The traditional
Anishinabek calendar year follows a similar thirteen-moon lunar cycle.
The Anishinabek
named each lunar cycle according to the seasonal changes that come with
it. This was to remind our communities
when the best time for harvesting, hunting, gathering, and ceremonies was.
Within the
Anishinabek Nation, the moon is called Nabageesis, Grandmother Moon. It was believed that as she watches over all
the waters of the Earth, like women watch over the waters of the people and
those of her own body.
Being in one's
moontime is considered sacred and can be a ceremony. During a woman's moon time many believe she
is being cleansed mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually as her
body prepares for new life. It is a
powerful time in a woman's cycle when she is thought to be closest to Creator.
Our stories hold
knowledge on creation, history, gender, values, customs, laws and ceremony that
are sometimes thousands of years old.
Many Indigenous
people have been using traditional tobacco for thousands of years for
ceremonial or sacred rituals, relationship building, knowledge exchange, and
healing and purifying.
When Nabageesis
Grantmother Moon is full, women can do a ceremony to honour, pray and seek
guidance. The ceremony can be
simple. A woman can sit on the ground
and ask Grandmother Moon to replenish her body with new energy. She takes water with her which she prays for
the Moon to bless. That water then becomes her medicine.
Around the full
moon, women on their moon time can also become very intuitive. It is also an opportunity for women to take
time for themselves to help foster their intuition and to have strong dreams.
