While spending a few days in Hawaii, I wanted to share some of the amazing stories that make the islands so rich with healing energy. Much of the following information about sharks as an ‘aumakua or spirit guide came from the Maui Magazine article written by Rita Goldman:
‘Aumakua abound in Hawaiian legends, and in stories local families have handed down through the years. These guardian spirits display miraculous powers, appearing in dreams to give warning or advice; assuming in waking life the shape of an animal, a plant, or an elemental form such as a cloud or ocean wave. Perhaps because of their fearsome nature, sharks are a frequent subject of these tales. A shark spirit guide can show strength where needed and teach fearlessness.
Until recent times, a female shark named Ka‘ahupahau was said to live near the entrance to Pearl Harbor, with her brother, Kahi‘uka, “the Smiting Tail.” People of the region brought them food and scraped barnacles from their backs. In exchange, the two ‘aumakua kept Pearl Harbor free of man-eating sharks; sometimes Ka‘ahupahau would do so by transforming herself into a net that was nearly impossible to tear. Ka‘ahupahau resided at Pearl Harbor until the U.S. Navy built a dry dock over her home. In her collected Folktales of Hawai‘i, Mary Kawena Pukui recounts:
“Scarcely was it completed when, after years of labor, the structure fell with a crash. Today a floating dock is employed. Engineers say that there seem to be tremors of the earth at this point, which prevent any structure from resting upon the bottom, but Hawaiians believe that the Smiting Tail still guards the blue lagoon at Pearl Harbor.”
Who are we to doubt these legends or the energy that is often contributed to a shark ‘aumakua?
“Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead.” Louisa May Alcott (1832-1888), the author of Little Women
Ann Marie Chiasson, MD, has written a home study course called Energy Healing The Essentials of Self-Care. Her Foot Tapping exercise is excellent for grounding your body. The author also recommends foot tapping for restless leg syndrome, insomnia, and for foot or ankle injuries. This is helpful for daily vitality because it opens your body up to energies coming through the legs and feet.
Author Jerry Bergman writes: “Tears are just one of many miracles which work so well and we take them for granted every day.” In his article The Miracle of Tears he wrote about the following seven ways tears and the phenomenon we call “crying” heal us physiologically, psychologically, and spiritually:
