Tales of the Esbat

This compelling collection of short stories is written in the genre of magical realism. Magic and spell casting is hard work and takes much practice, physical and mental focus and energy, and in most cases, a good dose of time. The magic in these stories can be subtle employing mind play and 'power over'. A witch's magic and spell casting are strongest on or near the full moon and the dark moon. An esbat is a term for a full moon ritual, thus the name of this book. The overall intent of these stories is to hopefully, allow the reader to delve into them and after reading each one, instill a sense of wonder and insight into a subject many truly know little about. Witches, magic, and the full moon words inspiring thoughts of dark and spooky woods, evil spell casting and mysterious covens. Yet, witchcraft is not comprised of only the dark side of human nature. While some attempt to associate spell casting and magic with purely an evil bent, witchcraft entails both the good and bad, the light and the dark. Witchcraft is neither good nor evil. It is the intention and spell work involved that determines the good or bad. This is the reflection of human nature. This book of short stories strives to tell the tale of both sides. In ancient times, many cultures considered the number thirteen good fortune, and for witches it still does. There are thirteen moon cycles in a calendar year. Thirteen is the optimum membership in a coven and there are thirteen weeks between the equinoxes and the solstices, which are crucial to a witch. Thirteen is manifest in many unseen ways in our lives. Thus, thirteen short stories were chosen for this book. As a practicing second-degree witch, the author takes the concept of magical workings in a full lunar cycle and weaves it into the writing of these short stories. All the stories within this volume end with a twist, at times inspiring a sense of uplifting hope, or inducing a sense of forlorn dread. As to how the reader perceives these endings most likely, depends on how one sees the world around them.