If you are just joining us, you might like to go to the OPENING CEREMONY by linking
here, or jump in with this session preparing us for the first 'Ole Moons starting tomorrow, Saturday, April9th.
Mahalo first of all to all of you for making this first venture of Count On The Moon a success. Slow and steady progress on all our parts: listening to the kahea (the call), believing the venture to be a good one, and taking action during the New Moon in Aries has brought us here. Without one another we cannot be who we are ... or perhaps, who we were meant to be.
Gathering
ha (breath of life)
Through the sharing of your stories while holding the Poi Bowl we have met new people, Heidi and Renee our California 'ohana. Through email we have connected with Susan in Canada, and via the cellphone I have spoken with a dear old friend on Oahu who will (or has already?) joined us after working off-island. There are others invited, and perhaps reading and absorbing quietly at their own pace and style. Gathering
ha through this study group-workshop we are more than we were before meeting.
I have enjoyed learning about the places you call home and found this
link to Mt. Tamalpais in California because Renee considers this mauna a sacred and special spot for her. It made Pete and me think about the wondrous time we spent just north of Mt. Tamalpais, in a retreat center overlooking Bogea Bay. We were on our way to learn how to build our tiny wheeled home. We camped out in our tent, woke to amazing fog banks that created a world we had never known before. Mt. Tamalpais is sacred 'aina to the Miwok Tribe in California. This is new information to us, and we are happy to know this. Renee's father and mother are from El Salvador, in Central America seeing this map helped me visualize the journey from there to California and then back again (for Renee's father). I scanned the map and found the towns of which she spoke, telling us where her mother and father were born.
Heidi, also living in California revealed a connection with the
words of Barry Lopez. He is a sensitive and thoughtful man, who lives and writes from Oregon, and experiences first hand the nature of Earth. Heidi's reference to her own journey of getting back to nature felt like such a genuine expression. I felt I know you a little more because of that connection with the Oregon writer. Heidi's mother lives on an island in Washington of which neither Pete nor I were familiar. I looked it up (Internet!) and remember now. We live in one of the northern islands of Puget Sound in Washington, Anderson Island where Heidi's mother resides is the southern most island in Puget Sound. The avocado farm that Heidi's father owns makes my mouth water. A lifetime of enjoying avocadoes 'butter pears' back in the small-kid times of Hawaii remains a tasty memory.
Gathering ha through the sharing of stories and telling of the Kumulipo in each of us is the link between ancient tradition and present times. I remember the names of my mother and father, my son and my husband and walk forward with stories yet to hear and tell. Pete's family is part of me too now. I love the connection with the Irish and am amazed each time I read how he loves to be wherever I am.
'Ole Mahalo
This workshop is focused on the 'Ole Moons of the Kaulana Mahina. Yet, in the focus on these 'empty moons' of doing less and resting more, the story needed to be broad and deep first. Stories have a way of winding and meandering. The first 4 'Ole Moons begin tomorrow, Saturday, April9th and last through Tuesday, April 12th. Your New Moon intentions conscious or unconsciously put out there for collecting ha are in progress. Now, as 'Ole Kukahi (first 'ole) begins in the sign of Cancer, we have a chance to relax and see how we feel and how our intentions or goals match with the watery nature of Mahina.
These four 'Ole Moons begin while Mahina is the ruler of Cancer. Astrologers say a sign is exhalted/well-aspected and bouyed when in the sign of its ruler. Wow, how grand for us to be together in this wa'a kaulua when Mahina is exalted during rest time. She will probably have a lot to tell us if we listen.
Here is a quote about Cancer from one of my favorite astrologers Elizabeth Rose Campbell, author of the book
Intuitive Astrology.
"...Cancer expresses the capacity to care, to nourish. Cancer, like the womb of a woman, knows how to create a safe place in which new life may grow. Cancer builds the web of emotional connection that results in family, no matter the form.
...With the Moon in Cancer, consider this question: "How have I made my house, my home, and my food vitally important components of my happiness?"
Mahina moves into the sign of Leo on Monday evening. The energy of the 'Ole times will shift, as the moon shifts from sign to sign every two days/nights. Again from Elizabeth Rose Campbell, a glimpse into affects of Mahina as she moves into Leo during the third night of 'Ole:
"Leo loves life with an open heart and contagious laughter and all the courage of one born a colorful character. Leo understand the pleasure of creating, and as an extrovert, of giving the creation in generous gestures. Leo comprehends the nobility of heart behind every living creature. Leo grasps the importance of the child within each of us, who loves freely, with abandon.
With the Moon in Leo, consider this question: "Can I see my need for affirmation and applause as healthy when it alerts me to where I am appreciated?"
Sandra and David Mosley of Ka'awaa, Oahu maintain a wonderful site Zodiacarts, and off a free on-line Moon Phase Calendar.
Link here to find see the changing moon phases for your time zone.
Pete and I are learning so much through this workshop, and are thrilled at the degree of increased connectivity with Mahina. We slept with the curtain drawn away from the window so we can sleep with the stars of Mahina. It was a most delicious sleep. We wish you restful and wonderful time with the 'Ole Moons and will enjoy reconnecting with new content after 'Ole Pau (after Tuesday of next week).
A hui hou.
Mokihana and Pete
