Birthday Celebrations among the Circle

“What is all of this?” Tara looked around the room with wonder on her features. She had never seen so many gifts in one place. Small presents. Each wrapped individually with a brown parchment paper and tied with a bit of bright yellow and blue twine. When she had fallen to sleep in the tiny room that had become her living quarters in the chaos of her stay with the witches, there had not been any presents. When had they had the time?

”Happy birthday, kiddo.” Micah quipped with a little smile playing on his full lips. The dark haired man shifted his green gaze towards the presents for a brief moment. “I’m sure this is just the start of things. You want some pancakes?” Just the start of things? Tara furrowed her brow.

”But… How did you know?” She prompted after a long moment of staring at a present that she was fairly certain was some sort of book. Micah’s low, warm chuckle brought her attention back to him and a light blush to her cheeks. His laugh went right through her.

”Hun. We knew your birthday before we knew you. Get up. You have a busy day.” He teased with a fondness to his tone before slipping from the room and leaving Tara alone with her mountain of gifts.

History

Birthdays are powerful among the witch community. They are thought to bring the attention of both good and evil spirits. This belief has led to the development of rich cultural celebrations surrounding these days. It is said that the forgetting of a birthday is a terrible slight among witches. It isn't something to be punished for, but it is considered negligence that could result in the harm of the person celebrating.

In the beginning, it was considered a somber day of remembrance and honor, but gradually over time customs have come to dictate that the day be both excitedly celebrated as well as be held in great honor for the memory and understanding of those that may be working against the witch in question.

Execution

A typical birthday will start in a morning of gifts. These gifts will not be given directly. It is custom for them to be delivered to the house that the witch is residing within and they will be wrapped simply without any indicator of whom is doing the giving. Each gift, while wrapped in the simplest paper, will find adornment in the twine that is used to secure the paper in place. Often, this twin is ornately dyed and twisted into beautiful designs. More effort is put into these designs if the person is someone that the gift giver strongly cares for, but it is important to note that even if a witch does not like the person that is celebrating their birthday, it is still customary to deliver a small gift before dawn to their residence. It is considered ill will to ignore an event such as a birthday when the knowledge is available.

After a morning of opening gifts and minor celebration, it is customary for the witch to light a warding candle for every year they have been alive and an additional one for the following year. These candles encircle an alter space and small gifts of food and wine are left upon the alter for the spirits to enjoy during the festivities. Celebrations continue on through the evening where the community gathers with music and entertainment.

Components and tools

• Spirit cake
• Candles
• Colored Twine
• Parchment Paper
• Small gifts
• Music