The ones who live hidden in plain sight (A discovery of witches story)

Here comes the sun

Here comes the sun

And I say, "It's alright"

by The Beatles

Camille was sitting comfortably in the living room, a light blanket on her lap, while Andrew had just placed a steaming cup of tea in front of her. The soothing scent of camomile wafted through the air, and the gentle warmth of the drink contrasted pleasantly with the coolness of the afternoon. She was rested and had finished her album. She and Andrew were sharing a quiet moment, an ideal Sunday.

- On 21 March, we celebrate Ostara, a family tradition of celebrating magic. I'd love you to come. Andrew's voice was soft, full of a special serenity, as he sat down beside her, his eyes filled with hope.

Camille looked up, surprised and flattered by this unexpected invitation.

— Are you sure? She asked, not wanting to be too much, her heart beating slightly faster.

- I'm sure. It's not just me, it's my parents and Anastasia too,' replied Andrew without hesitation, his comforting smile dispelling her doubts.

Curious, Camille inclined her head.

- What does it involve?' she asked, her interest piqued. She loved learning about Andrew's traditions and those of the wizards, which were always full of symbolism and a little mystery.

Andrew took a moment to think, as if searching for the right words to describe something that was both ritual and magic.

- It's the time of beginnings,' he began, looking at her, 'the time of sowing. Literally and symbolically. Seeds are planted and incantations are made to reap later, not just fruit, but also successes, projects and dreams. It's also a day to celebrate fertility. It's the moment when we mark the beginning of true spring, when nature is reborn.

He spoke with a quiet intensity, his words imbued with an almost ancestral wisdom. Camille listened, fascinated by this dimension of magic that she had never explored in this way. She loved the way Andrew describing things, with its combination of simplicity and depth.

- The house will be decorated with flowers, herbs and seeds,' he continued. Rabbits and butterflies are the animals associated with Ostara, symbols of renewal and transformation.

A bit like mixing Easter and spring, she thought, amused by the similarity.

- There will be rituals. Decorating eggs, which symbolise fertility, walking in nature to reconnect with the earth, and also looking after the garden, planting the first seeds of the season. As for the magic, we use incantations to accompany all this, with the idea of renewal and growth. He paused for a moment, then added with a smile: It's a bit like planting wishes.

Camille nodded, absorbing his every word. She found this approach fascinating: this fusion of nature, symbols and magic created a universe rich in meaning. She already liked the concept, the idea of sowing seeds both physically and symbolically, of preparing fertile ground for the future, whether for the earth or for herself.

A smile lit up Camille's face. The celebration seemed both familiar and fascinating, and Andrew's enthusiasm was contagious. Not so far from Easter, in fact,' she mused with a smile.

¬- I can't wait, then,' she finally said, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Andrew seemed delighted with her answer.

He continued to explain in more detail, his gestures accompanying his words, while Camille, captivated, lost nothing of what he was saying. He spoke of the care to be given to the garden, the precise rituals, the way in which each family participated according to its own rituals and magical practices. Each element seemed to be imbued with deep meaning, and Camille felt more and more drawn to this idea of communion with nature and with the cycle of the seasons. She couldn't wait to discover this new side of him and his family.

The next day, Camille's thoughts were still filled with the previous day's conversation. She had started to do some research, to find out more - she didn't lack the time anyway.

That evening, after an ordinary day, she was back with Andrew, this time in the kitchen. They were preparing a simple meal together. The sound of knives on the wooden board and the smell of vegetables roasting in the oven filled the air. The kitchen, small but warm, was their place to relax, a place where they liked to spend time together, away from the outside world.

- I've been thinking about Ostara again today,' Camille began, peeling a carrot. 'I was really intrigued by everything you told me. I don't think I've ever been so interested in a celebration before.

Andrew gave her a sidelong glance, a discreet smile on his lips.

- It's a special party for me, but also for my family. I really wanted you to be part of it this year. He paused for a moment, as if searching for the right words. 'I think you'd fit in perfectly with this tradition, you and Céleste.

Camille smiled, touched by his words. She had never been very close to family rituals, but with Andrew, everything seemed different. It wasn't just about celebrating something, but living it, connecting with the earth, with nature, with something bigger than themselves. Ostara was also a way of embracing the magical traditions that she hoped Celeste possessed.

- Do you make any special preparations before the big day?' she asked, curious to learn more.

Andrew put down his knife and turned to her, leaning against the counter.

- Yes, there are a few little preparation rituals. First, we clean up the space. Not just physically, but symbolically too. It's a way of getting rid of the old to make room for the new. Then we start to gather the elements that will be used on the day itself: seeds, herbs, decorations. And then there's a sort of collective meditation, where everyone concentrates on what they want to show for the New Year.

Camille listened attentively, visualising each step he described.

- It sounds so soothing, almost therapeutic. I think I need this, to take a moment to settle down and think about the future, before the baby comes.

- Andrew nodded, his eyes softening. That's exactly what it is. It's a way of refocusing, of reconnecting with yourself and your surroundings. Spring is a time of renewal, but it's also a time to prepare ourselves to welcome what's to come, to plant the right seeds, both in the earth and in our lives.

They continued to cook in silence for a few minutes, but it was a comfortable silence, full of the complicity that had been building up between them for some time. The sound of the vegetables in the oven and the scent of thyme filled the room. Camille felt strangely at peace.

- You know,' she continued after a moment, spring used to be just a season, a time when nature woke up, but I didn't think you could do something so profound out of it.

Andrew smiled :

- That's one of the things I love most about Ostara. It's a reminder that nature always offers us a new chance, a new beginning. And it's important to recognise that, to celebrate it.

- We could start here, if you like,' Andrew suggested, seeing the enthusiasm in her eyes. We could clean up the space together and gather the elements for the party. That would be a good start.

- Camille smiled broadly. Yes, I'd love to.

They continued to discuss the party over dinner, their voices mingling with the light crackle of the candles on the table. The more Camille learned about Ostara, the more she couldn't wait to get there. It was as if a new world was opening up to her, a world where magic, nature and spirituality merged into a single energy.

That night, Camille fell asleep dreaming of bright flowers, butterflies floating in the air, and hands in the earth, planting seeds of promise and renewal.