Lunar New Year
Spirits of the Dead Moving Between Worlds, Carrying Messages. Through the dark quiet time of the new moon, we all rededicate ourselves to a year of good relationships. This is the time we make prayers for those who have crossed over in the year before with songs and dances through the night and a feast.
Friends Making New
Crystal Vision. A ceremony of regeneration and renewal transforming the obstructions of aggression, jealousy, and enmity to resolution of Friends Making New. The Cherokee see that all can be forgiven when people make the necessary spiritual purification. This Friends Making New Ceremony, which occurs during the new moon of March, is a potent community celebration actualizing the energy of the forgiveness meditation for the benefit of the family, the clan, the nation, the land.
Seed Blessing Ceremony
At this time of the new moon in April, before planting, we tell the stories of how the seeds have come to the community. There are the seeds from the harvest and other seeds which have long stories. All the seeds have been on the family shrine gathering prayers and blessings of the seasons. This is time to also tell the stories of the seed gifts, of each person's sacred purpose. The seeds are more deeply vivified by the prayers and aspirations of the family and community.
Planting Ceremony
On planting day at dawn a fire is lit. All the people gather around the fire and sing songs of thanksgiving and dance to give energy to the earth. Together, we walk to the fields singing, to begin the planting. These spiritual practices and mindfulness throughout the entire growing season of the life with the seed and with the growing plants brings good harvest.
Late Planting Ceremony
On planting day at dawn a fire is lit. All the people gather around the fire and sing songs of thanksgiving and dance to give energy to the earth. Together, we walk to the fields singing, to begin the planting. These spiritual practices and mindfulness throughout the entire growing season of the life with the seed and with the growing plants brings good harvest.
Green Corn Ceremony
The Green Corn Ceremony is a time of celebration and joy for the entire community, celebrating the maturing fruits of the communities endeavors. These green corns are a most precious gift. At this time, all the community members come together to do Sacred Comedy, pointing out the strengths and weaknesses of the human condition. Many joyous songs and circle dances are done. The young people, at this time, share how they will assist the community. In return, the community gives witness and offers support.
Ripe Corn Ceremony
The Ripe Corn Ceremony celebrates the kindness and the opportunities to show appreciation for the life force as it manifests in all of the edible kingdom.
Harvest Ceremony
Harvest the Seeds That Have Been Planted. We begin the ceremonial cycle with the new moon in October, the Harvest Ceremony. The old Cherokee say the world was complete at the new moon harvest with all good things to eat for the people. The Harvest Ceremony is the completion celebration of the world's creation. It is a year's abundance realized for the benefit of all. We give thanks for the harvest. We think of all the people who are hungry and are alone, who are without homes. We offer food and prayers so those who are hungry may receive the abundance. At harvest we save the best seeds on our family shrines to remind us of the wisdom potential which is the perfect activity within each of us.
