The Great Mother
The women walked without saying a word until they were deep into the canyon, and deep down into the natural kiva-like cave that had been formed by prehistoric waters down rushing from the mountains above. A single shaft of moonlight from an opening in the rocks above illuminated the rich oranges, deep ruby and dark purples of the sandstone rock walls and caused the microscopic specks of quartz to sparkle like jewels. The sounds of rushing water from the nearby river faded away the deeper they traveled into the earth.
Mysterious markings, primitive hand prints and symbols of long ago people adorned the walls and made for an ancient, mystical ambiance that was perfect for the work that the women had come to do. The eldest of the three lowered her body down carefully into a seated position, her bones creaking and cracking as she did. Her deeply wrinkled face was serene and peaceful as she began to say the special words of prayer and power acknowledging the four directions, and the center, the place of balance and power.
The youngest of the three, who had not yet experienced her moontime blood, searched the kiva floor for small animal bones that had been left behind when their spirits had passed into the next world. She also searched for stones with special shapes, such as round, triangular and square, and also rocks with holes that were made clear through. She looked for smooth pieces of wood with woody clefts that resembled a woman’s place of power; the place between her legs where life passed through. With these items, she started an altar, and she began to drum softly.
The third woman, who was with child, settled herself down onto the red dust floor of the kiva and smiled, feeling her unborn daughter moving inside of her. She lit a carefully wrapped bundle of herbs and brought the thick smoke towards her face and body, then smudged the other two women. Within the bundle was sage for purification, cedar for protection, tobacco as an offering to the ancestors and sweetgrass for opening the heart. Soon the kiva was filled with aromatic smoke and the sound of melodic chanting as all three women began to sing in harmony, a sacred invocation to The Great Mother.
The thickness of the smoke was enormously pleasing to the spirits of the realms beyond and they lifted the veils between worlds allowing the women passage. The vibrations of the women's voices in chant began to alter space and time and soon the women were transported through the portal that had been opened for them. Emerging into another, dreamlike place, the women quickly recognized it as a holy place and reached out for each other, holding each other's hands in silence until She, The Great Mother arrived.
With a powerful gust of air, a shaking of the ground beneath their feet, and a fiery light so bright that it caused their eyes to water, a radiant, magnificent being appeared before them. The women knelt before Her, still holding each other’s hands. Her words reached their minds without a sound, Her essence filled their bodies and found its way softly, and lovingly into their hearts. She infused such a deep, profound love that it took their breath away, and tears began to fall silently from their eyes.
The oldest woman stood up carefully and slowly, and with her head lowered in respect she asked Great Mother that when the time came, to bless her journey from this world to the next, and to allow her to complete all that she desired to complete before she would make the passage out of her physical body. Great Mother looked into the old woman’s eyes and said; it is so.
Next to rise up was the woman with child, and with her head lowered with reverence she asked for her daughter to be born healthy, easily and with joy into this world. She asked that her daughter be granted a good life, one with purpose and power. Great Mother looked into the mother’s eyes and said; it is so.
Finally the youngest of the three came to her feet, and with her head lowered with shyness she asked for her moonblood to flow, and for her body to become womanly. She asked for true love to find her, for children of her own, and for time to find her purpose in life. Great Mother looked into the young girl’s eyes, and said; it is so.
As suddenly as The Great Mother appeared, she disappeared, and the women found themselves back in the ordinary world, back in the kiva, deep in the earth with the moonlight still shining through the ceiling of the cave as if no time had passed at all. In silence they disassembled the altar, put the herb bundle into a woven cloth bag and scattered the bones, rocks and stones for others to find. The women walked without saying a word out of the canyon, and out of the deep kiva-like cave that had been formed by prehistoric waters down rushing from the mountains above. The nearby river sounds became louder as they made their way back up to the surface.
The single shaft of moonlight from an opening in the rocks above slowly faded as the moon made its way across the dark sky, leaving the rich oranges, deep ruby and dark purples of the sandstone rock walls in the darkness with the microscopic specks of quartz to sparkle like jewels on another night.
SACRED STORY
The above goddess wisdom story came to me quite suddenly, and quite powerfully several years ago while I was staying on sacred land in Sedona, AZ. I feel that these long ago women shared with me a glimpse into their ancient lives, a glimpse into a sacred ritual of going deep into the womb of the earth to call upon The Great Mother, asking Her to grant the desires of their hearts. As I wrote this story, I felt transported into their world, I could sense the sacredness of their ritual, and I felt as if I, too were standing in Her presence. After the story was written, I took a moment to call upon The Great Mother and ask for what was in my heart, and today I can say that my wishes have been granted, and that I am grateful.
RITUAL FOR THE GREAT MOTHER
Take a moment during this season of thinning veils, and darker days to light a candle, burn sacred plants for purification, protection, as offerings to the ancestors, and for opening the heart. Go deep into meditation and call Her forth. Ask from your heart, for what is in your heart. Know that She will answer you, and bring to you that which is for you. She will bring this to you lovingly, sacredly and surely. It is so.
©2022 Renée Starr
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