Thicker Than Water by Carla Jablonski Page B

fire,” Aaron said. “We welcome you.” He placed the candle back on the floor.
    Now he moved around the circle to the bowl of water. “Hail to the element of water. Come join us in our circle tonight, giving us your strength and your protection.” He stuck a finger into the water and dabbed his forehead with it. Then he had Carol and Kia do the same thing.
    Kia found the repetition soothing. She felt herself relaxing.
    He had arrived at the saltshaker. “Hail to the element of earth.” He shook some salt into his hand and licked it. Carol and Kia repeated his action, then he returned to his original spot and said, “Our circle is cast.”
    Aaron, Kia, and Carol all looked at each other. Now what? Kia wondered.
    Aaron gestured for them to sit. “There’s a list in one of these books about what kind of magic works best on Sundays.”
    Carol held up one of Aaron’s books. “It says here that Sunday is a good day for spells of protection, strength, and healing.” Carol looked at Kia. “I think we should do a healing spell.”
    Kia swallowed hard before she spoke. “I—I don’t know....”
    â€œGreat idea,” Aaron said, flipping pages. “Okay, this is a general healing spell, and we can just adjust it so that it works for Kia’s mom.”
    Carol knelt beside Aaron and peered at the book. “Do we have what we need?”
    â€œLet’s see. We’ve got the blue candles. We also need to drink water. I guess we can just drink from the water bowl.”
    Carol snorted. “That makes us sound like dogs.”
    â€œWoof,” Aaron said.
    Carol handed the book to Kia. “Here, you can say the words,” she offered. Kia’s heart thudded and she stared at the page, the words blurry in the flickering candlelight.
    â€œI—I don’t think I can,” she finally admitted, letting the book fall shut. She could feel Carol and Aaron look at each other.
    â€œI’ll do it if you want,” Carol offered.
    â€œBut wouldn’t my mother have to be the one to do the spell anyway?” Kia asked. “Since we’re supposed to drink in healing powers.”
    â€œI think it can be done for anyone, by anyone,” Aaron said. “Let Carol try.”
    Kia shrugged and said, “If you want.”
    Carol took the book. “Why don’t you light the candle?”
    Kia complied, relieved her hand didn’t shake as she held out the match.
    â€œOkay. I call upon the powers of the elements to aid me in this healing spell. I am asking for help in healing Kia’s mom.”
    Kia studied her shoelaces.
    â€œI ask that air blow away her cancer.”
    Kia felt her stomach tighten.
    â€œI ask that fire transform sickness into health.”
    Kia swallowed.
    â€œI ask that water wash away the bad cells.”
    Kia shut her eyes.
    â€œI ask that earth ground me and help to manifest my wishes on this material plane.”
    Kia opened her eyes again and stared at the candle flames.
    Carol picked up the water bowl. Her brow furrowed. “Should I drink this or should Kia?”
    â€œAll three of us,” Aaron said. “That way it’s a wish from all of us.”
    â€œWe drink in the power of water to heal,” Carol declared. She took a sip and then passed the bowl to Kia. Kia’s hands trembled and she sloshed a bit of water out of the bowl. She sipped quickly and handed the bowl to Aaron. Aaron took a drink and placed the bowl back in its place. “Let’s say the last words all together,” he said.
    â€œAs I will it, so it will be!” Carol, Kia, and Aaron said in unison.
    â€œNow we have to raise energy and send the spell out to the universe,” Aaron said, getting to his feet.
    â€œHow?” Kia asked.
    â€œChanting. Dancing. Like we did in the park.”
    â€œWhat should we chant?” Carol asked.
    Aaron smiled. “How’s this? As I will