In the library, the mood shifted as the remaining witches settled back into their seats, and Katie leaned forward, clearly interested but still looking a bit out of her depth.
“So,” Katie started, “Ostara. What’s the deal with all the eggs? And the… What was it? Sun magic?”
Joell smiled, her expression calm and welcoming. “Ostara is about balance. It marks the Spring Equinox, the time when dayand night are exactly equal. It’s a celebration of new beginnings, rebirth, and growth. The eggs? A symbol of life, of fertility, of promise.”
Sahara nodded in agreement, her voice smooth as she shared the wisdom of centuries. “It’s about renewal, Katie. The Earth comes back to life in the Northern Hemisphere after the long winter. And witches, well… We tap into that energy to amplify our magic. It's when the natural world is most in harmony.”
Katie tilted her head, absorbing the information. “So… it’s like a witchy New Year?”
Magda chuckled softly. “In a way, yes, but more so in my time zone. Some pagans have considered Samhain the start of the New Year. But actually, Yule is when the sun begins to return. Now, Ostara is a time to honor the day/night balance. We notice the longer days and the growing warmth. The magic you use to heal or protect? It’s stronger now, because the world itself is growing stronger. At least inyourhemisphere.”
Victoria added, as she adjusted in her seat. “And there are a lot of rituals that go with it, Katie. We light candles, plant seeds, and even pretty up some eggs. Things that symbolize rebirth. It’s a good time to set intentions, too. What do you want to grow in your life?”
Katie’s eyes widened. “Wait, so you guys dorituals?”
Rayna nodded, her expression shifting from playful to more serious. “Yes, but rituals are personal. You can do them any way you like. It’s about focusing your energy and trusting in the universe’s natural flow. A lot of it is about personal growth, too.”
“Speaking of trust,” Joell said, “we trust one another to know what’s right. We don’t get into each other’s business. You’re invited to our Ostara ritual, or you can observe it in your own way.”
Katie thought for a moment, her voice quiet. “And, um, how does someone like me get involved in all this? I mean, you’reall witches. I’m just trying to survive the madness you guys are throwing my way.”
Joell chuckled. “Well, first off, you’re not just ‘trying to survive,’ Katie. You’re in this with us. We’ve already seen you tap into some pretty powerful instincts, whether you realize it or not. Ostara will give you a chance to harness that. It’s the perfect time for a new start, no matter where you’re coming from.”
Sahara smiled warmly, her eyes gleaming with a mix of mischief and wisdom. “You don’t have to be born a witch to participate in Ostara’s magic, Katie. The Earth’s energy is available to everyone. It’s aboutconnections. And you’re already part of that now, whether you’re ready or not.”
Katie looked around the room at the witches, who were all watching her with a mix of patience and encouragement. For the first time since she’d joined their world, she didn’t feel like a complete outsider. There was a strange comfort in their presence, and maybe even something that she could trust.
“Well,” Katie said, with a small smile, “I guess I’m in.”
The witches all nodded, some grinning, others quietly pleased. Joell spoke again, her voice steady. “Good. We’ll guide you through the rituals, and you’ll see… There’s a power in the earth, in the magic of the seasons, and in gathering with like-minded women. You don’t have to know it all right now, but the more you connect with it, the more you’ll understand. It’s really quite beautiful.”
Katie’s smile grew a little. “Alright. What do I need to do?”
Rayna stood, stretching out her arms. “First, we’ll prepare. There are a few things to gather for our ritual tonight. Seeds, candles, and some of our own specialized items.”
Magda added, “It’s going to be a small ceremony, but powerful. Ostara isn’t just about planting seeds in the ground. It’s about planting good memories in our lives.”
The witches all nodded, the air of camaraderie growing stronger. Katie felt the weight of their words, but also the curiosity to see how this strange new world could change her.
Michael kickedthe front door shut with his foot, arms full of groceries and a six-pack of kombucha he was too embarrassed to admit he liked. Daniel followed behind him, holding a duffel bag of weapons and a pizza box like they were sacred artifacts.
Michael sniffed the air. “Is it just me, or does it smell like someone tried to cover up a magical explosion with Febreze?”
Daniel dropped the duffel by the couch and cracked open the pizza box. “Nah. That’s just Brooklyn.”
They moved around the brownstone with practiced ease. The lights were on, wards checked, and mail magically sorted. A few of the protective glyphs Rayna had scrawled near the windows glowed faintly, reacting to their presence. Nothing out of place. Everything felt normal.
Too normal.
Michael paused at the bay window, frowning. “There’s a guy across the street. He’s just standing there, staring.”
Daniel didn’t even look up. “So? This is New York. People do weird things. I once saw a man walk a goose on a leash through the park while screaming about his ex-wife.”
Michael squinted harder. “Yeah, but this guy’s been there since we pulled up. And he hasn’t moved. At all. Not a muscle.”
That got Daniel’s attention. He joined Michael at the window and looked out. Sure enough, there was a man, or something shaped like a man, standing next to a lamppost. Same as when they’d first seen him ten minutes ago. Same posture. Same blank stare.
“What’s he wearing?” Daniel asked.
