PASSEN' THROUGH
By Hank <hank@qnet.com>

DAY TWO
The Ceremony

Harry awoke at 11:00pm and gently stirred Brian awake.  He motioned to
Brian to get up and put on his robe.  He then went to the tent where Mark
and Jeff were sleeping and woke them very softly.  As they all gathered at
the table in the middle of camp, Harry handed each of them a white candle,
lighting a larger white candle placed at the center of the table he said,
"We light out candles from the One which signifies life.  By doing so, we
pledge our unity, faith and love to each other and to the One who is our
life.  Let us now proceed to the Sacred Circle to complete our joining."
As they turned to go, Harry picked up a bag from the table and taking the
lead with Jeff, then Mark and Brian in the rear, they moved down the path
in silence.  Each deep in thought and anticipation of the coming event.

As they arrived at the clearing, Harry motioned for the three to wait
outside the circle of stones.  Harry stepped inside the circle from the
east and proceeded with the erecting of the temple.  He placed a yellow
candle on the eastern stone, a red candle on the south stone, a blue candle
on the west and a green candle on the north stone.  On the stump topped
with the white cloth, he placed the rest of the tools he had brought with
him.  Dishes of salt, water and sacred oil, along with wild flowers he had
picked along the way from camp, wine, a small sweet sounding bell and a
libation dish.

He moved to the alter, standing so that he faced east and said "Be it known
that the Temple is about to be erected; the Circle, about to be cast.  Let
those who desire attendance gather in the east and await the summons.  Let
none be here but by their own free will."

Harry took his candle and moved to the eastern point and light the yellow
candle said, "Here do I bring light and air in at the east, to bring
illumination and the breath of life to our temple."  He moved deosil,
clockwise, to the south candle and lighting it he said, "Here do I bring
light and fire in at the south, to illuminate our temple and bring it
warmth."  Moving to the west candle, he lit it saying, "Here do I bring
light and water in at the west, to illuminate our temple and wash it
clean."  On the north, he lit the candle saying, "Here do I bring light and
earth in at the north, to illuminate our temple and to build it in
strength."

Returning again to the eastern candle, he turned and moved to the alter.
Placing his candle in one of the holders, he picked up the Athame, dagger,
and returned to the eastern gate.  While pointing the tip of his Athame at
the circle, he slowly walked around the circle from east to south to west
to north and back to east putting power in the circle.  When he returned to
the alter, he rang the bell three times before placing the tip of the
Athame in the dish of salt and saying, "As salt is life, let it purify us
in all ways we may use it.  Let it cleanse our bodies and spirits as we
dedicate ourselves to the glory of the One," placing three portions of salt
in the water, stirring it with the Athame he said, "Let the Sacred Salt
drive out any impurities in this Water, that we may use it throughout these
rites."  Taking the water, Harry again walked slowly around the circle,
sprinkling it as he went.  When he returned to the alter, he removed his
robe and became skyclad, nude, and placing a pinch of the salt into the
oil, he stirred it with his finger, and anointed himself with the Celtic
Cross in Circle, Pentagram and Inverted Triangle.

Looking up at the three who remained outside the circle, he moved to the
eastern gate and with his Athame, drew a Pentagram in the air.  Then he
made two slicing motions over the circle and bid them enter, one by one.
As they did so, he welcomed them with a kiss and motioned each to stand
facing the alter at the northeast side.  Once all three were inside the
circle, he made a closing motion over the circle with his Athame, sprinkled
a little oil over it and made the sigh of the Pentagram to seal the
opening.  When he was finished, he replaced his Athame on the alter and
moved over to the three starting with Jeff.  He removed Jeff's robe, with
the oil he anointed him with the Celtic Cross in Circle, Pentagram and
Inverted Triangle saying, "I consecrate thee in the name of the One who
bids you welcome to His temple.  Merry Meet."  Harry asked Jeff to stand at
the northeast corner of the alter.  He then moved on to Mark and welcomed
him in the same manner asking him to stand at the southeast corner of the
alter.  When he came to Brian, he very carefully and lovingly removed his
robe and let it fall to the ground.  Brian's body shone in the moon and
candle light like a beautiful living golden Greek statue carved by the
Gods.  Harry took the sacred oil and anointed him first on the forehead
with the Celtic Cross in Circle, then the Pentagram on his muscular chest
just below his throat and then the Inverted Triangle starting with the left
nipple, moving down to the base of his beautiful cock, up to his stiffening
right nipple and left again to the very firm and extended left nipple.  He
then said, "I consecrate thee in the name of the One, who is our Father,
and bid you a loving welcome to His temple.  Merry Meet.  Please stand
behind me at the alter, and remain silent until I again speak to you."

Harry returned to his place at the alter facing east with Brian a couple of
feet behind him.  He rang the bell three times and said, "May you all be
here in peace and in love.  I bid you welcome.  Nomad, now let the Quarters
be saluted and the Gods invited.  Jeff bent down and drawing his Athame
from his robe, moved to the eastern gate.  Raising it above his head, he
made the sign of the Pentagram and said, "All hail to the element of Air;
Watchtower of the Ease.  May it stand in strength, ever watching over our
Circle."  He kissed the blade of his Athame in salute.  At the south gate,
making the sign of the Pentagram he said, "All hail to the element of Fire;
Watchtower of the South.  May it stand in strength, ever watching over our
Circle."  He kissed the blade of his Athame in salute.  At the west gate,
he made the sign of the Pentagram and said, "All hail to the element of
Water; Watchtower of the West.  May it stand in strength, ever watching
over our Circle."  Again he kissed the blade of his Athame in salute and
moved to the north gate.  Making the sign of the Pentagram, he said, "All
hail to thee. element of Earth; Watchtower of the North.  May it stand in
strength, ever watching over our Circle."  Kissing the blade of his Athame
once again, he returned to the eastern gate, turned and moved to stand
where he had been before.

Harry raised his Athame and said, "All hail the four Quarters and all hail
the Gods!  We bid the One welcome and invite Him and the Gods to join with
us, witnessing these rites we hold in their honor.  All Hail!"  Jeff
replied "All Hail."  Harry turned to Brian and Mark and said that they
should also take part in the responses, to which they replied "All Hail."
"Let us share the Cup of Friendship," Harry said as he poured a little of
the wine in the cup and in the libation dish as an offering to the Gods.
He passed it to Jeff who took a sip from it and passed it on to Mark who
did likewise passing it on to Brian.  When Brian finished, he handed it
back to Harry who took his sip.  Replacing the cup on the alter and ringing
the bell three times, he said, "Now are we all here and is the Temple
erected.  Let none leave but with good reason, till the Temple is cleared.
So Mote It Be".  To which all replied, "So Mote It Be."

Harry raised both arms above his head and said, "Father, tonight we have
before us two men in our presence for the first time.  We ask you for your
blessing as they take their place among us."  Looking now at Mark, he said,
"Who are you?"  Mark gave his name.  Harry then asked if he was here of his
own free will.  The answer was yes.  "Be it known to you that each of our
brothers has a secret name.  His secret name is not to be used outside the
circle.  I have selected a name for you based on your birth date and sign.
"Your birth date is the 18th day of January, in the year 1959, is it not?"
Mark answered yes.  "Your sign is Capricorn, is it not?"  Again the answer
was yes.  "Knowing of your interest in Nomad, who is the wonderer, born on
the 24th day of June in the year 1961 and a Cancer, and knowing of your
desire to serve one man, I have selected the name Ganymede which means cup
bearer of servant.  Does this name please you?"  Mark was really affected
by this and with tears in his eyes, he said "Oh, yes."  "So then let be
known that from this time forth, you are known by the name Ganymede to your
brothers."

Turning to Brian, Harry asked, "Who are you?", To which the reply was
"Brian."  "Are you here of your own free will?"  Brian answered with a
heartfelt yes.  "Know you also that you must receive a new name, as a sign
of rebirth into the light of love and understanding that is the soul of our
brotherhood.  Do you wish this joining?"  The answer was all choked up in
Brian's throat.  He hadn't expected this kind of love and acceptance from
anyone based on his experiences.  When he finally got the answer out, it
sounded like someone was strangling him, but it was definitely from the
soul, "Yes."  Then with much feeling in his eyes, Harry said, "Your birth
date is the 21st of April, in the year 1978 is it not?"  Yes was the
answer.  "Your sign is Aries, is it not?"  Brian thought for a second, "It
think so".  "Than hear these words I have for you.  I am known as Manaen,
the comforter.  My birth date is the 25th day of September in the year
1940, I am Libran.  In my dreams, I have foreseen your coming many times.
In the past hours, you have confirmed yourself as the one with whom my
destiny is locked.  You have shown interest beyond question, so I have
selected for you a name.  Your name shall be Caleb, meaning dog or slave.
Both carry great loyalty, of which little else is prized more highly.  Do
you find this name pleasing?"  Brian was completely undone by this show of
affection and with great joy in his heart, he replied, "definitely."  Harry
nearly had tears in his eyes by this time and with a choke in his throat he
said, "Then be it known by all present that from this time on you will be
known as Caleb the Loyal, friend to Manaen and brother to Nomad and
Ganymede."

After much congratulating around the Circle, Nomad said, "May I speak?"
Manaen nodded his approval.  Turning to Ganymede, knelt on his left knee
and asked, "Wilt thou, Ganymede, bond with me, share my life and all that I
am?"  Ganymede was completely surprised by this offer.  This was the dream
he had had over and over for years but never hoped in his wildest that it
would ever come true.  Tears of joy began turning into torrents falling in
uncontrollable rivers down his cheeks.  Nomad arose and taking him in his
arms began to sob with him.

As Nomad calmed himself, he said, "There are those in our midst who seek
the bond of Handfasting."  Manaen said, "Let them be named and brought
forward."  "It is I, Nomad and this man, Ganymede."  As they stood before
the alter, Manaen, said, "You are Nomad?"  "I am."  "What is your desire?"
"To be made one with Ganymede in the eyes of the One and the Wicca."
Turning to Ganymede, Manaen asked, "Are you Ganymede?"  "I am."  "And what
is your desire?"  "To be made one with Nomad in the eyes of the One and the
Wicca."  Manaen took the wand from the alter and handing it to the couple
indicating for them to hold it with both hands, raised his arms skyward and
said, "Father, here before you stand two of your folk.  Witness, now, that
which they have to declare."

Taking the Athame and walking around the alter to Nomad, Manaen held the
point to his chest at the heart and said, "Repeat after me: 'I, Nomad, do
come here of my own free will, to seek the partnership of Ganymede.  I come
with all love, honor and sincerity, wishing only to become one with him
whom I love.  Always will I strive for Ganymede's happiness and welfare.
His life will I defend before my own.  May the Athame be plunged into my
heart should I not be sincere in all that I declare.  All this I swear in
the name of the One.  May He give me the strength to keep my vows.  So mote
it be'."  Manaen lowered the Athame and turned to Ganymede.  Placing the
point of the Athame at his heart, he said, "Repeat after me: 'I Ganymede,
do come here of my own free will, to seek the partnership of Nomad.  I come
with all love and sincerity, wishing only to become one with him whom I
love.  Always will I strive for Nomad's happiness and welfare.  His life
will I defend before my own.  May the Athame be plunged into my heart
should I not be sincere in all that I declare.  All this I swear in the
name of the One.  May He give me the strength to keep my vows.  So mote it
be'."  The Athame was lowered and Manaen returned to the alter.

As Manaen picked up the two rings that he had had made specially for Nomad
and Ganymede, he handed Nomad the ring for Ganymede and handed Ganymede the
ring for Nomad.  On them were their craft names carved in Runic characters
.  Made of the finest silver to indicate the purity of their bonding.  Each
took the ring in his right hand while still holding the wand with his left.
Manaen said, "As the grass of the fields and the trees of the forest bend
together under the pressures of the storm, so too must you both bend when
the wind blows strong.  But know that as quickly as the storm comes, so
equally quickly may it leave.  Yet will you both stand, strong in each
other's strength.  As you give love; so will you receive love.  As you give
strength; so will you receive strength.  Together you are one; apart you
are nothing."

"Know you, that no two people can be exactly alike.  No more can any two
people fit perfectly in every way.  There will be times when it will seem
hard to give and to love.  But see then your reflection as in a woodland
pool; when the image you see looks sad and angered, then is the time for
you to smile and to love, for it is not fire that puts out fire.  In return
will the image in the pool smile and love.  So change your anger for love
and tears for joy.  It is no weakness to admit a wrong; more is it a
strength and a sign of learning."  Turning to Nomad, he said, "Place the
ring on Ganymede's ring finger and repeat: 'With this ring do I show and
seal my bond to you'."  Now turning to Ganymede, he repeated, "Place the
ring on Nomad's ring finger and repeat, 'With this ring do I show and seal
my bond to you'."

Manaen continues, "Ever love, help and respect each other, and then know
truly that you are one in the eyes of the One, and of the Wicca."  At this
every one replied, "So Mote It Be."

When the Handfasting Ceremony was complete, everyone was joyous, with hugs
and kisses all around.  Even Brian was greatly impressed by the event.  He
had never seen this much love and openness shared by real men before.  His
impression was that all gay men were supposed to be faggots, limp wrested
and lisping.  This was truly an eye-opening lesson.  Every word Harry had
said about life was for real.  He was overjoyed for Jeff and Mark, their
joy was boundless; but at the same time, he was a little depressed.  Now
that the ceremony was over, and they would be parting tomorrow, he felt
alone again.  So alone that he wanted to cry.  Harry sensed this and came
over and stood in front of him and smiled.  "Why are you so sad, little
one?  There should be great joy in all our hearts tonight."  Brian looked
at him and said, "The ceremony was really beautiful, and I have learned so
much today, but now it's over and I'm sorry to see us split up and go our
own ways.  You will be going back out to the coast, Jeff and Mark will be
going their own way, and I'll have to get my ass to Kansas City to find a
job."  Harry pulled Brian to him in a great big bear hug and said, "This
isn't the end, my friend, I have more planned if your interested?"  "Sure,
what have I got to loose," was the reply.

They broke their embrace and again Manaen returned to the alter.  Raising
his arms upward, he said, "Brothers, hear me, I have something I wish to
declare before this gathering and before the One.  Into my life has stepped
one who has appeared to me many times in my dreams, coming to me for
comfort and learning.  It is my desire to ask Caleb to join me in life as
my son, student and partner.  I will pledge my love, my honesty, my support
in return for his love, honesty and support.  This will I declare before
this gathering and the One, if he will have me."  At this point Nomad took
the alter and turning to Caleb, who was standing with his eyes wide and his
mouth open in amazement, said, "Caleb, you have heard the offer of love,
honesty and support given you by Manaen, do you accept this offer with all
sincerity?"  Caleb ran over to Manaen and threw his arms around him and
sobbed out loud, "Yes, yes, by all that is holy, yes!"

Then it is time to seal this sacrament with the most powerful Magick of
all, said Manaen.  Come my brothers, let us raise our power to the heavens
and the One who will seal this gathering for all time.  As they came
together, they knelt on the ground in front of the alter close enough that
their shoulders were nearly touching.  Manaen was facing Caleb and Nomad
was facing Ganymede.  As the warmth of their bodies became apparent, they
began to touch each other tenderly all over their bodies.  Each feeling the
others body and raising the lever of their sexual power, touch by touch,
kiss by kiss.  Manaen was the first to say anything.  He instructed the
others that no matter what happened, keep the focus on solidifying this
union, making it strong in the bonds of love.  Take it slowly and
concentrate on the power they were building.

As the excitement grew so did four very excited cocks.  There was a rhythm
beginning to build in the circle of bodies.  You couldn't really hear it
yet, but it was there all the same.  The breathing began to synchronize,
the movements on the cocks began to move in sync.  Hands were all over
their bodies, lips were coming into play with kisses, deep and wet.  Moans
were beginning to be heard.  Nipples were being stimulated by eager
fingers.  A slap could be heard now and then.  The animal sounds began to
be heard.  You could almost see the shaft of powerful light streaming
toward the sky from the intensity being generated from the concentration of
the four.

Ganymede was really becoming the center of all the effort.  He was
beginning to feel like he was having an out of body experience and invited
all there to use him as they wished to build the power with him as the
center.  At this invitation, Manaen and Nomad lifted him to the alter and
lay him on his back.  As the three moved in around him, each found his
place.  Nomad at his head.  With it hanging over the edge of the alter, his
face was in the right position for a good throat fuck.  Manaen stationed
himself between Ganymede's legs and began to finger his throbbing ass hole.
Caleb had everything in-between and was relishing the experience.

Nomad began to invade Ganymede's throat with his more than manly dick,
slowly moving in and retreating and moving in again.  Manaen was gradually
opening Ganymede's ass with one finger, then two, then three.  Caleb was
working on Ganymede's nipples until they were the size of grapes and as red
as cherries.  Ganymede was moaning and heaving like he was nearing climax.
Manaen told him no, relax and go with the rhythm.  He must hold off until
the power had been built in all four of them.

Nomad began to pump into Ganymede's throat deeper and deeper until he was
penetrating all the way up the shaft and his huge balls were banging
against Ganymede's forehead.  By this time Manaen had Ganymede's ass so
relaxed that he was in up past his wrist.  Fist fucking Ganymede made him
very hot as he was beating Ganymede's cock in time with the thrusts of his
fist.  Caleb was really turned on watching Manaen working over Ganymede.
He was beginning to pound on Ganymede's hard stomach.  With every whack of
his fist, he could feel the juices in his own groin beginning to burn.
Finally he couldn't stand it any more and mounted Ganymede's chest facing
Manaen.  As he humped Ganymede's chest, he was keeping time on his stomach
with his fist.  The sight and sounds of this orgy was building an immense
amount of power.  It Couldn't hold out much longer.

Nomad reached around Caleb's body and started to manipulate his nipples
making Caleb cry out at the top of his lungs with pain/pleasure the likes
of which he had never experienced.  The sight of Caleb so excited made
Manaen lean over and take Caleb's throbbing, bouncing, fully erect cock in
his hot mouth and swallow it whole, clear up to the balls.  By this time,
no one could hold out any longer, the cum in all four of these powerful
bodies was on a course of eruption that couldn't be stopped.  Caleb turned
to Nomad who placed his beautiful hot wet mouth on Caleb's and locked
there.  They all four exploded at once sending up such a power surge so
strong that it could literally be seen if anyone were in the area.  To them
it seemed that a whirling shaft of light was being shot heavenward in rays
of gold and silver, liberally dashed with diamonds!  Manaen cried out, "It
is done - All hail to the One".  The bonding was now sealed for all time!
They fell to the ground wrapped in each others arms, heaving and gasping
for air, their effort draining them and bonding them forever!

When they had recovered sufficiently, Manaen got to his feet first and
donning his robe, requested the others to do the same saying that it was
time to close the Circle.  As they regained their composure, they put on
their robes and stood around the alter as Manaen began the closure.

Manaen spoke, "We came together in love and friendship, let us part the
same way.  Let us spread the love we have known in this Circle outward to
all; sharing it with those we meet."  Manaen and Nomad raised their Athames
in salute as Manaen said, "Father our thanks to you for sharing this time
together.  Our thanks for watching over us; guarding and guiding us in all
things.  Love is the Law and Love is the Bond.  Merry did we meet; merry do
we part; merry may we met again."  All replied, "Merry meet; merry part;
merry meet again."

Manaen took the sacred salt, water and oil and pouring them on the earth,
said "All these do I return to the earth from whence they came.  Accept
them as tribute to the One who is the creator of all.  With this offering,
this place is made holy so that we may return when the time is meet."

Manaen said, "The temple is now cleared. So Mote It Be."  All replied, "So
Mote It Be."  All remained within the Circle as Manaen moved to the eastern
gate and with his Athame made the sign of the Pentagram in salute, bent
down and extinguished the candle with his fingers.  With a sweeping motion
of his Athame, he cleared the Circle to the north gate.  There he again
made the sign of the Pentagram and extinguished the candle.  Moving on, he
did the same at the western gate and the southern gate returning to the
east.  At this point, her returned to the stump in the center and
extinguishing the candles, placed all the tools in the keeping bag used
only for this purpose.

All embraced each other with much feeling and satisfaction and turned to
leave.  As Harry took the lead with Brian's hand in his and Jeff and Mark
not far behind, the moon shown brightly, illuminating everything with a
soft velvet glow.  This was like the Dream Time when all men were one with
the earth.  There was a communication between earth and man that had long
been missing from our consciousness.  These four had accomplished what we
had forgotten over generations of self direction.

When they arrived at camp, Jeff and Mark turned to their tent and saying a
soft good night to Harry and Brian, slipped inside to sleep and dream on
the nights events.  Harry took Brian in his arms, kissed him softly and
said, "My friend, my love, my son.  We have a lot of life yet before us.
May we live it to the full."  Brian replied, "I will remain with you as
long as you will have me, for I have found myself in you."  they removed
their robes, leaving them outside the tent and slipped inside to lay
together feeling complete for the first time.