Full moon & kajeng klion (black magic day)

Today everyone is preparing offerings for kajeng klion (black magic day). They fold the green or fresh panas leaves into these very intricate baskets resembling birds or fish they then insert a small amount of rice inside the closed basket. This is only one element in the offering. I still don’t totally understand this whole (Black Magic and White Magic) in Bali known as the Pengiwa and Penengen. All discussions about it are confusing. I do have to say most Balinese firmly believe in the magic and take it very seriously.

John and I met late in the afternoon and went to check on Kadak’s work. I think I will get to pick up all of the mixed metal pendants tomorrow. Next John and I went to meet with Made, a very good friend of John’s that we just learned is a very experienced smith. I was going to give him some new style of bracelets and a ring to do as samples. He had been over to Kadak’s when John was there and asked John if he could also give him some work that he didn’t have any work from Cheluk (city where the big silver companies are). I really liked Made and Kadak said he was really talented and experienced. When Kadak has technical questions he usually goes to Made to learn. While they were all there Kadak showed Made how to do the copper textures that my work requires so he was already up to speed on that. It was nice Kadak could share some technical aspects with Made. Unfortunately just before we met with Made he got an order for 25 silver shot glasses for someone in America, they are very intricate and he gets paid 300,000 Rupia each for the labor to create them. He said they are a lot of work. He would like to work with us next time and will put his Cheluk work on hold if he has some warning like I do with the other smiths that I work with.

I took John to dinner at my favorite vegetarian warung in Sukawati

After dinner we went to the black sand beach at Sukawati. I did not realize how big of a deal the black magic day was but at the beach there were little and big alters/temples all over with people praying and presenting offerings. The beach was dotted with people looking out to sea and praying the ceremonial outfits looking mystical in the moonlight. The full moon was above the water and the waves were nice full and crashing waves. There was a cool affect… sometimes the wave would catch the moonlight in a way that looked like lightening was trapped inside. Turns out John’s Holy-man priest healer was doing a ceremony on the same beach so we sat near them and experienced a little of it. The priests wear all white sarongs, udung (scarf on head of men), shirts, etc. so all of the priests along the beach glowed in the moonlight. It had been a very hot (panas) day so the cool breeze on the beach felt wonderful. John said this was the first time this year for a clean moon I think he meant clear skies on a full moon night. We enjoyed just sitting there watching the waves and enjoying the sounds of the waves crashing lights twinkled on an island in the distance. I do miss the ocean now that I live in Colorado and it was nice to be lulled by the smells and sounds and to get lost in watching the waves roll in.