Full Moon Ceremony (In Our Homes): Sunday August 22, 2021
Normally Full Moon Ceremonies are conducted at the Turtle Lodge in the Sagkeeng First Nation in southeastern Manitoba. However, given a directive from our Grandmothers during this time, we are being called upon to stay home and make our offerings at home. MESSAGE FROM GRANDMOTHER FLORENCE PAYNTER (ANISHINAABE NATION): “Women are being called upon to lift the water, give thanks and offer their prayers in their own homes on the evening of November 30, when the Grandmother Moon rises. You can sing the Water Song if you wish. You can also have a small feast, and offer a few berries if you have some. If you have the facility to do so, you can make a sacred fire to make your offerings. Whatever works for you and your family will be good. It will be good to pray collectively in each of our homes with our families as we self-isolate. The important part is we acknowledge our Grandmother and ask her for good health, especially during COVID-19. We understand that some single parents live in fear that their children are going to get sick. We encourage everyone to offer their prayers not only during the Full Moon, but every day.”
GRANDMOTHER MARY MAYTWAYASHING (ANISHINAABE NATION) has shared this Nibi Water Song which came to her in a dream: Click here for Nibi Water Song. Please feel free to sing and share this song.
Full Moon Ceremony 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 at the Turtle Lodge. We ask that you come for 6 pm, bring a dish to share for a Potluck Feast, yellow cloth and a tobacco offering for the ceremony.
Location
At the Turtle Lodge in the Sagkeeng First Nation in southeastern Manitoba: a place built from a vision, with volunteer assistance and which is completely independent from outside organizations, associations and funding. Camping is available on site and hotels are available nearby. http://www.turtlelodge.org/about/Cost
Please bring a dish to share at the Potluck Feast, yellow cloth, tobacco and a donation of your choice to contribute to the ceremony. The Turtle Lodge appreciates any and all small donations to help offset some of our expenses.Contact
turtlelodge@mts.netPotluck Feast at 6 pm
Please bring a prepared dish to share! For more information and ceremony protocols, please click here. Please note that Women on their moon time are welcome to attend this ceremony.