Mastership Studies

Just a little magic

The morning sunlight streamed through a small gap between the curtains. Dust floated in the air, moving with light breezes in a bright beam of light that filled an otherwise dark room. As the sun slowly shifted in the sky, the beam of light crept down the wall and reached the spot where Baltha was sleeping, waking her up like it did every day.

She would slowly turn in her bed until she felt ready to sit up and put her feet on the floor. After scratching her head, she would stretch and then pick up Lord Halmath, her big male cat and companion.

Every morning was the same for her, but today felt different. She sat for a little while longer before moving to her dressing table. Bits of a strange dream lingered in her mind. It was the first time she had a dream that felt so real and full of emotion. She quickly got dressed and went downstairs to her room of the Law, where she worshipped the Lady and practiced her magic.

The villagers called her a witch and often feared her. She meant no harm, but their superstitions made them wary. “Ah well,” she thought to herself many times, “that’s the price for the comfort of the Lady.”

As she entered the room of the Law, she prepared a shallow dish for scrying to help her recall the dream and find meaning in it. She poured water into the dish and added some finely powdered herbs from her shelves, turning the clear water into a shiny black pool. Next, she placed incense and herbs onto the hot coals of her thurible, lit a candle, and sat down to gaze into the pool. She closed her eyes, calmed her mind, and when everything felt still, she softly spoke some words that ended with “…So Mote It Be,” then stared intently into the blackness before her.

In a very few moments she perceived colors which swirled slowly until they began to take form, creating a vivid tapestry of hues that danced in the air around her. There he was before her, just as she had seen him in her dreams this morn, with an ethereal glow that seemed to connect him to the very essence of her visions. He was a tall man with red-brown hair that cascaded like a waterfall, and a very red beard that framed his face with striking intensity. His features were regal, bearing a noble quality, and although his face had deep lines that hinted at his trials, she knew he was young at heart and spirit. Perhaps there was something else his manner could not hide from one as deft as Baltha, a depth of sorrow intertwined with his strength, “ah yes,” she mused to herself, “he bears much responsibility, and he is lonely, haunted by expectations that weigh heavily on his shoulders and yearning for a connection that has eluded him for far too long.”

After she remembered the dream, she started asking questions.

But the answers didn’t appear in the pool. So she decided to seek help from someone wiser than her or what her magic could do. She called upon the God Dagda, whom she often sought for advice. She placed Lord Halmath on a stool and, with her wand, drew secret signs in the air over his head.

While doing this, she called out loudly, “Oh mighty Dagda, God of all knowledge and giver of abundance. Use this mortal body to come to me.”

this plane for a short while so that you might give counsel to a respectful younger sister.” She them touched her crossed wrists to her brow and then to her breast and stood in quiet anticipation as a subtle change came over her great, black cat.

“Well, little sister, you’ve woken me again. How can I help my loyal Baltha?”

She looked at her cat, whose eyes glowed like embers and seemed to have a smile. “I need your full understanding, my Lord, about things I can’t fully grasp. I’ve seen a man in my dreams, and I want to know if he is just a figment of my imagination or if he’s real.”

“He is real,” said the cat, “but I cannot see who he is right now.”

Baltha continued, “I feel he is important to my life. What does this mean, and when will we meet?”

The cat replied, “I can tell you this: he will be your partner and the father of your children. You will meet in two full moons, but you must not use magic on him; you need to win his love like any mortal. Using your magic on him now could bring him harm. That’s all I can say for now, but know this, he has also dreamed of you, but in a different way. Farewell, my sister, and be blessed.”

The cat now curled up and went to sleep there upon the stool. Baltha now had almost as many questions as she had before. She now understood why she had fallen in love with this man while in her sleep although she had not recognized that until now.

So, she sees him in a different form, but she wonders what that form is. If she knew she could change how she looked to match that form, but Dagda warned her that she might not use magic. Now, she has a riddle to figure out. If she knew his true identity, she could search for him, but that was kept from her, leaving her feeling frustrated and helpless.

As the weeks passed, she made it a habit to visit the village and ask at the Inn if any new strangers had arrived. Each time she was told yes, but it was always someone different from the tall red-haired man she was looking for.

Many times, she used her skills to search for more answers, but she found nothing more than what she learned that first morning weeks ago.

Finally, in complete despair on the morning of the second full moon, she called upon the Lady for guidance.

Before her altar, she knelt with the four elements displayed and offered a prayer to the earth mother. As she prayed, the room began to fill with a light, similar to that of a full moon, and she felt the presence and touch of the Lady herself appeared to her. “My dear daughter, did you not hear Dagda’s promise that you would see your dream run true before this full moon night? Have more faith and be of good cheer for his words are true, Blessed Be.”

And with that the room returned to it’s former state and nature. Baltha rose to her feet with renewed strength.

For a few hours she was content, but then the anticipation began to tell on her once more. Finally she ran out of the house towardsthe village once more to inquire of the innkeeper. On the road in she metsome horsemen who stopped her progress.

“Look what we have here Mikar, a fine young wench out alone on the road.” The other horseman slapped his fellow across his helm, “We have no time for that kind of play, the prince is rather anxious to find this witch lady and that avails us first.”

“You are right, but perhaps this wench can lead us to her?”

“Say girl, do you know the whereabouts of Baltha the witch?”

Baltha was very angry but kept her composure, “I am Baltha, my lords, and may I be of some service?”

They were both startled to find that this wench they had treated so disrespectfully was the one they had sought for.

“My lady, forgive us our manners, we never expected a witch to be one so young and fair. But let us get to what is at hand. Our Lord, the Prince Refrendel, has asked us to bring you to him for he requires your services, the, nature of which he would not tell us.”

And so she mounted on the back of one of their horses with them and rode back into. the village, as they rode she thought to herself, “perhaps this red haired man is one of those in the prince’s escort, or perhaps even the prince himself.” But she quickly suppressed that thought as she knew that she was not theequal of those royally born.

The sky was darkening rapidly as they dismounted the horses and went into the Inn. The soldiers escorted her through the noisy, smoke filled room where the strangers and village folk gathered to swap tales and drink ale. She was brought up the stairs to one of the private rooms.

Her heart jumped to her throat as she entered the room for there he was in the flesh, the man she had seen so many times before although only in her mind. Behind his head was an open window and she could see that the moon was just now creeping over a hill top, and the light of it was crowning his head in a way that bathed him in the moonlight and everyone else was in the shadows.

“This is·Baltha the witch, your highness, that you sought for.” And with a nod of his head the Prince motioned his squires out of the room.

“You need not fear me kind lady, I am Refendel prince of the realm and I have need of your services.”

It was apparent that there was no sign of recognition in his eyes and Baltha was sorely disappointed. But even though her voice trembled she pulled herself up and answered; ” My humble self is honored, my Lord, that I am able to do a service for one so great. What is it that you require of me?”

The prince it seems was restless and so he stood and looked out the window as he spoke. “I have had a dream of late which troubles me to no end. In this dream I meet a beautiful maid and my heart goes out to her. I believe that she does in fact exist somewhere and because this dream is so real I must search for her. I have never before known such love. I am hoping that your powers will help guide me to her, and if they do, you will be richly rewarded. What say you?”!

She thought for a moment and then replied,” I have no doubt, sirethat my powers can be of use. This I know, the one you seek is near. But I’m afraid I cannot be of service this evening. If I may entreat you to came to my humble cottage in the morn, all then will be prepared for the guidance you desire.”

“That is good and I will be there. Thank you, miss for your aid thus far, good eve to you, he said with his back still turned away from her.

She bowed taking one last look at him before she left the room and fled down the stairs. When she arrived back at her cottage she busied herself preparing the room of law and cleaning her entrance way. When all was set she now had time for thought and the feelings came rushing to her bosom. Oh no, she thought, he did not recognize me and I remember that I may not use the craft to gain his favor even though he requests it.

A1l night long she fretted and worried over this and long before the cock crowed she arose to bathe. After her bath she took out her finest gown and put it on. Then she brushed her hair and set a strand of it in braids that she circled her head with as though a crown. She gathered some flowers and placed a small portion of these also in her hair, carefully arranging them to enhance her natural beauty. The delicate blooms added a touch of vibrancy to her appearance, complementing the earthy tones of her dress.

She pinched her cheeks to make them rosy, invoking the freshness of youth and life, then scented herself in the fragrance of a meadow, the sweet scents of wildflowers and fresh grass enveloping her in a soft embrace. As she placed some tea to boil, the kettle began to whistle softly in the backdrop, blending seamlessly with the sound of her heart racing in anticipation.

Just then, a knock came to the door, startling her from her reverie. “It is he,” she thought, her heart fluttering in her chest. “He has come too soon.” The moment felt electric, as though time itself was hanging in the balance.

She opened the door and when he looked at her, his eyes opened wide and he seemed frozen for a moment. The sunlight cascaded around him, creating a halo that almost masked the look of surprise on his face. “It is you,” he said, his voice a mixture of awe and disbelief. “You are the one that I have dreamed of these past two months.”

His gaze traveled over her, lingering on her radiant features, and he added, “I did not recognize you. You were covered with soot and your countenance was poor. Is this some form of magic you are doing to me?”

A smile broke to her face, illuminating her features even further. The warmth in her eyes reflected a sense of joyful confidence. “No more magic, my Lord than any woman knows,” she replied, her tone teasing yet sincere. This moment, filled with unveiled beauty and unexpected connections, marked the beginning of something profound between them, destined to unfold in the hours to come.

By Michael Forrest circa 1975.