Chapter 27
Luna
“In each stitch, a healing; in every thread, a connection. Our circle crafts wholeness from brokenness.”
—Eloisa Hobby
The following day, as the sun dipped in the sky, it cast a golden glow over the quad where Luna found herself wandering, lost in thought. Jeanie was quilting at the quilt shop and Artie was working on her art project with Orion. The air was filled with the mingled scents of sea salt and blooming flowers, typical of the island’s enchanting aroma.
“Are you going to the healing circle tonight?” Paul’s voice cut through her reverie as he approached, pulling off his gloves stained with soil from his afternoon in the gardens.
Luna raised an eyebrow. “Oh, please don’t tell me you believe in that too.”
“Of course I do. It’s amazing. And Eloisa doesn’t put the healing circle on very often,” Paul said.
“What’s the occasion?” she asked, more to satisfy her curiosity than actual interest.
“Whenever we get guests who seem to need a little extra help, she’ll have a circle. The island talks to Eloisa and tells her what’s best for the collective,” he explained, reaching over to brush a drifting jacaranda flower from her hair.
Her scalp tingled from his touch. “Now that sounds really woo-woo.”
“Hey, I don’t question Eloisa’s methods. I’ve seen too many good things come from this island.”
“Do you attend the healing circles?”
“Absolutely. I never miss one if I can help it. I feel so good afterward. It’s like a magical tonic. Orion will be there too, and I think Artie plans on going.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. You should come.”
“It’s not really my thing.” Luna stuck her hands in her pants pockets.
“Okay, suit yourself. But if you change your mind, we’ll be in Prism Pavilion at nine. Wear something loose and comfortable.” He leaned in, planting a kiss on her cheek that left a lingering warmth, then turned back to his gardening.
* * *
Luna hesitated in the dark outside Prism Pavilion, watching people go inside, many wearing pajamas and most carrying pillows and blankets. This was getting weirder by the minute.
She was right. This wasn’t her thing.
But Paul endorsed it.
The ocean breeze gusted over her, and although Luna wrapped her arms tightly around herself, there was a palpable warmth emanating from the group that intrigued her. The soft glow of lanterns hung from the trees, casting a gentle light over the faces of the attendees as they entered, their expressions a blend of serenity and anticipation.
She was both intrigued and put off.
Creeping closer, she peered through the glass walls, watching as people made pallets on the floor with their pillows and blankets. Paul had told her to wear comfy clothes and she’d come in loose-fitting lounge pants and a T-shirt, but he’d said nothing about bringing bed linens.
The silvery light of the moon cast a tranquil glow over the proceedings.
“Are you coming in, my dear?” Eloisa’s sweet voice came out of the darkness behind her.
Luna jumped.
“Goodness, I didn’t mean to startle you. We’re about to begin if you want to come in.”
“Um . . . I don’t know.” Luna backed up and tightened her grip around herself.
Eloisa held out a hand. “You can always leave if it doesn’t suit you.”
For so many years she felt isolated, alone, but now, here was someone reaching out to her, and she was isolating herself by holding back.
“Your mother and daughter are inside.” Eloisa’s smile was tender, welcoming as always.
Eloisa gestured and Luna peered through the glass, saw the backs of Jeanie’s and Artie’s heads. “Paul and Orion too.”
“All right,” she said. “I’ll give it a try.”
Eloisa ushered her inside and Luna took an empty spot beside her mother, who was sitting cross-legged on a cushion, snuggled with Artie in the quilt Jeanie had brought from home. Candles flickered in the room, casting long shadows.
Some people lay in the center of the circle on a bed of pillows, their faces tranquil, almost ethereal, under the celestial tapestry in the moonlight spilling through the windows and reflecting off the prisms hanging from the ceiling. There were a few whispers from the attendees, but most people were quiet, settling in.
In a rainbow-colored caftan, Eloisa took a seat on the outside of the circle.
Someone sat beside Luna, and she turned to see Paul.
“Hey,” he whispered. “Glad you could make it.”
“What have you gotten me into?” she whispered back.
“It’s not what you think.” His presence was a comfort. His eyes, bright with a faith she didn’t yet understand, encouraging her to open her heart to the experience.
The air seemed to strum with a powerful energy, as if the very atmosphere of the island was alive with ancient wisdom. Luna felt a stir of curiosity, mingling with her reluctance.
Eloisa welcomed everyone and thanked them for coming. “A healing circle,” she explained, “is when a group of people gather with a clear intention of personal healing. We form a circle because it represents life’s continuation with no beginning and no end. This space has been purified with sage. Thank you, Paul, and Orion, for doing that.”
People murmured thank-yous and Paul reached over to take Luna’s hand and squeeze it. She smiled at him.
“Those of us sitting on the outside of the circle will chant a blessing to those on the inside of the circle. Those inside the circle, when you are filled up with blessings, come out of the circle and tag someone to take your place. We’ll continue until everyone has been blessed with the energy of the group.”
Luna shot Paul a panicked look.
“It’s okay,” he said. “You’re safe. Trust that.”
“This is a huge leap of faith for me.”
“I know.” His smile filled with pride for her bravery.
“Paul,” Eloisa said. “Would you like to start the chant?”
Paul nodded. “Everyone seated in the circle join hands. Those lying inside, close your eyes and relax.”
Jeanie took Luna’s hand on her other side. Her skin was cool and soft.
Paul’s deep voice rang out in the glass room. “May the light within you awaken. May your heart find peace. May your spirit be renewed, and your burdens released.”
Eloisa joined in with him and soon the others did too, forming a steady looping chorus of “May the light within you awaken. May your heart find peace. May your spirit be renewed, and your burdens released.”
As they chanted, people inside the circle started coming out. Touching people on the outside of the circle and switching places with them. Orion, who’d been in the center of the circle, touched Artie, who skipped into the middle.
Sharon touched Jeanie.
Nanette touched Isabelle.
The blessings continued. One by one people came and went. At first, Luna was anxious about going in, but as more time passed with no one touching her shoulder, she started to feel left out.
Dot got up and tapped Paul’s shoulder and he went in.
Clare came out and Eloisa went in.
Gosh, wasn’t anyone going to pick her?
Finally, Artie left the inner circle and tapped Luna’s shoulder. “It’s awesome, Mom,” she whispered.
Silently, Luna stepped forward with grace, her footsteps light. Lying down on the soft pillows next to Paul, she closed her eyes as the murmur of blessings swirled around her, enveloping her in a cocoon of sound and warmth.
At first, she felt nothing but the slight pressure of the night air and the distant echo of waves against the shore. But slowly, as the words of blessing grew louder and more heartfelt, a warmth began to spread through her. It was as if each word were a droplet of light, seeping into her pores, easing the knots of her doubts and fears.
Tears welled up unbidden in Luna’s eyes. The emotions caught her by surprise—a mix of relief, joy, and a profound sense of connection to something larger than herself. She opened her eyes to the sky above the transparent ceiling, where the stars seemed to dance in approval, their light reflecting in her tear-filled eyes.
The chanted blessings went on and on. Paul left the circle and Vivian took his place. Feeling filled up, Luna left the center with a newfound lightness. It was as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She reached out, almost instinctively, to tap a young man on the shoulder, inviting him to experience the healing she had just felt. Her touch was gentle.
She rejoined the circle and caught Paul’s eye, a wordless thank you in her gaze. His smile was knowing, a silent acknowledgment of the journey she had just undertaken.
Eloisa’s voice, a soothing balm, continued to guide the ceremony, but Luna was already transformed, her skepticism replaced with an inner tranquility she couldn’t quite explain. The night air, once cool, now embraced her with a warm, comforting hug.
It might be weird. It might be awkward. But darn it, this healing circle was transformative.
In that moment, Luna understood the true magic of the island. It wasn’t just in the healing circle or the ritual chant. It was in the connection of hearts and souls, gathered beneath the moonlit prisms, bonded in a moment of peace and unity.