2022

Acrylic on Canvas

ANCESTOR MOON

We have been preparing for the full moon celebration, gathering food, washing our garments, adorning our hair and headpieces. And the night has finally arrived. The kettle of sustenance simmers on the fire, the cloth spread across the grass with our calabashes, cups, and … three sacred vessels. As we gather in a circle, Our Elder Mother takes her position and starts to pray. The energy of her prayer causes chills in our bodies. After prayer, she raises her hand for the lead drummer to begin, and the beautiful hands start the beat quietly and slowly. Then the rhythm changes. The drummer signals the second drummer to join her. Each musician joining one at a time, creating airy notes, notes bringing harmony, and deep ones grounding us, until there is a beautiful vibration moving through our bodies, the trees, grass– all of nature is alive with it’s own sounds and those of our own creation. Our Priestess dances toward the center of the circle, being met by our Harvest Mother. The two weave in and out of the circle, like an infinity sign, from the east and the west, then from the north and south, bearing gifts for our Ancestors. For this is the night we celebrate our Ancestor Moon.

Tonight, we have left our cares outside the circle. Each of us is listening, hoping our hearts will be gifted by a message from our Dear Ones. We have come with our children to celebrate who and what we are, and from whom we have descended. Elder Mother shouts: “They are here, they are here!” And we arise to dance wildly with jubilation as we ululate! There is a sweetness in the air of firewood, food, oils, and fragrances titillating our senses, carrying the ambience of love. Words are inadequate for describing the Ancestors’ presence. We know they coarse through our veins, and tonight, we reflect upon the gifts they have passed on to us, and honor them. We give ourselves fully to this moment that shall never be again, but knowing our bond, our connection to the Ancestors is sealed in timelessness. We will celebrate until the sun begins to rise, and when our children ask us why? We will tell them the story of our Ancestors, teaching their lineage of culture, intelligence, ingenuity, wisdom, beauty, strength, and pride. They will come to understand that to honor the Ancestors, the land, the cosmos, the richness of our lineage as women and community, is our way of Being, of celebrating Love.

As the celebration draws to a close, our Elder Mother invites us into stillness as she blesses our Ancestors and each one of us. Our circle closes with a jubilation song, hugs, laughter and joyful tears, for once again we are rejuvenated in celebrating our Ancestor Moon.