Iris Makes Room for the Full Moon

Late-afternoon light cuts an amber rectangle across the calendar. Iris finds the next full moon, checks the entry once more, and draws a pencil circle around the date. Later this month: enough time to invite people, not quite enough time to trust that everyone will remember without a reminder.

“The moon has excellent uptime. Notifications could use work.”

Iris moves a small table beside the window and sets out three ivory candles in sturdy holders. One goes down, then another; the third gets nudged back so no sleeve will have to negotiate with a flame. Nothing is lit yet. Today's work is making room.

The gathering will be an esbat, a meeting outside the seasonal sabbats, planned here around the full moon. There can be ritual, conversation, and time simply to sit together; the calendar doesn't need to hold every detail.

Iris leaves space between the candles instead of filling the table. The pencil rests across the open page. For now, the only light needed is coming through the window.