My sister brought a rock from the Big Island in Hawaii, home of the volcano Goddess, Pele. As it lay on my bedside table, it developed a living presence. I tried to ignore this mass of solidified lava that was communicating its secrets, but the Hawaiian Island kept insisting, “visit Pele and her sisters!”
As an intimate group, we unconsciously decided to be initiated through the energies of the fire element. This proved to be a ‘combustible’ experience, with engine problems in our airplane causing us to miss our flight, incur additional costs in rebooking last minute flights, making our entry to the Hawaiian Islands a “test,” losing a student’s passport, and other sundry problems. Such is the nature of Pele!

The forces that followed us cleared as soon as we gave offerings to Mother Pele on hot ulcerated edges of her smoldering sulfurous volcano, which initiated us in cinder-encrusted caves. Traditional Hawaiians respect the Goddess, knowing that challenges erupt through her fiery nature.
Peace and tranquility descended upon our group in Maui, the island of the Moon Goddess Hina. Energies of the tidal forces were taught to us as we were introduced to Hahuna medicine through the sea creatures, sea snails, and corals. All shore medicine is Hina’s.

Tropical sunsets on our mountain retreat contrasted with aquatic adventures swimming through turquoise oceans and lovingly devouring delicious local fish treats. Hula dance teachers demonstrated their art, explaining dance initiations involving five years of training through the four elements, as we swayed to the sounds of the ukulele.

Kauai is known as the wettest island. Emerald green evokes prosperity with indescribable canyons, raw and splendid. This tranquil island gives peace and power a protective masculine energy fabled for its little people, the Menehune. We conducted ceremonies with indigenous ti leaves and celebrated Goddess Laka’s beauty.

The gathering Island of Oahu (The Gold Island) saw us releasing trapped energy in our solar plexus chakras. Much releasing was done, as we were invited to a traditional performance commemorating Queen Liliuokalani, the last Hawaiian Queen. The ceremony reflected the lost spirit of the Hawaiian people. We were shocked by our own tears for this proud people’s loss, as we witnessed the strength of the women amid the heady perfume of Plumeria flowers.