Circumstances...

Good morning, All.
On this last day of June (mid-year is upon us) I encourage everyone to pause and look back, and assess your life in general. Many of you have expressed various lacks of completion of goals you set for yourselves and are left wondering how time got away from you. Others of you have expressed the realization that you set your goals too high, such that they were completely out of reach to begin with. I, too, missed several deadlines I set for myself but the reality of it is that life often fails to co-operate with the best of intentions.

Take heart, for all is no' lost. Mayhap it is time to reconsider what first appealed, and appeared to be the right direction to follow. For those of you who made New Year's resolutions, it has long been known that setting goals for the New Year is generally done without thorough and complete thought for all that those goals entail. I am no' alluding to things such as weight loss, a new look, etc. but to things of the nature that redirect our paths in life.

It is easy to blame various and sundry situations, even persons, for our failures but if one looks closely enough, one often finds 'self' stood in the way of accomplishment. Few of us are capable, or willing, to take responsibility for our perceived failures but only when one is able and willing to do so, will one be able to sort out the chaos. Certainly, there are extenuating circumstances that prevail, which one is unable to foresee, and which blocks one's path. As you already know, I ran into one such roadblock when my beloved spouse fell ill, out of the blue. For the first three months of the year I was wholly involved in caring for him until his passing, and the following three months, to date, I have been consumed with working to get my life back on track.

I am no' asking for pity by rehashing this but simply stating fact, as an example of how things can suddenly go awry. All of my goals for the year diminished in importance and now I am faced with having to reorder and restructure. And in doing so, I have discovered that certain of those are no longer important, others should have taked precedence in the order of things at the beginning, and still others must remain pending until such time that I can figure a way to accomplish them. Thus you get a picture of how chaos comes about.

Life, being what it is, provides some allowances, if only one pauses to seek them out. While no one of us knows when something might come about to throw us off track, for the most part, chaos does no' reign supreme unless one allows it to. I refuse to allow that to overwhelm me and so it is back to the drawing board, in a manner of speaking.

My family is and will ever be at the top of my list of priorities followed, closely, by my work in service to others. My love of writing is a hobby that I generally work into whatever free time I can manage and while that stands on the thresh-hold of becoming my livlihood, I am blessed in that I have the finances to see me through whatever time it takes me to get my novels published and up for sale. As it now stands, things are in the works; thanks to my most competant staff.

The point I wish to make here is this: One can allow unexpected circumstances to set one back so that goals can never be attained, or one can take the bad with the good and get on with the business of life. I am known for preaching that family should always come first and nothing will ever change that point of view; which leads me to the real crux of this posting. I have received many, many e-mails regarding children as being the 'culprits' that often stand in the way of achieving one's goals. Know this: children are no' culprits' or 'reasons' for failure. They are blessings; 'gifts' we are given and charged with caring for, and keeping safe. Ah, and you have figured out where I am going with this.

More and more, child-safety is becoming a less important situation. There are those who place the responsibility for their children in the hands of third parties and no' only expect but demand that those third parties carry out the duties and responsibilities that belong to the parent(s). Worse, some children are left to their own devices at a too early age, which in my estimation is unconscionable. No arguments for need to work, lack of time, the child's bad behavior, and the like, can absolve a parent(s) of their responsibility for their child or children. Like it or no', you birthed them and 'tis your responsibility to be their primary caretaker and first line of defense, regardless of whatever situation you find yourself in. Sound too tough? I mean to be.

I could go on and on about specific situations involving defenseless children, I have encountered, but 'twould be useless, as far as those children are concerned. The damage has already been done. Sadly, the majority of those children have either suffered irrepairable damage or are no longer alive. What enrages me is the number of parents who are wont to blame others for what happened to their children when it was their mistakes all along. There is no excuse that will ever absolve one of the guilt of failure to protect their children, at all costs.

While there are any number of terrible things that can befall a defenseless child, I will speak to those which most often involve my colleagues and myself. Children of any age are, by their very nature, curious. And while the majority of children we deal with are teenagers, who think they are ten feet tall and bulletproof, we also have dealings with many instances where children are very young. Before I continue, let me say that most certainly there are instances when even the best parenting skills canno' prevent some children from certain dangers no parent can foresee, nor protect against.

That said, we offer our assistance to as many children in harm's way, as we are able to. If we discover that the child fell in harm's way due to lack of proper parenting (and aye, it falls to us to determine that, on a case-by-case situation) we have ways and means of finding better placement for those children, if they survive. We have no qualms about forcing the issue where unstable homes are lacking, for there are so many good and willing people who have no child of their own and will gladly take on the responsibility. Have we been known to circumvent laws and agencies in the best interests of children? Aye, and without fear or guilt.

One of our most dedicated colleagues who works in the interest of children is the Warlock Gregory who, together with his spouse and adult children, will stop at nothing to accomplish whatever needs arise for those children. He and his family are most generous with their time and finances and over the years they have put together an astonishing network of concerned people who assist them. Gregory is a powerful individual to be reckoned with and we are blessed to have him and his family as colleagues and allies, to assist us. He is most notable for his charitable efforts on behalf of children and he will even brow-beat his friends and acquaintences into donating time, effort, and money for his causes.

Be that as it may, we are woefully short on help in every area of our endeavors. Recently, we have turned to bringing into our midst, Outsiders (ordinary folks, for lack of a better description), who have children's best interests at heart. You will hear from some of them, from time to time, for we believe their experiences and passions deserve to be made known. In future, 'tis our hope that our network of assistants will grow to meet our needs. 'Tis slow going, as we must be extremely careful of whom we bring among us; for their safety, as well as that of the children for whom we provide assistance.

I know there are many of you who will, unselfishly, offer your services but please understand that we canno' accept your offers by e-mail, as we have no' the time to wade through the background checks we require before we bring another on board. 'Tis a long and tedious process that no' only requires a lot of paperwork, but also private interviews with some of our staff, who have to make long treks to wherever. In time, we hope to establish a mailing address for that purpose but, again, we must take care it will no' lead back to you, or us, for obvious reasons.

In the interim, please be aware and always, always, if you see or know of a child in danger please report it to your local authorities. If you are concerned that the danger to the child is more than they can handle, or that they do no' respond then at that point e-mail me and I will endeavor to put someone in place to investigate the situation. While we canno' possibly respond to each and every situation, we do our best to cover as many situations as is possible. Sometimes we find we can remove the danger to the child (the perpetrator) before an attack occurs and thus save the child in that manner. Ponder and Blessed May You Be.

The Unexpected...

Greetings and fair day to you, all.
My name is Maiya and I'm pleased to join you. For those of you new visitors to this blog, I was among the ones chosen a few months ago for the privilege of being accepted among the gracious folks here, at Dream Teller's Lair. I consider it a privilege because they are such a warm, friendly lot; all of whom have gone out of their way to make me feel welcome. I was not randomly chosen, as none of us were. In fact, I'd never even heard of Dream Teller and her colleagues until a terrifying incident brought them into my life.

I'd never been one to believe in the Fates, nor would I have believed that I was destined, as it were, to find myself in the midst of what I first perceived as some unbelievably strange sorts. Like most of you, I am an ordinary individual. As it happened, I got caught in a web of deceipt that led to a dangerous proposition I didn't see coming at me. I will explain.

I'm twenty-two years of age and up until last year, my life had been rather uneventful; ordinary, for the most part. There were a few times along the way when I experienced some strange things, like feelings and dreams, that were out of the ordinary. But I perceived those things as nothing more than silliness on my part, and went on about my business. I was never the fanciful sort (my dad was always saying that I was the most down-to-earth, level-headed youngster he'd ever known) and my goals in life were to finish high-school and college and become independent; make my folks proud of me. Little did I know that life was going to throw me a huge curve; one I had no hope of hitting out of the park, much less getting a piece of. Neither did I know about the part of my heritage that had lain dormant until such time that it would factor into the shaping of my destiny.

I only recently learned that heritage and genetics play a large part in making one a target for those undesirables who seek out unsuspecting people like me. They have ways of knowing such things about others and, for lack of a better explanation, I will just say that they are attuned to certain vibes that one gives off without knowing it. How frightening is that; not knowing that for the most of your existence you were being carefully watched? I'll tell you, it was the most terrifying discovery. Had I known there were people related to me who had certain gifts and talents that naturally passed from generation to generation, perhaps I would have been better prepared to understand those odd feelings and dreams then again, perhaps not. Those relations are on my mom's side and she never told me for the fact that what little she knew of it, she never believed in such things. It turned out that the newer generations of her family, beginning with my great grandmother, had turned aside those gifts and talents, believing them to be evil. So the next generations were never taught about them. My mom took the hush-hush information to her grave (she passed on when I was fifteen) and my dad knew nothing of it.

You might can imagine my surprise when, on her death-bed, my grandmother whispered to me (I was sixteen) that I should beware of any strange happenings I might experience and that I should ignore them. I had no idea what she meant and she died refusing to explain what she'd told me. That conversation was soon forgotten when I was charged with caring for my little brother and going to school while dad worked. A week after my high-school graduation, dad had a massive heart attack that came without warning. It was left to me to see to my fifteen year old brother's care and with the assistance of an aunt and uncle, I was able to enroll at University and continue my education. I had no time for friends and socializing and I concentrated on school and raising my brother as best I could. Tragically, he was killed in a car accident at the beginning of his senior year and then there was just me; a twenty year old, who suddenly became alone in the world.

I managed to accept the deaths of the members of my beloved family and got on with my life (not an easy task) because I'd been raised to believe that death was an extension of life, and that God called home his children who had completed their life tasks on earth. Yes, I was raised in a Christian home and that was my salvation, at that point.

I wish I could say that my level-headedness and Christian beliefs were enough to prevent me making certain mistakes but such wasn't to be the case. And last year is when providence stepped aside, or maybe on some level I ignored it without realizing it, and I took a wrong path. It seemed nothing too out of the ordinary when I met (literally, ran headlong into) a handsome man (extraordinarily handsome), one evening on my way from my car to the school library. It was raining and I had an armload of books and was running for the door when, head-down, I ran into what felt like a brick wall. My books went flying, as I went careening backward and a strong hand grabbed my wrist and prevented me from falling on my backside. Shaken, I looked up to the sound of a masculine chuckle that did the oddest things to my insides. I was instantly smitten by the sound of his voice, his dark flashing eyes, and we both stood there staring at one another while the rain drenched us. I'm sure you can take it from here; for the first time in my life, school suddenly lacked that all-importance.

We wound up in a cafe where he bought me coffee and a bagel and we talked as if we had known one another all of our lives. It was a connection that should have put me on notice but didn't. The next several weeks went by in a blur; the happiest (or so I thought at the time) I'd been in a very long time. Imagine, if you can, finding the person of your dreams; one who seemed to understand all about you, your hopes and dreams, and yes, your losses. With all of that, into the bargain, one who cheered you on to finish your goals while he helped you find time for a personal relationship. I truly believed God had smiled upon me. But I would soon dicover it was the other way around.

Long story short, Keagan was of the sort I had never dreamed even existed (except, vaguely, in my earlier years). Along and along I began to sense that something wasn't right about him; something dark and sinister but I ignored my instincts, wanting to continue believing in him. And so I wan't prepared for what was set to take place. I hadn't a clue that he was far older than the thirty years he told me he was (he had a way of making me do that, ignore my suspicions) and I fell deeper under his spell and hopelessly in love with him. Chalk that up to ignorance of things for which I had no point of reference.

One of the things that so enamored me of him was that he didn't push me into anything, but led me, gently. He was a pro; toyed with me, allowed me to believe that I was at the helm of my ship. I had no real experience of men, my hormones had never gone into overdrive, as they did with him, and so there I was; experiencing all those wonderful things every woman hopes to experience when the time comes right. God, I look back and see how young and foolish I was; deliberately putting out all the signals to let him know I was his woman and I was ready to take that frightening but exciting step to ecstacy with him.

As I look back (often do) I missed several important signs that would have put me onto him had I recognized them for what they were. I think the most important one was the fact that I only saw him at night, never knew where he was during the day (though he claimed to have a job), and he always evaded my desire to have his phone number and to visit him during the day, on week-ends. Those evasions seemed so insignificant at the time, and I believed it was good that nothing interefered with my going to school, which he expounded upon. Sheesh, what an innocent little fool I was. That he spent most every night at my side kept further suspicions at bay. And then one night, my world fell apart.

Keagan seemed rather occupied, where before I'd always had his complete attention. I asked him what was wrong and when he professed that he didn't want to burden me with his problems, I had to drag it out of him (his intention, now I look back). There, sitting in a quiet corner at an out-of-the-way club, is where I learned the seemingly impossible; Keagan was another Kind, a Vampyre. At first I laughed because I thought he was kidding me but my laughter turned to utter consternation when I realized he was telling the truth. For those of you who think the obvious, that he had fangs I should have noticed; that he was oddly pale; or some other myth about his Kind, you couldn't be farther from the truth. He looked like an an ordinary Human, albeit an extraordinarily handsome fellow. True enough, his canines came to a bit of a point but not anything unusual (yes, I made him show me). For the next two nights we discussed our differences and little did I realize he was reeling me in; playing on my feelings for him. He finally had me convinced (I thought I'd convinced myself) that in order for me to have him (yes, I wanted to marry him, for all time) I would have to become like him.

The thought of immortality and supernatural powers had their obvious effects upon me; I wanted them, and I wanted him and how sad and sobering is that? I was willing to throw away my soul for the life he was offering. What he wanted was a mortal with certain genetics that would lend themselves to his agenda; a more powerful female at his side (the result of the combination of my genetics with his), one who would do whatever he demanded. I am sad to say that I threw caution to the wind and agreed to become that female, for I was overwhelmed with all of the possibilities he outlined for me. Being able to transport myself to any place my heart desired, other times, attaining things I could never, otherwise have attained...well, you get the picture.

My decision made, and he so thrilled that I was coming to him of my own free will, neither of us suspected that we were being watched. That was where he allowed himself to get caught out; his greed and personal desires overcame his common sense. While I wasn't thrilled at the time, was in fact furious, that our plans were suddenly being torn apart, I am now ever thankful at what transpired. We had just made our way out the back door (in the usual manner of humans) into the back alley where he was going to 'transport' us to his home, in the way of his Kind, when we came face-to-face with a man who simply took my breath away. He was six feet seven inches tall (looked much taller at the time), with white-blonde hair of the shade I'd never seen before, and built like the proverbial brick house. He just stood there, partly in shadow, smiling at us. He fairly exuded danger, and in some part of my mind I knew that my life was about to take another sharp turn.

Keagan thrust me away, faced off with the stranger, and the show began. The longest day I live I will never forget what suddenly became like a horrible nightmare. The drop-dead gorgeous stranger stepped out from the shadows, and without taking his unblinking, strangely glowing eyes off Keagan, he introduced himself to me and began to tell me what Keagan was really about. Strangely enough, while Garth gave me a short but concise summary of my loves agenda, Keagan did not attempt to interrupt him. Rather, he laughed and let Garth finish what he had to say.That done, an eerie silence ensued. I was plastered against the back wall of that club, dumbfounded that Keagan made no attempt to defend himself, and horrified at the change coming over him and Garth. Suffice it to say that while they remained in human form, there were changes in their eyes (heated lights for which I cannot now explain), the tone of their voices (guttural and menacing; animal-like but more) and so on. I got the impression that Keagan was well out of his league, and my instinct was to flee the scene. But I couldn't; my feet wouldn't move.

Thankfully, others showed up to remove me from the scene before things got too gory. I was taken to a beautiful mansion where the Warock Gregory and Dream Teller very kindly apprised me of what I'd really gotten myself into. I spent the better part of a week with them, and others who came and went during that time, until I had a clear picture of all that I hadn't known. The worst of it is that Keagan somehow managed to escape Garth (he is very hard on himself for allowing that to happen), which leaves me in a tenuous position. I am told he will try to come back and get to me. My options were limited but I was smart enough to know that I have no way of protecting myself. And when I was offered the opportunity to remain with my defenders, quite naturally I accepted. I have had no regrets, for I have found my true place among friends and benefactors. My life will never be the same, again, but I am not without certain choices that allow me to continue toward my goals. I have set new ones, as well, and when I finish college, here is where I will put myself to good use.

If my story sounds outlandish, so be it. I have told it in the hope that it will help others to realize that all is never as it seems, and that they will think twice before falling in with what feels too good to be true. Also, if you experience odd things be smart enough to give them credence and dig until you exhaust every avenue before you turn a blind eyes to things that may well lay in your past; things that mark you as a target. I bid you a good life, Maiya.

Lea, a true Witch, born

Fair morning, all.
'Tis what some would consider a gloomy, sultry morning in this part of the country. But if one but takes the time to consider all things, Mother Nature blesses us in many ways. The rain is a much needed relief from the drought-like conditions that often prevails for long periods here in the South. As the new day dawns, flowers and trees are soaking up the bounty and presenting a colorful profusion in stark contrast to the gray canopy, above. If one pauses to listen, one might discover that the gentle patter of rain has a soothing effect upon the psyche; a therapeutic easing, that can drive away stress and strife and fill one with a sense of peace and well-being. It is a therapy no money can buy. So, for those of you who awakened this day with a full agenda and not enough time to fulfill it, take a moment and soak up the beauty in all that you see and hear.

It matters not what the weather conditions are in your part of the world, for there is beauty to be found in all types of conditions. Aye, even a ferocious storm has it's own merits, for all it's wild beauty cannot be rivaled nor duplicated.

I am called Lea, Dream Teller's guest for this day. When this blog was conceived, I was issued a standing invitation to visit with you. I have looked forward to the time when I would be free to do so, and I arrived late last evening. I have known Dream Teller for some time but as we are both quite busy, I have never had the opportunity to visit overlong in her home. I find her to be a hostess unlike any other; generous, wholly aware of her guests every need, and she provides for those, without fail. While she employs a household staff, she personally sees to the comfort of her guests, rather than leave them feeling as if they have landed in a hotel.

Her home has a subtle elegance that does not detract from one's instant sense of warmth and comfort; that one is allowed to relax and put the feet up, if one so chooses. I have visited many homes where wealth abounds but leaves one cold and not at all comfortable; showcases, with style but no warmth. Here, one can wander into the large kitchen and brew a cup of tea, filch goodies from among the delicious array of homebaked items, and continue on to relax wherever one chooses.

This morning I am sitting at a table in my spacious, beautifully appointed room with my laptop while I munch on beignets (a Cajun sweet, something between a cookie and a cake) and sip my herbal tea, listening to the patter of rain outside the window. I cannot remember the last time I had a chance to relax, as I am now doing. But I digress.

My reason for being here is to offer you some information. As I traveled here, I wondered what I might speak to you about that would provide you with interest, as well as insight. I decided to depart from the ususal tellings of the life of a Witch (aye, and I am a true Witch, born) and concentrate on what I consider my true calling. While I am blessed with many gifts, it is the one of sight; past, present, and future, which I most rely upon in my daily dealings. I have always been one to follow my heart and so I put my talents to use in the area dearest to my heart; in service to children.

There are many, varied ways to assist those special little people, but early on in my life I found I had no real choice in the matter. 'Twas my fate to seek and find those lost and abused little souls preyed upon by those who would harm them. 'Tis a stressful, often dibilitating occupation, at best, but one I find most fulfilling. Even when the end result is dire, as it most often is, I learned to find the good in what I do. Often difficult to find, some good; but when one looks upon a broken little body, tossed aside like so much garbage, or buried or hidden without care, I have to reach way down deep inside and find the right of what I am doing.

I employ several different methods in my searches that take me across this country. Most often, my search begins as the result of a sudden feeling or something akin to a dream. They come out of nowhere, those, day or night. Lost little spirits, or physically alive, children send out pleas for help in ways not often received or understood by the majority of common folk.

I do not consider myself a Psychic, such as those one ordinarily encounters, but a Seer; a vessel, through which thoughts and feelings of others may be heard and felt. There are times when I see and feel past experiences, present ones, or something set to take place in the near future. Often, those thoughts and feelings are clouded for they may come from another; a fearful mother, father, or other relative of the child, or even those of the abuser. I must then sift through the chaos and decipher the message; see it for what it truly is. I may gain the vision of a place, a person, or thing and then I must go about letting the vision or feeling stretch and shape itself into something clearer. Mayhap I will see a street sign, the number on a particular dwelling, and such. From there it must evolve such that I can pin-point a state, city, or town and so on.

It may sound as if that would take an intermidible amount of time. Sometimes it does, other times it evolves in a matter of minutes, or hours. But as I have grown adept over the years, I have honed my senses to the point that I can sometimes speed up the process; hurry it along, if you will. I do that by opening myself to whoever entreats me. One must take great care in doing such a thing, for if one is not adept, the consequences of exposing one's self can be dire. It requires a great deal of energy, for exposing one's self is draining on the physical and spiritual self. One might liken the sensation to a tug of war within one's self; the physical and the spiritual being pulled apart from opposite directions.

Once the scope of the vision or the feeling is enhanced, the real work begins. If it is a fearful person or spirit attempting to contact me, the clues can clutter the mind by virtue of the many that trip over themselves. If it is the abuser, by the nature of the beast, the clues are often misleading. One must keep in mind that those of an abuser are not deliberately sent out, but ooze from the wicked mind to accidentally snake their way, without the abuser's knowledge. 'Tis a nasty situation, that, which has a dreadful feeling attached to it.

Some of you may wonder if I work with others; law enforcement, other Seers, or Psychics. Generally, no, for there are too many consequences of that. I prefer to work alone, and at such time that authorities need to be informed, I discreetly provide them with anonymous information. Sometimes they need an extra push to get them moving and I have my ways of accomplishing that, I assure you. I am not one to seek the lime-light, as some do so I remain behind the scenes.

My one weakness is my desire to avenge the child and though that is not a wholly acceptable desire in most m inds, I do whatever needs doing to see to it that just punishment is delivered. Whether that is leading law enforcement officials to the perpetrator, or calling upon friends and acquaintences who are of like mind as me, where children are concerned, I fit the punisment to the crime. 'Tis a favorite method of mine to punish a rapist or murderer of little ones by setting a Vampyre, Warlock, or Sorceress loose upon the fiend. I make no apologies for doing so, and I sleep well at night when the task is accomplished.

For the most part, I see no reason to send such a perpetrator to jail to enjoy those privileges that should not be afforded them.To my way of thinking, they deserve no rights at all; not one. Another method I might employ is to set the stage so that another type of criminal and the child abuser become enemies and with a little extra 'help' the other criminal does away with the abuser and then, him/her self takes the fall for the murder. What better way to rid the streets of another useless piece of garbage?

As you can see, I have no mercy for those who take what they will without a care for others. So be it. While you might think I set myself up as judge and jury, I see it as doing what the Fates decree. We do not all live by the same laws, and justice must serve as it must. I am not downing your laws, for they certainly serve a true purpose, but our laws serve where yours often fail. Each of us has the right to freedom and every child, regardless of race, creed, or age deserves to feel safe and loved until such time that they are able to defend their lives and feedoms. So, judge me harshly, if you must, but remember that there are those of us looking out for your little ones, or those who have no one to look out for them. Children are gifts and if you fail to protect them, as they are meant to be protected, they will be taken from you; most often in the most horrendous of ways. Love them, protect them to your dying breath, but never, ever, allow them to fall behind those things you consider important.

In these days and times where both parents work, many children are left to their own devices, while others are considered worthless due to circumstances beyond their control. Whatever their circumstances, it is the adults who must see to their safety. Regardless of whether a needy child is yours, or not, to ignore their needs is shameful; sinful. Beware you do not lose your soul for your willful ignoring of what needs doing. Blessed May You All Be.

Musings and e-mail

Bonjour mes amies.
As this month draws near the end, I'm pleased to say that many of you have been instrumental in promoting our blog. The steady stream of new visitors continues to rise and with that, some of our new visitors have taken up the torch and began sending their friends our way, too. As it now stands, we have four front-runners for the cape that will be awarded at the end of the month. On July 1st we will announce the winner (winners, if there should be a tie) and the number of visitors that person(s) sent here. Thank you, one and all, and don't stop now. You have six more days to promote the blog and you could very well become the owner of the beautiful cape.

On another note, if you recall, I told you about the little kitten Garth and Jessica gave to Dream Teller. Well, Mystic Lass is growing by leaps and bounds and has begun to establish herself among us. But I have to tell you that Mystic has proven to be something of a handful! Given that she is part Manx, (I'm wondering if she isn't part Bob-cat) the little critter has the ability to leap very high and she thinks nothing of leaping wherever she fancies. She is quite fast (a blurry white ball) and she streaks about like lightening; zooms across the room, leaps over furniture, and even sits high up on a particular bookcase which she seems to favor most. You can imagine our suprise when she takes a notion to leap upon our back when we least expect it! Mystic has the bluest eyes and there are times when one of us just feels those eyes on us and before you know it she has us mesmerized with her uncanny stare.

In the few weeks since her arrival, we have noticed that Mystic has other uncanny abilities. She seems to know whether a person is going to be likable or not, and when she dislikes someone she growls low, her bobtail rises and twitches, and she narrows her eyes and hisses. Sure, most cats do that, but not quite like our Mystic. She takes on the persona of a feral cat, particularly when the person in question approaches Dream Teller. It is a sight to behold for she will leap upon Dream Teller's desk and put herself between her Mistress and the other person, and hiss and spit. And believe me, she means business! She will hardly allow Dream Teller out of her sight, as if she is protecting her Mistress. So, you can see that she has become quite an asset, as well as a valuable companion. If Mystic likes you she will purr loudly and rub her face against yours but if she doesn't find you acceptable... Just thought you would like to know that she is filling the role we all hoped she would fill in Dream Teller's life, admirably.

And now onto today's business. All is well that ends well, as the saying goes. Roman is back with us and has healed from his wounds from his encounter with another (rogue) of his Kind. At present, he is quite put out with Garth (for reasons I won't mention) and when Roman is put out with someone, everyone knows it. He is not one to rant and rave, as Garth is given to do, but you can't miss the icy calm stare or his regal bearing. Neither can you miss the fact that the temperature seems to drop by several degrees when he is in that mode. What is really most fun to watch is a Master Vampyre (Garth) tip-toeing around his protege and doing his best to get back in Roman's good graces. Our dear Garth knows he is in hot water and well he should be, to my way of thinking. Be that as it may, I expect that Roman is secretly enjoying making his mentor miserable; a payback, if you will. We shall see how that turns out in the very near future. Gee, I almost feel sorry for Garth but practical joker that he is, it is his own fault for deviling Roman the way he does. You cannot imagine what Garth can get up to when he is in jokester mode! Stay tuned. And now, Dream Teller's answers to some of your e-mail.

To Bridgett in North Carolina: My thanks for your kind condolences. I agree, life is often cruel and unkind but one must find the ability to accept that which cannot be changed, in order to go on. The alternative is to remain miserable and become bitter and that is no life, at all. I extend my condolences for your loss and I hope that you are able to work through your pain and angush, as I am attempting to do, and that one day in the near future you may find comfort in knowing that physical death is often a blessing in disguise. You are stronger than you think, though it will take time to discover that strength, and so I would advise you to take whatever time you need to grieve your loss. Let no one tell you that grief requires a specific time limit, for that is a ridiculous notion. Each person is different and while there are those who preach a certain standard for such things, standards are no more than assumptions based on percentages of a majority, which is based on maintaining that all people think and feel alike. If you feel you need therapy, take care about whom you choose for a therapist. Let your common sense be your guide in that endeavor to seek out such a person. Blessed May You Be.

To Grant in California: The answer to your question depends upon your religious beliefs. I am no' one to push my beliefs on others so I will no' advise you on the matter. What I will say is this; each of us has a right to our beliefs, so it is unwise to condemn another for their beliefs. If you do no' agree with those, remove yourself from the equation and leave it lie. 'Twould be of no use to you to attempt to change another's views for in doing so, you may well make a dangerous enemy. Blessed May You Be.

To Taurean in Wisconsin: Open you eyes and mind before you take that dark path. Ask yourself if you can live with such binding, rigid rules for once you step across that line, you canno' return. There will be no fun and games as you seem to think is the case, for it is serious business, to be sure. If you value your soul, take care. Blessed May You Be.

To Cassie in Arkansas: Do so and no' a day will pass that you do no' regret your decision. Life is difficult enough without adding to your own burden. Leave be what is no' within your realm of understanding, for it is no' your problem to solve. There are those who must make their own mistakes, for it is 'The Way of It'. I advise you to step back while you can. Blessed May You Be.

To Tenya in Georgia: That depends upon your level of understanding and perception ability. Even those of us with years of knowledge under our belts make mistakes, and to think otherwise is a fool's game. That is why we pool our resources and combine our efforts, but still, mistakes are made. You do no' have the benefit of the resources we have at our fingertips so I would advise you to pause and think things through before you make such a decision as will change your life, forever. What harm is there in taking time to decide your fate? If someone tells you that you have no time then I assure you, you are being lured into danger. Blessed May You Be.

To Thomas in Maine: One is never too old to learn, nor does one's calling have any bearing upon such matters. 'Tis what it is, the world over. If 'tis meant to be, in your case then consider that being a Catholic priest does no' prevent you from answering the call. 'Tis your personal beliefs that prevent you from entering into that particular territory. I have passed your letter on to one of our consultants, a Catholic bishop, whom I hold in high regard. I believe he is best suited to answer your question and you will find he is no' judgemental, as you fear your elders will be. Heed his word and there will you find comfort from your fears. Blessed May You Be.

To Destiny in Florida: Tragic though it may seem to you, remember that it may no' seem so to the other. Labeling something 'tragic' is merely one's own perception of how to identify a particular occurence or instance. Give way to the other's right to perceive as he does; listen; watch, and in time you may well discover you have been too judgemental. If, on the other hand, you still feel the same way, keep your thoughts to yourself. 'Tis no yours to handle. Blessed May You Be.

To Mary Jo in Maine: Mayhap, or no'. Who is to say? Judge no' lest you be judged. Blessed May You Be.

New Orleans

Bonjour mes amies.
Our apologies for the quiet period since our last post. As Dream Teller and I spent the last week in New Orleans on business (aye, and a spot of pleasure), the guest we had lined up to post to our blog was unexpectedly detained in Ireland. As always, we can never be certain such instances will not occur, for our guests (in this case a Warlock) must put more important business first. C'est comme ca (it is this way) with our Kind.

Be that as it may, we went to the city for the purpose of research on several matters brought to Dream Teller's attention. I cannot discuss those but while there, we also looked into a few things some of you, our visitors, have inquired about. The first was pertaining to the Vampyre/ghost tours the city is known for. New Orlean's claim to fame is to be the most haunted city in America. Well, who can prove that? But I can assure you it is definately rich with haunted history. As far as the Vampyre population goes, believe it! They are there.

We decided to go on the tour, disguised as tourists, to get a feel for whether it was simply a tourist attraction, or more. What a pleasant surprise. Certainly, parts of it are dramatized but the best part is the historical value of the tour. As hot and humid as it was that night, one did not notice that so much because our tour guide knew his business. Tony (quite a character) and his young wife, whom he called Miss Erin (she was quite a character too), began the tour on the steps of St. Louis Cathedral (aye, and it is true; they were not afraid of a Catholic church) and from there we walked the French Quarter as he pointed out places with documented history of ghost and Vampyre goings on, and debunked certain myths concerning Vampyres.

They were dressed for their parts (not theatrical garb but their normal dress) for their Kind; he, Old World Vampyre style and she, more modern, Gothic style. Folks, those weren't false teeth they displayed! While most tourists might expect blood and gore to actually take place, such is not the case. It is a historical accounting of such occurances down through history. So, if you get to the Big Easy and your interest lies in that direction, we would highly recommend that you take the Haunted History Tours (owner, Sidney Smith) and try to to have Tony and Erin as your guides. The tours have been featured in several noted publications as well as being featured on CBS, NBC, ABC, ESPN, MTV and the Fox Network. You won't be disappointed, unless you expect...then again, who knows what could occur in the humid dark of night? At the end of the tour we sat in a courtyard at the back of a particular bar and they completed the history of more personal experiences that give one food for thought.

Do, if you take the tour, consider purchasing the book and/or video that offers more history, as well as history of Voo Doo. And folks, do be courteous. I say that because there were some rude persons who wanted to think the tour was all about them, and didn't care that being loud and obnoxious took away from other's pleasure. They wound up being embarrassed by others who were fed up with them and they left, mid-way through the tour, much to the relief of the rest of us.

Next thing we looked into was particular hotels supposedly haunted by ghosts of bygone eras. As folks tend to be friendly, we were regaled with many tales of seeing ghosts by other tourists, in their hotels. One woman swore that she heard footsteps and the clanking of chains outside her door, but each time she opened it she saw nothing. Another claimed she was walking down the hallway when she felt a tingling sensation in her body and then she felt as if she ran into a brick wall; a time warp of sorts. Those people weren't kiding but actually believed in what they were telling us. We have seen sightings of ghosts on previous visits but not on this particular one. So, draw your own conclusions or, better yet, go and see for yourself. New Orleans is always worth the visit; something you'll want to do again and again! Blessed May You Be.

Answers...

Bonjour mes amies,
Today we will get right down to answering some of your e-mails. But first let me say that we welcome all the new visitors to our blog, and appreciate your enthusiasm. We are pleased that so many of you have e-mailed us with your positive comments, questions, and advice for future postings. We have a lot of exciting things in store for you all and we look forward to sharing information with you. So visit again and again...

To Tanya in Illinois: In future you will learn more about our Vampyre Roman, but I am sure you understand why I do no' give out specific personal information about our guests and colleagues. Roman is no' comfortable in social arenas such as you have suggested, therefore I must decline your invitation for him. I will say that he has agreed to visit with everyone again from here, and when he finds the time, I will alert everyone as to when to expect him. Blessed May You Be.

To Dakota in Delaware: As you are a new visitor, I would direct you to access my archives and there you will find answers to certain of your questions. As to the question of how it is possible for certain Kinds to get along together, the answer is simple. 'Tis merely a matter of desire to resolve old differences in the effort to bring about peace and harmony among all Kinds.Those of us who work together in that effort have become loyal friends and allies; and have found that by combining our 'Gifts', we are able to better protect ourselves and others, and better serve the public. Too, one must wade through the old myths and stigmatisms attached to each of our Kinds, for they serve no purpose but to alienate. And so it is that here you will find Mortals,Vampyres, Werewolves, Witches, and the like working side by side for the benefit of all. Blessed May You Be.

To Mitchell in Oregon: Nay my friend, all 'tis no' as it seems. No matter what transpires, follow your instincts, for they will rarely lead you astray. Evil comes in many forms and fashions and 'tis no' the bane of one Kind, but all. Take care whom you place your trust in for there are those who will use it against you. And it harm none. Blessed May You Be.

To Heidi in Mississippi: 'Twould be a travesty to allow yourself to be drawn into such circumstances. Life is no' always kind, dear, but there are far worse things ahead if you continue down that path. If you take the tack that you are no' being allowed to live your own life, you will fast come to discover that there is no going back. At your young age, you have no' the benefit of the knowledge your elders offer you. As you stated, they mean well; so listen and learn, for learning is the cornerstone of all that we are and become. We all have to live by rules, otherwise we would run amok. I would suggest that you rethink your situation and in doing so, I hope that you will listen to reason. Take care and Blessed May You Be.

To Brent in Texas: I know no other way to say this except congratulations; you have earned the title of 'fool of the year'. What were you thinking? My best advice would be to suggest that you drop all pretenses and admit to the truth. He who lives a lie will get caught in his own web of deceipt, and you have no' the ability to handle the consequences when you (and you will be) are found out. Beware of your own ignorance for it will land you where you have no wish to be. Come away, come away.

To Marileigh in Hawaii: Nay, child. One can judge all of that Kind as one, but to do so 'twould be a grave mistake. What one must realize is that while each is different in certain ways, even those who are peaceable will no' tolerate certain things. Pushed, they will retaliate, for it is their nature. And who among us would no' defend ourselves should the need arise? Do no' attempt what is being done, here, without proper guidance. While your intentions seem pure, your methods are too gregarious. Trust must be earned, no' demanded or commanded. Leave well enough alone before you tread upon the wrong toes. Your desire to help will no' be perceived as such. Common sense should tell you that if he truly desired your assistance he would no' continue to evade and avoid. Sounds to me as if he is doing his utmost best to save you, rather than the other way round. Blessed May You Be.

To Quent in Alabama: Mayhap, or no'. 'Tis impossible to determine from what you have told me. If, in fact, you are watching and listening to what you believe you see and hear, 'tis because they allow you to do so, and no' as you believe, by accident that you stumbled upon them. I suggest that you continue to stay well back and continue to watch and listen, and if they so desire that you be gifted with their presence, in time they will invite you in among them. Know that if they are truly visible to you, you are just as visible to them, for they have their ways of knowing all that concerns them. Do no' go forward without invitation, otherwise you may miss the opportunity that quite possibly is being held out to you; one extended to but very few. Blessed May You Be.

To Tessa in Louisiana: Aye, and 'twas Garth whom you saw (I confirmed it with him). He was present for reasons of his own and while it appeared to you that he was there for a spot of fun, he was working on a particular case. Granted, he is a most handsome fellow but do no' be deceived by his good looks and charm. He was no' looking for a good time but seeking the trail of a much sought after enemy. He allowed you to see him for a reason, so take care when you go to that particular club. There are those who go there to feed upon innocents like yourself, and Garth did you and others a special favor by making it known that he is watching. Blessed May You Be.

Good Tidings...

Bonjour mes amies. As ususal, 'tis been a whirlwind of activity here, at Dream Teller's lair, for the past few days. So before the others arrive, I am enjoying the peace and quiet as I prepare todays post. Imagine that; me, Kaithlin, consciously rising early to begin the day! Now don't laugh (those of you who know I am not a morning person) because, believe it or not, I have come to appreciate the serenity of the quiet, early hours.

Many is the time that Dream Teller has told me that one misses so much when one misses the dawn of a new day. Well, as I am rather obstinate, my new appreciation for early morning is the result of the nature of our business; a business that cannot be relegated to some rigid schedule. So, I thought I would give you another peek into said business.

As you know, Dream Teller has recently split up her business ventures (prioritize, prioritze, prioritize is her motto) in order to become more efficient. And it is working very well, now that she has hired more employees. But there is one area of business that cannot be scheduled, and that area is her highest priority. It is the very reason for the existence of this blog. If you read our last post then you know of what I speak.

While it may have appeared as nothing more than a poem to the majority, it was in fact a message for those waiting for word to be deployed on an important mission. The internet has proved to be a most valuable tool, for its quick and far-reaching ability. But we are ever aware that tampering with the blog can take place (has happened) so messages go out in many forms and fashions. We still rely upon word of mouth, mental messaging, and the like, so nothing is left to chance. And how much more efficient is that; backup?

The mission is in full swing now and will culminate (positive thinking; another of Dream Teller's prompts) with the cleansing of certain of our arch-rivals from our ranks. Aye, and there are those who manage to sneak past our defenses and imbed themselves among us in order to wreak havoc and destruction. Intelligent they may be but they haven't the good sense to know they will be discovered, at some point.

If you recall, last week Dream Teller prompted one of our own to go to ground and said that Garth would come to his assist. That message was picked up by others of our own and relayed until it reached the intended recipient; which only took a matter of minutes. It reached him in time to prevent the cataclysmic end of a special individual. Romanji (Roman, as he is known) was terribly wounded but he is not one to give up in the face of his own possible destruction. He is Vampyre; hunter of those who would destroy all in their path, and defender of innocents. One might wonder why a Vampyre would even bother to put himself in such a precarious position, but one would have to know Roman to answer that.

In the early days of our blog, Roman visited with us on one occassion. If you read his post, you probably figured out that he wasn't particularly fond of the idea of speaking, publicly. He was asked to do so for a two-fold purpose. First, regardless of his nature, Roman is a bit shy (hard to believe of a Vampyre) but shy he is. He has not yet found his comfort zone with humans, as Garth has, but he is working on it. Second, Roman has centuries of knowledge to his credit and it is that knowledge we hope to get him to share with others. While he prefers to work behind the scenes, Dream Teller, Garth, and the few others he trusts, are gradually drawing him out so that, hopefully, he will become comfortable within the modern world.

There are many facets to Roman' s personality and while one must never forget he is Vampyre and all that entails, I have found him to be a most likable individual. For all that he is, hidden deep within that powerful Being is a wonderful, gentle side. It is that side which makes him such a wonderful asset when we need someone to to assist with children and females. Roman has a care for children of all ages but he is most fond of babies and toddlers. Too, he holds to a personal code of conduct where females are concerned and he would no more hurt one, unless forced to do so. One might wonder what a female could possibly do to force such a powerful Being to retaliate. Only two types of females fall into that catagory; females of any Kind who hunt to kill Vampyres, and his own Kind, some of whom are vicious in the extreme. Even if forced to destroy such a female, unlike others of his Kind, Roman does so as quickly and painlessly as possible. While we don't know what drives him to be far less ruthless with females than males, (he has never answered to that) we do know such is the case.

But getting back to his penchant for children; in their presence, Roman is almost child-like, himself. As he is a large individual, quite daunting in his height and breadth, he has the rare ability to quickly earn their trust. I have seen him get down on his knees, to a frightened child's level, and coax the little one to him. I have seen him hold a baby with the gentlest of care and croon away it's fears. It is during those times that one gets a rare glimpse into the heart of him. At six-feet-seven-inches and two-hundred-plus-pounds, it is both fascinating and humbling to watch him sit Indian fashion on the floor, while a formerly terrified little girl combs his long, waist-length hair, as she chatters away to him. Though he would deny it, me thinks Roman is an angel in disguise.

I am happy to say that Roman is healed of his wounds and back in that handsome, fighting form of his (ladies, when I say handsome form, that is an understatement!). The man who happens to be Vampyre is the stuff of every woman's most sensual dreams! Oops, he won't like me saying that for Roman is all but clueless about such things. Can you believe that? Aye, and he is. He has never understood his masculine appeal and so, when women approach him with that besotted look in their eyes, as many do, he is wont to run for cover.

Garth, relentless tease that he is, deals Roman misery in that vein. Garth is Roman's mentor and closest friend, so it is not with a mean spirit that he teases him but in the effort to teach Roman to let his hair down, so to speak, and enjoy something of life. And believe me, Garth goes out of his way to enjoy life! His appreciation for the opposite sex is legendary, though that appreciation is now relegated to one, particular female; his wife, the beautiful Witch, Jessica. Garth wants for Roman what he, himself, is blessed with; a loving partner. I, too, wish that for Roman, for his life as a Vamprye is mostly fraught with darkness and danger and if anyone deserves to be loved and accepted for himself, it is Roman.

So, if you happen to catch a glimpse of Mr. tall, dark, and handsome (that is so cliche), mayhap he will pause for a moment and allow you a tiny peek into that wonderful individual. But don't hold your breath, for he is more likely to keep aloof; ever watchful, as he silently surveys his surroundings. Where might one run into Roman? I'll give you a wee hint. He is known to enjoy haunting small, out-of-the-way clubs where Cajun or Westen music is in full swing. It is his one concession to enjoyment; music and dancing, and on the occassion he will even allow himself to be dragged onto the dance floor. I might add that he is quite adept at any kind of dance style and he plays a mean guitar. Okay, I best close for now or I will find myself in hot water with Roman; a place I definately have no wish to be! Blessed May You Be, Kaithlin.

Message...

'Tis the gifted ones who surely feel
which way the majic blows,
And come the dawn and turn of tide,
aye, all will surely know.

Reach out, embrace the majic light
and hold to all you know,
For the time has come upon this land,
and forward we must go.

'Tis come upon us, yea this night
whence the might of wind will grow,
For majic roils and wails on high,
and casting shadows, throw.

Be still and listen, watch, for yea,
'tis foolish n'er to know,
The might and just which rides on high,
her seeds of wrath to sow.

'Tis they who seek the darkness,
no shadow will they throw,
And stalk the souls of innocents,
their evil to bestow.

Come one and all; join hands and minds,
for evil majic grows,
Raise your voices; chant and sing,
deal as one, a mighty blow.

Drive the evil back, beyond,
to the Netherlands far below,
That innocents may rest easy, yea,
and the might of goodness, glow.

Mystic Lass

Fair morning, all.
I am Jessica, aye, and I have visited with you before. To those new to this site, I am true Witch born, and the wife of Garth, Master Vampyre. Since Dream Teller suffered the terrible loss of her life-partner, we have searched our hearts for some way to help ease the pain of her loss. As we all know, nothing nor anyone can fill that dark void, and such was not our intent. But it has long been known that one left alone will often benefit from having something which gives one a new sense of purpose during one's transition. And so we began our search for that special something.

Let me say that the Fates will often drop something unexpected into the lap of those who are seeking. As it happened, such was the case. Now, in case you are not aware of it, the Fates tend to have a rather odd sense of humor (aye, and they do). What do I mean by that? Well, anyone who knows Dream Teller, is aware of her likes and dislikes; just as they well know she is fairly set in her ways. Let me clarify before I have you well and truly confused. Being that Dream Teller is a busy individual (with precious little time to spare) we all know that she is not one to take on the care of anything she cannot give ample time to. That said, we figured she would benefit from something that would require her to make time for herself, and concentrate on; other than her life-work.

Dream Teller respects all living creatures, large and small, and so it is that she owns a pet that does not require constant attention. Her Arab-Quarter horse (a birthday present from her mate) has been with her since he was six months old and he is now nearing twenty-nine. He is well provided for (has his own hay meadow with a pond, and a friend in the small Paso Fino mare that resides with him), and they even have an onsite caretaker (lives next door to the meadow) who watches out for them. She visits them as time allows; which, sadly, is not as often as Dream Teller would like.

So, back to the Fates' hands in our quest. Dream Teller is a dog (large) and horse type but we figured she needed something small that wouldn't cramp her space and is somewhat self-sufficient. Apparently, so did the Fates figure. She also likes wolves and large cats but we knew that wild creatures were out of the question. So, we were pointed in the direction of the next best thing. Aye, and as I am a cat-lover, I was thrilled when this precious critter reared it's fluffy head. 'Tis a tiny, white fluff-ball with sky-blue eyes and a hint of gold tipping her ears and tail. She has the look of the larger cat, for she is a Manx (jacked-up rear-end and stubby tail). Just eight weeks old, she needed a good home and we needed a gift so, voila, there she was. We snapped her right up and then we began to try and figure out a way to help her nudge her way into Dream Teller's life.

We knew 'twould no' be easy but we were committed. At first the wee one was quite agitated around my Garth but he has such a way about him that within a short time, she ceased hissing and spitting at him (cats are prone to do that around Vampyres) and allowed him near her. What a sight to behold; a six-foot, seven-inch man (aye, and he is a man) holding the tiny critter that fit in the palm of his hand. I have to say both man and creature became quite fond of one another in a very short time, and so I had to remind him that the kitten would soon leave us. We spent three nights acclimating her to being around someone other than her Kind, and being indoors. During that time Garth insisted we needed to choose a name for her because he was certain Dream Teller would just call her 'Cat'. Ah, the list was endless but as Garth was prone to call her Lass (his origins lead him to call most young females Lass), I agreed.

The long and the short of it was that we split the difference, so to speak, and she became Mystic Lass. The name suits her well, for she has something of the mystic about her; a fey look. That accomplished, it was then time to give our gift to Dream Teller. At that point I feared she might no' appreciate such a gift but Garth was ever certain we could manage to turn things in the right direction. Late one evening the opportunity presented. We had a scheduled meeting with Dream Teller, and we took Mystic along with us (all her kitten paraphernalia stored in our venicle). As others were to attend the same meeting, we let them know what we were about and they agreed to aid and abet us in our quest to bring Dream Teller and Mystic together. When we took Mystic inside, Dream Teller actually smiled (the first smile I had seen in some time) and she petted the kitten that had attached it's little self to the front of Garth's shirt.

Within moments Mystic was hopping around and between everyone's feet, chasing a little ball Dream Teller found for her. Dream Teller pretended not to notice the cute antics the kitten displayed but we watched her eyes keep returning to Mystic. Once the meeting was adjourned and we were partaking of refreshments, Dream Teller could no longer ingnore the plaintiff cries of a kitten needing to be held and reassured she was safe. The rest is history. Mystic Lass has a new home. Her Mistress (who reminds us creatures are not to be owned but co-habited with) appears to have gotten past being miffed over our secret mission, and while she often claimed to not be a 'Cat' person, it turns out she is just that.

So, I say to you, this: not every person going through a tragic time will appreciate a new constant in their lives, but if the possibility is there, seek the opportunity to try and bring person and creature together. Do no' force the issue but approach it with love, and leave an opening for the Fates to chart the course. One does no' have to spend money to find that special gift, for there are many animals needing safe refuge and equally as many persons, who will find refuge in caring for them. Blessed May You Be.

Kaithlin here...

Bonjour mes amies.
'Tis a new day... Aye, and we've hit the ground running, this morning. Your e-mails are pouring into our box and we're most pleased with your efforts in sending new folks our way. Many of you continue to express your pleasure in having Dream Teller back with us and we, her staff, wish you to know that your loyalty is a boon to her bruised spirit. Each day she grows stronger; her work here providing her with the desire to go on in the face of her terrible loss. So thank you from the bottom of my heart. Mayhap, one day soon, we will even be able to tease a smile from her; one that will, hopefully, chase the shadow of pain from her eyes. In the meantime, know that our work here has only begun; for there is much to do.

As I prepare to post her answers to some of your e-mails, I am looking at the beautiful cape we will award, to the person who sends us the most new visitors, at the end of this month. And many of you have asked for a description of it. It is floor-length, fashioned of a light-weight blend of black silk knit and luxurious burgundy satin. It has a hood and the best part is that it is reversible; thus, it can be worn for either formal or informal occassions. It is appropriate for either gender and just so you know, in the event that size becomes an issue, Dream Teller had the foresight to have three custom-made to accomodate all sizes. The winner will be asked for shoulder and length measurements to insure a proper fit, so good luck to each of you. We decided to add an extra touch, so the winner will also receive a personal note from Dream Teller, complete with the signature she uses to sign her novels.

And now, back to today's business:

To Donna in Florida: One does not interfere with Mother Nature on a mere whim, or for personal gain. Those who have the power to call the elements into play do so only for good and just reason, or suffer the consequences. Her powers are meant to be harnessed for the good, such as for protection of self or another against evil, or for the benefit of enhancing ceremonial rituals meant for positive accomplishment. Some will go so far as to use it to make a valid point; such as proof needed to convince another of one's ability, and so long as the reason behind the proof is without harm to another, there is no harm in the doing. As with any use of extraordinary abilities, one must be judicious, for calling outside power into one's self is a dangerous proposition that can easily lead to self-harm. While there are those who can redirect dangerous weather patterns, one would be foolish to tempt Nature's wrath for fate should never be fooled with; regardless of the expected or known outcome, without the redirection. Blessed May You Be.

To Greg in Washington: One may consult with a person with Psychic abilities, but no Psychic worth their salt would dare to make judgement calls regarding the government's business. There most certainly are people in government who consult with known Psychics who advise them, but at the end of the day advice is merely that; advice. As many things can change at a moment's notice, it would behoove the advisor to tread lightly and the one seeking advice to refrain from taking that advice for gospel. No war will ever been won, nor a governing body toppled, or one put into place, on a single person's advice. If such was the case, the wielder of such ability would have the power to turn the world chaotic, and never would we see stability. Think again before you fall into that trap, for I suspect one has been laid for you; as I suspect you are throwing good money after bad. Blessed May You Be.

To Monty Christo in rural America: Uh-huh, and pigs fly. Do not be absurd, for I have not the time nor the inclination for it. Mayhap your time would be better spent in the pursuit of something positive rather than looking for trouble you cannot hope to handle. The source of your information does not prove out and I dare say, that Sorceress will no' long tolerate such juvenile behavior. Leave her be, lest you find yourself in dire straits. She is no' responsible for your problems. Your penchant for shifting blame and responsibility for your own actions is pathetic. I have spoken with the lady and I give you fair warning; she is already aware of your inept attempts to turn others against her. It is lucky for you that she finds your actions laughable, but she will no' waste her time if you continue to stalk her.

To GeorgiAnna in California: Many have asked after my true origins. I consider myself an ordinary individual, though I am blessed with certain 'Gifts' . I hold sway with no Coven, though I do participate in one particular Coven's activities, as I am needed. I also assist other Kinds for good and just cause, and no more. My ancestry is rich with Seers, Healers, and the like. The blood of the Cajun (Acadian-French) runs in my veins, as well. Too, I have American Indian ancestors, and a touch of the Irish. From each of those come certain inherent 'Gifts' and talents, for which I am thankful. In response to your second question: it is no' a matter of the depth or degree of one's abilities, but the manner in which those are used that defines the totality of one's present existence, and sets the tone for the final culmination of all one has achieved, or failed to achieve. Each of us is charged with certain responsibilities in this life and no amount of privilege, or the lack there of, plays into the end result. One cannot buy out of one's destiny, nor shirk it, for any reason, just because one wishes it so. But one can change the course of one's destiny, for the choice between right and wrong belongs to each of us. One must take great care in that choice, for to change the course of destiny is to toy with one's Fate; to thumb one's nose at one's Maker, so to speak. Blessed May You Be.

To Marla in New York: Your answer lies in your question. You are right to think to leave well enough alone. But only thinking it is no' enough, so act upon it. Your instincts are your best barometer for judging a situation and the fact that you are experiencing doubts and fears should send you fleeing in the opposite direction. Fleeing particular situations does no' make you a coward. There are things one is simply no' meant to tangle with and such is your case. Live well and the rest will take care of itself. Blessed May You Be.

To Terrance in Texas: One can find evil anywhere, if one goes looking for it. The question is, why would you go looking for it? Once that Pandora's box is open you will know no peace. The spirit world is fraught with dangerous types just waiting to be let loose, and our world has enough of those types to contend with. You stand at the edge of a deep, dark precipice and the ground is crumbling beneath your feet. Back away and seek the light, for that darkness will consume you and there is little hope of being rescued. Believe in he who has counseled you. Blessed May You Be.

To Mary Ann in New York: The Catskills can certainly provide refuge but there is also the flip-side. You could well provide an opportunity for the one who seeks to 'cut you from the herd', and given that you would be alone, no one would be the wiser. Think long and hard before you isolate yourself, for there is truth in the old adage that there is safety in numbers. Draw upon the strength of that, wear it like a cloak, and you will find the refuge you seek. Those of his Kind are ever wary of stepping into the light, for to know him is to take away his power. Remain in the bosom of safety and divest him of the power to draw you to harm. Blessed May You Be.

To Tracker wherever you are: We are lending you our strength. Go to ground and heal before you make the attempt. His wounds are such that he, too, must seek healing before he can continue along his dark path. Our sources tell us he has already gone to ground and Garth is on his way to assist in your healing. Leave no evidence of your whereabouts, for Garth will find you. Take care my friend, and do no other than see to your safety, first. Blessed May You Be.

A final note to our colleagues at a distance, from Dream Teller: Gather forces, for the time is nigh. Touch base with your contacts no later than the Witching Hour of the 4th of this month. Take care in all that you say and do. Look to the Eastern horizon. Blessings upon all.