The sense of the Green Man's presence quieted. Dema felt the message was complete, and let the dream fade. She opened her eyes, and the others did the same. From across the table, Dame Agatha's eyes were drawn to Cern, whose stag-horns were in full display. Edith, still holding herself within the dream, relishing the moment, followed Agatha's gaze and could see them too, if faintly.

Agatha, eyes still on Cern, spoke in an awed whisper. "Cernunnos. You recognized him as the Green Man. He recognized you as the Horned God."

"Merely an incarnation, a poor imitation I'm sure," said Cern. 

"Perhaps so on this plane, but less so on the one we visited." 

Her eyes turned to Dema. "The pattern holds signs of the association of the Horned God with the Triple Goddess. And the Green Man made known to us the design of the crop circle he manifested for you both when he first appeared to you. That contained a triple spiral, symbol of the Triple Goddess."

She paused, and Dema waited for her to continue. Agatha smiled and allowed her eyes to play over Dema's features for a moment, then said, "The Triple Goddess. You must be the maiden, not the matron or the crone."

Dema laughed. "No, they would be Naga and Sedna."

Agatha cocked a brow. 

"Naga, my mother, and Sedna, my grandmother. I come from a long line of shamans, although my mother prefers to think of herself as a medical doctor. When Grandma gave me the embroidery, Mother gave me this." She held up the little caduceus pin that had been wrapped in the cloth.

Agatha looked at the embroidery again, and gently traced the form of three pairs of interlocking angles. The awe returned to her voice as she said, "The sign the Green Man showed you in his crop circle was this one. It forms at once the signs of the horned god and the triple goddess." She looked up at Dema and Cern. "You are obviously linked through your Triple Goddess and Horned God aspects."

Edith, now free of the dream but feeling like she was dreaming still, sat wide-eyed and speechless. Dema did not know how to respond, nor did Cern, so there was silence until Dame Agatha spoke again. 

"I must say, I did not expect this when Edith asked me to see you. You cannot know how honored I am to have met you both." 

She paused, and her face took on an almost imploring look. "I cannot insist, but I almost want to beg. Would you be willing to be present at one of our ceremonial meetings? It would help to solidify the beliefs of my followers if you were to do so."

Dema sensed Cern's discomfort at this request, and it matched her own. She shook her head sadly and said, "Now you honor us, too much so. But what you ask is something I cannot do. Too often my ancestors were used in that way, but it was never right to allow it. I'm sure you understand. The focus of such worship must be on the timeless universal archetypes, not on such incidental manifestations as Cern and myself may represent." 

She felt a warm presence nearby, and added with a smile, "Besides, you have the Green Man. He considers himself a permanent fixture here, and is far better suited to the role. He would be happy to have you summon him at times. On his terms, of course."

Dame Agatha nodded. She was aware that Dema was truthfully conveying the Green Man's wishes in this. Standing, she turned to Edith, who came out of her mild trance and stood as well. Cern and Dema followed suit, and took a step toward the door. 

Dame Agatha was looking down at Dema's embroidered cloth. In a tone reminiscent of how an art lover might describe a Rembrandt, she said, "See how the interlocking triple spiral overlays a vesica piscis, representing the phases of the moon, another aspect of the Goddess. Truly, this is a holy object, a relic if you will."

Gently, Dema said, "Dame Agatha, I want you to keep it."

Dame Agatha looked at Dema, the awe not leaving her eyes. "Oh but I couldn't. You said it is an heirloom."

"Oh but you can. You already know it was meant to be. Sedna told me to let it speak to me. It did, and I now know what it has to say. It led me to you, and you led me to understand it. I no longer need it, you can put it to far better use than I. You and the Green Man and all your followers can help spread the message it conveys."

With tears welling in her eyes, Dame Agatha nodded her assent and choked out a quiet "Thank you." Edith wept openly.

"Besides," said Dema, "Cern may have found roots here in Britain, but mine are elsewhere. Our quest is not complete.

"Dame Agatha nodded her understanding. "There is deep wisdom in you dear. As the maiden aspect, you are the waxing moon, and must pursue your spiritual growth." She began gently folding the embroidered cloth. "I will cherish this and treat it with the utmost respect, and keep it safe for your return."