When Magic Flows

Floating in the air, surrounded by the brightest light and a tingling sensation in my fingertips. I was peace and harmony. I was the light itself.  It was as if I was connected to the whole universe. A part of nature. I could feel the life in the ground under my feet, I could even see in detail each and every snowflake. Life pulsed from everywhere around me, and I wanted to be part of the whole. And suddenly I started to hear a weird noise, that did not have anything to do with the bubble I was in. An annoying buzz that did not stop, and then I open my eyes. When my alarm rang in that December 21st and I woke up, although I wish I could hold on to my dream, I felt my power flow through my veins. 18 years ago, I was born at the beginning of the Yule festival. My mother was the coven priestess, like her mother before her, and so on for the last 30 generations. Since then, all the female firstborns from our family were trained from the Power Flow ceremony at 18 years old until they were prepared to take the leadership of the coven when she was consecrated as the coven priestess. Today my turn begins.  I never considered myself as a strong girl or a future strong leader. I have my qualities, as everyone does but up to that moment, I could not see me quite different from the other witches and warlocks in our coven. We have plenty of powerful teens in our community, all being prepared to keep this coven running for the next generation, in different stages of development. I was still in high school, have good grades, with an inclination to chemistry, which could help me with my potions in the future but nothing more than that. But on that day… That incredibly special day was my 18th birthday. I knew that my life would be completely different from now on. I saw this day coming, but always lurking in a corner. It was so unreal, so abstract that sometimes I thought that I would always be 17 for the rest of my life. But not now. In the first rays of light that morning, I felt it. Each witch or warlock drains its powers from a natural element. This could be the earth, sun, water, wind and so it goes. At the first moon rays in the night after your Power Flow, a mark would surge in your body that indicates what was your element. It looked like a tattoo in your wrist, nape, shoulder, or chest, but with the color of a birthmark and I was curious to know which nature element would rule in my life. But I must wait until tonight to find out my mark, so I have the whole day to enjoy my birthday. Oh, the possibilities! And when I was finally gaining the courage enough to get up from my cozy bed, an energy ball burst through my door squeaking and bouncing like crazy. Of course, it was my best friend Sybil. “Wake up sleepy head! Happy birthday! Yay!!” Sybil said, jumping on my bed.  “Good morning to you too,” I said, as my bad mood started to hit. I was not a morning person at all. “Oh, come on, Allegra, It’s your 18th birthday. Aren’t you at least a little bit excited?” I moaned as I said “I am barely awake. Give me a few minutes and a cup of coffee so I can start function.” I said wishing to come back to sleep. I cannot remember my latest dream, but I swear it was about my powers and that I was about to discover what kind of priestess I would be. At this moment, my mom and sister got into my room to say her best birthday wishes to me. My little sister Joanna was a perfect replica of my mother, the same green eyes, heart-shaped face, strawberry blond hair, and a warm smile. I adore both of them and I wish I could look like them. Joanna was as bubbly as Sybil this morning and started my day by hugging me the best that she could. “The best birthday ever to you, sis! And congratulations on your Power Flow ceremony today!” “Thank you, Jo! Hey, mom” I said as they entered my room. “Oh, my sweet baby, Happy birthday! You grew up so fast! I’m so excited to start your training, aren’t you?” “Yes, I am. I can’t wait to see how my mark is going to look like.” “All in good time, honey. But what about your training sessions? Aren’t you excited about learning witchcraft and all about your powers?” “Yes, I am. I am just not so sure if I will be able to lead and to be the priestess the coven needs me to be. This is so complicated, guys” I started to spill out my worries to the other three women in my bedroom “Relax, darling. It takes time to grow, learn, and lead. And you will have all the support you need from your father, grandma, and me.” “Speaking of it, where is he, that he did not come here until now?” “Oh, honey, he is helping with the preparation of your Power Flow ceremony. I wanted all set by noon, and everything is going as exactly as planned.” Of course, this would make her happy. She is a bit of a control freak, and I love it in her. She takes these festivities seriously, and my ceremony would not be different. My Power Flow ceremony and the Yule festival would be the high point of this winter. “But for now, a special breakfast with everything that you love, and the most wonderful day for you are in order.” Well, I could not complain if they are giving me my wildest dreams as possible as a birthday gift, so I jumped out of my bed as Sybil started saying “well, what are we going to do for your special day?” At this moment I just turned to them and said: “It’s on”, and that was how my 18th birthday started.