A vivid and comforting vision I had during a meditation session keeps coming back to me, like a memory I’m meant to hold onto. In the vision, I walk barefoot through a dense forest, feeling the cool dirt and rough stones beneath my feet. I’m wearing a tattered brown dress that hangs loosely, almost like it belongs to another time.

Ahead of me, I see a group of Black women standing in a river, their beauty striking and skin tones ranging from light caramel to deep ebony. They’re dressed in ragged brown gowns, their clothing, and the water creating a serene harmony. The women span generations, from the young to the elderly. The older ones look at me with proud smiles while the younger ones stretch their arms toward me in a silent welcome.

I step into the cool water, and they form a circle around me. Their presence feels powerful, protective, and warm. They guide me to kneel in the river as they pour water over my head one by one, washing away something unseen but heavy. When the ritual ends, they pull me into a collective embrace, no words spoken but so much shared. Then, one of the women takes my hand and gently leads me to the edge of the forest, letting me continue on my own.

Walking deeper into the forest, I encounter a towering African king. He’s regal and commanding, with traditional weapons and ornate attire. His gaze is steady and intense, and for a moment, I feel small under his watchful eyes. But then he steps aside, silently giving me permission to move forward. His presence feels like a test, and his gesture is a blessing.

Not far ahead, I see an old man leaning against a tree. He doesn’t speak, just offers a kind smile as I pass. His expression is calm as if he knows something I don’t. A few steps later, I notice someone else standing behind a tree. Curious, I walk closer and find my father waiting there. Without a word, he wraps me in a hug, and in that embrace, I feel a deep sense of love, protection, and reassurance.

When I woke up from the meditation, I felt an urge I couldn’t ignore—to buy a cowrie shell charm. It felt significant, as if it were tied to the vision in ways I couldn’t yet understand. Since then, the vision has replayed in my mind, not demanding answers but gently encouraging me to listen. It feels like a call to uncover something buried within me, to reconnect with a truth that’s been waiting for me to find it.