Circle/Shape Six: Yemayá

This circle honors Yemayá. Yemayá is the orisha of motherhood and the queen of the Sea. She works through dreams and intuition. One prays to her in matters of fertility and spiritual growth. = Mary, Star of the Sea = Black Virgin Mary= Archangel Ariel is the lioness or lion of God; they protect the earth, animals and the environment.

-- In Circle Six: (Yemaya/Mary, Black Star of the Sea /Archangel Ariel)

We hear ocean waves, rushing onto a very deep beach. A sound that is languid, extended, like a note held a breath too long. Impossibly mournful rain stick sounds. Tears. MARY the Gardener’s tears. MARY wears classic gardening tools on a bright apron made of voting ballots. SHE carries a basket with gloves, scissors, plant cuttings. Everything about her is blue, even her hair, as if she is wearing the both the Summer sky and the Azure sea on her skin and clothes.

Displayed on the Tarot card: Strength Recorded Sound: The waves and other water sounds segue into the YEMAYA music—elongated, breathy, pleading—a native flute and other secret things. SAINT SPEAKS ALOUD Recorded Line: Let me own my body and underscore the night with my breasts. I will outline my love for you in the pleated gatherings of my weeping skin.

ANGELS WHISPER: Printed on a protest sign: “If now isn’t a good time for the truth, I don’t see when we’ll get to it.” -Nikki Giovanni-

MARY is sticking small candles onto the top of a flowerpot as if it were a cake. She lights them. ANGEL comes with a small watering can and puts them out.

MARY(s): (Live, for one or three voices.) That was handy! But nothing grows without this. (SHE takes out a ballot from inside her dress.) 1: I like to keep them by my womb. 2: So I can feel. 3: Change from the inside out. 1: Fill each circle. 2: Completely. (MARY plants the ballot and wipes her eyes, then wrings tears from her hands.) 3: There. Our tears make you strong.

MARY PICKS UP SIGN AND SPEAKS: “If now isn’t a good time for the truth, I don’t see when we’ll get to it.” -Nikki Giovanni- MARY places the sign down with ceremony.

END OF LOOP – ANGELS PLAY BOOMBOXES AND GUIDE AUDIENCE TO NEXT CIRCLE