From: Laura Bashlor <lauralou@gatecoms.gatecom.com>
Subject: Re: Observing Full Moon Native American Style
Date: Wed, 18 Sep 1996 16:51:19 -0400
Marilyn's description of the Japanese Harvest Moon observation reminded me of one wonderful evening a few years ago. At 3:00pm the message went out to the female members of the Southwind American Indian Cultural Organization to meet in the forest-rimmed backyard of one of the members for a "Grandmother Moon Ceremony". About 30 ladies showed up on this moment's notice This is not a secret nor sacred ceremony so we were all invited. It was the September full moon. As we made our offerings of sacred herbs to the fire, we implored the "grandmother spirits" to help us with burdens. We each took a turn and shared these burdens with the Grandmothers and with each other. I heard my first owl hoot during that ceremony and took it as a sign that all was well with the Grandmothers. We gathered in the kitchen of the house later, closer and more relaxed than I could have imagined. I never see a full moon now without reliving that night. Laura (MI)