Translating Gregorian Calendar to Kaulana Mahina

"E, we going?" ... Pidgin, a mix of Hawaiian and English
"E hele kakou?" ... Hawiian
"Are we going?" ... English

Translations.  How do you hear things, see things; what do you believe?

If there's a lesson for me in the sharing of Mahina's influences in Earth life it is the translation that take place between a system of viewing and defining time, using the Kanaka, the Hawaiians' cosmology.  The translation is a process.  Pete and I had a rousing discussion centered around "What dates line up with the names/phases of the Hawaiian Moon Calendar?"  This whole month has been one of becoming more aware of Mahina's Phases, and not, necessarily, the phases defined by the Gregorian Calendar.  That slight difference, like translating the question above sounds and feels different.

Pidgin:  "E, we going?" is a question almost always seasoned with facial and body language, and intonation.  To the purely English-speaker, the question may sound rude or incomplete; "Where are we going?  Who are you calling "E"?

Hawaiian:  "E hele kakou?"  To preface an action verb there is the "E".  The plural kakou could mean any number of people involved in the action.  No rudeness, a general inclusiveness. 

English:  "Are we going?"  A question that invokes a 'yes' or 'no' answer. 

Kaulana Mahina and the naming of 30 changes of the sighting of the moon is a translation that requires a process of UNLEARNING to LEARN something new, something different.  In the first month of study and the COUNT ON THE MOON Workshop, a basis for learning began with getting a feel for the culture ... feeling the heartbeat of the Hawaiian culture.

• 'Oli (chant) opened the venture, E HO MAI ... come and reveal the secrets to us we implored.  Assuming a posture of humility we launched an exploration.
• Story through Internet posting ... always there has been storytelling, listening with the whole body, these workshops translate oral tradition into words on a cyberscreen.  Still, the listening is what tunes the melody of the art form.
• Respectfully calling ... inviting the past to be present with us; introductions through the passing of POI BOWL; we come to know one another
• Naming ... people, phases of the Mahina,
• Doing ... practices and work that accompany each phases
• Resting ... 'OLE MAHALO, noticing and feeling the periods of non-action, reflecting on what has been done

In other words, the tools of the Makua O'o are at the base of this venture, and vital to the translation process.  Over and again, the maturing adult will use the tools again and again, and in different ways because somethings change, while other things stay the same.  See? 

TODAY is La'au Pau

1. La'au Pau is the last phase of Anahulu Ho'onui(the full moon week). 
2. La'au Pau is the last phase of good planting moons before the 'Ole phases start.
3. By the Gregorian Calendar today is Saturday, May 21, 2011.

WHY is it important to notice and name today?

1. We need a MARKER , in our venture of translation between English-Gregorian Calendar/Moon Phase Names and the Kaulana Mahina/Hawaiian Moon Phase Names.
2. La'au Pau ends the Full Moon Phases for Kaulana Mahina and gives us a clear count forward through this month.
3. This MARKER also gives us a way to note the 'OLE MOONS (the Quarter Moon Phases).  'OLE MOONS (three of them) begin TOMORROW, Sunday, May 22nd.
4. This MARKER will give us a look at how the Hawaiian New Moon (MUKU, May 31st) is different than the Gregorian New Moon (June 1st)

Translating is interesting, a full-body/mind/spirit sort of work and play.  Unlearning, and counting more and more (at whatever pace is yours) on how the SHAPE OF THE ILLUMINATED MAHINA reckons the definition is learning a new language.  It's not English/Gregorian, it's sorta like a pidgin English because there these similarities:

• there is a NEW MOON in both calendars, BUT they are NOT the same "phase" or shape/illumination in both calendars 
• there is FULL MOON but in Kaulana Mahina, there might be 4 full moons, not one
• there is a QUARTER MOON phase, but as in the full moons of Kaulana Mahina, these Quarter Moon Phase(s) are our 'OLE MOON CYCLE of 4 moons (as the moon is getting bigger) and  3 moons (as the moon is getting smaller).

The knowledge and application is in the noticing, and the noticings lead (eventually) to being able to feel and sense the subtlety of time/change/moods/action.

So, this is our MARKER POST.  From here we will make our way, and check again to see how we do when the next NEW MOON, according to MAHINA, and not the Gregorian Calendar moves us forward.

Clear or muddy?  Well, we're into the sign of Gemini (airy thinking, change is probable) today.  Questions?

PLAN 'BE' starts with BELIEVING

Pete is on his way to his Wednesday morning date with the Good Cheer Garden.  He's on bike today, walking and biking himself down the wooded trail to the Good Cheer Garden.  This evening, around 5 PM the Transition Whidbey group is gathering for their weekly meeting-potluck and, to make a point:  the gist of it "Oil is peaked.  Pumps asking $5 a gallon. We won't be drivin'.  So ... Walk it, Bike it, Hybrid-motor it, Ride Share it." The goal is to get to that meeting without pumping gas. 

It's a clear and rainless Pacific Northwest day and promises are it will be the best weather day of the week.  Lucky us!  I have not yet, been able to join either of these groups personally, challenged as I've been with being with the not-so-good-for-me scents and fragrances of 2011.  But, I've been making changes starting with my New Moon in Aries intentions:  they're my 'PLAN BE' intentions and I am doing and BEing wonderful most of the time.  I spent a few hours yesterday creating my contribution to the Transition Whidbey gathering.  I've cut and taped together the signs for clustering and identifying all who get to the potluck-meeting as WALKERS, BIKERS, HI-BRID & E-CARS, RIDE-SHARE.  I count this as success, and a way to be involved how I can.  Pete and I have pieces of my 'PLAN BE' in place and focus on that.

Views of the Moon

Last month, our first month, our first Malama together, was a venture into counting.  It was for me a venture that led to RE-thinking the way I count and RE-membering to look for myself at what I believed.  The New Moon has just passed.  The first Anahulu ... the first 10-day week has begun.

Let's try this together: 

1)  Look at the picture above and compare the MOON PHASE for today(over on the right/in the sidebar)

2)  If you're able to see the moon in the sky where you live all the better.

3) WHAT do you BELIEVE IS TODAY'S MOON PHASE (in the Anahulu Ho'onui)?  Leave your answer in the COMMENTS.

It will be fun to read what phase WE BELIEVE it is.  We get to see whether we agree on the moon phase.  Discussion, if not agreement.  Discourse!

Whatever phase you name it, hope this moon is one that gets you closer to the best feeling thoughts you can feel. 

Malama on.