Tai Mautia Taino Woods Sanctuary Community, 

From the beats of the Tekina drum to the enchanting glow of the Winter Solstice, let the spirit of December weave its magic around us. As we navigate the closing chapters of 2023, let us do so with grace, intention, and the warmth of community.

Celebrate the New Year with Renewal: Sweat Lodge Ceremony on 12/31 at 12 PM
As we bid farewell to 2023 and welcome the promise of a new year, join us in a special New Year’s Eve Sweat Lodge Ceremony on December 31st at 12 PM. This immersive experience invites you to reflect, cleanse, and step into 2024 with renewed energy. Please RSVP by December 22nd to secure your spot. Keep an eye out for weather alerts (on our website and our Instagram), ensuring a safe and transformative ceremony.

Volunteer Weekends: December Edition
Throughout the weekends of December, we call upon our dedicated volunteers to lend a helping hand. 

• Saturday 12/2 and Sunday 12/3
• Saturday 12/9 and Sunday 12/10
• Saturday 12/16 and Sunday 12/17

Tasks include taking down two tents, closing up the kitchen, repairing tents from our woodland friends, emptying 55-gallon water jugs, removing batteries, and stowing away the river-side bathroom tents. Your support is crucial in maintaining the sanctuary’s thriving space.

Website Membership: Join the Taino Woods Sanctuary Community Online
Embark on a journey of unity, exploration, and growth by becoming a member on our website. Whether you’re seeking healing or looking to be part of a vibrant collective, this is your invitation. Join online at www.tainowoods.com and be part of our growing community.

Tekina Drumming and Song Meet-ups: 12/7 and 12/14 via Google Meet
Immerse yourself in the rhythmic beats of our Tekina Drumming and Song Group. Our meet-ups on December 7th and 14th will be held via Google Meet. Please stay tuned for exact meeting times through the Drumming and Song group on our website.

Wishing you a joyous and transformative December from Taino Woods Sanctuary. Until next month, be well, be kind, and be one with the spirit of Taino Woods.

A Taino Traditional Tale: The Winter Solstice and the Journey of Yoka Hu
As the Winter Solstice graces the Northern Hemisphere, we delve into a Taino traditional tale that connects us with the celestial dance observed by our ancestors. Behike Miguel Sague shares the enchanting story of Yoka Hu, the male spirit associated with the yucca plant, and the cyclical journey that unfolds with the changing seasons.

In the Taino cosmology, the Winter Solstice marks a pivotal moment in the life of Yoka Hu. Represented as a lifeless entity during this time, with fleshless bones and head between arms, Yoka Hu’s soul embarks on a profound journey. Three months after the Autumn Equinox, at the Winter Solstice, his soul completes its voyage to the Realm of Coai Bai, readying for rebirth at the Spring Equinox.

This tale, woven with celestial observations and the rhythm of nature, invites us to reflect on the interconnectedness of the cosmos and our place within it. For those interested in the full story and its cultural significance, you can explore more at What is Solstice? Indigenous Caribbean Network. (Thank you Behike Miguel Sague!) 

Reflection on a Beautiful Prayer: 11/25 Sweat Lodge Ceremony
In the spirit of unity and gratitude, we gather to reflect on the profound experience shared during our recent Sweat Lodge Ceremony on November 25th. The energy was elevated, and the prayers were a beautiful testament to the connectedness we share.

Heartfelt thanks to those who participated; your presence and contributions added to the sacred atmosphere, creating a memorable and spiritually enriching ceremony.

As we carry the resonance of this collective prayer into December, let it be a source of inspiration for the transformative experiences that await us in the coming month.

Seneko Kakona,

Taino Woods Sanctuary