🌿 April 2025 Newsletter: Awakening to Spring’s Renewal
Tai Mautia, Taino Woods Sanctuary Itainos!
As the Land awakens from Winter’s embrace, we too rise with the energies of renewal, growth, and rebirth. The shift into Spring invites us to realign with the rhythms of Atabeyra, planting seeds of intention and embracing the balance of light and darkness.
We extend our deepest gratitude to each of you who have contributed your prayers, presence, and hands to the unfolding journey of Taino Woods Sanctuary. This month, we honor the power of community—those who help tend the Land, those who join us in ceremony, and the wisdom keepers who guide us in remembering.
🌟 Honoring Miguel Sague & Our Volunteers
We wish to extend our heartfelt appreciation to Miguel Sague, our honored elder and behike, who once again traveled to share his profound teachings during the Spring Equinox Lodge Prayer. It is a true blessing to learn directly from his wisdom and to carry forward the traditions of our Taíno ancestors.
A huge thank you to our incredible land stewards who helped prepare the Land for the 2025 season! Whether through clearing and organizing sacred spaces, sharing meals, tending the fires, or making music, your devotion and energy ripple far beyond our gatherings—touching families, communities, and the greater world.
🌿 Upcoming Gatherings: April & May
🔥 Land Stewardship Day: A Day of Service and Renewal
📅 Saturday, April 12, 2025 | 🕘 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
🏞️ Taino Woods Sanctuary
As Spring breathes new life into the Land, we invite you to join us for a day of sacred stewardship. This is a time to give back to Atabeyra, tend to the Land, and prepare for the gatherings ahead.
🌀 What to Expect:
🌱 Clearing and tending to sacred spaces
🌳 Gathering materials for upcoming ceremonies
🔥 Preparing firewood for purification lodges
💛 Community bonding and shared gratitude
🌿 Special Offering:
Stewards who attend this workday are invited to join the New Moon Purification Lodge (April 26th) without a monetary donation as a thank-you for your service.
📩 RSVP by April 9th to confirm your participation!
🌑 New Moon Purification Lodge: A Ceremony of Renewal
📅 Saturday, April 26, 2025 | 🕘 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
🏞️ Taino Woods Sanctuary
Join us in the Guanara Lodge for a sacred purification ceremony, where we will honor the new beginnings the Moon invites.
🔥 Inside the Lodge – We gather in the womb of Atabeyra, offering prayers, songs, and deep intention.
🥘Community Potluck – Following the lodge, we will share a meal together.
🌿 Sliding Scale Offering: $50, $75, or $100
✨Stewards from April 12th attend as an offering of gratitude.
📩 RSVP by April 23rd to secure your spot!
🩸Red Tent & Womb Rites of Passage Blessing
📅 Saturday, May 3, 2025 | 🕘 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
🏞️ Taino Woods Sanctuary
Join us in a sacred gathering honoring the Divine Feminine through the Red Tent Ceremony and Womb Blood Blessing.
✨ A space for women, sisters, grandmothers, mothers, and daughters
✨ Ancestral wisdom, meditation, and sound healing
✨ Honoring two young women stepping into their Moon time
📩 RSVP by April 30th to attend!
🏆 Taino Woods Sanctuary Honored at the 15th Annual Taino Awards!
📅 Saturday, May 10, 2025 | ⏰ 3:00 PM EDT
📍 Boricua College, 890 Washington Ave, Bronx, NY 10451
We are humbled and honored to share that Taino Woods Sanctuary will be recognized at the 15th Annual Taíno Awards Ceremony! This event celebrates individuals and organizations making impactful contributions in humanitarian efforts, arts, community service, and cultural preservation.
This recognition is a reflection of the love, prayers, and dedication that each of you bring to our community and the work we do in honoring our ancestors, culture, and sacred ways.
Join us for this special event to:
🏆 Celebrate the work and vision of Taino Woods Sanctuary.
🎶 Witness the powerful performances of our Tekinas.
💛 Support the greater Taíno community in honoring those preserving our traditions.
We invite you to attend and be part of this incredible celebration. Your presence will uplift not only Taino Woods Sanctuary but also the many individuals and groups dedicated to carrying forward our shared ancestral wisdom.
🌟 More May Gatherings to Come!
Spring is a season of renewal, and with that comes more opportunities to gather, learn, and celebrate in community. Stay tuned for additional May events—we encourage you to check our Gatherings Page on the website regularly for updates!
🌞 Taíno Teaching: Welcoming Spring’s Medicines
Spring reminds us of movement, growth, and renewal—a time to release what no longer serves and welcome new energy. Here are three at-home practices to align with Spring’s medicine:
🌿 Plant a Seed of Intention – Find a small seed or plant and set an intention as you place it in the soil. As it grows, reflect on how your own intentions take root and flourish.
🔥 Sacred Smoke Cleansing – Burn sage, tobacco, or cedar in your space, opening the windows to let in fresh Spring air.
💦 Water Offering for Atabeyra – Pour fresh water into the earth with a prayer of gratitude for the life and renewal she provides.
May we honor the changing cycles as we walk in harmony with the Land.
💛 Join Us in Deepening Community
Taino Woods Sanctuary thrives because of the dedication, love, and service of those who feel called to tend to its growth. We are inviting those who wish to step into a deeper role to join us—whether as part of our Board of Trustees or our Core Team—to help shape the future of TWS as a sacred gathering space for healing, teachings, and community.
🔹 Board of Trustees – Guide the long-term vision and sustainability of TWS.
🔹 Core Team Members – Actively support the operations, events, and expansion of our offerings.
If you feel called to contribute your time, wisdom, and energy to the continued flourishing of Taino Woods, we welcome you to explore these roles with us.
📩 Email us at events@tainowoods.com to express your interest and learn more.
💚 Support the Sanctuary
Your donations sustain our ability to hold gatherings, maintain the Land, and preserve our traditions. If you feel called to give, please consider making a one-time or recurring donation to support our vision.
Thank you for walking this path with us.
May the Spring bring clarity, balance, and renewal to your spirit!
Seneko Kakona,
Taino Woods Sanctuary Familia