It is with great joy and gratitude that we introduce you to the first edition of our monthly newsletter, Los Cuentos de Akutu. Traditionally, los cuentos connect us to the role of our grandparents in transmitting our traditions and culture through storytelling. In Los Cuentos de Akutu, you will find a monthly message and/or story from Akutu Irka, alongside a compilation of monthly community offerings including moon ceremonies, Areito registration, courses and workshops, and special events and relevant announcements.
This month, we release the first in a series of educational courses beginning with "Yucahu, Yuca, and the Sweet Word." And, we welcome a new addition to the healing sessions: Shamanic Cord-Cutting -- a shamanic ritual for interpersonal relationships, where we cut negative
We hope Los Cuentos de Akutu will keep you connected to your personal healing journey, and tuned in to all of the ways available to reclaim our indigenous practices and traditions, together. We look forward to a healthy, present, and fruitful new year with all of you in the community. Thank you for being here.
Embracing the End of Winter
For the ancestors, the spring season was a time for planting short-term crops such as beans — later harvested close to the summer; and medium-term crops such as the tropical pumpkin, later ready in the fall. And of course, the yuca, which would take nine months to grow, as a child in mother earth's womb.
Just as in winter, while nature hibernates and the leaves all die, we begin a period of introspection, where we start to understand that aspects of ourselves must also be let go. We even reflect this spirit of letting go in our homes by doing our yearly tradition of spring cleaning - removing everything that has already served its time in our environment.
In these three weeks of winter that we have left, I invite you to make the last adjustments of this winter season, completing this cycle of reflection-liberation. Spring is coming, and we want to welcome it lightly with a bright smile. Soon it will be the time to receive the renewal and balance it brings.
Many blessings to all,
Akutu Irka
