Fire, Earth and Darkness

Last night four friends gathered, as they do four times a year, and made their way through the woods as the last of the daylight faded.
They arrived at the round, natural hollow in the earth amongst half a dozen yew trees and prepared their fire.
The sacred space was honoured and the fire was lit.
They sat in silence for a while, alone and together with their thoughts and feelings while the darkness wrapped itself around their backs.After a short while the first of the friends broke the silence to speak of what was alive in them and what was asking to be shared.
The other three listened in silence.
When the first was done a short silence ensued until the second of the friends was ready to share. This continued until all four had spoken their truth and shared from the deepest place inside.
No conversation, no comments just heart felt listening and silence.
All the time the fire crackled and flickered, fed occasionally by some wood added to the embers and flames and the yew trees watched. Alchemy weaved and caressed them while they sat on the cool damp earth.
When all had spoken they shared a few words and gave offerings to the fire before making their way back out of the woods to share some food and warmth and mulled cider.
In three months time they will meet again.