The Well

You descend the ladder into the darkness. The branch, sapling and twine ladder is firmly lashed to hooks at the top, and solidly planted in the ground at the bottom. The light from above illuminates a crescent-shaped area at the bottom of the ladder. Other light comes from eight thick, white candles set into niches in the walls.

The area under the fountain is cone shaped, with the pointed end at the top. The diameter of the room at floor level is three meters. The walls and floor are made of firmly packed red clay and various native rocks. Some quartz glitters in the candlelight. It is cool, slightly damp, and very quiet. There is no freestanding pool of water, just hardpacked clay.

The niches that hold the candles are set equidistant from each other, and correspond to the eight major points of the compass. As you move out of the crescent of light from above, your eyes slowly adjust to the dark. You notice a tunnel in one wall, and opposite that, a table with objects upon it.

You investigate the table.

Moving to the table you see a copper basin on a tripod which holds a fragrant essential oil. The oil smells like a blend you have not encountered before. It is fresh and invigorating. Without thinking, with natural grace in one fluid movement, you quietly touch your fingertips to the oil and anoint your forehead, throat, heart, navel, genitals, knees and feet.

Looking past the basin you see an earthenware jug, a short, cut glass cup and a slate plate of small circular loaves of bread. You fill the glass with sparkling water from the jug, take one of the small loaves, and enjoy a simple ritual meal.

Finished, you cross over to the tunnel. You see three pegs on either side of the tunnel entrance. Instinctively you realize that you are expected to leave your clothes, jewelry and other items here before entering the tunnel.

A moment of apprehension. A quick look around.

You are alone.

You disrobe.

Putting your possessions on the pegs, you seperate yourself from the outside world.

You stand naked and alone on the hardpacked red clay in the dark beneath a fountain in front of a tunnel which leads into the darkness of the unknown.

You have nothing.

You have everything.

With fear, and without fear, you step into the tunnel.