Fertility Gods

"We're fertility gods, you know," the Old Kokopelli said, smiling mischievously. "Fertility gods take away as well as give." He winked his eye at Meredith. She felt a bit dismayed. She was soon soothed when the top of the cloud kiva closed over, and sunlight filtered through the translucent building blocks, bathing the space in intricate snowflake-like patterns. The gentle breeze remained outside, but only snuffled around the base of the cloud kiva wall, reminding them of its presence. 

"We're trying to help the human race stay alive. Unfortunately you might have to reduce your fertility if you want to survive. Now, where is that pipe you brought with you, the chanuga?"

"I have it." Meredith drew the medicine bundle from her pack and carefully opened the deerskin wrappings. The chanuga and beaded pouch were intact.

"Please, may I take a look?"

"Of course." Puzzled by his interest, she handed him the pipe. 

Magical Powers

"The smoke from this pipe has magical powers.  Magical, that is, by human standards."

Reverently he stroked the smooth stem of the chanuga. He handed the pipe, bowl first, to the Kokopelli seated on his right, who fingered it worshipfully and passed it on to the next one, until it made its way around the circle.  

When it reached the Soul Child, she put the unlit pipe in her mouth and, with a serious expression, imitated an adult smoking until Meredith affectionately admonished her and insisted on reclaiming it for herself.  The child was then satisfied to watch the intricate filigrees of light and shadow that danced upon the walls and floor of the cloud kiva.

Sacred Herbs

"Pass me the pouch, please," the Old Humpback said.  Small tendrils of smoke rose from the cauldron over the fire.

Meredith handed him the pouch. He loosened the drawstrings, opened it and sniffed the contents.

"Hm-m, sacred herbs." He extracted a tiny sample and tasted it. "Yes, the precise formula: Desert tobacco, ant bodies and gecko tails from the First World, blue-green algae and Dog People fur from the Second World.  The whole ground and mixed with sacred smoke in the Third World and seasoned with sorrows in the Fourth World. This is a potent preparation."  

"Hold the pouch for a moment." He thrust his hand into his humpback and pulled out a handful of blue corn. "These are consecrated corn seeds," he said, holding them out for Meredith to see. He rubbed them between his hands until they were ground to a fine meal, then carefully poured them into the pouch and shook it.

"Add corn seeds from the Fifth World, and it's the perfect medicine. We have what we need to perform the Emergence ceremony."  

Emergence Ceremony

"What is the Emergence ceremony?" Meredith said, fingering the cords of the sacred pouch.

"It is a ritual that will help you and your people emerge into a better life. Symbolically you will emerge from the Fourth World to the Fifth World. Do you wish to participate?"

"What's involved?" she glanced at the Soul Child sitting next to her. The child smiled trustingly.

"A great deal of sacrifice."

"What would I accomplish?" She saw the others watching her.

"You will find your dream come true." 

"I wish to participate." Everyone seemed pleased.

"Good. We will begin."

Her Wish

He passed the beaded pouch around the circle. Each Kokopelli sniffed the sacred herb and placed a pinch in his or her own pipe before passing it on.   

The Soul Child didn't open the pouch, but contented herself with admiring the intricate beadwork. Finally the beaded pouch came to rest in Meredith's lap.  

"Tell me, what is your wish, Meredith White Buffalo Calf Woman?"  The Old One looked at her intently.

"Why have you come here? Why did you journey through the Four Worlds to the Fifth World? Why do you carry the chanuga and sacred herbs?"

Meredith gazed at the pipe and pouch. Suddenly she realized why she had come. She was too thunderstruck to speak.  

Heart's Desire

"Tell us, Meredith White Buffalo Calf Woman," he repeated. "What is your heart's desire?"

Meredith looked around the circle at the Kokopelli, who sat calmly on their cushions, listening, offering strength. She lifted her chanuga in the air. "I wish to save the world," she admitted humbly. "This has been my dream all my life."  

"That is nothing to be ashamed of. How would you do it?" The Old Kokopelli asked encouragingly. 

"I would have everyone become EarthWise as happened for me in the Third World."  

"It is good. May your wish come true," the Old Kokopelli said, and the others nodded their approval.