Ọnwa Ana: What to Reflect on the Ninth Month of the Igbo Lunar Calendar

OdinaniIgbo CalendarIgbo CosmologyReflective

Oct 7

Written By Oma

Ọnwa Ana, the ninth month in the Igbo lunar calendar, marks a time of deep reflection on our connection to the Earth. This month is dedicated to Ani, the Earth Goddess, revered as the mother of all living things, the guardian of morality, and the keeper of justice in the Igbo worldview. As the embodiment of the land itself, Ani’s significance stretches beyond the physical, she symbolizes a spiritual force that anchors humanity to its moral and cosmic duties.

Ani: The Sacred Mother

In Igbo cosmology, Ani is a living, breathing force that shapes human existence. As the mother of all, she governs fertility, growth, and sustenance, nurturing both human beings and nature alike. Her influence also extends to the realm of justice and morality. Ani enforces the ethical codes that Igbo people live by—codes of respect, honour, humility, and responsibility.

The ninth month invites us to deepen our relationship with the Earth and with Ani herself. It’s a time to reflect on how we treat the resources she provides, how we honor her wisdom, and how we uphold the moral standards that keep us in harmony with the universe.

The Number Nine: A Symbol of Completion and Wisdom

Numerologically, the number nine in Igbo thought symbolizes completion, wisdom, mysteries, and universal truth. It reflects the end of a cycle, a period where we must look back at what has been completed and the knowledge gained. This month offers us the chance to contemplate the truths of the universe, and to embrace the wisdom that Ani imparts.

Through introspection and awareness of this sacred energy, we begin to align with the earth’s cyclical nature. Just as the seasons change, so too do our internal rhythms, and Ọnwa Ana beckons us to acknowledge the completion of certain aspects of our lives—be it projects, relationships, or phases of personal growth.

Ani Mmadụ na Ani Mmụọ: Duality and the Earth

Ani exists in dual form in Igbo cosmology, aligning with the principle of duality central to the Igbo worldview. There is Ani Mmadụ, the physical earth, and Ani Mmụọ, the spiritual aspect of the earth. The balance between these two forms reflects the duality of existence: the material and the spiritual. This month calls for a conscious understanding and respect for both realms.

Our connection to Ani Mmụọ reminds us that our lives extend beyond the physical; we must uphold the values, traditions, and spiritual awareness that bind us to our ancestors and the unseen forces of the universe. Ani Mmadụ, on the other hand, reminds us of our tangible responsibilities—to respect the land, preserve its resources, and live in a way that honors the planet that sustains us.

Oma: The First Woman and Daughter of Igbo Consciousness

Reflecting on Oma, the first woman and daughter of Igbo consciousness, during Ọnwa Ana connects us to the divine feminine energy inherent in the earth itself. Oma symbolizes the genesis of life and the sacredness of feminine power in the Igbo worldview. This month encourages the conscious reverence of the divine feminine as a source of wisdom, creativity, and transformation.

To honor Ani and the feminine energy of Oma, we can engage in rituals or meditations that remind us of the nurturing and transformative power of women and the earth. It is a time to revere the feminine aspect of creation, to reflect on how this energy manifests in our lives, and to consciously balance it with the masculine.

Reverence for Ani: Consciousness and Responsibility

It’s important to remember that Ani is fully alive. As Igbo people, we must not only respect Ani as the land we walk on but recognize her as a conscious entity, one that reacts to our behaviors. Ani responds to the way we treat her—if we act irresponsibly, pollute her, or neglect our duties to her, she will reflect this back to us. Similarly, if we respect her, care for her, and honor her sacredness, she blesses us with abundance and peace.

Wherever we are in the world, we can show our reverence for Ani in our daily actions—this could be through reducing waste, practicing sustainable living, or simply acknowledging the earth’s beauty and power. This isn’t just a physical act, but a spiritual one. The consciousness of Ani extends beyond the physical, and to honor her, we must also live consciously, aware of the innate connection between all things.

Connection to Our Roots

In the Igbo tradition, the act of burying a child’s ichi (umbilical cord) in the earth after it falls off is an ancient spiritual practice that ties the child back to the land, to Ani. This practice is a symbolic way of ensuring the child remains rooted in Igbo consciousness and connected to the earth spiritually. It reflects the importance of being connected to one’s roots and knowing one’s origin.

This month, reflect on your own roots. Where do you come from, spiritually and physically? How are you connected to your homeland, to your ancestors, and to the earth? How can you maintain or deepen that connection, wherever you may be?

The Message of Ọnwa Ana: Know Thyself Through the Earth

The most important message of Ọnwa Ana is Know Thyself. This month reminds us that by understanding and respecting the earth, we come to better understand ourselves. We are all expressions of the Earth’s energy, and our actions are direct reflections of how we perceive and treat Ani. In turn, Ani reflects back to us the state of our inner and outer lives.

As you move through this month, prioritize your connection to the earth. Reflect on your moral responsibilities, your treatment of the planet, and your connection to both the physical and spiritual worlds. Acknowledge the wisdom of Ani, the divine feminine energy of Oma, and the duality that governs all life. The lessons of Ọnwa Ana are timeless, urging us to live consciously, in harmony with the Earth, and in alignment with the universal truths that bind us all.

In conclusion, Ọnwa Ana is a powerful time of reflection, completion, and reconnection with the Earth and its sacred energy. Through reverence for Ani, respect for our roots, and conscious living, we align ourselves with the wisdom of the universe and the mysteries that govern all life.