Home-made Makahiki Ceremony; a Humpy for Loretta

A pal sent me the following weekly horoscope. She knows me pretty well. My favorite astrologer wrote about Kudzu yesterday, and ended her post with a couple questions. Is there “kudzu” in your life?  Something that seems appealing but will choke you out if you don’t stay on top it? Me and one other ElsaElsa regular agreed it was "obsessive thoughts" that are our personal "kudzu." 

Scorpio Horoscope for week of August 20, 2015

Hundreds of years ago, Hawaiians celebrated an annual holiday called Makahiki. It began in early November and lasted four months. No one worked very much for the duration. There were nonstop feasts and games and religious ceremonies. Community-building was a featured theme, and one taboo was strictly enforced: no war or bloodshed. I encourage you Scorpios to enjoy a similar break from your daily fuss. Now is an especially propitious time to ban conflict, contempt, revenge, and sabotage as you cultivate solidarity in the groups that are important for your future. You may not be able to make your own personal Makahiki last for four months, but could you at least manage three weeks? 

The pictures below track the making of a very special fish for a very special friend. Pete began creating this 'float-size' Humpy Salmon with a vision of having several friends swim this magic salmon to our dear friend Loretta. Her full and generous life of service, teaching, baking of miraculous pies, cookies, potato salad and awesome shortbread have endeared this woman to many people of all ages here on Whidbey Island. I put a few finishing designs to the bones and skin of this labor of love, and our friend Gary (visiting from California, but also a Whidbey Favorite) and Pete hoisted Loretta's Humpy out of the orchard, through the fence and gate and out to Gary's trailer. 

The plan is to assemble a bunch of friends on Saturday and gather in the spirit of 'solidarity' and aloha, remembering and practicing no war or bloodshed with community-building as the featured theme. An afternoon exercise in 'personal kudzu' clearing time inspired by the spirit of Brother Salmon, cutting and sticking designs onto a magic fish for someone else, someone who has done so much for me and many others. 

Dorsal fin will be attached at the last minute 

SALMON inspires and blesses the design and regalia for Loretta's Humpy

Trimmings