Moon Goddess Story
by Blayze

I would tell you a tale of a land that lies outside of time and space. A land whose gateway appears where three hazels grow, at the fording of a stream....

It is twilight and a full silver moon hangs low in the sky. Its beauty is reflected upon the waters of a lake whose glassy surface hints at mystery within its depths.

The waters of the lake merge with the shore, small pebbles glowing wetly under the moon's gaze. The pebbles mark the start of a spiral path that winds its way up a large hill, one of many that border the lake, cradling the dark waters within their valleys. A voice echoes across the hills...

We do call and invoke thee
O Lady of the Silver'd Moon
Thou art mistress of the darkest night,
Enchantments' Queen!

Thou art the jewel in the velvet cloak,
The quickening of blood and tide
Lady, we adore thee!

Thou art the song of ecstasy
spiralling amongst the stars,
Keeper of the shining paths of magic and truth.

Mother Moon, we call to thee
We invoke thee from silver'd hill and shadowed vale
Arise we pray from thy waters of magic night
O Lady of the Wondrous Moon!

Suddenly ripples form on the surface of the lake and a figure emerges from the depths, walking within the beam of moonlight that carresses water and shore.

Darkness falls, as dusk shades to true night.

As the figure approaches the shore it can be seen that she is a beautiful maiden with long silver hair, kin to the moon's light. She wears a gown of silver and blue that clings wetly to her figure, her skin pearled with droplets of water and moonbeams.

She moves through the water to reach the shore. As she walks the moon rises higher behind her to illuminate the spiral path upon the hill.

She steps upon the shore and a breeze ripples the surface of lake and lifts her hair in shimmering waves.

She raises her arms above her head and behind her the moon rises to sit between the horns of her arms, crowning her hair in silver glory. Slowly she brings her arms down to her sides and the ground sighs with longing, the waters of the lake lap the shore as the tides respond to her call.

She steps forward on the path of pebbles and beings to walk the spiral around the hill. The moon is rising ever highter as she walks, lighting the spiral path in silver.

As she walks the path, shapes appear on the edge of vision, mist hued dancers weaving thorugh grass and flowers, a snatch of music ripples upon the breeze.

The lady's gown flows around her as it dries,  shining silver and blue, relfecting the moments of the past that flit across the hill. History and memory, future and past merge as she continues her journey.

Still she climbs the spiral path and the figures half glimpsed begin to follow her footsteps, dancing and weaving along the spiral.

Slowly she crests the hill and the moon's light above illuminates the flat summit, shining on a large silver bowl atop an altar of stone, at the very centre of the plateau.

The lady begins to dance towards the centre, still following a spiral path. Her gown a mirror that reflects the movement of those who follow her, joining her dance with wild abandon.

Soft chanting is carried by the breeze as she dances towards the centre... Finally she reaches the altar and the silver bowl. The moon is directly above her now.

She reaches out a pale hand and stirs the water in a spiral, a whirlpool spins at its heart. She lets out a mighty cry, a howl of beauty, of power and passion. A silver flame bursts from the centre of the whirlpool to rise as a beam of pure light to moon far above.

Her howl peaks and she frops to the ground. The dancers raise their arms to the light as their misty forms becomes solid. They close their eyes against the power of the pillar of light, feeling it bathe their skin.

The ringing of a crystal bell can be heard and the bowl is filled with silver flame, rim to rim.

The suddenly, with a rush of air like an indrawn breath, the flame is extinguished, leaving only its image upon the behind the closed eyes of those who bore witness to its grandeur.

The lady stands up and within the bowl are now crystals and water that is scented with the sea under moonlight.

The lady takes the bowl in her hands, raising it above the altar. She holds it up to the moon.

The bowl of magic, that holds the sea and life itself...

Open your eyes.