Free A Charming Voodoo (Magical Cures Mystery Series Book 10) by Tonya Kappes Page B

the Village President and first in the circle.
    “Place your hand over your heart.” I instructed her.
    “June, are you doing everyone?” she asked in a whisper.
    “Place your hand over your heart.” It was as if her words didn’t register as my intuition took over and the words fell from my lips.
    I looked into Petunia’s eyes for a moment to “greet” her and let her know I came in peace. I fanned the smoke at her heart and then up to the right side of her head. I took a step back as a bird flew from Petunia’s messy up-do before I walked around her, clockwise, gently washing her body in the smoke of the cedar.
    I continued to brush the smoke down over her left shoulder and the length of her arm and back up again to her shoulder before I moved to the left side of her torso.
    Using the feather I dragged the smoke up her left leg and foot, smoothly dragging it over to her right foot, up the right leg, torso and down the length of the right arm and back up to her shoulder.
    I turned Petunia around to her right and repeated these movements as I smudged the back of her all while I chanted, “I welcome the energy of within, the principle of being connected, the energy and spirit of within. I welcome the gifts of balance, oneness, and the connection with all things, for all things are one and all things are related.”
    The smoke billowed around her and circled her like a tornado. It darted straight up into the sky in a fluid motion.
    “Ho!” I flung the feather at her face as the last bit of smoke dissipated.

 

Chapter Ten
     
    No matter how fast I went, it seemed like it took forever to smudge each person at the meeting. It was great to see all the new members of our spiritual community, including Violet and Gene, the mother and son duo Oscar and I had met on our honeymoon.
    “Order!” Petunia banged the gavel on the table that was placed in front of The Gathering Rock.
    There were folding chairs set up in front of them for all of us to sit. Everyone hurried to find a seat as Petunia began to read off the docket.
    “First I would like to welcome all the new shop owners.” She pushed a falling stick from her hair back into it, sending a few dried leaves out the other side. “Hidden Treasures is owned by Violet Draper. Violet’s son Gene is also a new member of our community. Gene will be attending Hidden Halls in a couple of weeks. Violet is a Cyclomancy spiritualist.”
    I looked over with a smile on my heart. Violet was a wonderful mother, but I knew Gene was going to love Hidden Halls and I couldn’t wait to talk to him about it. Plus, it was exciting to have a Cyclomancer among us. Hidden Treasures, her consignment and clothing shop, was a perfect cover for her gift.
    “Scented Swan Candles is owned by Chandler Swan.” When Petunia called his name, Chandler stood up and waved to the group. “Chandler’s spiritual gift is Ceromancy.”
    Another exciting gift I thought as the excitement bubbled up inside me. It was going to be great having these new merchants and new friends. Chandler was able to melt wax or simply gaze into a flame of a burning candle to interpret what he saw into prophecy. Fascinating.
    “Cherry Merry owns Blue Moon Gallery along with her brother Perry. Our very own Faith Mortimer will have her first photography viewing over the All Hallows’ Eve week. Be sure to stop by.” Petunia leaned over as Gerald whispered something. “Oh, Cherry and Perry are both Psychometry spiritualists.”
    This caught my attention. This means that she can form impressions that may come in the form of emotions, sounds, scents, tastes or images. A gallery was a pretty cool shop and a perfect way to cover up her gift.
    “Please welcome Leah LeRoy.” Petunia must really like her because she gave her a clap. “I personally am excited because Leah owns Crazy Crafty Chick and has invited all of us to ceramic night tomorrow night. I’m going to be making a cute cat with a witch’s hat for Halloween. So