It’s the first Full Moon of 2025. Often associated with setting intentions, committing to manifestation, and navigating big feelings, this Full Moon in Cancer (also known as the Wolf Moon) is associated with the 4th House of Home and Family. As we ignite our intuitions, this lunar event invites all to spend time cozied up in our hogares with out loved ones. It’s a time of finding peace, prioritizing rejuvenation, and choosing rest. Moving with and in compassion, the Full Moon is an opportunity to reflect: to look at how far we’ve come to be where we’ve arrived today. For many Black, Brown, and Indigenous folks, these tides are ones that call for ceremony and ritual. As we enter a new calendrical year and anticipate the arrival of a new administration, it’s key that we call on our ancestral tools to remain cool, calm, and collectedness.

Naturally, when thinking about whose voice to start the year with, Lynsey Ayala-Rinaldi'’s spirit resonated loudly. Multihyphenate, spiritual herbalist, curandera, and owner of BreadxButta, Ayala-Rinaldi’s life is firmly rooted in the reclamation of heritage. Guided by her don, she has spent the past decade decolonizing Earth’s sacred medicines and calling upon her ancestral lineages to reignite modalities of healing that have been lost to history and overlooked by capitalist systems. For ten years, Lynsey has travelled the world, learning from elders and plants across Turtle Island, the Caribbean, and South America, deepening her practice with each experience on her path.

A Bronxite, her decolonization work has been pueblo-centered, leading Ayala-Rinaldi to cultivate community across boroughs, countries, and languages. Through her apothecary, written word, and in-person events, she’s been an active force in New York City, inviting all who come across her work to heal, whether through the holistic use of sacred medicinal plants, astrology, or uncovering moments to ritualize every part of life. This Full Moon, we offer a conversation with Ayala-Rinaldi on ten years of BreadxButta, ancestral veneration, and the power of God-Universe-Spirit.

*Lynsey Ayala-Rinaldi by Rum & Cider Photography.*

Since 2015, you've been cultivating BreadxButta: a holistic, spiritual wellness hub in New York City. Can you speak to how BreadxButta began?
It’s an interesting thing to pause and look back at the golden thread of thoughts, actions, prayers, coincidences and events that make up BxB’s story. BreadxButta has been a life force of its own since September 2015. Earlier that year, I had moved back to NY after a 6 year stint in the Bay area. My time in California truly prepared me for what was to come with BxB. From art school and cannabis farming to being a program director of an art museum by day and throwing gallery openings by night…that block of time was preparing me for the multi-dimensional work that has been the soul of BreadxButta.

Coming back to New York at 26, I had new eyes and new inspirations to create with. Having a large community of friends and creative connections here, I decided to have a one night gallery opening for my new collection of work called “BreadxButta”. The collection consisted of some herbal remedios (that are still a part of our botanica), clothing that I had sewen & created the textiles for and an organic plant medicine bar stocked with herbs that I helped grow in CA. We had a full line up of live music, poets, breathworkers and an opening ceremony. This one time event turned into a 10 year journey of building on those pillars– community, art, ceremony and plant medicines. By February 2016 I was working full time on BreadxButta while continuing my studies on spiritual herbalism, clinical herbalism and healing modalities. It’s been a sweet dance between diving deep into my studies, tending to the land, discovering more of myself and bringing those discoveries to the community through our in person shop, our events, workshops, ceremonies, medicines and work.

As a 5th generation curandera, why is it important for you to heal the community utilizing ancestral modalities?
As I write this, I am in Fajardo, the city in Puerto Rico where my paternal grandmother, Lucy was born and raised. With my porch overlooking the ocean, I have been in deep meditation about the stories and memories that this water holds. My grandma Lucy now lives in the Bronx, leaving here in her mid 20’s. At 82 years, she battles dementia and I think of her and what memories and healing the water would bring back to her?

I truly believe that the technologies and energetic signatures of ancestral tools have the potential to heal and liberate us. As a child of the Caribbean diaspora, specifically from here, Boriken. I have found so much of myself and of my ancestors by connecting to the land and the modalities that they had been in relationship with. Growing up in the Bronx as a ‘no sabo’ kid, I did not feel super connected to the island or to my ancestral healing practices. But spirit do what it do and in my mid 20s I found myself here for the first time, in Fajardo to be specific. I remember stepping into the ocean at 7 Seas beach and feeling chills up my spine. My hands tingling and my eyes welling up with tears. The land was welcoming me home.

Since then, I have been here so often that it truly feels like a second home to me. I spent the first few years here learning more about my elders and my ancestors that lived here- how far back could I connect? What were they like? To my surprise, I learned of a great-great grandma who had a shack on her farm in Aguadilla where she divined with a glass of water for folks in the community. She would channel and then perform healings with her energy and with plant ally support. I learned that another great-grandma owned a botanica in Santurce in the 50-60’s where she served food in the evenings and hosted live music shows. I learned of a jibaro great great-grandpa who was a taino curandero. An aunt who still spoke taino and would hold ceremonies at ancient ceremonial spaces. Their stories took me further into my purpose. I trusted the breadcrumbs that were showing up on my path and followed them deeper into the rainforest.

The land called me back and I am grateful for the privilege to be able to return to it. Understanding that this is not the reality for other folks, I began to connect with farms here to at least get Caribbean herbs into the hands of other people who were also from the diaspora. Eventually those offerings grew to essences, tinctures, workshops on everything from caribbean spirituality to how to make your medicines in the likeness of puerto rican remedios. These herbs, medicines and essences hold the literal asé of this sacred island and its healing codes. They have the capacity to remind us of who we have always been, throughout lineages, time and space. These ancestral practices and medicines are a part of our spiritual congruence and an access point into living in harmony and reciprocity.

Its been such an honor to be in constant connection with these ancestral modalities. I’ve found so much healing by sharing my findings and learnings with folks. I feel that at this time of our lives on earth, as we are in such a pivotal moment, It is super important to connect back to these indigenous and ancestral traditions to keep us rooted and connected.

Centered in Puerto Rican ethnobotany, your offerings are a confluence of curanderismo and spiritual herbalism. How would you define the two, and why are they integral to your philosophy?
In my practice, curanderismo and spiritual herbalism go hand in hand. Curanderismo is the act of utilizing natural elements to support us in healing work. Spiritual herbalism works on the ethereal dimension of plants and people. My relationship and understanding with what plants/elements to call on during a session begin on the ethereal level. Through platica and channeling, I am picking up on what is happening on a physical and spiritual level with my clients. This understanding helps me to match their energy to the energy of specific plant allies. How I bring those elemental allies in for healing is where curanderismo comes in. From barridas, to banos or steams, the elements are alchemized and made to be of the best service for the individual and their needs.

From the Amazon and California, Brasil to Puerto Rico, your studies have brought you to ancestral lands near and far. What lessons have these lands taught you that you hope to carry on to the next generation?
As a girl from Castle Hill, these experiences have been life changing. My journey through various ancestral lands—from the Amazon to California, Brazil, and of course Puerto Rico—has been a profound exploration of the deep wisdom that connects all of us to the earth, to our ancestors, and to one another. Each place has taught me something invaluable, and my hope is to carry these lessons forward to the next generation, especially in my work with spiritual and ancestral medicine.

From the Amazon, I learned about the sacredness of nature. In the forests, where every tree, every river, and every animal has a spirit, I understood the importance of living in harmony with the Earth. We are not separate from the land; we are an integral part of it. The plants, animals, and elements are our teachers, healers, and guides. This deep interconnectedness is something I hope to instill in community and in generations to come, especially in a world that often sees nature as something to be conquered or exploited.

In California and Brazil, I encountered the strength of community and ritual. The people I met in these places reminded me that healing is not just an individual journey but a collective one. In those traditions, ceremonies are not just about personal transformation but about lifting the whole community, about holding space for one another in our struggles and triumphs. As I work with ancestral medicine, I see how important it is to remember that healing extends beyond the self. It is about healing our families, our communities, and our lands. I want the next generation to understand that our collective well-being is tied to the healing of the collective soul.

Of course, Puerto Rico—my ancestral home—has shaped me deeply. The island is a living testament to resilience, to the way that our ancestors' spirits continue to move through the land, even after centuries of colonization and struggle. In Puerto Rico, I have come to understand the importance of preserving our traditions and sacred knowledge. Despite the many challenges we've faced, our culture, our spirituality, and our connection to the land have never been broken. Through our music, our language, and our ways of healing, we carry the strength and wisdom of our Taino ancestors, African heritage, and the resilience of the Puerto Rican people.

One of the biggest lessons I've learned from all these places is that healing is an ancestral act. It’s not just about our own time, but about honoring the spirits of those who came before us. We carry their wounds, but we also carry their strength. The next generation must remember that they are part of a long lineage—one that has survived, thrived, and passed down wisdom across generations. This wisdom is not just from books or teachers; it’s from the land, from the ancestors, and from the sacred rituals that have been passed down through time.

I hope to pass on the understanding that we are always in relationship with the earth, our ancestors, and each other. Healing is about remembering and returning to that relationship, nurturing it with love, respect, and reverence. The next generation must hold that knowledge in their hearts and minds, using it to protect and preserve what has been entrusted to them, while also continuing to evolve and adapt it for their time.

*Still from* Remembrance (2023). *Stream on YouTube*.

Your work is an example of decolonization in practice, by inviting practitioners, seasoned and novice, to strengthen their connections to the Earth through getting to know Her medicines. How vital is decolonization as it relates to the holistic health of BIPOC folk?
Decolonization is central to my work because it’s deeply connected to healing—both individually and collectively. Colonization severed our ties to the land, traditional medicines, and ancestral wisdom. I believe that reclaiming these practices is an act of liberation, resistance and spiritual revival. For BIPOC communities, decolonization is vital to holistic health because it reconnects us to a worldview where health is seen as balance—between body, mind, spirit, and Earth.

Western medicine often treats symptoms in isolation, but our traditions emphasize the interconnectedness of all things. Reclaiming ancestral knowledge, such as plant medicine, ceremony, and spiritual practices, is essential for healing the deep trauma passed down through generations of colonization. This trauma manifests in chronic illness, mental health struggles, and a sense of disconnection from ourselves and our purpose.

Decolonization is not only about rejecting colonial structures, but also about rebuilding internal systems of health and healing. It’s about reawakening the power within us to heal through the Earth’s medicines and reclaiming the wisdom that was once erased. For both seasoned and novice practitioners, this work empowers us to restore our relationship with the land, honor our ancestors, and build a sustainable, grounded path to wellness. In doing so, we liberate our bodies, our communities, and ourselves from the legacy of colonization.

A practitioner of Afro-Diasporic religious, spiritual systems, most of, if not all, of your work is guided by your belief systems. How does Spirit, Eggun, and Orisha guide your work?
My work…really my whole life is deeply rooted in and guided by Spirit, Eggun, and the Orisha. Spirit is the foundational energy that moves through all aspects of my life and practice, constantly offering wisdom and direction. I feel the presence of the GUS (God, Universe, Spirit) in the everyday, and it is through this connection that I am able to serve with clarity and purpose. Spirit guides my decisions, my interactions with others, and the way I navigate the world.

Eggun, my ancestors, hold a pivotal place in my practice. They are not distant or abstract—they are alive in me and in my work, like a mosaic. My Eggun offer me their teachings, protection, and strength, reminding me that I am part of a lineage that has always relied on ancestral wisdom for survival and growth. Their guidance is essential, particularly in my role as a community leader and educator. I work to honor them through my actions, carrying forward the knowledge they passed down and sharing it with others, especially with those seeking to reconnect to their roots.

The Orisha are powerful forces that govern the natural world and our lives. They are both protectors and teachers, and they help me align with the rhythms of nature and the spiritual dimensions of life. My Orisha, Oxossí and Obaluayé have unique energies and through my practice, I have learned to call on them for guidance, healing, and empowerment. They provide balance, offering insight and support in times of challenge, and help me serve others with compassion, humility, and integrity. Whether it’s through ritual, divination, or daily prayer, I feel their presence guiding me in everything I do.

Through my connection with Spirit, Eggun, and Orisha, I am not just working for myself, but for the collective. I channel the ancestral wisdom of these traditions to uplift and guide others in their own spiritual paths, whether in the context of community healing or personal growth. My work is always grounded in the belief that we are not alone—our ancestors and the Orisha are with us, guiding us, and providing the strength and wisdom we need to navigate this world.

Through your website, social media, and in-person sessions, you make accessible information on medicines, astrology, and sacred sciences. What drives you to continue gifting community with these offerings?
I feel that in this moment of our world’s history, folks are becoming more and more aware of their spiritual gifts. They are beginning to seek out ways to understand themselves and to better hone in on the gifts that are coming online. As our planet is awakening and shifting, so are we. Even though I grew up in a spiritual home, I played down my gifts to fit in at school and began do dumb them down even more as high school and early college came. I could not find an outlet to have conversations about my dreams or to talk about how I knew certain things about folks without them having to tell me. I kind of held it in for a long time until I tricked myself into believing that these things weren’t true. Moving out of NY helped me to move out of my comfort zone and I organically found a spiritual community. I met folks who seemed more open and so, cathartic conversations began to take place. I learned that the more I was open about my gifts (when in a safe space) the more I found breadcrumbs to learning and practicing.

When I moved back home I was still on my quest, I mean, I AM still on the quest for deeper understanding and will definitely remain on this path as I walk through life. But coming back home in 2015, I knew that I wanted to share what I had been experiencing and learning because I knew that there were more folks who were also seeking. And so, as I have been learning and discovering, I am doing my best to share and hold space for others as they do the same. My goal has been to leave a map of the breadcrumbs that spirit has so generously left me so that they may be a blueprint for others.

Focusing on the sacred alliances between all (wo)man and nature, your work is rooted in finding and honoring the ritual in everyday life. How do you implement ritual into your life as a New Yorker?
Growing up and living in New York as a true nature Bruja, can have its moments. My foundation in ritual can be traced back to my grandparents backyard in the Bronx. It was there that I learned to be in wonder and awe of the soil that fed us, it was there that I learned patience and appreciation for harvest. I loved spring time because I knew it brought with it the ritual of prepping the garden beds and I would watch my grandpa from the porch until I was old enough to lend a hand. When summer came, you could find me appreciating the harvest, eating tomatoes and strawberries off the plant and drawing them in my sketchbook. It was a special experience that has definitely been foundational to my connection to earth and to daily ritual. Having a garden is a moment for reflection, grounding, praise and faith.

This year was my first year having my own garden. We moved into our new home on the spring equinox and shortly after I was getting seeds into garden beds. I was reminded of the ritual of reflection. When I was not on point with my self care or schedule, my plants were also a bit off. I was reminded of the ritual of grounding, getting my hands deep in the soil, singing to the garden and to my ancestors …it helps me to feel connected to them. It's been a reminder of faith, as I waited patiently for the plants to emerge through the soil, checking them almost daily and sending them love and strength. This practice of gardening and tending has reminded me that I too am a plantita needing time, prayer, and patience. It's brought me closer to source and closer to my ancestors who all tended land in some way- from the Bronx to Boriken.

Entrenched in the middle of the technological generation of self-driving cars and space expeditions, what can we do to ensure that Afro and Indigenous Caribbean traditions are protected?

I believe that our ancestors live on through the art of oral tradition. Sharing their stories, their medicines and their names is how we ensure that these important traditions are upheld and maintained. I think of myself as an analogue girl in a digital world but I am doing what I can to weave together their indigenous practices with the rapid growth of technology. Malidoma Patrice Somé comes to mind as we approach the anniversary of his transition. He was able to beautifully maintain closeness to his roots while finding ways to share his ancestral medicine with the world.

As we move into the Aquarian age and as technology continues to shift and grow, I think it's important for folks who hold ancestral medicines to also grow and learn new ways to share the work. It's a delicate dance between honoring them and maintaining the integrity and richness of their stories. A dance that we may have some missteps in but one that calls us back no matter what.

For me, this dance looks like writing about medicines, the Orisha and rituals in my blog. It looks like intimate community gatherings to maintain sacred ritual and closeness through utilizing tools like Instagram and my website to put the call signal out into the world. It looks like joyful events with music, food, dance and ceremony as an act of care and connection to our Eggun. As I learn more about these traditions and rituals, I find new ways to embody them and share them as an act of love and an act of resistance.

Embodiments of Remembrance: A Decade of Reflection with Lynsey Ayala-Rinaldi

(ES) Sentado en la intersección: El poder de la música con Jesús Triviño Alarcón

(ES) Encarnaciones del Recuerdo: Una Década de Reflexion con Lynsey Ayala-Rinaldi