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MAMI WATA'S TABLE
A FOUND SITE
TO BE VIEWED AT SUNSET


Special for THE NEW TIMES HOLLER!
By
© Amir Bey, 2022
June 24

Solstice Eve's Sunset Caresses Mami Wata's Table

Mami Wata, the water deity. Like streams feeding rivers, devotion courses to her from many shores, not only the African dispora, but from wherever love spirits flow.



MAMI WATA

LOVE FROM THE RIVER
Mami Wata, Igbo, 1950s. The goddess of healing, Sexual power, fertility.


Recently I came across a circle of 12 stones surrounding a fire hydrant on Randall’s Island across from Manhattan. In this circle of stones is a 12” square metal “table,” an appendage to the hydrant, along with another round-topped metal structure next to the table that is a part of the hydrant’s ensemble. I first noticed this area when the Sun was setting and was visible as it descended down 105-106th street. At Sunset there is an alignment, when the shadow of the hydrant casts its shadow onto the table. If one sits on the stones, facing the East River, they will have a view of the reddish-orange setting Sun filling the canyon-like street with its light shimmering on the water’s surface. What could the meaning be for this area, about 15’ across? I felt that it could be connected to Mami Wata, Mother Water - the fire hydrant, and the 12” square that stands about 18” above the ground is an offering table - Mami Wata's Table, with the setting Sun's shadow a caressing gesture of Love to the Water Goddess from the Sun.

The Sun's caress of Mami Wata
SUNSET ON SUMMER SOLSTICE EVE

Sunset touching Mami Wata's Table and Circle will happen at every sunset, so it is not a seasonally specific occurance. It will be interesting to see the Winter Solstice's sunset!

Sunset as viewed from Mami Wata’s Table
Interestingly, the area around 105th Street along the East River was the site of an old Lenape village, called Rechewanis, or Rechewas, which might have meant "Great Sands." A chief named Reckgawak (or Reckawac) from whom Reckgawanac, the upper portion of Manhattan, and the western part of the Bronx were named. This was around 1639 when Jonas Bronck arrived, from whom "The Bronx" was later derived. This chief's home was at a narrow strip of land extending to the East River. He fled the area when the Mohawk attacked around 1669. He sold most of his homeland by 1671. Source: New York City in Indian Possession, by R. P. Bolton, Museum of the American Indian, 1975.


Mami Wata, whose origins are combinations of West African cultures, with possible ancient Egyptian sources, and later additions of other river and water deities from as far as Samoa, where traditions and beliefs of water goddesses are worshipped. She is a goddess of fertility, healing, and sexual power. She is sometimes depicted with a snake around her body, holding a mirror that reflects the movement between the present and the future. Observers use this mirror to create their own truths, to fulfill their destiny. It is said that if someone comes across her she will dive into the nearby river where she came from, leaving her mirror and other personaltreasures. She will ask for their return and if they are returned, she will grant wealth and success. If they are not, misfortune will befall that person. If she asks for love, the receiver will be granted her love blessings and will benefit from good fortune, if she is refused, bad luck will be that person’s and their family's lot.


MAMI WATA'S TABLE
Could the 24 notches on her tabletop be the 12 Hours of the Day, and the 12 Hours of the Night? WSNY: is she saying "Wassup, New York?"



The Sun makes his Love offering to Mami Wata at Sunset


To get there, walk across the 105th Street bridge that connects Randall’s Island to Manhattan. After reaching the island, keep to the far left trail closest to the East River and walk about 2 hundred yards. You will see the circle of stones surrounding the hydrant Mami Wata; do sit on the stones! One of the stones, the largest just to the left of Mami Wata as you face away from the River, is the home of a small nest of bumble bees. Do not fear them! Unknowingly, we sat on this stone with an evening meal without realizing we were blocking the entrance to their hive. They waited for us to leave – we were wondering why they seemed to be flying around us, not angrily, but patiently. No worry if they buzz around you: they only want entry to their nest as they bring pollen home!

Here are a series of photographs of the site, taken at Sunset on Summer Solstice of this year. The shadow cast by the Sun on Mami Wata’s “Table” can be seen. Sunset from any day will have the same interaction with the Sun; this is a great place to be to observe the movement of the Sun, as it completes its daily cycle. The close up of her Table has 24 raised notches with two squares in between two groups of notches having 12 each; could they be the 12 hours of the Day and the 12 hours of the Night? Hmm…the letters WSNY: could that be the goddess calling “Wassup, New York?” The round metal surface to the right of the Table in the photographs should not be confused with the stones. It may be tricky to count all 12 stones from the photographs because they are have different shapes.

MAMI WATA'S CIRCLE
12 Stones arranged in circle, facing the East River and the setting Sun
There are two shadows from the Sun in this photo: the Sun’s shadow from Mami Wata - the fire hydrant, caressing Mami Wata's Table just at left-center, and another to the large stone next to Mami Wata’s Table, which is where the bumble bee hive is.


MAMI WATA CIRCLE


The chart below is for the coronation of Hounnon Behumbeza, who was officially appointed the Supreme Chief of Mami Wata. As an indication of how revered Mami Wata is in the region, his coronation was broadcast around the country, and attended by hundreds of priests from around the region, and the highest dignitaries of Vodou and the Mami Wata tradition.

I don't know if there was an astrological purpose in the coronation's timing, which occurred on February 15, 2020 at 9:00 AM, at Cotonou, Benin, but there is a strong emphasis of Water signs, with Pisces Ascendant, Neptune the chart's ruler in Pisces, and Mercury also. the Moon is in Scorpio, and the North Node is in Cancer. The Sun, while in Aquarius, an Air sign, was in the 12th House, the Home of Pisces. The Moon and Neptune are in a tight trine, with Jupiter at their midpoint; that and with Mars is Elevated, culminating, and out of bounds is a good placement for the coronation. This was a striking event, with Saturn at the Sun/Mars midpoint.The Moon is the Leading Planet of a Bowl Pattern in the 8th House, further emphasis of Water, although the Moon can be challenged there, yet a transformative placement by sign and house.

9:00 AM February 15, 2020 Cotonou, Benin
THE CORONATION OF HOUNON BEHUMBEZA AS SUPREME MAMI WATA PRIEST



MAMI WATA'S CIRCLE

Here we can see the Summer Solstice eve's setting Sun gently but firmly on Mami Wata's Table (with grafitti written in white on its side), its final offering of the Spring as Summer finally arrives.



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