CHEROKEE MOONS
Jan      Unolvtani (Cold Moon)
Feb      Kagali (Bony Moon)
MarAnuyi (Windy Moon)
April      Kawoni (Flower Moon)
May      Anisguti (Planting Moon)
Jun      Tihaluhiyi (Green Corn Moon)
Jul      Guyegwoni (Ripe Corn Moon)
Aug    Galoni (Fruit Moon)
Sept   Duliidsdi (Nut Moon)
Oct     Duninudi (Harvest Moon)
Nov    Nudadaequa (Trading Moon)
Dec   Usgiyi (Snow Moon)
CALENDAR OF THE CHEROKEE MOONS

March  - Spring Begins
Vernal Equinox

June  - Summer Begins
Summer Solstice

September  - Autumn Begins
Autumnal Equinox

December 21 - Winter Begins
Winter Solstice

SEVEN TRADITIONAL CHEROKEE FESTIVALS OF THE NEW MOONS
These celebrations are held at or around the time of the new moon.
1. Unega (NEW YEAR)  January
Honor the ancestors, fasting, cleansing.

2. First Spring New Moon - Kawoni (Flower Moon)  April 12, 2002
First new moon of Spring - New Fire feast, extinguish old fires, kindle new fire from the Sacred Fire.  Starts the coming season of celebrations.
(Our tradition... The keeper of the Sacred Fire honors the Sacred 7 [4 directions, and Grandfather Sun, Mother Earth, and The Great Spirit]  with an offering and ritual of Sage, Water, A Feather and Char from last years fire.  He then rekindles our Spirit Fire and we celebrate the coming of the New Season and harvests.)

3.  New Green Corn Feast -  May or JUNE.
New Green Corn Feast - Offer meat and corn to the fire... ask for good crops for the People, that is nourishment from meat and corn.

4. Ripe Corn Feast -  August
Late August celebrate the coming Harvest.

5. First Fall New Moon - The first New Moon after the Equinox.
Feast and give thanks for summer's blessings. Combine with the Hunter's Feast.  Pray for animal kills for the winter's meats. Say prayers for winter's survival.

6. Cementation Festival and New Fire Feast -  October
Cementation Festival and New Fire Feast.  Cements relations, purify, heal friendships, renewal of the People.  Renew the Spirit Fire for the winter as in the Spring.  Remember ancestors and those who have crossed over.  Honor the Elders.

7. Exalting Feast - November
Feast of Thanksgiving to the Creator.
Any information contained on this page has been provided or researched via several different sources.  The information on the Cherokee was courtesy of both Eastern and Western Cherokee Band sources.  If any information is in error, we do not mean to offend.  Please let us know what you feel may be in error and where you found your information and we will promptly rectify any discrepancy.  If it is important enough to place on our site we think it is important enough to be accurate.

Wado........ Sandy LittleLizard