Halloween Blessed Be Witches And Warlocks, Come In And Sit By My Warm Cauldron, I have Lot's Of Magic To Show You!

Halloween, a night beyond nights, where Witches and Warlocks, creep amongst the houses looking for innocent bystanders to use their power to conjure up magic.

Eye of bat, and leg of toad,

Three small rats, and colour woad,

Stir and stir then add some stock,

Screaming Mandrake,

Warm Hemlock,

Sprinkle Poison, hot and red,

Then find a Male fresh from his bed.

Watch his face so far from Glee,

Then feed it all to little me.

-

Come in, Come in, what are you afraid of? It's warm by the light of the fire that heats the Cauldron. Don't be afraid, I won't hurt you. Tis a cold night to be staying so close to the shadows, I have so much to show you. Bring your friends. That's it, come along. There, now isn't that better? So much more comfortable.

'Would you like a drink? Soup? The Cauldron has enough to go around'.

'Sit, Sit all you weary travellers, and listen to my voice'. I am going to show you so many wonders, and after we have finished, we will understand so much more, my friends'.

'Please don't be afeard of the Witches, they won't hurt you, they just want to dance for you' 'Watch, and feel your eyes follow them as they dance widdershins around the Cauldron.' That's right, my dear's, just let your mind follow the movements, and when you have heard the words to the Blessing, you can join in too, just for fun of course, no harm there'.

A musical note fills the air, as the Witches begin to hum. The air seems to respond to the music, an a soft warm wind blows the trees, and the branches dip towards the Witches, as though trying to caress their skin.

'Oh welcome God of Winter, Hold us in your firm embrace

Give us strength to walk the storms of cold and darkness

Let us revel in your rain and wind, Leaving us warm and tired in your love

And protect us until the Joy of morning, springs forth amongst a bloom of sunny days,

And warm scented flowers take form once again

To be blessed in the sweet love of the Goddess

Whose protection we secure in the warmth of the sun.

Waking, waking slowly softly. Shaking their heads as though they have been captured by the night. A warm mist has arisen, and slips slowly around their bodies. They blink. Their eyes become focused and they can see that the area around the Cauldron is empty. There is no sign of the Witches and the earth is still and untrampled.

'What happened?' They ask, as they look from one face to another. Suddenly The witch is standing before them.

'Well now, did you enjoy that?' She smiles a secret smile, seeing the confusion and and fear on the peoples faces.

'Come' She claps her hands, and jumps to her feet. 'The night is moving along, and I have so much to show you'. She raises her arms and spins around. 'Look all around you, there are so many tents and stalls selling such wondrous things, magic things, secret things, things that only your mother's mother knew when she was a small child. Come, let me show you'

She leads them to the first tent. 'Enter, but don't be surprised when you won't want to leave again' she smiled a sly smile followed by a soft giggle.

Inside was a wondrous sight. Clothes were hung on pegs from the ceiling, rats in cages were on the floor between the tables. Witch's and Warlocks were darting in and out of the visitors, cackling and calling out their wares.

'Buy a pretty dress my dear, tis made of the finest silks taken from the souks of the farthest orient, riches from Africa, cotton from the farthest shores, try it, try it, you will see how it fits your shape when you place it over your head, the magic sewn into the seams will mold it to your body, and you will never wish for any other garment'.

Colours that had never been seen before hung in the air, magic dust sparkled amongst the people, settling on their clothes, making them smile and willingly giving their money.

'That's it my dears, come along and see what you want to buy' The witches voice floated towards them.

Hat's and coats, silks and bonnets, broomsticks that couldn't seem to keep still as they jiggled behind their owners, waiting to break out of their bonds and fly around the room.

'Be careful with that one Matilda', the witch called across to another lady with a rabbit hat on, or was it a live rabbit? 'You know that broom hasn't been broken in yet'.

'Now, what can I bring you?' She turned back to them.

After buying the clothes that they wanted, they spotted an opening in the far end of the tent. Seeing them looking curious, the witch turned to them.

'Ah I see you are interested in our little, what shall I call it?' She tapped her chin, and a smile played around her lips. 'Come, do you want to know your future? I can show you such wonders, please follow me' Leading them through a small, dark passageway, they enter a brightly lit tent. This one was quite different. Tables stood around the edges, and witches were seated on long marble benches. In front of them, on the tables, were glass giant marbles, which swirled with a strange mist inside them. In each of the witches hands were playing cards. But these were not the usual kind. The had pictures and swirls of colour glowing from the front of each card.

'We have Tarot Cards, and Angel Cards, Psychic reading spell Cards and, Oh so many, it is up to you to choose your fate', 'Come along, my dears, come and choose your destiny' The witch shuffled towards a male Warlock, 'Maybe an Aura reading?, or would you prefer to meet your Great grandmothers spirit guide?'

Somehow, Oh somehow, their feet seem to take on a life of their own. Soon the friends were seated around two tables, staring in fascination at the array of cards spread before them. The light caught the glass of the Crystal ball, and shimmered in the air around them, seeming to dance in dust moats, that didn't act quite like it should. A giggle sounded in one of the sitters ears, and he brushed it away as though it were a small breath that tickled him. Fairy lights hung from the tent roof, and a hush seemed to descend on the spectators.

'Umm, let me see, my young friend, shuffle the pack, and ask a question' the witch said.

'Ah, that's right, and now, give them back to me' The witch placed the cards down on the table.

'I see the Lovers, but what are they sitting next too?' She placed her red nailed hand on the next card. 'A falling tower, you will have trouble within this relationship, so let us place the next card' She held the card in her hand. Slowly she lay it down in front of them. 'The circle of life, interesting', she said. 'And now for the last card'. Wide eyed, the friends waited for the last card.

The witch stared. 'Oh! She whispered. And she smiled.

The sun broke through the clouds and spread a line of sunlight across the glade. The four friends blinked and groaned. Slowly they opened their eyes, and rubbed them, trying to focus. They were alone. There was nothing in the field, only the soft sound of the wind in the trees.

They stood, and dusted themselves down.

'Weird dream' said one.

'Yeah, Weird dream, tell me about it' The laughed nervously, and headed back towards their car.

Story And Poems Copyright By M. Loveridge (Nell Rose)