“Where’s my baby girl?!” My dad’s deep, melodic voice resonated up from the hallway stairs. His footsteps echoed as he bounded up the steps and ducked into the doorway, wearing an unrestrained grin. Dad’s silver-white, shoulder-length dreads swayed with each step. His pearly-white teeth flashed in contrast to his rich chocolate skin, and deep lines formed near his honeyed, golden-brown eyes. Where Mom was pale, talkative, and short, Dad was dark, reserved, and tall. On rare occasions, or around family, Dad’s strong and quiet demeanor would slip. His height, muscular build, and reserved nature often led to anxious first impressions, with many likening him to an unapproachable mountain, bouncer, or bodyguard. Azlanii June Bellamy (he took Mom’s last name per our clan’s tradition) was a great High Priest who cared for the well-being of others, helping everyone in the coven who asked with any odd jobs. His entrance meant that the preparations for the ceremony were complete. Dad’s large frame squeezed onto the loveseat on the other side and embraced Mom and me in a fierce bear hug. “Let me get in on these cuddles, too, my sweet little ladies!”

I began to laugh when Dad attempted to rub his stubble against my face, but Mom’s hand intercepted him, and covering his face with her hand, she pushed him back. “You are going to mess up Juni’s hair! The ceremony will start any minute now, and she looks too precious for you to mess it up right away! Oh! We need to take pictures! Honey, where’s the camera?”

The next few minutes flew by as my parents hurriedly searched for the camera, made me pose for several pictures, and then whisked me out of the house. By the time we arrived at the ceremony site, most of the coven was already present, except for a few stragglers. Mom and Dad each stood at my side, holding my hands. For the coming-of-age ceremony, the parents start the ritual dance with their child, leading them down a spiral path to the bonfire. This section of the ritual symbolized the early years of their child’s life, when they still heavily depended on their parents. Once we arrived in front of the bonfire, my parents each gave me an item to be used in the next phase of the ritual, before kissing my forehead and exiting the way they had come. Tears stung my eyes as I watched them go. This part symbolized the parents imparting their child with tools and knowledge before setting them free to begin their lives as adults.

In my hands, I held two long bundles: a bundle of dried sage and a bundle of dried lavender. When burned, sage is used to purify, cleanse negative energy, promote healing, clarity, and positive vibes. When lavender is burned, it promotes relaxation, stress relief, cleansing, protection, enhanced intuition, a sense of peace, and well-being. I faced the bonfire and knelt before it to light each bundle, then blew out the flames. Smoke wafted from the slow-burning bundles in each of my hands. I lifted my face to the New Moon, swaying and twirling in time to the melodic hums of my coven. My body moved on its own, instinctively performing an emotional and ethereal dance to appease the moon goddess. I breathed the smoke in deeply, cleansing myself from the inside out. As my arms arched and curved, I traced patterns into the night with the trails of smoke and the fluttering of my sleeves. 

Before long, I found myself being drawn to the site of the trials. There were three trials of divination. The first was a maze that led to seven various objects; the object, or objects, discovered symbolized the type of magic that would best suit the person who found it. Most only came across one or two objects while within the maze. Having compatibility with multiple magic types was rare and often foretold a great calling given to the wielder by the Moon Goddess. The options were: Green Magic, Kitchen Magic, Traditional Magic (based on one’s ancestral roots), Hedge Magic, Cosmic Magic, Crystal Magic, and Elemental Magic. The second trial was escaping the maze. Each of the four exits was marked by carvings that symbolized the possible roles that one could be asked to fulfill: Practitioner, Mentor, High Priestess/Priest/Priestix, or Maiden. The third and final trial consisted of navigating back to the ceremonial site through the Moon Goddess’s grove. Those who completed their trials described seeing visions and hearing whispers as they passed through the grove. Beyond that, members of the coven were not permitted to discuss the specifics of what they witnessed in that place.

The entrance to the first trial was marked by two great willow trees where wisteria vines snaked up and around each tree trunk, working their way up the bowing branches to bridge between them and form a parted curtain of fragrant, cascading blossoms. Although the New Moon provided little visibility, the swaying flowers provided a faint, ethereal glow as if the blooms were touched by the Moon Goddess herself. After deeply inhaling the strong, sweet fragrance, I ducked into the wisteria-covered maze. I was surrounded by darkness, illuminated only by the soft whites and blues of the ephemeral wisteria. Delicate, shimmering petals flitted across my hair, face, neck, clothes, and hands as I meandered along the winding course of the maze. Each bloom’s caress, hypnotic glimmer, and intoxicating scent lulled me into an unhurried, trance-like state. It was as if my body knew where it needed to go. 

Before long, I stood in front of a white, flat rock that held a wooden token. I bent to collect the medallion, running my thumb over the five symbols etched onto its surface: a flame, a water droplet, a leaf, a swirl of wind, and a pentagram. This wooden token signified my compatibility with Elemental Magic. The symbols represent the five elements of fire, water, earth, air, and spirit. I slid it into the hidden pocket of my dress. The smooth rock felt warm against the soles of my bare feet as I crossed its broad surface. Leaves once again crunched softly underfoot as the path continued calling me forward. 

When faced with forked passages, I found myself following the gentle breezes that rustled wisteria, causing them to flutter and almost excitedly gesture toward the direction they liked best. It felt as if the maze was alive, and the wisteria acted as my guide. The incandescent blossoms led me to another flat rock. Atop it lay two flowered sprigs of jasmine and lavender. Pocketing the sprigs that indicated my aptitude for Green Magic, I was compelled to keep going.

Unsure how much time had elapsed, my feet carried me to rock after rock after rock. I collected a silver pendant of the moon, a small scroll, a carving of an animal skull, a moon crystal, and a little mortar and pestle. Tokens for all seven magics were stuffed into my dress pocket: Elemental, Green, Cosmic, Traditional, Hedge, Crystal, and Kitchen. The haze in my mind caused by the mesmerizing sights and smells of this fantastical scenery prevented me from fully grasping that realization. Instead, an urgency to press ahead overtook me. The wisteria began to push toward me, gentle caresses becoming hungry as I flew to reach the place that would ease this oppressive sense of longing and desire.

Once I finally escaped the last curtain of wisteria, my eyes fell upon a massive sculpture carved out of glistening white stone. I sucked in a breath as I observed its magnificence. She was radiant. A flower crown, much like my own, adorned her head. I could hardly believe that the flowing river of curls that poured down her back and spilled onto the ground were truly made from solid stone. Even though she was seated with her arms wrapped around her legs, head resting sideways on her knees, and her eyes gazing sidelong up at the moon, the sculpture nearly surpassed my height of 5’8”. 

“The Maiden…” A hushed whisper left my lips as I took in every petal, curl, and curve. My hand automatically reached out to stroke her round cheek. In that instant, a pleasant shiver danced down my spine, and hundreds of colorful candles that I had been too mesmerized to note burst into life. As various hues flickered across the Maiden’s countenance, the once still statue seemed to hum with life. In the distance, I could hear an amalgamation of hums, whistles, laughter, singing, clapping, and stomping building. The coven was celebrating the Moon Goddess’s newly appointed Maiden after 13 long years. They were celebrating me… I… I am the new Maiden.

After a shaky breath, I let my hand fall from the Maiden’s cheek, and my eyes drifted after a string of candles that led within the Goddess’s Grove—time for trial three. My legs carried me along the marked path, stopping at the threshold of the grove. Luscious wisteria trees dotted the landscape, dimly illuminating the forest floor, which was blanketed with vibrant green patches of moss and clover. Fog slowly rolled my way, enveloping the ground and billowing upward. 

I steeled myself and started walking. The blossoms shimmered weakly against the fog, providing just enough to denote the paths between trees. The dizzying honeyed scent filled my lungs once more. The fog’s chilly kisses clung to my skin, thickening the cloyingly sweet aroma with each inhale. I could no longer see more than a few feet before me. Just as my breath began to quicken, I heard what sounded like a soft hum to my left. My head jerked toward the sound, and I froze, listening intently.

“Hmm… Ah… Who… Ah…” This time, the voice trailed in and out to my right. I tilted my head; my eyes scanning the fog in vain.  

“Not all those who wander are lost.” A whisper sounded just behind me, making my body twitch violently in response. I forced myself to stay put. Spinning around would only serve to further mess with my sense of direction. The last thing I needed was to start moving backward. I nodded to myself slowly as I processed what the voice said. 

“Every choice has a cost…” Though my knees quivered, I began to move once more. 

“HE will find you soon…” A whisper, more excited than the last, called from the side. Well, didn’t that sound ominous as hell? I didn’t know if I wanted HIM to find me. The previous voice said that people who wander aren’t lost and that choices have costs, but now some dude was trying to find me… Nope. Nuh uh. I'm not going to think about it; I'm not going to spiral. Just keep moving forward.

“What will the chosen Maiden choose?” The question loomed directly ahead of me, making me pause again. What will I choose? Do I have a choice? The Moon Goddess already chose my path…

“What will the chosen Maiden stand to lose?” A sharp whisper from behind pulled me from my ponderings. I darted forward, wishing to distance myself from the anxiety welling within me.

“What will the chosen Maiden choose?” Voices echoed from all around me.

“HE will find you soon!” As the voices rose, I increased my pace in a desperate attempt to free myself from this trial.

“Not all those who wander are lost… But every choice has a cost... HE will find you soon… What will the chosen Maiden choose? What will the chosen Maiden stand to lose?” The cacophony of voices shook me to my core while my lungs burned, and my muscles ached from propelling myself forward as fast as I could. Narrowly dodging trees, the now eerie cascading flowers whipped against my chilled skin as I tore past them. Tears prickled my eyes as the fog began to clear, and the bonfire shone against the silhouettes of a man and a woman with their arms spread wide. 

Mom… Dad… Oh, thank the Moon Goddess. I made it out. I flung my arms open, not slowing in the slightest, and threw myself into their warm embrace. We landed unceremoniously in a pile on the soft grass. My gasps soon devolved into exasperated sobs, then into sniffles and shaky breaths. Their arms clung to me tightly until I settled, and I could finally register the boisterous chorus erupting from the gathered coven members. It seemed like everyone was ready to celebrate, when all I wanted was to take a hot herb bath, curl up in bed, and go to sleep.