Originally, a workshop, and now a public blog to explore the Native Hawaiian Moon Calendar ... 'Eli'eli Kau Mai' ... "Whatever you dig deep ...and find...is yours."-Dr. Pualani Kanaka'ole Kanahele
There is a very gentle breeze this morning in the woods. A very subtle angle to the lucky fish wind sock.
RAVENS shout at me "Come outside!!!!" I do, I talk with them scanning the trees for their location. They trick me, out of sight. Then, they fly quickly through the treetops. I try to catch their movement. A'ole! Not possible.
The 'Ole Po (the 'ole phases)
These moon phases are times for rest, review, and restoration. These are not (generally) good times for fishing or planting; they are good for weeding, repairing nets and cultivation (getting the ground ready for planting).
These 'Ole Po are named: 'olekukahi, 'olekula and 'olepau.
Personally, I am going through the process of attending to seasonal allergies. The early onset of growth here in South Whidbey has triggered old and recurring sinus and bronchial congestion. My remedies include: rest, lots of liquids, hot tea (nettle) and huge bowls of Chicken and Long Rice soup made with lots of shredded fresh ginger root, and sleeping with heated pohaku (rocks) wrapped in wool socks.
NOTE: A Super Moon/New Moon in Pisces/Equinox approaches March 20, 2015. There is great potential for healing and transformation with a New Moon. Add to that the period of Equinox, and the Super Moon (when the Moon is very close to the Earth) and there is a whole lot of IKA (strength) available for us all!
I am considering these 'ole po, and the upcoming SuperMoon/New Moon/Equinox as a time when long-held patterns of coping and responding to my environment (including the pollens and bombastic arrival of new growth) could be released. There is the potential. I pray for the opening, the willingness, the curiosity: E Ho Mai.
Here's a link to a YouTube about that Super Moon. If you're curious ... GO HERE.
Grand tutu (grandparents) trees stand all around and in front of us, marking time long before we were here. Our small spaces made of sticks and stones rest lightly in the giant forest. Small is plenty, small is beautiful. Cold outside. Warm inside.
Through the top of the door in our vardo, the snow covered woods chilled us.
The bright umbrella awning kept telling us,
"Cheer up!"
JOTS with keen attention to details. Inside the Quonset Hut, "Hmm... heat" Outside, "No heat."
Inside the Quonset in winter snow covers the woods outside
Inside the cozy Quonset kitchen/writing place/being somewhere nice
We wintered with more comfort ... we progressed
Winter, 2011 felt like a season of 'Ole. The ice and cold slowed everything and us. We used the days of summer and fall before to imagine and co-create space that would move us toward something better. We tried a winter without basic shelter aside from the vardo. It was a perfect contrasting experience: we knew what we didn't want ... as we settled into the woods on Whidbey we counted our blessings because we do have:
covered space
a floor
a heater
running water (most of the time)
a stove and oven
hot water made by an 8 cup coffee pot
loving and supportive community
clean fresh air most of the time
Internet!
We tapped into the season of winter, and the 'ole moons to make this Quonset. Pete and I approach the challenges of winter with what we know to be true. To prepare for the wet season we knew we needed:
an awning to keep us dry enough to go in and out
and found thrift store golf umbrellas to keep the blowing winds and snow from hampering our to and fro, we expanded a version of our world
we moved our composting toilet onto the porch and enclosed it with our Hawaii curtains to add the feel of warm places
when a winter car accident led to not being able to be in our Subaru for nearly 4 months I learned patience had so much more to teach me
In between snow-times, Winter 2011 We Love This Quonset
As you reflect on the winter season just passed, and consider today's New Moon, what dreams have manifested, and what desires are in need of your attention now?
**To continue with the workshop CLICK HERE to go to Hilo ...
Count On The Moon focuses on the large picture of tracking time through the 30 Moons of Kaulana Mahina. This first month of study lays the foundation for future work, but focuses now on the Blessings of the Emptiness, the blessing of rest and restoration during the 'Ole Moons. To get to the 'Ole Moons we must start with HILO ... the first moon and gradually view the up-coming rest times on the horizon.
Starting new ventures, new voyages on the HILO Moon feels wonderful! A full boat of frisky folk looking for pathways to link ancient traditions with present abundance. We're here to create the future we desire, and it feels good. Life here in the woods in South Whidbey is the dream we envisioned while we called our Subaru "home." The moon has risen and set through three years worth of voyaging. In small steps Pete and I have moved toward these new beginnings on another island.
My traditional culture carries me forward like good small-eyed netting with puka (holes) to allow for the tiny fish to grow some more, and the new future keeps beckoning me on. The Pleides, Makali'i are the stars in constellation we Hawaiian use as a point of reckoning. We use it as a marker to begin the new year, for one thing. Pete has long been a magnet for Makali'i finding her wherever we have been on the Planet. More and beyond that, Makali'i is the place in the heavens I look to call on my family, our ancestors who love me forever. There the Mokihanas before me urge me forward and I am comforted and supported. Kalei Tsuha reinforced the notion that the kahuna (the keeper of information; the teachers) whose kuleana (responsibility) involved tracking time were both astrologer and astronomer ... the two studies were the same. To my thinking that kuleana remains so today. Astrology and Astronomy are two sides of the same moon.
Our workshop begins on the 1st Moon, the New Moon, Hilo Moon. This New Moon sits in the stars of Aries, and is a moon of powerful new beginnings. We criss-cross cultures in this wa'a kaulua going from ancient wisdom of the kupuna translated by contemporary kanaka: Nainoa Thompson, Navigator and Teacher now; Kalei Tsuha Kumu and Kahuna now. Now, we take a look at other contemporaries and draw on the practices of Astrology and Earth Wisdom to expand the exploration.
Astrology
APRIL 3rd 2011 is NEW MOON in the sign of ARIES ... and it is a VERY big time of new beginnings. While searching for something new, I found this video. A new to me astrologer with something to say about this powerful ARIES energy. Jim P, an Aries, says, "This is gonna be fun. This is why we're here." Listen in.
Rainbow Tree offers her New Moon or Springtime Soul Cleansing and Clearing Ritual
..."Spring and/or any time during or after a New Moon is when new life, emotions, feelings, etc. take place. I know most people do 'Spring Cleaning' around the house, but what about cleansing your soul? I did my own personal rituals the last couple of years with two versions, one for myself and the other for my vegan friends.
Cleansing your spirit or soul is just as important, even possibly more so than cleaning your home! There are things in your life that have been building up, clutter in the brain so to speak. It may even be affecting you by little illnesses, allergies, loss of sleep, irritability and/or a variety of other ways. You may not even realize that your soul/spirit needs cleansing... but it does! I promise you'll feel better both mentally and possibly physically after taking the little time to try this Soul & Spirit Cleansing yourself....Link below to RainbowTree's beautiful New Moon Cleaning Rituals
WHERE ARE YOUR NEW BEGININGS? DO YOU KNOW WHICH AREAS in your life are in need of renewal and new beginnings?
Clues for ... where the new beginnings for your life could be happening, look at your astrology chart to see where the New Moon in Aries is in your personal chart. Which house is the ARIES New Moon?
The New Moon in Aries along with the Sun, Uranus, Mars, Jupiter, and Merury fill my 3rd House of Communications and Siblings/Neighbors/Short Trips/Car. I know the way I communicate with the world and especially my siblings and neighbors is spotlighted, and since I've not been in a car since December I'd better be very discerning about tripping. This workshop is one way I'm tapping into the power of new beginnings and communication for me. Aries and five other planets(including the sun) will be in Pete's 7th House of Relationships OF ANY AND ALL KINDS. Plus, his North Node .. his soul's desire is in that 7th House, so things are heated up for my man Dean Pete.
... Go to sites like astro.com and get your Free Astrological Chart. If you need any help with working that site, please email me I was new to navigating that site not so long ago, and would be happy to walk you through the process.
... Download this free Blank Astrology Chart from Astrologers Cj Wright and Donna Cunningham and make some notes to yourself when you find out where the Aries New Moon will fall on April 3rd. Check the list of areas summarized on the blank chart.
What other astrology or navigational systems do you use?
***To continue with the workshop CLICK HERE to go to THIRTY PHASES OF ...
