The Journey Begins…

Many moons ago, not too far away and where the water bends, there lived a woman named Ana. Her skin was as smooth as porcelain. Her hazel eyes, now half-closed, were windows to her spirited soul. Hearing the alarm yet again, she knew she had no other choice than to get out from underneath the warm winter covers to face yet another day. She smirked impishly as she gathered her energy to drag herself out of bed.

As she did every morning, she walked over to the dresser mirror to brush the tangles out of her long brown, wavy hair. This time, however, there was something horribly wrong and she let out a piercing scream; her image no longer reflected back at her.

Tears now flowing, she heard a familiar hooting sound coming from a locust tree outside her bedroom window. The Owl.

“Hoot! Hoot! Whatever is the matter?”

Ana turned away from the mirror. “Oh Mr. Owl, I am in so much trouble,” she lamented.

“Whatever do you mean?”

“I got up this morning and looked in the mirror as I always do, but this time I could no longer see myself looking back at me.”

“Oh dear … when did that happen?”

“I don’t know exactly; but it must have happened when I was sleeping.”

Ana sniffed and wiped her nose on her nightgown sleeve.

“When is the last time you actually saw and felt the real you?” the Owl asked.

“I’m pretty sure I was there yesterday when I brushed my hair.”

“Oh my,” said the Owl over and over again as he shook his head. “I was afraid of that.”

Tears still flowed freely down Ana’s cheeks. “Whatever do you mean? What did I do? What do I do?”

“I can’t help there, but I know who can.”

“Who? Who?” asked Ana.

The Owl smiled wryly at hearing a familiar sound. “Seek out the Wise Woman of the Water.”

“Where can I find her?”

“By the water, of course, but only after sun sets and the moon rises.”

“How will I know her?”

Ana was too late; the Owl had flown away.

That night, as the moon rose over the setting sun, Ana walked along the water’s edge in search of the Wise Woman. Not knowing exactly who she was looking for, Ana sat on the grass and wept.

Suddenly, over her shoulder she heard someone whisper. “Dear one, what brings you to the water’s edge with such a heavy heart on such a brisk night?” Her voice had a quiet, powerful energy, yet it was as gentle as the wind.

Startled, Ana turned, looked up, and saw an elderly, heavyset woman with long, braided black hair. Her pursed lips grew into a gentle smile, softening the wrinkles outlining her face, and emphasizing her deep-set brown eyes. Dressed in colors of water and fire, it has been said she shared incredible knowledge garnered with wisdom to those who choose to walk with her along the water’s edge.

The Wise Woman knelt on the grass beside Ana and listened attentively as Ana shared.

“As I looked into a mirror to brush my hair this morning, I discovered my image no longer reflected back at me. That somehow, without knowing exactly how, why, or when, I lost my self.”

“I spoke with Mr. Owl. He often sits outside my bedroom window. Normally, I don’t pay much attention to him, but today I asked him what I should do. ‘Seek out the Wise Woman of the Water,’ he said. ‘She’ll know what to do.’ And so I have.”

“Perhaps you should pay more attention to the Owl,” the Wise Woman gently suggested. “He is your Walking Spirit. He walks with you, guiding and protecting you always. When you need him, just speak with him.”

Ana listened attentively to what the Wise Woman said. She desperately wanted to find herself again, but didn’t know how or where to begin. “I promise to listen,” she said. “If I find my self again, I will hold on to who I am and never let go.”

The Wise Woman gave a gentle smile as she helped Ana to her feet. As they walked along the water’s edge, the Owl followed. Together they began a miraculous journey spanning four seasons and ten moons.

To be continued…