Although nobody seems to know exactly where this image comes from, the figure of a woman visualizing the moon in her upraised hands is one of the most important, even archetypal, symbols in women's spirituality. The Moon is female, mysterious, ancient and a source of life. She cocoons herself in darkness each month, and each month she emerges reborn into the view of the peoples of the Earth. The woman who aspires to union with the Goddess germinates these same qualities by developing her power to nurture both herself and others. This image also illustrates a spiritual practice. On the night of the full moon, devotees of the Goddess withdraw from worldly things, silence their minds, and stand alone facing the Moon. They close their eyes, and raise their hands above their heads. Next, they pretend that the moon is descending into the space between their hands. When they can actually feel the presence of the Moon in their hands, their hands are said to acquire the power to heal the sick through touch alone.