I'm walking through the woods in autumn. The sun shines down and illuminates a clearing up ahead. When I get closer, I see a dog protecting a group of animals. In the group is a bear, a chipmunk, a lion, and a deer and its fawn.

A chirp comes from beside me, and I turn to see my white falcon perching on a maple tree branch. As I continue to walk, blue and purple fog envelops me. Thunder pulls me out of the fog...

My eyes crack open when I realize that maybe it is my alarm rather than thunder that wakes me. Through the curtains, a small sliver of light peaks through the woods behind the cabin. I jump out of bed realizing today is the first day learning about plants and crystals—something I actually have a little knowledge in. My studying of natural healing won't go to waste.

I hurry down for breakfast after throwing on the clothes I stacked on the dresser last night. I'll run out of Danny's shirts if I don't do laundry soon. Some people are missing, but most are yawning over their food.

The teens training to be Protectors gather around the dining table. The Elders have a table off to the side with boxes stacked next to it. Grandma and Mia are the ones to teach us today since EJ and Estel are working with the Guardians.

After the usual greetings, Mia begins the lessons.

Her voice is gentle yet firm. "Today, we are going to teach the basics of what most call witchcraft—we call it Mageia. It might be beneficial to put what you learn today in your grimoires, so I suggest you all go retrieve them."

Chairs can be heard shifting against the wood floor. Mia has a gentle nature, but I wouldn't want to upset her. It doesn't take long for us to return with our grimoires and pens.

"First, I'll talk about plants and then after lunch Miriam will talk about crystals. Tonight, we will go into spells. Are you ready?"

Most of us nod, and I notice that for the first time I've seen Mick doesn't shrug.

"Plants are good not only for the healing arts but also necessary for plenty of spellcasting. The first thing to learn is about the various plants that can be used. Take for instance Chamomile." It reminds me of a miniature daisy. "There are two types mainly used in herbal remedies. The Roman." She holds up one plant. "And the German." She holds up the other plant.

Ande tilts her head and squints her eyes. "It looks the same to me."

"It is very similar and used for the same purposes. The German chamomile has a more domed center that sits a little higher than the rounder center of the Roman chamomile," Mia explains.

"Will these be available for us to sketch later?" Ande asks. My thoughts exactly. I'm not going to put a rushed drawing of the chamomile, or any plant for that matter, in my grimoire.

Mia smiles. "Yes, sunneschii, you can sketch them whenever you want. We will keep some of the fresh specimens in water to prevent them from wilting for a few days."

Mia continues. "Now, this is something most of you have heard is made into tea. It helps sooth nerves and relaxes a person. It can also be used to treat digestive disorders like nausea and vomiting. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that can be beneficial for skin conditions. It is an herb used in spells having to do with healing, luck and friendship."

Mia holds up a plant I recognize. It's leaves are green with a gray hue and have this texture like velvet or cotton when rubbed.

"Sage is not only used in cooking, but also in helping to cleanse a person or space and to promote healing and wisdom."

"That was used during the Unlocking Rituals, correct?" I ask.

Both Mia and Grandma nod, but Mia answers, "It was but it is not the only plant that is used in such a way. Cedar and sweetgrass are examples of other plants used in rituals and blessings."

Mia claps her hands. "Moving on, let's talk about more plants collected for use. Rosemary is not only good for chicken and potatoes, but it can be used to strengthen memory and aid in digestion. It helps clean and protect when used in Mageia. It is one of the most versatile plants utilized in Mageia as it can be a substitute for any plant you might not have on hand.

"Over here is lavender ..."

"One of my favorites," Grandma announces.

Mia groans, and I bite back a laugh. "Yes. Yes. I'm sure they'll figure that out soon. Anyway, lavender has a calming effect and is a potent natural painkiller. It can be used for muscle and joint pain, migraines, and other types of pain conditions."

I listen intently as Mia goes through discussing all of the other plants. She discusses plants such as cinnamon, garlic, peppermint, and lemon balm to name a few. I leave some space on each page of my grimoire to be able to come back later and sketch the different plants discussed. Although I already know about some of these plants, it's nice to know that my previous studying will be useful for my new life.

After we eat lunch and clean the table and kitchen, we gather around the dining table again.

While Mia is doing something in the kitchen, Grandma begins.

"This afternoon, I am going to teach you some basics about crystals. Before I even talk about the different crystals and how they are beneficial, I'm going to first explain about cleansing and charging a crystal."

"Why is this important?" Carleigh asks.

"Crystals can absorb the energy from anyone or anything it has been in contact with. Before you use a crystal, you want those energies removed from the crystal so that the crystals you use will become more attuned with your energy and intentions. Charging a crystal gives it an extra boost of energy and may help it last longer before it needs to be cleansed again."

Carleigh nods, but her face looks like my thoughts—do what?

"You can use one of several methods to cleanse a crystal, just pick the one that feels right to you. These methods include: running water, salt water, natural light, sage, and once you get in tune with yourself, visualization. Before cleansing any of your crystals, check the properties of the crystal to determine if any of the methods are not safe for that particular crystal."

Looking up from my grimoire to Grandma, I rub the finger I'm resting on against my forehead. "Why would it not be?"

"The properties of a stone can make it unsuitable for certain cleansing methods. For example, before using salt or running water, check to see if the crystal is brittle, soft or porous, as you don't want to use water to cleanse these."

I nod getting an idea now of what she's referring to.

Grandma continues, "If the crystal is not sensitive to light or water, you can put it in salt water and leave it in sunlight. This will not only purify the stone but charge it. You can also use moonlight, bury it in the earth, or other crystals like clear quartz."

As she says this, she bends down and pulls out a large clear quartz crystal. She holds it reverently and talks while bringing it to set on a purple cloth.

"Clear quartz is considered the most powerful and versatile healing stone. It absorbs energy easily and can protect against negativity. Clear ... "

The crystal draws me into it as I look at it. The world around me starts to change—it feels alive with energy. I look around the room to see if anyone else feels something, but they are all intently listening to Grandma. I redirect my focus on Grandma as a hazy ring of purple and green surrounds her. I shake my head trying to clear my vision, but nothing seems to be working. I force my eyes closed momentarily and just listen to what she's saying.

Shuffling and footsteps against the floor alert me that she has gone back to the box, so I open my eyes. On the purple cloth now sits a beautiful rock shimmering with different colors like blue, purple and yellow. It is like the Aurora Borealis was captured in the rock.

Grandma begins to speak again, so I look up. Mistake. Now the colors give almost a halo effect all around her body, but I fight through the lightheadedness I feel.

"Labradorite helps to enhance psychic abilities and enhance intuition. Along with numerous other properties, it is a stone of transformation and change and helps protect against negative energies."

Hazy yellow and purple start surrounding the other Protectors, and I have to put my head down to keep from puking.

A hand touches my arm. "Tally, are ya okay?" Mick says from my right.

Not wanting to alarm her, I look up into a blurry kaleidoscope.

I smile trying to reassure her. "Sure. Everything's fine."

Her eyes narrow, but she doesn't persist. "If ya say so."

Nodding, I look over at Grandma, but the colors around her are stronger. I look ahead at Tanner and turn quickly trying to avoid the yellow halo around him only to be greeted by blinking lights around everyone else seated across from me.

My head swims, and I'm afraid I'll pass out, so I lay my head down again.

This time my grandma's voice breaks through the fog.

"Are you okay, Tallulah?"

"Just a headache," I blurt out, not wanting to admit that all of these colors surround people making my own rainbow inside of the cabin. What is wrong with me? Am I going crazy? Is all of this getting too much?

"Are you sure you're okay?" she asks again.

"Maybe I need a glass of water. I've been working a little more than I should on doing air magic, and it must be getting to me." Oh my lord, the lies just spill out of my mouth.

After a moment's rest the colors seem to calm down, and Grandma resumes the lesson. She talks about amethyst, fluorite, lapis lazuli, black obsidian, and various other stones I can't remember the name of. The colors are still present throughout the lesson, and I grow even more concerned. However, I'm more concerned that I'm becoming too overwhelmed with learning the basics, and I don't want to admit my failures.

______________________________

[A/N]:

Mageía is actually the Greek word for magic and witchcraft.

Sunneschii (Swiss German) - sunshine