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The cars and pickups have been arriving all afternoon, coming down the lane loaded with people and their gear. Most of us are expecting to stay overnight and have brought along our tents and coolers. By four o'clock the hillside was dotted with colorful canopies and children running through the campsite renewing old friendships. We have been looking forward to this getaway in the country for some time and now it is here. As each person arrived, they were greeted with hugs and kisses and the standard "Welcome home." In the background is the sound of drums and laughter and smells of foods cooking in the house and on the grills. Ariel and Renee and Peach came early to get a head start on the evening feast. They won't tell us what it is they are cooking and have been shooing everyone away as we stick our heads in the door just to get a peek and absorb the heavenly aromas. it will all be done in due time they assure us. Jim is on the grills and is just getting started. It's no secret what he is cooking. We were able to get our hands on a sizable amount of ribs and other delectable. The drummers were attracting a large number of folks over at the Community Fire pit and were working through some new rhythms. It really isn't a Pagan country gathering without the sounds of drums and flutes and the occasional bagpipe whiffing across the hills. Dogboy was there painted all blue, oblivious to the fact that his drum head was turning a pale shade of sky. Ed, Purple, Osci and a few others were keeping the beat while some of the kids were whirling round and round and falling down laughing on the soft grass surrounding the pit. Later on after ritual we will light a fire in it and play and sing and make love around it's light and warmth. It had been decided that we would dedicate a new ritual fire and some of the men were busy with picks and shovels digging into the hard dry earth. The sod was thick and matted and was taking much longer to cut through than was expected. We were assured however that it would be dug, bermed and lined with rock before the evening ritual. It seemed like the digging itself was turning into a ritual with all the care they were putting into it. The wood had already been placed in the meadow earlier in the day but there was some concern that it wouldn't be enough. Off to the woods went Andrew and Bastion with the saws and we were soon being serenaded with the sounds of chain saws somehow keeping time with the drums. What a clatter we were making. They of course finished their labor of love in plenty of time to take a cool dip in the lake before dinner. It was still several hours before the moon came up overhead and we had yet to go feasting when we heard Moon and Kendal heralding, announcing the food. What a grand feast it was. The ribs were cooked to perfection with just a hint of the apple chips Jim threw on the fire. The women who had been keeping their secret all day came forth with platters of hot steaming food and cold treats meant to challenge our tastebuds and overpower our other senses. We feasted till full and settled into a cozy comfort while we waited for the sun to make it's exit. There was of course, all kinds of things to do and prepare for, but it was all done in the slowness and precision of a family who is very careful and deliberate. We showered and did our other little nightly personal rituals. We donned our robes and gowns and made ourselves presentable to our Lord and Lady. We tightened our drumheads and dug the rattles and bells out of our bags. Some of us even went out alone to sit and attune ourselves to the universe around us. At last we were ready and as the Heralds went about the campsite to gather us in there was a peace about us. The drummers lead the way through the woods with a slow low beat. The procession goes around the lily pond and up the hill to the meadow. We can see the faint glow of the fire through the trees and can soon hear the crackling of the logs. As we come into the meadow we see that it is surrounded by trees in an almost perfect circle. El Bee and Osci are waiting in the Eastern Gate and without any sound Anoint and Smudge the coveners as they step through the Gate. When all are in place around the fire, Misha steps forward with her Blessing......