The fall/spring equinox

This would be the Fall Equinox in Canada, but the Spring Equinox in Ecuador, so what freakish good luck that I arrived here in time to participate in the equinox ceremony that took place at exactly noon. When the clock strikes noon the sun is right overhead and so there is almost no shadow from our bodies. I was told this morning when I was greeted by Willak to stand in the sun whatever I am doing today and allow the sun to enter my body through my crown chakra letting it’s light fill my body on the inside.

This is a very special day for the Incans and so each shaman is sent to different places to have ceremony, sometimes reintroducing this part of their culture to the indigenous people. I went to a school in another city with Willak’s brother Rumi who preformed the ceremony. It took place at a school with several schools participating in the event. Each school put together a project for this event displaying the food which is most important for their culture providing them the best health possible.

Although I could not understand much of what I was being told (at least at the beginning) it was obvious that they were proud of their displays and were very willing to share samples of some of the staples foods of their diet. I ate several samples of different beans, each one with a different flavour, all very nice to eat. They also had corn which they put into milk with sugar, an interesting taste. Another delicious milk that they make is with quinoa and apple which I really enjoyed.

I was lucky enough to have a woman join me as I did the tour of the different displays who spoke some English. She was able to explain the names for me and help me understand the importance the different grains. For example garbanzo beans and quinoa are very high in protein eliminating the need for meat in their diet.

I had done the circuit finishing just in time for the ceremony to start. I watched as Rumi finished setting up the different instruments used to preform the ceremony.

We then gathered around him forming a circle while he explained the importance of the ceremony before he began. You can see from this picture that everything on his blanket has importance to their culture. there is corn, a seashell, antlers, smudge, different stones, a turtle and of course the drum and condor feathers.

Unfortunately I could not understand the explanation he was giving, as it was in Spanish, but Willak had explained things to me earlier, so I still enjoyed the process. Also the woman who had been helping me as I stopped at each display, explained some things such as that it was ok if I wanted to close my eyes when looking up towards the sun holding my hands over my face forming a triangle with my thumbs and pointing finger over my third eye to focus the suns rays on that area. While we did this Rumi blew into a large shell once in each of the 4 directions.

As you can see by the following picture, with Rumi kneeling down to pick up his drum and begin playing, the sun is directly above thereby creating a shadow very close to his body, not throwing it out in any direction.

Each time he began his prayers, he began in his native language of Quichua which for anyone wondering, is not the same as Spanish, it is their own language. For the final prayer he picked up the condor feathers which were joined together in such a way as to make a flute. The feathers of the condor have large enough quills allowing them to do this.  It sounds beautiful.

The ceremony was beautiful made more so by understanding the importance with regards to their culture and their ability to have kept this going throughout their history despite the hardships faced over the years.

My day started with a small ceremony in the yard with a blessing from Willak as I welcomed the energy and light of the sun into my body as he prayed and cleansed me with his smudge. I had not realized that the timing of my arrival would be so fortuitous. This filled me with an understanding that I have begun walking in a new circle already, leaving behind the pain and sorrow. This does not mean I will forget my past, only understand it better and learn to leave it in the past as I take each step forward. I learned an important piece of information from Willak as we were making the drive to meet his brother. He said “There are only 2 situations (in life); the first one is learning, the second is to enjoy”. As I let that sink in where I sat quietly in the back seat, I realized that this statement did not leave room for anger or any other negative situations. We learn and from learning from each other, we enjoy life. A simple way of thinking to be sure, but I have held to the belief that if we live for love and truth, the rest pretty much takes care of itself. So his shared belief was not difficult for me to accept.

All in all it was a beautiful day, filling me with peace. I was very content to just be a silent (mostly) observer of these people, enjoying their big smiles, colourful dress and lively conversations. Although I was the only white person there, I was given a gracious welcoming by one and all. 

I am finishing this day with happiness in my heart