Today is the vernal equinox - a time of balance between. Here we are suspended in a pool of liminality and within it our past and future selves are reflected within. It seems a perfect time to pay tribute and gratitude to one of the lesser known entities of North African Amazigh lore who signifies the natural insistence on respect, balance, and reciprocity - Nanna Tala (“Tala” meaning “fountain” in Tamazight - تالا in Arabic). In the town of Jadu in Libya rests this mystic woman who’s divine spirit is said to still reside there today.

Nanna Tala’s origin story goes as such:

Nanna Tala had a fight with her family, and departed from her home. Along with her, she took a jar of water, a few dates, her distaff (a hand spindle for spinning wool into yarn) and her two children. As she set out, she came to a valley within a ravine (this is now where she is buried, and the center of her holy site). She came to a mound and stopped there to claim her new home. Every day, she gave her two children dates to eat and water from the jar to drink, and they went to sleep. In the morning, her children found the dates and the jar full of water, just as before. Then she began to spin with her distaff. In classic Amazigh fashion, this style of spindle must be dropped from a high place into an opening of some kind, giving it space to yo-yo. Nanna Tala dropped the distaff from the mound and down into the ravine, and a spring of water burst forth where it fell. After the fight, her family took to find where she had gone, and found her on the mound. They asked that she come back with them. She said, “This is my country. I will abide here, but I shall die. When I am dead, bury me here on this mound, together with my children, one on each side of me.” Then she suddenly passed into the realm beyond the veil, as did her children. As she had asked, she was then buried upon the mound, and the very spot where her distaff fell, a pit was dug that filled with water and became a fresh spring, full for the entire duration of the year.

The spring in Jado as seem from above, blocked from view by palm trees

People from all over North Africa make pilgrimages to her waters which flow year round in a place that is otherwise heat-ridden and bone dry. Offerings are brought to her at this miraculous source - goats are slaughtered and ceremoniously eaten together in her name. Everyone is entitled to an equal share - and if that equality is broken, or if someone happens to receive more than another, Nanna Tala’s pool becomes red as blood, and when the color of the water changes those present to honor her know that there has been a mishandling of resources. As the situation is investigated, Nanna Tala with her ochre red waters demands that a wrong is made right. Once balance has been restored amongst the people, the pool becomes calm, the water clears, and the original state is again restored.

Nanna Tala teaches us the essential nature of respecting natures balance. That when the scales of our environment are forced into extremes, the elements have a way of fighting back and beating us at our own game. The experience can be humbling, frightening, and harrowing. Nature is based upon sacred and ancient laws, and Nanna Tala reminds us of this in an active way - particularly during the liminal seasons when change is upon us, and the opportunity for growth and renewal is most present.

Blessed spring, everyone. Today, find space to embody the energy of this message. What will you do to promote and restore reciprocity and connection between you and your original home? Both your body and this planet deserve to be cared for. In this way, we set the pace for the remainder of the year.

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photo credit unknown

Nanna Tala - The Liminal Water Bringer of the Amazigh