A few miles outside of town, deep in the woods is a pond I fancy as my own. Only in terms of people who visit it, though. I’m not too arrogant to believe I can truly own this place.
It’s nestled quietly deep in the forest, behind a wall of brush, far away from any public paths. One of my sisters introduced it to me before she fell out of our coven. I come here now to meditate and prepare myself for spellcasting. It’s the only place I’ve found where I can truly block out everything and find sanctuary in unadulterated nature.
The moon and stars reflect beautifully off the still water of the shallow pond. Not even a tadpole will want to disturb the peace here. But a tadpole isn’t here to deepen its bond with nature.
The July water is warm, like dipping my toes into a bath. I step in further. As the water surrounds my calves I want to jump in like a child and swim laps, it feels so nice. But I restrain myself. I’m not here to indulge. The water only comes up to my breasts at its deepest spot, and once there in the center, I lay on my back and let the music the night makes enter me.
With my eyes closed, I feel like I’m floating in the void. I see the universe before me and I wade through its seas. I take what is given to me, and I return it in full. When the universe calls, I answer. And when I am in need, the stars and moon, and the goods of the earth provide.
I am alive.
I am refreshed.
I am ready to cast my spells.
As the sun rises, I wake from my trance and swim back to the shore.