You will see there are actually two rock formations, facing each other. There is a track between them that curls downward as you walk toward the setting sun. When the last of the sun's rays strike the face of the northern slope, you will see a cave high up. Go there. Climb to that place.
Inside there is a darkened outer chamber, but from the back you see light glowing on the cave walls. Go toward that light. Follow the tunnel as it bends to the left, and you will find her home.
Torches and candles cast a smoky golden light upon the cave walls. Arrayed in front of you on the cave floor, on rock outcroppings, on rough benches and tables are piles and piles of bones.
You will see her then, as she turns to look at you. She appears differently to every woman. I saw her as tall, full figured, with long dark hair pulled back at her neck. Her eyes blazed in the torchlight, and no smile crossed her lips.
"What do YOU want?" she asked flatly.
"I came seeking you", I managed to reply.
"Why?" was her curt reply.
My back straightened. I had come to far to stop now. "Because I seek your wisdom. I am entering my change of life. I want to know how to protect my bones. To care for them and guard them against bone loss."
"Any other answer would have gotten you killed", she said matter-of-factly. She waved a long, lean hand. "Come. Let me show you what you must know."
"See this? This is the hip bone of a woman who sat on her ass and bemoaned her lost youth." Bone Woman gripped the bone and a fine powder seeped from her hand. "Worthless," she grunted, tossing the bone aside.
"But look here. See this one." She grabbed another bone and again she gripped, but no bone dust appeared. "This woman honored her bones. She walked five times a week, for 20 minutes each time. She put weight upon her bones. Her own weight. And her bones stayed healthy." She smiled at the bone with satisfaction. "And that is not all she did. She talked with her bones during meditation. She thanked them, blessed them, and promised to care for them. She ate calcium-rich food, stopped smoking, and made her skeleton's health her business."
She turned abruptly and shook the bone in my face. "What kind of woman are you going to be?"
Copyright 1998