Wahya Circle
Moon Day
Magick & Medicine

Deities of Earth 101
Pele

As discussed during the week of Inanna, humankind has held the belief of the Divine Spirit being “feminine” energy for millions of years. Early humans simply looked at the life around them and saw it was the “female” of many species that gave energy to all creatures. Yes, there are a few species that can change physiological sex, such as clownfish or that are asexual like worms. There is even a species or tow of life that has “paternal care” for its offspring as the arctic wolf does. On a whole, the world of Plant and Animal Allies alike are given life by the female of their species. Have you ever noticed that? They are fed by the female on milk she produces. Most young stay with the females of their species until a certain age, or a biological amount of time has elapsed. (This by no means diminishes the role of “masculine”, or “male”.) Then, the offspring can go off on their own or learn from an Alpha male.

As this seeming bipolar way was seen by ancient human, they went with what it meant to them, Divine Feminine (Spirit) and Divine Masculine (Matter). It was the beginning of innocent sentient thought, a byproduct of the two merging, and an attempt at understanding “who we are”. We all became Aware and began looking for the patterns of Life. There was something special about the life giving quality of “female” that was revered, honored, and cherished for quite some time in humanity. Without “female” there would be little to no life on our planet.

If there is an ounce of Truth to “as above, so below”, and as evidence throughout all of Life… there is Divine Female energy. As such, ancient human began to view the Spirit of Earth as Divine Feminine — or in this case, “Pele” as She began to be known. She continued to give life and sustenance to all who resided upon Her land.

Even today, the belief in Her divinity continues to grow. Many Polynesians continue to honor Her in ancient ways, including the respect of verbally acknowledging Her presence and the strength of Divine Energy. Islanders often refer to this well known Goddess as "Madame Pele" or "Tūtū Pele" as a sign of respect to Her power. This culture is alive and well and healing from past transgressions of colonizers. Polynesians are now doing things such as reintroducing and teaching Hula to all, including their young,

Hula

Hula, also known also as ‘kahiko hula’, or ‘ancient dance’, is a sensuous mimetic Hawaiian dance that is performed sitting at a tribal ceremony or standing before the people. Hula animates history, genealogy, prophecy, and the tales of those who came in times past. It is Pele’s dance. It is not to be confused with the Samoan fire dance, Tahitian otea, and Maori haka. All of these are ancient traditions, close to the heart of the indigenous and exploited “for show” by the colonizers. With the Hula’s undulating gestures in rhythm to instruments and chant, you can feel this energy giving through ecstatic practice for Pele. For Her, when this dance is performed it is to honor Pele, ask for fecundity, and to praise the chiefs. This was NEVER for “entertainment” purposes.

Ancient History

It is believed that the Polynesian people spread far and wide in the Pacific Ocean, no matter which version of the story you believe. This movement caused their Gods and Goddesses to travel too. Whether there was mass expulsion from a previous land or safety sought from a “great flood”, the beliefs carried with the people. Traveling for their chosen reasons, these Ancient Polynesians sailed to some of the most undisturbed of these islands on their grand handcrafted boats that sustained many lives. Upon landing, they would settle and flourish for thousands of years.

Humankind seemed to be on the same spiritual page as a collective species on a whole at that time. Miles apart as they were, they seemed to be guided by the same star. It was a planet of hunter-gatherers and continued to be so. The principles of the Polynesian people were very similar to those of the Sumerian that you have already added to your compendium of knowledge.

Recent Hisotry

Now, the volcanic land is known as the Hawaiian Islands. Until several hundred years ago, they flourished undisturbed. The rich culture we know today came from the indigenous people of Hawaii, descendants of Polynesians -- migrated with the people to Hawaii in two waves. The first wave was believed to be from the Marquesas Islands, around 400 AD. The second is thought to have come from Tahiti in the 9th or 10th century. They remained that way, undisturbed, until Captain Cook began his exploitations around the end of the 1700s.

In January 1778 Cook and his crew became the first European colonizers to visit Hawaii (which they mistakenly called the Sandwich Islands). In time, Cook would again return to the island, arguing with the indigenous to give in to the colonizer’s demands. Just as in the place now named in honor of Chief Lapulapu, who on April 27th 1521 killed Ferdinand Magellin in the Philippines, Captain Cook was killed as a transgressor against the Hawaiian people on February 14th 1779. (As native people, we have always felt that the “colonizing” behavior did not come from a good place.)

All of the Pacific nations knew something did not quite “feel right” about those invaders that came.

Another point that we would like for you to be aware of as a Practitioner viewing the many methods of practice throughout the world, it is the open nature about sexuality that the Polynesian had, just as the Sumerian. It was not viewed as “dirty” or “unclean” to enjoy or have pleasure with another. In case it is not obvious throughout the passage, there was no “taboos”, no sexually transmitted diseases, no ill view of females who enjoyed their roles of power and service, nor of the males who enjoyed their roles as sexual partners. Sexuality is a Divine part of the Goddess which was and is still celebrated by many. After all, we are a part of the animal kingdom and can do as our Kindred do, unabashedly, no dogmatic constraints needed.

Occurring as recently in “modern time” as Cook’s expedition did, they decimated the Polynesian people with disease. It is well-documented that there were concerns about infecting the native people throughout the United States. These European colonizers had no respect, nor did the Americans, for the reason behind the openness of the natives and took advantage of the indigenous with knowledge of what they carried inside of their colonizer bodies. Small pox. Influenza. Veneral Disease. Later, missionaries would come to “convert” the indigenous to the patriarchal dogma, bringing with them chicken pox, polio and tuberculosis. Devastation abounded.

They decimated millions down to a mere 24,000 according to a U.S. Census. It was predicted that all native people would be dead from disease by the 1820s. If the cultural assault did not stop, the indigenous of the islands were predicted to be completely eradicated by the 20th century.

It is imperative to give lands BACK to indigenous to save their people, lest we lose millions from around the world with the “White Corruptor” ways. This was the thought for many of the indigenous Polynesain, and still is for many today. All Paths Magick School feels we must live in harmony both with each other and the Universe.

If you find yourself visiting the Polynesian islands, please be respectful of Pele and Her people.

Beginning Practicum
Pele Correspondences

One interpretation of the Goddess Pele is that She is the Spirit of the Earth, or Volcano. It is believed that there are four main Gods (akua) are Ku, Kane, Lono and Kanaloa that traveled with Her when the Indigenous came. Then there are many lesser Gods (kupua), each associated with certain professions. In addition to the Gods and Goddesses, there are Family Gods or Guardians (aumakua). The many Gods of Hawaii and Polynesia were often represented by tikis.

A correspondence attached to Pele is Her berry. Indigenous to Hawaii, the fruit of the ʻŌhelo ʻai plant, a small scarlet berry, is one of Hawai‘i’s exploited edible delights. Close cousins of blueberries, ʻŌhelo ʻai berries are tart when raw and mildly bittersweet when cooked. But, they are also for Pele. A great gift is to offer these to Her, FIRST. These are considered to be Her gift to Her people so they may never hunger, as long as they in return give to Her. That gift is now shipped across the world as a desirable commodity to be sold for profit, against the wishes of many.

As stated, the ʻŌhelo ʻai berry is a rare and clearly a much-prized fruit. For centuries Native Hawaiians have offered them only to Pele by throwing them into Kilauea Crater when they visit Her sacred volcanic edge. The small shrub fruits June through September and only in the higher elevations of the Volcano area of the Big Island and Haleakala on Maui. Fortunately, restrictions now limit the amount of berries that can be picked within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. They are limited to one quart per person -- per month for personal use only. This regulation protects nënë (Hawaiian geese) because ‘ohelo berries are an important part of the state bird’s diet as well as Divine offerings for Pele.

What else do you see that may correspond with practices for Pele?

World Studies 101
Healing American Wounds

ONE MAN’S SOUL WORK
This is one of many fresh wounds for Americans. We currently are attempting to somewhat “right the wrong” of our past. We must tread lightly and respect the lines of Indigenous that stand firm and remain across this country. In light of the fires in Lahaina, Maui, this is an even more sensitive subJect.

One man’s Journey to reclaim his culture.
VIDEO LINK (5 minutes)

World Studies 101
Polynesian History

ORIGIN STORIES
One of many that we are continuing to piece together today, to tell the truth about the past of ALL people.
In Search of History: VIDEO (45 minutes) Find your pearls. Be mindful of the bias in the telling of the stories.

Moon Day WO2

General - Journal - Book of Shadows

SUBMISSION: WO2 MON PELE JOURNAL ENTRY (Due by Thursday)
After viewing the above videos and reading through the passage above,
explain what you perceive about Pele in TWO PARAGRAPHS or more.

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