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!

Watariamba-WAR AND JUSTICE!

A young buck who went down in the snow came into our Munanso still warm and we prepared a feast immediately for Watariamba, the Misterio of War and Justice.    He was a buck who must have been born much earlier this year and his antlers were just beginning to develop.  We were aware that the Misterio himself had pulled this young buck so that we could prepare this feast.  We realized once again how blessed we are that we are able to have space where we can prepare these feasts outdoors in cast iron pots and directly on the grill, with the aroma of the meat and corn filling the air, and that we are in a position to be able to utilize the whole animal, including the skin which we scrape in preparation for tanning.  We are very fortunate that we live in the countryside where these animals cross our paths on a daily basis, which gives us the opportunity to present these highly valued animals to the Misterios. It is not every day that a Fundamento is presented with a complete venison feast!

These achese (organs) which include the eyes and penis of the buck will be dried and ground into a powder after being presented to Watariamba.  This powder will then be utilized in many ways, including directly in Fundamento, Bilongos, travajos, and for other Medicine Pieces.  The organs of this wild buck were very, very healthy, with a much darker and clearer coloring than any domestic animal would have.  For us it is very important to utilize healthy animals for the Misterios, as there is greater value and strength and vitality in a healthy animal.  This young buck was in supreme health before the snow put him in a position where he was unable to stand up and his organs themselves suffocated him.  (Certain animals- goats, sheep, horses, ...- if they fall in certain positions and get caught in something or it is too icy for them to stand up, their organs will put too much pressure on their lungs and they suffocate themselves.)  We see this situation and circumstance as the Misterio himself "hunting" this animal, especially since we found it while it was still warm!  Significantly this young buck arrived at a specific time, which coincided with a time when this Misterio was already in his process of going out to "hunt". 

Below, Watariamba with his buck and acheses.  The buck was cooked in one whole piece (as can be seen) upon the grill.  It is not every day or even every year that this happens, and again we have much gratitude for the blessings from Misterio that made this happen!  

Full Moon

Full Moon the night before the true full moon on the following night that also was involved in a Lunar eclipse.  This particular full moon was very significant since it was also the Winter Solstice.  The moonlight was so bright it was easy to see everything at night without electrical light.   The Misterio of the Moon is very significant in both Palo and Taino traditions.  The Moon is related to the Feminine Misterios, and is a powerful puller for all manner of results.  We often put certain Medicines or Spiritual Baths out in the Moonlight so they can absorb the energies of the Moon.  

In considering the significance of the Full Moon, we realize that it is the Sun's light that illuminates the Moon, and that what we are calling moonlight is in fact Reflected Sunlight whose reflection gives us a glimmer of the sunlight without its radiant heat.  We know that the direct sunlight comes with a heat, regardless of whether it is winter or summer, however the Moonlight is cool in nature.  The moonlight will illuminate things from a different spiritual perspective than the sunlight, and is can bring light to situations or things without bringing heat.  

The full moon illuminates an generally unseen world at night, its light creates alertness, enhanced activity, and even increased insanity in some minds.  The full moon under lunar eclipse also activates Mother Earth and we see increased rumblings and shakings, as even she is stimulated by the alignment of Sun, Earth and Moon.  During an lunar eclipse we see the Full Moon with the Earth's shadow over her, and on the opposite side of the Earth from where we are standing the Sun is pulling with its usual gravity.  We are simultaneously being pulled in opposite directions by these two cosmic Misterios.  As the Earth's shadow falls upon the Moon, what is that Misterio seeing in that shadow, what is she Divining about this Earth and the activities upon this Earth?  The shadow is being cast by the Sun, so what is the Sun communicating to the Moon concerning the Earth?  We can utilize these moments but must do so with respect for the power of what is occurring cosmically.

Absolutely a profound cosmic event!

Mbambo-Kulusu!

Preparing for Ebo with Mbambo-Kulusu, now that the leaves have fallen from the trees, we can see Kongo Land from a distance.  The cluster of huts on the left is the primary Munansos.

In the foreground our grill is heating water, the hut visible on the left is the Munanso where we do ebo with Mbambo Kulusu.  The central tree is right next to it.

Looking inside the Munanso, various Nkisi are visible along with the offerings.

A close up of the Nkisis.  Below the full offering is down, with many fruits, roots and sugar cane.  

We do this every year and it is an aspect of our preparations for closing out the year and preparing for a new year.  To us, the year ends and begins at the winter solstice, which corresponds with the movements of the Sun, rather than any societal or religious significance.  Although it is not as simple as just this, as Taino cycles also recognize a new year beginning with the Spring Rains and planting (closer to Spring Equinox).  Absolutely we know that the 'shortest' day of the year holds particular significance and is a marking point that is very obvious to most observers.  The quality of the Sun's rays shift at this point as the energies of moving into the Spiritual Darkness (that Darkness of the Cosmic Womb) shift to energies of moving into Spiritual Brightness.  These are important shifts that do impact what we do and when we put certain plans into action.  It is much easier to acknowledge and move within natural cycles rather than attempt to move contrary to the cycles.  We are grateful for the Ancestors and Misterios that continue to guide us to greater wisdom, understanding and abundance.  We are also especially grateful to the Ancestors for exposing and guiding us to turn our backs on the empty behaviors of spiritual "enactments", those things that are called "ceremony" but which completely lack Spirit, those things that have diluted our spiritual traditions for too long!

Simba Simbi