It would take their combined power to break the magickal hold the sorceress, Regina, held on the Raven and return the ancient Jewel of Inanna to its rightful protector.
By noon the next day, Lilly, Roland, Lucky, Jolene and Sabine, the Druid high priest James, the leader of the Atlantian Temple, Kumira, the Queen of the Vodouns, Alustra and the Hougan, Shemo, were gathered in Jolene’s living room.
Alustra spoke up, “From what ya’ll are describing it sounds like we’re gonna’ need the help of Ogue La Flambo.” Her heavy lidded eyes looked from face to face at the table. She licked her thick lips before continuing, “I’m willin’ to help out as much as I can. No way can I promise the Loa will respond. They are temperamental and may not feel this is their problem.”
“We understand, Alustra. But think of this, the Valraven sorceress, most likely, has little or no experience with Vodou. Your help may be the key to our success. She is here in the French Quarter. If she is not vanquished it won’t be long before her eyes fall on another. She will covet your power sooner or later and go after it.” Jolene sat back, tilted her head and raised an eyebrow at Alustra.
“Yep, that’s fa’ shore,” Alustra responded, nodding thoughtfully.
Kumira, looking matronly, her long red hair in a bun at the back of her head, spoke up, “I’m in! I think she’s a real threat. Together we can create a ritual unlike any she has ever encountered and defeat her quickly. You say Quetzequatel appeared in your meditation? I believe the winged serpent will lend powerful energies to the ritual. Let’s do this as soon as possible. No need dragging it out.”
Jolene poured coffee all around as the Circle of Adepts created the ritual the way they hoped it would play out.
James spoke solemnly, “I recognized the energy of Pluto in my vision. A swirling black hole appeared. As I watched, the dark void fell in on itself, forming a huge black egg. The black egg will absorb and dissolve matter. This energy appearing in my meditation, strongly implies it will be needed.”
Roland, looking more serious than Lilly had ever seen him, spoke softly, “If the raven appears, possibly we can disrupt its DNA sequence with the help of Ogue Flambo. When the black egg appears, it will pull the ravens scattered molecules through the hole into another dimension. The distorted Raven energy Regina controls would be gone forever.”
“Possibly, the essence of the poor creature she has been using, will survive the ritual,” Jolene added.
Lilly looked puzzled, “How do we invoke this black egg?”
“This type of energy is usually evoked by aligning your energy to Pluto or the center of the galaxy. You, Jolene, Sabine and Kumira will be scrying through the cauldron, watching as our mission unfolds. You will know when it is time to allow its manifestation, for all thought will stop. Your eyes will see only the dark waters of the caldron. From this space of the great nothing, which contains everything, the entities we summoned at the beginning of the ritual, will allow the dark egg to appear where it is needed.”
“I’m seeing two magic circles overlapping.” James continued. On the left are Alustra and Shemo who will create the veve within the circle and call the Loa. The second circle overlaps the first, forming the Vesica Piscis, honoring the feminine and doubling the power of both circles. Sabine, Jolene, Kumira and Lilly will be within the safety of the right hand circle scrying through the cauldron, and sending help as it is needed. Roland, and I, hopefully with the assistance of Ogue La Flambo, will travel the astral, find and confront Regina Val Raven.”
Lucky spoke up, “I will enter Raven Moon, find the crystal or remove it from Regina as she is busy dealing with your astral attack. I may need one more person to go with me. Back up is always a good idea.”
Someone, pounding loudly on the front door of the shop, interrupted their conversation. “What in blazes?” Sabine exclaimed.
Jolene and James got up simultaneously. “You stay here Jo, I’ll go see what’s happening.” Before James stepped out of the kitchen door, the assault on the front door stopped, replaced by the insistent buzzing of the gate button.
Distraught, was the first impression James got when he opened the gate. A tall blond man in extreme distress stood before him. “What is it?” James inquired calmly.
The young man, blond hair tumbling to his waist, shirt tails hanging out and two days of grizzle on his chin blurted out, “Is Lilly here?”
James spoke to the young man with an authoritarian tone “Who are you?” What do you want with Lilly?”.
“I’m Claude Mckenzie. My partner and I own Raven Moon. I’ve been in New York recently. I returned last night and uh, where is Lilly?”
James signaled for Claude to come in, lead him through the carriage way and offered him a seat on the bench near the fountain. “How do you know Lilly and what do you want?”
Claude’s fists curled as he heaved a frustrated sigh, “First tell me if she is okay?”
James nodded, “Yes, she is fine.”
Claude blew out a breath in relief. “I got in from New York last night. This morning when I saw my partner, Regina, she was wearing, what appears to be, Lilly’s Inanna crystal. I demanded she tell me how she got it. Regina swears Lilly gave it to her. I know Lilly wouldn’t give up her talisman willingly. Regina was evasive and refused to tell me how she came to be wearing it.
“I had a bad feeling in my gut and I ran upstairs to the ritual temple in the attic. Something dark has been going on up there. Pages of the Goetia grimoire are scattered all over the floor, the window has been smashed and the whole place reeks. I’m afraid my partner is not who she presented herself to be. She is into dark magick and I am worried about Lilly.”
The door to the kitchen opened. Jolene and Lucky came out followed by Kumira, Alustra and Shemo. James introduced them to Claude and had him repeat his story. As he finished recounting his morning findings, Lilly and Roland stepped out of Jolene’s kitchen. Peering through the group, Lilly spotted someone sitting on the cast iron bench. The group parted as she exclaimed, “Claude!”
Claude jumped up and pulled her into an embrace. Kissing the top of her head he said, “I’m so glad you’re okay. I don’t know what Regina has been up to. I’m afraid my worst fears about her may be true.”
Lilly stepped out of his embrace and confirmed his fears were valid. Introducing him to Roland, she sat next to Claude on the bench and gave him a quick rundown of the happenings since his trip to New York.
Placing his hand gently over her scarred cheek, Claude apologized and adamantly stated he was not involved with Regina’s dark witchery nor her obsession with the raven. “I am here to help. I’ll do anything I can.”
Jolene and Sabine looked at one another, gave a quick nod, turned and invited everyone, including Claude, back into the apartment.
The expanded group flowed into the living room and made themselves comfortable as they questioned Claude in great depth. Convinced he was an ally, James designated him to accompany Lucky into Raven Moon during the ritual and assist in any way possible to reclaim the crystal.
Shemo and Alustra ended their whispered conversation. Alustra stood on her sturdy legs and looked at each member of the group. “I know some of ya’ll have knowledge of what Vodou is about, but some have only false ideas.
“Vodou is the living experience of the Divine. The Divine presence is encountered through our practice. It is a powerful practice with powerful results. That’s why so many folks have a negative idea about Vodou. Where there is great power there is a great capacity for good. Where there is great power, the shadow side also abides and there is great capacity for evil. This here girl, Regina, is a perfect example of an unhealthy craving for power in the realm of the sacred Craft.”
“Our spirits in Vodou are called the Loa. They were once livin’ people, charismatic souls who are remembered and honored. It is these charismatic, powerful energies we call on to help us.
“In the ritual we’ll perform together, we are gon
na’ call on Legba to open the pathway between the astral world and the physical world. After Legba opens the door to the spirit world, we’ll call on Ogou La Flambo, a powerful warrior, to assist in the confrontation with Regina.
“The purpose of the ritual is to become the divine horseman, to be ridden or possessed by the spirit in physical form. In this ceremony we are gonna’ be askin’ Ogou La Flambo to take the spirit of two of you and carry you into astral plane. The two will be with Ogou La Flambo and he will lend his powers to you. Like I say, this is most unusual. It may or may not work. I can’t guarantee any of it.”
Shemo spoke up, “If Ogou La Flambeau can be enticed to assist you, he will call upon the sacrificial knife of his relentless raw power to protect you and overcome the dark force. Ogou’s great strength and endurance will be of a mighty benefit to you.”
Alustra added, “Understand, those who open to this journey will be under the power of Ogou La Flambeau. You will be imbued with his astral power and you will act as he acts. Hopefully, you will be able to reason with Regina and get her to relinquish the Inanna.”
“Her resentment towards Lilly has spanned lifetimes. She may not go gently into the night. The raven is her servant and she has twisted the creature to her will. Beware! Regina will be enraged.”
Roland and James spoke simultaneously, “We will go.” Lucky and Claude will enter the building physically, subdue Regina if necessary and retrieve the crystal.”
Kumira spoke, “I will stand within the Witches circle with the drummers from our Temple. I will lead the call of the Interplanetary Adepts and summon our protector, Quatzquatel. Lilly has bonded with his energy and the strength of the winged serpent will be a strong defense against the raven. Together we can take care of this little witch.”
Everyone joined hands. Sitting thus, hand in hand, eyes locked upon one another, the group made a solemn vow to work together to dismantle the web of revenge and malevolence Regina had created. “We will replace the darkness with the light,” they said with one voice.
Chapter 42
The Peristyle
In the mid-sixties the Vodou Priestess, Alustra, purchased an old building near the river in the area behind the Fabourg Marigny called the Bywater. The area was less than a mile behind the French Quarter and a world unto its self. The old brick building, once a cannery, stood three stories tall with huge windows. Alustra had one end of the building renovated, creating a section of spacious apartments for her extended family.
The rest of the building had been gutted. The huge open area, on the ground floor, was consecrated as Le Peristyle de Vodou Orleans. The poto mitan, or center post, stood firmly in the middle of the sanctuary connecting the astral worlds with the physical world. It was through the poto mitan the Vodou spirts, the Loa, entered into the peristyle during ritual. A large circular area was cleared around the center pole. Altars overflowing with statues, candles, flowers, beaded bottles and Vodou flags, stood on the edge of the sacred space, honoring the various Loa. Beyond the center ritual space, was jungle. The room was filled with tropical plants thriving in the humidity and bright sunlight pouring through the many windows of the old cannery.
On the day of the intricate ritual, the group gathered around the poto mitan. Alustra went on, to explain in great detail, what might happen during the ritual invocation ending with a sigh, “We can only plan so much. The energy will play itself out as it sees fit.”
The witches cast their circle of protection with salt as Alustra created a circle using a thick line of cornmeal. Following James’s suggestion, the two circles overlapped, doubling the strength of both. The Mambo sang and called out to Legba imploring him to open the gate to the spirit world. As the Vodou choir added their voices, Alustra slowly drew a Veve within the Vodou circle. Lilly remembered the design Alustra created was Ogou La Flambo’s sigil. The drummers added the intricate beat which would entice Ogou La Flambo to appear.
The Veve was created slowly, as hand full’s of cornmeal sifted through Alustra’s fingers. Radiating lines, intricate swirls, dots, curves and, what appeared to be flaming arrows, appeared. The process was slow and filled with respect for the spirit they were calling forth. Surely, Lilly thought, the intercession of Legba, the power of the Veve, the ritual dancing, the voices of the choir and the dedicated beat of the drums would open the gate to the spirit world and call forth the mighty Ogou La Flambo. Once he arrived, it was up to Alustra and Shemo to entice him into assisting.
Lilly swayed slightly, entranced by the beauty of the voices, and the intricacy of the design. She was surprised as the Vodou priestess took a mouth full of rum, pursed her lips and blew a fine spray of rum around the circle. After blowing rum around the circle, Alustra nodded to her consort, Shemo. He lit a big black cigar and blew smoke across the circle.
The air was filled with the scent of the sweet liquor and pungent tobacco when Mambo Alustra lifted her voice, “Oh Legba, ancient one, gatekeeper, expression of primordial energy, master of the crossroads be pleased by our offerings. Open the gateway to the Flambo. Call upon Ogou La Flambo. Open the gateway, thank you.”
Alustra and Shemo stood still, the choir was silent the drums resting. The calm was banished when Shemo lifted the ritual machete over his head and danced, swinging the machete, tossing it from hand to hand, twirling it over his head, his body shaking. Alustra ran to his side and slapped rum on the back of his neck signaling Ogou La Flambo was not the one he was to ride this day.
Shemo’s shivers ceased, his eyes opened. He nodded slightly and Alustra signaled James and Roland to step into the Veve. The two Druids moved slowly. The drums resumed their persistent beat energizing the circle for Ogou La Flambo. Alustra called out in a sing song voice, enticing the Loa to assist them.
James and Roland’s feet tapped, keeping time to the drums as the energy of the veve moved through their bodies. The design beneath their feet swirled as the drum beats filled their consciousness. Soon they were dancing wildly, spinning and waving their arms above their bodies.
Ogue La Flambo appeared in his astral form. Alustra called out in the language of Haiti, a Creole French dialect, asking Ogue La Flambo to reverse his usual ride and take James and Roland into the astral. James and Roland fell to the ground simultaneously. Alustra placed cushions beneath their heads. Ogou La Flambo lifted the spirits of the two men, drawing them to him on the astral plane. As one fiery astral entity, they headed for the Raven Moon.
The large metal sign of the raven perched upon the crescent moon, creaked on its hinges. When the disembodied trio arrived at the front door, the sign fell to the sidewalk with a loud clatter. Regina jumped to her feet, heading for the front of the store. The double doors slammed open admitting a rush of wind smelling of cigar smoke. Regina ducked behind the counter as the powerful energy swirled past her. The two Great Danes barked wildly and ran out the opened doors, tails between their legs.
Within seconds Regina heard the stairway door slam open. Shaking, she ran up the stairs. Her head spinning with panic, adrenaline pouring through her veins, she ran wildly into the attic into the center of her circle of protection.
The astral trio grinned in anticipation as it watched her trying to get her bearings. She managed to calm herself and called the Raven through the mirror. The creature responded quickly and poured out of the triangular mirror into the circle. Its oily black form overshadowed Regina. Standing a bit taller, Regina shrugged the Raven on like a coat. Enfolded in the power and protection of her ensorcelled creature, she turned and saw the astral form of her attackers. “Who the hell are you and what do you want here?”
They answered as one powerful voice, “We have come for the Jewel of Inanna and to free the raven.”
Regina, laughed and shook her head. “You will never get the crystal. It is mine as is the power of the raven. You have no way to force any of this. I banish you from my ritual space. Be gone.”
The trio ignored her banishment with a sneer. James and
Roland knew the first order of business was to breach her circle of protection if the mission was to be successful. They focused their energy towards her.
Regina laugh echoed through the astral plane as she spun inside the body of the raven. The circle filled with an oily darkness. Her laughter died in her throat as the power of the Vodou spirit filled the air.
Three hands held the flaming sword of Ogue La Flambo. The trio carved a huge x filled with reversed DNA spirals. The flaming coils permeated the astral and expanded to surround the circle.
Back at the Peristyle, the witches were bending over their scrying mirror, seizing the moment to evoke and allow the ancient power of Pluto to rise. There are no words to the invocation. The powerful trio of witches focused into the void waiting to see the atomic egg.
The water of the cauldron continued to reflect the battle raging in the attic of Raven Moon. The witches could see the Plutonian egg shimmer and disappear. Regina grasped wildly, trying to reassemble the DNA spirals fragmenting her circle of protection, weakening the solidity and power of the raven.
Staring into the cauldron, the witches groaned in dismay as the egg disappeared. Wild eyed, they looked at one another in horror.
Kumira stood apart from them, eyes closed hands opened in supplication. An ancient Atlantean Priest appeared where she had stood. His eyes were dark pools of infinity. As the witches stared, a tone resonated from deep within his being. Jolene, Sabine and Lilly added their voices, matching the tone and directing it into the cauldron. They gasped as the black egg appeared.
Kumira, blinking her eyes and shaking her body, joined them as they watched the black egg appear over the spiraling circle of fiery coils in the attic of the Raven Moon.
Kumira took Lilly’s hand, and called upon the winged serpent, Quetzalcoatl to speed the black egg into the path of the raven.
Dark feathers exploded filling the circle with a black cloud. The creature screamed with ear splitting shrieks as the atomic egg, wrapped in the glowing green light of Quetzalcoatl, absorbed the dark energy. The ensorcelled raven was free.
Jewel of Inanna (Perils of a Pagan Priestess Book 1) Page 25
