by Ann Patty
Each pair or family sets filed into their chosen spur of the path finding a campground. Most everyone drove to the canyon top. There was no designated road, but a path was well established by the locals. The vehicles enabled some to bring teepees to erect. Others brought fold out tables and lounge chairs, sleeping bags, boxes of food, and a multitude of handy items. The amount of paraphernalia that was brought in would stock a small outfitter's store.
It was not hard to see what needed to be set up. Atsa went with the guys to go carry down the larger items from the rim. Terra was swept up by the women who put her to work cutting up more melons for a large fruit salad. Terra was grateful to be of use. A couple women around Terra's age befriended her and they soon all got engrossed in a conversation about careers and men. Terra smiled. These topics were universal among all nationalities. As the women talked, other ladies laid out casseroles, salads, desserts, breads, ice tea, and all the makings of dinner.
When everyone was done, all stepped back to admire the festive table. The linen was of curtains and lace sewn by one of the elders. The centerpiece was a wooden hollow filled with fresh flowers of the canyon. Battery operated small lights were strung around the perimeter of the table as well as strewn in the trees above. The setting was delicious, awe inspiring actually. One of the women picked up a stack of plates and handed one to each person. “Ladies first, and guests are most definitely first. Terra it would honor us if you lead us.” Terra was touched. She was not sure what her new friend meant by, lead us, so Terra bowed her head and said a small prayer in thanks for her new friends and the bounty before them. Everyone had bowed their heads with Terra, and followed up saying, Amen. Terra marched to the table and without hesitation started spooning from one of the casseroles. The rest of the ladies did likewise.
Terra had not been raised in a large family so this was a treat. She took her plate and sat on a rock and her two new friends joined her. Jamal was one, with short cropped red hair and a lithe physique. She was a bit shy until she warmed up. Stacy, was stout, a strong able-bodied woman with waist length thick hair. Stacy was boisterous, funny, and lively. The three ladies continued their conversation right where they left off as they ate.
Terra's gold chain bracelet draped its good luck charm into her food. Stacy spied it and pointed out the food drenched charm to Terra, who nodded in appreciation. Stacy told Terra she liked the bracelet and asked where she got it. Terra revealed it was a gift from her late mother before she passed on. She explained the charm was an encased mustard seed which held good fortune to whoever the bracelet was intended for. Stacy and Jamal listened with interest, and Jamal commented that it was a wonderful gift from her mother.
The men began to file in after their lifting and packing was finished. Atsa caught Terra's eye and smiled. She nodded, indicating she did not need his attentions right now. Terra pushed with her nose at Atsa when his cousin came up to pull him towards the buffet table. She wanted him to be unrestricted by her presence. Terra loved meeting new people and she felt this event would bring her many new friends. She had never been to an authentic Dine, or any, tribe ceremony and she was game to enjoy every morsel of what was offered.
The rest of the evening Stacy and Jamal led Terra around the canyon. They told stories of ceremonies of the past and what happened where. The two ladies took Terra to their separate canyon quarters, pulled out some dresses, and asked Terra which one she would like for the ceremony. Terra tried on all the outfits. Giggles, comments, and sarcasm were plentiful and they all laughed wildly. Of course the comments circled around which dress Atsa would like. Which dress Atsa could get off Terra the easiest. And, what Atsa would do to Terra when he did. Stacy and Jamal prodded Terra for details of the last few days. Terra smiled and told them to use their imaginations. Then Terra gave an expression of having an orgasm, which put the women into a laughing fit. Both women confided that they had at one time or another tried to turn Atsa's eye, but no luck. They said he was picky. Just waiting for the right fit, they commented as they nodded to Terra.
When the trio returned to the main camp at the basin a fire was going. Some of the men were leading the children in a drumming session. As night fell, the flames flickered upon the canyon wall and reflected in the waterfall pool. The scene was timeless as if one stepped back into the past. Tonight would be spent in camaraderie and reconnecting with family. Terra looked over and the table was replenished with more food, however only desserts. Her new friends led her to a spot next to the fire. Atsa came up, squatted down, and put his arms around Terra's neck. Kissing her atop her head he told her to enjoy and that he would be with his cousins. Terra nodded and waved him off. Atsa tickled her waist teasingly as he got to his feet. Then he was gone.
Into the night's festivities around and about the fire circle, the fire raged on. More food was put out at midnight. Terra grew weary and bid her new friends farewell. The path to her own private campground was lit faintly by the flicker of the fire. Atsa saw her leave and waved her on. It had been a long day of fun and new friends. Terra laid back on Atsa's bedroll, took a couple deep breaths, and was lost in spirit. At some point during the night Atsa snuggled up next to Terra, put his arm around her torso, and fell fast asleep too.
The next morning, Terra helped with breakfast chores. She made more platters of fruit and helped lay out the table. She was fast becoming an accepted part of this extended Navaho clan even though she was the only Caucasian in sight. One of the elders said that the only true spirit was what dwells in a person's heart. Terra agreed. This same elder, a heavy set, respected woman with a loud moo-moo dress in purple and orange took to Terra. She introduced herself as Choline. The remake of her name was redesigned by her as an adult, but basically it meant, 'of the mountain'. She was inquisitive yet reserved. Choline was captivated by Terra's spirit and being a person of second sight wanted to know more. She told Terra that she would like to give her a reading. Choline believed that Terra was connected to the Navaho from the past and would like to offer spiritual insight. Terra was deeply intuitive yet had never been given a reading per se. She accepted and they agreed to sit together undisturbed in Choline's campsite that afternoon.
Atsa surprised Terra by wrapping his arms around her waist. She jumped then smiled. Burrowing into her hair, he reached her neck through her locks and kissed her several times. A rush of warmth spread through Terra's loins. She put both her hands on his arms and squeezed. She asked if he was hungry. Atsa said he was famished, for Terra. Lovers never went unnoticed. Their blended sensual auras permeated everyone within the immediate area. Together they each grabbed a plate and filled it full of fruits and homemade blueberry muffins. Finding a cove by the waterfall, the devouring of food began. Atsa noticed that Terra was not wearing her charm bracelet for the first time since they had met. Terra told of how it was consumed by the food and made a mess. She decided to leave it in her pack. Terra was amazed at how Atsa was so astute to her details. But then his architectural business was full of detailed work. That was who he was.
Terra asked Atsa what plans he and his cousins had for the afternoon. She told him of her upcoming meeting with Choline to let him know he was free to roam again. Atsa nodded approval and revealed that Choline was very connected to the spirit world. She was well sought out and it was an honor that she chose Terra to visit her. “Listen and learn,” Atsa emphasized. Then Atsa said he wanted to catch up with some of the elders as well. It had been years since he had connected with them. Earth time was not on their side so Atsa felt it urgent that he spent these next few precious hours communing with them.
Atsa together with Terra held an easy flowing relationship. Terra marveled at how well they jelled. Occasionally she thought about their relationship thereafter, but did not want to spoil the moment. She wanted to live in the now of all life offered. Terra overheard the women speculating about their future. She also heard Atsa's cousins rib him about the next ceremony being his wedding. Atsa would always look in Terra's direction with this
kidding. He was certainly taken with her, but how could one be so certain of a future from just the five days they had spent together? It was all too much to ponder. Both Atsa and Terra were in transitional phases in their lives, especially Terra. Therefore, they had made a pack that this utopia would be enough just for now.
Choline
The afternoon's pace slowed. Terra found herself on the path to Choline's campsite. Being one of the highly respected elders she got her own sacred space, all to herself. As Terra entered Choline's sanctuary, Terra was awed. Bright scarfs tied together draped the walls of the trees. Beads, some handmade, some standard Mardi Gras bling, hung from the scarfs. There was a small fire bowl and around it were luxurious, square sitting pillows in every color. Blue garnished with gold threads. Purple corded in silver. Red with orange patchworks. Green and more. All appeared to be precisely handmade, which Choline confirmed. All the pillows surrounding the fire bowls were sitting on a Pendleton wool blanket. It appeared Choline slept in this thick womb of comfort. This room in the middle of nature was brilliant, yet blended with the environment, and was oh so inviting.
Terra stepped in. Choline beamed and waved her forward to sit as Choline was already among her pillows. Terra joined Choline. What Terra had thought at first was a fire bowl, was not. It was a silver bowl filled with water that held floating flower heads. Choline's loose dress hid her large frame and blended brightly with her pillows. Choline's hair was silver, a step beyond gray. Her tan skin was lustrous. Perhaps it was her Navaho heritage or that she kept it moisturized against the dry heat all these years. Or perhaps that she was overweight and her chubbiness filled in the, what would be face lines. Regardless she was blessed with skin of the youth. Her eyes danced. Glittering over her high cheek bones, they were green as the moss in clear water. Choline's nose was pert, small, but proportional. Her lips were thin and when she spoke it was purposeful. Terra mused that she hoped that she would look as radiant as Choline as she aged.
Choline patted a pillow and Terra sat near, almost next to her. Choline asked Terra some questions about her intuition. How she came to know it? If she used it and in what capacity? And if she wanted to develop it more? The two women conversed about the esoteric that was given to only a few. For the first time, Terra had another being to discuss and relate to about her own clairvoyance. Choline was a comfort. She could see the path of the heart in Terra and answered all her questions and misgivings. Choline told Terra many things that afternoon. Much of what Choline offered, Terra already knew. She had studied extensively on her own to come to an understanding of the spiritual state all humans were capable of.
Navaho beliefs were much in line with Terra's core thinking. And then Choline opened up another world of thought to her. Choline counseled, offered new insights, and challenged Terra's learned beliefs and habits. Terra realized that she knew nothing for when you shift your perspective and your perception that new vistas were offered. It would be like walking to the other side of a mountain. Same hill, but everything shifted along with the beliefs that one clings so tightly too.
The Navaho spirit world, as Choline explained it, was not unlike other contemporary beliefs. There was a natural bent towards giving back—replenishing the earth and being in appreciation of all that existed. Healing was about restoring harmony and balance. Choline talked of her spirit guides and how to listen to their counsel. She directed her attention over Terra's shoulder and stated she had two very strong angels that guided her. They were twins that had recently departed from earth. They related to Terra because they both had been soul twins.
Choline explained that there was a difference between soul mates and twin souls. Many people in your life could be a soul mate. This was someone who resonates with you, helps you during challenging times, and sticks by you during a particular life journey. Soul mates could be siblings, parents, friends, or lovers. Soul twins were the step beyond a soul mate. A twin soul was your original other half. In conception beyond this time and space, both energies, a male and a female, came to this earth to experience being human. Your twin was your mirror opposite. A compliment. If you were female then your twin was a male. These energies could flip flop from each incarnation and didn't always reunite together in the physical. Sometimes when one soul incarnates to earth the other might serve as their twin's spirit guide. When you are ready to cycle out, you revert to your original thumbprint; the female energy would then join with her male. Twin souls were ultimately lovers. Born purely of love, they were an evolution who brought their energy into the life forms on earth. And thus began many sojourns, learning many human lessons, until reuniting with the original mate. Many ask, how would a person know if they were with their twin? There was no answer to that except that a person's heart knows the truth.
Terra pondered over this concept and wondered about Atsa. Only she would know if he was her twin soul.
Choline leaned into Terra, as if she was trying to read Terra's thoughts. “Don't fret about who is or is not your twin soul, just enjoy Atsa. Time is precious. Do not squander it on thoughts that suck energy. Enjoy him. Love him. Be glad for this time together.” Terra heard Choline's wisdom and nodded her head.
Choline went on to talk about spirit guides and their purpose in our lives. Most people did not want to acknowledge such entities, but it did not mean they were not present. Much happens beyond the veil. Humans live in a three dimensional world, and many could not and did not want to see over into the far side. Sometimes folks admit to feeling guided or pushed intuitively towards a direction. Angels could work through our various senses to get our attention. It did not mean we were possessed. No, we have free will which triumphs any other. Our guardians offer counsel, comfort, challenges, and often messages. Much like a grandmother. We could choose to listen, heed the advice, react, or ignore it. Sometimes the angels were blatant in offering a vision or auditory clue. Because they exist on another level they could have a hard time getting through to our 3D world. There was no mystery shrouded in this fact, the Navaho just accepted this spirit world as their truth. They also accepted that there were negative forces as there were positive forces. Balance was the key to truth.
Over the rest of the afternoon, the women came to feel deeply for each other and the different roads they had walked. Topics ranged from the esoteric to the physical. Choline provided more insights on how Atsa and his brothers were raised. Yiska was the oldest and was very orderly, pragmatic, and stern. Terra noticed this side of him from the few days they spent together. His hair was cropped close, his narrow set eyes, and almost one eyebrow set off his prominent nose and hairless upper lip. A goatee, trimmed tight, was well groomed upon his chin. Yiska held the energy and the appearance of the responsible older brother.
The younger boys, Atsa and Tahoma, only a couple years apart, were regarded as fraternal twins as they grew up. Both looked like the mirror of the other except Tahoma was a bit taller. They expressed the same goofy way brothers did when they would kibitz around. Despite their silly sides both were academically strong and took their futures seriously. Both were fortunate to be able to follow their passions and find purposeful careers. Tahoma's energy was more reserved. He would wait for an opportunity rather than hustle one like Atsa always did. While Tahoma hung back in crowds, he carefully sized up others before committing to friendships. He was cautious, very kind, and reserved.
On the other hand, Atsa pushed himself out into situations before calculating the tradeoffs and risks until later. Atsa was direct without apology and had an edge that others found almost admirable. Both brothers were well-versed and aligned with their spirit guides. To know them, one could see their subtle intuitive and energy differences. Choline ranted on as if Atsa and Tahoma were her own boys. She then admitted to being their proud Auntie who had plenty of time with them in her care during their early days.
A long pause of quiet felt good, and appropriate. Terra had taken in a lot of information. Choline reached into her pocket and pulled out a necklace fo
r Terra. It was handmade by the Navaho tribe. Sometimes they were sold in their reservation store. Most of the times they were gifts to celebrate new friendships. Terra dangled it from her hand. The neck piece was simple, but spoke elegance. The necklace was a braided leather cord. It was easy to slip over the head because the focal pieces hung low, on the breast. The leather chain was attached to the ends of a natural wooden bar. The wood was stripped of bark and cleaned by a dremel tool to show its rich red-brown color. The remaining spindle, a strip, made of about a quarter to half inch in diameter and perhaps four inches long. From this branch ledge hung three flat stones. There was a hole in the top of these round quarter sized rocks. The holes attached the dangling stones with tiny leather cords back to the wood header.
