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The Lakota Moon Calendar: Sacred Meaning of Each Day


The Lakota Moon Calendar:
Sacred Meaning of Each Day

By Tim Giago (Nanwica Kciji – Stands Up For Them)

 

 

Oftentimes I am asked to publish the Lakota Moon Calendar because it seems to cross along all tribal lines and it can stand as a point of reference for many tribal people. Do like a lot of folks do and cut it out and hang it on your refrigerator door. Here it is:

Each of the 28 days in a 13-moon Lakota calendar represents a sacred tradition or belief in the culture.

Two days for the Great Spirit
Wakáŋ Táŋka, as Grandfather, is the Great Spirit independent of manifestation, unqualified, identical to the Christian Godhead, or to the Hindu Brahma-Nirguna. Wakáŋ Táŋka, as Father, is the Great Spirit considered in relation to His manifestation, either as Creator, Preserver, or Destroyer, identical to the Christian God or to the Hindu Brahma-Saguna.
~ Joseph Epes Brown

Two days for the Mother Earth
Makhá – Earth – is considered under two aspects, that of Mother and Grandmother. The former is the earth considered as the producer of all growing forms … whereas Grandmother refers to the ground or substance of all growing things —potentiality.
~ Joseph Epes Brown

Four days for the Four Winds (Four Directions)
When the Lakota people do anything sacred, they see the world as having four directions. From these four directions come the four winds. Each direction has a special meaning and color associated with it. The cross symbolizes all directions.
~ Lakota Life by Zeilinger

One day for the Spotted Eagle
Wanblieagle – is a winged symbol for the Lakota people. It is the strongest and bravest of all birds. For this reason, the eagle and its feathers have been chosen as a symbol of what is highest, bravest, strongest and holiest.
~ Lakota Life by Zeilinger

One day for the Sun
sun – enlightens the entire universe. As the flames of the sun come to us in the morning, so comes the grace of Wakáŋ Táŋka, by which all creatures are enlightened. It is because of this that the four-legged and the winged always rejoice at the coming of the light. We can all see in the day, and this seeing is sacred for it represents the sight of that real world which we may have through the eye of the heart.
~ Black Elk

One day for the Moon
The growing and dying of the haŋhépi wímoon – reminds us of our ignorance which comes and goes; but when the moon is full it is as if the eternal light of the Great Spirit were upon the whole world.
~ Black Elk

One day for the Morning Star
Morning Star, there at the place where the sun comes up, you who have the wisdom which we seek, help us in cleansing ourselves and all the people, that our generations to come will have light as they walk the sacred path.
~ Black Elk

Four days for the Four Ages
The four steps represent, to the Sioux, the four ages or phases of a cycle: the rock age, the bow age, the fire age, and the pipe age. The rock, bow, fire, or pipe constitutes the main ritual support for each age. The four ages may also refer, microcosmically, to the four phases of a man’s life, from birth to death.
~ Joseph Epes Brown

Seven days for the Seven Rites of the Sacred Pipe
When a Lakota smokes a sacred pipe, his or her voice is sent to Wakáŋ Táŋkathe Great Spirit. A central part of each sacred rite is smoking the sacred pipe.
~ Traditional Lakota Story

One day for the Buffalo
Because of the buffalo’s great importance to the people, a buffalo symbol or buffalo skull is present in all sacred Lakota rituals. It stands as a reminder of this great animal which gives completely of itself for others. The buffalo is a symbol of self-sacrifice; it gives until there is nothing left.
~ Lakota Life by Zeilinger

One day for Fire
Phétafire – represents the great power of Wakáŋ Táŋka, which gives life to all things. It is as a ray from the sun.
~ Black Elk

One day for Water
Miníwater – represents the great power of Wakáŋ Táŋka, which allows renewal of life to all things.
~ Black Elk

One day for Rock
Iŋyaŋrock – represent Grandmother Earth, from whom all fruits come, and they also represent the indestructible and everlasting nature of Wakáŋ Táŋka.
~ Black Elk

One day for the Two-legged People

 

 

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