ANCESTRAL HONORING CEREMONY

(Click on photos to enlarge!)

Our Ancestors are the foundation that allows our human experience and allows the continuation of the human experience through our Future Generations.  In terms of our Spiritual Practices within our Spiritual Traditions of Taino and Palo, the Ancestors are the Heart Beat of our Practices!  It is important to understand what we mean when we say "Ancestors" so as to avoid confusion and misunderstanding.  Our Ancestors are multiple.  They are first and foremost the "ghosts" known and unknown within our blood, our Family Tree or Family Root.  They are those Ancestors who we may have known, may have heard about or whose names may be forgotten, they are those Ancestors whose lives may have been difficult and their behavior may have been even more difficult, they are those Ancestors who upheld wonderful principles, and those who failed in their lifetimes to uphold any principles.  They are those who we may have been named after, or whose talents and skills we may knowingly or unknowingly be carrying. They are those Ancestors whose Living Legacy is Us!  

Our Ancestors also extend to those Ancestors of our Spiritual Tradition, those Ancestors who passed Spiritual Wisdom, Knowledge and Medicine to us, who ensured that today we are able to continue our Spiritual Traditions in the here and now.  They are the Ancestors who preserved a Spiritual Legacy and again we are their Living Legacy, and again perhaps they upheld their principles but perhaps it is up to us to uplift the Spiritual Tradition that became distorted, corrupted or misused through a devastating process of colonialism, slavery, deprivation and allure of consumerism.  They are those glorious Ancestors of the past who lived inside a rooted Community and Society and they are also those glorious Ancestors who found themselves in unbearable conditions or seductive conditions inside a spiritual insanity, but who regardless of the difficulty continued with the Spiritual Tradition, handing us the legacy to continue.

Here on the Land, Our Ancestors also include those Ancestors who are buried within the greater "farm" of which the Land is one aspect.  Those Ancestors who had created a Spiritual Community more than 100 years ago, those Ancestors who undoubtedly encountered racism, oppression and hatred due to their complexion and their traditions, yet who also contributed to building the foundation and planting seeds for what is manifesting here today. Within the same understanding Our Ancestors also include those Indigenous Ancestors of this area who also upheld principles of Spirituality, Thriving, Love for Mother Earth, and honoring of the Ancestral Legacies.  Again we recognize their contribution and their planting of seeds which have, like a perennial plant allowed, generations later seeds to sprout today which in essence and quality resonate with the Spiritual Traditions of generations ago.  We also recognize and honor any Ancestor who finds their way to our space who is "Nchila", in their heart, for the benefit of Spiritual Progression and who resonates with the principles of thriving, reconciliation and love for our Earth!

Note:  It is very important that we overcome our personal "prejudice" against our Ancestors (for those of us who struggle with this issue) without erasing the knowledge and understanding of their behavior during their lifetimes and the ongoing consequences of that behavior.  We cannot speak about "Ancestors" and not include the faces and names of our direct Ancestors who, through our Mother and Father, have given birth to us within this experience.

The preparations for the Ceremony began weeks before the actual dates of the Ceremony.  The Ceremony was centered in one of the Bateys, the "Batey of the Clarity of Night" which is within a forest area by the Taino Bohio.  The element of fire is always important within the Ceremony as is the element of water.  In this Ceremony the element and Spirit of Fire was embodied by a Sacred Fire within the Batey facing the Ancestral Shrine, the element and Spirit of Water was embodied both within a jicara of water within the Ancestral Shrine as wells as by the underground spring which runs beneath the Batey itself.  We also recognize the Sun as a Spirit of Fire and one of the Primary Mpungos of our Experience!

Other vital elements include the natural plant elements surrounding the Batey, the multiple trees and other plants which grow around the Batey.  Trees are especially Sacred within our Traditional Lives, they represent our Ancestral Trees, they also allow us to breath as the trees give us breath and recycle our breath.  Additionally the trees represent the transformation of Sun Energy to vegetative energy which we then depend on for nourishment, warmth and shelter.  Trees and other plants also are themselves medicinal, stimulating the healing wisdom of our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual bodies.  In our Tradition we utilize trees to make Sacred Cemis, Medicines, Nkisis, Fundamentos and much more. The trees that were used to form the Ancestral Shrine all have a story and all have unique qualities which are vital within the creation of the Shrine.   Many of the trees have been used within the Bohio or Munanso for years and have a great deal of Spiritual Energy.  The choices made are never random or thoughtless.  To truly understand what one is looking at, when one stands in front of the shrine, one must know the stories of each of the trees, both when it was "alive" and now that it is "dead".  

The Soil itself is another vital element.  We are blessed to be able to create an Ancestral Shrine directly upon the Earth, as there are many Sisters and Brothers who only have access to concrete or floors to do this Ancestral Practice.  The soil itself is full of life and full of stories.  It is the embodiment of the process of Life and Death as both growth and decay are constantly taking place within it.  For us the Soil of the Ceremonial Grounds is never "dirt", it is Sacred.  It is a Living Entity!  

Forming the Batey and marking points outside the Batey itself and all around the Ceremonial Grounds are many Stones.  Some have petroglyphs which are Ancestral Sacred Pictographs of deep and mysterious significance and origin.  Many times "Misterios" are clearly seen on these Sacred Stones.  Again the stones all carry stories, Ancient Stories and contemporary stories as they imprint the energy of whatever is occurring around them and to them.  They are silent and not so silent witnesses!

The Sacred Fire reveals much when we begin to look at the photos taken during this process.   Different Spirits make their presence known through the Fire, as the Fire itself is transforming the wood (and whatever is within the wood) to ashes.  Once the Ceremony was over we collected the ash to be utilized for Ceremonial processes and Medicines in the Future!  Of course sage, tobacco, tabonuco and other resins and herbs are put on the fire to cleanse and energize the Ceremonial Space and as an offering to the Fire and to all the Ancestors Present.

As preparations continue we bring special attention to whatever weather patterns and conditions are present.  

In the photos below the combination of the smoke from the Fire and the Rays from the Sun coming through the tree canopy creates a mystical phenomenon which enables us to see the rays as the smoke reveals them!  The fire's smoke (enhanced by herbs and resins) allows us to "see" Spirit in a way that we ordinarily are not able to see Spirit!  While the Fire is an Offering to the Ancestors, it is also becomes an offering from the Dead to the Living in terms of Vittiti (Sight).

What we are able to understand from some of the photos is that what might appear to be a "one way" offering, is always an exchange.  Spiritual Practices arise out of a mutual need of the Living and the Dead!  This principle of "exchange" is vital within both material and spiritual practices, it is the true "reality" of our human experience.  It is important for us to expand our understanding of what "exchange" truly is, especially within traditional practices.  

As we worked with the Space and the Creation of the Shrine we divined on a day to day basis concerning the purpose and message that was being brought forth.  We never assume that we know what the Ancestors are bringing forth, we of course are sensitive to what they are telling us through the multiple messages we receive everyday, however it is also vital to have a process of divination that can illuminate those things that we are not seeing or sensing.

Many fruits, roots and flowers are offered along with Ceremonial Drinks and other items, this is only part of the whole offering that was put down.  There was an important point brought up by the Ancestors during this process concerning the actual offering that was made.  We know that the offering could feed many people especially at a time when there is much suffering and deprivation due to lack of food in places near and far, from the Reservations here, to Haiti, to globally.  People, Children are starving.  The Ancestors are reminding us of this and of the luxury we have to be able to make these elaborate offerings, so that when we are making the offerings, we also want the energy and abundance of the offerings to reach those who are starving physically and spiritually to be able to grasp hold of long term solutions!  An offering that is done without consciousness and direction might as well be thrown in the trash.  In a time of great need upon the Earth it is vital that we do not waste, through our unconsciousness or limited thinking, the offering.

One of the vital dynamics which was brought to our attention repeatedly before, during and after the Ceremony was the balance between feminine and masculine energies and entities.  Leading up to the Ceremony the moon was in her waxing cycle and actually reached full moon two days after the Ceremony (which was interesting as at the same time a Medicine was coming out of the ground).  The Ancestors were also speaking about the shifting (often through violence and oppression) of "matriarchal" traditions to "patriarchal" traditions and was calling for a re-evaluation of spiritual traditions which had been subjected to the brutality and corruption of colonization to look carefully at what elements were introduced out of a patriarchal mindset or prejudice/hatred.  Additionally they were bringing attention to the "Corruption" of the representation of Deities through "gender change" which is done to serve a selfish or diseased agenda.   The Ancestors are bringing forth the balance between feminine and masculine energies for the benefit of life, thriving and spiritual development.  

During the Ceremony we engaged a "Snake Dance" which brought us to multiple points within the Ceremonial Grounds, these were points which have much Spiritual Energy, although some may have appeared "ordinary".  Snakes represent powerful Mystery in virtually all traditions.  They are the symbol of our DNA our genetic string, twine, braid which vibrates within us the story not only of what we perceive as our Ancestral Tree but the story of the Spiritual- Evolutionary process of this Mysterious and Spiritual Intelligence which has diversified and given rise to the multiple forms of life within our experience, past and present.  The Snake Dance takes us into different worlds whether we realize it or not, depending on our ability to embrace the Dance beyond the physical aspect or difficulty of it.  One's thoughts and focus during the Dance are very important as it is an extended "prayer or invocation" that we are engaging.

There is a point within the Snake Dance where we entered a Batey which is the "Snake Batey" which directly represents the double helix (double headed snake) of our DNA and represents the connection between the DNA and its COSMIC ORIGIN!  It is also symbolic of the Sacred Egg and Sperm which gives rise to us (again Sacred balance between Feminine and Masculine)!

Three vital principles were brought up by the Ancestors during the Ceremony, these being "Birth, Death and Agriculture (Earth Culture)".  These are the foundation principles of healthy community and solutions for the global dis-ease of present times.  Many of us have been "derailed, distracted or confused" by what is not essential, our wants, our perceived needs and ambitions.  Wallowing in over consumption and waste in one area has lead to deprivation in another.   It has created a system that is by its very nature unsustainable and doomed to failure (as we are witnessing on a day to day basis.  We also must recognize that there is an Ancestral behavior of exploitation which continues with the living which cannot be ignored and erased, especially if we claim to be pursuing Spirituality!  We must recognize the need to reconcile with our Mother Earth as well as with our Ancestors!

We always say "The Ceremony Begins when we leave the Ceremonial Grounds"!  Which is an acknowledgement that there is an energy that is transferred to us during the Ceremony, and it is our responsibility to take that energy and apply it in our lives!  For us that involves cleaning up the space and bringing the offerings to those places where they can return to the Earth, as well as continuing the process of divination to understand the messages the Ancestors are bringing forth.  However, for those who "leave" the space there is a continuing energy and continuing effect from the Ceremony and it is up to the individual to caretake the energy and work with that Ancestral Energy to bring about fruits and roots of understanding as well as positive changes and solutions!  

Seeking and Tracking Mysteries (Misterios) in the Forest!

As Paleros and as Tainos the forest provides and abundant place to seek and track Mysteries within it.  In the trees (Palos), in the stones, in the Earth, in the Moss, in the Roots, we find abundant Spirit and Mystery that is often overlooked by the unobservant walker.  In this particular walk we were looking for something specific and were looking to accomplish something specific.  In doing so there were many things photographed during our walk.  At this particular time we are utilizing some of these photographs as a teaching.  

This Palo has wrapped itself around an old barbed wire fence which caused a scarification which it still expresses.  You can see the Spirit in the Scarification looking directly at you.  Also notice in the right photo behind and to the right of the tree is another tree where a spirit can be seen clearly looking in this direction.  Here we ask "Who is that Spirit hiding in that Tree?"  The barbed wire was significant to us on this trail for reasons that I will not go into here.

Two hollows in two different Palos, one by the river, the other in the forest.  Each hollow contains valuable ingredients for the active Palero.  Sometimes the hollows may also be used to house for some time a piece of medicine.  We know that certain animals live in these hollows and also contribute to enriching the ingredients within the hollows through their debris, urine, fecal matter and through the energy they embody and through what they symbolize. Here we also question "Who is that Spirit who is living there?"  The tree by the water is a particular source of valuable ingredients because it is right by the river bank and absorbs much energy from the River herself.

Here we can see the strength of the roots of this tree that hold tightly to the slope showing qualities of tenacity.  Moss has grown in a soft blanket over the roots and soil surrounding the roots.  The tree itself shows a growth of sorts most likely from an event that took place when it was just a sapling.  This Palo embodies an energy of surviving under difficult conditions and overcoming an event without allowing that event to destroy it.  It is a good source to be utilized spiritually.

Again these roots of this Palo show their strength and are partially exposed to our view.  An animal has made a hole in between the roots and if we were to sit for long enough we could observe who made the hole or who had adopted it for their home.  The hole also provides and excellent point to gather soil for spiritual purposes.  Again we ask "Who is that Spirit who is looking at me?"

Here a large rocky outcrop can be seen that has formed a shallow cave.  This is a solid rock but trees have managed to grow right out of the rock by sending their roots down through cracks in the rock to access water and nutrients and extending their roots over the rock to the soil below.  Moss also has covered the rock.  These trees are surviving in extremely adverse conditions embodying the energy of persistence and creative use of resources.  This is another excellent place to put medicine (Nkisis or Cemi) for "empowering".

Here is a beautiful hole in the base of a tree.  Again what animal makes its home here below the hole and above as the hole opens both ways?  In the right photo very unusual growths make an amazing phenomenon come to life what is also strange is the covering of these growths with moss!  This is a rare sight in this forest and for us who find it, very spiritual.

Palo Muerto on the left with the holes left by the woodpecker (Inriri in Taino).  This Palo can be pulverized into a powder to be used for numerous purposes in Medicine.  The right photo shows a living Palo with two large poison ivy vines winding up it.  These vines are hairy and will cause rashes if touched (for the majority of people).  The vines can also be harvested and made into a powder for spiritual purposes.  Caution is suggested if you are going to work with this vine, do not handle it if you do not know how to.

Tree by the water with multiple trucks.  This tree instead of shooting one truck straight up sent out "suckers" that formed many trunks, some larger than others.  This tree is unlikely to be found other than in natural settings because trees that do this are generally pruned and these suckers never get to grow.  The tree is leaning towards the river behind it.  The other photo shows a beautiful view of the river coming around the bend.  Another amazing place for ceremony with the river and to extract ingredients needed for spiritual purposes, including water.  Often clays can be found next to the river.

Here a tree has fallen across the river, not only providing a bridge to the other side, but also has been in the river for some time.  The river took off all the bark from the tree and the tree has been washed by the river over many seasons.  This tree holds much important energy because of its "story" with the River.  It is also another good source for pulverizing wood into powder.

Here an unusual growth fascinates us, multiple spirits are visible in this growth!  On the left a strong, straight tree grips the earth with roots in the shape of a claw.  A stone is visible that the roots make their way around and over.  This tree represents strength, Palo Fuerte!

Here a living tree and a dead tree form a cross roads (Palo Vivo, Palo Muerto) almost in the basic shape of a firma where the living and the dead meet to communicate!  On the right a closer view of the hollow seen in the above photo.  We can see that there are things in the hollow that could be gathered or scraped.

This is a black walnut tree branch.  You can see a cluster of three walnuts in the center of the photo.  We use the black walnuts in fall when they fall and blacken as a dye for Batons, Cemis or carved Nkisi or for a garment that we may want to dye.  When we handle the black walnuts once we have pulverized them into a paste to extract the juices we use latex gloves as the walnut will stain the hands brown or black for weeks following their use.  Our three year old took one of the pilons from the Monanso and crushed up the black walnuts with other plants and by the time we noticed she had heavily stained her hands and it took some time before the stain finally washed away.  Of course we knew this was not anything negative but was something her Spirit was motivating her to do.

There are thousands of more of these types of photos but this is a small sampling to demonstrate what can be seen in the forest whether one is on a casual walk for relaxation or whether one is on the trail of gathering ingredients of spiritual purposes.  As Paleros and Tainos we never take a walk without keeping our eyes open to these Mysteries!  The forest is full of amazing Mystery and Spirit and it is always a blessing to be within the Sacred Forests!

THE TREES ON THE LAND OF THE SACRED HEART OF LIFE

THE TREES ON THE LAND OF THE SACRED HEART OF LIFE

We are blessed with many, many trees on the Land of the Sacred Heart of Life.  Well over half the Land is forest.  Some old growth forest, some newer growth forest.  From the perspective of both the Taino and Bakongo Roots, Trees are very important Spiritually.  

Very often Cemis are made from trees, some of the Cemis of the Koki Medicine Clan are made from trees that came right from the Land.  The trees represent Ancestral Trees, Ancestral Spirits, that which allows our existence in the here and now.  When we speak of Spiritual Roots, the word "root" is not used as a convenient metaphor but reflects the power and significance of the Tree within the Traditions.  Of course in Boriken the Ceibe tree is the central tree, its huge size, its mysteriousness, its long roots, are all very powerful and have been long honored and used by not only Taino but also by the African roots which found a home within our Caribbean homelands.  

As Paleros, trees are of course also very important!  Here we cannot grow a Ceibe tree or many of the other tropical trees that grow in the Caribbean, but there are also huge powerful trees here, most notably the OAK tree.  We also have cherry trees, birch trees, elm trees, maple trees, poplar trees, sycamore trees, locust trees, walnut trees, sassafrass trees, beech trees, cedar trees, hawthorn trees, hickory trees, dogwood trees, mulberry trees, and we have planted many others, such as ginko, fruit trees, magnolia, red bud, flowering cherries, flowering pears, fig, weeping willow, dogwood, honey locust, river birch, fir, and more.  All of these trees have spiritual qualities, and most of them (if not all) also have medicinal qualities and the trees are planted and cared for with respect for these qualities.  However it is also vital to note that some of the trees have been planted for specific Egun (Ancestor), as a means to ground and center that Egun.  It is also vital to note that some of the trees are ceremonial that are connected to a specific ceremony or medicine and were planted for a spiritual reason.

The tree in the beginning, which is also the tree above is a very mysterious, special tree.  It must have once been a huge tall tree, but now it is half alive and half dead!  It has an amazing hollow in bottom, which we use for spiritual purposes and it lives by one of the Springs that are on the Land.  It is a very important marking point and is hundreds of years old, and has easily been standing since the African Community was upon the Land 100 years ago.

This tree is a Egun Tree, it is a Green Mountain Maple which was planted for a specific Egun during a Spiritual Process to benefit that Egun.

This is another Egun Tree, a sycamore, for an Ancestor of the Koki Medicine Clan.  This particular Tree is connected to a very significant and important Ceremony that took place 4 years ago.  It has grown strongly since it was planted.

This is two trees, a cherry and a poplar, which have grown together.  This was discovered when we were clearing a space for a Women's Batey.  The roots at the base of the tree form a uterus, confirming the appropriateness of the space for the women's Batey.  These particular Trees are connected to the fusion of two trees coming together in each of us (our Mother's Tree and our Father's Tree).  It is of course essential for the health of the individual that both of these trees, although distinct, are in harmony within the individual and are not in hostility towards one another.  This is also a place where significant and very unusual Ceremony has taken place, and these are very definitely Ceremonial Trees.

The two trees above are concerning a Ceremonial Process that was done 6 years ago with the first tree, which was to "hold" the winds of negativity which were seeking at that time to destroy the Vision and to disrupt the process of the Land coming into the hands of the Koki Medicine Clan.   There was a ceremony that translates to the ceremony of the 32 essences of the Dead (no in depth detail can be given for this ceremony). The tree took the "impact" of the negativity and parasites literally consumed the tree.  These parasites reflected the two legged parasites who were attempting to suck the Life out of the Vision.  From the Spiritual perspective the impact was so strong that it killed the tree, which was amazing to see, however the impact did not succeed in destroying the Vision or the process of the Land coming into the hands of the Koki Medicine Clan because of the Ceremony with this tree and the Medicine involved.  This was the purpose of the Ceremony that the tree would take the impact and the Vision would not have to take the impact.  The dead tree was replaced with a living tree, which was later successfully transplanted to the Land.  This tree has flourished! 

To the right is an Elm Trees that we planted on the Land and in the background is a pine tree that we rescued from an abandoned lot.  

This tree that is behind the Bohio is marking another important point and a ceremonial point.  When I say "ceremonial point" that means that an actual ceremony/ spiritual process took place at that point and many times indicates that medicine has been placed at that point.  It is not a vague statement or a fantastical statement or a statement of wishful thinking.  It is a statement indicating TRATADO.

Another wonderful tree on the Land, a very old apple tree.  This apple tree still bears many fruits!  

This tree is growing right out of the roof of the Monansu.  We built the Monansu around the tree itself through some creative carpentry.  It is the central post within the monasu.  As I said previously Palos are very significant to Paleros!

Another beautiful tree on the Land, another old apple tree.  This is in the horse field and surprisingly although the horses will eat most of the other tree's bark they will not eat the apple tree, but they do enjoy eating all the apples that fall to the ground in the Fall.

Behind the stones of this Batey are the many tulip poplar trees and some cherry which we cleared of vines when we first built the bohio.  They were being choked by many vines.  Since they were cleared of vines, they have accelerated their growth.  On the other side of the Batey is mostly locust trees, which are very strong and have been used as fence posts which last 50 years with no chemical treatment at all!  The bees love both the poplar and locust flowers.  Here the tulip poplar tree's flower make up one of the strongest nectar flows for the bees. 

This side of the Batey has mostly locust and some black walnut trees and here the ground is covered in  various medicinal "weeds" and is green all spring, summer and fall, the other side does not grow anything and stays the color of soil!

Hawthorn tree in one of the horse fields.  It has spikes all over it, and  is used for specific spiritual purposes. The hawthorn is also known as espanta muerto.  The animals do not chew on it because of the spikes and most likely they do not like its flavor!  Next to it is one of the wild elderberry bushes that grow all over the horse fields.  Again the horses, fortunately do not eat them.  Elderberry is a wonderful tonic for the immune system and is a great syrup to take when you have a cold or the flu.  Once you have a cold Elderberry is more effective than echinacea!  

Flowering dogwood tree in front of cherry and cedar all of these are here naturally.  We have many dogwoods naturally on the Land.

Two cedars and a tulip poplar in a horse field.  These trees will have the opportunity to grow very big because they are in a field and not in the forest so they do not have to compete for sunlight.  We have a true hardwood forest in much of the Land, but in the areas that have newer growth which are actually in a recovery process after the Land was pastured or farmed, we are able to select the strongest trees to grow very tall and we keep the space below them accessible.  

We are also creating "hedges" which are perfect habitats for birds and are also windbreaks for the gardens.  It is very important to us that we do more than replace any trees that we use.   It is also important to us that we re-introduce many of the native trees to this region.  We are concerned with medicinal trees as well and increasing the diversity of trees upon the Land.  The trees are sacred to us, and also provide us with health, shade, shelter, warmth, cooking fuel, and the sacred materials for Medicines and Cemis!  There are many more trees of interest on the Land, this is just a brief glimpse.

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GIVING BACK!!!!  

THE TREE NURSERY!

We have hundreds of saplings in our Tree Nursery!  Which we planted when they were no bigger than a small twig!  We put them in a nursery because it enabled us to care for them more efficiently as they required water and weeding.  Today they have grown tall, some are over 8' tall.  There are sycamores, river birches, honey locusts, dogwoods, butterfly bushes, peach trees, and some pine trees.  Over the next year we will be planting many of them around the Land.  They are to replace the many trees that have been destroyed over the years and to bring back more of the native trees to this region.  When looking at the area we live in from the sky (google map) it is shocking how depleted and TREELESS this so called rural area looks.  There has been a devastation of the tree life in this area, and although it appears that there are a lot of trees, this is an illusion due to the fact that there are many trees planted along the roads, so it appears as if the area has a lot of forest.  Farmers in this area have systematically destroyed all the forested areas in the quest for more farm and pasture land.  There is also a lot of quarrying that takes place in this area as well as housing developments which appear to have an obsession to cut down every tree in order to build a house.  

There is a misunderstanding that for a space to be productive that it has to be treeless.  The trees are vital to our thriving.  Their leaves enrich the soil, we use the leaves for mulch, they contribute to trapping carbon dioxide, they provide so many essential products for us including medicines, and they also reduce soil erosion.  The Earth will naturally cover herself back up with trees as soon as the people stop mowing them down, clearly indicating that trees are her natural adornment in this area.  We honor that by replanting trees!