Ebo to the Feminine Misterios

It is the time of year when we spend intensive time within the Munansos, making offerings to the Misterios and strengthening and empowering the Ancestors.  Although the weather is cold, sometimes raining or snowing, there is no weather condition that has prevented this from occurring.  Here we are speaking specifically about the Ebo that we did for the Feminine Misterios in the women's Munanso.  The women's Munanso is located behind Nsasi's Munanso and can be seen in the photo below at the very end on the right.  A critical element in the offering is the fire and grill on the right that in the photo is heating a large pot of water so that we have some hot water available.

Below is the doorway into the women's Munanso.  Concentration and focus is vital during this whole process to assure that the sacrifices entailed in the offerings are not in vain.  We want to be certain that the offerings are reaching the World of the Ancestors and that our invocations accompanying the offerings are clear and carefully considered.  We also stay focused in order to catch any disruptive energies before they cross the energy of the offering.  

Below the late afternoon light shines through the small window and door, illuminating the Munanso in a very beautiful way.  The bano utilized during the process has been made from plants that have come directly from our array of tropical plants (kept indoors in winter) and plants still growing outside despite the unusually cold temperatures.  We are very excited that we were able to make all three banos that we utilized during this particular time exclusively from plants that we have growing.  This not only saves us money that we would otherwise have to spend at botanicas, but it also means that plants are picked fresh moments before they are used and that we are achieving our goals of providing the materials the Misterios need from our own harvest.

A beautiful view of the offerings in the Munanso.  Herbs harvested during the summer hang from the ceiling, including sage which is used to smudge the space.  Behind the offerings (not visible) are jars of herb infused oils.  When making offerings to the Ancestors and Misterios it is important to bring an abundance not only physically but also mentally.  People (in this society) are very used to an incredible rate of consumption (much of which gets wasted).  The offerings made to the Ancestors are delivered to the Ancestral World where it increases and enhances the Abundance of the Ancestral World, and enables the Ancestors to move in more powerful ways (which of course also benefits the Living).  We always make sure that we select very high quality offerings for the Misterios.  It is especially wonderful when we can use offerings that we have grown ourselves as they have an even greater innate value than those that we simply purchase elsewhere.  

Fundamental to our understanding here is that when we give with abundance to the Ancestors and Misterios, we build that which never dies (that which is immortal) that which we came from and return to.  Although it is very important to provide for the Living, oneself, family, community, it is just as important to provide for the Ancestors for that is the true "wealth".  Simba Simbi (Uphold that which hold you up)!

Bear in mind that world wide traditions of offering to the Ancestors are practiced with great love and dedication.  However we find ourselves in a society and a time when that has been pushed to the side.  The concept of making offerings to the Ancestors is a concept that sadly many find strange and unnecessary, and many others approach with a stingy mentality.  As Paleros and Tainos we must understand that we come from Traditions who truly have concepts of the Ancestral World, the power of the Ancestral World and the methods by which to communicate and make offerings to the Ancestral World.  Although we may fall short in our concepts of these things at this point due to the onslaught of colonialism and the american dream, this must never be taken for granted, and we must strive to reclaim our full Ancestral Understanding of these things.  The doorway to reclaiming that Understanding is to approach Ancestral Offerings and Offerings to Misterio with Love and Great Respect!

Kunalemba

The life of the Palero/ Palera IS the EXPLORATION of the Movement of the Misterios in the Natural Environment, which is all around us!  We must without a shadow of a doubt remember and continue to remember that Palo is a tradition that is born from the Natural Environment and that Palo itself is of the rural root.  In order to continue to empower and understand the Mpungos, Nkisis, and all that Palo is, especially for those whose Fundamentos and Nkisis are living within a city, it is essential that we do not forget the Natural Environment, and that we return to these natural environments as often as possible.

This Camino took us to a Rock Formation high in our Ancient Mountains that looks out to the Valley below and to a distant singular mountain which is formed out of Quartzite Crystal and has outlasted all the other hills around it, still standing strong.  This view overlooks an ancient inland Sea, a place where the Ocean formed an Inland "Lake or Sea" of sorts!  The healing properties of Kalunga (the Ocean) are still inherent in the rocks left by her as she receded!  Her ability to form rocks through a process of cementing minerals together is now being exploited by the various quarries in the area including a large cement plant which quarries the limestone in the Earth.  

This view is a healing view as we contemplate that Mother Earth's Elements and Properties are also contained within our physical bodies and that when we have imbalance (dis-ease) in our bodies we need to turn to her for her healing qualities, we turn to her soil itself, we turn to her healing bacteria, we turn to her vast array of healing plants, we turn to her Ocean Salts and so on.  There is no mistake that the Palero fills the Fundamento with Soils, Clays, Medicinal Plants, Medicinal Palos; the Fundamento itself becomes a Natural Pharmacy for all ills, Spiritual, Mental, Emotional and Physical.  It is important as Paleros that we realize that in the course of our engaging healing, Spiritual and Physical, that we do not leave out the important component of Reconciliation with "Mother Earth"!  Which also involves the re-embracing of Mother Earth's Medicines and Nutritional Power Foods!  As Paleros we also need to realize or give more significance to the fact that Rocks and Stones are vital Spirits with sacred components (minerals) which are symbolically and physically linked to our own physical and spiritual health!  

This Rocky Formation, named "Chimney Rock" by the Park, is Quartzite stone, which is a limestone (soft stone) that has become hardened due to undergoing intense pressures from the Earth.  This stone embodies the result of the transformation brought about through high pressure.  Its Spiritual qualities are obviously endurance and transformation from something "soft" to something "hard and enduring".  As the softer rock has dissolved and eroded into the flat valley, this rock, along with others in the area, still stands strong; an enduring testament of withstanding pressure and stress and actually utilizing that stress and pressure for transformation.  For us as Paleros this type of stone is a powerful tool for engaging stressful and difficult situations where one is being pressurized heavily and using that pressure to transform.  We utilize quartzite stone surrounding our Munanso and within the Bateys in our Ceremonial Grounds.  We also utilize it within our Fundamentos, Nkisis, Cemis and Bilongos!  See blog article: "Kulusu Bilula Npanguila" to see the wall built around Nsasi's Munanso which is about 60% Quartzite stone and 40% local stone which is a softer volcanic stone.

Not only the physical components of the stone are relevant but also the location of the stone is significant.  This stone gives us a very distant view and one feels a mental clarity and a spiritual upliftment in this location.  This combined with the properties of the stone itself make this Camino one for overcoming pressures and utilizing those pressures for SELF TRANSFORMATION and ENDURANCE as well as for MENTAL CLARITY, Seeing the GREATER PERSPECTIVE AND LONG VIEW,  and Connectedness to the Misterio of Kunalemba (Mountain) and Sky and Sun!  The Cracks in the stone are caused by ice-thaw cycles which have created a "Boulder River" below this rock, from the time of the glaciers!  Powerful Powerful Energies when we know how to engage them!

There is an important issue, concerning Palo, which we need to address head on!  Secrecy!!!!!  Palo is a tradition which requires initiation to be " licensed" to work with Nkisi, Fundamento, Prenda, Bilongo etc.  There are aspects of Palo which are secret and only uncovered upon initiation and the subsequent learning processes.  Certainly many of the travajos of Palo are "secret" although one can find all sorts of "recipes" in books and on the internet, so one has to question how secret is secret?  One can even find descriptions of initiation ceremony and so on, and even find videos on you tube.  I personally chose not to speak about the Initiation Ceremony itself in detail, and I do not generally divulge every ingredient I use in recipes.  However I know what it is to be kept "hungry" because of someone else's need to power trip, and I do not condone ignorance as a tool to subject people and control people.  Therefore I share enough that someone who is initiated can put two and two together to enhance their own practice.  I also share so that those who are not initiated can also benefit from some of the fundamental principles of Palo and so that People in general can gain a respect for the Tradition and its way of Life, because, after all, one never knows when one may need this Tradition as a life-saving force!  I share to empower, I share to stimulate one's Spirit's creativity in approach to Spirituality.  I share to counter the power tripping that is all too prevalent in many communities.  I also share because we all need to reconcile with our Mother Earth and Palo is a Spiritual Tradition which is rooted in embracing, respecting, adoring and working WITH the forces of Mother Earth!  Which is also the principles of Taino Tradition!!!!

So many Misterios are expressed in these rocks.  There is a need to realize that wherever we find ourselves upon the Earth there are many beautiful Misterios that we can work with.  It is wonderful if we can travel to high and majestic mountains, but if this is not possible we must look carefully and with humility at what is around us because the Spirit is there whether the Mountain is young and high or whether the Mountain is small and very very old!  The spirit of the waterfall is there is a small local waterfall and in the magnificent waterfalls of the Earth "whose Smoke Thunders"!

This stone has a very flat surface which looks like a Brandiku Nsambi (altar).  Interestingly "altar" means "elevated structure where religious rites are performed and sacrifices offered to the Gods and Ancestors!"    This is certainly elevated and one senses a Sacredness to this place.  It is a good place to come to "off season" when one can have some solitude, and it is always a place to bring your children to learn, to absorb its sacred Spirit, and a place where one can hear their wisdom concerning the Spirit and how it is touching and speaking to them!

The photo below shows a view of what is below the "altar rock", which is a smaller "altar rock", the rocks form almost steps down to the boulder river below.

Another downward view...

In this photo you can see three of the "steps".  Combined with boulder river they form a "road" made of stone up the mountain, then these series of steps up to the Brandiku Nsambi.  A human would have a hard time climbing up this "road", there is a different entry which is easy for people to access this stone.  We see it as a road for the Misterio to travel in and out.

This is the way in and out for us.  It is rocky but fairly easy to travel even for a child.  As one gets to the edge it becomes more challenging.  There is a teaching in this discussion of roads in and out.  The Misterio can endure much more pressure than we can, and the Misterio can travel in places and spaces that we find very difficult or impossible.  The quartzite represents the transmutation of external pressure to internal strength.  This space is a space where we can make invocations, offerings for this ability to transform external pressure to internal strength, knowing that the Misterio here can endure what we cannot.  Somos o no Somos!!!!

Below, the walk back down the mountain through the beautiful Forest!

Revisiting the Odu of the Year for our Munanso!

"Mateka Mbuta, Mavwa Vwinya"

The Kikongo proverb above loosely translated means "The water the Old Man gives removes the Thirst" (ie.  The Old Man gives good advice).  This is a proverb alluding to the wisdom of the Elders, and is a proverb that also alludes to the need for the Yayi and Tata to listen carefully to the wisdom of the Elder(s), especially the wisdom of the Tata Nkisi and, or Yayi Nkisi of the Munanso.  

Back in January we Divined the "Odu of the Year" for our Munanso.  We examined in depth the significance of the Odu, its reflection within the Munanso itself, its reflection within all the Tatas and Yayis who have been initiated within the Munanso, and we also took the time to explore how the energies of the Odu interrelated with and reflected the larger global energies.  

Note on term: We use the term "Odu" to signify the caracol divination that we do within the Munanso.  The term "Odu" itself is Yoruba and the Caracol divination is a Palo absorption of utilizing aspects of Yoruba divination.  It is important to understand that the Bakongo people who arrived in the Caribbean adopted various practices and spiritual tools from various other peoples, including Taino, Yoruba, Dahomey, Mandika, Takua, Kissi, Calabar, (also known -excluding Taino- including Kongo-as the Seven African Powers).  The adoption of practices and spiritual tools from other Cultures was (and continues to be) contingent on one thing- the Results!  If it works, a Palero/ Palera will use it!

The Divination of the Year made reference to various Spiritual Forces (Mpungo) and other Powers!  Chola Wengue- Mpungo manifesting as the Rivers, Waterfalls, Sweet water floods, Springs, and Blood in the Veins.  Kalunga- Mpungo manifesting as the Ocean, strong powers of Motherhood and Emotions.  Centeya- Mpungo of the Tornado, Mother of the Dead!  The Odu also made reference to the Seven African Powers, the Power of the Palo Tradition, its adaptability, it ability to transform in order to survive.

Vital points for a Yayi or Tata of this Munanso to remember for this year is to renew, reinforce, expand and empower one's connection to the Munanso.  Negative thinking, lack of self worth, and bitterness, sourness and refusal to take action for progression were/ are to be those things the Power of the Tornado-(Guabancex/ Centeya) was/is coming to take!  Family could be a source of drama and  emotional manipulation, Yayis and Tatas were instructed to stay in clear waters emotionally and not to get drawn in or become victims of emotional manipulation.  The Spiritual Family of the Munanso was to be honored and respected and attention given the Mysteries and effort applied to one's progression and spiritual evolution.  The Spirit of Humility and Gratitude was to be embraced!  Yayis and Tatas were to reflect on their Initiation, the meaning, significance and progress of that.  Divination was to be the key to overcoming anxious or difficult states of mind.  It is not a good year to allow negative feelings to fester, but to air them out through Divination!  

It is a year of a pivotal point of choice.  A crossroads and the choice of road taken would/ will make all the difference.  The choice was simultaneously the choice of the Munanso and the choice of the Individual Yayi and Tata.  In this Odu relationships can be very strained and the power of the Tornado comes testing all those relationships.  Centeya comes to take away all that the individual shows through their actions that they do not value.  It is an odu of renewal but the odu reminds us that renewal cannot occur except through letting go of those things that are not fertile and productive and embracing positives choices that bring about positive changes.  

When we see a tornado ripping through an area, she tears up trees, rips houses, buildings, cars apart, debris is flying everywhere at a high velocity.  People and animals run for shelter and sometimes the shelter they are in is ripped right from them.  Lives are lost, structure is damaged and destroyed.  Tears, frustration and anger are inevitable in the wake of the Tornado, however we must remember that the destruction brought by the tornado forces Renewal!  New structures are imagined and then built and sometimes the choice is made to build newly based on Ancient Practices or to build in a way that is sensitive to our Mother Earth.  The tornado also reminds us of those that "it" took, it reminds us that they were sacrificed in the wake of the tornado.  

We also can look at a raging river.  Is she beautiful?  Many years ago we were doing a Cleansing Weekend and it was raining heavily.  We did meditations in the rain sitting on the edge of the bridge.  At one point I asked those gathered as we looked into the churning muddy raging River below, "Is She Beautiful?"  All those present responded "yes" however from a new age perspective, so I responded "so jump in right now into her beauty".  No one took me up on the offer, but the moment was memorable.  We call her "Chola Wengue La Machetera" when she is in her raging, muddy, swirling, outraged state.  She will take houses pulling them down into her, she will rip out concrete roads, take out bridges, and again like the tornado, she will take lives.  On a global scale every year we see floods but some of the most damaging floods have occurred this year (Pakistan) which continues at this date its effects and devastation.  We have also seen droughts followed by flooding rains.  Again and again we are reminded of the need to appreciate and conserve the precious sweet water that we are blessed with, but which we so often take for granted.  It is a reminder to "count our blessings" and show gratitude to the Mystery for the abundance spiritual and material within our lives.

The odu also speaks strongly of not just the Ocean, but of the Depths of the Ocean, and we all know what happened at the depths of the Ocean this year, the bleeding that occurred of the Blood in our Mother Earth's veins.  This Bleeding on the Global Scale is a cry, a yell of outrage and of consequences, a question and decision- how far will greed go to destroy even its own foundation?  Within our Munanso in the mini-microcosm that it represents, this parallel of the Blood erupting from the depths of the Ocean must be considered carefully, not only on the physical level, but also on the spiritual level.  Globally we continue to hear a cry from Mother Earth of Rage, Frustration, Anger and a call to make radical and revolutionary leaps within Spiritual Consciousness and Physical Progression.  How that cry is answered with each Yayi and Tata of the Munanso is critical and will make the difference in the micro-cosm and contribute to energies within the whole!  Is the choice to embrace Spiritual Consciousness and Physical Progression?  Is the choice to embrace Reconciliation and Thriving with Mother Earth and her Indigenous Traditions?  Or is the choice lack of self worth, selfishness, mediocrity, negativity and the victim syndrome and mental sloth.

At this point we find ourselves three quarters of the way through the year and involved in a deepening of the ongoing analysis and exploration of the energies of the Divination of the Year.  We look back on several critical points and decisions that took place within several Tatas and Yayis of the Munanso.  We also look deeply at the decisions that we need to make as caretakers of the Munanso to move with integrity within the energies of the Divination of the Year.  We explore those things that the Mysteries themselves are bringing to our attention, those things the Mysteries are looking to take away and those things the Mysteries are looking to bring renewal to.  

Several Yayis and Tatas have been given (spiritually and also in some cases physically) the Machete, 7 Ribbons, 7 Sunga, $21 (for those that understand what this refers to).  This came about through both the choice of the individual to prefer and choose mediocrity, negativity, procrastination, refusal to embrace teachings of progression, and refusal to transform negative habits into positive changes.  This also came about through the choice of the Munanso not to continue to "enable" mediocrity and negativity especially in those cases where many years have been spent in profound teachings and opportunities.  This decision was presaged in the beginning of the year and shared with some of the Yayis, although at the time we did not see who exactly it was referring to.  In these situations decisions may be difficult but the choice must be made with clarity and certainty and with the integrity of the Munanso at the forefront of the Tata Nkisi's mind.  

The root of betrayal lies in allowing the Ancestors to be "second class citizens".  In a sense this statement flows to the essence of the Divination.  The Divination is calling for our total commitment to the Tradition.  This total commitment is very difficult for those who come with a new age mentality or have been staying with a new age mentality to fully grasp, as new age encourages "butterfly" spirituality (going from one flower to the next).  Total commitment to the Tradition means total commitment to one's Ancestors and the Camino that one's Ancestors have guided one towards.  It means that one puts the needs of Ancestors on equal footing with one's own needs, and is not only what we term a "weekend warrior" or a "workshop Palero".  The root of the Ancestors is Full Time!  It requires a greater commitment to accountability.  

Ancient tradition that has survived to the present, such as Palo which derives from more ancient tradition (Bakongo, Taino and more) is to be protected and defended.  It is to be cherished, care-taken, honored and nurtured.  It can never be just about empty words and part time interest.  We say "somos o no somos" which is a profound declaration as to our commitment to Palo and the Ancestors.  Palo is committed to YOU as a Yayi or Tata, and it is a treasure to be valued and respected, and you as a Yayi or Tata must be committed to Palo!  This year the energies spoken of in the Divination all gather their forces disrupt the complacency that the individual may have fallen into and bring one face to face with the meaning and essence of one's Trato, ones Initiation (RAYADO) for Life!  Somos o no Somos!