Iemanjá

“For whatever we lose (like a you or a me),
It’s always our self we find in the sea.” 

E. E. Cummings

There’s nothing better than visiting the North Carolina coast during the off-season. The prices are low, and you practically have the beach to yourself.

My long-time Brazilian friend and I are in Ocean Isle Beach for a late-winter weekend getaway. It turns out that we share a tradition: Anytime we’re at the ocean, regardless of the weather or the temperature of the water, we feel called to kick off our shoes, roll up our pant legs, and wade into the waves.

The ocean colors are gorgeous―deep rolling greens and brilliant blues, sparkled with sunlight and accented with white sea-foam. Who could resist walking barefoot along an expansive shoreline — that wet kiss between surf and sand — ankle-deep in the sudsy, soul-cleansing foam? The icy water numbs my toes; I focus instead on the gentle yielding of sand underfoot, the hypnotic, meditative rhythm of the surf, the shards of shells littered on the shore…

I grew up in Western New York, just steps from Lake Erie, so it’s natural for me to accept the invitation of water. It’s like coming home. My friend grew up in Rio de Janeiro, where she first heard the summoning of Iemanjá, Queen of the Ocean. Her relationship with the sea involves a sacred ritual of greeting.

In Brazil, Iemanjá is considered the sea’s spirit … and our ancient mother. My friend feels a profound connection to this maternal energy. She describes participating in festive New Year’s Eve celebrations on Copacabana beach, everyone dressed in white. Traditionally, crowds of Cariocas (natives of Rio) toss gifts of flowers and other offerings into the moving water, seeking blessings for the year ahead.

On this February afternoon, we have no gifts, only ourselves, wearing rolled-up jeans and fleecy hooded jackets. And despite the chill wind, we wade knee-deep into the ocean. We pause, eyes closed, then splash our faces with cold, salty water to greet our shared mother.

“Alone she cries
Let me be inside
The ocean tide
Remembering a beginning
When the water climbed
up the mountain side
Deep and open wide.
Remembering a beginning.”

From “Remembering a Beginning”
Lyrics © DANGO ROSE MUSIC: Cook Sage Thomas, Law Bridget Mauro, Paine Bonnie May, Rodriguez Daniel Edward, Rosenfeld Daniel Mark