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 17th 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

Karei Kishibu Kati (Sea Turtle Full Moon)

The Karei Kati (Sea Turtle Moon) will be on September 17th .


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 , 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 19th

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.

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.

MEDITATION

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 21st

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 21st.

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.

MEDITATION
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 23rd 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.

Meditation
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.

buyirí Kati (Bat Moon)

Jamaican Fruit Bat

The Full Moon for April is the Bat Moon on April 23rd.

The Jamaican fruit bat ranges from southern Mexico southward to northwestern South America (west Colombia, west Ecuador and northwest Peru). It also lives on the islands of Trinidad, Tobago, Greater and Lesser Antilles and the Florida Keys.

This species is found in a variety of habitats. It prefers habitats that are humid and tropical but has also adapted to cloud forests and drier tropical habitats.[7] Fruit bats roost in caves, hollow trees, dense foliage, buildings and leaf tents.[8] The fruit bat may create its own "tent" to roost in by altering broad leaves.[8]These "tents" are only temporarily used.

In late March or early April, females give birth to a single pup. Following a gestation period of no more that 4 months, females give birth to another pup around late July or early August.  On rare occasions, females give birth to twins. Research suggests that this pattern of delayed development synchronizes the birth of young with the end of the dry season, which allows weaning to occur when large fruits are at peak availability.
Like all mammals, mothers provision and protect young while carrying them in the womb and continues until weaning. Prior to learning how to fly, pups are carried by their mothers while they forage for food.

Jamaican fruit-eating bats use echolocation as their primary means of orientation. Olfaction (smell) and sight are also used to detect food. Although many bats emit sound pulses orally, Artibeus jamaicensis emits sound pulses through its noseleaf while its mouth is closed (similar to humming). One researcher described the noseleaf of Jamaican fruit-eating bats as "an acoustic lens that focuses the outgoing sound into a narrow beam." Jamaican fruit-eating bats are often called "whisper bats" because they emit very low intensity sounds. These sounds provide short range information on the location of food in densely vegetated areas. Pups use rapidly repeated long and short notes (i.e., "double notes") to assist in reuniting with their mothers in densely populated caves. Jamaican Fruit-Eating bats produce warning calls when captured in mist nets, which attract conspecifics (members of same species) as well as additional species. Jamaican fruit-eating bats respond to other species' alarm calls as well. Distress calls also warn conspecifics of approaching predators.
Jamaican Fruit Bat plays an important role in the dispersal of seeds of many tropical fruits. Additionally, it disperses seeds crucial for secondary and successional growth in areas disturbed by natural disasters, which helps restore forests following disturbance and helps maintain plant species richness. It is possible that some species depend on the uneaten remains of discarded fruit. One research team described the foraging habits of Artibeus as "a continuous rain of fruit and bat excrement throughout much of the night and with sunrise came herds of aggressive local pigs to gather the night's fallout of figs." Because A. jamaicensis sometimes consumes nectar and pollen, it likely helps pollinate many Neotropical plant species.

Spiritual Significance

Our Ancestors taught, and we believe that the souls of the dead took the form of animals and moved freely among the living in the night. The bat and the owl are very important symbols in Taíno mythology and death. For us, the bat represented the opías. Fruit-eating bats such as Artibeus jamaicensis love dining on guavas, which is also the favorite food of the  spirits of the dead.

The Bat is sacred to us and we learn even more of the bat medicine here, its connection to maternal energy, to the plants and replenishing the earth, to community, to sacred sound , to high sense of perception, to the end of seasons / cycles.

With this Bat Moon we know the Rainy season is on the horizon, coming of the abundance, end of the dry times .

MEDITATION
This Full Moon is about awareness, moving through darkness, inviting the new season of abundance, connecting with your inner guidance.
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, with your right hand tap on your heart with your fingertips, as if mimicking your heart beat .. 

3. As you tap visualise your inner cave and allow your guides to navigate you through that darkness, step by step into the light of abundance with a wonderful fruit filled forest.

4. While in the forest ask your guides to share with you what is the lesson that is most necessary for you with this full moon that you must carry to your waking state.

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.

Coney Kishibu Kati / Coney Full Moon

Coney Kati /  (Coney / Hutia Moon)

This Full Moon will be on March 25th.

The Jamaican coney (Geocapromys brownii), also known as the Jamaican hutia and the Browns hutia, is a terrestrial land mammal found in the rocky, forested areas of Jamaica, and is endemic to the Island.

It is related to the hutias and more distantly to guinea pigs. It is the only extant native land mammal on Jamaica besides bats.

Jamaican hutias are almost exclusively nocturnal mammals. As night foragers, they feed on a large variety of food sources, including fruits, exposed roots, bark, and the foliage from many different plant species.[2]They have only been seen rarely in their wild state, and this has often led to the belief that they are extremely rare.

The Jamaican Coneys are monogamous. ... they breed throughout the year, but the majority of the young are born during the time of year when fruit is most plentiful between March and July.

Observations of captive specimens note that Jamaican hutias do not build their own nests. They have strong social interactions between related individuals, which can include mutual grooming, play, and soft vocalizations when not in physical contact which each other.

Spiritual Significance

The Medicine of the Coney speaks to family, commitment , determination , support of community , Clarity (as this is a mostly nocturnal animal ) teaching us to see into the dark and not lose sight of our goals.
The coney's can reproduce anytime like other mammals but consciously chooses to align its reproduction so the young will be born in a time of plenty and abundance.

MEDITATION
This full moon is a time of awareness, clarity, determination and aligning yourself with the cycles for optimal harvest.
This moon speaks to being prepared.

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. It is best to find a space outdoors for you to ground with feet on the earth. get to a low stoop position that is comfortable (you can use a chair if you have knee problems) and visualise yourself connected to that coney medicine and burrowing a hole beneath your feet, deeper and deeper down , the deeper you go the more clarity you feel and receive, until you arrive at your burrow, your space.

3. In your own time awake and make a list of all the items you want to store in your burrow, all the intentions you have and things you seek from this season.

4. Ask the medicine of this moon to help you prepare for the coming season, to receive clarity and determination required to accomplish your goals.

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.

Yamaye Guidance 2024 Calendar Year

 

An ancient part of Taino traditions that was recorded in brief ,is our ceremonies in-which community members gathered before the Kasike (Chief) and through ancestral ceremony there were songs, chants in the form of call and response culminating in the community asking questions of the Kasike and receiving guidance from the Cemi (ancestral sacred spirits). 

Today we slowly try to anchor these teachings and ways for a people "dispersed not disconnected" and will be sharing the guidance received for this Gregorian calendar year of 2024 from ancestral guidance.

ANCESTRAL GUIDANCE / READING

This year is guided by three (3) R's , Remorse, Regret and Resentment.

Remorse - deep regret or guilt for a wrong committed. (What did you do ?)
Regret - a feeling of sadness, repentance, or disappointment over an occurrence or something that one has done or failed to do. (What did or didn't you do ?)
Resentment - a feeling of indignant displeasure or persistent ill will at something regarded as a wrong, insult, or injury. (What was done to you ? )

The positive of this year is an opportunity
To Right wrongs, to heal those you have wronged be it plant, animal, stone, person or spirit. 
To Respond from a healed space to a scenario we had failed to do so in the past.
To Reinforce our value of self to state NO and choose self love.
To be Resilient , fight for what is worth it and Relese what no longer serves us.

The positive of this year is that alot of scenarios will be Replayed and provide opportunities to handle them differently, so be mindful of your triggers , be patient and prepared to heal old wounds.

The negative of this year is that many will be going through the 3 R's and may have a tendency to project their wounds, becoming more confrontational. The guidance speaks towards being forewarned is being forearmed so with this knowledge be mindful of those projecting and do not engage, many will come at you with their Resentment, Regret and Remorse looking externally as opposed to internally so do not take this situations personally. 

HEALING PRACTICE

A practice I recommend especially this year is that of RELEASE.
In the Taino tradition a Guanara / Wanara is a place apart, sacred space for healing, this can be an altar space, a meditation space, a quiet space , anywhere that is used for Reflection and Restoration. 
In this space spend a few minutes in a supplicatory posture with your forehead as close to the Earth as you can comfortably and from there Repeat in your mind and heart the word OPENNESS, and RELEASE, you can chant or listen to music calming and clearing for your spirit. 
With this process simply allow the emotions to come up and be released to Atabey (mother earth), we don't need to analyze them or understand them simply experience them and allow that release.

After a good purge of tears and strong emotions spend some time REFLECTING in thanksgiving for accessible healing and ancestral guidance.

Yayabo Huma (Great spirit be with you All )

Anhan Katu (And so it Is )

Abinaka Kishibu Kati (Dance Full Moon)

Abinaka  Kati (Dance Moon)

The Full Moon for February is the Dance or Yaboa Moon  on February 24th.

This has no connection to the Catholic Saint Valentine or the commercial event that takes place on February 14th.

On the Islands this moon is connected to courting, attracting mates prior to the mating season of March - May (with the coming rains of the Taino New Year marked by the heliacal rising of the Pleiades star system).

The Image above depicts two Yaboa (Yellow Crowned Night Herons) engulfed in a courting display.

Courting Yellow-crowned Night-Herons perform display flights, along with a neck-stretching display: the male slowly raises and then quickly retracts his head while fanning his long shoulder plumes. The female will sometimes reciprocate. They form socially monogamous pairs, and some maintain their bonds from year to year.

Among Taino totems the Caiman (Crocodile) also starts the courting ritual during late January into February.

Courtship takes place in January and February, when males attract females to mate. Courting can last as long as two months. During mating season American crocodiles display territoriality by males engaging each other in competition for access to females. Males roar loudly, raising their heads and opening their mouths, displaying their impressive teeth as part of the mechanism to attract mates. Females respond to male roars with roars of their own.Courtship takes place in January and February, when males attract females to mate. Courting can last as long as two months. During mating season American crocodiles display territoriality by males engaging each other in competition for access to females. Males roar loudly, raising their heads and opening their mouths, displaying their impressive teeth as part of the mechanism to attract mates. Females respond to male roars with roars of their own.

Courtship takes place in January and February, when males attract females to mate. Courting can last as long as two months. During mating season American crocodiles display territoriality by males engaging each other in competition for access to females. Males roar loudly, raising their heads and opening their mouths, displaying their impressive teeth as part of the mechanism to attract mates. Females respond to male roars with roars of their own.

Courtship takes place in January and February, when males attract females to mate. Courting can last as long as two months. During mating season American crocodiles display territoriality by males engaging each other in competition for access to females. The mating dance involves almost all the senses. Males begin by bellowing above water, while producing low-frequency infrasound, which humans cannot hear. "You can feel the vibrations traveling through the water and you can even see pressure waves," Britton told LiveScience.

Males may also slap their snouts on the water, blow water from their noses or perform certain arched postures. At closer ranges, they may release an oily musk, which floats on the surface of the water, to further entice the female. Though the male is leading the dance, the female is participating with her own set of auditory, visual and olfactory signals during this time. The pair is in constant communication, Britton said
excerpts from interview with Australian Croc specialist at https://www.livescience.com/28145-animal-sex-crocodiles.html

Spiritual Significance

For our Ancestors the records show that for courting There would be exchange of symbolic items  to signify interest in marriage and also to demonstrate that they are equipped to take care of each other .

Like the plants and animals that are preparing for the coming bounty from the rainy season we too spiritually must court and dance in thought, action and deed to attract the experiences we seek.

All forms of Dance hold aesthetic and symbolic value, they are expression of soul and as we have learned from our animal relatives are able to convey the message that we are ready, we are worthy and we are committed to live our life purpose.

MEDITATION
This Full Moon is a time of expression, a time of commitment a time of attracting what we seek.
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. Place your hands over your heart, right hand over left hand. Take 7 deep breaths and visualise with each inhale energy from Atabey (Mother Earth) going into your heart and with each exhale leaving from your being out through your feet to be grounded into the earth.

3. With your eyes close while standing or sitting on a chair, start stomping your left foot, activating the left side of your body which is connected to the right hemisphere of your brain (deals with creativity). 

4. As you stomp visualise your spiritual guides around you and with each step hands still on heart see them stepping around you in a clockwise circle.  Allow your stomps to get stronger and in your heart ask them what can you do to strengthen your connection with them.

5.When you feel in your heart it is time to give them thanks for their guidance and the energy given to you. Note the guidance they give may simply be telling you some other physical movement to ad  to your dance.

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

Wahil / Guajil Kati (Grouper Moon)

Wahil/Guajil Kishibu KATI (Grouper Full Moon)

Full moon January 25th 

The Nassau Grouper is a predatory fish that lives on the coral reefs of the Caribbean Sea and adjacent waters. Its name comes from its historically large populations in the Bahamas.

The Nassau Grouper was originally considered to be a Monandric Protogynous Hermaphrodite, like most other Groupers, with all males deriving from the sex change of adult females (Smith 1971, Claro et al. 1990, Carter et al. 1994). Other characteristics were found to be inconsistent other Groupers such as the strong male/female size overlap, the presence of males that develop directly from the juvenile phase, and the mating system (Colin 1992, Sadovy and Colin).

Caribbean reefs with large numbers of predators, like Nassau groupers, are known to be healthier than reefs with no predators, so this species may represent an important part of the reef food web.  During the majority of the year, Nassau Groupers are reddish brown in coloration, with vertical light bars along the head and body.  During mating, however, males become black on top and white below and females become almost solid black.  Nassau groupers feed by swallowing their prey whole; they do not chew.  They use their very large mouths to create enough negative pressure to suck in whole fishes or lobsters, and they swallow them quickly and efficiently.

Nassau Grouper reproduce in only a few places and during only a few months each year.  These fish always spawn immediately after the full moon during the winter months, when they form very large groups called spawning aggregations.  Throughout its entire geographic range, there are less than 100 known spawning aggregation sites where Nassau Grouper reproduce year after year, and historically these aggregations included hundreds, if not thousands, of individuals reproducing together for a few days before returning to their home reefs.  Individual Nassau Groupers are known to travel several dozen miles and further to form part of a spawning aggregation.  At the aggregation sites, these fish reproduce by a method known as broadcast spawning, where females release eggs and several males release sperm into the water column above deep reefs all at the same time.  This method increases the likelihood that eggs will become successfully fertilized and that fertilized eggs will not be eaten by egg predators on the reef surface.



Spiritual Significance

Our Wahil (Yellowtail Grouper) will have started their journey to spawning grounds and will be reproducing between the Full Moons of December and  January. The Wahil teaches us that we have all the gifts and abilities we need to take on life's journeys, and reminds us to think of the next generation, Imagine you carry the masculine energy of the Sun and the feminine energy of the Earth within you at all times and a balance must be struck for the development and nurturing of your spirit and future generations.
This reminds us of  fertility, feelings, creativity, rebirth, good luck, transformation, health, abundance, serenity, intelligence, happiness, strength, and endurance. Connecting us with the water element, it represents the deeper awareness of the unconsciousness or higher self.

CEREMONY
This Full Moon is a time for clearing, for preparing for the birth that is to come connecting the medicine of the Wahil , it is a time to protect yourself and pray for that safe delivery and transformation during these times.
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 asking them to help focus your mind and heart to the task at hand, so you may be prepared for the pain, work and joy that comes with new birth.

2. Place your hands over your navel and sit in a chair or on a stool with legs apart as in a birthing posture, from here breathe deeply and with each inhale connecting with the moon during this time grounding taking in positive intentions for the future, and with your exhale release to the earth beneath you all that does not serve (Breathe into your stomach feel your hands lifting with each inhale).

3. After 7 Breaths place your hand on the earth beneath you and visualise all the pain and negative energy from your being going deep into the earth and being consumed like compost nourishing a seed that will sprout with the coming days.



4. Give thanks to your guides and teachers.

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