When a Chumash legend, myth, folklore, fable, or story begins it traditionally starts with an introduction of a time frame when it reveals itself; when the animals were people, when the animals spoke, before or after the ice age, before or after the dinosaurs, before, during and after the rainbow. These are typical examples.  We refer to these time frames as Molok eras; we capture a time frame in introducing our stories, prophecies, legends, and myths, an aura of essence and energy.

These legends reveal the past living lessons that were undertaken by our predecessors and orally translated for thousands of years to afford us foresight to navigate physically and spiritually when we come to find ourselves in one of these Molok eras. 

I share these words of truth with respect for my predecessors’ knowledge, way of life, adaptability, survival and reverence for their unique power.

These legends reveal some of the mysteries behind our powerful belief system and how they play in past, present and future generations of beautiful Chumash people.  These legends are to keep the Chumash people in the light and out of the darkness that the invaders have tried to program us to believe.

In these magical times that we find ourselves in, there are still a diligent few Antap practitioners who engage themselves in the mysterious movements of the Sil’ ee’ uk.  Throughout the vast territory of Native America, we are known as Western Gate Keepers. In these technological and puritanical days, we are tapping the ancient wisdom and magic with our fortitude, discipline and dedication that are rare and required of the Sky People to be honored in the age-old rituals that keep us beings, in sync, balance and harmony with the rhythms of the universe, back in a natural flow, of our precious life giver!

Accept who you are and know your path. Have the courage to encounter any mystery that crosses it. The wisdom of knowing what to do, and more importantly, knowing what not to do, is essential! Integrity, character, magic, Atishwun (medicine) is a gift that honors us by availing ourselves to the forces that exist, and encouraging a relationship through offerings and humbling one’s self. Knowing that you are responsible for your own peace, and that this contributes to peace on a larger scale, is all important. It starts with your family, then your clan, band, then nation and so on till sky is the limit. Be secure in your own ways first and foremost.