Strawberry Moon
by Grandmother Waynonaha
Author of Voices: A Collection of Native American Stories
Strawberry Moon Gathering
Month of June 8-10
Strawberry Ripening Moon
The Moon of Ripening Berries
Presented by the Sisters of the Sacred Corn Mother: Lily Dale New York
for more information go to www.lilydaleassemply.com or toworlds@netsync.net
In the time of our ancestors we lived by the seasons and what was in nature. Many of our ceremonies were predicted by the moon and seasons.
Each of the months has a name this way we were able to tell time and live in harmony with all things. The Moon of the Strawberry is an especially important one for the women it is the time to come and gather for the rites of passage and other teachings and sharing with the Elder Woman. As our culture was an oral and ceremonial one it was important that we did all of these things. In this way we assured our future generations the knowledge and traditions so that the people would always remember their history.
It is said that Creator makes plants for every thing we need here on this Earth for medicine. All we have to do is honor them and care this will assure us many years of healing.
In the times before the coming of the white men and women we celebrated each thing in its season. The strawberry was one of the ceremonies that even today is still done on the reservations.
When the month of the planting came we looked for the first strawberries to ripen. For weeks the young women would go out and gather these small and sweet berries until the first full moon in the season. On the day of the first full moon there would be hundreds of women gathering for the ceremony of the strawberry. By the time the moon was full so was the huge pottery jars of crushed fermenting strawberries.
All the women brought their camps to the gathering place. Only women and female children were allowed in these camps the exception was a male child that may be still nursing and they stayed in a separate shelter.
The heart beat would be started on the council drum and would continue until the last say of council when the elder women would close the ceremony. This heart beat was kept all day and night for the duration of the full moon. On the third day of the full moon the strawberry drink was brought out and all of this was taken by the women in the council until it was all gone.
Many things happened during this time like the rites of passage for the younger women and for the older women. The three circles of women were around the central fire that was started from the beginning of the ceremony. This fire was a sacred fire and only to be used for ceremony. The younger women who were in there first season of moon time were the first circle around the fire. Then the women who were will of child bearing years the second circle. After this the women who were no longer having their moon time then the Grandmothers and Elders. There were four circles of women around the fire. In this ceremony the Elders would hand a pair of moccasins into the circle of Grandmothers who in turn would pass them to the circle of mothers they in turn would hand them to the young women. 
When this was done the young women would put them on and then step back into the circle of women. The Women who had given up their moon time would then step into the circle of Grandmothers and the Grandmothers who had been invited into the circle of Elders would then step into that circle. So we now have three circles of women. Then they begin to dance the circle dance the first circle going clock wise the next going counter clock wise and the last clock wise. This dancing would go on through the night and in the morning all would celebrate with much gifting and wearing of their new clothing they had made just for this occasion. Many a marriage was decided unknown to the youngest women by the Elders. You see the Elders watch you and know you so they already know who you will be with and that you will get along well.
The younger women were instructed by the Grandmothers about marriage and how to properly act in the presence of men from now on. There were many things a young woman could not do from that time on. One was that she would always keep her eyes down in a modest way. She would from that day on ware her skirts long, and keep her personal appearance tidy and clean. She would then attend the moon lodge with the women, other ceremonies were to be part of her training from that day forward. Child birth was always attended by many young women so that they could learn the skills of birthing and the ceremony around this event. The Strawberry plant is important in our culture and if it is not honored or used then it will disappear from this Earth. The plant was given to the women and all of this plant is for healing of the women. The berry is a natural medicine for the womb and the leaves make tea for child birth. The roots are used for healing after child birth.
The young women were taken care of by the Elders in the camp and did not go to the river with out an elder woman with them. Everything was done in groups and no one wondered off alone this was just not done and would invite unwanted gossip. There was much fun in the berry picking and other things the community did. My Grandmother said that they laughed a lot when she was a young girl. Now she said it is all work and no laughing.
For this time we still gather and dance on the full moon of June we honor the strawberry and the women on this day.
Young women had to keep her virtue and her physical appearance was at all times important. No more would she be playing with the other younger children but would spend more time cooking and doing bead work and leather work. Other things that were done in the home like pottery making was a community event so all were involved in this activity. Even the men made pottery and helped to dry the meat on the low smoky fires.
It was not a problem to be in the young women's society as there were many things that took place like social dances and the announcement that you were ready for marriage.
A woman had many sisters and elders to talk to and she was never alone.
A young woman could choose a husband for herself but if she failed to show interest then the Elders would step in to advise her and help her make a choice. All was in order and the women owned the homes in the village, they were taken care of and protected by the men. No man could ever hit his wife or children and no man would ever harm his children. Justice was swift and clear. If a man was not a good husband or father the wife sought council with the Elders and they would decide what to do. The council of Elders would then take this man and talk to him about his ways. If he could not agree then he would have to leave that home. Some times he would have to leave the village if the crime was really severe. He was then never more allowed to see his wife or children again. Men and women were not unfaithful in those days as the punishment was hard. Women who strayed from there marriage beds were dealt with very badly. Many had their noses cut just one nostril to show that they were unfaithful. After that no man wanted them and they just drifted off or left the village from loneliness.
Life was hard and if all was to be in order then the enforcement of sacred space and boundaries had to be held. There was a lot of time to enjoy life and many white women when captured by the Indians did not want to return to the hard life the frontier offered them. They much preferred the Indian life and its freedom to enjoy and with out the restriction placed on them in society.
The women had a sacred place in the law of the community and held a vote and could speak when there was council. All was respected and all were equal in the council.
The planting was always directed by the Clan Grandmothers and all the village was organized in this way.
It took great wisdom to live and survive in those times. When the council was over we took home a little of the ashes of the sacred fire to add to our own fire in our lodge. It was a good time to live and still to this day is a healing and good way to remember a more happier time.
Love and Blessings Waynonaha
For 2007 gathering we are making masks to show
transformation in women.
Last year at the Strawberry Moon gathering many of the women requested that this coming year we make ceremonial masks. We always listen to the Sisters of the Sacred Corn Mother when they speak. This year we will be creating our own spirit masks the whole weekend will be teachings of the mask and transformation that we as women go through. Our transformation does not end until we pass from this Earth and make our finally transition into the star walk. It is with this in mind that we send out the information on the masks to all of you who gather here to share the wisdom. We will also be making other ceremonial objects to take back to our lodges for blessings and for healing.
Mask Making:
The creation of masks is found in all cultures and can be traced to the time when we first painted our faces with the clay and colors of the Earth.
We used this as a way to reconnect to the Earth mother and all that lived on her. As humans we can transform into any thing we wish to be. Becoming lion or a deer or other animals, reptiles, birds and fish as we wish. Many Nations have very big and elaborate masks that are used for dancing and ceremony. Others use masks in prayers, and ceremony to show individual spiritual choices.
Perhaps we are remembering some old and forgotten memory of where we came from or what we used to look like.
In our way we use the masks to show transformation or changes in our life and our spiritual growth. The mask is always done in a ceremony even in the making and dreaming of the mask as we create it on our face. It will only fit our face no other this is for a reason so that it becomes a part of our medicine or healing powers.
Our dreams and our future are present in the mask when we create it. We dance with our mask before we paint or decorate it. In this way we are creating a vision of what we need to help us grow or be stronger. We take our weakness and we find something that will make us stronger and that is what we put on our mask.
Perhaps I may need more strength to walk and be stronger in my life. I may wish stamina or grace. I would then put a bear or a deer face on my mask, at times even using parts of that animal or bird to create my mask. In this way I will take the power of that animal or bird or what ever I chose to become part of my life.
It is not about the beauty or creative art that you put on the mask it is about the power and spirit that you dream into the mask that will help you.
As we place our masks on our face and dance with them we are then dancing the strength into our bodies, minds, spirits, and souls.
The Strawberry Moon gathering will be held here in Lily Dale N.Y. on June 8-10. 2007 we trust that many of you will attend and share the wisdom that we offer to you all here.
All supplies will be provided the weekend includes many other teachings from Native women as well as other women from around the world. There will be healing ceremonies for all women this is a chance if you have a young daughter or grand daughter even a niece or young friend you can bring them. They must have had at least one moon cycle it is for women only. No younger girls or males will be admitted. There will be herbal walks and sharing of animal medicine, plus many other things to do during the weekend. Singing, dancing, and celebration of life. The strawberry will be honored as the women’s plant for healing. We are limited in how many we are accepting for this gathering so please plan to register early if you can. The flat rate for the entire weekend includes traditional and non-traditional food and tenting. If you wish to rent a room then that is at your own expense. There are many wonderful private homes who rent rooms here. A list will be provided for you at your request. The price for the entire weekend is $300 for women, $50 for young women who are being honored for the fist time as women. You will be given a full packet upon registration of what to bring and who the speakers are and the topics. Remember once a member of the Sisters of the Sacred Corn Mothers you are all potential presenters for next years gathering. We are all equal and have something to share so know we honor all of our sisters.
Love Waynonaha
If you have access to a web site or you have a web site can you please help us by posting this information, we would really like to reach as many women as we can this year.
Thank you
Waynonaha Two Worlds
