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Moon Ceremonies

Women gather at various phases of the Moon
to honour Nokomis, our Grandmother,

in order to restore our Feminine Power
and to restore the balance between
the feminine and masculine sides of ourselves.

In our Moon ceremony we learn the teachings of the current moon cycle
and share our experiences of these Women’s Teachings.

Ceremonies are held around each Full Moon.
For more information, please e-mail info@thecircleofturtlelodge.ca

All women are welcome, no matter what phase of their moon time
they find themselves.
It will cost you nothing but your time.
  What we do at a Moon Ceremony:   What you should bring:
  gather in the early evening (check with contact persons for time / date / place)   a skirt to wear & warm clothes (be prepared to be outside)
  start with a cleansing smudge, usually of sage (for all women)   tobacco for an offering
  share a teaching dealing with Women’s medicine   yellow cloth to make a tobacco tie
  open with a sharing circle   drums, rattles, songs
  prepare our offerings for the Fire Solstice & Equinox Feasts:
  move to the Sacred Fire site     At the 1st Moon Ceremony
of each season we celebrate more fully by having a pot-luck feast. At that time you may bring your favorite foods to share, but be prepared to be asked for the recipe
  form a circle around the Fire    
  take turns making our prayers & offerings to the Fire    
  circle the Fire when done    
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The Thirteen Moons
Adapted from Year of the Spirit Moons Calendar, produced by
the Anishnaabe Kendaaswin Publishing Company, North Bay, in 1998.
Reference should also be made to Jamie Sams’ book,
The 13 Original Clan Mothers, whose work has reinforced these interpretations.

January Spirit Moon
The first moon of Creation is Spirit Moon, and it is manifested through the
Northern Lights. It is a time to honour the silence and realize our place
within all of Great Mystery’s creatures.

February Bear Moon
The second moon of Creation is Bear Moon, when we honour the
vision quest that it began in the fall. During this time, we discover how to
see beyond reality and to communicate through energy rather than sound.

March Sugar Moon
The third moon of Creation is Sugar Moon. As the maple sap begins to run,
we learn of one of the main medicines given to the Anishnabe, which balances
our blood, and heals us. During this time, we are encouraged to balance our
lives as we would our blood sugar levels, by using Divine Law.

April Sucker Moon
The fourth moon of Creation is Sucker Moon, when sucker goes to the
Spirit World in order to receive cleansing teachings for this world. When it
returns to this realm, it purifies a path for the Spirits and cleanses all our
water beings, During this time we can learn to become healed healers.

May Flower Moon
The fifth moon of Creation is Flower Moon, where all plants display their
Spirit sides for all the world to see. This life giving energy is one of the
most powerful healing medicines on Mother Earth. During this moon
we are encouraged to explore our own Spiritual essences.

June Strawberry Moon
The sixth moon of creation is Strawberry Moon. The medicine of the strawberry
is reconciliation. It was during this moon cycle that communities usually held
their annual feasts, welcoming everyone home, regardless of their differences
over the past year, and letting go of judgment and/or self-righteousness.

July Raspberry Moon
The seventh moon of Creation is Raspberry Moon, when great changes begin.
By learning gentleness and kindness, we may pass through the thorns of its
bush and harvest its fruit, knowledge that will help in raising our families.

August Thimbleberry Moon
The eighth moon of Creation is the Thimbleberry Moon, when we honour the Thimbleberry which produces an abundance of fruit once every three years.
It was one of the first plants put on Mother Earth, and its purpose is to protect
the Sacred Circle of Life by allowing us to recognize and understand the
teachings that come from the Spirit World.

September Corn Moon
The ninth moon of Creation is the Corn Moon, during which time we learn about
the cycle of life. Each cob of corn has thirteen rows of multicolored seeds
which represent all the spirits waiting to begin their Earth Walk.
These will be the future generations for whom we must prepare.

October Falling Leaves Moon
The tenth moon of Creation is the Falling Leaves Moon, a time when Mother Earth
is honored with the grandest of colours. As all of Creation makes their offerings
to her, we become aware of all the miracles of Creation before us and
our spiritual energies are once again awakened.

November Freezing Moon
The eleventh moon of Creation is the Freezing Moon, a time when the
Star Nation is closest to us. As every creature being prepares for the
coming fasting grounds, we are reminded to prepare ourselves for our
spiritual path by learning the sacred teachings and songs that will sustain us.

December Little Spirit Moon
The twelfth moon of Creation is the Little Spirit Moon, a time of healing.
By receiving both vision of the spirits and good health, we may walk the
Red road with the purest intentions, and we can share this most positive
energy with our families and friends for the good of all.

Blue Moon Big Spirit Moon
The thirteenth moon of Creation is Big Spirit Moon. Its purpose is to purify us,
and to heal all of Creation, a process which may take a three month long
spiritual journey. During this time, we receive instructions on the healing
powers of the universe and transform into our own vision of the truth.

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