In the eight years before the Catastrophe, our population in the habitats doubled, with most having connections only with those they came with. Strong relationships build strong communities, so Heart Families were encouraged. It had been an early LCO Initiative aimed at fostering relationships between residents and encouraging familial ties between them. Heart Families were formed between groups of people who found an affinity toward one another, coming together around the connections of friendship, love, caring and support.

Alex and Kevin had no genetic connections to anyone in the habitats, but the family around them had its roots in the Heart Families of old. Their family was continuous and dynamic. It swirled around them in a way uniquely suited to them and their longevity. Alex also had another family, those in her wiccan tradition, some of whom she was particularly close to.

She once described her tradition to me:

"Our tradition shares similarities with other traditions in Wicca, but we also have aspects that are unique or originated within our practices. Like most traditions, we gather in covens, traditionally kept small. Like most traditions here in the habitats, we have adopted combined training for those not yet initiated. And we all, covens and students, gather to celebrate our holidays together.

"Like many traditions, our covens are autonomous and operate on the consensus of those who have achieved our final level. From the beginning, there were a few of us scattered across habitats. As we found each other, we knew that while practices in the habitats would change and drift from one another, we wanted to find a solid core those who come after us could lean upon and recognize wherever and whenever they meet.

"Witches Head had always considered itself a living tradition, not one bound to traditions for its own sake. We knew we needed to allow for evolving, so our framework was loose, much of which I will not tell you. But I will say this. We retained our stable outer court, allowing those who wished to participate and learn to do so without requiring advancement to clergy. We kept our initial transitory degree, allowing advancement to those who genuinely intend to delve into the mysteries as long as they accept the accompanying responsibilities. (1)

"Our tradition had acted on an informal consensus basis on the surface. Those who lived in an area regularly met and brought back ideas and concepts discussed and shared back to their own covens. As we re-formed down here, we chose to codify a similar consensus group formed of those who achieved our final level and encouraged communication and sharing across the habitats where we are located.

"I'm no longer as active as I was, and while I retain a title, the keeping of the tradition belongs to those who live a normal life span. Nevertheless, I still maintain close family ties to those in my coven, including Amergin and Dana, who are the current high Sacerdos."