I awoke in a grove of tall standing trees. The clean beauty of the white Birch overtook my senses and for a moment and I was awestruck. As the fog of sleep began to wear off, I found myself wondering how and why I had come to be here. Here in this amazing wood with it’s feeling of magic and mystery.

I sat myself down beside one of the largest Birch and thought for long moments. It could not be amnesia, for I knew my name to be Allesia Nobleman. I knew my age to be 23. I remembered my home in Searsport Maine. I could even remember faces and names of my family and friends. I thought harder. What was the last thing I remembered? Ah yes, I was at a celebration. For what? Yes, Summer Solstice. I was at a Solstice circle at my friends house. I remember the battle of Holly and Oak king, the beautiful ritual circle and the fire and the dancing and merriment. I remember Jan offering to drive me home and even riding in her car.

I had a lot of wine both during the circle and during the merriment to follow. Had I gotten drunk and lost my way? Impossible. I was in Jan’s car. Had someone played some horrendous trick on me? Of this I was not at all sure. I could not remember anything clearly up to this moment.

I decided I must get up and look for a way back, but back to where. Should I look for Jan? Was she too lost in this wood? I did not know the answers but I could not just sit and do nothing. So I stood and looked about me. I surveyed my surroundings and found that I was upon what appeared to be a thin but walkable stone pebble pathway. Only which way should I follow it?

For long moments I stood and looked back and forth, not knowing which way to go. Unable to make any firm decision and getting more and more concerned, I finally decided that any decision had to be better than no decision at all. The sun was well on its way to noon but still at a tilt enough for me to determine that the path went both East and West. Without any firm reasoning I decided to go East and began walking.

The birch trees seemed to go on forever. The woods were peaceful and seemed to help calm even my frazzled nerves. Around me the birds were singing remarkable melodies and off in the distance I could hear morning doves calling out to one another.