TEXT: A novena, for trimming the family tree
  A warning: This is a very powerful game.
  This game is very real. This game has not been played by ﬁlipino roman catholics for centuries if it 
  didn’t actually work. You didn’t have generations of wrinkly grandmothers in veils, scolding their 
  grandchildren to gather around a rosary and to sing, lament and pray in the living room if it wasn’t to 
  beg for their stray son to come home, to save so and so from cancer or stroke, to wish all your 
  grandchildren to do GOOD IN SCHOOL, while also kind of praying extra loud so that the grandkids 
  would hear it. 
  So for people who haven’t done novenas, this is how they work.
  For people who have done novenas, this one is nothing like you’ve ever imagined.
  The ﬁrst step is to rhythmically read the novena paper.
  Which is what you are reading now, ideally printed. Ideally you sway back and forth a bit. Ideally you 
  coerce some people who want to chant with you to read this thing. 
  The second step is to set your intentions.
  I will be doing this for you. Have you ever trimmed your family tree? Karmically? Energetically 
  reached thru the sins of your bloodline and synergistically reoriented the natal energies of your clan? 
  You haven’t. This is ﬁne. This is why I’m your dead grandma right now, I pray for you, it’s what we 
  do.. So hear this out, but also edit as appropriate as deemed ﬁtting for your god, or what you deem 
  powerful and holy: 
  Here is the tree of my family.
  It is gnarly, strong, beautiful. 
  I see the branches that have been broken. 
  I see the branches that have been poisoned and have brought rot to it’s adjacent branches.
  I see how we inherit each other’s sins and grace.
  I see where I am in this tree.
  I see how I am a web of passed down dreams, disappointments, expectations, frustrations but also 
  delight. 
  I touch every branch. Especially the darkened ones. 
  “Even you are a gift.”
  I see in my inner body reach through and dissolve into the roots of the tree. I know what god dreamed 
  of when god dreamed this tree into being. What sun shined, and water fed it’s body and soul.
  It speaks through me now, and guides my actions.
  
  I break the branches that want to fall.
  One by one.
  I say sorry. I forgive you.
  I know in my bones that these would spring again some time in the future, but for now I am allowed to 
  weep. I am allowed to grieve on behalf of the ancestors.
  The earth parts receiving the rotted patterns, it swallows them whole.
  Perhaps they heal. Perhaps they don’t.
  Perhaps they return, maybe they can fucking die now. 
  Maybe this was unhealthy in the ﬁrst place and would dream for them another dream.
  Your hands are hot now. 
  And with every wave of my hands, the leaves are drawn like ancient magnets, hypnotized by my loving 
  caress, of the strength of my heart and the intention of my being. 
  I gently tap each of the branches like harp strings. 
  Recalling the face of each member I know. (you may have a list for this)
  I let them sing, stretch and coil to a position that allows them to bathe in more light.
  That grants them the perfect shy space from each other,
  Where they are allowed to be with one another but not suffocate each other. 
  It’s like combing out an entangled knot, and unfolds beautifully like a lotus knowing I am spring. 
  The tree, grows, into it’s most regal form.
  As it’s supposed to.
  It blooms, recognizing me. Smiling at me even if it has no face. 
  Purrs at me, even if it has no voice. 
  I bless the foot of the tree with water, just enough to ﬁll a cup that gives a toast to it’s new season.
  I sing whatever song I feel like singing.
  Amen.
  
  The third step is to print multiple copies of this novena and leave it at a church or a place people 
  frequent to think about their loved ones. Minimum of three, but traditionally we leave enough to 
  ﬂood a pedestal.
  Do this for nine days straight.
  The trimming, the singing, the leaving behind copies. Ideally on a regular time when the world is quiet. 
  On the ninth day:
  The tree will bloom.
  The tree would be alight with ﬁreﬂies skimming the night sky. 
  The tree will become a person who would be the font of all your ancestors cheering you on, grateful 
  for your blessing and wise release. 
  Or in my country, you get one wish. Be very careful with that, I’d rather you just get that smart tree 
  guy to hang out with you. My father wished for my mother, I’m serious this is potent. Lead with your 
  heart on this part.
  A loving note: 
  When your family changes and you by any chance freak out, just tap your heart and remind it that 
  trees always grow and change. All is well, and you are grateful more than scared. “I am not scared of 
  the love that is available to me.”
  Dreamt of on jun 22 2019
  By Maria Mison
  Dedicated to 
  Acuzena Elloso, 
  who always trimmed and cared for our family tree.
  Jeffrey White
  Who’s an awesome sword sheath on my patreon:
  https://www.patreon.com/mariamison
  Fenced Forrest’s Never Alone Jam
  &
  Jack Harrison’s Legacy Jam
  License: Attribution-ShareAlike  
  4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0).
  
SOURCE: textdata/thevault/Collections/Self-Exploration, Emotional, & Relationship/A Novena for Trimming the Family Tree.pdf