The Secret Witch

Where One's Power Rests

Elizabeth led Breanna to another small room that was filled with candles and books. "While you are learning your path feel free to use this room as your sanctuary. There are plenty of resources here for you to use, and I'll be here too." Elizabeth spoke, gently guiding Breanna into the room.

"Thank You. I don't really know where to start though... I have very little knowledge of pagan beliefs. I only really know what you told me on the hill last night." Breanna turned to look into Elizabeth's face. 

"Here," Elizabeth shuffled some things around, clearing out a space in the center of the room. "this space should be sufficient for your needs. Lighting candles and meditating will help you learn how to connect to the Devine."  She looked around for a moment, quickly finding what she was looking for. " This book was my very first Book of Shadows. You may use it to find a starting point if you wish." 

Breanna gently held the book, running her hand over the leather cover. She could tell that it was well loved and very personal to Elizabeth. Breanna looked into Elizabeth's eyes in surprise. "Your... Book of Shadows?" She knew that a practitioners Book of Shadow was usually kept secret and rarely shared with anyone. Her small amount of research told her that much. "Are you sure?"

Elizabeth placed her hand on top of Breanna's, looking back at her with a smile. "I am sure. In you, I sense the ability to do great things and as my partner in this path, I trust you to do the right thing. This book will allow you to see several different practices that might interest you. You wait here for a moment, I have a few things to do." Elizabeth gently closed the door behind her and Breanna took a deep breath, there was so much to look at. She sat down on one of the pillows in the cleared out space and opened the book that Elizabeth gave her.

The title page was beautifully decorated with a dried saffron flower, calligraphy, and a painting of the night sky. Breanna smiled at the memory it resurfaced from the night before. Turning the page she found a letter. It told of how important the book was to Elizabeth and asked that the reader not use the information found in the pages to harm anyone or anything. At the bottom, it was signed with the name Ayya, the same one that Elizabeth used the night before. 

Breanna started leafing through the pages of the journal, which she soon realized was divided into different sections by hand-made tabs. They were labeled: Sabbaths, Divination, Meditation, Herbs, Gems, and Spells/Recipies. Each page had been filled in and designed with the utmost care. Breanna could tell that a lot of thought went into each and every page. 

Breanna flipped to the Meditation tab, remembering that Elizabeth had mentioned it before. That seemed like a good place to start as any. She was reading one of the entries when Elizabeth gently knocked on the door before entering the room. She was carrying a few different shopping bags, the reusable ones that get you a discount if you use them at certain stores.

How long had Breanna been sitting there admiring the artwork of the book? It genuinely looked like Elizabeth had gone out and Breanna hadn't realized the time was passing. "Hey, sorry I took so long. I had to go pick up some things." At this, Breanna looked at her FitBit and saw that nearly 2 hours had passed. 

"Woah, I didn't realize that much time had passed. I had only just started reading, at least that was how it felt. Your book is beautiful. I can tell you put a lot of work into it." Elizabeth smiled. 

"Yes, I spent years putting that book together. I am very happy with how it turned out. Speaking of that." She set the bags down and sat down on another pillow that was nearby. She pulled out all kinds of art supplies and several different leather journals. "Having your own book, spending the time gathering the knowledge and putting what you feel speaks the strongest to you on the pages is a great way to remember and charish your steps along this path."