All Soul's Night
a different Magick story
by Tal Greywolf

---

   He stood under the full moon's light, bathed by it's silvery glow.
Halloween night.  All Soul's Night.  Samhain.  Different names for the
same time, the same customs, the same beliefs.  The turning of the world
wheel, the passing of the old, a time of rest before rebirth of the
land.  The mysteries and majesty of life's continuing transformations.

   Off in the distance he could hear the cries of children, walking
along the roads, going from house to house in an equally ancient
tradition.  Halloween revelers collecting sweets and gifts from adults,
keeping alive an old British custom even if they didn't realize it
themselves.

   He turned his attention away from the sounds drifting over the
hedges, to the circle he had set up in his yard.  Four gray stones set
at the cardinal points, each with a candle burning brightly on top.
Hidden away, speakers played the soft sounds of music, music
specifically chosen for this night.  Patrick O'Hearn.  Loreena
McKennitt.  Maggie Sansone.  Music to invoke magick, to guide him in his
path this one, special night of the year.

   Walking softly across the grass, he stood in the center of his
circle, spreading his arms wide and raising his eyes to the moon.  With
his breath visible in the air he softly made an invocation to the Lady,
asking for Her blessing for his ceremony.  Then he started to sway to
the music, his body responding to the beat as his voice added to the
song's.

   "I can see the lights in the distance
    Trembling in the dark cloak of night
    Candles and lanterns are dancing, dancing
    A waltz on All Soul's Night."

   A warm wisp of air surrounded him, swirling with the chill of the
oncoming winter.  He danced still, his eyes closed.  The air hummed
softly with magick, the sounds of the outside world becoming faint then
finally disappearing completely.  The music ended, the silence covering
everything.  He opened his eyes, then widened them in surprise as he
glanced around him.

   Four figures stood where the stones were, figures who were cloaked
in silver moonlight.  Two males, two females, all smiling slightly at
him from where they stood.  The first was a raven-haired woman standing
to the north, dressed in long flowing robes that reached to the ground.
She held a mother's eyes, eyes that had seen children grow and die
repeatedly.  To the west was a young man with both sword and harp,
standing tall and proud.  He grinned warmly, the moonlight reflecting
off his mail and sword to create a pattern of light surrounding him
protectively.  South was a small lass, her blond hair billowing out
behind her as if blown by the wind.  She also smiled warmly, her dress
more suited for riding than anything else.  And east was a tall,
powerfully built male, his skin dark as the earth itself.  His clothing
was simple, a plain tunic to cover his body, but nothing could hide the
rack of antlers that grew from the top of his head.

   The silence was broken by the raven haired woman.  "You called to us
this night, young traveller.  And we have come to you to see if you
truly know who you have brought once again to this world."

   He coughed softly, then smiled at the raven-haired one.  "Great
Mother, I did not expect you to appear here, yet you are welcomed here."
His words brought a bit of a smile to her lips, a hint of amusement in
her eyes.  He turned to the east and bowed low.

   "And to you as well, Horned One.  Welcome to my home."

   The Horned one laughed low, a deep rumble that shook the trees.  "Be
careful in who you invite, young man," he said.  "But tis well to know
that I am still known."

   "There are those of us who still hold true you and yours," he
replied.  "Even if I am not of the old blood..."  He would have
continued, but the other male interrupted.

   "Even if you were not, you would be welcomed."  He held out his hand
in greeting, the smile warm on his lips.  "Rare is it to find that there
is still one who truly wishes to learn the mysteries of the world."

   "That is true... brother in spirit and name."  His response brought
another warm smile to Taliesin's lips, then he turned to the last.
Bending to one knee, he bowed his head.  "As well to you, Lady of the
Horses.  Bright blessings to you this night."

   Rhiannon smiled warmly and kissed the top of his head.  "And to you
as well."  Looking up, she gave Dana a warm wink.  "I told you he would
know."

   "So you did."  Dana didn't look upset at all, her eyes bright with
amusement.  Walking over, she took his hand and raised him to his feet.
"Rare is it to find one such as yourself, young Taliesin.  One who
carries inside of him the magick of this world, and yet is willing to
learn more."

   "Aye," the older Taliesin agreed.  "He is young, yet understands who
we are just as he understands the meaning of this night.  Don't you
lad?"  He gave Tal a wink, making him grin a bit.

   "This is a night of transformations," he replied.  "The veil between
this world and yours is thin, although few remember this.  A time for
remembering, as well as letting go."  Turning towards the Horned One, he
bowed his head.  "A night of death yet also of rebirth.  And a part of
the cycle that all life is a part of."

   "Well said," Rhiannon replied.  The others nodded in agreement, then
Dana again spoke.

   "We have seen what's within your heart, young Taliesin.  You wish to
learn more, more than this world can provide you.  You wish to know what
it is to be a part of life itself, more than merely the part that you
already play in the lives of many.

   "We can give you that wish.  But you will have to pay a price for
your desire."

   Tal nodded his head slowly.  "I... understand, Lady."

   The four moved back to where the stones stood, raising their hands
as one.  "Then listen well, young Taliesin.  Our price to you is to
continue holding fast to your dreams.  You will be our Chosen here, to
do in Our name.  For this We will teach you the mysteries that you wish
to learn.  Do you freely accept this, to become Our student and Our
Chosen?"

   A moment's silence.  Then a soft whisper came from him.  "Yes."

   "Then come with us."  A circle of light surrounded them all, silver
moonlight wrapping tightly.  Then the light faded, and the sound of
crickets filled the air.

   -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -

   Morning's light slowly brought Tal back to wakefulness.  A gentle
chuckle came from someone, then he felt a hand shake his shoulder.

   "Wake up, sleepy head."

   Opening his eyes, he stared at Rhiannon and Taliesin standing over
him.  They smiled warmly, helping him to his feet.

   "Rhiannon?  Taliesin?  What are you doing here?"

   Rhiannon laughed softly.  "Well, someone had to make certain you
were home safe, so we both volunteered to get you back here."

   "But," Tal said puzzled, "what about you getting back?"

   "Oh, don't worry about that," the older Taliesin said.  "We'll be
able to go home at Beltane.  Besides, we both wanted a chance to sample
this world of yours."  He grinned at Rhiannon, who gave him a swat.

   Tal shook his head, then leaned against the stone again.  "Urrrr,
feel like I was run over a few times.  Is it always this bad?"

   "Until you get used to it," Rhiannon replied.  "That, and the fact
that you were away for a year and a day."

   "A year and..." Tal's voice trailed off, then blinked as he
remembered what happened.  "Oh."

   Taliesin laughed, joined by Rhiannon.  "You'll get used to it,
brother.  Right now, you need to rest."

   Tal nodded, then as he was helped to the door looked back at his
teachers and friends.  "What about you two?"

   "Oh, you'll see us around from time to time," Rhiannon said.  "And
we should get going here, Taliesin."

   Taliesin nodded in agreement.  "Take care, my friend."  They started
walking towards the hedges, then their forms blurred.  Tal watched as
Taliesin became a stag, and Rhiannon a doe.  They looked back at Tal,
Rhiannon winking warmly before they leapt into the hedges and vanished
from sight.

   Tal shook his head in amusement.  "I ought to follow you two," he
muttered to himself.  Then giggled as he heard Rhiannon's voice in his
head.

   :Later, you scamp.  You'll get your chance next time.  Although you
did make a fine stallion when you were learning.:

   Tal grinned to himself.  :Next time, dear.  Go have fun.:  Finding
his strength again, he headed back into his house and closed the door.

---

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