Hawaiian Beach Leader: Ocean's Edge Date: March 30th 1999. Ocean sits in the sand, fine and white, like silk in her fingers. She thinks on this time of beginnings, to truly understand where we are going, we must remember where we have been. She recalls a walk along this same beach many moons ago, when the child of Pele gave her the gift of this place, along with so many other treasures. She remembers how those gifts, have brought her not in a circle, but a spiral to where she stands now. She slowly inhales the fragrance of the approaching night, the cooling heat, the salt in the air, mingled with the bouquet of a thousand tropical wild flowers. She lets the essence of life, of new growth, of beginnings fill her. She listens to the whispers on the breezes as she watches the sun sink low over the calm Pacific, he who is parted, never parting, and knows his heart is never far from his loved ones. Soon the moon will rise and the others will come. "Aloha oe" she whispers back to the breeze. The moon rises, bright and pregnant with possibilities. With the white sand, and the water reflecting its light, the night glows. Still she builds the fire. To the north a rough altar is built of black volcanic glass, to the east the rising moon, to the south the forest of strange and wonderous flowers and leaves, and to the west, her own mother's dear sister.  As she works, tracing the circle in the still warm sand, a tune from far back in her memory slips from her lips. "We walked both sides of every street, though all kinds of wind and weather. But that was never our defeat, so long as we could walk together. So there's no need for turning back, for all roads lead to where we stand, and I believe we walked them all, no matter what we may have planned" Welcome friends, loved ones, my family.... Nymue' approaches the East with her companion, Isabo, upon her shoulder. The copper of the Hawks feather meld with Nymues' curls...where does one begin and the other end? "Hail Watchtower of the East! I call upon the dragon Sairys, ruler of winds and clouds, to guard and protect this circle. I summon the powers of air, Clear sighted eagle, Golden dawn of new beginnings, Refreshing winds of change. Come to our circle, dazzling and brilliant, to aid us in our rite. >From the eagles wings we call you, >From the stormy winds we call you, Spirits of swiftness and thought! We Call You!" As Nymue' raises her hand to draw the ancient invoking sign, the Hawk take to the air from her shoulder, soaring and spiraling higher and higher, as a gentle breeze builds. "So mote it be!" Nymue' returns to her place to await........   Owl runs quickly to fill the space where Cloud's puter left just a smudge instead of a Cloud <G>....   Turning to the South and raising her arms, Owl asks quietly .."Guardian from the South .. Element of Fire, we respectfully ask that you join with us and protect our circle.  The Flame that warms, can also burn ..the fire that destroys, can also cleanse.  In full awareness of all your potential, and your aspects, we call on you .. Guardian, Elemental, Friend.  So mote it be! Owl steps back to the edge of the circle, as the fire flares and a gust of warmth circles the participants ....  and waits ......   ...until Red Deer moves, with the far ringing of bells and a flash of aquamarine in his pierced ear, to the westernmost point of their circle.  Once there, he lays out an earthenware bowl of river water and floats a small candle scented with thyme and yarrow upon it.  Three salix leaves he also floats in the bowl, then lights the candle.    "Hail and welcome, watchers of the west.  Naelyan, from the liquid depths I ask that you arise this night to ward our circle.  Powers of water:  vapid mist and bellowing steam, light refreshing rain and torrential flood, mellow spring and turbulent geyser, lazy lowland creek and rushing river, placid sea and violent ocean...  come to our circle mellifluous and transmutable to partake of the magicks we work.  Depth of emotion, tranquility of purpose, and daring of being - we humbly invite you within this circle cast."  Red Deer moves his left hand in waves above the floating candle, before whispering "So mote it be."    After a moments meditation upon the ingathering energies, Deer slowly makes his way back to the opening in the circle he had occupied and looks to... A small owl comes from the darkness, flies silently above the circle that has gathered.  The moonlight reflects off his wings.  He alights on a branch of a tree near the circle. Boudica steps to the center of the circle.  She looks around at all who have gathered.  She smiles at all gathered, nodding to those she knows. Its nice to be back amongst friends again. She move across the circle to the North.  She has an apple branch with flowers on it in her hand.  She stoops over, and picks up a handful of earth.  Still chill, it releases the clean smell of earth.  Its spring again, and the earth is beginning to stir. She raises the apple wand to the North.  "Oh Ancient One of the North, Spirit of Earth, Great Mother who provides for us, who nurtures us, and gives us all our needs, we greet Thee.  As the days warm and lengthen, we welcome the return of life upon you.  We await the greening of the grass, and the smell of the flowers, and the fruits in your fields." "We ask that you join our circle this evening, and be welcome.  Your blessings upon us as we create this sacred space." Boudica returns to the center of the circle, bows to the North, and returns to her place in the circle.  The owl flies from its place in the tree, and comes to rest upon Boudicas shoulder, to await ........ Upon entering the circle of friends & family, Nivasi looks at the people gathered in harmony and unity. She asks permission to enter the circle and begins. Carefully, she takes out her black velvet bag; reaches in, & takes out a handful of sacred ashes and sprinkles it upon the ground. O Great Father, Horned One, Sacred Spirit, we have gathered here tonight in your graces, we ask that you join us in this circle of light. Nivasi then, walks to all four quarters and whispers to each individual, are they prepared for this journey of love and light. Receiving the desired answer, she then re-enters the center once again, stands with her arms wide, Father, Brother, Friend, Guide, we are prepared ! Taking her position beside the cool black smoothness of the altar, she waits. Danno enters the circle.  He's been apprehensive about his role in the ceremony all week, but now that he's actually in the circle,  and stands at the north.  In a barely audible voice, he intones "Eris, athe malkuth ve geburah ve gedulah le-olam.  Amen." He walks to the center of the circle, and extends his arms to the full moon. He shouts: "GODDESS OF A THOUSAND NAMES !" ... he looks around sheepishly - reminds himself that this is not the 700 Club - lowers his voice, and lowers his arms parallel to the earth. "Goddess who cannot be named."  Spins slowly clockwise.. "Mother of us all.." stops, and locks eyes with Genevre - briefly touches a knee to the ground - "My love..." continuing the spin, getting eye contact with each member of the circle... "We are gathered here this night, in perfect love and perfect trust..." Danno pauses, slightly disoriented.   Not really sure if it's from the spinning, or the power within the circle.  He takes a deep breath, exhaling slowly.. notices that nothing outside the circle is visible any more.. Raising his arms again - "Goddess, awaken that light within us all which is you !" Sparks dance around the periphery of the circle, coalescing and twisting up towards the moon... a wisp of fog rolls by, highlighting a beam of light from the moon - it is joined by the sparks in a shower of radiance... the Goddess has announced her presence ! Dazed, Danno staggers back to his place within the circle. Ocean smiles brightly,....walking slowly deosil around the circle, touching a hand here, kissing a cheek there.... so many faces old and new all well loved. Coming again before the altar...she places there a feather, from a bird from a far off land, it has traveled far to reach this place.. "welcome my brothers, welcome my sisters, welcome all ye spirits that have joined our celebration tonight, a celebration of life, a celebration of birth, a celebration of beginnings, a celebration of where we have been and where we are going, but mostly a celebration of the love of those who walk with us....ALOHA!" She steps back and awaits.....