Summary

Shirah remembers how her mother taught her everything she knows about magic and spells. When Shirah was a child they lived in a house meant for the holy women who worked for priests. Because women who practiced keshaphim were considered powerful and dangerous, the men of the church deemed them witches and made their practice unlawful. When women needed help the church was unwilling or unable to give, however, the women came to those who practiced keshaphim. She indicates these women believed there was a feminine aspect to God, one that included knowledge and compassion.

Shirah always went to the garden outside her mother’s house when priests came to visit. On one hot day Shirah remembered jumping into the fountain in the garden because it was so hot. She felt at home there until a priest pulled her out. Although...