The Autumn Equinox

The Picnic

The wood door closes without a sound, gently pushed towards the witches brick house. Warm rays shine down onto the field full of life, she closes her eyes facing towards the sun to bask in the warmth. It was the perfect day, the bees buzzing peacefully even the bunny rabbits were out and about causing mischief in the strawberry blond girls garden. Every time the wind blows, new scents are picked up travelling to the soft rounded noses sitting gracefully on the checked picnic blanket. Sweet strawberries, lavender and roses all the clean scents surrounding this tranquil place.

Her eyes seem to sparkle as she looks towards her friends, skipping excitedly while trying not to drop her basket. The straw basket filled with goodies, fresh baked bread, raspberry muffins, even homemade lemonade - all the ingredients grown in the young girl's own garden. The garden is full of colour, brick garden beds laid surrounding a large apple tree - blossoming with fresh fruit. The girls living in this charming cottage cook and bake only living off their land - practising spells with use of the aromatic herbs.

The smell coming from the basket was absolutely enchanting, one could never say no to a bite to eat. The sound of laughter finally reached the witch's ears as her friends jumped up to embrace her, Cidly grabbed the basket out of her soft hands eager to reach for her favourite snack made only by the strawberry blonde.

Near the end of September was the girls favourite day - The Feast of Mabon. The Autumn equinox has arrived. The small group of witches celebrate the birth of Mabon, the Goddess of the earth. It is also the harvest festival - meaning fresh crops are plentiful. On this day every year the girls gather at June's cottage for a delicious picnic and to celebrate this joyous occasion. From this feast brings luck and well wishes for the new year of the witches - promising security.

Cidly, the youngest, always brought homemade candles for each of the girls. Made to bring them good energy - or to try and bring a special someone into their lives. With long auburn hair and piercing green eyes, Cidly was the baby of the group. Her bright yellow dress matching the sunflowers placed delicately upon her head.

Madeline is the crafter of the group, for her gift she brought flower crowns and new aprons that she made all herself. Her hair is as white as the moon on a clear night, only the best for moon water. The flowers aroma is all sweet and fresh, brought when the new harvest arrives. Her arms covered in flowers and little insects, printed into her skin.

Allegra, with her eyes blue as the sapphire stones she uses to make jewellery, is the cleanser. With Allegra around all auras turn peaceful, her jewellery laid on each of the girls. From necklaces all the way to headpieces, each hand crafted neatly for this occasion. June is the host of this picnic, the mother of the children you could call her. Her cottage is the oldest - full of the most wondrous artefacts. Her strawberry blonde hair was like no other, her beauty well beyond the pink flowing dress situated upon her stature.

Allegra did not have to travel far to reach this picnic - the two girls courtship reaching sixty years this winter. The girls share June's cottage, sitting on land right near the Lillian River, the grounds best for growing. When looking at this picnic, you would think it was just a group of teens - the girls look young beyond their years. Cidly even being the youngest was seventy-two, aging was slow for witches of their status.

After embracing June, the ladies sat back down tucking their long dresses under - taking their place on the blanket. The long ferns cleared away next to the river, leaving the perfect spot. Already set down was a tea set and fine China made just for this occasion. The basket is opened by Cidly, and immediately a chorus of sighs are released.

"You have outdone yourself my dearest!" Madeline chimes, picking up the jug of lemonade. The girls all holding their cups, with a different flower painted on each - painted by Madeline of course. The lemonade is perfect, the lemon is bitter and mixed with agave nectar as a natural sugar makes it the perfect amount of sweet. The sound of swishing liquid only to be heard as the girls sip away happily.

"I'm sure your gifts are just as delightful. I've been waiting all year for another apron, mine has seemed to fall apart from all the baking I've been doing." June hums with excitement. Cidly and Allegra nod along just as excitedly, the girls both wearing their handmade flower crowns made just a few weeks ago.

"You're too kind June, but you will have to wait for the others before we can exchange gifts." Madeline replies politely, a smile wide on her pale face.

Laura and Nancy don't arrive until the sun begins to calm, bringing cooler air instead of heat. The sisters enjoy the cold weather, the golden blonde hair flowing behind Laura as she moves skipping through the tall lavender plants. Her green flowy fern dress reaching to her knees blend in with the plants around her - while Nancy's sparkling lace white dress is hard to miss. Nancy moves to pull Laura's floppy straw hat away from her eyes, ensuring her sister doesn't trip. Nancy's eyes sparkle with delight as she spots another patch of red mushrooms - perfect.

"Nancy! We don't have time for more mushrooms. We are running behind - you already have forty of them." Laura exclaims, switching her homemade raspberry ice tea to her other hand in order to pull Nancy along.

"Nancy! You're finally here." Allegra jumps up, running to meet the sisters before they get the chance to greet the others. Nancy shouts back, handing her sister the bag full of mushrooms before embracing her close friend.

"It's wonderful to see you again my dear friend, I'm sorry we are so late. I saw some butter mushrooms and simply needed them for my charm tonight." Nancy explains releasing Allegra in order to greet the others.

"Does this mean we can exchange gifts now?" Cidly shouts excitedly.

"Cidly!" Everyone exclaims at once, shaking their heads. Cidly really was a kid.

And so the young witches sat peacefully, talking about all the wonderful things that had happened during the year and what is to come. As the day brought to a close, and the sun was soon replaced with the moon. The stars sparkling brightly in the night sky, filling the dark sky with different constellations as the girls drifted towards the cottage. The goodies were shared among the girls and the night bringing the nightly critters like fireflies to Madeline's joy.

The sisters - Laura and Nancy start a crackling fire to warm the evening, the surrounding of the cottage holds a small gathering place for them to settle. Grey bricks put together to safely hold the fire. The air was chilly and the smell of night filled the air, preparing the animals for sleep. All the witches find spots around the fire to get settled for the evening.

Allegra and June sat on the creaky wooden swing hanging between two large willow trees, cuddled under only the fluffies of blankets and pillows. June's long hair had been braided together with flowers by Madeline, while Allegra's hair was messy with comfort. Nancy and Laura laid together on the green couch bed playing with tarot cards, sipping on hot rose tea. Cidly slept on the dark soft moss surrounding the fire, her shoulders raising slowly with her breath as she snores adorably. June had laid a blanket on her before sitting down.

"June dearest, are we allowed to stay the night? We won't cause any trouble. I doubt Cidly is awake enough to make the journey home." Madeline says softly from her spot on the large toadstool. She was carefully knitting away with large pink yarn, making a scarf for her new neighbours.

"Of course you can stay the night lovely, I have prepared the living room for you. Nancy and Laura can have the bed out here and Cidly can have the spare bedroom. If that's alright with everyone?" June speaks lovingly to her friends, careful not to wake Cidly on the ground. All the girls nod, even Cidly in her sleep like state. Allegra kisses June's cheek before getting up and carrying Cidly to the spare bedroom. Madeline follows along leaving her knitting on the toadstool, so she can open the doors for Allegra.

"Girls can I get you another hot drink and a blanket before I retire for the night?" June questions the sisters.

"That would be lovely June, thank you." Laura replies drouserly before beginning to pack up their tarot cards. June returns with tea and blankets a few minutes later, tucking the girls into bed. She checks on Madeline in the living room, before lighting on the strawberry candles given to her that day. Opening the door to Cidly's room she drops off a glass of water and some pyjamas for if she woke up during the night. Before finally reaching her room, changing into her satin pink nightclothes and climbing into fresh white sheets. Giving Allegra a kiss goodnight and finally the witches of the Lillian River fall asleep, the only sounds to be heard being the chirping of the crickets and the snores coming from the spare room.

Bringing the end of the Autumn Equinox...