At the end of May, beginning of June, Jim and I drove through the four corners area. We thought Cortez, CO would be a nice place to live as it is there near many National Parks and Monuments including Hovenweep, Canyon of the Ancients, and Mesa Verde.
We hiked up Canyon of the ancients--very peaceful with few people. This is one of the photos we took at Canyon of the Ancients.

Empire of the Summer Moon

Jim and I listened to Empire of the Summer Moon about Quanah Parker and his world last summer. It was surprising to learn how Quanah so rapidly transformed from the deadly warrior he was to living a settled and peaceful life. I was disappointed that there was no mention of him in relation to introducing Peyote and the founding of the Native American Church. One of the most amazing things was that though Comanche life was really hard, the women who were taken captive, especially Quanah's mother, Cynthia Ann Parker, preferred it to the white world.

New Moon

Saturday, June 12, the moon is in it's "New Moon" phase--no visible moon. The Cherokee held ceremonies each month on the new moon. The world began on the first new moon of autumn, the "Great Moon" of the harvest. This begins the "new year" in autumn. The first new moon of spring marks the beginning of the 2nd new year. For the Cherokee there are two "new years" within one solar year. The new moon of each month the most propitious time for healing rituals, but the new moons of fall and spring would have the greatest benefits. During spring runoff the streams and rivers are full of fresh, fast-flowing water with great vitality. In the fall the streams and rivers have been infused with the falling vegetation which creates a stronger "medicine". All medicines are made from flowing water. The water taken for medicine is at its peak in the spring and fall.
At each New Moon feast the moon is invoked to look after his human relations.

Full Moon over Cullowhee

We saw Julie and Julia tonight. My daughter was inspired to start blogging each day. In my effort to find her blog I ended up creating an account. Jim and I walked our dog, Beth, and our guest dog, Candy, at 9:30 pm with the moon bright overhead. I don't know if the full moon had religious significance for the Cherokee. Their monthly lunar rituals took place on the new moon.