The Encounter

popular beliefs of the majority of people— her aunt laughed again—. This religion is as old as the world itself. Since the beginning of time man has believed in gods represented by the sun and the moon, they have worshiped their cycles and their changes and have seen divinity in each and every one of earth's creatures. The Christian religion has fought for centuries to silence us, to disguise our traditions and festivities with Catholic rituals when faced with the impossibility of burying them forever, they have chased us for centuries trying to eliminate us...

  — Don't get angry— Luna interrupted—. I didn't know how to ask. I wanted to know if there are a lot of you, if you get together in groups to do rituals...

  — Like the covens of the ancient witches? No, at least I don't. I know they are organized in other areas, used to teach our knowledge to young apprentices, they carry out ceremonies together... I have never had contact with groups like that. Everything I know, I learnt from my mother, who learnt from her mother.

  — Nana was a witch? — Luna asked, her eyes wide open with surprise.

  — Yes, and a very good one in fact— Emma smiled at the memories—. She knew all of the herb types and could see into the heart of others without the need of clairvoyance rituals. In fact, you're called Luna because she insisted, in honor of our Goddess.

  — Did my dad know?

  — Of course, but he always thought they were village superstitions and didn't think much of it. Your mother has always been the problem. I think she believes that I fly around on a broomstick and that I can destroy harvests or kill flocks just by looking at them. That's why it has taken me so long for them to let you visit me.

  — And what can you do? Can you get money or make someone fall in love? Can you know what someone is doing far away from you?

  — It's very late to talk about this now, Luna— seeing her look of disappointment, she stroked her hand and smiled at her—. I'm sorry. I have to fix the basement because it is very important that I carry out a ritual tonight. But I promise that tomorrow I will begin to explain everything you want to know.

  Disillusioned, Luna stood up and headed towards the stairs. She would have loved to have spent the night talking about those things with her, but she didn't want to test her aunt’s patience by asking her if she could be present during the ritual. When she reached the door, she turned around and leaned on the frame.

  — Just one more question and I promise I will go to bed and leave you alone— she waited for her aunt to nod her head—. What type of ritual is it? What do you want to get out of it?

  — Oh, Luna...— her aunt sighed and once more Luna could she fatigue and worry in her eyes—. It's a protection ritual.

  — Protection? Against what?

  — Not even I know for sure, it's hard to explain. But I promise that I will try and explain tomorrow— her aunt’s smile seemed even more forced than before—. Go on, go up to bed and rest.

  Luna nodded and walked up to her bedroom, but she was unable to sleep. She lay down on her bed looking at the full moon and dark forest, feeling how the landscape connected with her and filled her with strength. She spent a lot of time thinking about what her aunt had told her, excited at the possibility of learning more. She felt that all of that wasn't really that strange to her, as if something deep down inside her had been dormant and was now slowing awakening.

  Luna sighed, concentrated harder and, while light the yellow candle, spoke out loud:

  — Guardians of the East, Powers of Air, I call upon and invite your presence to witness this rite and protect this circle— she glanced out of the corner of her eye, waiting for her aunt to nod and continued—. Guardians of the South, Powers of Water...

  — No, no... The Guardians of the South are the Powers of Fire. And plus, you should have turned to face South— her aunt reprimanded.

  — But how am I supposed to know where the South is? — Luna complained, walking away from the altar to sit down frustrated at the other side of the room.

  — It's very easy. If you remember that the Guardians of the South are the Powers of Fire and think that fire is red, all you have to do is turn towards the red candle, which was the next one you had to light— Emma explained—. And haven't I told you a hundred times that if you leave the circle everything gets messed up and you have to start again?

  — I'm fed up. We've been doing this for three days straight— Luna protested, resting her chin in her hands with a look of boredom—. Can't you show me something else?

  — No, I have already told you that the protection circle is essential. It will help you to channel your energy and to avoid any negative forces from affecting you. Until you know how to cast the circle perfectly and you feel good inside it, I can't teach you anything else.

  — And couldn't I at least look at your book? Just to learn some theory...— she insisted—. I promise not to try anything I see in the book.

  — No, I can't trust you, you are too curious. Until you learn to close the circle, I will not show you anything else— Emma smiled at the look of desperation on Luna's face—. Maybe I am asking too much of you. You should go out, find people of your own age...

  — No, it's not that. I love everything you show me. But I'm just so clumsy...— Luna explained—. Sometimes I think I'm not cut out for this.

  — Of course you're cut out for this— her aunt got up, walked over to her and held her softly by the chin, making Luna look into her eyes—. If you work hard, you can do it. But the road to wisdom is a long one and you have to walk it bit by bit, enjoying every detail, and all you're trying to do is run.

  Luna looked at the deep circles under her aunt's eyes, every day they were darker. Over the past couple of days she had noticed her more pale and tired than before. She asked herself if the extra work of teaching her was too much for her aunt to handle.

  — Is something worrying you? — her aunt asked her.

  — Yes... well, I'm worried about you. You seem tired and I don't know if it's my fault.

  — No, my dear, not at all. It doesn't have anything to do with you— Emma smiled and shrugged her shoulders, acting as if it were not important.

  — Then, why is it? — Luna insisted—. Didn't the protection ritual work?

  — Wow, you're very sharp— her aunt commented—. No, it didn't work as I expected, so I'm looking for something more effective.

  — But what are you trying to protect yourself from? — Luna asked.

  — I don't know exactly... It's a continuous feeling inside my head, as if someone were trying to get in to read my thoughts. Sometimes it attacks with force, other times so subtle I nearly forget it's there, but it's been there for weeks, as if it were waiting for a moment of weakness— Emma seemed to regret everything she had said and smiled, trying to take importance away from the subject—. Right, now's when you recommend me that I should see a good psychiatrist.

  — No, I believe you— Luna said seriously—. If I can help you in any type of ritual to make this stop, tell me. I'll try not to be so clumsy.

  — Thank you very much for the offer, but I have told you that there will be no rituals of any kind until you know how to close the circle— her aunt joked—. This conversation reminds me that I need certain herbs for the new ritual that I am preparing. Do you want to come to the forest with me to find them? I think the fresh air will do us both the world of good.

  Luna nodded and stood up. She would have liked for her aunt to tell her more things and to be able to help her to not feel so anguished, but she also didn't want to insist and make her remember everything. She forced herself to smile casually while her aunt wrapped her arm around her shoulder.

  — Come on, my dear. Don't worry about me— her aunt said as they walked—. They are probably just mad ideas of a crazy old woman.

  — You're neither old nor crazy— Luna laughed.

  — Thanks, you're a darling. And in exchange of that smile, I'll tell you a secret. Do you remember the horrible monster tha
t welcomed you on your first night here? The one with the cape and torch? — she waited for Luna to nod, then opened a wardrobe in the corner and took out a long black cape and a white wool tunic—. Look, these are the clothes we wear to carry out the rituals. I will have some for you in one or two weeks.

  — So the ghost I saw was you? — Luna asked, astonished. Her aunt began to answer, but was interrupted by laughing.

  — Yes, when I saw you in the window, I entered through the back door, changed my clothes and then went back to the front door. I know the welcome I gave you was mad but, if I could do it again, I would love for it to be exactly the same, just to see your face again— her aunt broke into even more laughter.

  — Well, I don't find it funny— Luna said angrily—. You scared me half to death.

  — Okay, I'm sorry. I will compensate you tomorrow by showing you how to make infusions and teas with the herbs we are going to collect, instead of torturing you with the protection circle— Emma waited for Luna to nod in agreement—. And don't worry about me, seriously. I will be perfectly fine.

  4. Dream of another world

  Emma lay down on her bed absolutely knackered. It was very tiring teaching Luna... She didn't remember it being so hard for her to learn things as basic as opening or closing a circle or reciting the words of a ritual without forgetting what to say. It was true that she had spent her entire childhood