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Du-ni-n(v)-di
This is the Harvest Moon
October
This is the time of the Great New Moon Ceremony when thanks is
given to the Earth Mother, Mother Selu, Lord Kanati, and the Creator. The
Great New Moon Ceremony is held in this month as this is the first month
of the civil calendar. The Great New Moon marks that beginning. It is
believed by many that humans were created during this moon. The Friends
Made Ceremony is also held during this time. This month marks the end of
the harvest. There are many things which we celebrate during this time one
of which is the totality of the Harvest. The Harvest is celebrated three
times a year; it’s beginning is celebrated in Galoni, it’s midpoint is
celebrated in Dulisdi, and its ending is celebrated in Dunin(v)di.
This is a time to look upon our actions during the year and their
consequences, and then to proceed into the new year remembering what we
have learned. This is a good time to keep forgiveness in mind and a great
time to be thankful. We are also reminded during this month that the cycle
is not at an end. How we proceed into the new year is up to us, but always
remember the harvest for better or for worse will come.
Nv-da-de-wi/
Nv-da-de-qua
This is referred to as the Trading Moon
November
It is the last month of the Fall
season. The Bounding Bush Ceremony is held celebrating and enjoying the
last of Fall, fully aware of the Ice Man’s impending arrival Frost is a
messenger of his and has by this time already come and informed us that
his master is on his way. It is said that this was the primary time for
trading. In truth Fall was probably more of the culmination of the years
trading. Fall is a great time for traveling. It is also said that this was
the time when those in need were given whatever they needed to make it
through the coming Winter. The Anigadugi society were quite active during
this month trying to help those in need before the winter arrived.
The
Anigadugi are basically a volunteer group who see to the needs of those in
their village or community by helping them usually with things like
building or mending houses and making sure everyone is prepared for
winter. The Western Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma has created an award named
after this society and it is given to those who have performed some
honorable deed for their nation or community. During this month everyone
is preparing for Winter. Preparation is a lesson offered by this month. It
is far better to be prepared than to be caught unprepared.
V-s-gi-yi
This is known as the Snow Moon
December
A time of keeping
warm, appreciating the past years hard work and produce. The Ice Man has
arrived. Frost, ice, snow, cold winds are all powers of the Ice Man; and
the Ice Man is an aspect, manifestation, or form of the Blue Spirit. The
spirit of humility has arrived and all are now subdued.
U-no-lv-ta-ni
This is known as the Cold Moon
Janusry
This is the time when we begin
fixing personal items and tools and making new ones in anticipation of
Spring. A minor celebration known as the Cold Moon Festival is held during
this month. These cold Winter months teach us to appreciate our loved ones
and our blessings (secure homes, warm fires, friends and family, good
food, etc.)
Ka-ga-li
The Bone or Boney Moon
February
This is a time to pay tribute to
our loved ones and ancestors. It is a time when a feast is held in
remembrance of the them, a place is set aside and food is offered to those
who have passed on. It is comparable with the Central American Day of the
Dead. This is also a time of a minor celebration known as the Medicine
Dance. This is also the often the last month of Winter. The Red Spirit is
usually on his way by this time.
A-nv-yi
This is the Windy Moon
March
This is some years the beginning
of the seasonal cycle and other years Kawoni is the beginning month. The
seasonal cycle or seasonal calendar begins with Spring, the first day of
which is considered the first New Moon after the Vernal Equinox. The Windy
Moon, when it is the beginning of spring reminds us of the life cycle.
This is a reminder that grows stronger throughout the Spring season. But
when Kawoni is the first month of Spring then we are reminded during this
month that change and growth are sometimes painful. I am not saying that
this is a terrible and dreaded month. In truth by the time Winter’s end
has arrived in Kagali most people are anxious for Spring. If this is the
month of Spring then this is when the Red Spirit arrives and all rejoice.
Ka-wo-ni
This is the Flower Moon
April
This month is called the Flower
Moon even though the word kawoni is the same as the word for the duck. It
is said that traditionally Cherokee births were common during this time.
The streams and rivers controlled by the Long Being renew their strength
with the fresh spring rains. The Long Being is honored during this month.
A minor festival usually held during this time is the Knee Deep Dance. If
this month is the first month of Spring as it occasionally is then we also
honor the Red Spirit.
A-n(i)-s-gv-ti
The Planting Moon
May
The Planting Moon is when
families traditionally begin preparing the fields. Stored seeds are
planted. Corn, beans, squash, tomatoes, potatoes, and sun flowers are some
of the plants planted. Minor dances are held during this time to ensure
good crops. This month is the last of Spring. The White Spirit will soon
step forward to preside over the Summer.
Di-ha-lu-yi
The Green Corn Moon
June
The Green Corn Moon is when the
plants in the fields begin to emerge. Preparations are made for the
upcoming major ceremonies of the growing season. People of the Anigadugi
society begin needed repairs on the townhouses, family homes, and
providing for those in need. The Anigadugi society is basically a
volunteer group that sees to the needs of the less fortunate, the elderly,
and the general welfare of the villages. It is interesting that this moon
is referred to as the Green Corn Moon when the Green Corn Ceremony is held
in Galoni.
Gu-ye-quo-ni
The Ripe Corn Moon
July
During the Ripe Corn Moon the
field plants begin to produce. Wild plants like black berries and
mulberries begin producing ripe fruits in good quantity. Stick ball games
and dances are held in earnest starting with this moon. It is interesting
that this month is referred to as the Ripe Corn Moon when the ripe corn
ceremony is celebrated in Dulisdi.
Ga-lo-ni
The Fruit Moon
August
This is called the Fruit Moon
because fruits from trees and bushes are gathered in earnest. The Green
Corn festival is commonly held in this moon today. This month marks the
beginning of Fall. Fall is a season ruled by the West, by the Black
Spirit. We can realize through this that death eventually comes to
everything, but it doesn’t last. We know that the cycle will continue on.
The fruits of life are harvested but new life will spring from their
seeds.
Du-li-s-di
The Nut Moon
September
This is known as the Nut Moon.
The Ripe Corn Festival is held in the early part of this moon to
acknowledge the Corn Mother and the Earth Mother. The Brush Feast festival
is also held. Fruits and nuts are still being gathered, much of which goes
into breads. Hunting in earnest begins.
So-*i
13th
or Blue Moon
The
Additional One is the thirteenth moon and occurs only some years, most
years have twelve months. It is naturally added and provides a stable
relationship between the seasonal and civil calendars.
This month
teaches us the importance of balance.
If this month did not come along
to ensure balance then chaos would prevail, the seasonal and civil
calendars would disagree with one another. Months that are supposed to
occur in the Fall would occur in the Winter. The celebrations would also
be out of order. Like I said, chaos would prevail. Let us be thankful of
this month and the balance and order that it ensures.
More on the 13th Moon
Celebrations
This is just
some major celebrations,
there are many minor ones held throughout the
year.
Nu-wa-ti E-qua
= Great New Moon Ceremony =
This is the first celebration held in the calendar cycle, it
marks the beginning of the calendar year. It is always on the first day of
Dunin(v)di in the traditional calendar, which is always the first New Moon
after the Northern Autumnal Equinox. It is believed that this was the
first of all moons which is why we call it the Great Moon. This is a time
when beginnings are recognized.
A-do-hu-na =
Reconciliation and Friends Made Ceremony =
This celebration comes seven days after Nuwati
Equa. Part of this ceremony requires extinguishing all the fires in the
village and relighting them with fire from the cleansed Sacred Fire kept
in the townhouse. When the Sacred Fire is ritually cleansed by the village
High Priest and attendants then the village and the people are also
symbolically cleansed. The fire is said to accumulate or absorb all of the
wrongs committed by the people, and when it is cleansed and renewed so to
are all the people. In this ceremony unity is symbolized by two chosen
people ritually exchanging clothing.
One could say that at this time all
barriers are torn down. This is also a time of forgiveness when everyone
tries to forgive any offenses they acquired during the past year,
so they
can be free to fully move into the new year.
E-la-wa-ta-le-gi = Bounding Bush Ceremony =
This celebration begins on the
first day of Nvdadewi. This is a time when we acknowledge the source of
our abundance, of our blessings. During this ceremony the sacred "old
tobacco"
is offered by all the villagers to the Sacred Fire in the
townhouse.
Go-ge-yi = The
First New Moon Of Spring =
The first New Moon after the Vernal Equinox is considered the
beginning of Spring. Again the Sacred Fire is cleansed, symbolizing
another great beginning. This moon and ceremony
marks the beginning of the
seasonal cycle.
Se-lu-tsu-ni-gi-s-ti-s-ti = Green Corn Ceremony =
This ceremony begins on the
first day of Galoni. During this ceremony the people rejoice and celebrate
the growth of the foods in the fields. Some of the foods are tasted as
tangible evidence
of hope and prayers fulfilled.
Do-na-go-hu-ni
= Ripe Corn Ceremony =
This celebration begins on the first day of Dulisdi. The
bountiful harvest of mature foods is celebrated. This is the end of the
annual cycle of major ceremonies and is usually the last month of the
civil calendar, with the exception of the occasional thirteenth month,
So*i.
U-gu = U-gu
Dance =
Every
seventh year this ceremony replaces Nuwati Equa. It is a ceremony of
thanks offered to the Creator by the entire nation led by the Ugu (Supreme
Peace Chief). This ceremony serves mainly to show our appreciation to the
Creator for creating us. During this ceremony the Ugu is dressed in a
special yellow attire made and reserved for this occasion.
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