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Sweat Lodge

Moon: “Grandmother Moon” – Nookomis dibik-giziis (Ojibwemowin)

“Man’s first mother was a supernatural being who resided alone in the heavens. Lonely, she asked for a companion. Gitchimanidoo, feeling pity for sky-woman, sent her a consort by whom she conceived. But as soon as sky-woman conceived, her companion left her. Eventually, she gave birth to twins – who destroyed one another, leaving her alone once more.

Sky-woman having lost love, companionship, and the gift of life through birth, desponded. Gitchimanidoo again sent a companion to sky-woman. From the union that took place, then were born the first Anishinabeg (first people) on earth.

Sky-woman remained on earth until the first Anishinabeg were able to care for themselves. Then, she ascended into the heavens to return to her abode. Her existence, her gift of life, and the primacy of women are remembered each time the moon shines.”

(Basil Johnson, p. 149, Ojibway Heritage)

I would like to share the following story with you.
I believe this information needs to be shared with discretion. But I also believe the sacredness of this beautiful Native American ceremony, the Moon Time Ceremony, needs to be understood by all.

Moon Time Teaching
Cyndi Hawk (Chi Oda Que)

Women are considered to be the Givers of Life. During the Moon Time Ceremony, women honor and renew their power.

The moon controls the water spirits as the tides wax and wane on Mother Earth. The cycles of the moon are much like a woman’s menstrual cycle.

It has been said that at one time,
a woman’s cycle had been in line with the cycle of the moon – flowing when the moon was full and then ceasing as the moon began to change. In Native American culture, women are honored and receive the utmost respect during the time of her cycle.

This level of respect is something that has been lost throughout other cultures. Many younger women of different cultures have been taught that this time in their lives is something to be looked down upon – many times with much disdain.

Among Native American people, any woman who is in her moon time is considered to be partaking in a purification ceremony of her own. This ceremony is considered to be a very powerful and sacred time. The Lakota word for the sweat lodge ceremony is inipi or purification ceremony.

Once a year, in spring time, Mother Earth cleanses herself – all debris is washed away. In a woman’s life, this same cleansing takes place within her own body, once a month.

In earlier days, when a woman was in her moon time, she would enter a separate lodge by herself. This was called the Moon Lodge. Here, a woman would be cared for by the other woman of her tribe.

These women would care for the individual in whatever way was necessary – food, clothing, sacred medicines. It was the honor of the other women to care for any woman in her moon time.

Because women in the moon time are considered wakan (Lakota word for sacred), Creator has given them the responsibility to pray for the people, for what is needed – pray for visions of things to take place between their current moon time and the next.

Because women in their moon time are considered sacred and hold strong female powers, they do not attend sweat lodge with others. There is no shame to be felt. You are being honored as a woman.

A woman in her moon time also does not handle the sacred items such as the pipe, medicines, shakers,
or drums. She also does not prepare any food for the feast. At the time of feast, other women are honored to prepare a dish for the woman in her moon time.

A woman experiencing her moon time may choose to wear something with the color of purple, whether this is her dress, shawl, hair tie, bracelet, etc.

The color purple acknowledges to other people, men and women, you are in your ceremonial moon time. You will be honored and respected.