The twelfth moon of the Igbo lunar calendar, Ọnwá Ede Ajana, is a time for deep reflection, renewal, and preparation as the lunar year nears its completion. Though not the final moon of the year, this penultimate moon sets the stage for the transformative energy of the thirteenth month, Ọnwá Uzo Alụsị. The number twelve symbolizes completeness and cosmic order, making this month essential for assessing the past year, recalibrating our goals, and setting intentions for the future. In this post, we explore the spiritual themes, metaphors, and insights that can guide us during this important moon.

Renewal and the Strength to Continue

Ọnwá Ede Ajana takes us back to the energy of the third moon, Ọnwá Ife Eke, reminding us to stand firm in the strength of our will to continue creating and shaping our paths. It is a time to fortify the mind, body, and spirit, to make sure we remain aligned with our destined journeys. This period encourages us to channel the strength needed to complete the year while remaining open to the promise of new beginnings.

Connection to the Earth: The Sustainer of Life

We are one with the earth. Everything we consume—Ede—comes from the earth—Ana, and when we die, our bodies return to it, nourishing her organisms—Aja Ana. The earth is our mother, nurturing and sustaining us. During this month, we are reminded of this sacred connection and are encouraged to find ways to stay aligned with her energy. Reflecting on how we interact with the earth helps us maintain harmony with her sacred lifeforce.

As you reflect this month, ask yourself:

How do you honor your connection to the earth?
Do your actions reflect gratitude for her abundance?
How can you live in harmony with the natural world and stay aligned with her energy?

This is the time to seek alignment with Ana by purifying your actions, intentions, and thoughts. The earth is our mother, and we are her stewards.

Reflecting on Who You Are

This is a time to reflect deeply on your essence and your roots. Who are you? What defines you? What will remain of you when you return to the earth? The Igbo proverb, “Okwa nwanne ozu na wu ozi ahu”—"It is the sibling, kinsman, or family of a corpse that cleans the body"—emphasizes the importance of familial and communal ties. Reflect on your connection to your homeland and your lineage. Consider the land that bears the responsibility for your body when you pass. How do you honor these connections while alive?

The Life of the Community: Ede Aja Ana

The proverb, “Nku di na mba na-enye mba nni”—"It is the firewood in the land that feeds the land"—teaches that the sustenance of any community comes from within. Ede Aja Ana, the life/food of the earth, symbolizes this sustenance. Without her, no community can thrive. This month reminds us that we are all connected through the earth’s lifeforce, and our well-being reflects the health of our communities and vice versa. Ede Aja Ana encompasses everything that emerges from the earth, both in the physical and spiritual realms.

Ede (cocoyam) is a symbol of nourishment, vitality, and abundance in Igbo culture. It comes from Aja Ana (the soil), which itself comes from Ana (the earth). The cycle is clear: the earth nurtures us, and we must nurture her in return.

During Ọnwá Ede Ajana, reflect on the ways you sustain and are sustained by your community:

What role do you play in supporting others?
How does your treatment of yourself reflect your treatment of the larger collective?
Are your actions aligned with the health and well-being of the land, both physically and spiritually?

Connection to Ancestral Lands

Whatever happens to the land you come from—both maternal and paternal—affects you on an unconscious level. This is because you are intrinsically connected to the consciousness of your people, which is a living force—Ede Aja Ana. As you reflect this month, consider the well-being of your ancestral lands and how it influences your life, even from afar. Acknowledge this connection and explore ways to honor it.

What does it mean to live in harmony with the ancestral forces that guide you? How do you honor their sacrifices and wisdom while carving your own path?

Reflecting on Your Epigenome

In Odinani, the concept of Ede Aja Ana extends to the unseen forces that shape who you are. Your epigenome—the genetic and environmental factors influencing your life—is part of this lifeforce. Reflect on how these factors have impacted your journey and how you can work with this energy to align more closely with your purpose.

Preparation for the Thirteenth Moon

As the second-to-last moon of the year, Ọnwá Ede Ajana is a very important period for laying the groundwork for the transformative energy of Ọnwá Uzo Alụsị. Use this time to cleanse your spirit, strengthen your will, and realign with your purpose. Reflect on the lessons of the past year, and make the necessary adjustments to step into the final moon with clarity and strength.

In this sacred month, attune to the completeness of twelve while preparing for the journey ahead. Stay connected to the earth, honor your roots, and channel the energy of Ede Aja Ana to guide you through the final stretch of the year. Yagazie!