A MilesVisions Spirit Journey   

"Ring of Power"

I jump quick upon the tiger's back and let him carry me away. He drops, as if from a tree, to the floor of a deep jungle. It is hot, steamy, green. Flowers hang heavy from vines; orchids cling to trees as the air clings to my lungs, sweat to my brow. I look around. The tiger is gone and I am alone in this damp place.

I lift myself up. I see an opening and I hear people. They are drumming and dreaming. I am naked but I am drawn to their music. I appear as if in the center of a small village. It is as if the people all share this same dream. They sit quietly, peacefully. They see me just as I see them. My red-gold hair is all they see at first. A dog barks. I hear the sound of a bird as it flies through the open hearth of the village just past my head. The drumming stops and I fall to the ground. I laugh. They smile. I struggle to get up, but it is as if I am drunk. It is their turn to laugh. I only smile.

I start to stalk around the fire. Smoke rises in lazy curls. I leap into the fire and float upon the smoke. It is sweet and strong. A drum begins a steady beat. I close my eyes and float up to the sun. I am bathed in the light. I relax and descend back into the smoke. Hovering above the fire, I am robed in flames. Jewels sparkle from my feet. Feathers crown my head. I sing. It is not a song about love. It is not a song about war. It is not a song about grief. It is a song about power. Power is the harmony of knowledge and joy. Power is knowing and acting. Power is its own song.

I leap from the fire and am momentarily cold in the heat. I take a whiff of smoke into my hands. I roll it between my palms until it is solid, like clay. I poke my finger through the ball. It becomes a ring. I turn. I twist. I twirl. I dance around the circle. The ring becomes hot and firm. I hold it out for all to see. A little girl, she is about three, comes to me. I sit down. She sits beside me. She holds out her hand. I give her the ring. She tries it on each finger and thumb, but it is too big.

I take it, place it in her palm. I close her hand around it. It is absorbed into her body. She shakes all over and falls back. An old couple come from the far side of the circle. They lay her straight and place large leaves over her. They sing the song I had just sung. The girl awakens. She is full of power.

I look up. In the tree I see the tiger. I step into the fire. I rise on the smoke. I sit upon the tiger's back. It is ended, and I am back.