I chose this soul retrieval because the Cave of Lost Children is classic soul retrieval as discussed in Sandra Ingerman's work. The Cave of Lost Children is a powerful emotional experience.
Soul retrieval is a common shamanic healing technique. This particular journey illustrates participation by spirit animals directly in the healing process. It further illustrates negotiation as a process to bring the lost soul fragment back to the owner. There are some interesting surprises involved in this journey too.
I start by calling in the guides and the spirit animals. I fill the room with Reiki. I see the candles around me. Cedar .. East. Sage ... South. Juniper ... West. Sweetgrass ... North. I slowly turn in a circle starting facing East ... then South ... then Southwest ... I stop at the South position for a while ... I feel the energy from the Sage flowing into me. I feel the heat ... then West ... then North.
I pick up Drum and start my spirit calling power song. I sing the song to East. I sing to South. I sing to West. I sing to North. I sing to Sky. I sing to Earth. Then I sing as I slowly dance in a circle. The beat of Drum picks up, faster, faster, faster. I dance faster, faster, faster. I start moving the drumstick across the Drum’s head, feeling the different power from each symbol the drum stick touches. Faster. Faster. Faster. When I finish drumming, I hold Drum in one hand and the stick in the other. I can still feel the vibrations.
I put Bear next to me, on my left, to represent Linda. I place my right arm over my eyes. I try to concentrate on the sounds from the drumming CD but I'm having mind chatter. I slow my breathing. I say, "I'm coming to see if a soul retrieval will help Linda and if I am the one to do it. I come to do the soul retrieval if you think the time is right."
I'm on the river in the canoe. I take a few quick strokes with the paddle and I'm at the landing. I step out and start toward my entry to the lower world. In a few steps, I arrive. I step into the hole. I drop immediately below the surface. This has been one quick trip.
I float slowly down the hole, through the muck. It's slow, this descent. So slow. OOPS ... Mind chatter. Stop the mind chatter! I concentrate on the beat of the drum even more and slow my breath. I'm going slowly down now. I do a few swimming strokes to make some movement. It's taking so long to go down. I wonder where I'm going this time.
Suddenly, I'm in the tunnel. I feel the shock as I hit the floor, but my knees are bent and I absorb most of it. I look ahead. Far away is the end of the tunnel. I start down the dark tunnel slowly, picking my way carefully, being aware of any stumbling blocks. There are none.
I step out of the tunnel into the plain. I see the prairie grass before me. In the distance I see the mountain with the cloud at the top. The grass is golden yellow and swaying in the breeze. It really does look like waves.
"Is there someone here to help me with this soul retrieval for Linda?" I ask.
"Yes, we are," come several voices.
I start away from the mouth of the tunnel. In front walks Coyote. At the right is Tiger. At the rear is Bear. To the left walks Mule. All of these animals, just like the last soul retrieval.
"I need a ride," I say. "It seems like a long journey today. I'd like to get there soon."
Mule stops and I swing onto his back. We start across the rolling tall grass prairie at a fast smooth trot. There are different kinds of blue flowers mixed with the tall grass in all directions. The sun is shining brightly. The breeze blows softly and erratically, gently rippling the tall grass. We go on and on toward the mountain. Slowly the mountain looms larger.
We reach the trail ascending the mountain. I think we're going to climb the mountain again, but we turn and follow the base of the mountain for a short distance West. We come to a large dark cave in the side of the mountain. It's opening is partly obscured behind some brush but its shadowy shape is easily seen.
I enter the cave. With a few steps, I'm totally engulfed by the oppressive darkness. I take off the old blue day pack and reach inside. There is a ball of light about the size of a grapefruit. I take the ball and hold it above my head to light the way. I start down the tunnel. I see sad eyes huddled along the walls of the tunnel, reflected in the light. I keep going.
Suddenly I feel her presence. "Is Linda here?" I ask softly. "Linda?"
"I'm here," comes a sad frightened lonely voice. "I'm over here."
I see a small girl about 3 years old. I walk toward her. I sense her fear. I squat a few feet away from her. I wait.
She slowly approaches. Very shy, very hesitating, very afraid. Finally she is within reach. I extend my hand and she takes it very cautiously.
"The grown up Linda sent me here to find you," I say. "She would like you to come back. She misses you. She wants you back again."
"I'm so afraid. They're all so angry, so afraid. My family. They were so angry and so afraid. I couldn't take it any more. I ran away. I came here to hide.'
"You don't have to hide now," I tell her. "Linda is all grown. She'll be able to take care of you. She isn't with them any more."
She starts to cry. I wipe away the tears and pick her up. I hold the light high above me. I have to get out of here. The children are so sad. Now that I'm not focusing on Linda, I can feel the sadness weighing on me.
We reach the mouth of the tunnel. I put Linda on the ground. She stands transfixed by Tiger.
"Would you like to ride him?" I ask.
"Sure. That would be wonderful." Her eyes shine.
I pick her up and place her on Tiger's broad back. Her small hands cling tightly to his fur. It dawns on me that I don't know how Tiger will react to the situation. He feels calm and patient and I know she is safe.
We start across the prairie. I'm walking next to Mule. "Is that the cave of lost children?" I ask.
"Yes, that's the cave of lost children."
"I thought we were going up the mountain again."
"Not this time."
"Is that all we're going to get?" I ask.
"That's enough for now."
This seems to be a standard phrase. It means we're done for now. We might do more later or we might not. It is the noncommittal thing my spirit animals often say. There isn't any way of knowing as we all have free will. As usual, I'm left with some vague impressions of things that needn't be explored now but will be necessary later. We do what we need to do when we need to do it.
"OK," I say. I don't ask any more questions. There is no need.
I drop back next to Linda and Tiger as they chat. Her small hands are still clutching his fur but she's relaxed.
"How do you like riding Tiger?" I ask.
"This is nice. He's so soft. I can see so far from up here. The sun feels so nice. I missed the sun. I hated the cave. I hated it. I was so alone and so afraid."
"What do you think of the blue flowers?" I ask trying to distract her and bring her thoughts back from the cave.
"They're pretty. I like them."
"I like them too. We'll be seeing a lot of them before we get back."
We sing a song about blue flowers, the six of us. Even Grizzly Bear joins in.
We come to the river and the canoe is there. I don't know why the canoe is there but there are a lot of things I don't know about NOR. It works and I guess that's enough.
"What are the instructions for Linda?" I ask the animals.
"Tell her to treasure this child in her. To nurture her. To go with her and see the world through her eyes. To take her places and show it things and to enjoy things with her."
I put Linda in the canoe. I hand her a small paddle and push the canoe away from the shore. We wave to the animals on the shore and start up the river. I'm paddling and Linda is happily splashing water everywhere.
I kneel next to Bear/Linda and blow the 3 year-old Linda into her heart. I blow it into Linda's crown chakra. I rattle around her.
I pick up Drum and began to chant and dance and drum in thanks.
Welcome back, Linda. Welcome back.