Yuca Kati (Cassava Moon )

Yuca Kishibu Kati (Cassava Full Moon) will be on December 26th.

The primary crop cultivated by the Taino Indians was Yuca/Cassava. It was planted in the Conucos (a small plot of cultivated land) using a Coa (a kind of hoe made completely out of wood). From the Yuca/Cassava the Tainos made the baked cassava flatbread, which became a main part of their diet.

When Christopher Columbus and his Spaniard team first arrived to the Hispaniola Island (Dominican Republic and Haiti) in 1492, they found that cassava bread had advantages over their traditional European bread, in that it does not go stale or moldy. For this reason, the Spaniards took this durable cassava flatbread to other parts of the continent as they continued their conquest of America.
excerpt from http://www.hispaniolacassava.com/cassava-story.html

Oviedo recorded that our ancestors planted their Yuca at the start of the lunar month so that the crop grew with the phases of the moon. They also encouraged growth by placing or burying zemi figures of stone or wood in the conuco (garden) to protect the crop and ensure its potency.

Today, in lowland Amazonia, manioc gardens are associated with fertility and sexuality, as places where menstruating women take refuge, unmarried couples have sex, and babies are born. The process of planting hard manioc cuttings in soft, yielding soil is itself seen as full of sexual imagery.

Late November and December is the time when Yuca is harvested.

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Spiritual Significance
"They call him Yúcahu Bagua Maórocoti" is the earliest mention of the zemí taken from the first page of Fray Ramón Pané's Account of the Antiquities of the Indians. 

As the Taíno did not possess a written language, the name is the phonetic spelling as recorded by the Spanish missionaries, Ramón Pané, and Bartolomé de las Casas. The three names are thought to represent the Great Spirit's epithets.

Yúcahu means spirit or giver of Cassava. Bagua has been interpreted as meaning both "the sea" itself and "master of the sea." The name Maórocoti implies that he was conceived without male intervention.
excerpt from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Y%C3%BAcahu

Yuca holds a sacred place in our lives as it symbolises fertility and nourishment, one of our sacred items always presented to the zemi and ancestors.

MEDITATION

This Full Moon represents the harvesting of our nourishing Yuca, reaping the rewards of the work put in from the Rainy season of May. We have prayed, worked and now we receive.

Now you have to harvest at the right time, too early the roots will be young not fit for eating, too long and it may become hard or food for pests so the lesson here is also one of discernment to do things in their alotted time and season.

1. Create Sacred Space - Call on your ancestors, your guides, the ways your ancestors would have. Ask them to help focus your mind and heart to the task at hand, so you may be prepared to show yourself worthy for all that you seek, to attract the energy necessary to manifest your desire with the coming seasons.

2. With your eyes closed while standing or sitting on a chair, Take 7 deep inhales and exhales to clear your mind.

3. Bring attention to your breath, with each inhale receiving life giving oxygen from the plants and with each exhale giving them carbon dioxide.

Visualise a beautiful Conuco (garden) filled with Yuca (Cassava). Find yourself by a plant that is pleasing to your spirit, that represents your plant to harvest based on all the work put in this year. 

4. As you see the Yuca plant before you, take a deep inhale and open your palms, with a slow steady exhale clench your fist and visualise holding the stem .

Take another deep inhale opening your palm, and with a slow and steady exhale clench your fist and visualise your are pulling the stem to pull out the nourishing Yuca root.

Continue to synchronize your breaths and clenching of fist with your visualisation of pulling the Yuca plants root out from the soil.

5. As you pull see all of the obstacles you have overcome, and allow yourself to fill with gratitude for experiencing another beautiful full moon. As you pull the Yuca root out give thanks to your guides for all of the blessings received now to carry you through to the next full moon and beyond.

6. To close place hands before heart and breathe in deeply that gratitude.

Energy is present 2 days before and 2 days after the Full moon so you have time to practice

Cohiba Kishibu Kati (Tobacco Full Moon)

Cohiba Kishibu Kati (Tobacco  Full Moon) will be on November 27th.


Cohiba /Tobacco is a plant that grows natively in the Caribbean, North and South America. It is in the same family as the potato, pepper and the poisonous nightshade, a very deadly plant.

Traditionally, in tropical climates it has been considered that the ideal months to plant tobacco are November and December, since it results in better yield and quality and allows for rain fed cultivation, taking advantage of the rain during this season.


On this Full Moon as it is the season to Plant Cohiba, we honor the spirit of this plant.

Spiritual Significance

In the chronicles of Christopher Columbus’s first voyage –recorded mislabeled in history as the “discovery of America,” he refers that upon arriving in Cuba, his ship was welcomed by canoes steered by men and women who held small bunches of quasi-golden leaves that, given their shape, resembled “muskets lit up on one end” that natives pressed between their lips, delightfully inhaling the aromatic smoke off that exotic plant, totally unknown for the crew at that time.

Those peaceful and innocent people were offering COHIBA to the colonizers as a token of friendship. That used to be their most precious treasure, the underpinning of their lives and a way to communicate with the gods. The Tainos called TOBACCO a two-pronged hollow tubes carved in wood that, unlike the leaves rolled into the shape of a musket, they used to absorb the COHIBA through the nostrils.

That was powder tobacco, what people now call snuff. As Columbus and his men heard the words pronounced by the Tainos, they mixed up the word COHIBA with the instrument called TOBACCO.

Let’s turn time back now to the palenque (party or festival) where the sacred ceremony known as the Cohiba Ritual is about to begin. An areito or ritual chant is being sung as the music fills up the atmosphere. The Kasike (tribe chief) or Behike (medicine man) also acts as the supreme priest. He has inhaled the smoke of the COHIBA, sitting on the ceremonial dujo, a lovely seat that recreates the form of an antediluvian animal. With his head leaning on his chest and his hands on his knees, he remains silent, submerged in somekind of profound trance. When the Kasike or behike begins to speak, his voice sounds celestial and divine. Participants answer out loud to his words, each and every one of them telling what his or her problems are, concerned with the future of the tribe. They are also grateful that the gods –through the Kasike/behike and by means of the Cohiba Ritual- are listening to them and dishing out wise solutions.

excerpt from http://www.revistasexcelencias.com/en/excelencias-turisticas-cuba/t0bacco/reportaje/ritual-cohoba


Meditation

This Full Moon is about wisdom, communication, grounding, thanksgiving.

1. Create Sacred Space - Call on your ancestors, your guides, the ways your ancestors would have. Ask them to help focus your mind and heart to the task at hand, so you may be prepared to show yourself worthy for all that you seek, to attract the energy necessary to manifest your desire with the coming seasons.

2. With your eyes closed while standing or sitting on a chair, Take 7 deep inhales and exhales to clear your mind.

3.Bring attention to your breath, with each inhale receiving life giving oxygen from the plants and with each exhale giving them carbon dioxide. Visualise a beautiful flowering Yuri (cohiba) plant in your minds eye that is feeding you oxygen and you are feeding carbon dioxide under this moon's glow. 

4. As you see the Yuri (cohiba) flower before you, observe as the hummingbird draws the medicine from this plant, many native american cultures teach that the humming bird represents our ancestors and deep wisdom as it feeds from the sacred Yuri (Cohiba) plant. Like the hummingbird feeding on this sacred plant, with each inhale see as a ray of light ,deep wisdom entering your body, with each exhale release worries, fears and doubts to this sacred plant.

5.Continue to do this allowing any insights or guidance to come to you under this moon and this moment in silence. When complete give thanks for guidance and the energy given to you. 

Energy is present 2 days before and 2 days after the Full moon so you have time to practice

Wahayona kishibu Kati

Yucahu created the moon painting by Jose Guerrido

The next full moon is special in the Caribbean for so many reasons, and holds alot of energy.

* The First Full Moon since the Solar Eclipse.

* Full Moon in October the month prone to Hurricanes and Tropical Storms, time to appease Guabancex the cemi of Storms.

* Full Moon in the Month that Colonizers first came to the Caribbean, Colombus landed in Bahamas on October 12 1492.

This Full Moon on October 28th is called Wahayona kishibu Kati, wahayona the person was our first chief in our creation story, the term is also translated as "our pride" and also as "our ancestor/root".



Spiritual Significance

Our tradition is one of honouring ancestors, cycles, spirits of nature and all that we share this life with.

It is important for us to listen with our heart, to spend time finding balance and connecting with the messages that are coming to assist us.

Like the animals and Cemi speak of the coming Huracan (hurricane) and our stories tell of how to appease the spirit of Gubancex so too does or past speak of wisdom, discernment and finding balance.

Let me share of  Kasike Kacibakel (Cacivaquel) .

XXV. Concerning what is alleged to have been said by two principal caciques of the island of Española, one of them Cacivaquel, father of the aforesaid Guarayonel, and the other, Gamanacoel. The great lord who they believe is in heaven (as I wrote at the beginning of this book) ordered Cacivaquel to fast, which they all generally do, staying in seclusion six or seven days at a time without eating or drinking anything except the juice of the herbs with which they also wash themselves. When the fasting period is finished, they begin to take nourishment. During the time of their fast their bodily and mental weakness causes them to see things that they perhaps wanted to see. They all fast in honor of their cemíes, in order to learn from them if they will gain a victory over their enemies, to acquire riches, or to satisfy some other desire. And they say this cacique claimed to have spoken with (Yucahu Guama) Yiocavugama, who had announced to the cacique that those who succeeded to his power would enjoy it only a short time because there would come to his country a people wearing clothes who would conquer and kill the Indians, and that they would die from hunger. At first they thought he referred to the cannibals; later, reflecting that the cannibals only robbed and then went away, they decided he must have meant some other people. That is why they now believe that the idol prophesied the coming of the Admiral and the people who came with him.
excerpt from Relacion of Fray Ramone Pane

MEDITATION

This Full Moon is about wisdom, balance, discernment, guidance, trust, truth and discipline.

1. Create Sacred Space - Call on your ancestors, your guides, the ways your ancestors would have. Ask them to help focus your mind and heart to the task at hand, so you may be prepared to show yourself worthy for all that you seek, to attract the energy necessary to manifest your desire with the coming seasons.

2. With your eyes closed while standing or sitting on a chair, Take 7 deep inhales and exhales to clear your mind.

3. Close your eyes and place your palm on your heart, take a deep inhale and hold your breath to the count of 10, then slowly exhale to the count of 10.Do this 3 times

 the 1st reflecting on the earth beneath your feet
 the 2nd reflecting on the heavens and Mother/ Grandmother/ Big Brother moon above you.
 the 3rd reflecting on your spirit and ancestors that walk with you and within you.

Ask your guides to speak to you, help you to listen to their guidance and allow yourself to sit in awareness.
Aware of the sounds around you, aware of how you feel, aware of all you have to give thanks for.

4. We are always receiving guidance to assist with our lives journey, this moon spend the time listening specifically to :
what do you need to heal ?
What do you need to release ?
What do you need to receive

5.When complete give thanks for guidance and the energy given to you. 

Energy is present 2 days before and 2 days after the Full moon so you have time to practice

Iguana Kati (Iguana Moon )

 The Iguana Kishibu Kati will be on September 29th.

The Jamaican Iguana is a keystone species because of the crucial role they play in cycling nutrients through the ecosystem and the fact that they can make up the largest proportion of the native vertebrate biomass.

History

The animals were once a thriving species and inhabited much of the island, mostly on its coasts, until the mid-1800s. The population declined drastically due to hostile predators, such as mongooses, cats and stray dogs. Additionally, activities like cutting down trees and clearing land for housing and farming contributed to the elimination of many iguanas.

The species was declared extinct in 1948. However, in 1990, the animals were rediscovered in a remote area in the Hellshire Hills, Portmore, St. Catherine. Thus, an intense effort to recover the species and rebuild the population began.

Rescue Efforts

Through the Jamaican Iguana Recovery Programme, the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), which is tasked with managing and protecting Jamaica’s biodiversity, aims to release 1,000 iguanas in the Hellshire Hills by 2026, having begun the process in 1996.
excerpt from https://jis.gov.jm/information/get-the-facts/the-jamaican-iguana/

Colonizers saw the Iguana as a delicacy for our ancestors but they did not understand the deep spiritual symbolism for our people. We believe that the sun and moon come from a cave called Iguanaboina and this cave is also the home of twin Cemi (nature spirits) Marohu which rules over clear skys and Boinyael (meaning child of Boina the gray serpent) which rules over rain. 

For Yamaye Taino the Iguana is associated with the dry season and the Sun while the Maha (Boa) or Boina with the rainy season and the Moon.
 
Iguana Kati is the name of the full moon after the Equinox in September as the full moon before the September equinox is always called Karey kati (turtle moon) whether it falls in august or early september.
 

Iguana Kati for our people today is a strong symbol for our resurgence, as like the Jamaican Iguana our people were also thought extinct, but were hiding in plane sight and our numbers were dwindling due to colonization of our people and our spaces.

Spiritual Significance

The spirit of the iguana for our people today represents the sun, resilience, patience, adaptability, transmutation, and  the Yamaye Taino resurgence. Our people, like the Jamaican Iguana were thought to be extinct yet we remain today through Creator's blessings and the Will of our ancestors. 

MEDITATION

This Full Moon is about honoring our ancestors, gratitude for our blessings, celebration of cycles and rebirth:

1. Create Sacred Space - Call on your ancestors, your spiritual guides and protectors, the way in which your ancestors would. Ask them to help focus your mind and heart to the task at hand, so you may be prepared to show yourself worthy for all that you seek, to attract the energy necessary to manifest your desire with the coming seasons.

2. With your eyes closed while standing or sitting on a chair, Take 7 deep inhales and exhales to clear your mind.

3. Take deep breaths to your stomach, allow it to expand and in your mind generate a warm heat from your stomach.

4. Allow each positive thought you declare for your life to be represented by a seed, consume this seed and observe as it moves to your stomach. 
Like the Iguana allow your stomach to refine this desire and with your exhale allow it to move down through your feet and into the earth.

5.When complete give thanks for guidance and the energy given to you. 

Energy is present 2 days before and 2 days after the Full moon so you have time to practice

Karei Kishibu Kati (Sea Turtle Full Moon)

The Karei Kati (Sea Turtle Moon) will be on August 30th .


The Peak season for Karei hatching in the Caribbean is September,

In summertime when the weather is warm, pregnant female sea turtles return to the beaches where they themselves hatched years before. They swim through the crashing surf and crawl up the beach searching for a nesting spot above the high water mark. Using her back flippers, the reptile digs a nest in the sand. Digging the nest and laying her eggs usually takes from one to three hours, after which the mother turtle slowly drags herself back to the ocean.

The sea turtle lays up to 100 eggs, which incubate in the warm sand for about 60 days. The temperature of the sand determines the genders of baby sea turtles, with cooler sand producing more males and warmer sand producing more females. The phenomenon is called Temperature-Dependent Sex Determination, or TSD, and governs the genders of other reptiles, too, including alligators and crocodiles. Current NOAA research suggests that warming trends due to climate change may cause a higher ratio of female sea turtles, potentially affecting genetic diversity.

When the tiny turtles are ready to hatch out, they do so virtually in unison, creating a scene in the sandy nest that is reminiscent of a pot of boiling water. In some areas, these events go by the colloquial term "turtle boils." Once hatched, the turtles find their way to the ocean via the downward slope of the beach and the reflections of the moon and stars on the water. Hatching and moving to the sea all at the same time help the little critters overwhelm waiting predators, which include sea birds, , mongoose, and wild dogs. Those that make it through the gauntlet swim to offshore sargassum floats where they will spend their early years mostly hiding and growing.
(excerpt from https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/turtle-hatch.html )

Spiritual Significance

The spirit of the turtle for our ancestors had several meanings, abundance , maternal energy and the ability to navigate the sea of emotions and continue our journey in peace, knowing our home is always where we choose to make it.

I will share below the story of Deminan and Karei Inaru .

As soon as they came to the door of Bayamanaco, the old man and saw that he carried cazabe (bread made from cassava flour), they said “Ahiacabo guarocoel!” which means, “We know our grandfather!” In the same way, Deminan Caracaracol, seeing his brothers ahead of him, entered to see if he would be able to get some cazabe. Upon entering the house of Bayamanacoel, Caracaracol asked for cazabe. He (Bayamanaco) put his hand to his nose and threw upon (Deminan’s) back a guanguayo (spittle). This guanguayo was filled with cohoba which had just been made for that day. [Cohoba is some kind of powder that they take at times for purification and for other effects described below. Cohoba is taken in a reed about half as long as one’s arm, and they put one end in their nose and the other in the powder. Then they inhale through the nose and this greatly purifies them.] Thus were they given this guanguayo, spittle, instead of the bread they make. He [Bayamanaco] left there very indignant because they had asked for it ... after all this, Caracaracol returned to join his brothers and he told them what had happened with Bayamanco(el) and of the blow that had been delivered to him by the guanguayo upon his back, which hurt terribly. Then his brothers looked at his back and they saw it was seriously swollen. This swelling grew so much that he was at the point of dying. They then sought to cut it off but were unable. Taking a stone axe, they opened it and out came a live female turtle. Thus they built their house and took care of the turtle. All of the brothers used her in turn, and from her their sons and daughters were born. An Account of the Antiquitites of the Indians, Diligently Gathered by Fray Ramon Pané, A Man Who Knows Their Language, by order of the Admiral [Christopher Columbus].From the translation by José Juan Arrom (to Spanish) and Susan C. Griswold (to English).

MEDITATION

This Full Moon is about fertility, peace, trusting the journey and following the guidance of spirit.

1. Create Sacred Space - Call on your ancestors, your guides, the ways your ancestors would have. Ask them to help focus your mind and heart to the task at hand, so you may be prepared to show yourself worthy for all that you seek, to attract the energy necessary to manifest your desire with the coming seasons.

2. With your eyes closed while standing or sitting on a chair, Take 7 deep inhales and exhales to clear your mind.

3. Close your eyes and place palms face up,
become aware of your breath, inhale and exhale,
become aware of the water within your body and your connection to the moon.Become aware of your emotions, those that drain you and those that replenish you.
Become aware of the young Karei (Turtle) that are hatching and following the light of the moon to the sea.
Allow your spirit to move with this new burst of life towards the sea, that will challenge you, nurture you and evolve you.


4. Clench your hand into a fist with your inhale taking in the medicine of this moon, release your clenched fist as you exhale and allow all the emotions and feelings that do not serve you to be released to the sea. Do this as many times as you are guided taking in the teachings of the Karei with each inhale.

5.When complete give thanks for guidance and the energy given to you. 

Energy is present 2 days before and 2 days after the Full moon so you have time to practice

Biahani Kishibu Kati (Pidgeon / Dove Full Moon)

Biahani kishibu Kati will be August 1st

This period is connected to bird hunting season for us in Yamayeka (Jamaica). Our Ancestors were skilled hunters with the Baira (bow) and through our teachings respected all relatives be they plant kind, stone kind or animal kind.

Our stories in Areito (Song Celebration} would speak of ancestors that were transformed into birds, and the manner in which we call on their spirit to ask for nourishment or a good hunt.

This year's full moon also falls on August 1st which is Atabey Kasi (mother Earth day) In which Yamaye Taino feed Atabey with offerings of Thanksgiving. 

Spiritual Significance

Pigeons and Doves - They are considered spirit messengers that carry communication between the worlds of the living and dead. Pigeons and doves are thought to bring love, peace and an understanding of gentleness. Some think they deliver gifts of physical, mental and emotional healing.

Mystical traditions claim that the coos of pigeons and doves sound mournful and possibly reflect hidden emotions, mirroring the energies within situations. The appearance of a pigeon to an individual may indicate that the person should examine his home life and contemplate the reality of his situation, comparing it with his personal expectations.

Spiritualists note that pigeons and doves belong to the same family, but they differ in cultural associations. While doves are considered blessed and pure, pigeons are seen as dirty pests. The pigeon is determined, and a pigeon sighting may encourage an individual to stand firm regardless of formidable challenges. Pigeons are safest in a flock and may also symbolize the strength and support offered within a community. In the Bible, turtledoves and pigeons were interchangeable as sacrificial offerings to god.
from https://www.reference.com/pets-animals/symbolic-meaning-pigeons-3d8a47d79cc46406

In my upbringing my grandfather was an Architect and there is a tradition used of offering a pidgeon to the 4 corners before working on a site, it was passed down that this practice would prevent any injuries.

CEREMONY

This Full Moon is about the home, peace, abundance and generosity.

1. Create Sacred Space - Call on your ancestors, your guides, the ways your ancestors would have. Ask them to help focus your mind and heart to the task at hand, so you may be prepared to show yourself worthy for all that you seek, to attract the energy necessary to manifest your desire with the coming seasons.

2. With your eyes closed while standing or sitting on a chair, Take 7 deep inhales and exhales to clear your mind.

3. prepare yourself for the symbolic hunt by doing prayer/ songs . See your surroundings, feel your baira in hand and take a knee in respect. 

Respect for the spirit of the Biahani which gives of its life force to nourish you and your family.
With each inhale feel that gratitude and respect swell up in you, for our ancestors greatly respected life and were filled with gratitude when they had to take it for survival.

4. Physically with your hands straighten one hand and as you inhale pull back the opposite hand as if pulling on a bow, with your eyes close see the Biahani before you but understand it represents a gift from creator, a promise you will be provided for.
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Reflect on all you are grateful for that you have received and all that is instore for you that you have yet to receive.Then exhale and bring both hands together.

5.Do this 7 times then give thanks for guidance and the energy given to you. 

Energy is present 2 days before and 2 days after the Full moon so you have time to practice

Guayaba / Wayaba Kati (Guava Moon)

Guayaba / Wayaba Kati

Guayaba Kishibu Kati will be July 3rd

This coming full moon in July marks the time to harvest Anana (Pineapple) , Guanabana / Wanabana (Soursop) and Guayaba / Wayaba (Guava).

July in Yamayeka (Jamaica) and other Caribbean islands is one of the hottest months, and what helps to cool us down is the abundance of island fruit juices that can be made while we relax under the shade of trees (when we can) in our Hammaca (hammock).

The Guayaba has a special connection with our ancestors as seen below excerpt from Relacion of Fray Ramon Pane:

XII. Their beliefs concerning the wanderings of the dead, of their appearance, and what they do. They believe the dead go to a place called Coaybay, on one side of an island called Soraya. They say that the first to live there was one Maquetaurie Guayaba, who was lord of Coaybay, home and dwelling place of the dead.

XIII. Of the forms which they assign to the dead. They say that during the day the dead live in seclusion, but at night walk about for recreation and eat of fruit called guayaba, which has the flavor of [the quince B.K.] and during the day is . . . but at night is changed into fruit; and they have festivities and keep company with the living. The Indians have this method of identifying dead people: They touch the belly of a person with the hand, and if they do not find a navel, they say that person is operito, which means dead; for they say that dead persons have no navels. Sometimes one who does not take this precaution and lies with a woman of Coaybay is mocked; for when he holds her in his arms, she suddenly disappears and his arms are empty. They still believe this. When a person is alive, they call his spirit goeiz; when he is dead, opia. They say that this goeiz appears to them often, now in the shape of a man, now of a woman. They say there was a man who wished to fight with a spirit; but when he closed with it, it disappeared, and the man flung his arms about a tree from whose branches he hung. All of them, young and old, believe this; they also believe that the spirits appear to them in the shape of their father, mother, brothers, relatives, or in some other shape. The fruit that they believe the dead eat is the size of a peach. The dead do not appear to them by day, but only by night, and therefore one who walks about at night feels great fear.

Spiritual Significance

According to dream-meaning.net Guava in dreams symbolizes fertility and romance. Below are more specific guava related dream interpretations.

Dream About Eating Guava
Dreaming about eating guava, represents prosperity and abundance, you will have vitality and energy to celebrate all the occasions in the near future. You might attend some lively parties soon where you will meet lots of people.

Dream About Guava Nectar or Juice

To drink guava nectar or guava juice, reflects that you will obtain wealth from legitimate resources. You will be able to rid yourself of impurities and obstacles in your business or work, and only be left with great profits.

Guava / Guayaba is connected to prosperity, fruitfulness and we aim to connect with this through honouring our ancestors and there guidance. As the favorite of the fruit bat, which is connected to the ancestors we expect to see groups moving through the trees under the light of this coming Moon. May we remain steadfast in seeking ancestral guidance as we are still in the Huracan season.

CEREMONY
This Full Moon is about prosperity, ancestors, joy and beauty. I encourage practicing a simple ceremony below to help connect with this moment:

1. Create Sacred Space - Call on your ancestors, your guides, the ways your ancestors would have. Ask them to help focus your mind and heart to the task at hand, so you may be prepared to show yourself worthy for all that you seek, to attract the energy necessary to manifest your desire with the coming seasons.

2. With your eyes closed while standing or sitting on a chair, Take 7 deep inhales and exhales to clear your mind.

3. Visualise a Guayaba \ Guava tree, see the roots , branches and leaves. Smell the sweet aroma of the fruit and with a deep inhale and relaxed exhale allow your conscious mind to enter the tree with your exhale (if you have a guava tree around even better to do while sitting by the tree).

Ask the tree and your ancestors to bring you into balance so you may feast on the sweet fruits that are instore for you.
Allow your mind to quiet and visualise with each inhale you take from the tree, each exhale you give to the tree.

4. Do the above until you feel satisfied, then visualise feasting on the sweet fruit of the guava , understand all the good medicine for your soul you are consuming (now is a good time to ask for guidance from your spiritual guides).

5.When you feel in your heart it is time give thanks for guidance and the energy given to you. 

Energy is present 2 days before and 2 days after the Full moon so you have time to practice.

Huracan Kati (hurricane Moon)

Huracan Kati / Hurricane Moon



image by Abstract Angel Artist Stephen K Art
The full moon for June is the Huracan Kati on June 3rd.

In the Caribbean June 1st Marks the beginning of Hurricane Season, the word Hurricane derives from our ancestral word Huracan which literally translates as Wind Center. This time marks Guinep fruit season, and the Cigua (Whelks) breeding season in the Caribbean one of our ancestral staple sea foods which was also a symbolic adornment for the Leaders of Yamaye Tainos.

Spiritual Significance

According the superstition dictionary: It has been suggested that hurricanes represent the Mother Goddess in life that has been associated with rebirth due to the “spiral” shape. 

The eye of the storm has been interpreted as symbolic, and the key to rebirth as well as spiritual enlightenment. In the wake of a hurricane we tend to see mass destruction.

For us the Huracan is connected to Guabancex, I will share from Ramon Pane's writings what he had learned from our ancestors:

Of another Cemi called Guabancex. This Cemi Guabancex was in the country of a great Cacique, one of the chief ones, named Aumatex. This Cemi is a woman and they say there are two others in her company. One is a crier, the other the gatherer or governor of the waters. And when Guabancex is angry, they say, that she raises the wind and brings rain, and throws down houses and shakes the trees. This cemi they say is a woman and was made of stone of that country. The other two cemis that are with her are named, the one Guatauba, and is a crier or proclaimer and by order of Guabancex makes proclamation that all the other cemis of that province shall help raise a high wind and bring a heavy rain. The other is named koatriske who, they relate, gathers the water into the valleys between the mountains and then lets them loose to destroy the country This they are positive about.

We know Guabancex clears and creates paths for new life, transformation, rebirth and before her goes Guatauba the Thunder bringer, proclaiming her presence, Finally there is Koatriske that overwhelms by bringing the heavy waters.

Now this time is also for us fruitfulness, reaping from the work we had done prior for the sprouts from Spring are now bearing fruit and we can attest to the beauty and magnificence in creation.

The Summer Solstice (Longest day of the year) will be upon us and for some represents the completion of a cycle.

CEREMONY
This Full Moon is about transformation, rebirth, completion, clearing, reaping. I encourage practicing a simple ceremony below to help connect with this moment:

1. Create Sacred Space - Call on your ancestors, your guides, the ways your ancestors would have. Ask them to help focus your mind and heart to the task at hand, so you may be prepared to show yourself worthy for all that you seek, to attract the energy necessary to manifest your desire with the coming seasons.

2. With your eyes closed while standing or sitting on a chair, Take 7 deep inhales and exhales to clear your mind.

3. Visualise a pin hole in-front of you and with your eyes closed air draw with your finger from this pinhole a spiral going anti clock wise and continually expanding. Drawing bigger and bigger until you have reached your physical limit air drawing with your finger.
Ask Guabancex to clear away all that doesn't serve at this point and feel it all moving out from the pin holes in spirals out of you and disappearing in thin air.

4. Give thanks , and now visualise and air draw from along this spiral moving inward to the central pin hole. When completed  visualise the gifts / medicine that most suite you moving forward being planted within that pinhole... within you. (Now is a good time to ask for guidance from your spiritual guides)

5.When you feel in your heart it is time give them thanks for their guidance and the energy given to you. 

Energy is present 2 days before and 2 days after the Full moon so you have time to practice.

Huya kishibu Kati (Rain Full Moon)

The Full Moon of May 5th for us is Huya Kati (Rain Moon).
In Jamaica traditionally the rainy season begins in May or June and extends through to November or December. The coming of the rainy season and end of the dry season for our ancestors was the start of the new year. This period would result in increase yield on crops and fishing.

This time in May is when the Humming Bird (Guani / Kolibri/Zum zum) breeding season ends.

Influence of Astronomy on Taino People

The repetitive movement of the “heavens” and long periods of observations allowed the Tainos to note their regularities and make record of time. They were said to have recorded and developed these measurements into an astronomical calendar using the megaliths. It is speculated they used the stars at night to navigate on the seas during their journey to the Caribbean and Fishing.

Research shows that the rising and setting of Pleiades signified the beginning and end of the harvest season, and when it was time to bring out their flocks.

Orion another celestial body is located on the celestial equator which means it sits at the center of the tropical sky. Due to its cyclical path across the sky , ancient cultures observed the constellation and was able to determine the seasons. Orion acts as a marker for the beginning and end of the rainy season which was important for tropical farmers. It also indicated the hurricane season which would also indicate periods of good and bad fishing.

 The rising of the Pleiades Star Cluster during May indicated heavy rainfall, the sunrise during the Autumn Equinox could be associated with the final phase of the hurricane season and the rise of the Constellation of Ursa Major in January after sunset coincides with a decrease in rainfall. As a result, the Taino people could use the astronomical events as celestial markers to select the most favorable season in which to farm, fish and exploit different resources of the ecosystem.

Spiritual Significance

For our Ancestors this would be the first Moon of the Rainy Season, of the New Year.
This ushers in a time of birth, transformation , along with the ending of old cycles.
The energy of this period and this moon is symbolic of the heroes journey, heading out into the brave unknown in search of truth and your true self.

CEREMONY
This Full Moon is about transformation, rebirth, nourishment , abundance.
I encourage practicing a simple ceremony below to help connect with this moment:

1. Create Sacred Space - Call on your ancestors, your guides, the ways your ancestors would have. Ask them to help focus your mind and heart to the task at hand, so you may be prepared to show yourself worthy for all that you seek, to attract the energy necessary to manifest your desire with the coming seasons of abundance.

2. With your eyes close while standing or sitting on a chair, clasp your hands together before your heart in a prayer pose.

3. Take a deep inhale and visualise energy you seek entering your body and moving towards your heart, entering through the top of your head and soul of your feet.
With your exhale face your palms out in front of you and release all that does not serve from your being.

4. Return your hands to prayer pose as your inhale filling your self with this moon medicine, continue for at least 7 repetitions.You can literally name the things you want to receive and think of them with each inhale, and think on what you would like to release with each exhale.

5.When you feel in your heart it is time give them thanks for their guidance and the energy given to you. 

energy is present 2 days before and 2 days after the Full moon so you have time to practice.