First Prophecy

Gray Dawn stood at the edge of the circle. Pointing to a figure in the sandpainting, she said, "Here is the Anasazi maiden. Do you not recognize yourself? She is you, Maiden-from-the-World-Above.

"Do you not know who you are? We knew you from the first. You are of the Lakota Sioux. Your true name is White Buffalo Calf Woman. You were sent to help the world. You have forgotten now, but you will remember.

"We bring you into our tribe. You are an Anasazi maiden now, White Buffalo Calf Woman."

Second Prophecy

The shaman pointed to the picture of Mother Earth.

"You will find her on your journey, White Buffalo Calf Woman. She suffers much, but you can ease her pain."

Third Prophecy

Gray Dawn spoke. "Father Sun journeys around the earth every day bringing energy, light and joy. He is expecting you. He awaits your coming."

Fourth Prophecy

Shaman Far Heart pointed to the last figure. "Here is the Old Humpback," he said, pointing to the Kokopelli with the gnarled flute. "When you find him, you will find your soul. Then you need look no further. You will know what to do."

Scatter Sand

Everyone was silent for some time.  Then an elder began to hum. The others joined in, chanting ancient Anasazi words. Meredith picked up the chant and sang with them.

Presently Wild Fire led Meredith away to put on her robe. Shaman Far Heart and Gray Dawn took straw brooms and slowly brushed away the four figures in the sand while the others continued the chant. Within a few minutes nothing was left of the sandpainting.

Holds Peace Pipe High

Meredith entered the cave again. Only a small daub of white clay on her forehead remained to remind her of the ancient rite she had just been a part of.

Gray Dawn raised the peace pipe high above her head. "Two thousand years ago you appeared to the Lakota Sioux, White Buffalo Calf Woman. You gave them this chanuga." She lowered the peace pipe. 

"You taught them songs, ceremonies and traditional ways. At that time the earth was bountiful. You bid them protect this sacred land. 

"Today you visit the First Peoples again. At this time the earth is suffering, burdened with more refuse than she can support, the once-abundant land sorely depleted, the waters polluted, the sweet air poisoned by black smoke."

Offers Sacred Bundle

The headwoman lowered the peace pipe. She solemnly folded the white skin wrappings around it and offered the bundle to Meredith. "You have come again to bring peace to our land, White Buffalo Calf Woman. I return your sacred bundle. May its powers give you strength to heal our great Mother." Gray Dawn held out the sacred bundle, and Meredith accepted it solemnly.

She saw no way to refuse this task, and deep down she felt a growing familiarity with her role, as if waking from a long dream into her true life.