Dark Truth

by Lindsay McKenna

  Ana intently studied the drawing, her chin resting on her clasped hands. “You know, that makes sense.” She looked up at Alaria. “Obviously, you have a U-shaped ego.”

  Laughing delightedly, she said, “And you are also U-shaped.”

  “That’s good to know,” Ana murmured, relieved. “I was worried for a moment.” She met Alaria’s twinkling glance.

  “Let’s do this….” The old woman drew a dot in the middle of the circle. “Now what do you think, Ana? How does that feel to you?”

  “Well, if a circle is symbolic of an unhealthy ego, then a dot in the center of it…maybe represents a person’s sense of self?” She tried to put it together. “It’s as if the dot represents an individual surrounded and closed off by the circle around them.”

  “And knowing what you know about energy…?” Alaria prodded, leaning on the stick and gazing down at her.

  Ana loved puzzles like this, and found herself becoming animated. Alaria was warm and thoughtful, and would not make fun of her if she was wrong, Ana knew. “This would be a person who is extremely self-centered, selfish and perhaps, in the extreme, really out of balance emotionally. Someone who would likely behave in an obsessive or compulsive manner?”

  “Very good!” Alaria again tapped the drawing with her stick. “Did you know that to astrologers this symbol stands for the sun in our solar system? Remember, everything has many layers to it, much like an onion. We can look at any symbol from many levels, many different points of view, for each person incarnates into his or her lifetime with a unique take on reality. An astrologer would see this symbol and say it represents the sun in the person’s natal chart. The sun stands for the self in astrology.”

  “So,” Ana repeated, thinking out loud, “The sun represents the self to the astrologer. Not the ego?”

  “Oh, yes, an astrologer would tell you that the sun is our ego. But they don’t see other constructs or possibilities of what this symbol could mean. They are not wrong. They are right within the context of how they perceive it.”

  “But you see it at this level,” Ana murmured.

  “Yes, and now so do you.”

  Ana frowned. “But what level are you talking about?”

  Alaria sat back down as a young girl came over with two bowls of cereal. Alaria took one and thanked the black-haired child.

  Ana thanked her in turn and took her own bowl of fragrant, steaming cereal. The girl giggled and raced away toward the cooking fire in the distance.

  “We’ll eat and talk,” Alaria instructed.

  Ana noticed that someone had generously sprinkled brown sugar and slices of guava across the top of her cereal. The nutlike scent of the red quinoa enhanced the sweet fragrance of the guava, and she eagerly started to eat.

  “The level I want to teach you about is the paranormal, or metaphysical, one. It is about pure, invisible energy. Energy is everywhere, Ana. It surrounds us, moves through us. We consist of energy even though we are in a physical body—dense energy that can be seen with our two eyes.” She ate a few bites of her cereal and then continued. “You must understand energy, because your life will depend upon it shortly.”

  The grave warning startled Ana. She halted abruptly, her spoon halfway to her mouth. “How?”

  “You are here for a reason,” Alaria told her softly. “And we don’t have a lot of time. You came here of your own free will, and that was vitally important. We weren’t sure you would come at all, but you did, and that creates hope for us, for you and for our worlds.”

  Ana’s confusion grew as she tried to grasp what the old woman was telling her. “I don’t know how I got here.”

  “You came in your dream to us,” Alaria said. “Many do so while they sleep.” She waved her hand toward the village. “Many people journey to the Village of the Clouds as their body rests at night. Their astral body, or emotional energy body, travels the other dimensions while they’re sleeping. Those of many individuals come here for training and healing.”

  Shaking her head, Ana whispered, “This sounds so strange to me, Alaria, and yet so exciting. My adoptive parents are Native American, and they put great stock in dreams and dreaming. I’ve heard my mother say that everything is energy, too, but the way you’re explaining it makes more sense to me.”

  “And that is why you have come, child. You are embarking upon a life-and-death mission to find out who you really are. And you have many, many choices to make. By coming here, you’ve proved that you want to know certain things. I will share with you as much knowledge as I can in a short time. It will help you not only survive, but make some serious decisions—choices that will affect not only yourself, but all of us.”

  “You speak in riddles, Grandmother.”

  Laughing, the old woman nodded and went back to eating, as quiet stole around them once more. The children had settled on logs near the fires, eagerly eating their breakfast. Adults had gathered, as well, their friendly banter broken occasionally by a hearty laugh.

  For Ana, the place felt like heaven. There was something so simple and rich about this quiet rural life. A profound sense of healing and peace infused her.

  “I love this place. It fills me. It feeds me.”

  “Yes, the energy of the Village of the Clouds is food for your spirit and your soul, Ana. Anytime you come here, it is like getting your spiritual batteries recharged.” Alaria smiled. “It’s a place of healing and learning.”

  Putting her empty bowl aside, the elder stood up. “Time to continue with our lesson.” Reaching for her stick, she drew two overlapping circles. “What does this symbol mean to you, Ana?”

  “Two circles joined? Two egos?”

  “Well, yes and no. Does it remind you of anything?”

  Ana compared this drawing to the symbol Alaria had sketched before. “I prefer the double circles.”

  The elder studied her intently. Tapping the circle with the dot in the center, she said, “You don’t like this one?”

  “It doesn’t feel good.” Ana pointed to the second drawing. “This one feels right to me, but I can’t explain why.”

  “Here’s why it feels good to you,” Alaria said. “This is the Vesica Piscis symbol. Quilters call it the wedding ring design.” Alaria smiled. “Early Christians called this the symbol of Christ, because the overlapping area looks like a fish. Yet back in ancient history, this was the symbol of the Great Mother Goddess. You see, like all symbols, the Vesica Piscis can connect to the level of your belief, your consciousness in this lifetime, as well as the reality you experience during your present incarnation. The Egyptians used it, also. And so did the ancient cultures of Mesopotamia, long before Egypt rose to power.”

  “You’re saying that the Vesica Piscis symbol is so old that every civilization has used its energy in some way?”

  Alaria grinned broadly. “You are very sharp, Ana. It is, in fact, so ancient that the finest archeologists of today have no idea when it first appeared in human civilization. Each time they unearth a new culture, there it is.”

  Leaning forward, Ana studied the simple drawing. “Why is it so important?”

  “Symbols, remember, are our first human language. And our first experience with energy.” Alaria tapped the drawing with her stick. “You have two circles conjoined. Most cultures recognize that we have duality—for example, male and female. Two of everything exists here on earth. The circles speak to this point. One circle is male energy, the other female. And—” the elder leaned forward and tapped the oval area where the circles overlapped “—this is a joining of that energy. One circle by itself is alone and out of balance. Yet when you put two together, integrating male and female energy they become one. That integration becomes very powerful, healing, stabilizing and profoundly nourishing for the spirit.” Alaria gestured toward the sky. “In reality, we are not separate. We have never lost oneness with the Great Mother Goddess. But so many religions have brainwashed people over the ages, making them believe they are separate from spirit, when th
ey really are not. I believe this is why the Vesica Piscis was given to us—to let us know in our first language that spirit resides within us. We are spirit and are not separated from it—ever.”

  “I like the idea of being one,” Ana confided. “That gives me hope.”

  Alaria nodded. “Yes, and a sense that spirit is within us, around us, and that all things are connected. If people of this earth would realize that, the world would not be embroiled in so much chaos and war. But enough of that.” Alaria tapped the center of the Vesica Piscis. “We call this third component the eye, child. And it’s very important that you use this symbol from now on to help yourself.”

  “How can I use it?”

  “Come stand up over here,” Alaria instructed with a wave of her hand.

  Ana eagerly left the bench and walked over to where the elder stood.

  “First, step into one circle of the Vesica Piscis. When you do, I want you to stand with your knees slightly bent, your eyes closed. I want you to imagine beautiful silver tree roots gently twining around your ankles, with the tip of each root going down through the center of your foot and deep into Mother Earth. Keep your body relaxed, your arms loose, your hands at your side.”

  Ana did as she was instructed. She stood there for at least five minutes, though nothing seemed to happen.

  “All right,” Alaria said at last, “open your eyes, Ana, and step out.”

  She followed the old woman’s directions.

  “Now enter the eye,” Alaria stated. “You are already grounded. Just step in there, close your eyes and draw a deep breath into your nose, down into your abdomen, and release it out of your mouth. Do this three times.”

  Ana gingerly stepped forward. Within a minute, an invisible energy seemed to be gripping her by the shoulders and pulling her forward. Giving a yelp of surprise, she opened her eyes and took a step to keep her balance. “What happened?” she gasped.

  Grinning, Alaria said, “Nothing that will harm you. It is the energy of oneness with spirit touching you. Now, reposition yourself, Ana. Close your eyes and wait. This time, if the energy pulls you a certain way, don’t allow it to unbalance you.”

  This time, when the energy came, Ana leaned forward with it, but so far that she lost her balance. To her surprise, the energy pushed her back. It pulled her to her right side, and then her left. After five minutes, she could feel it becoming less and less strong. Finally, it stopped, and she was standing quietly upright in the eye.

  “Open your eyes and step out,” Alaria said.

  Ana did so. She turned and looked back. “What did I just feel?”

  Alaria walked to the bench and sat down. “You experienced the ancient energy of healing and balance that the Vesica Piscis gifts to us, child. You can draw this symbol in the dirt, in the sand, or create it with string or rope. No matter how you make it, just stand in the eye, and you will receive a healing. It will rebalance your aura, the energy that surrounds your body. When you get readjusted, your health remains good, you can think better, you sleep profoundly, you remember your dreams and you become much less stressed.”

  “Amazing,” Ana remarked. “There was no energy in the single circle outside the eye.”

  “That’s right. I wanted you to experience both, because now you see for yourself where the power is. And you know how to use it.”

  “Wow…” Ana whispered, giving the Vesica Piscis an admiring glance. Then she looked at Alaria and pointed to the necklace she wore. “You even wear the symbol.”

  Fingering it, Alaria said, “Oh, yes. Right over my heart chakra.” She touched the area between her breasts. “It helps me stay in balance emotionally. The symbol on another level inspires compassion, service to others and a sense of oneness with all beings on our planet. Such is its power and gift to all of us wise enough to utilize it.”

  “What a wonderful teaching,” Ana exclaimed, excited by the possibilities. “I can draw this circle and just step into it anytime I feel out of balance?”

  “Oh, yes. Or carry sixteen-foot lengths of string or colored yarn and lay them out in a double circle. It will work that way, as well.”

  “This is such a gift, Alaria. Thank you.”

  Rising, the elder came over to Ana. “My child,” she said, becoming very serious, “it is nearly time for you to go. I need you to recall two things. The single circle with the dot is of the Tupay, or heavy, dark energy. The double circle is of the Taqe, or light energy expression. Remember this.”

  “Okay,” Ana said. She felt Alaria’s hand come to rest on her shoulder, and warmth flowed through her.

  “Your mother—” Alaria’s eyes filled with tears “—there is not much I can say, for you must find this on your journey, but your mother was born here, Ana.”

  Eyes widening, she whispered, “My birth mother?” A knot formed in her throat and tears flooded her own eyes. She felt Alaria’s long, thin fingers tighten on her shoulder before releasing her.

  “Yes, my child. Your mother was born here and I trained her for eighteen years.”

  Ana was startled. “You knew my mother.” The tears started burning her throat. “For so long, I’ve tried to find her, to discover who she was and where she came from.” Ana sobbed, pressing her fist against her lips as she stared at Alaria’s kind features.

  The woman had given her so much valuable information and Ana felt overwhelming gratitude. She had more questions about her heritage, about her mother. But before she felt able to speak, a jolting rumble coursed through the village. It was palpable, threatening, as if a minor earthquake was happening.

  “You must go,” Alaria said. “Just know your mother was very special, Ana. Come, you must walk back across the bridge. Your time with us is at an end for now.”

  Ana didn’t want to leave, not before asking a hundred questions about her mother. She’d spent half her life trying to find her. But Ana did as instructed. She sensed she would return someday to this sacred place.

  Moving across the wooden bridge, she looked back. Alaria had stopped on the other side. “When will I see you again?” Ana called.

  “When the time is right,” the elder said, lifting her hand in farewell. “Don’t forget the lesson. Use the Vesica Piscis every day, child. We love you.”

  As Ana stepped off the bridge, she was once more surrounded by swirling mists, and felt a bump and jarring. The quiet calm was left behind; a deep, spiraling sensation came over her. A moment ago, she’d felt light as a feather, and now the heaviness was overwhelming.

  The vibrating continued. She recognized the sound of jet engines roaring. And then a voice came over the intercom, jolting her fully awake.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, we have just landed in Lima. We hope you’ve enjoyed your flight on Condor 917. Welcome to Peru. Have a pleasant stay in our country….”

  Chapter 1

  “Get outta my way! Move! Move!” a young Peruvian boy barked, pushing aggressively against her.

  Ana Elena Rafael gave a small cry of surprise as she fought the grogginess of her dream and tried to disembark from the airliner. The aisle was jammed with a crush of restless passengers. The child shoved against her hip and then wriggled past. Ana had been patiently waiting to deplane at the Cuzco airport, when the abrupt attack occurred.

  Stunned, she didn’t have time to think or move. She’d been standing in the aisle of the first-class section when the pushy child launched himself into her. The boy and his father had sat right behind her during the Lima to Cuzco flight, the child shrieking and pummeling her chair.

  Nerves raw, she threw out her hands now, completely off balance. To her dismay, she realized she was going to fall right into the arms of a passenger sitting on the opposite side of the aisle.

  Ana saw the man turn and look up as she cried out, a surprised expression in his alert blue eyes. Everything seemed to move in slow motion as she awkwardly pitched forward and he caught her.

  She had been vaguely aware of the thirtysomething man when he’d boarded th
e plane in Lima. It was a one-hour flight up and over the mighty Andes to Cuzco, nearly thirteen thousand feet above sea level. He’d gotten up once to go to the restroom, which was located near the cockpit door.

  Bothered by the constant hammering on the back of her seat, Ana hadn’t take much notice of any other passengers. She recalled that when the man had come out of the restroom, his blue eyes had focused on her like a laser. Or maybe more aptly, because she was a wildlife biologist who studied jaguars, he reminded her of a big cat focused on its prey. A frisson of warning, of danger, snaked through Ana. It was as if death were stalking her.

  She tried to shake off the premonition. She had enough to think about, especially the dream she’d had during the previous flight. The calmness and peace of the Village of the Clouds had been abruptly shattered by the real world, plus her irritation toward the overly permissive father of the rude child.

  As the blue-eyed man helped her regain her balance, Ana studied him more closely. He was darkly tanned and ruggedly handsome, with black hair trimmed in a short military style. And those eyes… Mesmerizing. Like the eyes of the beautiful jaguars she cared for back in Arizona at the Wildlife Institute near Camp Verde.

  All of those impressions shimmered through her in the brief moments he held her. In his casual jeans and white shirt, he seemed like an everyday workman. So how could such an ordinary man seem so extraordinary? Something told Ana that he had a lot of power beneath his simple facade. He hides it, her intuition whispered. He wanted to blend in and vanish. Much like the jaguar, Ana thought. The cat’s gold coat was spotted with black crescents, perfect camouflage in the dim, dappled light of the jungle. A jaguar could literally disappear among the shadows cast by trees and sun. This man was like that. She knew it.