There once was an old woman who lived in a cottage on Mad River Road by the Sea. She lived in a land of beautiful green pastures full of beautiful large eyed cows. The air was always sweet and fresh as it blew in whispers and gales from the great wide Ocean. The Ocean surf was the heartbeat of this land and it sang through the night in the old woman’s dreams.
     Around her house were lush bushes of lavender and berries and all sorts of strange coastal plants. In the Spring Red-Hot Pokers flamed brilliantly alongside dozens of gentle white Calla Lilies. The path was messy and muddy that led to the little house. The last bunch of last winter’s kale lay in a basket on the steps. The garden was behind the house, a well worn path led decisively towards it.
     Grouse appeared at the old woman’s right hand. “Let’s get going while the energy is forceful!” Grouse spun in a little clockwise circle at her feet. His tail feathers stood up briskly. The wind picked up a little. “Yes my strong one, today is the day,” she said. Inwardly she sighed, wondering again how the little Grouse could be her Protector and Warrior. He was so small and made her laugh with his silly spinning dance. “Remember,” he chirped, “I dance the power of the sacred spiral, the force of the tornado and the whirlpool. Remain in the center! Use my energy to draw what you need and protect yourself from what you don't need. You must know where to send me though, be clear!” Oh yes, she thought, the power of small things! In the barn Owl fluttered his wings and feathers and nodded his head up and down vigorously. “You know what to do!” hooted Owl. “Do I?”she asked.
     The woman began walking around the house. Now to be honest she really wasn’t a very old woman, just a little past half a century in years. But she was old enough to be numbered with the Elders, although she pretty much kept to herself. This woman had no name. After all her years of living she still didn’t know what to call herself. She had tried on names every morning of her life but none of them fit. But this Spring it seemed to her that the name she was seeking was just on the edge of her tongue, just around the corner in her mind or perhaps it would come from the wisdom of the guests she was about to meet. She had worked years of magic for this meeting. She set her face toward the Ocean and walked quickly away from the house, on to the sandy road, and around a slow lazy corner.
     The surf was rolling in gently. The wide Ocean stretched out before her. No one was on the beach this morning. She scanned the horizon. Far out in the sea, but heading towards her, a pod of Dolphins leaped and dove. She watched and waited. She could see dozens of dolphins. The woman began walking out to sea upon the surface of the water. She kept her eyes straight ahead. As she walked the water behind her churned and crashed into foam. The dolphins appeared closer. Beyond the leaping sea dancers whales suddenly burst out of the Ocean! Three, five…seven! They came closer to the walking woman until she stopped, and they stopped. Her ears were filled with the sound of the breath and song of the Dolphins and Whales.
     Deep groaning filled the air and a voice that sounded like many boomed out. “I have answered your call. Others have carried your question to me. We have come to you because we wanted to speak together. You have listened and understood the Universal Language. We have come to serve. “
“I am humbled and honored!” said the woman. The seven Whales formed a circle around her. The Dolphins swam and leaped playfully in the midst. They sang a song to her that spoke of abundant joy and loving-kindness. They bumped softly against her left hand allowing her to caress their smooth bodies. They startled her with watery chuckles and she had to catch her breath and drink deeply the Ocean air until she was mindful and present with the life force.
     “I have come to ask you about the signs. There are many: time is passing by quickly, terrible storms have struck the world, and darkness and pain trouble the Earth. The young are playing in the Light and healing themselves and igniting the spark in others, and so much more is happening!”
All around her the air and water hummed with the deep thrumming vibrations of the Whales song. It seemed to permeate her entire body until a great Om sound exploded from her belly! It was her own inner voice carried and magnified by the great Whales and the vast Ocean.
     “Woman, you have come far to find us and now you have found us. It is your own voice you sought! Now listen to yourself and let the Sea fill with the sound of your power. You came to us and have asked of us something whose answer lies within you. It is we who must have your wisdom! It is you who must find and open the Library of the Ancient Ones for the healing of the Earth. Our gift to you is our song. Now you can hear the hidden frequencies of sound that lead to the Healing Song in the hearts of the people and creatures around you.”
     "Return to the land and listen again to the animals for they have much more to tell you as you seek out the Library of the Ancient Ones. Thank you for calling us. Thank you for singing with us. You will return with wisdom.”
     There was a sudden deafening silence and stillness. Slowly the great Whales turned. Gently they submerged into the Ocean and the woman was standing alone.
(To be continued.)