Spring Equinox

On the closest weekend to the Spring Equinox lay a 4′ by 4′ square sheet of cotton cloth in the middle of a room. set aside three lengths of cotton clothes-line rope about three feet long each and lay them on the cotton sheet. Set a white tapered candle in a candle holder and place it unlit next to the ropes on the cotton sheet. Either make a copy of a typical Yoka- Hu three-pointed cemi figure out of clay (no need to fire it) or substitute it with the cut-off pointed tip of a yuca tuber.

If there is a woman available she should braid the three ropes into one. and create an oval or egg-shaped loop around the base of the candle

The oval will represent a coa hoop (traditional Taino stone collar). It also represents the pear-shaped uterus of Ata Bey the Cosmic Mother.

Place the Yaka-Hu image on the cotton sheet inside the oval away from the candle base. The Yaoka Hu image should touch the braided rope loop.

Begin the ceremony with a tobacco smoking ritual. Then have a participant take the Yoka Hu image and bring it out respectfully and slowly from inside the hoop as if it is being born. At the moment that the image is taken out a participant should light the candle to symbolize the beginning of a life. All participants should cheer and celebrate at the moment the rebirth of Yoka Hu. After the ceremony is over and the participants have dispersed the candle flame should be put out. Keep the ropes for future ceremonies. Unbraid them to put them away.

The ceremony should end with dinner. We suggest that the dinner include some yuca product, preferably casabe.