Ceremonies from the Spirit World

October 2008
by Maria Yraceburu

Face to face
The day began like any other day in Hawaii.  The weather damp, but do-able, and the day with Aunty Kalei a ritual of purpose.

---

Across Time
A group of our of our San Diego family sat waiting for their ride, and we manuevered in to pick up Patrice and Leilani at the tiny Hilo Airport.  Toho'ma then circled Aunty Kalei's car out to the main drag, destination... Ken's Pancake House.  When all facilitators for the Hawk WindWay had gathered, we feasted together as family, as both Hawaiian and Apache traditions accept as correct protocol.  When we started voicing intent around the circle the most remarkable voice of unity honored  our group, as had been hoped, power to the directions and beyond.  Other groups around the world held us in contained alignment.

I noticed that the rest of our group were ready to walk Pele's lava flow.  They responded to the call after only slight prodding.  Still learning to translate Hawaiian protocol and sign language into Apache understanding.  I closed the door to the car as the rain began a heavy descent.

It was difficult to see on the dark, rain-varnished road and the ritual driven Kahuna in the first three cars we followed, were  on a time crunch.  It was impossible to see landmarks and by the time we caught up we were in the gate by the lava flow into the sea, which was to close within five minutes.  When we finally parked it was an intense moment. Aunty Pahia, Iliana, Flors, Camille, the kids, Iliana's sisters, Le'anala, Patrice and Leilani, Toho'ma and myself began our march across lava rock by the light of the Hawk Full Moon.  Two in our party walk with walking sticks, however, their chanting lifted all our feet, and it was apparient that this evening was setting the tempo for the next three days.

The Kapuna's message thrust true into my heart, and I felt the dance lift us to the sky, and then felt, rather than heard, warm song on my lips, eyes, ears, heart, arms and body.  The purpose of the Hawk WindWay was what I was seeing, I, and the others were proving our worthiness to receive.  A sacred life realized, as we saw the awe of Pele's sacred touch.  At last we lived lives of beauty... hozhoni.

A ceremonial stage
Quickly I skipped rocks once liquid fire, and remembered snake venom that once ran through my veins.  I soon realized the messages within the sky above, and stood patiently waiting for the women of Hawaii to complete their offerings.  They were quite supportive of our ceremonial intent to be kind and gentle with one another, bridging and speaking the truths of earth and family, and cast prayers on the wind blessing our union.  I stood watching signs… Oscar and Cindy getting married in Kaui at the same time, the Hawk in the tree as I said morning prayers - she comes every time... and opening my heart and thoughts to silently pray for our family anchoring both sides of the bridging and the creation of beauty.

When the lava shifted drastically in our direction, we began our lofty trek back to the car.  A wide grin spread across Iliana's face as she offered a chant worthy of Pele's gratitude toward the guardians who keep the people safe, thanking them as we held space in honor.

If there had been anything unworthy in our intent, Pele would purify until sacred lesson could be seen.  Not only did this reveal itself many times over, but it rendered this group that walked the lava flow a tightly forming alliance that live true to their inner most beliefs.  We recognize broken hearts were to heal, there was possibility of sacred tradition accepted with respect.  I would simply continue to Make Relations and do so according to vision.  I had no doubt of their truthful choreography, every envisioned hope was coming true.  A pure heart would serve as protection.  A proof of actions, time streaming centuries, would function as the chanting and dancing of life renewed.  I selected my assignment and quickly the crescendo of energy joined us one to another.  Mo'i squatted nearby, fascinated by the human process.

Fire walking Pele, I believe, has a language all it's own.  I piled prayers of appreciation and respect; while the confirmation progressed to a young kahuna being recognized, remembering how long ago I had dreamed this all.  Puzzled, Mo'i watched me open gates of change, sort out ritualistic action and spread love carefully to enable unusally effective balance.  Surely, she pondered out loud, you have now understood your purpose.

By the time we retired that night, I had assembled quite a supply of premonitions.  In conjunction with Toho'ma's insights, I continued the sacred preparation dreaming through the night, understanding how I might choreograph healing.  Mo'i's council remained roaring sensation, somewhat rhythmic in the cadence of the assembling participants.

Intensely Personal
If there were only a way, I pondered, to dance the crackling energy into rainbow understanding.  My wandering glance fell on Aunty Pahia's crown... a baseball cap cocked over her face.  Mo'i now became certain that I was completely spontenous, as I motioned to Toho'ma to sound her version of a conch... Spiraling Energy... a gift from David Carradine - David, we don't quite use it the way you intended, but it's wonderful.   The Kahuna stretched across the yard, starting the morning procession to ceremony.  Aunty Pahia began the perfect teaching story.

The few deft movements of the experienced Elder gave the gathering a definite direction, immediately.  With a deep sense of gratitude, I thanked Nakia for his sense of energetic build and Aunty Pahia had apparently received the exact message everyone had needed.  Once she took a tea leaf and blessed the circle, creating Sacred Space.  I felt mesmerized as I watched the Kapuna mark the energies beyond human consciousness.

Back in the circle again, Aunty Pahia begn a hula parable and the wind suddenly changed direction.  Elegant looking by any standards, her story took her to a prone position on the earth mother, and gazed up through the banyon tree canopy,  and seemed to be wrapped in a light of many ancients.  After a bit of adjustment and enticing, she moved towards her altar and shared the elements of water... the Gatekeepers of the South.  Experiencially, she was the ocean in sunshine and warm wind.

The result of her teaching was most gratifying.  Amazement flew, and smiles scattered during lunch, a visual prayer offered for a moment, and producing a returning warmth to the heart.  More importantly, the fire of Pele's passion instantly responded with a mystery of springtime... a sprouting coconut.  Exultant, I sat and played with a piece of grass, quickly calling back to circle, it was time to continue.  Mo'i was greatly eclipsed in purpose.  For some reason, the cosmic council planned on pumping up the medicine power.  True, it seems simple to call people together to facilitate, but to choreography harmony is a medicine that had to do with experience.  Maybe we will understand the medicine as we use it.

After lunch, I could hardly wait to see where Aunty Kalei's presentation would take us.    When her benevolent counsel displayed true wisdom, I lovingly began to pray for her.  The concern for my loving relation glowed brightly, and the women would eventually hold counsel, the success of the future lies with our women's faith.  I turned to place stars and constellations in my time charting, the horizon calling my attention to the rhythmic flow of I'o... the hawk in flight.  Instantly a kahuna was in front of me, dribbling the water blessing on my head.

Lightning - life sustaining
Miracle called the participants to receive a message from powers of Above and Below.  By the Seven Sisters, we were home!  The messages were the spirit of Earth Children confirmed, and finally an intense glowing was seen and felt.  Quickly I removed the sacred items from beneath the tree and reasoned my love of earth.  I motioned to Alan to move some of Aunty Kalei's things, and rolling a mat tied it for transportation, as dreams and visions continued to be revealed.  It was necessary to think twice, as it felt like everyone was walking inbetween.  I removed chairs and mats for the evening, and then raised my face to the gentle stream of rain, as I had seen the Elders do a million times.

There was exhausted celebration at the end of the first day, and the moon came from behind the clouds as Toho'ma told the Hawaiian story of Creation as documented on her T-shirt.  The sudden overwhelming love between the four stargazers: Patrice, Leilani, Toho'ma and I, cracked all veils of separation.  I was thrust into the memory of running klo-hada through Patrice during one of the afternoon healings.  The stargazers had held her as Aunty facilitated giveaway of fear.

How do the Thunderers decide when to utilize me in this manner?  Could it be that they wriggle my love to partially alter vibration with the rhythm of lightning, wind, and elements before flowing into a person in pain?  I am but a little sacred rhythm with intense reverance for that which I serve.

Three more times in the coming days, klo-hada healings would  unfold.  Once we became firm in our convictions, we returned to the center of earth in exultation.  But then, as I tapped my heart space, the rhythm of earth returned fuller freedom of spirit.  In contact, I sat on the dark bedroom floor, idly listening to the messages and prayers running the grid line.  I was again an envelope of protecting love, and here again the necessity of personal experience invited by prayer and blessings.  Maybe even this date, set months in advance, climaxes in benediction.

Just then, one of the sleeping family stirred.  I recognized the koki frogs were quiet.  Most day and night are filled by the intruding foreign creature.  I had noticed one's egg  pouch in a chair that day.  The frog, an import, is not prized here.

"Ka'maka," Mo'i startled me, "I have seen the completion of the ceremony."

On her palm were several picture drawings, reassurance, of the finest proceedings. Mo'i looking at her palm, thought she had never seen such a splendid example of evolutional painting.  It must envelope us in mist.

I looked at the graceful dignity of the morning to come, and was overwhelmed by sympolic destiny.  I seized the deja-vu moment, and in a sudden emotion, wiped traces of joyful tears from my faces.  The Kahuna dreams were cooperating for this significant occasion!  I climbed into bed, greatly impressed, to be connected.

Ancient cultures, sincere understanding, I prayed.  Thinking spiritual communion can replace dysfunctional relations with complementary listening!  Now there's a thought for you.

Ukehi, for all I love.  I was dozing now, and drifted in and out, thinking of Leilani's day that would come with the sun.  A slight energy jolt called me to wakefulness.  Me, or an earthquake?

Mother's influence, I mused.  The traditional patterns are rocking the house!  Hang on Leilani.  I feel us all as One