Teach the Ghosts to Dance

Part 2 (sorry for the delay)

Estela picked up the tarot spread, gently returning the cards to their box. She gathered her journal and pens and leaned back against the cushions to write out some thoughts. Too much anxiety over the unknown and things beyond control. Not enough diligence on tasks that can aid in future goals. She began doodling a nondescript humanlike figure - a head, two arms, two legs. As the feet were colored in black with pencil, something made Estela sit up straight.

She put her journal down and looked around the room. Nothing was strange or out of place. She smoothed a hand over the sweatshirt hood covering the crown of her head. She rearranged her back and legs, then took three deep breaths.

When she felt grounded, she lifted both palms to erect a shielding box around herself. Inside, she took three more deep calming breaths.

Is someone there?

Hello again.

Hello. That’s a different greeting than last time.

Yes. It has been a long time since I conversed with humans.

Back when you were famous.

Yes.

You’re better at ‘talking’ than the last time.

I have been observing.

That’s good. It’s easier.

A moment of silence passed.

Before, did you communicate and make yourself known only by entering people’s bodies?

With very few exceptions. A few tried to stop me as you did, but their method was slow and I am impatient.

So you pushed past their shields?

Hmmm.

Does that mean yes?

Imagine you enter a door, and close it behind you, but then you want to leave again. You go to the door and turn the handle, but the door doesn’t open. What will you do?

Push harder. Estela’s reply was reluctant because she understood the point even though she didn’t like it.

Yes.

Are humans doors?

I have no practical use for a door.

Of course not. What role do humans play in your existence?

The creation of humans changed everything and you keep changing everything.

Tell me more.

May I show you?

Must you enter my body?

No.

Then you may show me.

What do you know of the creation of humans?

The tales are all a bit different. In the Bible, Yahweh himself formed the man from the dust of ground, breathed his own breath into him, and the human became another speaking spirit. Then he formed the woman from the man’s rib. In the Popul Vuh, I think there were three or four attempts before the successful one. And the gods worked together to make the lasting humans out of corn.

What do the tales have in common?

Humans were created by one or more gods from some earthen material. It implies that the earth was created first.

Yes. You asked me what I was. You asked if I was a demon. What other words do you have for beings like me?

Spirit. Ghost.

No more?

Those are the neutral ones. Demon and devil are the bad ones. Angel. I’ve heard some say celestial.

Hmmm. And you see all of those as the same - only good or evil?

Not really. In Christianity the angels are on Yahweh’s side… A feeling stopped Estela’s stream of conversation. She felt herself retract as if she’d been interrupted, but it hadn’t “spoken” out of turn. Is something wrong?

If you could just…say that name more carefully.

What name?

That of the Jewish God.

I…okay. I’m confused. Estela was questioning if she should continue on the same topic of conversation or start asking about sensitivity to the name. She chose to stay on topic. I’ll return to that. Angels are the side of the Jewish god, the creator. Demons are on the side of his enemy. But I don’t believe that tale to be the most logical.

What fault do you find in the tale?

I think that there are those with bodies and those without, the main difference being the body, the tether to the earth plane. Those who are untethered could be called anything and could be seen as good or evil depending on when and where you cross their path.

Estela felt a warmth, almost a pleasure. A tiny smile creased her own lips. What is it?

I chose you well.

For all I know you didn’t have many choices.

My choices were too great to count. My useful choices were very few.

Estela was intrigued by that but afraid to reveal the feeling. You still didn’t answer my question.

A pause.

You told of the Jewish and Christian god. Does this mean you believe there are others?

The Bible and all sacred books I have referenced support the idea that there are many.

Do you believe them all to be equal in power?

Not at all. I’ve heard of lesser deities, lesser gods, demigods.

I am among these.

Would I know your name if I heard it?

How many languages do you speak?

Only English and Spanish. But I imagine I know names in a dozen other languages.

Not mine. But maybe in time.

So you are a deity wishing you were as widely worshipped as you once were. And you’ve come to me to make you famous again.

I do not favor the way you explain it.

Estela laughed of her own accord. Unfortunately you may not have chosen as well as you think. I can’t make you famous when I am not.

If you let me use your body, you might be.

The answer is still no.