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.
