Winter in the Munanso

Snow is not only valuable for its moisture, which we are in desperate need of this year, but also for its energy as it blankets the Earth's surface in a cooling energy.  In the Munanso it brings a coolness to everything, and allows us to see all the animal tracks that come into the space.  Especially at this time when there is so much heat upon the Earth, the snow is very important for cooling the energy. 

In the Munanso the snow brings a beauty and serenity which is wonderful and we often also light the cooking fire, especially if we are going to do any work with the Misterios, and the fire brings a balance to the snow and allows us to appreciate more deeply the qualities of both.  We take the time to observe the bird activity and how the birds continue to find seeds among the bushes and weeds.  Although all may look bare to us, the fact that the birds look fat and happy prompt us to look more deeply at our surroundings to see the opportunities that are truly there.

As Paleros who live in the temperate zone rather than in the tropics or sub-tropics, we adapt to the seasonal changes that we find ourselves living with.  We spend time outside in the winter to understand the Spirit of this season, the behavior of the natural phenomenon (plants, birds, animals) that surround us, to feel the energy of the Sun in this season, the strength of the light of the Moon and Stars.  While we may prefer summer, we do not run from winter, and when the snow comes and changes our plans we have to look beyond the surface to see what the Misterios themselves are telling us and what opportunity they are bringing for growth in directions previously unexamined.

Fortunately we have many large overhanging porches and roofs in our Munanso which allows us much room for  movement even when it does snow.  Below our Munanso made entirely of logs from the land looks very welcoming in the snow, in many ways the snow brings the energy of the Mountains to us and we are covered in the blessing of the Misterio whose energy manifests as snow.  

The snow melts gently and slowly into the Earth, replenishing Rivers, Lakes and groundwater (underground Rivers and Reservoirs).  It allows us to see the contours of the Earth around us and see through the trees and underbrush which is pushed low to the ground with the weight of snow.  We are able to see how the Bateys, Munansos and Bohio line up with each other, and the spacial relationships between the various Ceremonial Spaces upon the Land.  We are able to see the deer, foxes, birds even more clearly and everything leaves its tracks clearly visible in the snow.  We are able to see the deer trails.  The Snow brings the "skeletal structure" of the Land into focus, including the animal pathways (arteries if you will). 

The Snow allows us to appreciate shape and color in a way that is impossible in the intensity of the colors of Spring, Summer and Fall.  Below a painted bowl in Anani's Munanso sits on a wall built from various different stones with a small carving she tucked away in a crevice.

In another place another carving is barely visible under a blanket of snow leaning up against a simple stone which has so much expression inside its apparent simplicity.  The snow allows us to look deeper into the world around us.

And in our looking more deeply we can uncover an incredible design and relationship that is expressed on multiple levels and we can see the relationship of human expression and the natural expression of Mother Earth in a relationship of creativity where we utilize our internal vision from the Spirits of the Ancestors to take the raw element and expressions of Mother Earth and bring forth new expressions and relationships.  Below two carvings by Ciba Jaguar sit within a stone wall showing a moment of harmonious relationship of Human to Earth!

The fox

(Click on photos to enlarge)

We frequently see both red and grey foxes who live in abundance around the Land.  This particular beautiful red fox blends into the background of this weedy field.  Typically foxes will run off a little bit and turn back to stare at you, and repeat this a number of times.   They have a powerful ability to assess whether there is a real threat to them or not, and will not waste energy running away from a non-threatening situation.  They are wary of people but are also very bold, especially when there is a potential food source around, such as chickens. They are members of the dog family.   

In the snow we find their tracks, and their prints line up as they travel a single path with all four feet falling in exactly the same line.  They have acute hearing and can hunt through the snow.  In our Munanso we associate the fox with Lucero Mundo, and fox is a delicacy that the Misterio appreciates.  

Meanwhile over at the chicken house, we keep one of our dogs on guard to protect our free ranging hens.  When the fox goes on a chicken killing spree he will kill many more chickens than he needs and can easily destroy more than half the flock.  We have found that keeping the donkeys and llama close by combined with the dog keeps the foxes at a distance.  

Views of the Munanso

Above can be seen the Eshus after they were fed for the New Year, we arranged them under Nsasi's porch roof where we were prepared to do the Ceremony, rain, snow or shine.  This particular day was a sunny day as can be seen by the shadows.  We feed the Eshus to "Open Caminos" for the New Year.  

Above is a photo taken after we had cleaned up the offerings for Nsasi Day.  By clicking on the photo it will enlarge and enable you to see the various Misterios that showed up in this photo.  Photos have the ability to "grasp" two dimensional images of Misterios that are often overlooked in the three dimensional space we move within.  

Plantas and Palos - Upcoming Publication

The Palero traditionally has an expertise in the identification and spiritual and medicinal properties of Plants and Trees.  The Plants (including trees) are used in Spiritual Baths and Remedies for ailments.  The Tree's Palos (sticks) are use in Medicine, Fundamento, Nkisi and for various travajos.  These are at the heart of the Munanso and the work of the Tata and Yayi Nkisi!

We are in the beginning stages of an intensive research into the Plants and Trees utilized by Paleros, in order to compile a comprehensive book that goes from the identification of plants and trees, the harvesting of them, the making of herbal remedies from them, their utilization in terms of the Munanso and Misterio, and finally a section on what temperate zone (zone 6/7) relatives of the tropical plants can be utilized by Paleros living in these zones (diaspora) and what tropical plants can be grown indoors and in small gardens and patio gardens by the urban, suburban and rural Palero living in the Mid-Atlantic Region or other comparable zone.  It will also include a section on Plantas that can be purchased from local supermarkets.  Finally we will also discuss composting the plantas of various Misterios to create soils that are unique for each Misterio that can then be used within the Munanso. 

We will be making this book available, either in print form and/ or e-book form upon its completion.  We also plan to make seeds and/ or plants available for those who wish to embark upon the journey of creating a Palero's Garden!

Traditionally (until very recently) a Palero's home was easily identified by the abundance of plants growing inside and on patios/ decks around the home.  It is time for the Concrete Jungle to give way to the Medicinal/ Spiritual Gardens which can be created anywhere and everywhere!