The light shown in the darkness, and the darkness didn't understand it. Amen.

Note: The Sibyl Miranda predicted the birth of the Savior, Corazon.

Born the thirteenth daughter of a famous weaver of mystical tapestries, she was destined for a life of heartache and magic. Upon hatching, Miranda was unable to breathe because a thin membrane or caul covered her face. This, as you know, is the sign—the omen of the birth of a great sibyl. He mother knew and understood the meaning of this omen and kept the membrane in a red velvet bag hidden under her bed for many years until the bag was eventually opened and it was discovered that the membrane had mysteriously disappeared or had been taken. In those days it was thought that drinking a special tea made of one part mint (for taste) and one part hens bane and two parts spotted mug wart and then the crushed caul of a female child would cure dropsy and chilblains and virtually eliminate scurvy, rickets, dandruff, and scrofulous mange or the most dramatic nature; therefore, it is my belief that it was probably stolen!

Miranda felt the heaviness on her heart as she grew for she knew she was destined for greatness. Her mother never told her about her ominous birth and so when her first prediction was made, it came as a complete surprise. This first event happened on an early Monday morning in the late spring and went as follows (this was written down by the twelfth daughter, Gertrude, who was working crosswords at the time):

I am but a hollow shell, filled with the holiest of spirits. And, I was born to fill the people with light and let them know that they shouldn’t fear. They needn’t quake with doubt, for there shall be born to us a creature the likes of which the Earth has never seen.

Born of a virgin, a savior shall come
And her name shall be called Corazon.
Many great and terrible things will she face
Many trials and tribulations shall be upon her
as she seeks to save all of Humankind.

She will be born covered in fur
And have a tail. And, because she is covered with spots she will single handedly start a fad causing people to collect all things that are spotted.

This I have seen!

Miranda then went on to make many more predictions and was sought out by many important people such as ambassadors and presidents and world leaders. But, that is another story.

Watercolor and gold on paper. Copyright 2010 by Kelley Vandiver