Aloha from O'ahu: a message for your week ahead
The power of Hawaiian Wisdom: Mana Cards 🌴🌈
This week’s deck comes from a lovely shop I wandered into on O'ahu’s north shore a few days ago.
There aren’t a lot of Hawaiian-themed decks available, particularly ones that honor the culture and history of Hawai'i’s people with care. The heart and intention that went into this deck, as well as deep native knowledge and contribution, are captured so beautifully here.
Sure, I’m a haole girl from the Mainland. I was also a student of ‘ōlelo Hawai'i at UH Mānoa in the (eek!) early 2000s. During those years, I learned a lot about this land, its beautiful and brutal history, and that the saying is true: You can’t really begin to understand a culture until you understand its language.
I’m not claiming expertise here at all.
But what little surface I scratched during my 7-ish years here taught me to pay attention, have respect, and at least try to understand the land and space I occupy.
I’m also bringing this practice into my life in Minnesota these days. I’m currently enjoying this book. The author is a fountain of Ojibwe knowledge on Instagram as well.
Energetically, when we connect to our homes and the land that supports us, I believe we are nurturing one of the truest, most aligned cycles we have access to: stewarding the Earth we’re borrowing, coexisting with our animal neighbors and teachers, and expressing deep gratitude for these gifts that give us life.
The Earth and animals can sense this.
Somewhere in my soul, I know this is a big piece of the living-a-fulfilling-life pie.
🌿 It is a cycle of mutual abundance.
I feel such a profound love and connection to the land in both Minnesota and Hawai'i, and I want to honor that as best I can by understanding it better. We’re on Earth for a minute. During that short time, I aim to do my best to care for the earth that keeps giving to me.
🌱 I can’t wait to share more of what that looks like once the growing season begins!
For now, settle in and enjoy your message from the islands for the week ahead.
Aloha nui,
N
The Cards
deck: Mana Cards: The Power of Hawaiian Wisdom
Hold up!
Before you scroll down, pick a card above first!
Take your time, breathe, listen to your body, then choose ☀️
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one
Pūhi {eel}
Disruption.
Pūhi is the word for “eel,” but it also means “to burn, to smoke, to extract.” Pūhi can spread like fire and spout like water. Pūhi slithers across the universe, creating ripples of energy that can change things from one form to another. Pūhi’s disruption is a necessary part of creation.”
Sometimes, we “squirm” or procrastinate to avoid doing something. This stems from many different places, but most often can be traced back to a lack of clarity or a fear of failure.
Both keep us from doing what we know needs to be done.
What are you constantly wiggling away from or trying to avoid? Is there something you want to do, yet you’re waiting for just the right time to do it?
That time is now, dear one.
I’m a huge fan of reminding my clarity clients of this life-changing-for-me concept so succinctly put by Mark Manson:
“Action isn't just the effect of motivation; it's also the cause of it.”
two
Lamakū {torch}
Victory.
“The torch signals joy and victory. The torches of the early Hawaiians were fueled with dried kukui nuts enclosed in tī leaves secured to a bamboo handle. The kukui is the state tree of Hawai'i because of it’s many uses and beauty. Kukui nuts were used for light, navigation, medicine, divination, and many other purposes. A kukui in the front of a house indicated that its owner was exposing their soul to all who passed by.”
The wisdom of the torch encourages you to balance your material and spiritual worlds. Celebrate the material world without clinging to it and making it your everything.
Enjoy spiritual expansion, but stay grounded and present.
If you know you’ve been too engulfed in the material, try breathwork, meditation, or working with plant medicine.
If you’re head is most often in the stars, try grounding, gardening, or cleaning your home.
This state of balance allows your inner light (kukui) to flow through your heart (pu'uwai) as pictured in the card above.
three
La’amaomao {the goddess of wind}
Atonement.
La'amaomao is the goddess of the winds. The fact that there are at least 63 different kinds of winds named in the Hawaiian dictionary attests to the intimate knowledge that Hawaiians have of wind, contributing greatly to their exquisite navigational abilities. Hawaiians also were inventors of the lupe (kite).”
La'amaomao means distant sacredness.
Her winds teach that acceptance and atonement are necessary steps on the road to attainment.
Are you biting off more than you can chew? Moving forward at a pace that feels nonstop yet you don’t feel like you’re getting anywhere?
This medicine asks you to slow down and release what isn’t serving you. You are trying to carry and do too much all at once.
Simplify. Release.
It’s okay that you’ve messed up or failed. These are essential parts of life. Learn from them. Shed what doesn’t need to go with you on the next time around.
Try again.
Did you know?
Capricorn Born has expanded from Monday newsletters to Monday and Friday!
Monday’s are free, pick-a-card readings like you've seen here since 2020.
Fridays are evolving to have complex readings, more in-depth spreads, and explanations of the cards. Consider supporting this publication for $5/month if you love what you’re reading here!
i lived on the big island for five years and this deck was gifted to me back when i first started doing readings for people and i still love it so much