Tai Guey Taino Woods Sanctuary Community,

As we continue the sun path into August, we call upon you to embrace and honor the spirit of the season, weaving stronger bonds with our people and the sacred Land. Here’s what’s happening:

🌿 Nature Quest: Transformative Journey
We are excited for the upcoming Nature Quest on August 16th – 18th. This powerful, life-changing journey is a once-a-year, four-year commitment to quest into Nature for a two-night fast from Friday to Sunday. The Nature Quest is not a retreat; it is a sacred rite of passage rooted in indigenous traditions, designed to help you find clarity, healing, and a deeper connection to your spirit and Atabeyra (Mother Earth).

During this profound journey, you will spend two days and nights in solitude, fasting and immersing yourself in prayer and meditation. Supported by the energy and prayers of your community nearby, this experience offers a unique opportunity to receive guidance from the natural world and Creator, Yaya Guaraturey. It is a time to confront fears, release old patterns, and awaken to new insights and directions for your life.

Participants who wish to attend the Nature Quest are required to participate in the mandatory volunteer weekend on August 9th – 11th to demonstrate their commitment to this prayer for their life. 

Register now to secure your place in this transformative experience. We have one spot left! 

🏕️Volunteer Weekend & Purification Lodge: August 9th – 11th

Join us on Friday, August 9th through Sunday, August 11th, for a fulfilling weekend of volunteer work and spiritual renewal. This gathering is an opportunity to connect with Atabeyra and the community while contributing to the care and upkeep of our sacred Land. The weekend will culminate in a Purification Lodge ceremony, exclusively for those who volunteer during the Saturday and Sunday workday. The sweat lodge will take place later in the morning, offering a sacred space for purification and transformation. Volunteer today! 

🍁 A Taino Fall Equinox Celebration and Purification Lodge:

We are excited to announce our upcoming Fall Equinox Prayer and Purification Lodge with the esteemed Behike Miguel Sague, taking place October 4th – October 6th. This sacred ceremony offers a profound opportunity to connect with the energies of the Earth and the cycles of Life, Death, and Rebirth.

The Fall Equinox represents a pivotal moment in the ceremonial cycle of the cemies, where Yoka Hu, the male spirit of Energy and Life, completes his journey.

Yoka Hu’s cycle begins at the Spring Equinox, where he is born of his Earth-and-Water Mother, Ata Bey. He reaches full maturity and strength at the Summer Solstice and then begins to decline during the late summer, finally dying at the Autumnal Equinox. At this time, Yoka Hu descends to the watery underworld at the center of Ata Bey’s womb, a place called “Coa Bay.” Here, he reunites with his mother’s uterus, awaiting rebirth at the Winter Solstice, and the cycle begins anew at the Spring Equinox.

During our Fall Equinox celebration, we also honor the sacred foods associated with the Taino Medicine Wheel: green squash, black beans, cassava, and corn. These foods hold deep cultural and spiritual significance, representing the sustenance and abundance provided by Mother Earth. Sharing these sacred foods during our gathering symbolizes our gratitude and connection to the Land, reinforcing the unity and communal spirit of our ceremonies.

To learn more about this profound tradition, visit The Taino Equinox Celebration – Indigenous Caribbean Network.

Arikona bu (thank you), Behike Miguel Sague, for your guidance and dedication to preserving and sharing these sacred traditions. It is with your great help that we continue to grow and strengthen our Calmunity!

🔥 Fire Keeper Apprenticeship Program: Embrace the Sacred Fire
We are thrilled to announce the reopening of our Fire Keeper Apprenticeship Program! This intimate and transformative training is designed for those who have experienced our purification lodges and are eager to take a more active role in this sacred ceremony.

Our Fire Keeper Apprenticeship provides a profound opportunity to learn about the traditional ways of our indigenous purification lodges. Apprentices will gain hands-on experience with the sacred elements of the lodge, including fire keeping, stone receiving, and understanding the physical and symbolic principles that create a safe and loving healing space.

The apprenticeship requires participation in at least seven purification lodges as well as joining volunteer weekends to continuously care for the Land. Throughout the program, apprentices will receive teachings from Elders and knowledge givers, practical training in fire management techniques, and the chance to apprentice with experienced fire tenders within our community.

If you are seeking to learn more about this ancient and beautiful ceremony, email us at: events@tainowoods.com.

And keep your eyes peeled for more detailed information on this apprenticeship, including the progression through ceremonial belts and the responsibilities at each stage, coming soon on our Resources Page.

🎶 Tekina Song and Drumming Group
Our Tekina Song and Drumming Group will be meeting virtually once a month, as well as gathering on the Land. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect through the rhythms of our drums and songs, fostering unity and cultural preservation. All details can be found on our Taino Social Group Page. Join us in these harmonious gatherings and let the music of our ancestors guide our spirits!

🙏🏽 Hahom to Bohio Divino
A heartfelt thank you to all the coordinators, volunteers, and Bohio Divino for an incredible collaborative effort! The work accomplished was immense, and the connections formed were deep and meaningful. Your dedication and presence brought beautiful and strong prayers to life, creating lasting memories and friendships. We are grateful for your commitment to the community and the Land. May you receive abundant blessings in return. Seneko Kakona, Han hankatu!

💚 Support Our Sanctuary

Your generosity helps us sustain and nurture Taino Woods Sanctuary. Whether it’s a monetary donation or offering your time for another work day, every bit contributes to the greater good. 

If you’re available for additional volunteer days, please email us at events@tainowoods.com to coordinate your participation. 

To make a donation, please click here.

🌱 Become a Member

Join our growing community and become a member of Taino Woods Sanctuary. Membership offers exclusive benefits and opportunities to deepen your connection with our sacred Land and like-minded individuals. Your support aids our ongoing efforts to preserve and enhance the natural beauty of our sanctuary and contribute to a brighter future for generations to come.

Join us in these enriching experiences and continue to be a vital part of our community’s growth and harmony. 

For more details and to register for gatherings, visit our website: Taino Woods Sanctuary.

In Calm-Unity and Reverence,
Taino Woods Sanctuary