of

Ka Malana Photography

Click on the image/link above for more from the Cheer Peppers Team!

Of

peaceful

sound

is sound

mind and body

water mixes with sand

sometimes gritty

choppy through emotional waters

too much sand and not enough water

other times silky silken sifting

through steady fingers, shining

clarifying ,

rolling

pressing into angel wings

designs on sand

reminds us. Of

endless possibilities

In

For Each of the days of November, I will be posting from the Tao Te Ching, using Stephen Mitchell’s translation. Each title is one word in the overall passage. Each day will include a picture, and potentially some prose that begins with the same word from the Tao Te Ching. On the final day, all the titles will be joined together in one post to read it through as it is written in the Tao Te Ching.

Ka Malana Photography

In

the heart of Tao

is all unbroken

silent

surrending

yielding

to

a new beginning.

©Ka Malana2023

This post and the whole shebang was created for Nano Poblano 2023.

Support the Cheer Pepper Team by visiting and leaving a comment, a like, or just reading and sending good vibes. I will be away but am trying to schedule posts ahead and visit as many blogs and bloggers as I can! My focus this year is on supporting!

Spiritual Leadership with ♥️

Dear Friends,

I wanted to check in with you and did an oracle reading for you! Below is your oracle reading, and keep reading because this is a pretty special post. I will touch upon the final Lunar Eclipse in Taurus coming up this October 28, 2023, the passing of “Uncle Ed,” and more, like Cheer Peppers’ November (most unofficial) blogging challenge. So keep your reading glasses on, and your eyes ablaze!

Join me in my waka (canoe)through these sparkling and refreshing journey waters, so you can get just what you need!

This reading is from the Oracle Card Deck called Chakra by Tori Hartman:

Princess of Amber, I quietly sizzle and shine:

The legend: The Princess of Amber spends her time volunteering. No person nor task is beneath her; she loves her subjects and looks after them like a loyal servant. When the newspapers criticize her, her family begs her to behave more “like royalty.” She refuses. The people hold a free election and, to the surprise of aristocracy, vote for the Princess as their new leader.

Inspiration: You are correct to feel passionate about your position. Follow your instincts, for you know intuitively what is right for you.

Personal inquiry: Are my daily actions supporting my real passion? What am I willing to stand for?

Key Ideas: Following your passion; being authentic; taking a stand for yourself; being acknowledged; feeling ostracized by family/friends; being emotionally centered; strong feminine energy; a happy outcome

Toni Hartman

Time is of the Essence; and so many of us only have so much.

There are many times I’ve been asked about the shamanic aspects of my Spiritual path. The truth is that: All the stuff of consciousness is the same stuff. I became “Ka Malana” when I traveled to Kauai in 2011, when I was guided there. One of the most authentic and truly committed Kahuna I met there, became my “Uncle Ed.” I’ve only shared the story in bits and pieces because it feels more truthful than if I had made up one story by writing it all out at once. If I tried to express the real magic that I am a part of, it would seem like I’m writing a make believe story. But, i’m not. A real, authentic Kahuna, and perhaps even the last Menehune, was someone I spent some quality time with, at the heiau (Hawaiian temple in the woods). This temple is known as the Yoni of the Kauai and where the souls come in. It’s a very special place, and he was the land guardian. He will continue to be the land guardian.Here’s a link to a post I wrote from back then, where I only wrote a snippet. It was also around the New Moon in Taurus, 2011.

Dear Uncle Ed,

Thank you for your mana. Your heart. Your absolute commitment to the Hawaiian People and bringing the Polynesians together to reclaim their tremendously important legacy of balancing the planetary energy in co-creation with Spirit.

Edward Robert Kaiwi, 1947 ~ 2022 (age 75)

This past week one of my community members notified me that Uncle Ed had passed away last year. She asked if I knew. Very relevant question. There is a part of me that heard this for the first time. Then, a couple of hours later, I got the sensation: You knew, you just couldn’t process it at the time. So, there you go. From his obituary:

Edward Robert Kaiwi, 1947 ~ 2022 (age 75)

We are sad to announce the death of Edward Robert Kauhi-a-hiwa Kaiwi, who passed away peacefully at his home in Anahola Heiau, Kauai on September 7, 2022.

Ed was a federally designated Traditional Native Hawaiian Cultural Practitioner and taught his knowledge to all who came with honor and respect.

He was a proud U.S. Marine Corp Veteran of the Vietnam War and was decorated with the Purple Heart and National Defence Service Medals.

He was also a genealogist and reconnected Hawaiians with their family land in his life long practice of Hawaiian Sovereignty.

Ed is survived by his children Tahamaruihi(Evan),Teatatanaroa(Carly), Wahine O Te Tai(Brendan), Taihonu; the mother of his children, Leslie O’Brien; his grandchildren, Lokelani and Kekoa; Also by his brother Hank(Mona) and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his mother Naomi Kaiwi, his father Henry Kaiwi, brothers Paul, Henry, and sister Stephanie.

A hui hou.

Jupiter taken by Juno

I thought it was fitting to put this gorgeous picture of Jupiter, right after Uncle Ed’s photo. He indeed is and was a Spiritual Leader. This is Jupiterian in so many ways. The beauty is that Jupiter will feature nicely in this Final Taurus Lunar Eclipse (until the next set after 18/19 years, or 1 score to bring back the 20 year unit with Abraham Lincoln). My parenthetical area reminded me of a quote from Unc Ed’s legacy book:

Now, for that astrology/astronomy and the Spiritual significance of this Final Lunar Eclipse in Taurus.

Chart from Cafeastrology

We astrologers are probably not gonna be surprised that Pluto is featuring pretty strongly here too. I mean, squaring the moon and the Mercury/Mars conjunction with is so close to the Sun in what?!, Yes, you guessed it: Scorpio. Scorpio and Pluto are almost one of a kind 😉 So, if you think you are gonna be surface-skimming anything in the coming days (and you aren’t surprised because you’ve already been being embraced by this energy) you’d be remiss and basically you would probably be living on another planet or in another plane of existence–You’re welcome for getting you this message, anyways!! This is probably the most important blog post I’ve ever written. Venus is trining Uranus and Jupiter during the new moon. So, Taurus is still strong here, in the final Taurus eclipse.

What can you most stubbornly hang onto that will make your passion the prize? Having passion, on its own, IS THE PRIZE. What can you let go of, to make more room for your passion? Finally, your passion has adopted you, and you are now living exactly for it. It is your true source. What’s your next step?

I will leave all these words with you above and possibly come back to edit later. Time is fleeting, and I have other important work to get to. This can be a dream life, a real life dream. A dreaming life. What is shamanic? All of that.

Mahalo for Reading!

Next up…. I am going to try to work with the daunting task of posting and supporting every day in November, through Cheers Peppers Nano Poblano. Every year, I meet some new bloggers who I’m glad I’ve met, and life is better for it! ❤

Come see our Team:

Solar eclipse and goodbyes

Dear beloved souls,

I drew this card with the intention that it be given for your Libra Eclipse reading for October 14th. The eclipse series links back to the one in late Aries on April 20th. You might want to direct yourself back to that time for reflecting on your life themes. Perhaps it should be no surprise to me that I align closely with this reading because of my own chart–regardless that this is a general reading for all my blog readers. It will mean something slightly different for each of you. For me it does link back to my natal Pluto. As Pluto is a slow moving planet–this will be a similar placement for many in my generation.

Completion is a natural cycle of life. It need not be feared; and in some contexts it can be worked with and encouraged with grace and ease. Libra and balancing the scales tracks back to having healthy boundaries in relationships, including the relationship with oneself. Since this eclipse is around the S.Node of the moon, it relates back to the past and what is habitual behavior for this incarnation. WE are working to release these behaviors through the spark of awareness coming in from Aries. This is a particularly potent eclipse with the North Node (always opposite south node) in Aries conjoining (next to) Eris. Interestingly Eris wasn’t discovered until 2005, but it is named after the Greco-Roman Goddess of strife and discord. Once again, I find it interesting that this asteroid was discovered at the nearby observatory, a very important observatory at Palomar mountain.

There is division among astrologers about what to count as significant in terms of how “old” or “big” the astronomical phenomenon or material is. My astrological slant tends to come from the idea that what emerges in consciousness is also identified in the sky. Because, to me, the sky is a reflection and a mirror–as a metaphor–but in many cases, also quite literal. I am not a mundane astrologer, one who practices the specifics of country and geo-political affairs, but it’s clear that there are is much strife and war at present.

The grouping of the elements of this reading cause me to turn within and ask the question, “is there an end to war?” It’s not a rhetorical question. It’s an open ended one. I’m not being facetious either. Is war natural, like completion, like strife? Isn’t peace just as natural? I think if we really go within and find those spaces inside us that want to heal and bless, we can really allow ourselves to find peace within. Here is a statement I made regarding my own personal resolve (see the bolded text below). You may take any of it if you want, or you can leave it here, on the page. With an open hand, what is there to “pick up” or “cling to”? Can we soften into our hard places, and gently ask ourselves “how can we open to and forgive those who have hurt us, knowingly or unknowingly?” Furthermore, how can we create our own little corners of peace. Does not everyone deserve to live in peace, even those who are unable to examine life and find or ascertain valuable meaning in it? I think the answers for each of us are unique and deserve a spacious blessing. Can there be enough room for all us? What can we clean out and leave from our lives that’s just too heavy to carry? Can we let go with gentleness?

I’m not gonna wait for the world to be a peace. I do much better in the world when I pursue my own contentment. My inner peace matters. Your inner peace matters. What makes me content is probably going to be different than what makes you content. Right now, I’m gonna exercise and focus on feeling the life and strength in my body. I will continue to rise. I will not allow world events to rock my core. I have power over me. I declare it. I own it. I walk this walk of peace in my being—not just during certain times, but always.

Ka Malana

May all beings be at peace. May Love Prevail. May our hearts, bodies, and minds heal and we find our way into peaceful certainty and resolve.

A reading for you: Creation

As we move towards the Full Moon in Aries coming up this September 29, depending on where you are, I asked Spirit to give me a reading for my blog readers. That reading was completed with the one card, above. Creation.

The card comes from the Chakra Wisdom Oracle, by Tori Hartman

This card is all about the artistic shaman. It leaped from the deck that I shuffled in preparation for this reading. The energy with this one is strong! This card is all about opening to magic and hitching to one’s inner muse.

The following is the meditation from the guidebook:

“Open the notebook to a clean page. Close your eyes and image She Shaman standing in the mist, holding out her hand. Follow her into the mist. As you walk she motions to sit. Ask for her guidance. Pick up your notebook and write. Simply write whatever comes. Do not censor or judge the words. They may mean nothing right now, but they will. Thank She Shaman for her visit.”

Tori Hartman

What have you always wanted to do but always stopped in your tracks? No matter what it is, you have to ask yourself: which is stronger fear or curiosity? This time is all about breaking lose of the confines of the known and starting off as a newbie–without anyone’s permission! Aries is a seed of fire that when planted and fueled with your intention, will bind to matter and create a new thread of connection, which will branch off into a number of unseen ways. The full moon is a cumulation, but my intuition has it that the energy has been growing inside you for some time; and at the full moon, it is ready to be released into a new beginning. A burst of light. Take 5 deep breaths and then make your move!

Of Shadows, Halfs, & Equals

It’s an autumnal feeling day in San Diego. It’s so lovely on the equinox. I spent some time looking for a picture that “might” go along with what I want to write. In this picture, my mask just doesn’t quite fit. That’s a metaphor for this time period. We check in with our authenticity, perhaps. Maybe we need to adjust the mask, the clothing, the required cultural garments that keep us from being naked in public, for example. Although this picture is old (maybe 2014?) , I wanted to use the image to highlight what is special about the energies right now. I think it’s a little more about observing shadow. As we shift into the energies of the fall, we prepare to “go inside” and introvert a bit more into our routines while preparing for the shift in weather. We see things from a different vantage point. Libra tends to be about couples, relationships and coupling. It asks us about “other” about our shadow, and also brings up questions about equilibrium and balancing forces.

There’s more to it. Our relationships help us to see multiple sides of ourselves–especially long term relationships. We really get into a groove and an awareness of each other. At the equinox, we get a special “view” of everything.

Shadows:

“On the day of an equinox – and only on the day of an equinox – the tip of a shadow from an upright stick or “gnomon” traces a straight west-to-east path along the ground.

Have you done your shadow work lately? I’ve just reached into my metaphorical bag of self-wonders and have asked for new sides of myself to become aware of, sides, angles and facets that I can smooth out and refine. It’s kind of exciting, and calming at the same time.

Also important windows to look into for wisdom into the Self:

Sunrise and Sunset. I believe that if you gaze into these doorways with consistency, especially during this transition into the end of the year and the last quarter of the year, in October, you will have more access to the worlds beyond here.

This will be the first year that I will be crafting and working in my Dreambook and Planner before the New Year, 2024. I’ve been eating apples and pears and appreciating my neighborhood squirrels who are building their livelihood and preparing for winter. I have magic cottages and gardens in so many different dimensions and with different groups of people. It’s safe to say that I am cozy, and ready for what’s next.

Abundance of Butterflies

I didn’t share as many photos as I would have liked of the butterflies. Last New Moon in Leo I embarked on another journey, this one is 2 years within my apprenticeship of the sacred lineage of the bee under the guidance and instruction of Franchelle Ofsoske-Wyber. I have for years been so connected in my soul with the New Zealand First Light Essences and Polynesian aboriginal culture. This is one of my lineages but recently I was called into deeper discovery, so I am embarked and I am moving through my rituals and commitments, transforming dynamically all the while.

This New moon in Virgo I rededicated myself to the path of selfless service. A rededication is a most beautiful thing. It goes beyond words into ritual and deed, commitment and consciousness. The ripples are vast. All of this coming off of the intense transformational experiences of the Gate with Donny Epstein through AlchemE and with the book “The Seeker’s Code,” written by Epstein, is the development of an Energy Rich state of consciousness. Naturally we have to move out whatever is in the way on the path to these states of magic and miracle. This is the true work or the ancients would say, “The great work.” It is the work of transmutation which is that of alchemy—not the real gold of chemistry but the metaphysical gold of working through the crucible of forces which hone and process through our past lives, our shadows, and the limitations of our lower mind. It’s a path of reconfiguration and freedom. It is also known as the “Lightning Path.” There are many names for it across cultures.

It is with this sentiment that present more butterflies for your viewing pleasure. They are all from Colorado at the Butterfly Pavillion, which was nearby our transformational healing gate.

Immediately after the healing Gate 184, Day 2
Soaking up some Reiki

Our 2.5 week trip to Colorado began immediately with my initiation into my 2 year journey on my Shamanic path of rededication. It is all perfectly timed! I will be enjoying and sharing pictures for times to come. It all began with a hurricane that was pointed right at us. We got out of its path and immediately focused on transmuting it. There was virtually no rain and wind according to my neighbors. We were happy to discover that went we returned.

Leading up to the hurricane was a bout of Covid which I recovered from. We live in interesting times. This was right after the tragedy in Maui. Now I read about Libya and put my energies there. I do believe that we are spirits living in bodies that are our garments. I do believe that we transcend this visual or cloaked world. I am living a most Spiritual life in my physical body. I am blessed to know life in this way. Reach out if you want more information or to hear about how I can help assist you. I’m curious if you have any private questions and you would like to email me.

God/Goddess as a parent : right relationship

Being an observer, I’ve noted something important that I want to talk about. Absolutely essential to our long term well-being is living in ‘right’ relationship with authority. Here’s the catch: the authority begins outside of ourselves, projected out until we become self-actualized; and then eventually, if we are lucky, while growing up and taking on responsibility, authority begins to become mirrored as part of a system–which then is to blame for any problems or challenges, until ultimately one has to come up to the realization that one’s inner authority is thee check-point. Best to visit it throughout the day, and even in the beginning and the end of the day. One can even consider their own authority as a sobriety-check. Give yourself a breathalyzer test. Am I acting out of habit? Is there a lot of reactionary behavior? How am I contributing to the good of those around me? Do I consider the needs of others?

We often associate things like authority with other words like discipline. In the context of astrology, these words are very “Saturnine.” That means “no fun.” However, if one really looks more deeply into the way the reward system of the brain works, you can get to ironic HEART of the matter: your brain needs you to be a good horse-back rider. That’s right. You need to tame your brain, your sensory system, your self-regulation, or self-governance.

Isn’t interesting how this is a major societal problem right now? I read a study that found that the thing that parents are most worried about for their child, now-a-days, is their “mental health.” How interesting that mental health is something that can really, when properly channeled, and even disciplined, bolster a person into a position of making a positive impact in the world. Why? Because we don’t live only for ourselves. We are here for each other. That is the purpose of life.

Here’s another catch. There’s no real thing as external discipline. That’s authority! However, there is self-discipline. All our lives we must learn to negotiate the needs of the system, the external, with the needs of the inner, internal. One of the reasons I found buddhism and other spiritual ‘practices’ so appealing in my later 20s is that the spirituality is based on building an internal locus of control. That’s fancy-speak for self-determination.

Now, I’m not talking about manifestation here. I’m also not talking about magic. By the way, I love those two things. I believe in them wholly. But I have found that manifestation and magic does indeed involve right relationship with authority. Think on this. I want you to really examine it and see what is true for yourself. Can you trust yourself? Do you have a good enough relationship with yourself that you even give yourself responsibilities? Or, do you block your growth with fear? Be aware of what comes up for you when you consider these aspects of yourself. Is there a way that you can have a better relationship with authority? It might help to journal on this topic. You will learn very much from yourself if you let the words flow.

Butterfly 🦋 Art 🖼️ Love 💓

My sweet 4 year old made her first painting with me at the play art studio at the Denver Children’s Museum. She did this completely on her own with no help from me!

I did spend hours setting up her shop, however. We had a bit of unexpected travel, and my acupuncture business is still being built. This year has brought us so many unexpected expenses, damage from water and the threat from the hurricane that fortunately didn’t cause harm. I’ve had years of debilitating pain that I am now mostly fully free of—but threats still linger. Back pain according to Louise Hay and many others is associated with money challenges and lack of feeling/being supported. I’ve been trying to help people via astrology consultations, reiki, shamanism, and I have a lot of offerings. It’s a challenge for me to learn how to get the word out. I made such a difference in my own life and I really wish others would receive the gifts I have spent decades cultivating.

Please consider purchasing from HER new shop just for fun. http://www.redbubble.com/people/violetbuster or https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/151264449

I think she’s already a talented painter. I will be posting her other designs as soon as I have more time! I hope that you enjoy!

If you have any good business energy know-how to send me; that’d be great. If I am lacking in talent and expression, please just let me know how I can improve. I’ve invested so much of myself in being able to offer so many services to others. If anyone is interested in any distant Reiki or Shamanic sessions, I’d be happy to help you. This is my best attempt at shameless self-promotion!

Fancy pillow
Playful Clock
Stylish shirt
Cute mini-skirt
Chic iPhone case
Delightful notebook
Greeting Card

Sending blessings out to all of you. You are all appreciated and I only want to build and get the word out. Let me know if you are interested in my offerings, and if you are curious but hesitant, how can I help? I have an empty 2nd house in Pisces so my material interests have always been spiritual in nature.

Blog House Keeping Mer Rx Edition

The above pictures are for your viewing pleasure! We are in Denver, Colorado getting ready for Healing Fest with Donny Epstein this upcoming weekend. We’ve had a blast 💥 These images are from a cute restaurant with healthy food called “JustBE kitchen.”

Now to get right to it:

It has come to my attention that a number of you are not able to comment on my blog. I have emailed WordPress to help me with this. It’s no fun that it is happening. Also I checked my reader and there’s a lot of blogs that are somehow no longer in there so I have to track back and find a way to re-follow you. It was never my intention to unfollow you. It disappoints me that this has happened. Finally, I found some comments in my spam that did not belong there.

My blog needs a lot of other housekeeping updates such as fixing the twitter auto share share function: since Twitter became X, it’s functionality is no longer working and I don’t even think I have access.

As for writing, I still had hoped to get another updated poetry book published, but that project has been very-slow-to-nonexistent.

I’ll be following up with a post soon of some of my daughter’s artwork 🖼️ to keep you entertained while I work out the nuts and bolts of things and make my way back to you all. Each and every one of you are so special to me. Blogging is by far the most meaningful form of social media that exists. Your thoughtful posts and your ridiculously kind comments are such an inspiration to me. You have no idea how much you ALL add to my life day in and day out! I love your creativity, passion, photos, philosophy, sharings.

Thank you for your patience!! 🙏🏼💗

P.S.

I am very Virgo-y

1). My progressed Sun is currently in Virgo (Honestly can’t wait until it gets to Libra ♎️)

2). My descendant is a huge chunk of Virgo in that house (albeit the cusp is in Leo).

3). My natal Vertex is in Virgo — right on this upcoming Full Moon 🌕‘s position of the Sun

4). My Jupiter is in Virgo

5). My Saturn is in Virgo

6). My mother is a Virgo sun

7). My husband’s moon is in Virgo

There————>

Now Let’s get organized and use that Mercurial Magic for the best. And no worrying, Ka!!! 😉

If any of you are interesting in consulting with me about your astrological chart. I’d be happy to do so in the beginning of the new year, 2024—just reach out! We can have a little meet and greet on zoom and share a beverage, smiles, and get to it! 😃