Even though we're a mix up of different cultures (like most Americans now) from Jewish and Italian (Bill) and German with a wee bit o' Scottish (me - Rachel) our common ancestory lies in our Native American roots! Bill and I were both raised with much spiritualism and teachings from the Native side of our families and we still honor and keep those traditions very near to our heart. It is a major part of our lives together as husband and wife and we base our lives on The Good Medicine and The Red Road.
The Thirteenth Moon is symbolic on many levels for us... please read below!
The Cherokee Moons Ceremonies were the ancient seasonal round of ceremonies practiced during ancient times by the Ah-ni-yv-wi-ya or Principle People in the ancient culture. Although a modern calendar year comprises 12 months, there are actually 13 cycles or phases of the moon each year. The seasonal round of ceremonies was based on 13 moons, and was considered a necessary spiritual element for growth and encouraged social gatherings among the Cherokee Clans and Cherokee Society in the ancient culture.
The Ah-ni-yv-wi-ya believed the number 13 was significant. Not only did this number correspond to the lunar cycles of the year, but by a startling coincidence, all species of turtles living in the ancient homeland (in fact, all species turtles in the world) always had 13 scales on the back of their shells. As a result, Cherokee culture associated the spaces on the back of the turtle with the 13 yearly phases of the moon.
