Jonas had researched many different religions after he moved out of his parents' home. He had become very disgusted with his former faith when the preachers at his church had started speaking out against homosexuality. The derogatory, mean things people had said were heart breaking in many ways. After carefully thinking about the alternatives he concluded that paganism was the perfect way for him to worship and follow his beliefs.
Browsing through the mall bookstore he noticed a book with a bright blue and red cover,
Finding your Soulmate and Love on the Astral Plane
, sounds promising thought Jonas to himself. As he picked up the small book from the store shelf.
"Will this be all sir?" Asked the clerk.
"Umm, yes. Thanks." Jonas mumbled as he was digging through his pocket for his wallet.
"Oh, hey, I know someone who changed his whole life with this book. There is a great candle spell in the back.' The clerk blurted out as he bagged it up.
"Well thanks again." Jonas quickly walked to the door, feeling awkward.
When he settled into his desk at home, he casually set the book aside. It was buried under a pile of papers on his desk forgotten.
It had been several months since he had went out on a date or met anyone who he was interested in. The need to be discreet and his loaded work schedule made it difficult to get out and socialize.
Weeks later, Jonas was going through his mail when he noticed a package wrapped in plain brown paper. It did not have a return address on it and looked suspicious. For reasons he could not explain, he felt compelled to open it. Inside were two red candles and one green with gold stripes. "How strange," thought Jonas to himself.
There was a small machine printed piece of paper in the wrapping paper. The note read "Find your perfect lover, Astral Spell candles."
"O.K., this is weird." Jonas sighed, bewildered, and ran a shaking hand through his short brown hair. His light brown eyes fell on a corner of the book he had purchased then tossed aside without a second thought.
Flipping through the pages he came upon a section entitled, "Meeting Your Soulmate on the Astral Plane." Glancing over the section and the accompanying ritual, he thought that it did not look too difficult. "I'll do it!" Jonas spoke aloud.
He prepared for the evening ritual with great seriousness. Jonas made a purifying bath with sea salt, set up his altar space, and smudged the ritual area with sage. Thoroughly, he followed the instructions outlined for the ritual. After lighting his candles, he slipped into a meditative trance and allowed his astral body to detach from his physical body.
Jonas realized he was standing on an unspoiled beach with a small beach house a short walk from the gently rolling surf. Feeling drawn towards the 50's style bungalow, he walked up the wood steps to the wrap around porch and knocked on the front door.
"Come in!" shouted a friendly masculine voice from the depths of the house.
The some hesitation, Jonas opened the creaky screen door and stepped inside. "I'm in here," said the voice, "making a drink."
Following the mysterious voice, Jonas made his way to a retro style kitchen decorated in pastel shades.
A tall man with a muscular build and long, dark hair was forcing fruit into a blender while draped casually in a small white towel. He turned to glance at his guest. "Jonas, I was expecting you. I see you received the candles I mailed you." His strong, fine boned face lit up with a smile of welcome.
Jonas was dumbfounded. "You sent me the candles? How is it possible?"