Imagine the wonder of our ancestors watching the phases of the moon.. Most ancient calendars, predating the Christian one, is Lunar in nature. The Muslims followed the Jews in setting their calendar. The Chinese, the Vietnamese all use Lunar calendars to calculate their festivals.
Lakota names for the months
LAKOTA (Thanks to Joseph RedCloud):
Wiotehika Wi - Hard moon.
Cannapopa Wi - Moon when the trees crack because of the cold.
Istawicayazan Wi - Moon of the sore eyes.
Wihakaktacepapi Wi - Moon when the wife had to crack bones for marrow fat.
Canwape To Wi - Moon of the green leaves.
Wipazatkan Waste Wi - Moon when the June berries are good.
Canpasapa Wi - Moon when the chokecherries are black.
Wasutoa Wi - Moon of the ripening.
Canwape Gi Wi - Moon of the brown leaves.
Canwape Kasna Wi - Moon when the wind shakes off the leaves.
Waniyetu Wi - Moon when winter begins.
Wanicokan Wi - Moon when the deer shed their antlers.
OMAHA:
JANUARY - MOON WHEN SNOW DRIFTS INTO TIPIS
FEBRUARY - MOON WHEN GEESE COME HOME
MARCH - LITTLE FROG MOON
JUNE - MOON WHEN THE BUFFALO BULLS HUNT THE COWS
JULY - MOON WHEN THE BUFFALO BELLOW
SEPTEMBER - MOON WHEN THE DEER PAW THE EARTH
In the Indian country, the woman’s physiological cycles are referred to as Moons.
Native Indians, refer to a past event as, Many Moons Ago , rather than the European expression, Long time ago.
The very word MONTH is derived from the word for MOON
Old English monað, from Proto-Germanic *menoth- (cognates: Old Saxon manoth, *related to menon- "moon" (see moon (n.); the month was calculated from lunar phases). Its cognates mean only "month" in the Romance languages, but in Germanic generally continue to do double duty.
Monat in German and I remember MONAD in Swedish .. jag var I Sverige I 10 monader.
Why am I talking about FULL Moon at 11 am in Miami, Florida, USA where a cloudy sky in the aftermath of the Tropical storm has created a pale ambiance over the green landscape.
The Full Sturgeon Moon
August’s full Moon will appear on the night of Sunday, August 2, before reaching peak illumination at 11:59 A.M. Eastern Time on Monday, August 3. On either of these nights, look toward the southeast after sunset to catch a glimpse of the Sturgeon Moon rising!
WHY IS IT CALLED THE STURGEON MOON?
August’s full Moon was traditionally called the Sturgeon Moon because the giant sturgeon of the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain were most readily caught during this part of summer.
Other names for this Full Moon include ”Full Green Corn Moon,” signaling that the corn was nearly ready for harvest, “Wheat Cut Moon,” “Moon When All Things Ripen,” and ”Blueberry Moon.”
Many Native American tribes hold their annual dances during the month of August… related to their corn harvest.. I fondly remember the Pow-Wow I used to attend among the Hocank and UmonHon of Nebraska as well as Meskwakia of Iowa
Just before the full moon, in the distant southwestern part of China, Thunder had arrived. According to the Cuban Syncretic tradition, thunder is the representation of the spirit, Chango/Xango.. and those of us who have personal connection with Xango, this is always welcome .
So people are waiting in different parts of the world .. let me see whether I can see the full moon of Havana or Sao Paolo tonight ..I doubt the skies would clear up after the storm had passed through here.. but tomorrow night, I am sure I can catch the Moon..
