do not eat meat. That way I can plan
meals. We were thinking that YOU will be responsible for your morning and
mid-day meals but we would prepare suppers with help donation on food cost. I am
use to cooking for an army.

3- We have washer and cloths line available. Just have your own soap powder or
it will be $2 a load for cost.

4- Our showers are available but please bring bathing items. We do have sulfur
water so if that is a problem.....bring perfume. HA!!!

5-Bring tents and sleeping items, unless you want a chunk of floor. Which of
course is limited.

6- I am a dog or dogs owner. They are Malamutes and love to jump on folks. They
WILL not hurt you. I will try my best to make sure they don't knock ya over but
they love folks!!! I will be daily watching for treasures they leave behind, but
watch your step anyway. If you are bringing a pet...please bring proper items to
take care of them. Also my dogs are confined to my fenced in part of my backyard
and in the house, so we will make sure animals are safe. I have 2 different size creates if you need to use them.

I am sure we can go over everything the first night, if you have any questions.

We live in a time where life flows by without a second look back till it is too  late. I have been on MySpace for only over a year, so I guess you can say I am a " Baby" around here. But as a young one, I saw the there was a time when it became hard to split the two worlds between internet and reality. In my strive to always save the world, I ran into numerous walls and for a moment lost the person I was trying to become. Thank the Goddess for some of the wise folks in this out of control community on line. These folks empowered me, made me a strong voice in my local community and have had me explore myself and actually see MySelf for who I really am. Who am I? I am Kelyla. I am a mother, a Celt, a Native, a Druid, a voice. Who am I not? A victum, a whinner, a bitter and bored person who can not seperate relationships on here and in real society. I feel bad for you. I will not waste anymore of my energy on people who have nothing better to do but jump from group to group trying to distroy hard work folks have done. As a MOD of a MySpace group, I only care about information being easier to find for the REAL folks who want to learn. Whether one cuts, paste, creates, and shares, we get the word out respectfully. Sadly we have people who do not care about ones  chosen Path education but is teaching our young to be bullies, terriorst, and a belittler of our fellow community members.  I WILL NOT talerate that any more in my world. You will not pull me down to a level that is totally unethical here. I have worked hard to build relationships and PROVE that it is possible for folks that most likely will NEVER meet, to come together and help each other. Our cookbook project has totally shown that. I do not join every Pagan group alive and I am actually very picky about where I even go anymore. But just because you do not hear me, does not mean I am not watching. But morally we need to focus more on the passing of wisdom not hatred to our youth. As a Pagan we scream to not judge yet I have seen and been guilty myself, of jumping the gun and making critical judgments before actually seeing all views in front of me. Nice to open that third eye.
I am writing this because this is the last I will discuss stupid behaviors. My friends and I are here to learn and share. Not judge, belittle, and show boat from group to group to make one feel superior. You will not find that from me. Just my back walking away because you are not worth my energy, my spirit, or my love. I hold my head up high as a female Druid and dare you to take a look at yourself before you pass words. I am proud. I am better than one, if you are such. I feel sorry for you because in the long run, your community will shrink and the glory you believe you have gained, will burn. Remember folks get bored fast unless they have passion for something. I have yet to meet a Pagan who has the desire to listen to ranting.....I filled that void with kids.
To ALL my friends who have been exposed to the foolishness of others on my behalf. I apologize. I love you and I am here for you. Why? Because I am Kelyla. And that is me.

Blessings and warm thoughts to you all, friend and foe.

Kelyla na Fili

Tri-Luna Circle
December 2008




Alban Arthuan (Light of Arthur), like winter solstice celebrations all over the world, celebrates the return of the sun following the shortest day in the year. It's no wonder the church adopted these holidays as the birthdate of the Son. From ancient Celtic and Norse mythology we enjoy such holiday traditions as holly and mistletoe (sacred to the druids), the yule log, Santa Claus in his aspects of Father Christmas or the Holly King. Supposedly, King Arthur was born on the winter solstice (and he, too, will come again). Ireland celebrates Christmas much more enthusiastically than Scotland. Under the Kirk at its strictest, Christmas was viewed as an idolatrous celebration and not observed. Today, the Scots put most of their merry-making efforts into Hogmanay, the New Year's celebration.


God or Goddess of the Month~
Skadi
Exerpt from Goddess & Heroines by Patricia Monaghan
[Used by permission. This text is NOT included in the Goddess Oracle]

The goddess for whom Scandinavia was named dwelled high in the snow-covered mountains; her favorite occupations were skiing and snowshoeing through her domain.

The goddess for whom Scandinavia was named dwelled high in the snow-covered mountains; her favorite occupations were skiing and snowshoeing through her domain. But when the gods caused the death of her father Thjassi, Skadi armed herself and traveled to their home at Asgard, intent on vengeance. Even alone, she was more than a match for the gods, and they were forced to make peace with her.

Skadi demanded two things: that they make her laugh and that she be allowed to choose a mate from among them. The first condition was accomplished by the trickster Loki, who tied his testicles to the beard of a billy goat. It was a contest of screeching, until the rope snapped and Loki landed, screaming with pain, on Skadi's knee. She laughed.

Next, all the gods lined up, and Skadi's eyes were masked. She intended to select her mate simply by examining his legs from the knees down. When she'd found the strongest-thinking them the beautiful Balder's legs-she flung off her mask and found she'd picked the sea god Njord. So she went off to live in the god's ocean home.

She was miserable there. "I couldn't sleep a wink," Skadi said in a famous eddic poem, "on the bed of the sea, for the calling of gulls and mews." The couple moved to Thrymheim, Skadi's mountain palace, but the water god was as unhappy there as Skadi had been in the water. Thereupon they agreed on an equitable dissolution, and Skadi took a new mate, more suitable to her lifestyle: Ullr, the god of skis.

I'm Bored!!!

The colors of the Pagan Solar Festival, Yule, are red, green, gold and white. Plants, animals, crystals, incense and mythical creatures are included in the Sabbat's symbolism. Cards can be made with construction paper with the holiday's colors. The artwork is the symbols: plants, animals, herbs, crystals, the Yule log, the mythical Phoenix, the eight-spoked wheel representing the cycle of the year and the wreath, representing eternal life. One can draw the symbols, paste these on the cards or both.

Yuletide Animals and Their Keynotes

• Stag: independence, pride and purification
• Squirrel: gathering, preparedness and activity
• Wolf: spirit, loyalty, teacher
• Hawk: guardian and the power of vision
• Robin: renewal and joy
• Wren: greatness and resourcefulness
• Phoenix: immortality and love

Plants of Yule

• Holly: winter magic, repels evil and protects people and homes from lightning bolts.
• Ivy: immortality and eternal life
• Evergreens: eternal life and eternity
• Mistletoe: fertility, cures diseases, protection from evil
• Bayberry: good fortune and wealth

Yule Herbs

• Cloves: repels negativity and hostility
• Ginger: love, wealth, success and power
• Myrrh: protection and purification
• Nutmeg: clairvoyance
• Rosemary: love, purification, protection and intellectualism
• Saffron: healing, clairvoyance and purification
• Valerian: harmony and love
• Wintergreen: healing, breaking hexes and protection

Crystals of Yuletide

• Bloodstone: victory, courage, wealth, strength, and healing
• Cat's eye: beauty, protection, healing, wealth and luck
• Crystal quartz: can substitute for all other crystals
• Garnet: strength, healing and protection
• Ruby: joy, banishes nightmares, power, protection and wealth
• Topaz: love, wealth, healing and protection

Creating Greeting Cards

This is a great family project. Imagine creating Yuletide cards on a cold, snowy or rainy late fall or early winter evening by the fire in the hearth or flames in a space heater. Hot chocolate, cocoa, tea and cookies are on the table. Reminiscences of Yuletides past, legends and, perhaps, as in the song, ghost stories are exchanged. The animal family members are dozing in front of the fire. Or imagine one of those days when children are restive and bored, looking for something to do. Children can create their own cards, especially making them by hand. In addition to the "goodies on the table, the aroma of homemade soup, stew or pasta sauce permeates the air. It's a welcome greeting to those coming home after work, school or running errands.

Once the paper is selected, one can draw or paste pictures on the paper. Hand-written notes with the desired greetings are added. Writing about the symbols and their meanings is a pleasant touch.

For those who want to use computers, the cards can be saved as a Word document, then printed out on heavy paper. There are copyright free pictures and borders on the Internet that can be used or one can take pictures of chosen symbols.

Combining both methods to create the cards is another option.

Sample Card Created in Word Document

Pictures on front cover and greeting, second page of card's interior if using traditional greeting card format or using non-traditional card format. These can be printed out to add to a traditional card.

Dear (name) handwritten

T'is the season for the holly, ivy and evergreens!

Holly is for winter magic, Ivy, immortality and Evergreens, eternal life.

May you have the joys and blessings of the holiday season and the best of New Years

Love, light and laughter,

(Signature)

Are you hungry?

Kjötsúpa - Mutton Soup
1 kg (2 lbs) mutton, cut in chunks
1 1/2 l (3 pints) water
1 onion, coarsely chopped
1/2 head 500g (1 lbs) white cabbage, chopped
4-5 carrots, sliced
500 g (1 lbs) rutabaga, peeled and cut into chunks
1/2 cup rice
1 tablespoon salt

Cover the mutton with the water in a large casserole, add salt and bring to a boil. Skim off the fat and cook for 30 minutes, then add the vegetables and rice. Allow to simmer for about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove the mutton, serve separately with potatoes. You will need a large serving bowl for the soup.

Jólagrautur - Yule Porridge
1/4 l (1/2 pint) water
1 1/2 l (3 pints) milk
150 g (6 oz) rice
1 teaspoon salt
70 g (2 1/2 oz) raisins
cinnamon and sugar
milk
1 almond

When the water comes to a boil, stir in the rice and cook for 10 minutes. Add the milk to the pot and cook over a low heat for 1 hour. Add the raisins in the last 10 minutes. Add salt to taste. Add milk, sugar, and cinnamon to taste. The skinned almond is added and the porridge poured into a bowl. The housewife deals portions out and whoever finds the almond receives a small gift.

Endangered Animal of the Month from Defenders of Wildlife

Clouded Leopard

Neofelis nebulosa

Named for the large cloud-like spots on its body, the clouded leopard is a medium-sized cat that sports a grayish or yellowish coat. The spots, which are generally dark brown with a black outline, provide excellent camouflage in the leopard's forest habitat. Clouded leopards have long, strong tails and powerful, stout legs. They are also known to be one of the best climbers in the cat family.

Height 10-16 inches at shoulders
Length 2-3 feet (tail also measure at 2-3 feet)
Weight 35-50 lbs (males); females significantly smaller

Lifespan While little is known about their lifespan in the wild, clouded leopards have been known to live up to 17 years in captivity.

Diet

Staples Everything from birds to monkeys to wild pigs.

Population

The clouded leopard's reclusive nature has made it hard to determine population size. However, there is evidence of declining populations and one of the four subspecies is thought to be extinct.

Range

Historically clouded leopards were found in much of Southeast Asia from Nepal to southern China. Today, four subspecies are found in the following regions: Nepal to Burma; southern China to eastern Burma; Sumatra, Borneo and Java; Taiwan (thought to be extinct in the wild). The Bornean clouded leopard has been identified as a new cat species.

Behavior

Clouded leopards live in forests at elevations of up to 8,000 feet and spend much of their lives in trees. Their bodies are well adapted to this arboreal lifestyle. While their strong tails help them to balance while perched on tree branches, their specially adapted ankle bones and large paws allow them to both climb while hanging upside down under branches and climb down trees head first! When a clouded leopard spots its prey on the forest floor, it leaps down on it from above.

The social behavior of clouded leopards is virtually unknown. They are, however, thought to be solitary animals. And though they are mostly nocturnal, evidence has shown them to be active during some periods of the day.

Reproduction
Mating Season Can occur during any month but in captivity between December and March.
Gestation 85-93 days.
Litter size 1-5 cubs 
At birth, kittens weigh five to six ounces, and do not open their eyes until they are 12 days old. Clouded leopard kittens nurse until they are five months old and do not develop adult coloration until they are six months old.

Threats

Rapid habitat loss due to deforestation, illegal hunting for traditional Chinese medicines and demand for its beautiful pelt may be driving the decline of clouded leopard populations. 

Legal Status/Protection

*Endangered Species Act, **CITES Appendix I

* The Endangered Species Act requires the U.S. federal government to identify species threatened with extinction, identify habitat they need to survive, and help protect both. In doing so, the Act works to ensure the basic health of our natural ecosystems and protect the legacy of conservation we leave to our children and grandchildren.

**Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, an international treaty with 172 member countries. Appendix I listed species cannot be traded commercially. Appendix II listed species can be traded commercially only if it does not harm their survival.

How You Can Help

• Help Clouded Leopards and other wildlife by adopting one today at our Wildlife Adoption Center.
• Take Action for Wildlife at our Wildlife Action Center.

For additional information

The Clouded Leopard Project
Environment News Service

( the following I thought to be somewhat humors and thought I would share...DoD)

Santa Is an Elf
Written February 13, 2001

 

"'Twas the night before Christmas," begins our most famous holiday poem, which was first published as "A Visit from St. Nicholas" in the Troy, New York, Sentinel of December 23, 1823.

As was the case with most newspaper poetry of the time, the author was not named.  Probably he was 75-year-old Henry Livingston of Poughkeepsie (according to research by Vassar College professor Don Foster in his book Author Unknown).  Later, the poem became popular, and people wondered who had written it.  Thirteen years after the first publication, a magazine editor attributed the poem to a stuffy old cleric from New York City named Clement Clark Moore.  It was not until after another eight years that Moore claimed it as his own in a book of his collected poetry.

Such doubtful attributions are not unknown.  Take an example from the Bible.  The author of the third Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles addresses these two books to someone named "Theophilus," but he doesn't name himself.  Christians in the second century A.D. could tell from reading these books that the author was an educated man who apparently accompanied Paul on part of his travels.  In Paul's letters, they found a reference to such a person, a physician named Luke, so they guessed that he wrote the Acts and that particular Gospel.  With no evidence to the contrary, since then we have called the third Gospel "Luke."

Anyway, regardless of whether Moore or Livingston wrote "The Night Before Christmas," we continue to read it to our children every December, just like Luke's story of the angel visiting the shepherds.  The poem seems to form the foundation of our belief that Santa Claus, riding in a magic flying sleigh pulled by reindeer, comes secretly to each house on Christmas Eve while everyone is sleeping and slides down the chimney (where available) to leave presents.  It is a sort of secular scripture.

But we have turned away from the hallowed words of this poem!  We have ignored what it clearly tells us, and we have substituted other fancies to suit our own purposes!

First, there's the matter of the jolly old man's name.  The poem three times calls him St. Nicholas, once shortening it to St. Nick.  But today we almost never use St. Nicholas, and we use a different shortened version:  Santa Claus, or often just Santa.  (It's almost as if the Virgin Mary, having clearly been told in Isaiah 7:14 that she should name her son Emmanuel, perversely decided to call him Jesus instead.  We must not ignore the scripture!)

Then there's the matter of how St. Nicholas is dressed.  The poem tells us that he is wearing fur from head to foot, and that's how cartoonist Thomas Nast depicted him later in the 19th century.  And it isn't clean fur, either; after sliding down the chimney, "his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot."  But around the end of that century, we began to ignore this clear description.  St. Nick's humble furs somehow turned into merely the white fur trim on a garish red velvet suit, worn with a wide leather belt and boots.  Some have alleged that he began wearing red as part of an advertisement for Coca-Cola, although I can't imagine that we could allow commercialism to corrupt our core beliefs so crassly.

In the poem, St. Nicholas smokes a pipe.  When have you seen Santa Claus with a pipe lately?  Who took it away?  In a misguided attempt to protect our children from the evils of tobacco, have we simply written the pipe out of the story?

But most importantly, St. Nicholas is not assisted by elves who work at a toy workshop at the North Pole.  St. Nicholas is an elf himself!  I'd guess him to be only a few inches high.

The poem clearly calls him a "right jolly old elf."  He has a "droll little mouth."  His "little round belly" is compared not to a tub full of jelly but to a mere bowl.  He is the little old driver of a miniature sleigh pulled by tiny reindeer with little hooves.  They do not make a landing on the roof like a cargo airplane; rather, they approach the house over the snow-covered fields, then swoop up to the roof, as light as wind-blown dry leaves or the down of a thistle.

But an elfin St. Nicholas in a toy-like sleigh, while charming in a poem, would never work in the retail world.  We need a sleigh large enough to be the final float in the Macy's parade.  We need a full-sized Santa Claus on whose lap the children can list the merchandise that will be required to make them happy on Christmas morning.

Therefore, though we continue to recite the words that recognize St. Nicholas as a tiny elf, we ignore their clear meaning.  The words are there, but our eyes somehow do not see them.

It is at our peril that we thus disrespect our secular scripture.  We are dangerously close to treating our Holy Scripture the same way.

Someday we may ignore the Bible's words.  It clearly says, among many other things, that women in church are to keep their hats on (I Corinthians 11:5) and their mouths shut (I Timothy 2:12); that we should sell all our toys and possessions and give the money to the poor (Matthew 19:21); and that children who hit or curse their parents are to be executed (Exodus 21:15, 17).

But we have moved on, and our eyes no longer see what is written.

TBT


The Spicer family would love to send warmth and light to all of you. As we flow into the days of cold and darkness, let us remember the great things about this time. Remember that being indoors more also opens up many wonderful moments with love ones. Of course do not let the cabin fever get you and you slaughter all the kids.....lol.

Blessed Yule!!!
xxoo Kelyla na Fili

PLEASE REMEMBER TO BUY A COOKBOOK AND HELP TWO GREAT CHARITIES!!!!


..tr> ..table>

Actuellement Je lis: The Book of Chakra Healing Par Liz Simpson

Tri-Luna Circle Charity Cookbook





They are here!!! If you ordered one, I will have yours out for you on Monday. If not, here is a great chance to help out not one but TWO charities. The Spiral Grove and the Tri-Luna Circle would love to share this book with you. Thanks to not only local but our via internet Pagan community has helped to form this beautiful 3 ring binder cookbook to help Spiral Grove build a community center and Tri-Luna to help the well known Defenders of Wildlife.



Only $20 plus $5 for shipping can you make a great difference in your worldly community. We have a total of 300 to sell and want to ask you to please take part in our first of hopefully many charitable activities to help our ever growing community.







Wisdom from The Kitchen was created by you for you. With 8 chapters of spell binding goodies and helpful ideas, you will see what a great investment this cookbook is for you and your world.







Each chapter reminds us to celebrate who we are and be there for our future.







The letter in this book is open and wide for some of our hard to see eyes and easy to find recipes.







Each cookbook comes with helpful tips, calorie counting, and other creative ideas for you.











Please contact me if you would like to help by buying a cookbook for only $20. Please remember it is for you and our future that feeds this book.

Blessings~

Kelyla na Fili

Tri-Luna Circle
October 2008

Let me first start by saying the love. I wish all of you the best of blessings for the come Samhain. You all deserve a joyous time. But second I would love to stress the importance of this time. This is the time for growth. Growth you say? But it is time for the death of the seasons? Wrong. This is the time to curl up by the fire and grow your mind and spirit. This Samhain remember the doorway of the worlds are open and it is a great time to soak up the wisdom of the ancesters. We are coming into a time, no matter the political views, but the time of reality. The reality is we as communities are failing each other. We sit and see our fellow kinsmen starving, becoming homeless, and are becoming way to trusting in a system that is not your keeper. This is a time I wish all of you to hear a listen from the voices of the past and see that the need for " taking care of your own" means YOUR WORLD. Money burns and turns to ash but we forget so does man. So a toast to you all for great compassion and warriorism to be who your fore brothers and sisters dreamed you would be. Speak their voice with your own. I hear you.....so may others.
Blessings~
DoD

 Spells to Help......
Mexican Spell For Spirit Contact

materials:
a talisman in the shape of a skull, a skull or an object in the shape of a skull.
spirit contact incense (equal parts of lavender,cinnamon and wormwood)
two white candle
two small mirrors
a bell
your alter

On your alter place the incense blend in the center and the skull talisman or object behind it. Arrange the two candles on opposite sides (east and west) of the incense. Take the two small mirrors and prop them up next to the candles so they will reflect the candle light in the mirrors against each other.
(The incense is supposed to be a special known blend that opens a portal and the mirrors are to be a protective device to keep negative spirits from coming through.)

In the evening, when it is quiet for you and you will not be disturbed, perform a protection bath ritual with dragonsblood incense.
Set up your alter as described above, with the bell handy on the side. Light the incense and the candles. Breath in the incense with your eyes closed. Take deep breaths and let it out. Envelope yourself in the total darkness except for the two candlelights. Accept the darkness as it is, release all fears you may have and know that you have your spirit guide/s with you. When you are mentally prepared say this mexican chant:

Open wide the portal this night
For spirits whose counterenance shines bright;
Entities of love who wish me well
Are welcome here when I ring this bell.

Ring the bell three times to call the spirits, then sit back and await in silence and without fear for fear prohibits growth and understanding and taking that step forward.

To Have Dreams Of The Dead

1 white candle
picture of the dead person
pentagram

Light the white candle and stare at the flame for a few minutes concentrating on the dead one. When you are ready look at the picture and say,
"You are gone forever;
But through this spell,
My dreams to which
you will come"
Let the candle burn out all the way to the bottom,never blow the candle out. You may sleep with the picture under your pillow if you wish. By three nights you will have dreamt of the dead one in your mind.

I have done this once and it worked. I only tried it once because my dead uncle comes to me in November almost every year. He died in November and that is his month to commune. My dead grandfather comes to me every few years it seems or whenever I am undergoing extreme stress or a major crisis in my life. He comes to me in my dreams and speaks to me, sometimes I remember and sometimes I don..t remember, but I know my unconscious mind remembers. He came to me last about two years ago, perhaps he..ll come for a visit again. I have no need to call,summon or spell craft to commune for they come to me when they feel it is right. Sometimes it is no good to call upon the dead.

( DoD does NOT promise anything from the above works.)

Are You Hungry?

Colcannon

(Potatoes, harvested from August to October, were a part of the feast in Ireland where they were made into a Samhain dish known as colcannon. Colcannon is a mashed potato, cabbage, and onion dish still served in Ireland on All Saint's Day. It was an old Irish tradition to hide in it a ring for a bride, a button for a bachelor, an thimble for a spinster, and a coin for wealth, or any other item which local custom decreed in keeping with idea of the New Year as a time for divination.)

• 4 cups mashed potatoes
• 2 1/2 cups cabbage, cooked and chopped fine
• 1/2 cup butter (avoid corn oil margarines as they will not add the needed body and flavor)
• 1/2 cup evaporated milk or cream
• 3/4 cup onion, chopped very find and sautéd
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon white pepper

Sauté onions (traditionalists sauté in lard or grease, but butter is acceptable.). Boil the potatoes and mash them (do not use artificial potato flakes). In a large pan place all of the ingredients except the cabbage and cook over low heat while blending them together. Turn the heat to medium and add the chopped cabbage. The mixture will take on a pale green cast. Keep stirring occasionally until the mixture is warm enough to eat. Lastly drop in a thimble, button, ring, and coin. Stir well and serve.

Howling Jack: Honey Pumpkin Mead

by Aurora

This mead is the color of a ripe peach and smells like autumn leaves - perfect for a Harvest party or Sabbat.

• 1 sound, hard-rind pumpkin (approx. 2 quart capacity)
• Paraffin wax
• 1 1/2 quarts of water
• 4 lbs. honey
• 2 each oranges and lemons
• 1 pkt. wine yeast
• 1 tea bag (black tea)

1. Prepare yeast starter.
2. Sterilize honey and water by boiling for 10 minutes, skimming the froth as it rises.
3. Remove from heat; stir in sliced citrus fruits, including skins.
4. Cool to room temperature; pitch yeast.
5. Allow to sit over night.
6. Prepare pumpkin by cutting off the top with a sharp knife. The top must "mate" with the bottom so cut carefully. Clean out the seeds, strings, and membranes of the pumpkin. Rinse out with water.
7. Pour the must into the pumpking, leaving an inch of air space between the liquid and the rim of the opening. Replace the top.
8. Prepare the paraffin/water bath: Fill a plastic bucket with hot water, melt the paraffin wax and float it on the water.
9. Dip the pumpkin, bottom first, into the warm paraffin until it is coated up to its lid. Once the paraffin begins to harden on the pumpkin skin, seal the lid by carefully pouring paraffin over the top, making sure to coat the seam.
10. Set the pumpkin in the middle of a shallow dishpaaan full of water to keep and thirsty pickle worms at bay and place it in a dark, quiet spot.
11. Allow to sit for two months, then siphon off and bottle.

Note: It is probably a good idea to rack the mead into a glass fermenter, fitted with an air lock, for evaluation prior to bottling. If the fermentation is not complete and you bottle prematurely, the corks and glass may blow.

I Am Bored!!!!

The pumpkin is one of the best-known members of the squash family. From September to November, they're all over the place - we see them carved into jack-o-lanterns, painted, and practically invading every roadside stand in town. With Samhain growing nearer, the pumpkin crop is at its peak, and there are all kinds of things you can do with them. Everyone loves candles, so why not use a few small pumpkins to jazz up your Sabbat decor?

The first thing you'll need is a baking-size pumpkin (you can use an acorn squash for this project too). Here's a hint -- before you buy a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch, check your grocery store's produce section.

Unless you already have candle-making equipment and paraffin wax, the other thing you'll need to get is some soy wax chips. These are inexpensive, melt easily and safely in your microwave, and burn cleaner than paraffin wax. If you already have paraffin, you can use that for this project, but you'll need to melt it over a double burner instead. If you want to add color or scent, you'll need some of that too.

Finally, you'll need a wick. You can either make your own by coating a string in wax, or you can buy a pre-made wick at any craft or hobby store. The pre-made ones typically have a small metal disc at the bottom for the base.

Assemble all your supplies, and cut the top off the pumpkin. Scoop out the goop inside (you can save the seeds for roasting later) and scrape the interior clean. A melon-baller actually works really well for this step.

Melt your wax -- again, if you use soy chips you can melt them in the microwave. Eight cups of dry chips will give you about four cups of melted wax, which is just about enough to fill a baking pumpkin or acorn squash. Before you pour the wax, secure the wick to the bottom of the pumpkin's inside. It's okay if it flops over a little, because we'll prop it up later when the wax is in place.

Once your wax is melted, add scent or color chips if you like. Stir before pouring. Fill the pumpkin with wax up to the bottom edge of the opening. You'll probably have a little bit left over -- don't throw it away, you'll need it later!

After you've poured the wax, if the wick seems to lean to one side or the other, place a butter knife across the top of the pumpkin to hold up the wick and keep it from flopping.

Once the wax has cooled, you may notice a small dip or indentation around the wick where the wax has sunk. Use the leftover wax to fill this spot up. Trim the wick back so it is no longer than 1/4" long.

When you burn your candle, be careful not to leave it unattended. If the inside of the pumpkin begins to burn, put your candle out immediately. Use it on your altar or around your house as part of your Samhain decorating.

God or Goddess of the Month

Northern Spotted Owl

The northern spotted owl is dark-to-chestnut brown in color and sports round or oval white spots on its head, neck, back and under parts. Its flight feathers are also dark brown and barred with light brown or white. Unlike most owls, spotted owls have dark eyes. Although it is often considered to be a medium-sized owl, the northern spotted owl ranks among the largest in North America. 

Height About 18 inches
Length About 18 inches (wingspan of around 48 inches)
Weight 1-2 lbs; males smaller than females
Lifespan May live as long as 10 years in the wild and 15-20 years in captivity

Diet

Staples Flying squirrels, wood rats, mice and other small rodents
Also known to eat birds, insects and reptiles

Population

As a result of declining habitat, there are fewer than 100 pairs of Northern spotted owls in British Columbia, Canada, 1,200 pairs in Oregon, 560 pairs in northern California and 500 pairs in the state of Washington.

Range

Northern spotted owls are typically found in old growth forests of northern California and the Pacific Northwest of the United States, as well as in southern parts of British Columbia, Canada.

Behavior

Northern spotted owls are very territorial and intolerant of habitat disturbance. They prefer old-growth forests with tree canopies that are high and open enough for the owls to fly between and underneath the trees.  Preferred areas have large trees with broken tops, deformed limbs or large holes used as nesting sites.  Each pair needs a large amount of land for hunting and nesting, and although they do not migrate, spotted owls may shift their ranges in response to seasonal changes, such as heavy snows, that make hunting difficult.  Northern spotted owls have a distinct flight pattern, involving a series of rapid wingbeats interspersed with gliding flight.  This allows them to glide silently down upon their prey

Reproduction
Mating Season February or March
Gestation About 1-2 months
Clutch size 2-3 eggs
The female incubates the eggs for 30 days.  After hatching, the female sits with her offspring for 8 to 10 days, eating food brought by the male owl.  The young fledge, or acquire the necessary feathers for flying, about 34-36 days after hatching.

Threats

The biggest threat to the Northern spotted owl is loss of old growth forest habitat as a result of logging and forest fragmentation. These threats are made even greater by natural disasters, such as fire, volcanic eruptions and wind storms. 

These spotted owls are also affected by increasing barred owl populations.  The range of barred owls has been expanding from the eastern United States into western Canada, the Pacific Northwest and northern California.  Barred owls displace resident spotted owls and often breed with them, creating hybrids.

Legal Status/Protection

*Endangered Species Act, **CITES Appendix II

*The Endangered Species Act requires the US federal government to identify species threatened with extinction, identify habitat they need to survive, and help protect both.  In doing so, the Act works to ensure the basic health of our natural ecosystems and protect the legacy of conservation we leave to our children and grandchildren.

**Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, an international treaty with 172 member countries.  Appendix I listed species cannot be traded commercially.  Appendix II listed species can be traded commercially only if it does not harm their survival.

How You Can Help

• Help spotted owls and other wildlife by adopting an animal at our Wildlife Adoption Center.
• Take Action for Wildlife at our Wildlife Act
  

Samhain (pronounced /ˈsaʊn/ or /ˈsɑːwɪn/^[1]; Irish /ˈsˠaunʲ/ from the Old Irishsamain) is the word for November in a few Gaelic languages. The Scottish GaelicSamhainn or Samhuinn (for the feast), or an t-Samhain (for the month). The Festival of Samhain is a celebration of the end of the harvest season in Gaelic culture, and is generally regarded as 'The Celtic New Year'.

The same word was used for a month in the ancient Celtic calendar, in particular the first three nights of this month, with the festival marking the end of the summer season and the end of the harvest. A modernized version of this festival continues today in some of the traditions of the Catholic All Souls' Day, the secular Halloween, and in folk practices of Samhain itself in the Celtic Nations and the Irish and Scottish diasporas. It is also observed by various types of Neopagans.

Origins

The Gaulish calendar appears to have divided the year into two halves: the 'dark' half, beginning with the month Samonios (the October/November lunation), and the 'light' half, beginning with the month Giamonios (the April/May lunation). The entire year may have been considered as beginning with the 'dark' half, so that the beginning of Samonios may be considered the Celtic New Year's day. The celebration of New Year itself may have taken place during the 'three nights of Samonios' (Gaulish trinux[tion] samo[nii]), the beginning of the lunar cycle which fell nearest to the midpoint between the autumnal equinox and the winter solstice. The lunations marking the middle of each half-year may also have been marked by specific festivals. The Coligny calendar marks the mid-summer moon (see Lughnasadh), but omits the mid-winter one (see Imbolc). The seasons are not oriented at the solar year, viz. solstice and equinox, so the mid-summer festival would fall considerably later than summer solstice, around 1 August (Lughnasadh). It appears that the calendar was designed to align the lunations with the agricultural cycle of vegetation, and that the exact astronomical position of the Sun at that time was considered less important.

In medieval Ireland, Samhain became the principal festival, celebrated with a great assembly at the royal court in Tara, lasting for three days. After being ritually started on the Hill of Tlachtga, a bonfire was set alight on the Hill of Tara, which served as a beacon, signaling to people gathered atop hills all across Ireland to light their ritual bonfires. The custom has survived to some extent, and recent years have seen a resurgence in participation in the festival.

Celtic folklore

The Samhain celebrations have survived in several guises as a festival dedicated to the harvest and the dead. In Ireland and Scotland, the Féile na Marbh, the 'festival of the dead' took place on Samhain.

The night of Samhain, in Irish, Oíche Shamhna and Scots Gaelic, Oidhche Shamhna, is one of the principal festivals of the Celtic calendar, and falls on the 31st of October. It represents the final harvest. In modern Ireland and Scotland, the name by which Halloween is known in the Gaelic language is still Oíche/Oidhche Shamhna. It is still the custom in some areas to set a place for the dead at the Samhain feast, and to tell tales of the ancestors on that night.

Traditionally, Samhain was time to take stock of the herds and grain supplies, and decide which animals would need to be slaughtered in order for the people and livestock to survive the winter. This custom is still observed by many who farm and raise livestock.

Bonfires played a large part in the festivities celebrated down through the last several centuries, and up through the present day in some rural areas of the Celtic nations and the diaspora. Villagers were said to have cast the bones of the slaughtered cattle upon the flames. In the pre-Christian Gaelic world, cattle were the primary unit of currency and the center of agricultural and pastoral life. Samhain was the traditional time for slaughter, for preparing stores of meat and grain to last through the coming winter. The word 'bonfire', or 'bonefire' is a direct translation of the Gaelic tine cnámh. With the bonfire ablaze, the villagers extinguished all other fires. Each family then solemnly lit its hearth from the common flame, thus bonding the families of the village together. Often two bonfires would be built side by side, and the people would walk between the fires as a ritual of purification. Sometimes the cattle and other livestock would be driven between the fires, as well.

Divination is a common folkloric practice that has also survived in rural areas. The most common uses were to determine the identity of one's future spouse, the location of one's future home, and how many children a person might have. Seasonal foods such as apples and nuts were often employed in these rituals. Apples were peeled, the peel tossed over the shoulder, and its shape examined to see if it formed the first letter of the future spouse's name. Nuts were roasted on the hearth and their movements interpreted - if the nuts stayed together, so would the couple. Egg whites were dropped in a glass of water, and the shapes foretold the number of future children. Children would also chase crows and divine some of these things from how many birds appeared or the direction the birds flew.

Ireland

The Ulster Cycle is peppered with references to Samhain. Many of the adventures and campaigns undertaken by the characters therein begin at the Samhain Night feast. One such tale is Echtra Nerai ('The Adventure of Nera') concerning one Nera from Connacht who undergoes a test of bravery put forth by King Ailill. The prize is the king's own gold-hilted sword. The terms hold that a man must leave the warmth and safety of the hall and pass through the night to a gallows where two prisoners had been hanged the day before, tie a twig around one man's ankle, and return. Others had been thwarted by the demons and spirits that harassed them as they attempted the task, quickly coming back to Ailill's hall in shame. Nera goes on to complete the task and eventually infiltrates the sídheEchtra Nerai is samraid. where he remains trapped until next Samhain. Taking etymology into consideration, it is interesting to note that the word for summer expressed in the

The other cycles feature Samhain as well. The Cath Maige Tuireadh (Battle of Mag Tuired) takes place on Samhain. The deities Morrígan and Dagda meet and have sex before the battle against the Fomorians; in this way the Morrígan acts as a sovereignty figure and gives the victory to The Dagda's people, the Tuatha Dé Danann.

The tale The Boyhood Deeds of Fionn includes an important scene at Samhain. The young Fionn Mac Cumhail visits Tara where Aillen the Burner, one of the Tuatha Dé Danann, puts everyone to sleep at Samhain and burns the place. Through his ingenuity Fionn is able to stay awake and slays Aillen, and is given his rightful place as head of the fianna.

Brittany

In parts of western Brittany, Samhain is still heralded by the baking of kornigou, cakes baked in the shape of antlers to commemorate the god of winter shedding his 'cuckold' horns as he returns to his kingdom in the Otherworld. The RomansLemuria. This, however, was observed in the days leading up to May 13. With Christianization, the festival in November (not the Roman festival in May) became All Hallows' Day on November 1 followed by All Souls' Day, on November 2. Over time, the night of October 31 came to be called All Hallow's Eve, and the remnants festival dedicated to the dead eventually morphed into the secular holiday known as Halloween. identified Samhain with their own feast of the dead, the

Wales

The Welsh equivalent of this holiday is called Nos Galan Gaeaf. As with Samhain, this marks the beginning of the dark half of the year and it officially begins at sundown on the 31st.

'Celtic New Year' questioned

Popular and scholarly literature over the last century has given birth to the near-universal assumption that Samhain was the 'Celtic New Year'. Some historians have begun to question this belief. In his study of the folk calendar of the British Isles, Stations of the Sun, historian Ronald Hutton writes that there are no references earlier than the 18th century, in either church or civic records, which attest to this usage. Although it may be correct to refer to Samhain as 'Summer's End', this point of descent into the year's darkness may need better proof for us to cite this 'end' as also being a definitive 'beginning'. Whether or not the ancient Celts saw Samhain as the beginning of the year, or just one turning point among others in the cycle of the seasons, Samhain is still largely regarded as the Celtic New Year in the living Celtic cultures, both in the Six Celtic Nationsdiaspora. For instance, the contemporary calendars produced by the Celtic League begin and end at Samhain.

Etymology

The Irish word Samhain is derived from the Old Irish samain, samuin, or samfuin, all referring to 1 November (latha na samna: 'samhain day'), and the festival and royal assembly held on that date in medieval Ireland (oenaig na samna: 'samhain assembly'). Its meaning is glossed as 'summer's end', and the frequent spelling with f suggests analysis by popular etymology as sam ('summer') and fuin ('sunset', 'end'). The Old Irish sam ('summer') is from Proto-Indo-European language (PIE) *semo-; cognates are Welsh haf, Breton hañv, English summer and Old Norse language sumar, all meaning 'summer', and the Sanskrit sáma ("season"). (Pokorny, IEW (1959), s.v. "sem-3", p. 905)

Whitley Stokes in KZ 40:245 (1907) suggests an etymology from Proto-Celtic *samani ('assembly'), cognate to Sanskrit sámana, and the Gothic samana. J. Vendryes in Lexique Étymologique de l'Irlandais Ancien (1959) concludes that these words containing *semo- ('summer') are unrelated to samain, remarking that furthermore the Celtic 'end of summer' was in July, not November, as evidenced by Welsh gorffennaf ('July'). We would therefore be dealing with an Insular Celtic word for 'assembly', *samani or *samoni, and a word for 'summer', saminos (derived from *samo-: 'summer') alongside samrad, *samo-roto-. The Irish samain would be etymologically unrelated to 'summer', and derive from 'assembly'. But note that the name of the month is of Proto-Celtic age, cf. Gaulish SAMON[IOS] from the Coligny calendar, and the association with 'summer' by popular etymology may therefore in principle date to even pre-Insular Celtic times.

Confusingly, Gaulish Samonios (October/November lunation) corresponds to GIAMONIOS, the seventh month (the April/May lunation) and the beginning of the summer season. Giamonios, the beginning of the summer season, is clearly related to the word for winter, Proto-Indo-European *g'hei-men- (Latin hiems, Slavic zima, Greek kheimon, Hittite gimmanza), cf. Old Irish gem-adaigellipsis, '[month at the end] of summer/winter', so that samfuin would be a restitution of the original meaning. This interpretation would either invalidate the 'assembly' explanation given above, or push back the time of the re-interpretation by popular etymology to very early times indeed. ('winter's night'). It appears, therefore, that in Proto-Celtic the first month of the summer season was named 'wintry', and the first month of the winter half-year 'summery', possibly by

Bealtaine, Lúnasa and Samhain are still today the names of the months of May, August and November in the Irish language. Similarly, an Lùnasdal and an t-Samhain are the modern Scottish Gaelic names for August and November.

Neopaganism

Samhain is observed by various Neopagans in various ways. As forms of Neopaganism can differ widely in both their origins and practices, these representations can vary considerably despite the shared name. Some Neopagans have elaborate rituals to honor the dead, and the deities who are associated with the dead in their particular culture or tradition. Some celebrate in a manner as close as possible to how the Ancient Celts and Living Celtic cultures have maintained the traditions, while others observe the holiday with rituals culled from numerous other unrelated sources, Celtic culture being only one of the sources used.

Celtic Reconstructionism

Celtic Reconstructionist Pagans tend to celebrate Samhain on the date of first frost, or when the last of the harvest is in and the ground is dry enough to have a bonfire. Like other Reconstructionist traditions, Celtic Reconstructionists place emphasis on historical accuracy, and base their celebrations and rituals on traditional lore from the living Celtic cultures, as well as research into the older beliefs of the polytheistic Celts. At bonfire rituals, some observe the old tradition of building two bonfires, which celebrants and livestock then walk or dance between as a ritual of purification.

According to Celtic lore, Samhain is a time when the boundaries between the world of the living and the world of the dead become thinner, at times even fading away completely, allowing spirits and other supernatural entities to pass between the worlds to socialize with humans. It is the time of the year when ancestors and other departed souls are especially honored. Though Celtic Reconstructionists make offerings to the spirits at all times of the year, Samhain in particular is a time when more elaborate offerings are made to specific ancestors. Often a meal will be prepared of favorite foods of the family's and community's beloved dead, a place set for them at the table.&

Tri-Luna Circle
September 2008

Hello and loving greetings to you all. It is September and school to start so we should be able to take a moment for ourselves. Learn to meditate and mediate. Learn to open your thoughts to the change of season. This month some may celebrate Mabon, and realize time to burn those wondrous items you made at Beltaine.

What is Mabon?

Mabon is the name used by some Wiccans and in some forms of NeopaganismAutumnal Equinox, which in the northern hemisphere occurs on September 23rd22nd). Many celebrate on the 21st since most Wiccan and Neopagan reference works misquote the date as the 21st although the Gregorian Calendar, used in the US and Britain since 1753, does not allow the date of the equinox to fall that early. In the southern hemisphere, the Autumnal Equinox occurs around March 21. for one of their eight annual primary holidays. It is celebrated on the (occasionally the

Also called Harvest Home, the Feast of the Ingathering, Thanksgiving, or simply Autumn Equinox, this holiday is a ritual of thanksgiving for the fruits of the earth and a recognition of the need to share them to secure the blessings of the Goddess and God during the winter months. The name may derive from Mabon ap Modron, a character from Welsh mythology, although the connection is unclear (see below).

Among the sabbats, it is the second of the three harvest festivals, preceded by Lughnasadh/Lammas and followed by Samhain.

Antiquity of Mabon

Mabon was not an authentic ancient festival either in name or date. There is little evidence that the autumnal equinox was celebrated in Celtic countries, while all that is known about Anglo-Saxon customs of that time was that September was known as haleg-monath or 'holy month'.

The name Mabon has only been applied to the Neopagan festival of the autumn equinox very recently; the term was invented by Aidan Kelly in the 1970s as part of a religious studies project (the modern use of Litha for the Summer Solstice is also attributed to Kelly). Previously, in Gardnerian Wicca the festival was simply known as the 'Autumnal Equinox',  and many Neopagans still refer to it as such, or use alternative titles such as the neo-Druidical Alban Elfed, a term invented by Iolo Morganwg.

The name Mabon was chosen to impart a more authentic-sounding "Celtic" feel to the event, since all the other festivals either had names deriving from genuine tradition, or had had names grafted on to them. The Spring Equinox had already been termed 'Ostara', and so only the Autumnal Equinox was left with a technical rather than an evocative title. Accordingly, the name Mabon was given to it, having been drawn from Welsh mythology. However it should be noted that Mabon is a masculine personal name in Welsh; as well as being found as the given name of the mythological character Mabon fab Modron, it remains a popular name in Wales today.

The use of the name Mabon is much more prevalent in America than Britain, where many Neopagans are dismissive of it as an unauthentic name with not even a glimmer of connection to any seasonal lore. The increasing number of American Pagan publications sold in Britain by such publishers as Llewellyn has however resulted in some British Pagans adopting the term.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mabon


God or Goddess of the month....


Mabon ap Modron--"Great Son son of Great Mother"

Welsh:
mabon or meibon: youth, son, young man, man.
ap: son (decendant of) (also mab, map, fab, ap, vab, ab)
modron: mother (believed to be cognate with the Gaulic "Matrona"--mother, matron)

Mabon ap Modron is the Welsh god of music, love, and fertility. He represents the change of seasons, and can be equated with the Greek goddess Persephone. He is depicted as a prisoner, such as in the story of "Culhwch ac Olwen" in the Mabinogion, where he is set free by Cei and Bedwyr, the prototypes of Kay and Bedevere, to capture the boar Twrch Trwyth.

The story says that Mabon ap Modron is the best huntsman in the world, but stolen from his mother when he was three nights old; it isn't known if he is living or dead. Arthur and his knights must find Mabon, so that he can hunt Twrch Trwyth, an evil man turned into a murderous boar, and then present the boar to Yspaddaden Penkawr, father of Olwen, who refuses to allow Culhwch to marry her until the boar is caught.

His prison is Caer Llowy--Gloucester, but also thought to mean "City of Light." He can only be found by consulting the Salmon of Llyn Llyw, the oldest animal in the world. (Salmon often represent wisdom; cf. Fionn Mac Cumhail.) Cei and Bedwyr ride the salmon to the prison; on being set free, Cei carries Mabon on his back to King Arthur's court. From there, they hunt the boar, Mabon gaining the comb and shears behind its ear, and then driving it off a cliff into the sea around Cornwall.

As for an interpretation of this... The boar is an otherworldly animal, perhaps a symbol of the darkness that Mabon, as the light, must hunt and drive out. Moreover, it is a boar which gored to death Adonis--perhaps an end of the tale not told is that Mabon is killed in slaying the boar. It is Mabon who facilitates the fertility of the land, symbolized by the marriage of Culhwch and Olwen.

Mabon is often equated with the Irish god Oengus mac ind Og, "Angus the Young Son," ruler of Tir na nOg, the Land of Youth. He is born on the winter solstice (a supposition based on the Newgrange monument), son of the Dagda and Boann. He is the god of love and music.

His main traits can be summerized as the following:

Are You Hungry?



DANDELION WINE

2 quarts dandelion flowers
3 pounds sugar
1 ounce yeast
1 lemon
1 orange
1 gallon boiling water

Pick the dandelions on a sunny day. Pick just the heads until you have two quart jugs full. Wash flowers and put into a large bowl. Slice orange, lemon thinly and add to the flowerheads. Pour boiling water on top of them, stir well. Cover bowl, leave for ten days, no more. Strain liquid into another bowl, stir in the 3 pounds sugar. Spread the yeast on a piece of toast, and float on top. Cover the bowl and leave for another 3 days. Remove the toast, strain again, and bottle. Cork loosely at first. The wine will be ready to drink in 3 months.

IRISH HERB SCONES

1/2 pound Mealy potatoes
4 Tablespoons Flour
1/4 teaspoon Salt
4 Tablespoons Oil
2 Tablespoons Chopped parsley
1/2 teaspoon Dried dill
1/4 teaspoon Savory
1/4 teaspoon Marjoram
1/4 teaspoon Powdered sage
Oil for frying

Boil or bake the potatoes, then pass through a foodmill. Mix the flour, salt, oil & herbs with the potatoes. On a floured board, roll this dough to a thickness of about 1/4 inch. Cut into triangles 3 or 4 inches wide.
Fry in very hot oil on both sides until light golden.

Source: Vera Gewanter, "A Passion for Vegetables"



I Am Bored!!!!!

Bring the beauty that is Fall into your home with this dramatic centerpiece. You can place this on your dining room table for holiday entertaining, or on a side table or mantle for a decorative accent.

Supplies:

• 2 pkgs. Blonde Wheat
• 1 pkg. Transparent Oak Leaves
• 1 pkg. Fall Eucalyptus
• 2 Chenille Stems, each cut in half (or use wire covered with floral tape)
• 4 Gourd Picks
• 2, 6" strands of ivy garland
• 3 Gifts From The Earth^TM Apples
• 1 pkg. Dried Salal (lemon leaves)
• Glue Gun

Directions:

1. Separate wheat into two groups. Hold one group under wheat heads. Secure cluster with chenille stem to create a binding point. Repeat for other group.
2. Overlap the heads of the two wheat sheaf groupings. Use chenille stem to bind stems between wheat heads. (Remainder of wheat stems extends beyond other grouping's heads.)
3. Cut apart oak and salal leaves, creating clusters. Position atop and beneath the wheat sheaf. Place stems of the leaves into the binding points to secure. Glue if necessary.
4. Split eucalyptus in half. Place each group into a binding point, facing in the same direction as the wheat. Glue if necessary to secure.
5. Add salal in the same fashion.
6. Glue fruit to the wheat, leaves, and eucalyptus bundle. Apply glue directly to fruit and to stems of picks before inserting into centerpiece.
7. Add ivy bunches to top. Glue in place.

• When clustering wheat heads, be sure to twist chenille gently so wheat is not cut by the binding.

Animal of the month from Defenders of Wildlife.....

Mohave Ground Squirrel

Spermophilus Mohavensis

The Mohave ground squirrel is one of the more elusive animals of the California desert. Their highly developed desert survival skills allow them to avoid the extremes of the hostile climate. They are very hard to find and even more difficult to observe and study. Mohave ground squirrels are small brown squirrels with white bellies and thin tails.

Height 1 1/4 - 1 1/2 inches
Length 8 5/8 - 9 inches
Weight 3 - 4 5/8 ounces

Lifespan 5 or more years in the wild

Diet

A variety of foods, but primarily on the leaves and seeds of forbs and shrubs.

Population

Determining population size of the Mohave ground squirrel is difficult due to its elusive nature. The species is inactive throughout much of the year, and abundance as well as the period of surface activity varies from year to year.

Range

The Mohave ground squirrel occupies portions of Inyo, Kern, Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties in the Western Mojave Desert. The species ranges from near Palmdale on the southwest to Lucerne Valley on the southeast, Olancha on the northwest and the Avawatz Mountains on the northeast.

Behavior

The Mohave ground squirrel occupies all major desert scrub habitats in the Western Mojave Desert. The mainly solitary Mohave ground s quirrel hibernates from August to March, when food is scarce. It carries its tail over its back when running; the white underside helps reflect the sun's rays. 

It seems that that the Mohave ground squirrel controls its population and food sources by refusing to mate when there is significantly low rainfall. They will often hibernate early, sometimes as early as April, and wait until the next year to try again. This leads to near extinction in the areas with little or no rain, but the population seems to increase steadily after the rains return. Breeding occurs soon after they emerge from hibernation.

Reproduction
Mating Season Spring
Gestation Less than a month
Litter size 6-9 young
The young are usually weaned after only about a month and will leave the nest. Often, the young ground squirrels will settle close to their mother's burrow, but sometimes a young male will travel far, often up to four miles, to establish his own territory.

Threats

The Mohave ground squirrel is threatened by loss of habitat and degradation of habitat due to urban, suburban and rural development, agriculture, military activities, energy development livestock grazing and Off-Highway Vehicle use.  In spite of its protected status, very little is known of its habitat extent and needs. In many areas within its historic range, there are no recent records. Unfortunately this lack of information is a detriment to the development of a conservation strategy for the species.

Legal Status/Protection

The Mohave ground squirrel has long been listed as Threatened under the California state Endangered Species Act.

How You Can Help

• Help Mohave ground squirrels and other wildlife by adopting an animal at our Wildlife Adoption Center.
• Take Action for Wildlife at our Wildlife Action Center.

For additional information

Visit Defenders' Imperiled Species: Mohave Ground Squirrel pages for more information about what Defenders is doing to help.

The festival of the Autumn Equinox, Alban Elfed, the celebration of harvest, balance and peace

The turning point in this Lughnasadh season of the harvest, the autumn equinox is again a time when the day and night are of equal length. Occurring at some point between 20 - 23 September, it is known commonly by the Welsh/Brythonic Alban Elfed, pronounced elved, meaning 'light of autumn'. Celebrating the end of the grain harvest, it is the festival of Harvest Home.

Alban Elfed

This is the Feast of the Autumn Equinox. The Light of the Sun in the Wheel of the Year stands in the West, in the Place of balance between the Light and the Darkness. This is a time of the Great Tides. This is the Gateway of the Year.

This Feast is known by many names to many people, for the Truth is reflected from many mirrors. It has been celebrated as Alban Elfed and Harvest. Our ancestors called it by names long forgotten, and our children will call it by names as yet unconceived.

At this time, our ancestors saw the Sun, for the first time in half a year, be unable to outshine the Dark. Although he still shines with strength, his strength grows weaker as the days grow shorter. Today he holds the Darkness in in equal measure to the Light, but he is struck in his season with the wound of Time and from day to day the darkness will grow as the Lord of Light sinks into his Age, for the wound is grievous and will not heal. This is a time of farewell and gratitude for the Summer that has been.

At this time, our ancestors saw the Lady who is the Spirit of the Land stand before her people with the full bounty of her Harvest. Here is the reward of labour and reverence of the Land. This is the fulfilled promise of the days of Spring and Summer. This is the Reckoning of the Year, for Harvest is now complete and the portions are set to feed folk and animals through the cold dark days that lie ahead. This is a time of wonder and gratitude for the gifts the Lady showers down upon her people.

This is the time of the turning of the Light into Darkness. Let us step forward into the darkening days holding before us the divine promise of new Light at the end of the Dark Days, from year to year and life to life. This is the lesson of the Lord and the Lady. This is our knowledge and our affirmation.

This is the Holy Word that is written in no less than the Earth and the Sky and in all things that are made. This is a wonder and a marvel.

–Coifi   

 Note from DoD~

Next year we are having a Gathering at my home. We are working on getting good speakers from Animal totems to Rocks and stones. I have asked the wonderful David Ewing and his lovely lady Janet to over see the Lugh. For more information on the Gathering please visit.....http://groups.yahoo.com/group/2009Gathering

Tri-Luna Circle
July 2008

Welcome July! The beginning of the next half of the year, depends on when you start, of course. But this is a wonderful time to be a Pagan. With the children home, birds singing in the wee hours of the morn, and the smell of the busy life around you, you can feel the energy flowing, whether good or bad, around you in great measures at this time. Now is a great time to figure out you will use this energy. Remember bad energy is actually good. One can make that way so easily than thought but it takes passion to do so. Let us say that someone hit your car....CRAP!!!! How in the world can that be turned into good energy? Well, ask yourself questions.....Am I hurt or anyone else? If its just a minor dent, is my whole world spinning because of a car? Sadly so much attention has been placed on the material things in the world, that the greatest items are so over looked. How is getting up at 5am in the morning for work a positive thing? Try and ask yourself how many folks are missing the chance to see the Sun God rise up into the sky to shine on a new day. Or to hear the birds babies sing for breakfast before the morn is in full bloom. Taking the time to stop and breath during stressful moments is very important not only to ones health but also to ones spiritual balance within. Stop, reach down, and touch the soil beneath your feet. Home is where the heart is? Then your heart is everywhere......Welcome home.
Blessings~
DoD
 
July

Celtic Month Of Holly

SYMBOL~ The Unicorn
War Horse
The Flaming Spear
Balance
Earth (Abred)
The Fire Festival of 
Lammas

Deity~ Danu

Meaning~ A symbol of luck and good fortune. In Celtic mythology the Holly is the evergreen twin of the Oak.  It is called  a kerm-oak.  The Oak rules the light part of the year while the Holly rules the dark part.  The Unicorn represents a horse with a horn that resembles the flaming spear.   The Celtic symbol of the Flaming Spear is associated with the Celtic month of  Tanist because the Celtic T is shaped like a barbed spear.  Both the Oak and Holly are symbolized with the Summer Solstice and the White Horse of the Oak becomes the The Unicorn of the Holly in transformation.   The Fire Festivals that took place during this time were usually in honor of the Earth.  Therefore, the Holly also represents those eternal, ever-green aspects of mother earth.



July to the Celts

Event~

Dies Alliensis July 18th

More....

Each July 5th on Tynwald Day, there is a public reading in Manx and English of the laws passed during the year by the Mann Parliament. In 1266, by the Treaty of Perth, Norway ceded the Hebrides and the Isle of Mann to Scotland. In 1567, Mary Queen of Scots was forced to abdicate. In 1690, The Battle of the Boyne ended the Jacobite Rebellion in Ireland. In 1865, the Welsh colony of Patagonia began. In 1893, the Gaelic League was founded in Ireland. In 1921, Eamon De Valera flies the Stars and Stripes at Dublin to emphasize the principles of the Irish Rebellion. On July 10, 1921, "Bloody Sunday" in Belfast, saw widespread destruction and death carried out by Protestants. The next day, a truce ended the War of Independence between Eire and Britain In 1966, Gwynfor Evans was elected as Plaid Cymru M. P. for Carmarthen. In 1967, a Welsh Language Statute gave limited recognition to the language by the London Parliament.

I am Bored!!!!

wheel of the year collage

To make a Wheel of the Year collage, you will need to start with a large piece of heavy cardboard.

Trace a large circle on the cardboard. To do this, place a thumb tack in the approximate center of the cardboard. If the thumb tack goes all the way through, you may wish to put another piece or two of scrap cardboard beneath it so you can push it in fully and not scratch your table surface. Tie a piece of string around the tack. Hold the string out from the center until it almost meets an edge of the cardboard. Tie a pencil around it at that point, then trace around, letting the string guide the pencil on a circular path. Remove the tack and string.

................Take a sturdy pair of scissors or a craft knife and cut around the pencil guide, so you have your large wheel. At this point, you may wish to paint your wheel a base color of your choice. While you'll be adding a great deal of things to your collage, should the cardboard show through any small spaces, it looks nicer if it has a color underneath.

When the paint is dry, take a pencil, a yard stick, and a protractor. You are going to divide your wheel into eight equal parts. Start by locating the very center of the wheel by finding your tack hole. Lay your yard stick across the circle with the tack hole slightly to the side of it. Draw a line down the center, bisecting the circle.

Lay the protractor across the line you have made and mark a 90 degree angle. Then, take your yard stick and use that mark as a guide to make another line across. Your circle should be divided into 4 equal quarters.

Lay the protractor across one of the lines and make a pencil dot at the 45 degree mark, and one at the 135 degree mark. Using the yardstick, make another line across the dot at the 45 degree mark through the center, and a final line across the 135 degree mark through the center. Your circle should now be divided into eight equal parts, much like a pizza pie.

If you like, you can go over those lines and make them more pronounced with paint or a marker. If one line comes out a little crooked or messy, don't panic; you're going to be pasting things on later, so you can just cover up the offending area.

The next thing to do is write the name of each sabbat in a slice of the pie. Since Pagan traditions vary, the exact dates and names of the celebrations are different from group to group. However, there are eight seasons that Pagan traditions commonly celebrate, some various names of which have been listed below on the reference chart. Use the names which are specifically used in your particular tradition. If you are new to Paganism, use the names with which you feel most comfortable.

In the "slice" at the top of the circle, write the name of the first sabbat. Turn the circle slightly to the left, so that the next "slice" is at the top, and write the name of the next sabbat. Continue doing this down the line. When you are done, the names at the top of the circle should be right-side up, while the names at the bottom should be upside-down. The reason for this is that, when you hang your wheel, you will be able to rotate it to put the appropriate season on top. You'll want the name of it facing right-side up when it is at the top, which simply means it will face the opposite way when at the bottom of the wheel.

The next part of the task can be a lot of work, but a lot of fun. Begin to gather a lot of things that represent the eight sabbat seasons. This can take a few days to a few months, depending on how much you want, how actively you search and how resourceful you are. Listed below on the reference chart are some ideas for different seasonal symbols.

When you have collected all the materials for your collage, begin to glue items into their respective seasons. Glue flat items first, such as pictures and cut outs. Use regular white craft glue for these items and let it dry before proceeding.

Once you have all the flatter items down, you can begin to pile bulkier items, such as dried flowers, small stones or twigs on top of them. These should be applied with a hot glue gun for the most secure attachment. While you can pile things as much as or in any way you want, try not to completely obscure the flat pictures and cut-outs at the base. It looks nice to have them poking through the 3-dimensional objects.

Don't worry if you feel certain sabbat sections are sparse, while others are overflowing. You can always add things as you go along and celebrate your seasons. And if pieces ever fall off, just re-glue them.

When you are ready to hang your collage, poke a hole through the center (right through that tack prick you first created) and nail it directly into the wall, but don't hammer the nail in too tightly. You will want to be able to spin it, like a carnival wheel game, so that as each season passes you can move the new one to the top.

REFERENCE CHART

December–

Sabbat Names: Yule, Winter Solstice, Midwinter, Saturnalia

Seasonal Colors: Red, Green, Silver, Gold

Collage Suggestions: cut out pictures from old Christmas cards and holiday wrapping paper, search through Winter issues of craft, family and women's magazines for pictures to cut out, pictures of the sun, gold glitter, pine cones, dried pine needles

February–

Sabbat Names: Imbolc, Oimelk, Brigid's Day, Bride, Feast of Waxing Light

Seasonal Colors: Red, White

Collage Suggestions: Pictures of glowing candles (especially red), pictures of glowing fireplaces or a hearth, paper snow flakes, snowy scenes from magazines and postcards, red ribbons, St. Brigid's crosses

March–

Sabbat Names: Ostara, Eostre, Spring Equinox, Vernal Equinox

Seasonal Colors: Pastels of all kinds

Collage Suggestions: Rabbits, Eggs, pictures from old Easter cards, pastel ribbons, dyed (blown) eggshells, seeds, flower buds

May–

Sabbat Names: Beltane, Beltain, May Day, Lady's Day, Walpurgis Night

Seasonal Colors: Red, White, bright colors

Collage Suggestions: May pole depictions, Spring/Summer scenes, flower blossoms, braided ribbons, small May poles made out of twigs

June–

Sabbat Names: Midsummer, Midsummer Night, Litha, Summer Solstice, Vestalia

Seasonal Colors: Blue, Yellow, Orange, Green

Collage Suggestions: Summer post cards of beach scenes and green fields, magazine cut outs of the ocean or the sun, small sea shells, fairies, fire, plastic or silk berries, silk butterflies, dried rose buds or petals

August–

Sabbat names: Lughnasadh, Lunasa, Lammas, Feast of Lugh, Cornucopia, First Harvest

Seasonal Colors: Green, Brown, Gold

Collage Suggestions: Harvest pictures, farms, ripe corn fields, harvest tools (scythes, tractors) wheat stalks, ripe vegetables, loaves of bread, cornucopias

September--

Sabbat Names: Mabon, Fall Equinox, Autumnal Equinox

Seasonal Colors: Brown, Gold, Orange

Collage Suggestions: Fall scenes, colorful autumn leaves, loaves of bread, acorns, bare twigs, cornucopias, boars, gourds, squash, apples

October--

Sabbat Names: Samhain, All Hallows, All Soul's Night, Shadowfest

Seasonal Colors: Black, Orange, Red

Collage Suggestions: Old Halloween cards, magazine pictures from Halloween issues, pumpkins, pumpkin seeds, skulls, jack-o-lanterns, skeletons, ghosts, cauldrons, apples, scythes, black cats, broomsticks

Are You Hungry?

grilled nectarines with honey-balsamic glaze

1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons honey
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 8-ounce container crème fraîche
6 firm but ripe nectarines, halved, pitted

Whisk 1/2 cup honey, vinegar, and vanilla in small bowl. Whisk crème fraîche and remaining 2 tablespoons honey in medium bowl to blend. (Glaze and crème fraîche mixture can be made 1 day ahead. Cover separately. Refrigerate crème fraîche mixture. Rewhisk both before using.)

Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Brush nectarines generously with half of glaze. Grill until heated through, turning occasionally, about 4 minutes. Arrange 2 nectarine halves, cut side up, on each plate. Drizzle with remaining glaze. Spoon some crème fraîche mixture into center of each nectarine half and serve.

Noodles in faery butter

A note on this one: The "orange flower water" is made by creating an infusion from orange flowers by soaking them in water and draining out the flower afterwards. In this noder's opinion, this recipe has too much basil and too much butter, and is better with margarine instead of butter besides, but reducing the quantities of these two ingredients in relation to the others seems to make for a better balanced, creamy treat. This is a summer or early autumn recipe and is a folklore favorite of the fair folk.

Ingredients:

• 4 hard-boiled egg yolks
  
• ½ cup sugar
  
• ½ cup sweet butter, softened
  
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  
• 1 teaspoon dried sweet basil
  
• 2 tablespoons orange flower water (optional)
  
• 1 pound noodles, cooked

Directions:

Beat egg yolks, sugar, butter, thyme, basil, and orange water in bowl until smooth. Mix enough of the butter with hot noodles to coat noodles with golden-yellow color.

Yield: 8 servings
Source: Paraphrased from Telesco, A Kitchen Witch's Cookbook

Names for the July Moon
Colonial American~Summer Moon
Chinese~Lotus Moon
English Medieval~ Mead Moon
Native American (Cherokee)~ Ripe Corn Moon
Native American (Choctaw)~Crane Moon
Native American  (Dakota Sioux)~ Moon of the Middle Summer
Neo Pagan~Rose Moon
Druid~Moon of Claiming
Celtic~Holly Moon

God or Goddess of the Month
With some referring to water deities in the July summer months like God of the Sea. Brother of Jupiter, Pluto and Juno. The God and patron of Horses and Horse Racing as Neptune Equester. Neptunalia was celebrated on July 23. The trident is Neptune's attribute. But in Celtic culture our great sea God is Lir.


 
In Irish mythology, Lir or Ler ("the sea") was the god of the sea, father of Manannan mac Lir, and a son of Elatha. In early genealogies, he is named Allód, and corresponds to Llŷr in Welsh mythology.

Lir, like his Welsh counterpart, is a God of the Sea, though in the case of the Gaelic myths his son Manannan mac Lir seems to take over his position and so features more prominently. It is probable that more myths referring to Llyr/Ler which are now lost to us existed and that his popularity was greater, especially considering the number of figures called 'son of Llyr/Ler'.

Lir is a key character in the well-known mythological story Oidheadh Chlainne Lir; however, it is not definitely established whether this is the same person as Manannán's father or a different Lir. The Lir in this story was the rival of Bodb Dearg for the kingship of the Tuatha Dé Danann after their retreat into the fairy mounds. In order to appease Lir, Bodb gave one of his daughters to marry him, Aeb. She bore him four children, one girl, Fionnuala, and three sons, Aed and twins, Fiachra and Conn.

Aeb died and, not wanting the children to remain motherless, Bodb sent another of his daughters, Aoife, to marry Ler. Aoife grew jealous of the children and cursed them to live as swans for 900 years.

Pagans in the Military

  By Patti Wigington

Whether you're a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps, if you're a Wiccan or Pagan, you're entitled to the same religious rights as people of other faiths. You can have the word "Wiccan" imprinted on your dog tag, you can pray to your own gods or goddesses, and you can even attend services and rituals held on your base, if you're fortunate enough to be in an area that has other Pagans in it.

Government entities do recognize Wicca as a religion. In 2001, the revised edition of the U.S. Air Force Personnel Data System (MilMod) included Dianic Wicca, Druidism, Gardnerian Wicca, Pagan, Seax Wicca, Shamanism, and Wicca. Not only that, the Military Chaplain's Handbook acknowledges Wicca within its pages and outlines procedures for interacting with Wiccan and Pagan soldiers.

The Ultimate Sacrifice

In May, 2007, after nearly a decade of delay, the Veteran's Association decided that they would allow the pentacle to be placed on the headstones of fallen Pagan and Wiccan soldiers. This stems in part from a lawsuit filed by Roberta Stewart, widow of Sgt. Patrick Stewart, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2006. The ensuing publicity, spearheaded by the Veteran's Pentacle Quest, brought the plight of deceased Pagan soldiers to the public eye. There is still a movement in place to add more Pagan symbols, such as the Asatru Hammer and others, but for now, it's a worthy victory for American Wiccans and Pagans to see the pentacle added to the list of approved emblems.

Comments from Politicians

In 1999, state representative Bob Barr (R-Ga) commented that he would like to see the practice of Wicca banned on military bases. In a response, Rev. Selena Fox of Circle Sanctuary asked, "If Rep. Barr and others succeed in outlawing this religion, what faith is safe?"

Later that year, when asked about Barr's comments, George W. Bush (who was at that time the governor of Texas) replied, "I don't think that witchcraft is a religion. I wish the military would rethink this decision."

Support for Warriors

In 2005, Circle Sanctuary started a support group called Warrior Circle for active duty Pagans and their families. As the number of people practicing earth-based faiths increases within the military, so does the need for military chaplains to make available appropriate support for them. This includes providing meeting space for the conducting of Wiccan and Pagan religious ceremonies at military installations.

In December 2006, Rev. Michael Akins, Executive Director of the Military Pagan Network met with US Air Force Chief of Chaplains, Chaplain (MajGen) Charles C.Baldwin, and his Deputy, Chaplain (BrigGen) Cecil R. Richardson. According to a press release, topics discussed during the meeting included the need for acceptance of the support of military pagans by USAF chaplains throughout the world, ensuring religious accommodation issues are addressed at the appropriate level, communication modes when incidents of religious discrimination arise, and non-chaplain lay support of non-mainstream spiritual paths.

What If You're Being Harassed?

In the United States military, there is a need for cohesive discipline. When one member of the group is singled out and targeted for discrimination by others, it can lead to a potential breakdown of the unit. Despite the military's contention that they are trying to treat all faiths equally, there is still a significant lack of access to support for Pagans and Wiccans in the armed forces. In 2006, Army chaplain Don Larsen applied to become the Army's first Wiccan chaplain. Not only was his request denied, but he was also removed from the chaplaincy program.

If you feel you are being unfairly treated because of your spiritual path, here are a few things you should do:

• Try some basic communication - it's entirely possible that the person doing the harassment has no idea just how offensive their words are. If you can, point out to them that their comments are insensitive. This may nip things in the bud, because many people just don't know any better.
  
• Document everything. Write down any incident, no matter how small, of discriminatory or harassing behavior.
  
• First and foremost, follow the chain of command. The military is a well-oiled machine, and one of the reasons it works so well is because there is a procedure for everything. If you're being harassed, go to your commanding officer before you do anything else. Try to fix problems on the lowest level possible.
  
• If regular military channels do not resolve the issue you still have a couple of other options. You can file a complaint through the Inspector General (IG). The IG has the responsibility of investigating complaints and enforcing regulations.
  
• If neither of these works for you, consider filing an Article 138 complaint. The procedure for this varies among different branches of the miltary, so be sure to read all applicable regulations.
  
• Consider retaining legal counsel. Information on attorneys who handle religious discrimination cases can be found at the Military Pagan Network and the Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers.

  Above all, military folks, try to remember that while you're out there protecting the rights and freedoms of the rest of America, your own rights are worth protecting as well.                                             
  

(note from DoD~ For the fourth of July we are to stop and remember the freedom we have gained from " A Controlled System." The men and women who went beyond ones expectations to be able to free think and to be able to make a choice without rule. I believe it is also a time to remember the sacrifices that are still being made on our behalf by our Military. We love you for it. I especially thank our Pagan brethren for not only fighting on a daily basis to insure our well being of freedom, but to continue to do so under such discrimination for their beliefs. I honor you. You above all not only put up arms to defend us but for yourselves to be able to have faith in a system that gives you such heartache. You all are truely Warriors in my eyes and my wishes for you all to keep your faith alive and carry the spirit of our Ancient Ones behind you everyday. Thank You~ DoD)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pagan-military-wives




I would also like to thank you all for visiting Tri-Luna Circle and for being a part of my family. I can not wait to meet you wonderful folks at the Gathering at the end of the month and to those who shall not be attending, my heart and love is still with you. Next months Newsletter will be a little late do to the Gathering but I hope, in Spirit, you shall continue your growth. Many Blessings, my friends and family. I love you dearly.
Kelyla na Fili

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