“Alright,” says Annie. “How should we begin?”
“First things first,” Azure says. “We have to set the stage. Penny, can you move your coffee table?”
We spend the next few minutes in a flurry of activity: clearing away furniture, setting up props, lighting candles, and then smudging the room and casting a circle. Azure helps us douse our wrists with essential oils, and then she hands each of us a rose quartz to put in our pockets. Finally, the groundwork has been laid, and we get into the thick of the spell.
Azure hands out pale, pastel blue blindfolds. “Each witch must put one on,” she says. “As you place it over your eyes, you must feel that you are willing to give up your eyesight.”
I expect some resistance to come up from this. I’m pleasantly surprised when it does not. I am willing to change the way I see the world. I am willing to move through the world with a new sense of perception. Perhaps this whole time, my body’s eyes haven’t been seeing at all. I think about how Skili asked Marley how she could ‘see’ in a dream.
I feel peaceful as I fasten the blindfold around my head. The world becomes dark.
Azure’s voice sounds distant as she begins speaking in a monotone: “Witches from times gone past... witches of the future. Help me initiate these new witches into the ways of magical seeing. Be with them now as they give up their old ways of looking at the world.”
I feel goosebumps rise up on my arms.
A hush fills the room.
Azure continues. “The body’s eyes do not see.” Her voice becomes louder. “The body’s eyes do not see.” Then it reaches almost a yell, “Three times I say: The body’s eyes do not see!”
I feel a shiver run over me. What was that?
I’m not sure, but something seems to be happening to me.
Usually I can tell where the edges of my body are. But suddenly, sitting with this blindfold over my eyes, I really can’t tell where my body ends and the air starts.
It’s the strangest feeling.
Azure continues. “Now—in front of the past, present and future, the four directions, the five realms... and out into infinity, let these witches speak from the heart. Why do you give up your eyesight?”
“To see truly,” says Annie.
“To see beyond the chaos of illusion,” says Cora.
“To take full responsibility for everything I see,” Marley says. “To know that it is me.”
I know it’s my turn now. Without thinking, my lips move. “To see with my heart,” I say.
Azure’s voice begins just as mine ends. “And so it is!” she says.
Then, even though we’re inside, I feel a gust of air swoop up around us. It whirls and twirls in a circular motion. I feel it on my cheeks, my neck, and pulling on the hem of my dress. I feel my hair swooshing out to the side. I smell the faint odor of smoke. I suspect that the air has extinguished the candles.
“And so it is,” I murmur under my breath. I hear the other ladies do the same.
Instinctively, I know that the spell has been cast. I begin to untie my blindfold.
I’m ready.
I’m ready to perceive the world in a different way. I’m ready to see things with magical vision.
I’m ready to see like a witch.
I lower the blindfold to my lap, blink a few times, and then look around the smoky room at my witch sisters. Our familiars are gathered around us. Annie, next to me, reaches for my hand. I, in turn, reach for Marley’s. Soon we’re all holding hands. Our familiars yip, meow, and hoot a joyous chorus.
I smile.
I’m excited to start envisioning my world. With my coven around me, suddenly the future doesn’t seem all that scary. In fact, right now as I sit on the floor with my friends, I’m fairly certain that the future is going to be spectacular.
Magnificent.
Downright magical.
***** The End*****
Dear Reader,
Thank you for diving into the fictional world of Hillcrest with me! I love writing about Penny and her coven of witch sisters. I hope that you enjoy reading about their magical adventures.
Have you read the prequel to this series? I offer it for free to all readers HERE. Learn all about how Penny inherited her copy of ASBW. You’ll also witness Penny and Turkey’s first telepathic communication (hint—Turkey is not a fan of Penny’s singing!).
I also offer a free short story, “I’ll be Home for Christmas”, which you can grab HERE.
I would love to hear from you. Send along an email ([email protected]) and I’ll be sure to respond!
Lastly, if you enjoyed this boxset, please consider leaving a review!
Thank you again for reading. I am so grateful.
Amorette
A Hillcrest Witch Mystery Collection Page 87
