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and love them. It is through such moments that God reveals himself to mankind.

“We are not the masters of the sun or of the afternoon or of the waves or even of the vision of God, because we cannot possess ourselves.”

The Magus held out his hand to Brida and gave her a flower.

“When we first met—although it seems to me that I’ve always known you, because I can’t remember the world before that—I showed you the Dark Night. I wanted to see how you would face up to your own limitations. I knew that you were my Soul Mate, and that you would teach me everything I needed to learn—that is why God divided man and woman.”

Brida touched the flower. It seemed to her that it was the first flower she had seen in months. Spring had arrived.

“People give flowers as presents because flowers contain the true meaning of Love. Anyone who tries to possess a flower will have to watch its beauty fading. But if you simply look at a flower in a field, you will keep it forever, because the flower is part of the evening and the sunset and the smell of damp earth and the clouds on the horizon.”

Brida was looking at the flower. The Magus took it from her and returned it to the forest.

Brida’s eyes filled with tears. She was proud of her Soul Mate.

“That is what the forest taught me. That you will never be mine, and that is why I will never lose you. You were my hope during my days of loneliness, my anxiety during moments of doubt, my certainty during moments of faith.

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“Knowing that my Soul Mate would come one day, I devoted myself to learning the Tradition of the Sun. Knowing that you existed was my one reason for continuing to live.”

Brida could no longer conceal her tears.

“Then you came, and I understood all of this. You came to free me from the slavery I myself had created, to tell me that I was free to return to the world and to the things of the world. I understood everything I needed to know, and I love you more than all the women I have ever known, more than I loved the woman who, quite unwittingly, exiled me to the forest. I will always remember now that love is liberty. That was the lesson it took me so many years to learn. That is the lesson that sent me into exile and now sets me free again.”

The flames crackled in the fire, and a few latecomers were beginning to say their good-byes. But Brida wasn’t listening to anything that was going on around her.

“Brida!” she heard a distant voice call.

“Here’s looking at you, kid,” said the Magus. It was a line from an old film he had seen once. He felt happy because he had turned another important page in the Tradition of the Sun. He felt the presence of his Teacher, who had chosen that night for his new Initiation.

“I will always remember you, and you will remember me, just as we will remember the evening, the rain on the windows, and all the things we’ll always have because we cannot possess them.”

“Brida!” Lorens called again.

“Go in peace,” said the Magus. “And dry those tears, or

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tell him that the smoke from the fire got in your eyes. Never forget me.”

He knew he didn’t need to say this, but he said it anyway.

Wicca noticed that some people had left a few of their belongings behind. She would have to phone them and tell them to come and fetch them.

“The fire will have burned down soon,” she said.

He remained silent. There were still a few flames, and he still had his eyes fixed on them.

“I don’t regret that I once fell in love with you,” Wicca went on.

“Nor do I,” replied the Magus.

She felt an enormous desire to talk about Brida, but she said nothing. The eyes of the man beside her inspired respect and wisdom.

“It’s a shame I’m not your Soul Mate,” she added. “We would have made a good couple.”

But the Magus wasn’t listening to what Wicca was saying.

There was a vast world before him and many things to do. He had to help plant God’s garden, he had to teach people to teach themselves. He would meet other women, fall in love, and live this incarnation as intensely as he could. That night completed one stage of his existence, and a new Dark Night lay ahead, but the

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next stage would be much more enjoyable and joyful, much closer to what he had dreamed. He knew this because of the flowers and the forests and because of young women who arrive one day led by God’s hand, not knowing that they are there in order for destiny to be fulfilled. He knew this because of the Tradition of the Moon and the Tradition of the Sun.

About the Author

PAU

PA LO COE

CO LHO is one of the most beloved and successful writers of our time. With sales of more than 100 million copies worldwide, his books have been translated into 66 languages and published in 150 countries. He is the recipient of numerous prestigious international awards and was inducted into the Brazilian Academy of Letters in 2002. In 2007

he was named a United Nations Messenger of Peace by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon. Mr. Coelho also writes a weekly column syndicated throughout the world.

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