Bending, but not bending the truth

An example of Kilo (observation) Kuleana (personal responsibility)

My Ancestors were keen observers. Kilo practitioner and ethno-scientist Kalei Nu'uhiwa answers Three Common Questions About Kaulana Mahina on her website. She answers the question, "Where does the term Kaulana Mahina comes from?" by citing three scholars' definitions, including Pukui and Elbert (Hawaiian Dictionary),Zepelino Keauokamalie and Joseph M. Poepoe. Her conclusion:

"Therefore Kaulana Mahina is a traditional Hawaiian science that employed the methodology of keen observation, hypothesis, and trial and error, noting conclusions and then organizing time by the traditional environmental experts called kahuna."

Hawaiian Star Chart for Makali'i

According to Kaulana Mahina, the moon is in Akua,  A good time for fishing and planting the staple crops (kala, 'uala, mai'a). Akua is one of the phases of the moon's cycle when many Kanaka, including myself, take time to give thanks to the Akua, the elemental forces of Nature, the parts of the mystery that I have no control over ... but, am part of. The wealth and abundance corner in our vardo dangles with an old and favorite pillow case that I have re-used, stitched into a 'Penny Pouch' to catch a penny a day, in a dance of thanksgiving and staying in the flow. This morning soon after waking I pulled a penny and did my simple ritual. Recalling it now, I think to add my appreciation to the Akua. Mahalo! Mahina is fattening, coming into her fullness in the sky occupied by the constellation Scorpio. Over the years of maturing my practice with observation, an apprenticeship in astrology is important in my hypothesizing. I learn from a skilled and more practiced teacher. Come Sunday she will be in Scorpio. My astrologer says, "The tension is so thick, you can cut it with a knife.. We have a full moon in Scorpio...it's intense! When I see people snapping like twigs, it reminds me what? to BEND! Bend so I don't brak. And when I see people holding on till their dying breath, to something obviously dead, rotting and poisonous to them, it reminds me to let go."

She also prepares her readers for the long-stay of the planet Mercury in the sign of Gemini. The planet assigned the characteristics of communications (swift messenger) will retrograde May 19th through June 12th, and then STAY in Gemini until the middle of July. I left a comment on that post:

"For me: 5th House for the long Mercury stay. The play house, creative projects and babies. Elizabeth Rose Campbell in her book Intuitive Astrology says of the 5th House, "Be it and, therefore, birth it." This advice you[Elsa] give: "This should be mostly positive, since planets function well in their home sign. However, minds and mouths will move swiftly. Some will figure it's more important that conversation be interesting, then it be true." 

 I feel the tension of the Scorpio Full Moon, it adds to the tension of managing and accepting the limitations of life with pollen, restrictions that are real yet not impossible (unless I break from the pressures). Astrology gives me the keen observations of my place in relation to the bigness of the multi-verse. The energy of planets, asteriods, sun and moon play or battle with my will. My kuleana is different from will-power. When I remember "kuleana" defined as my Ancestors lay meaning, it means, "right, title, property, portion, responsibility, jurisdiction, authority, interest, claim, ownership; reason, cause, function, justification; small piece of property, as within an ahupua'a; blood relative through whom a relationship to less close relatives is traced." - Pukui & Elbert

The process is often so much longer than the immediate solution or quick fix. I engage in process, and ask for help when I get wound up in my journey, forgetting there is more to life than getting it right. There is a lot of trial and error. Bend, let go. Bend, but not the truth. It all adds up to drawing down the knowledge from above, and making it a living practice. Integrated. Internalized. Lived. Okay. Break time.

'OLELO (word) Protocol, asking, naming

'olelo. Language, speech, word; to speak, say,tell; oral, verbatim, verbal - Hawaiian Dictionary, Pukui & Elbert

Business size cards lie across my desk. Words, 'olelo, and their meanings look back at me as I work, search or distract myself through the window of the cyber world. The cards are printed with the words of wisdom compiled by Kupuna Mary Kawena Pukui; they are named 'Olelo No'eau. Like beacons they anchor me in the work I do, tethering me when the journey seems perilous, feels directionless; or, smells just right. I pick a point of light ... pull one of the 'olelo cards and chant them.

HO'OMOKU  is in its early stages of growth. The 'olelo no'eau "He puko 'a kani 'aina. A coral reef that grows into an island. A person beginning in a small way gains steadily until he becomes firmly established" is the one I look at, repeat, and pray with. I am not an easily patient person by nature, what with the Leo signature for drama lighting up my Mars, Saturn, and Pluto. I am at war with myself underground. But, my Capricorn (conservative and careful) Moon yearns for security so the long, slow, growth (like building an island from a coral reef) is a satisfying kind of personal mantra ... I feed the myth and the deep nature (Pluto/Pele).

Four cards total looks me in the eye as I write. In addition to He puko 'a kani 'aina is this ...

O ke kahua mamua, mahope ke kukulu. The site first; and then the building. Learn all you can, then practice. I am in conversation with a woman named Michelle from the Tulalip Lushootseed Language Department. One of the first things my kuleana (obligations/responsibilities) requires is to ask for the First Peoples' acknowledgement (make myself known to them); and then, I respectfully ask for the correct names for the places where I am. "Of what place am I?"

I ask: I said my prayers, chanted the chants (E HO MAI, Pule Ho'ulu'ulu)
Checked my navigational tools: GOOGLE, 'Olelo No'eau, Kilo (astrology and Kaulana Mahina)
Went: onto the Internet, found clues, dug through their potential, went further
Visited: The Island County Historical Society Museum in Coopeville, Washington
Made contact: A helpful docent gives me the card of the Museum director; an email to the director suggests the pronunciation for Whidbey Island; director's email suggests getting in touch with the Tulalip Lushootseed Language Department for more accurate pronunciation; I followup with that suggestion initiating contact (via email) and getting a response nine days later. Practicing patience was the order of those days. It is paying off now, as I wait to hear what Michele has to say about specific place names.

This is an example of makawalu the unfurling process of journeying, as a fern unfolds, as a person unfolds and grows, as a coral reef grows into an island. As is true for my Hawaiian culture, the names of places in the Salish/First Peoples' ways here, are very often based on events that took place on a specific spot. What we call Whidbey Island is, perhaps, as accurate as calling a voyaging canoe a 'boat.' Not even! So, I write what I can about the creative and protocol pono (culturally respectful) process underway and chronicle the journey as a lesson in 'olelo.Using the navigational paths of the Internet I search to find the 'true' names of places on this moku (island). I am learning all I can before practicing.

To be continued ... 

I have received a respectful and honoring email response from teacher and artist Michelle Myles of the Tulalip Lushootsheed Language Department. I am humbled by the message, and grateful for the information granted me. I now have two Lushootseed names to learn. The language is very different for me. I have begun to practice using the helpful Alphabet page. This will take time.

While I practice, it would be helpful, I believe, to play this song, listen to the sounds, and take the message to heart. Don't Give Up Song

Mahalo nui loa a pau Michelle.