Gathering the bones for new life

There is a story told of an ancient woman who abides in the desert. She spends her time searching, unearthing and gathering bones. Bones are of the soul, the indestructible parts that remain when death seems to have had the last say. Her name is La Loba or La Que Sabe and she is the one who gathers and sorts, who sings life back into that which has been lost and forgotten in the sands of time. When the heavens are in harmony she will begin the rites of enchanting while a fire in the hearth leaps and the moon watches with hope. She sings over and to the bones and as they listen they begin to vibrate, to sing along becoming enchanted. The bones begin to reform, to take on matter, flesh and skin, until they are whole and wildly alive. Then perhaps the shape of a bear, or a deer, or a wolf will leap up and run into the night. If you keep watching you may see as the creature bounds across the river she changes into a laughing woman whose hair has many colors, flowing as freely as the wild untamed wind.

Adapted from Women Who Run With Wolves

by Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés