Since the Spring of 2014, the Turtle Lodge has been conducting Full Moon ceremonies each Full Moon of the year, to acknowledge and honour Nookomis (Grandmother Moon), to share Women’s teachings and teachings of the current Moon, and to share in a Potluck Feast. For thousands of years, Anishinabe peoples have followed the 13 Moons and lived a balanced life aligned with nature, adhering to our spiritual and natural laws, and following natural time, reflected in a lunar cycle.
Life on Earth is connected to Nookomis (Grandmother Moon), who regulates the tides and waters, stabilizes our Earth’s position, and determines the cycle of women and birth of new life. Nookomis helps us with healing, and is strongly connected to human life, especially the women. Every phase of Nookomis has significance to our lives as human beings in various stages of our life cycles and within the seasons of the year. Nookomis’ 13 Moons and phases have long guided the Anishinabe in planting, harvesting, hunting, gathering, and ceremony. For each and every Full Moon, the Women lead and conduct a Full Moon ceremony. For this particular ceremony, women on their moon time are welcome and encouraged to attend. Men are also welcome to attend, for their support as firekeepers and protectors of the People. Food and cloth offerings are made to the Sacred Fire, and water is lifted. When blessing for the water is requested by a woman, water becomes sacred and healing water. Anyone healing or dealing with addictions can overcome their addiction by working with the 13 Moons. If you attend all 13 Full moon ceremonies in a cycle you will receive a great blessing. The Full Moon ceremony will begin at dusk on each of the Full Moons of the year. Everyone is welcome to attend and support this ceremony in their homes, share in a Potluck Feast, lift the water and berries, share with your family, and offer yellow cloth and a tobacco into the sacred fire if you have one.