I was standing in a forest. It was definitely in South America and yet not the rain forest. It was hot and humid and I was sweating yet comfortable with that. I was simply walking.

A jaguar came out of the forest and approached me with much caution. I knew that the caution was not on behalf of this magnificent animal but on my behalf, so that I would not be afraid. I was not. I was enchanted by this small jaguar that had more presence than its physical body. I looked into those wise eyes and knew that the universal answers were there, I just didn't speak the language YET.

The jaguar began circling my legs, around them but not between them like a domestic cat. I looked down at my legs and was thoroughly amazed that I was wearing shorts. I NEVER wear shorts. Not only was I in shorts but my legs were tattooed extensively with "tribal" designs and wild colors. These tattoos enhanced and minimized scars that I have. I cannot explain this any other way. The jaguar put its paw on my thigh and very gently flexed its claws. I was not punctured, nor did it hurt.

I followed the lead of this cat to a small clearing where it patted a plant that I knew I was to gather. I did. We then went further and I was shown in the same way to gather a jewel-colored beetle. From there I was shown to gather a plain old glass of water. Next I was shown a toddler. I have never seen such a content face. This was a well-nurtured, loved, and content baby. The baby was not South American by genetic features. I do not know what ethnicity this baby was. It did not matter, this was all babies. I gave the baby all that we had gathered and the jaguar once again left the path. The baby was first to follow, and I saw him/her gather dark leafy greens. The child's arms were very full of these gathered items.

The jaguar once again flexed its claws against me and I stared at the golden light in those eyes and felt nothing but trust. UNTIL we walked out of the line of trees and were standing on a cliff immediately. I could not see what waited over the edge of the cliff and I felt slight panic for the baby. The baby was unafraid. The jaguar looked at me and pushed me off the cliff, and the baby next. I was falling on my back and looking at the jaguar. I was wondering how it could do this to me? The baby was content with all this. No fear. We fell into soft, soft water. No turbulence, and yet I was afraid. The baby had dropped nothing and even the glass of water was still a glass of water. No seawater had entered the glass. The baby pulled us out of the water and still had all we had gathered.

I woke up and was so disappointed because the story was not finished.

Questions for discussion, writing:

The dreamer experienced this dream as intensely sacred. If you accept that possibility, what elements mark this dream as sacred ground?

What does this dream say about the work of the guardian and how it will be done? What is the promise of this dream? What does it ask of the dreamer?

Have you ever had a life-changing dream involving an animal? Do you think plants and animals can collaborate with, instruct, or protect humans? Have you experienced this in waking life?

What is the significance of the baby and its actions?

Most traditions would consider this dream, like most dreams, very specific to the dreamer. Do you think it also has a universal message? Does it have a message for you?