02 Episode Five - Rupert gets tutored on tools

This story is called “Rupert Gets Tutored on Tools.” Rupert the rabbit thought he was having a dream, He heard a giggle and a silly, little scream. He’d been laying in the long, green grass, enjoying the sun, After a long day of playing, eating, and having fun. He was just resting on the edge of the shady, green place, In the round meadow the people used as their sacred space. That’s when he heard it, that very special kind of noise, The one that reminded him of the all the girls and boys. Then before he had time to move, before he could get away, Suddenly, there were people all around him, blocking his way. And so he just stayed waiting there, by that thick grove of shady trees, Wishing he could be among the cypress with their long, knobby knees. As he sat there quietly, he wondered why they were here, And what they might be celebrating at this time of the year. There weren’t as many people this time, he could tell right away, Only four grown up’s and a few children had come here today. Rupert couldn’t help but to wonder what they were going to do, Seeing such a small group of people was something different and new. There was a Mom and a Dad, who were leading the way, Along with four kids who all wanted to run and play. Two other ladies came along, too, to give them a hand. And one small baby who didn’t look old enough to stand. He heard the Mom say she was going to teach them something new, And they all needed to gather so they would know what to do. She flared her skirt and sat herself right down on the green, grassy ground, Waiting for everyone else to do the same and gather around. She had a strange box in her lap, one with three moons on its lid, She opened it carefully, and everyone gasped when she did. She turned the box around then, so everyone could see what she had inside, “Today we’ll learn about some special tools,” she said, “And I will be your guide.” “Here are some of the things that we use in the magickal things we do,” “I’m going to take the time, today, to explain each of these things to you.” Rupert moved in a little closer so he could get a better view, He didn’t want to miss out on what they were going to say or do. Holding it up for all to see, she said, “This tool is a dagger, knife, or blade,” “It’s used to direct energy, and doesn’t matter if it’s bought or homemade. “Because people and their languages have long come from many different lands,” “There are different ways to say many words, as you will come to understand.” “So, whether, like some do, you say the word so it sounds like Ath-ommy,” “And insist the name of this tool rhymes quite nicely with the word Mommy,” “Or, instead say that what I hold in my hand is an anth-ah-may,” “What is important is your intention and not the word you say.” “Your intention, in case you didn’t know, is what you have inside of you,” “What your thoughts and feelings are; the meaning you give to what you say and do.” “We have all come here together,” the Dad said, taking a turn, “To celebrate our faith as a family and help you to learn.” “As you get older and understand better how many things are done,” “You’ll be in other Circles, and with the community, become one.” “I’ve been to rituals,” one girl said, with a frown on her face, “I don’t understand why I have to sit here, in this strange place.” Rupert saw the mother smile before she opened her mouth to reply, “Because we need your help to teach the younger ones,” she said, “that is why.” “Listen to your Mother and Dad,” said the woman holding the small baby, “Your whole life, there will always be more to learn about the Lord and the Lady.” “When we cast a Circle,” said Dad, “we create something we call sacred space,” “It’s a special thing we do, putting a bubble of protection in place.” “Bubbles?” the little boy asked, looking up into the face of his dad, “Yes, it’s a place to keep in good energies and keep out all the bad.” “Like your mother told you, what we mean to do in our minds and hearts,” “Of everything we do, intention is the most important part.” With stick in-hand, the youngest girl asked, “Do we draw a Circle on the ground?” “No,” another said, “Draw it in your mind as the High Priestess walks around.” “But what about my dad?” the little boy asked, “He’s the High Priest, you know,” “He knows all about that stuff they talk about, ‘As above, so below.’” “You people are crazy. I don’t understand you,” Rupert heard another voice say, He thought it must belong to the other boy who had come with the people this day. “Kevin, you stop that,” one woman raised her voice, “That isn’t nice to say!” “It’s all right sister,” said the Dad, “We’re here to learn together today.” “But why,” one girl asked, “did we have to come all the way out here?” “Couldn’t we have stayed at home, where mosquitos don’t buzz my ears?” “Yes, of course we could have,” answered the Mom with a smile big and wide, “But we often feel closer to God and Goddess when we’re here, outside.” “All right,” said the woman with the baby, “Everyone be quiet.” “Let’s listen first, then ask questions later,” she said. “Everyone try it.” “So, the anthame,” said the Dad, holding it up for everyone to see, “Is one thing we can use to cast a Circle and direct our energy.” “But I like using a wand,” said the girl still waving a stick around, “It’s good for much more,” agreed Mom, “than drawing a Circle on the ground!” “Well sure,” said Kevin, with something in his tone that said he was being mean, “As long as you remember to use the part that’s brown and not leafy green!” “Really son,” his mother said, trying to be nice and remain calm, “You’re right. And it makes a difference if you use ash, or oak, or palm.” “When we all get back home,” said Dad, “it might be fun to study the trees,” “To learn what kind to use depending on their magickal properties.” “When directing energy,” said Mom, “use whatever works or makes you feel good,” “An anthame made of steel, the finger from your hand, or a wand made of wood.” “What about the wand I have at home with glitter and a star on the end?” “Can I use that one, too,” asked the little girl, “or is it just for pretend?” “Remember, your intention is what makes the difference in how things are done,” “If you use respect and love in what you do, then you can use either one.” “It’s the same,” Mom explained, “no matter how or what we use or do,” “You need to know what’s most important is what is inside of you.” “Other tools we use are incense and candles,” said the lady with brown hair, “To represent, honor, or invite the elements of Fire and Air.” “Oh,” said the oldest girl with surprise, “Magick smells good, that’s what I think,” “Well, that’s true,” Mom grinned, “but be careful not to use the ones that may stink!” “Most of the things we use,” said Dad, “to help us when casting a spell,” “Are used in special ways to help us focus in doing our work well.” “Like the candles,” said the little boy, “at least that’s what I’ve been told,” “A silver one for Goddess, and the God gets the one that is gold.” “Very good, Justin,” said Mom, hugging him and giving a little wink, “It makes me happy when you pay attention, and tell us what you think.” “Some people ring a bell,” the woman with the baby offered, nodding her head, “To summon spirits, clear the air, start a ritual, or to finish it instead.” “But why do you have a small feather, there in your box?” asked the little girl, “It’s pretty,” she said, twisting it around, “and look, it has a fluffy curl.” “Be careful there,” warned Dad. “That’s an important thing you really need to know,” “You shouldn’t touch other people’s magick tools without permission, oh no.” “Yes,” Mom agreed, “You always need to have respect in all you do and say,” “But I’m teaching you about the tools I use for magick, so it’s okay.” “So,” said the oldest girl, “Can you tell us about the chalice you brought with you?” “I’ve seen a few of them before, but I’m not sure what they’re for or what they do.” “Oh come on!” complained Kevin. “You’re a High Priestess’ daughter!” “How can you not know a chalice is used for holding water?” “Oh, but I do know, cousin,” the girl replied with a gleam in her eye, “A chalice is a cup and holds liquid; that part is easy as pie.” “But do you know which direction represents this element the best?” “I know!” said the little girl, “Air is the East and Water is the West!” “And what about Earth?” asked Dad, “Come on, Melanie, take a guess – it can’t hurt!” “I remember that one too; Earth is North and my favorite, because it’s dirt!” “Okay,” Justin said, really thinking hard, “You said Water, Earth and Air,” “That leaves Fire for South, and we’ve got everything covered everywhere!” “Not quite, genius,” corrected Kevin with a smirk, “There’s one you didn’t say,” “Still, you’ve been pretty smart so far, so I’ll bet you can get it right away.” “Spirit!” shouted Justin and Melanie together, doing a high-five, “It’s what connects us to God and Goddess,” said Dad, “and makes us feel alive!” Rupert could feel his own spirits rise and a smile form on his face, Knowing these people were all being touched by love’s beauty and its grace. He knew for himself just how wondrous life and friendship could be, When touched by the loving blessings of the Lord and the Lady. “All right everyone,” Mom laughed, “let’s all settle down for just a minute,” “My box of tools isn’t empty yet, shall we see what else is in it?” “Here, Michelle,” she said, holding out a small bundle of grass and sticks, “Tell us what this is, why we use it, and what’s in this grassy mix.” The oldest girl smiled as she took the bundle and held it to her nose, “I love the smell of magick,” she said, “as everyone here already knows.” “This is a stick of sage and sweetgrass, and it has some lavender too,” “We use it to smudge ourselves before some of the sacred things we do.” “But first you have to light it,” said Justin, holding up a match, “Sometimes you have to blow on it before the fire will catch.” “Then we can use the smoke to cleanse ourselves and to clear our energy,” “That way,” Michelle explained, “we can all work together more happily.” “The cauldron,” said Kevin’s mom, “whether big or small, is my own favorite tool,” “I use it to safely burn things in, or make potions that are really cool.” “Mine is the pentacle,” said Mom, “because it speaks so deeply to my heart,” “It’s not just a star though; the circle around it is an important part.” “My favorite tool of all,” said Dad, ” is the ritual robe I sometimes get to wear,” “It creates a special place in my heart; I feel closer to God and Goddess there.” “What about an altar?” Kevin asked, forgetting to sound mean or upset, “Yes, we will put one together soon,” Mom promised. “Just not today. Not yet.” “There are many things we both want to teach you,” Dad said looking all around, “How to make an altar, cast a Circle, make your own spells, and how to ground.” “We’ll help you with all there is to know and to guide you on your way,” “Magickal tools and their uses, though, was our lesson for this day.” “Although there are many other tools and things we could all talk about,” “The Book of Shadows,” said Mom, “is one of the most important, without a doubt.” “Here is where you write down your thoughts, your ideas, and how you did each spell,” “Everyone does things differently, so you need to write down what you did well.” “Yes!” Melanie cried, “Let’s make a Book of Shadows for our family to share,” “Great idea!” agreed Justin. “Everyone will help, so it will be fair.” “All right,” said Kevin, and Rupert could see he was smiling for the first time today, “Why don’t we all collect something from right here, so we can get started right away!” “Off with you then” said Dad, “everyone go find something to bring home with you,” “But be careful and make sure you harm no living thing, whatever you do!” Rupert smiled to himself, feeling wonderful, and opened his eyes, He’d been happily dozing a bit, but now he got a big surprise. For there, laying right beside him was the baby he’d seen before, Not to mention the baby’s mother, which surprised him even more. “It’s all right, my furry friend,” the woman looked at him and said, “Sometimes we come to you, but this time you came to us instead.” “You are welcome here, among us, as welcome as can be!” “You are a sign to us, you know, one we can clearly see.” “If you feel safe enough to come so close, then surely we are blessed,” “Here among the trees and grass by the presence of God and Goddess.” Rupert felt himself glowing from his fuzzy tail to the tip of his nose, So very happy to know he was blessed to be where love and magick grows.