Mahina moves and Makawalu

Mahina moves = Moon moves.  The 'Ole Pau is passed.  That was yesterday, and the fourth of four Po Mahina (Hawaiian Moon phases) that suggest "rest, review, re-alignment, weeding, fix your gear."  The more I study and practice being in sync with the goddess Mahina, the more alignment I feel.  The rest times are not completely relaxing in truth, some of my greatest transformation comes during the 'Ole phases.  This morning when I answered the question, "How do you feel?"  I wrote, "worn."  And, that was true at the time.  Hours have passed, slowly Mahina moved, and now I am not 'worn.'  Instead, I have fed myself comfort food to soothe and reassure me, had a nice walk, breathed some forest fresh air, and had a chat with my son who is in San Francisco for some R&R.  I am renewed, and realigned for the forward movement.  That's the thing I love about counting on the moon.  Mahina moves = moon moves, and the moon is our personal and collective link to 'how i  am feeling.'  Each day/night that changes, a little or a little more, yet always moving.  "This too shall pass."

Mahina is moving into Po Huna (the first moon in the second week) in Anahulu Poepoe.  Emotions, things, process is rounding out.  What began with New Moon is gathering momentum.  The 'Ole Po was a time to rest, slow down and get a point of reckoning ... to determine the worth or frivolity of your course:  keep/weed; good seed/water;energy-drainer/up-lifter and inspiration.  Pete is just back from his morning of errands into the 'little city' using the post-'Ole moon to keep us on track.  We like the path we're on, and continue on it.  A bathhouse and laundry in our future is down stream and on our path.  Does it require maintaining a hopeful and determined attitude?  Yup.  The 'Ole Moons often bring up dreams and waking opportunity, giving us messages, language and particular examples of just what our kuleana is.  Not every opportunity is my opportunity.  Again, the moon is all about 'How am I feeling?' 

Being makua o'o the tools/the sticks for getting from here to there are the same sticks.  The maturation comes from using the same tool differently once you get 'there.'  For example, I continue to keep writing this blog, but use the growing inspiration from it to tap into new projects and birth new platforms of growth:  Count On The Moon Workshops, Prime the Pump on-line writering group, an ebook for children of all ages, a new blog-cookbook in the making.  Another example, I was born in Palolo Valley on O'ahu Moku, lived in Kuliouou Valley for twenty-plus years, left the Islands to marry and create a child.  Now, the makua wahine (me) lives in the place to which I traveled, and my child lives in the place where I was born.  Same tools, different uses.  Yes that?  Here's another clue for the cultural detectives among us: MAKAWALU.  The examples in this paragraph are example of makawalu?

Soon, there will be more examples of makawalu.  What is makawalu?  What tools continue to work for your journey as makua o'o?  Questions, questions, always with the questions.

POST 'Ole Energy: Truffled and Celebrating

Well, here we are after the 'Ole Moons, and the lessons that come from rest, retreat and review.  We took it nice and easy yesterday.  The rainy day helped slow us down, leaving a good couple of inches of water in the wheel barrel.  The Easter Bunny delivered a bunch of truffles freshly-made in town, and we enjoyed a first dinner at friends in a very, very long time.  The workshop and study group COUNT ON THE MOON is really something!  We are learning so much about ourselves, and our connection with the natural cycle of things.  I'm especially aware of how making mistakes makes me a more bearable being ... like a bush bean, I think!  I've learned how teaching something can be the best teacher.  I've learned my son is my best teacher.  I've learned to see mistakes as practice.  Practice so I can make more mistakes, and still keep practicing.

We have reason to CELEBRATE.  Pete and I arrived on Whidbey Island a year ago, and are still here and loving it.  Those who have read our journey here at Maka O'o know the years before Whidbey.  Those years have brought us here, and the story can now be different.  A pot of turkey chilli is bubbling on the stove.  Sunny rays fill the Quonset, and the sounds of birds and Pete at the saw make for the sounds of being at home.  We are in the process of making one more small space to become our bath house ... an ofuro house.  A soaking tub (oh thank you akua!) made to suit us with hot water that we can sit in.  Oh how beautiful that will be.  Our friendships here on this island expand and people really know who we are, and we contribute the authenticity of folks who have been honed by time and nature...a couple of real characters. 

Work-play-writing and walking in the woods is a combination of gifts that sustain us.  We grow from all the compost of our past experiences and work it back into our today.  I have updated the sidebar over there(to the right) with the newest kahea (call from akua lani e).  COUNT ON THE MOON Workshops are now a 4-part series of monthly study groups.  Take a look, read on, and maybe we will see you there for the newest workshop MALAMA I KA 'AINA (Care for the Land/Earth/Home) or a Hana Hou (one more time) of COUNT ON THE MOON 'Ole Mahalo (blessings of the 'Ole Moons).

Spring is happening here in the woods.  Fall is happening on the flipside of Papa.  Whereever you are, hope there's joy there with you, too.

Many blessings,
Mokihana and Pete

BELIEVE it BEFORE you see it

Almost two months ago, I made a decision to close (make private) the blogs that have chronicled the years of struggle, and creating a safe home and life for us.  The decision was not an easy one for me, but the signals began coming and a significant shift was offering itself to me, and I took the offer.  Said another way 'one door closed and another opened.'  A generation of blogs closed, except for this one.  Makua O'o remains the spiritual foundation that is more than struggle and is a value unstealable...if a value can be stolen at all. 

The doors that opened have taken the form of other blogs and updated versions of blogging, as well as a shift in the stories I tell about myself.  The practice of being makua o'o is a life-time practice; lessons show up in different forms the people who challenge us, or the person we have been sheds skins/beliefs/attitudes; the same o'o (tool) is used in a different way. 

'Believe it before you see it,' is one of the o'o that is making a big, positive difference for me.  It's not an idea that is new to me.  It's a new me that is having the idea work in my life.  Among the influences that drew me closer to this 'new me' is an Internet Friend named Libby.  Through the years of words and blogging on our other blogs, her approach has been a beacon.  Thanks, Libby.  This is for you ...

I have posted onto our newest blog a version of 'Believe it before you see it'.  You might find it worth the read.  Link here to check it out. 

Feel the heartbeat of the culture … MAKE TIME FOR LOVE

What a beautiful sunny day. The coming of more LIGHT is here. The `Ole Days just past (Saturday through Tuesday) have been powerful and important ones for me. My spiritual journey has escalated and I'm not sure how it happened ... I just know it has. I have a brand-new soul, free from any past incarnations on Papa Honua (The Planet) and this baby has a heart over-flowing with A L O H A ... the heart beat of the culture, love. What a wonderful time to incarnate. Over the past several weeks I have written and shared the process of healing/health opportunities that shifted in my body. I have taken extra time and inward reflection to listen with my whole self. My spiritual mentor and friend Akemi Gaines offers her experience and insight into the spiritual quickening that is happening for some folks on The Planet. Here is an excerpt from her recent post over at Yes-To-Me, "No more life lessons in the School of Life.

What it is like once you reach this point of spiritual development...

We have completed the life lessons and graduated from the school of life. From here, we are completely free and our life purpose is simply to be who we are. No pre-determined life lessons. Life is not a school any more, but more like a playground...

Since there is no more learning needs, there is no point in trying. Many people talk about the importance of doing rather than trying, but they only try really hard not to try. Too complicated. Once the life lessons drop, however, there is indeed no trying. We just are. And we do whatever comes to us naturally and joyously, and this is how we grow even further spiritually.

Link for the article in its entirety.

So, my brand new soul and I are greeting the sunrise with joy, and appreciation! I have been awake at sunrise to chant a simple and beautiful Hawaiian sun greeting called "E a La E". Over and over again I simply chant this welcome to the sun as La wakens the night sky. I chant facing the east and watch the sky change from dark to light. I witness a miracle and become part of it.

The lessons of learning to live within a body that is challenged to be at peace regardless of the physical limitations and confinements is a big one. Perhaps this is all human challenge. I know that peace was my life purpose before my old soul was released and sent to prospect with another being. This season of in between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox is a wonderful time to give thanks for the Light, for new Life. I found a new friend on the internet. Just last night I found Rainbow Tree, a kindred spirit, and eclectric blogger of the finest kind. I have included her on my links "LIGHT WORKERS' here on Makua O`o. What follows is an excerpt from her blog, posted yesterday. The light is spreading, thank you for spending time here at Makua O`o. Enjoy my new friend, Rainbow Tree.

February 1 was known as Imbolc or Oimelc, two names which refer to the lactation of the ewes, the flow of milk that heralds the return of the life-giving forces of spring. Later, the Catholic Church replaced this festival with Candlemas Day on February 2, which is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and features candlelight processions. The powerful figure of Brigid the Light-Bringer overlights both pagan and Christian celebrations. Many people of different faiths celebrate a variety of styles and ways yesterday and today...

This time of year the trees begin to show a sign of life once more. We may not see it on the outside but their sap begins to move slowly once more. The darkness of night that began on Samhain, now yields the returning sun. Ewes give birth at this time to produce milk to feed their lambs. We too as humans go through a form of growth or renewal during this time. We are urged to allow the cycle to shed our skin/allowing a new smooth and beautiful layer to develop. Please see one of my previous posts 'Cleansing of the Spirit & Soul' for multiple and highly affective blessings & rituals to cleanse ones emotional and spiritual self.

Link to read the article in full.