The moon was almost full and the sky was mainly clear, just a few of those wispy night clouds that look like tattered gossamer strung from the stars. The kind of night where you can see the Muses dancing in the moonlight and feel majik slinking around your ankles begging for attention. Suddenly the earth shook violently and then all was still. In the middle of my llama pasture stood a beautiful woman. She was ageless and smiling.

"I've always wanted to do that! This is much more fun than I expected. Such freedom!"

I didn't know what to say. I'm rarely speechless, but there are times... "Freedom?"

"Oh, yes. People think I'm dead, but I don't feel dead at all. If anything I feel like I'm finally fully alive."

"Oh." was all I could manage to squeak out.

"I'm an apprentice now. This is part of my training. I'm with the Women Who Move The Earth."

Was this a new club? "Are you going to move it any more tonight?" I knew this was crazy, but there WAS an earthquake and she WAS standing there talking to me, so who am I to argue?

"No, I'm just passing an initiation test. I had to move the earth without causing any damage. I think I passed. Did you like it?"

"Well, I'm impressed, but it's kind of scary." THAT was an understatement!

"Yes, well, I was often frightened before I understood more of what's happening, but there's really nothing to be frightened of."

"I guess it's pain, or fear of pain or losing someone I love that scares me the most. And maybe death." And strange earth-moving women in my pasture in the middle of moonlit nights!

"Yes, most people are, I was too. But like most things in life, you find it's not as hard as you thought it would be and not at all like you imagine. I will admit it felt weird, but once you get used to it, it's really lovely."

I couldn't stand the suspense any longer..."Why are you here, I mean in my pasture and all?".

"Because you called me."

She carried a cellular? "Uh, no, I didn't make any calls, I don't even have your number, wasn't me."

"Oh, you called alright! You're one of those that is always calling this side. You can't seem to leave things alone. It's ok, but you shouldn't be surprised when we answer. I happen to have spoken to several others you've called too."

My heart drifted back over many other similar occasions where I'd spoken to others from, well, from somewhere else. Iowa? Heaven? The 'other side'? "Sorry, I hope I didn't disturb you."

"Not at all! I wanted to meet your llamas anyway. I've recently become quite entranced with these creatures. You DO know they live partly on this side, don't you?"

"I know they're majikal and I know they can calm my soul like nothing else."

"Well, there you go. That should be proof enough for anyone."

"It is for me, but most people want scientific proof of things."

"Yes, well, that type misses a lot, don't they?"

Her smile seemed to light the sky and I felt so good I couldn't help laughing. "Do you know the Old Woman with Crystal Vision who told me the stories of the Path?"

"She was one that I talked to, yes. And Chief Red Eagle is a hoot! What an old coyote he is! He wants to know why you didn't write anything about HIS teachings."

"All he taught me was how to embarrass myself. I can't believe I listened to him and did what he said!"

"Yes, but he taught you humility and how you're own cravings were leading you to discomfort."

"Yeh, well, he sure didn't don any kid gloves to do it. Then he'd laugh so hard at me that I wanted to club him. And just when I was having any kind of 'shining moment' he'd show up - uninvited - and ruin it by making me look foolish."

"HE made you look foolish, or he held up a mirror so you could see yourself clearly?"

"Oh great, another one! Don't you people, er whatever, have anything better to do than punch holes in my already fragile ego? I mean, some illusions are sacred!"

"None of your illusions are sacred and you know it. You just like to kick and scream because, well someday you'll be one of us. I think you are practicing for the big moves."

"But I don't want to be an Earth Mover, I want to be a Sky Mover, Woman of the Winds."

"You ARE a slow learner, aren't you? You are what you are and when you accept that, and at times you do, you'll know peace."

Just then my neighbor came out and stood on his porch. I couldn't see him, but I could hear him. "I don't suppose anyone else can see you?"

"Very few."

"So my neighbor sees me standing in my pasture in the moonlight talking to myself?"

"That pretty much sums it up."

"Oh great! This is a VERY small town and it's not like people don't whisper strange things about me already!"

"Do you REALLY care what they say?"

I laughed because she had my number. "No, not really."

"Well, I need to get back to my ceremony. Be happy, no matter what, find the center of the moment and love it. Even if it hurts, hold it and love it. Then the pain will become like a bird and fly away from you."

"Now you're scaring me again. Why are you talking about pain?"

"Because it's part of the sacred circle and without it there is no compassion."

"I know that, but why are you talking about it now, tonight?"

"They're calling, I have to go."

"Don't go. Stay and talk, please!"

"I have to go. Feel the Earth and you'll hear my voice. You'll hear all the Women Who Move The Earth if you listen. And someday your voice will be part of ours."

And then she was gone. Just like that - in the blink of an eye. So I sat down next to Tess (one of my cuddliest llamas) and listened. I could hear their voices, beautiful voices, talking, singing, laughing. They said when the Earth cries from our abuse, they rock her in arms of love. I guess they rock us too. So I rocked Tess and listened.