I place my hands on the three complex spirals carved into the entrance stone, all interconnected. Why is this symbol at the entrance?
I look inside and see a passage lined with rock. A faint glow comes from within. I walk into the passage, trying not to bump my head on the low ceiling, and squeeze between boulders, holding onto my torch. Smoke drifts up my face from a breeze coming from within. My eyes begin to water, irritated by the smoke. I descend further into the mound, going deeper. Turning sideways, I push through the narrow passage lined with boulders that can crush me at any moment. I consider turning back, but the light keeps pulling me forward. I can’t explain it.
After I squeeze through the narrowest part, the walls expand, giving way to an interior chamber lit by an ethereal glow. Then I hear it. The whispering becomes louder. I drop the torch and walk farther toward the light.
The walls shimmer and give way to a sunlit meadow. People are playing, running around, and laughing. Some are flying. I look closer and see that they have wings. They look like fairies with pointed ears, flowing gowns, and flowers in their braids. A golden rainbow arches over the stream where some are splashing each other and laughing in pure joy.
A lady appears, walking through the mist. She has long golden hair braided down to her knees, wearing a laurel wreath and a jeweled belt around her white gown. The fairies bow before her.
I pinch myself to see if I am dreaming and feel the pain in my arm. How can this be real? I am so far removed from reality that I guess anything is possible. The lady looks up at me and smiles.
I feel her presence. It is a commanding presence. Her energy surrounds me, and my knees give way. I am on my knees, looking up at her when she approaches.
She reaches out her hand. “You don’t need to kneel before me,” she says in a soft, angelic voice. Her skin is the color of the sun.
“Who are you?” I ask as I grab her soft, gentle hand and stand before her.
“I am Danu. Mother to this world and its people. I have been watching over you.” She smiles with glowing eyes.
My heart opens, feeling an overwhelming sense of love and comfort coming from her. I hold on to her hand, not wanting to let go of her and this feeling. She is so familiar. “Do I know you?”
“Yes. In another life and in another place. But that is not why I have come.”
“Why are you here?” I ask, looking into her tender green eyes.
She puts her other hand under my chin and caresses my cheek. “You are not prepared for this journey you are on, but it is a journey you must take.”
“I don’t understand?”
“You came back here for a reason. So much was left undone before, affecting your spiritual journey.”
“So you know about my current life?” I ask.
“Yes, and the troubles you are experiencing are all related to this life.”
“Is that why I had a stroke?”
“Yes. It is a wake-up call. You will need to go with the strangers. It is part of your journey.”
I don’t want to let go of this feeling. “Can’t I stay here a little longer?”
She lets go of my hand and wraps her arms around me, giving me the most fulfilling hug I’ve ever experienced. She whispers in my ear, “Remember your power.”
“My power?” I ask just as everything fades into darkness.