Solar Eclipse

A solar eclipse is a very intense time Spiritually, Physically, Mentally and Emotionally.  During this time we focus our energies more carefully and with additional efforts at awareness, and make sure we check in with wisdom concerning any decisions or responses made during this time.  We keep the energy as clear as possible and strive to align with all our Sisters and Brothers who are also focusing strongly for progression during these times!  We know that many are focusing on 2012, but we need to focus on what is in front of us ALREADY!  May the Great Mother Bless us All, and May we find Solutions to Bring the Progression and Evolution to the Center of our Experience!  We must realize that there are maniacs who claim to be civilized governors of this Earth, and because of it, we are all facing some critical and challenging times.

Teaching to Feel the Spirit and Vibration of Mama Chola!

My 5 year old Granddaughter is at the River and I am teaching her to feel the Spirit and Vibration of Mama Chola so that she can understand who we are talking about when we are talking about "Mama Chola" not just from an intellectual perspective, but from an inter-relational perspective.

The first exercise is for her to focus in front of her looking downstream, but to realize that the current is flowing from behind her and moving downwards in front of her.  We are also working with the placement of her hands so that she can begin to learn how to feel energy through her hands from right in front of her to the distance.

Here we slowly bring the hands down to the surface of the water WITHOUT touching the water.  Here again is a process for her to begin to be sensitive and focused and receptive to the Spirit so that when the Spirit talks to her or wants to approach her, she can be sensitive to feel and hear the Spirit, and so when she can learn when to stay away and when to get near!

We are feeling the Vibration of the River, still without breaking the water tension, right on the top of the surface of the River.  I am asking her what she is sensing/ feeling. During this whole time the four year old is observing with intensity.

Here I am teaching her how to extend her arms to pull energy to herself and push energy away from herself, and in the other photo we are still not breaking the water surface tension but feeling the surface tension's strength and power.  

Emma and Brujita (A baby foal is born!)

A week ago our big mare "Emma" gave birth to her baby foal who we named "Brujita".  Brujita's father is the Paint Stallion Kasike.  Brujita has the coloring of her mother and the spots of her father and will grow to be a large horse but not quite a large as her mother.  

Modern day horses are of course not native to this continent and were brought here under very negative conditions of invasion, genocide and robbery, however this particular animal was quickly recognized as valuable and adopted widely by Indigenous people here.  Horses embody power, speed, and survival.  Within moments of being born, Brujita, like every foal born, struggled to her feet and began licking her Mother searching for milk.  Emma cleaned her baby by licking her dry, and within a hour or so the baby had found her mother's milk.  That same day Brujita was already bucking and testing out her first galloping steps.  Within a couple days she was able to quickly move around her field obviously in love with her speed and agility!  Watching her quickly adapt to her new surroundings and the speed with which she was able to get on her legs and move was a lesson in survival.  Horses are flight animals, although they will defend themselves with teeth and hoof, they prefer to run from predators.  This instinct was obvious from the foal's first moment.  

On the other side of the fence the male Llama drove the two donkeys away from the area where Emma gave birth to the baby.  He did not want the curious donkeys to go near her.  He was clearly protecting the baby foal. 

Brujita on her first day in the grassy field.

She goes exploring!

Emma enjoys fresh grass.

Afternoon Nap!

The foal, ever alert raises her head as soon as she senses movement from her mother.

Brujita scratching herself on a tree.

Going around in circles scratching herself.

Brujita bucking and running learning how to use her legs.

Brujita galloping, right photo: a moment of affection between mother and baby.

For us as Paleros the horse is a very powerful animal, especially for our Monanso.  The horses have been very important spiritually on the Land and have been included in certain catalystic ceremonies.  This particular birth was very momentous because both the Mother and Father live here at the Land.  We have worked towards this for a long time and look forward to seeing Brujita grow.  

River Camino

Camino to the River during an Ebo

During an ebo done for one of the Yayis of the Monanso the other week we traveled to a River for a specific Camino.  Although it was a saturday and a beautiful day, the river was quiet.  When we are on a Camino for an Ebo we always pay attention to all the conditions that are present, all the people who pass by, all the animals which show up or make their presence known and all the birds who fly or swim by.  

On this day the River was crystal clear and running swiftly.  The stones on the bottom of the river glistened, a fish jumped in the River, the Sun was shining and it was a warm Spring day.  Above you can see the waves and ripples in the river.  The texture and forms within the river can be captured on camera in a way that one cannot see in the moving river.  We utilize the camera as a way to capture a split second in a frozen frame in order to be able to spend more time focusing on the intricacies of what is in front and all around us on the Camino.  These are often things which evade the naked eye because of the constant movement of life!

Here a wave forms in the river allowing us to see the Spirit present and the energy present.  

Bumble bee is found going in and out of a hole under a leaf.

A monarch butterfly appeared around the Yayi when she was sitting by the River.  At one point the Monarch lay down with wings outspread on the bank of the River.

Butterfly is for obvious reasons about Transformation which was exactly what we look for during Ebo!  These are positive signs.

From a distance the Yayi is seen interrelating with the Spirit of the River.  She was in a peaceful spot, undisturbed by anyone.  We are at a distance down stream from her, quietly observing.

More waves in the River revealing Spirits of the River, normally unseen by us due to their rapid movement.  These Spirits are definitely unseen by the person in the process due to the sheer sensory overload of the natural environment.

It is an honor to be able to capture these pictures as testimony to the Spirits which made themselves known to us through the photos.

Here the River moves around a stone, over time the River pushes the stone out of the way, or wears the stone down.  This stone is rounded from years of water running over it.  The dryness on top of the stones speak volumes regarding this process.

There are many different currents within the river, some are smooth and gently flowing, others more rapid and exuberant.  The currents in the River are countless.  Each current brings something to the whole, and is significant within the Ebo.

Rapid bubbly current seen here.

As the water flows over stones a natural process of aeration occurs as the bubbly flow brings oxygen into the depths of the river, benefiting the many organisms who live within the River.

Here leaf and tree debris is trapped in the river.  These are utilized by animals.  At this location specifically the Beavers utilize the tree debris that gets trapped by the trees the beavers knock down with their teeth within the river.  They create homes with this "debris".

By the bank the water comes into a more sheltered spot where the flow is gentle due to boulders which shelter this spot from the fast flow of the center of the river.  Again this is yet another current within the many currents of the River.  All these represent a significant aspect of the Spirit of the River herself!

Bubbles appear on the gentle edge of the river, and the river reflects the dappled light coming from the Sun through the trees hanging over the River.  

These photos allows a small glimpse into the vast array of Spirits and Energies present when we go on a "simple Camino". It is very important as Paleros that we continue to open our senses and perception of the wide variety of Mysterios who make themselves known.

As we turned to go back up the river and return to the Yayi, we heard and saw the King Fisher with his unique song and flight pattern go by, as we were walking back again a second King Fisher flew by!

Turkey Vulture, Red Tailed Hawk, Crow

As we were driving to the Land the other day we saw some interesting bird sights.  This dead possum was being eaten by a Hawk who flew up to the tree when we stopped the car, allowing the vulture who was watching to come and begin eating the possum.  The vultures are less wary of people.

From another view, the Vulture eating the Possum.

Again...

The Vulture is eyeing us warily to see what we are up to.

On a nearby tree another vulture sits and watches.

And on a nearby evergreen tree yet another vulture sits and watches.

Meanwhile the Hawk watches from the tree but is not comfortable enough to return to the dead possum to reclaim it from the Vultures.  The Vultures, in our experience, will always give way to a single hawk even if there are 9 vultures, one or two hawks are dominant.

Back at home we had thrown a couple broken chicken eggs out for the Crows, who love eggs.  Four of them who have their territory over here arrived. Crows move around in highly territorial "gangs".

A very spiritual bird to say the least, they are aggressive, they harass the Hawks, and they are extremely alert.

They look like they are trouble and they create a lot of controversy wherever they go.

Here they jump up on the snow to get to the egg.

Here they flew off past one of their favorite trees.

We always value seeing the bird activities as we attribute many spiritual qualities to the birds and always consider it a blessing when we are able to photograph them!

It is a reality, not a fantasy!

Spirituality reaches into all aspects of life.  We often hear Paleros and Tainos say "it is not a religion, it is a way of life".  This statement is given much lip service, but what does it really mean and how can we see that manifest within our "everyday experience"?  As one who is rooted in African and Taino spiritual traditions, it is not a question of should we be involved in self-sustainability, gardening and providing for a diversity of animals (domestic and wild), it is only a question of how far our capacity to extend ourselves in these ways can take us together with the blessings of the Mysteries that allow life to continue to thrive within this experience.  

Upon our Land we do not separate our spiritual practices from the gardening practices and caretaking practices that allow the gardens and animals you see below in the photos to thrive.  Year to year we continue to expand our capacity and wisdom in relating to and thriving together with the Mysteries and Spirits of the Plants, Stones, Animals, and the multiple dimensions of Ancestors who are  all around us.  

Honey Bees on Sunflower.  Honey bees pollenate many of our food crops, produce honey, produce bees wax, and stimulate our immune systems if we get stung by them.  Sunflowers give us beauty, sunflower seeds and provide important food for many wild birds who love them.

"Sunchokes" provide beauty, seeds for the birds, and edible roots.

A pathway from the animal shelters to the ceremonial grounds.

The llama and alpaca, sacred to our Southern Ancestors, provide much enjoyment and entertainment, as well as soft fiber.

Corner of a batey, the red flower in the center of the photo is amaranth utilized for food, seeds for the birds, greens for salads, flowers for the "Day of the Dead" offering to the Ancestors.  

Batey showing the lightning petroglyph with amaranth again in the background.  Yellow flower in the front is dahlia which had edible roots.  

Entrance to Taino Bohio, purple flowered bush on left is "butterfly bush" loved by butterflies and bees.

Barely visible in front is the Taino petroglyph of the Heart, in the back is potato garden, we are still (February 2010) still eating papas from this garden.

On the left raspberry rows which also contain grapes with strawberries underneath them, as well as blackberries.  Potatoes can be seen on the left side of the photo.  Right photo:  Unusual tree shape in the camping area.

Anani's (4 yrs old) garden, she planted most of the plants now in the garden, mostly perennial medicinals and herbs.  She is a future herbalist learning directly from the Earth.  The children are able to grasp the properties of the plants much faster than the adults are able to, and they are never too young to start learning.

Left photo:  Wild rabbits thrive here, one sits by the elderberry bush (medicinal "sambuccas").  Right photo:  Hawthorn tree, medicinal, and (northern type) espanta muerto.

Left Photo:  Bird house gourd for spiritual use or to make bird house for the wild birds, very prolific.  Right Photo:  Calendula and Borage (both medicinal, both edible) flowers, we add to salads for color and taste.  They are also good companion plants for the vegetable and attract the bees.

Bowl gourd to be used ceremonially.

Fawn in hay field, we had several families of does and fawns on the land, twins and triplets who would come into the bateys to eat.  We also see wild turkey who are making a comeback in our area.

Sunset

Malanga plants used for spiritual purposes.

Honey bees on the frames, they are the best friend to a prolific garden and orchard!  We are able to make candles from the wax, and raw honey (medicinal).

Beets, Carrots and flowers in our circular garden.

Winter squash harvest.  Most of these are heirloom squash, most are indigenous varieties whose taste far surpasses the usual types found in the market.  Our favorite are the hidatsa (pale peach color) which are great in soups.  We ate our last winter squash a few weeks ago.

Salad greens with nasturtiums (flowers) which add a peppery spice taste to the salad a beautiful color.  Very healthy salad.

Gathering peppers before the frost.  

Anani loves sweet peppers.

Left Photo:  Bolivian rainbow peppers destined for "chamba".  The peppers were not only for us to eat but also for spiritual purposes.  Right Photo:  Potatoes harvested roots intact.  These are purple potatoes with excellent flavor.

Left Photo:  Central pole in one of the gardens with mexican tarragon in front (medicinal).  Right Photo: As winter approached we constructed cold frames which has allowed us to eat fresh salad greens including spinach, beet greens, asian greens cilantro, radishes, parsley throughout the winter months.  The cold frame temperature has barely gone below freezing the whole winter allowing all the greens to survive the normally freezing winter climate and especially cold winter we have had this year.

Harvesting from the cold frame.

Some salad green from the cold frame.

Snow falling, the green of the cold frame looks especially lush against the frigid background.  These greens love cold temperatures and generally get planted early spring or late fall as they cannot handle the hot temperatures of the summer.  Planting them in the cold frames seems to bring out their flavors even more and the freshness of their taste brights and spices up the winter meals.  

A large snowstorm and still the greens are going strong and we continue to eat fresh salads.  

For us it is not a fantasy but a reality because the Spirit of the Ancestors remains close to our Heart, our Mind, and our Essence as we ground ourselves to continue our elevation with them and the environment that we are care-taking.