there were candles flickering everywhere , shadows dancing like spooky ghosts on the stalactite ceilings above , a circle of light twitching on the floor of the cave , an altar glowing , filled with shimmering , magical tools and there were witches in deep , black and rich , purple velvet cloaks moving about with a mysterious purpose and grace that almost looked like something out of a fairytale book , the kind that gave children nightmares at bedtime .