The Invitation from The Mother, Part 2 of 3

The following question and answer segments are based on Stephanie I., a client, asking about my time with the Arhauco, Wiwa, and Kogi in Colombia.  

SI:  I know their message for us is saying that we have to stop living the way we are, in this relationship that is a denial of the sacred earth– has their message changed or become more specific about what we can do?  Are they opening their doors wider to the outside world, or closing them tighter?

I am sharing my personal observations, interactions, and understanding.  My response does not represent nor suggests that I am speaking on behalf of the tribes.

CELEBRATE THE EARTH

My experience led to a deepening, becoming educated about the concerns of indigenous of Santa Marta, greater awareness of resources such as water, and to be more conscious of the needs of The Mother. Conscious awareness of our interrelationship isn’t a tribal issue. Nor isolated to the mountain ranges of Colombia. This is a global issue.  Kandymaku, an Arhuaco who celebrates his culture turned to me and said, “What is an Arhuaco?” I replied, “You are me.”  Only a lack of conscious understanding stands between us and them, between us and the family of man, between us and the earth. 

In December of 2017, we were brought into their environment to understand their relationship with the Mother and to deepen ours.   

Mamo Zarabi is a gentle Arhuaco man with one arm, a strong inner core, and an embodied presence of quiet power.  We were taught through experiential learning: walking, touching, and experiencing the power of the natural landscape.  We were also taught through observation and by example.   I am a Neolithic loving girl who also teaches experiential learning at ancient sites, the aliveness of standing stones, and the power of the lay system.   And yet, I was not prepared for what was to come.  The land was powerfully receptive – The Mother was very much alive, honored, respected, celebrated, and during a ceremony, when you thought something, the feedback or impact was soon felt.  That is a story for another time.  Here, the Arhuaco’s demonstrate their love for The Mother by offering their daily protection, prayer, and honoring so we may reflect and express our relationship with the earth in a meaningful way.  I gifted an item to an Arhuaco who then offered it to Her at a sacred female stone. Truly, they own nothing of material value.  A rock is just a rock, but is it really? For centuries, they honor through prayer.  They asked us not to bring gifts, only items that were symbolic of our heart and preferably made by hand, like an essential oil or a small crystal for the elementals.  The Arhuaco’s expressed and consciously understood that they are embodying a challenging and difficult path of service.  I did not see nor experience any sense of victimhood.  I sensed that victimhood is an indication of pulling back awareness which is not beneficial for cultivating connection.  Rather a firm understanding of their roles and their determination to continue to be. 

What we do not understand or have experience with, we will not value.  We can begin cultivating our own relationship with the earth, celebrate her, and protect her by choosing to live upon her with active awareness.   

OPENING OR CLOSING DOORS

The Mamos indicated that mother nature was beginning to pull back her waters and thus her support for her children.  They pointed to the last snow peak on the Sierra’s.  While I was very aware of worldwide draught issues, these tribes have an intricate body of knowledge developed over centuries of working with the mother, observing and maintaining their unique mountain-to-sea habitat.  As seers, they took action because the signs were obvious.  For the first time, mamo’s left their home in the Sierra Nevada’s to begin to secure important portal sites outside of Colombia.  In 2017, they left for Mount Shasta, California.  Onsite they prayed, held ceremony, cleared, and connected Shasta to the Sierra Nevada’s for protection.  Upon return, the tribes built temple spaces for ongoing ceremony and care for Mount Shasta.   After Shasta, in 2018, a Kogi and Arhuaco left Colombia to travel to principal sites in the United States, including Colorado to perform ceremonies and daily pagamentos (offerings of gratitude) to the water.   Last week, I sent a picture of the abundance of snow we had on The Rockies with an expression of gratitude and in return, received a picture of a snow-capped Sierra Nevada’s glistening in white.  I believe their work was successful. From my understanding, their communities are closed and admittance is by invitation.

 The picture below is the day I received my Arhuaco name from Mamo Zarabi.

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