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The new moon which falls closest to the Fall Equinox is the time of this ceremony. This is the Cherokee new year. Divining crystals are consulted for predictions of what the new year has in store for the people.
Sep 14, 2011 · The New Moon Ceremony was said to have been the “most profoundly religious” (p. 183) of all the ceremonies. As with other observances, it also involved the rekindling of the sacred fire. The sixth ceremony in the cycle was the Bounding Bush Ceremony.
The Cherokee Moons Ceremonies were seasonal round of ceremonies practiced ANI-YUN-WIYA or Cherokee People in the ancient culture. Although a modern calendar year is comprised of 12 months, there are actually 13 cycles or phases of the moon each year.
The Great New Moon Festival (held around October) marked the beginning of the Cherokee New Year. The New Fire Ceremony (held for 4 days about ten days after the Great New Moon Festival) was a renewal of friendships. The last festival was held during the winter.
The Cherokee Calendar of Celebrations. Cherokee Moon ceremonies are based on the thirteen phases of the moon and are recognized on the event of a new moon. Each observance is intended to guide the Cherokee people in spiritual and cultural growth within the Cherokee way of life.
- Linda Vining
Cherokee Moons – Southern Cherokee Nation of Kentucky. JANUARY: Cold Moon Unolvtani. This time of the season is a time for personal and ritual observance, fasting and personal purification. During this season, families prepare for the coming of the new seasons, starting in Windy Moon Anuyi or March.
Great New Moon Ceremony - Celebrated at the first new moon in autumn (October). Since autumn was the season when Cherokee stories say the world was created, it represented the new year celebration. Each family brought some produce from their field to share, such as corn, beans and pumpkins.
