Month: October 2016

Kalo – Taro: Brother to the Kanaka Maoli

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The kalo lo'i in the Hana District ... taro patches of Keanae, Mau'i, Hawai'i
The kalo lo’i in the Hana District … taro patches of Keanae, Mau’i, Hawai’i

KALO (Taro): The life of Kanaka Maoli, the indigenous Hawaiian people, is linked closely with kalo, also known as the taro plant. Kalo is believed to have the greatest life force of all foods. According to the Kumulipo, the creation chant, kalo grew from the first-born son of Wakea (sky father) and Papa (earth mother), through Wakea’s relationship with his and Papa’s daughter, Ho`ohokulani. Haloa-naka, as the son was named, was stillborn and buried. Out of his body grew the kalo plant, also called Haloa, which means everlasting breath. Kalo and poi (pounded kalo) are a means of survival for the Hawaii people. By eating kalo as poi, one at a time as a ritual around the poi bowl (`umeke) at the center of the diners, the protocol of Hawaii is maintained. This is a ceremony of life that brings people together and supports a relationship of `ohana (family) and of appreciation with the `aumakua (ancestors).

Kalo From early times, kalo was the primary food of the Hawaii people, supplemented by other principal and traditional foods: breadfruit (`ulu), sweet potato (`uala), yams, greens, ferns, fruit, fish and seaweed (limu).

kaenae2
A closer look at the kalo lo’i of Keanae, Mau’i

Taro came to Hawaii Nei with the earliest Polynesian settlers in their canoes and has been cultivated as a staple and staff of life from ancient times in the tropical and subtropical latitudinal band around the earth. Taro grows in tropical Africa, the West Indies, the Pacific nations and in countries bordering the Indian Ocean in South Asia. In Hawaii, where cultivation has been the most intense, in the early days there were more than 300 varieties of taro. Approximately 87 of these varieties are still recognized today, with slight differences in height, stalk color, leaf or flower color, size, and root type. Some of the local varieties are Mo`i, Lehua, Ha`akea and Chinese.

Taro, whose scientific name is Colocasia esculenta (or antiquorum) is cultivated both in the uplands as high as 4,000 feet, and in marshy land irrigated by streams. The plant is a hearty succulent perennial herb, with clusters of long heart or arrowhead-shaped leaves that point earthward. Taro grows on erect stems that may be green, red (lehua), black or variegated. The new leaf and stem push out of the innermost stalk, unrolling as they emerge. The stems are usually several feet high. Tiny new plants appear around the base of the root corm. The pua, inflorescence, is an open yellow-white tube, enclosing a spike covered with flowers.

poi-pound
The whole plant:  the kalo (corm) and luau (leaves) are eaten, and the huli are replanted. Depending on the variety, all parts of this sturdy and vital plant are eaten. The leaves are cooked as greens, similar to spinach. The tubers are eaten baked, boiled or steamed, or cooked and mashed with water to make poi. The fibrous flesh of the tubers is tough and spongy, ranging in color from white, yellow, lilac-purple and pink to reddish. Most important is the starchy root with enough glutinosity to make quality poi. The stiffest poi is called locally “one finger” and the most liquid “three finger”. “Two finger” poi is considered the best by some. The planters know which kind of taro makes the best poi, which variety has the most tender leaves and which has the necessary medicinal properties.

poi-pound2

Taro is often fed to babies as their first whole and natural healthy food, as well as to the elderly, for its ease of digestion and high vitamin content. Some people call poi the “soul food” of Hawaii. Poi is eaten fresh or allowed to ferment for a few days, often for longer, creating a sour taste considered pleasant, acid, but not alcoholic. In the old days, a person might consume up to five pounds of poi per day. Several kinds of kalo had such special flavor and color that they were reserved only for the chiefs. It is said that Soviet astronauts ate dehydrated taro in space, adding water to the packets … instant poi!

poi

In the kalo and poi-based agricultural society, the people of ancient Hawaii were dependent on wetland taro. Great skills were needed to terrace, cultivate and irrigate the land along streams, as well as the social and political skills to maintain it. The planters of wetland taro were practicing engineers, building walls of earth reinforced with stone to enclose the lo`i (pond field). Along the banks of the lo`i were planted mai`a (banana), ko (sugarcane), ki (ti), and wauke (paper mulberry) for kapa cloth, also known as tapa. In the pond field, several varieties of fish were grown, such as `awa, `ama`ama, o`opu and aholehole. An acre of wet lo`i could produce 3 to 5 tons of food per year. Dryland taro was grown in the lower forests where the soil was rich and the rainfall sufficient. Stone borders surrounded these gardens and can still be found on a forest hike.

Today there are still functional lo`i along the Keanae, Wailua and Hana coastlines of Maui, as well as other locations throughout these Hawaiian Islands.

kalo-patch

In planting both wetland and dryland taro, the huli, the planting material, consists of a 1/2 inch thick slice of the top of the kalo (corm, from which derives the plant’s name) attached to 6 to 10 inches of the leaf-stem. These protrude above the water or dryland where planted.

The bottom of the corm/root is saved for cooking and eating, making taro a recyclable plant. In 6 to 12 months, depending upon plant variety along with soil and water conditions, the taro should be ready to harvest. Each parent tuber produces from two to l5 `oha, side tubers of corms, up to 6 inches in diameter. `Oha means specifically the suckers or shoots concentrically growing from the corm of the kalo/taro plant. Knowing this, it is easy to understand why the Hawaii family as a group is termed `ohana, which literally means “all from the shoots”.

Before kalo can be eaten, all parts of the plant must be cooked, in order to break down the needle-like calcium oxalate crystals present in the leaves, stem and corm. These could be extremely irritating to the throat and mouth lining, causing an acrid burning and stinging sensation.

Every part of Kalo can be used as either food or medicine.
Every part of Kalo can be used as either food or medicine.

Lu`au – Taro Leaf Lu`au is the name of the edible taro leaf, from the word lau, leaf. The lu`au leaf is another kinolau of Lono. Lu`au supplies high amounts of vitamins A, B and C, as well as calcium, iron, phosphorus, thiamine and riboflavin. The cooked corm and poi have fewer vitamins, but are an excellent carbohydrate source and have the ability to balance the pH factor in the body, as they are an alkali producing food.

The following are a few of the medicinal uses of poi and the kalo plant.  Poi is used to settle the stomach. Mixed with ripe noni fruit, it can be applied topically for boils. Poi can be mixed with pia (arrowroot starch) and taken for diarrhea. Undiluted poi is sometimes used as a poultice on infected sores. A piece of taro stem, haha, can be touched to the skin to stop surface bleeding. Some infections respond to the use of taro leaves mashed with Hawaii salt. This poultice can be applied to an injury, covered and wrapped with a large taro leaf. For a sting from an insect, the stem can be cut and rubbed on the afflicted area.

Mud from the taro patch was used as a black dye for lauhala and kapa cloth, while some leaf-stem juice yielded red dye. Also, diluted poi was used as a paste to glue together pieces of kapa cloth.

The kalo plant is said to be the hiapo, the number one sibling. It is also said to be the kinolau, the body form, of Kane, the procreator. The small round depression where the taro stalk meets the leaf surface is called the piko, from whence comes the name for the human belly button.

c: canoe plants of ancient hawaii

Perspectives

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butterfly

Silence is the mystery of the world to come; speech is the organ of this present world … Every man who delights in a multitude of words, even if he says admirable things, is empty within. Silence, however, will illuminate you in God and deliver you from the phantoms of ignorance. Silence will unite you to God Himself.

— St. Isaac of Nineveh

 

Tarot Contemplation – Three of Wands

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tarot_3wands

A decision has been made and you’re taking your first optimistic steps towards your goals.  You have set things in motion and there is no turning back now.  You know what you need to do and you have the confidence to do it.  You have the ability to lead and a vision that can inspire.  Forgiveness of others or yourself may be required in order to let go of the past.  With the bright future ahead of you, it is an ideal time to let go of past hurts.  This card may also indicate foreign travel.  Coming together with others and negotiating or trading could also be implied.  The Three of Wands suggests equality and cooperation in such endeavors.  Ultimately, growth is certain.  So, invest in your future today.  Make connections, work on your education, start creating something for the future.  Your future self will say, “I am so glad I put energy into this back then.”  Guaranteed.

Pleiadian High Council of Seven ~ Knowledge vs Creation — Love Has Won

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By Daniel Scranton

“We are the Pleiadian High Council of Seven, and we are pleased to offer you our words of wisdom.When you are faced with a situation in your lives that calls for knowledge, that requires you to have an answer, the guidance that you are receiving is coming to you from all sorts of angles. You are not just being given one piece of information because there are many different perspectives, even amongst your guides.And that is certainly the case with those of us who are teaching you from the higher realms. We are not all saying the same things because we all have different perspectives.When you want the one true answer, and you want it to come to you from a reliable source, our recommendation is that you make the answer true for you. Whatever it is that you decide, whatever information you put your faith in, that can and often does become your truth. You are not all in search of the one true truth, or the one piece of knowledge that is going to change everything.You are here to explore and to create. And so, when you seek something, seek to create instead of just to uncover that which already is. Seek to create the experience that you want from whatever the situation is that you find yourselves in. When you do this, you empower yourselves. You have an expression that says knowledge is power, but we would say that being a creator is what really empowers you.Creating means opening possibilities that would not exist for you if you were to cling to a particular piece of knowledge. Those who want all their knowledge to come from a single book are actually afraid. They are afraid to create because of what may occur if they do.That is why those of you who are on the leading edge of this shift in consciousness are willing to put down the books and to look within yourselves for that which you can create. You are here creating the new knowledge that you can then apply to the new world. That is your role, and that is what we are here to empower you to do.We are the Pleiadian High Council of Seven, and we are very fond of all of you. That is all.”~~~~~~~~Commentary from The First Contact Ground Crew 5dSpiritual Healing Team:Feel blocked, ready to give up, wish to know your status as an ascension waver? We are preparing everyone for a Full Planetary Ascension and we will give you the techniques to assist you Home Into The Light.  The First Contact Ground Crew Team, Will Help to Get You Ready For Ascension which is Underway Since the End of September last year and will spiral this year in March and Another in August. We can Assist You into Awakening into 5d Reality, where your experience is one of Constant Joy, Wholeness of Being, Whole Health, Balanced, Happy and Abundant. Lets DO THIS! Schedule Your Session Below by following the Link! We are Here in The Highest Love, Honor, and Respect to Be Humanity’s Representatives of The New Paradigm of True Freedom, Abundance, True Equality, A Completely Balanced Being and a Completely Benevolent Society! This is our Destiny as The Old illusion of power over and dysfunction dissolve. Allow us to be of service to You.   http://www.lovehaswon.org/awaken-to-5d/Connect with MotherGod~Mother of All Creation on Skype @ mothergoddess8We are a Donation based service for the Planetary Ascension. Thank you for showing your support and keeping our website and Love Energies moving forward! Thanks for supporting your family of light in their time of need to fulfill missionhttp://www.lovehaswon.org/donate-to-love/Here is our fund raising information: https://www.gofundme.com/lovehaswonHere is our Alkaline Water Solution: LoveHasWonWater.comhttp://www.lovehaswon.org/lovehaswonwater/Here is our Tarot Reading Service: Lyrian’s Eye Tarothttp://www.lovehaswon.org/lyrianseyetarot/Visit Our Store: http://www.lovehaswon.org/love-has-won-store/For a free copy of our book (The Tree of Life ~ Light of The Immortals) visit the link belowhttp://www.lovehaswon.org/tree-of-life-book/LOVE US @ https://www.facebook.com/lovehaswon/LOVE US @ https://www.facebook.com/lovehaswonwater

Source: Pleiadian High Council of Seven ~ Knowledge vs Creation — Love Has Won

Mike Quinsey ~ The Light Upon Earth is Seeking Out The Darkness — Love Has Won

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By Mike Quinsey – Channeling his Higher Self – 7th October 2016

 

The time is rapidly approaching when events will move forward as expected. All the necessary arrangements seem to be in place, and await the final checks before the order is given to go ahead with Revaluation of the currencies. It has taken a lot of planning to reach this point plus the co-operation of the many, many people involved. Clearly the wait will have been well worthwhile and will be seen as the turning point when events have turned the way for those working for the Light. There is still confusion as to what is taking place and in part caused by those who are against the changes being introduced. In any event there will be winners and losers but the changes will fully benefit the whole population of Earth. All are to be given the opportunity to reach an acceptable standard of living, and eliminate the unfairness in the distribution of wealth.Where the Will of God is concerned nothing can change the outcome regardless of any actions taken by the Illuminati. Their role in opposition to those of the Light has caused them to rise up and evolve much quicker than it would otherwise have occurred. It means that many more souls will have reached levels that entitle them to ascend. There is no choosing of such souls, and their success is entirely due to their own efforts to evolve out of the lower vibrations and into the Light. It is not a matter of becoming a total Light Being, but becoming of service to others for the greater part of your life. You can achieve it in so many ways and it is not necessarily confined to those who have a religious background. Equally you can serve others in many ways all according to their needs and it is not necessarily about money, but those who are very wealthy can do great things because of it.In view of present world conditions some see major changes as impossible, but it should be stressed that those of the Light that guide Humanity are very powerful Beings. They can change the vibrations of Earth so that all weapons of war cannot operate. So peace can be enforced and from a karmic point of view will be seen as justice to reward those who have kept their Light shining forth regardless of the difficulties encountered. When war and the equipment for war become obsolescent , peace and happiness can soon return to Earth. So much more good work can be done when people feel safe and out of harms way.One of the greatest lessons you can learn on Earth is “ forgiveness” which can be extremely hard when you may have been physically harmed. Retaliation is a natural response but if you are to avoid more karma it is best to walk away from such temptations. Bear in mind that if you do not immediately pay for sins committed whilst on Earth, you still have to face the consequences. It takes a strong willpower to keep calm in such circumstances but simply tell yourself that every negative action has to be made good at some time. The Biblical story of Jesus told of “turning the other cheek” and that is symbolic of how you should aim to be. Keep calm and walk away from the temptation to seek revenge.Looking at things from the higher levels of “Love” sums up what you should all be concentrating upon. Those levels that face you are of more Light, and it is such that you can use this energy to perform miracles. Universal energy is the panacea for all ills and as you rise up it should be the principal feature in your life. It is the ultimate energy with which you can perform miracles. Even on Earth now it has resulted in some miraculous healing and that also includes self-healing. It seems so simple to apply such thinking, but particularly on Earth you are being bombarded by so many different energies it is sometimes difficult to keep focused on “Love”.The Light upon Earth is seeking out the darkness and filling it with the higher energy. Slowly but surely the changes are becoming significant and grounding the Light for all to enjoy. Eventually there will be no lower energies upon Earth at all, and the Golden Age will have truly have commenced. It will be your first experience of total peace upon Earth, and it will last until 1000 years have passed when lower energies will be allowed to mingle with it. By then you will have progressed beyond recognition as Beings of Light. So all the time and effort you put in to raise your vibrations will be well rewarded and certainly never regretted.You will notice that Governments and their politics are under pressure to change, and the general movements are to move away from those who are warmongers. The people have had enough experience of all things associated with wars, and a strong desire for world peace is taking root. You still have your so called “hot spots” where there seems to be no sight of any way of bringing about peaceful solutions. These are for the working out of karma that needs to be cleared before true peace can be established. At the same time the power game is still being p

Source: Mike Quinsey ~ The Light Upon Earth is Seeking Out The Darkness — Love Has Won

Tarot Contemplation – Two of Cups

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tarot_2Cups

The energies today swirl around the ideas of Union, the coming together of two or more things to create something new.  The Two of Cups could also represent romantic attraction, a marriage, a supportive partnership, coming to a compromise, mutual support in a relationship, friendship and bonding, or a sense of equality between two people or two groups of people.  Whether these energies indicate romance, business partners, friends, family members, or the uniting of physical and spiritual realms, this card always represents equality, balance and mutual give-and-take, particularly in regard to emotional support and understanding.  Just for today, spend time doing something, or being with someone, that you love and feel deeply connected to.  The time and devotion you put into this project or relationship will fill you with joy and inner strength.

Tarot Contemplation – Eight of Pentacles

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tarot_8pentaclesYou see this young man working diligently and happily on a project.  He has already completed a great deal of his task and is focused on maintaining the quality of his work.  When this card appears, this type of focused and satisfying work is indicated.  It may be that you will soon be employed in steady and rewarding work, that you need to persevere in a matter that is near completion, or that you are learning a great deal through work that may seem repetitive.  Regardless of the details, this is a card of nearing mastery and maintaining effort and focus until the end.  Today is a day to focus on your craft.  Don’t be lazy.  Don’t cut corners.  What you are creating or doing is a reflection of who you are.  Put in the work you know you are capable of.  It is so worth it.

Tarot Contemplation – Knight of Cups

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tarot_KnightCups

As with any of the court cards, this Knight could represent a person you know, or will encounter; or it could be some aspect of yourself that is present, or to be called upon now … this Knight of Cups is a romantic, artistic, impulsive person.  He follows his heart and dreams and shares his vision with others.  He loves art and beauty, and is always looking for ways to bring more of both into his life, often by creating it.  He can be emotionally unstable, quickly fluctuating from feeling high to low.  He can be very loving and passionate, but his feelings can change quickly.  He is a dreamer who may not think through the long-term effects of his actions.  Today is a great day for creative play and for spending time with people you love.  You have a lot of love and passion flowing through you.  Find ways to share it.  It’s not a great day for big decisions.  The dreamy energy surrounding you today could make something seem better than it actually is.

Tarot Contemplation – The World

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Hawaiian_Tarot_Universe_21

 

This card represents both endings and new beginnings.  You have learned the lessons from your current phase of life.  It is time to move on.  The World can mean a victory or graduation.  It is telling you that you have enough and that you are enough.  It is time to move beyond thoughts of personal quest to bigger thoughts of what you can offer the earth.  So, for today, consider how wonderfully complete you are.  You are a unique and amazing person.  Everything that has happened to you has made you who you are today, even the hard stuff … ESPECIALLY the hard stuff.  Find some time today to reflect on your story so far and what an incredible adventure it has been.  And then get ready for the next chapter!  It is waiting for you.

Tarot Contemplation – Page of Pentacles

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tarot_page-pent

Enter another person you know, or will encounter, or is representative of some aspect of yourself that is present or to call upon now … a youthful, dependable, practical person.  S/he is willing to work hard to gain new knowledge and skills.  This person is often a student and a loyal friend who will give useful advice.  It’s time to pay attention to your body, the earth and nature.  There could be a message in the physical world for you.  If there is something you’ve been wanting to learn, today is a good day to start.  The best learning for you now is hands-on, so sign up for a class that involves creating something, or read a book that includes activities and exercises for you to do.  You will enjoy it!

Tarot Contemplation – Two of Pentacles

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2pent

Today is a day of multi-tasking and nimble movement.  You have a lot to deal with and you deal with it with ease and grace.  You are required to be flexible and adaptable, to take life’s ups and downs as they come and to go with the flow.  Like a juggler, in life we sometimes have to keep more than one ball in the air.  Though we may drop the balls sometimes, if we can keep at it, with a smile on our face, we will become wiser and stronger and ready to take on even more.  Alternatively, it may be the case that someone is doing a lot of busy work in order to ignore the overwhelming emotions or to feel like they have control over an uncontrollable situation.  The other message here is “follow the money.”  You may need to travel or even move house in order to take advantage of material opportunities.

Tarot Contemplation – Knight of Swords

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tarot_KnightSwords

You know or will encounter, or some aspect of yourself that is present or is to be called upon now … a sharp-minded, direct and idealistic person who is a great problem-solver and debater.  A rational person who doesn’t let feelings control actions.  Headstrong and impatient, this person communicates in a very direct manner that is often piercing.  This person is very passionate about his/her own ideas and will spare no one’s feelings in getting his/her point across.  Although very intelligent, s/he often jumps to conclusions.  You know what you want today and have the determination to get it.  However, you should slow down and think your plan through.  Though planning may seem boring to you right now, it could ultimately save you a lot of trouble in the long run.  If you rush ahead, without considering the details, you are likely to say or do something that you’ll regret later.

Advice On The Secret To A Loving And Happy Marriage – by Khalil Gibran

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27b

Let there be spaces in your togetherness,
And let the winds of the heavens dance between you.

Love one another but make not a bond of love:
Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.
Fill each other’s cup but drink not from one cup.
Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf.
Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone,
Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music.

Give your hearts, but not into each other’s keeping.
For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.
And stand together, yet not too near together:
For the pillars of the temple stand apart,
And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other’s shadow.

 

From Khalil Gibran’s classic, The Prophet

The “exact opposite” of a Palaeo diet is probably best for long life – ScienceAlert

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A low protein, high carbohydrate diet may be the most effective for stimulating a hormone with life-extending and obesity-fighting benefits, according to the latest Australian research.

Source: The “exact opposite” of a Palaeo diet is probably best for long life – ScienceAlert

Alzheimer’s Disease: Prevention, Tests, Screening | Berkeley Wellness

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William Jagust, MD, a professor of public health and neuroscience at UC Berkeley, explains new scans that look for signs of early Alzheimer’s disease, and how they are being used to develop new drugs to slow—and perhaps even stop—this cruel disease.

Source: Alzheimer’s Disease: Prevention, Tests, Screening | Berkeley Wellness

Tarot Contemplation – Nine of Cups

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tarot_9cups

You are likely feeling really good, or are going to be feeling good very soon.  If you have a wish, spend some time visualizing what you want to help you take steps towards making your dreams a reality.  This card could also represent feeling like you have it all.  Beware that you are not coming across as smug or a braggart to others.  Today, delight in your sense and emotions.  Taste the delicious food you eat, feel the comfort of your home, appreciate the amazing gifts of music and art that have been created for our pleasure, feel the amazing love that flows in and out of your heart.  What an amazing world!  What an amazing thing to be alive!  Choose to be happy today; it really is a choice.