The White Moon Goddess Gallery Presents
Pele Honua Mea 
Pele of the Sacred Earth
Pele Ai Honua Pele Who Devours the Earth
by Wahine
Pele Honua Mea by Herb Kawainui Kane
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The White Moon Goddess Gallery Presents Pele Honua Mea by Wahine
Pele Honua Mea by Herb Kawainui Kane |
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Madam Pele maintains an active relationship with the people of Hawai'i.
Pele is much beloved, respected and honored.
Photo courtesy of the U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey
The People of Hawai'i - Kama'aina
Madam Pele holds a special place in the hearts, minds and lives of the people of Hawai'i. She maintains a constant and high profile presence in the Hawai'ian Islands. Every earthquake and volcanic eruption reminds us of the Goddess with the violent temper. It is common, after such an occurrence, to hear people say, “There goes Pele again!”
Each year, the Merrie Monarch Festival is held in the spring on the island of Hawai'i . It is the foremost hula competition in the world and a celebration of Hawai'ian culture. As the island of Hawai'i is home to Pele, dancers gather on the rim of Kilauea Crater before the festival begins to honor the Volcano Goddess and to ask for Her blessing. Traditional offerings of flower lei are made, along with hula and chant dedicated to Pele.
Over time, residents have built houses on the slopes of Kilauea Volcano, home to Pele. From time to time, Pele reclaims Her land. Lava from volcanic eruptions have destroyed too many homes to count and turned the land into vast plains of volcanic rock. The people acknowledge that this is Pele's land and they live there only as long as She allows it.
Pele frequently appears to those who find themselves near her home. They may see a beautiful young woman with long, brown hair wearing a red dress dancing on the rim of the volcano. They may see an old woman with a little white dog. The startling thing about Grandmother Pele or Tutu Pele is that she lights Her cigarette with a snap of Her fingers and vanishes! Pele speaks with people most often in the form Tutu Pele. She provides advice, warns of impending disaster, imparts wisdom, gives Her opinion on a matter and disappears as quickly as She materialized. She guides and protects Her people with much love. Pele is an 'aumakua, a guardian spirit for the people of Hawai'i.
Visitors - Malahini
Visitors to Hawai'i have their own tales to tell about Madam Pele. Tourists take lava rocks or sand from the Big Island of Hawai'i as souvenirs of their dream vacation. Not long after returning home, everything takes a turn for the worse. Research into their bad luck uncovers a connection with the rocks and sand that they removed from Pele's home. Inevitably, the purloined materials are returned to the Big Island. These are usually accompanied by an offering to the Goddess, either coins or flowers, and a note asking that the items be returned to Her and begging for Pele's forgiveness and the cessation of bad luck. The letters are usually addressed directly to Madam Pele!
If you are fortunate enough to visit Hawai'i, be mindful of the land, the aina. It is Pele's abode and dominion. If you take lava rocks or sand, you are taking things from Her home. If you wish to pay your respects, flowers, especially flower lei, are always approriate. They should be purchased in advance and never taken from trees or plants near or around the volcanoes. These should be offered with the greatest reverence.
Photo courtesy of the U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey
Passion, Energy, Transformation
Madam Pele is famous for Her ragining temper and Her destructive bent. However, the act of destruction culminates in the act of creation. As the volcano erupts, it sends rivers of lava to the sea where land is added to the island and the island expands. Her passion and energy are forces for transformation and growth. Pele reminds us that these intense and powerful forces are present within each and every one of us. We can tap into these to empower ourselves to transform our lives for creation, growth, healing and the attainment of the true potential of our Goddess Within.
Altar Dedicated to Pele
Altar and photo by Ka Wahine Ahi
Call to Pele
by
Ka Wahine Ahi
Aloha Pele Honua Mea!
Aloha Pele Ai Honua!
E komo mai!
I smell sulphur in the air and feel heat rising from deep in the Earth below.
The ground trembles beneath my feet.
You light the night in crimson, gold and orange,
As lava and flame flow from Your domain at the world's core.
I ask You to hear my call and grace me with Your awesome presence.
I ask You to hear my call and bestow Your Protection on me.
I ask You to hear my call and enlighten me with Your wisdom.
I ask You to hear my call and heed my entreaty.
Ignite my passion!
Kindle my fire!
Send Your blazing energy to inspire!