The Virgin Speaks
by Debbie Prince Lewis
I had never believed in alien abductions before today.
Out on the Black Rock Desert Playa near Gerloch north of Reno, Nevada is where it occurred. However, for most abductions, the victim is unaware, captured along a long deserted highway, when bright lights appear overhead and a wide-eyed person is swiftly whisked away. This was by my choice. I had been preparing for this event for weeks, packing, planning, and processing for The Burning Man Celebration.
Going into the entrance zone didn't seem too strange, the area was well organized and the people at the gates were friendly. It didn't take long before the sinking feeling of "Oh my God, what have I done?" slammed into my brain. It was a world of different species for sure, and here I was thrown in the middle of them. I was out of my safe quiet Nevada home and now with 54,000 people expressing themselves. Bicycles of different colors, sizes and unusual designs raced each other in an orderly fashion. Everyone dressed in their own get up certainly indicated that this was more like Venus than Mars.
All age groups were there, but I had a feeling this planet must have had a birth explosion in the 80s and 90s because there were so many 20 to 30 years olds present. This generation is difficult for me to understand anyway and what had made me decide to get emerged in their culture at this event now? Thoughts raced through my head of escape. Just hop into the RV and drive off into the wilderness and be alone. But abducted people do not get to do this and my fate had been sealed. Living and breathing among people from a different planet was now the future for me. I kept asking my husband what he was thinking, but all he would say was "Well, I don't know yet, I need time." I could see the wild look in his face and knew he was experiencing similar thoughts. We would have to ride out this experience for better or for worse. I had made that commitment in a marriage ceremony, but had no idea it would relate to this day.
Magic occurred on the Playa later that night after a late afternoon bike ride out to the Playa. This time it was like being given a dose of wonderment that had been sprinkled in the air. Breathing in the air of the cool Playa opened even the skeptic's eyes to the creative souls and structures that are Burning Man. The last evening golden rays of the sun danced on smiling faces and elaborately designed creations that adorned the Playa. The structures were so overwhelming that words can't begin to describe their existence. Exist they did in a variety of shapes and designs and materials. Wood, glass, metal, and fabrics so grand that some seemed to touch the sky.
The next morning we wandered again into the focus and heart of Burning Man, The Temple. The Temple kept drawing me into its soul until I succumbed. It beckoned all to come and share memories of lost loved ones, of hurt, sorrow and pain and learn to live in the moment. Once inside the structure, it was easy to become overwhelmed reading the messages to loved ones departed. Tears streamed down many faces including mine. Large canvas pictures of husbands, wives, beloved pets, children, and lovers were hung all over the walls. Mementoes left by those that could not go where their loved ones had gone had been carefully placed in every available space. Memories of times that had been shared, but were no longer. So grand and magnificently built was The Temple that the calming feeling began more than 100 feet away. Inside, people stood silent and reverent. Speaking outside to a young woman dressed in white silks about the building and burning of the Temple helped me understand the meaning of it all. She shared her thoughts that we were the lucky ones because we were here and would be the only ones who would ever see and bear witness to The Temple's beauty and meaning. The burning of The Temple teaches us that all things can vanish in a cloud of smoke and flames and that every moment is precious. We hugged, exchanged remarks of gratitude to each other and she was on her way. That was the way it was, greeting each other, hugging, sharing stories and departing a better and wiser person for the encounter.
This year Reno was the spot where The Temple had been built. I spoke with a man after the event that had worked on it and helped with its creation. His sense of pride was still present for having taken part in the construction of the magnificent building. Of the many people I spoke to about Burning Man, all declared The Temple the most worthy place to hold messages from the living to the departed. The burning of The Temple was also unique. The crowd of people that witnessed the burning made certain that the respect of the dead and the tears of the living are maintained. Silence is observed by the thousands that raise their eyes in witness. The flames are the only sound that is heard, which allows all to hear their inner voice, and allow the releasing of sorrow. The heat from the tall spiraling flames reddened our faces and brightened the night sky making the experience seem surreal. The brightness reminded me of the light of a new day that brings hope. Sorrow is something we will all experience again and again. Knowing you are not alone in having tears and pain when you experience a great loss became a way of helping me heal from the pain of the past. I left feeling touched by the word of many others who had suffered, but survived.
Healing from loss was the message I received and my Rite of Passage as a first timer commonly referred to as a Virgin. It was a time of "going beyond my comfort zone" in order to grow. Life doesn't offer us many extraordinary adventures where our hearts are touched and our souls are healed. For me, Burning Man was clearly a unique and a once in a life time Nevada outback journey.