She looks at me. She challenges me. If I want what I say I want, what must be my sacrifice? What must I leave behind in the waters of the ford? And does it count if it doesn't really hurt? She is my challenger. She keeps me on my toes.

What must you leave behind?

It is a life or death decision. And we will die either way. Either we die because our lives have stagnated and all we can do is howl at the Moon in frustration. Or we die to our old ways and give in to the pull of Life. We jump in with all our senses open and revel in being alive. This means we have to leave behind what is tame and cultured, and any false sense of shame. We have to run wild if we are to run at all.

What do you want? Do you want to die for it?

The Washer at the Ford is the challenger. She challenges us to be strong, not by building up our defenses, but by filling ourselves with passion for Life. She urges us to commit to our soul's path, to die to smallness and inadequacy. She urges us to take up our gift and make love with it. Because love is the antidote to death.

What are you making love to?

She is the shape-changer, inviting us to change. She changes the static into the vital.

The Washer at the Ford is connected to the festival of Hallowmas. She is the Cailleach.