Mystery Teachings of the Sacred Moon Lodge

Mystery Teachings of the Sacred Moon Lodge

By Nancy Oakes

Women Hold Within Their Bodies The Secrets Of Creation

Initially the Cherokee lived all over the eastern coast including Tennessee. My grandmother and my mother were born in the Great Smokey Mountains. My grandmother told me that before colonization each village had a building that was specifically dedicated to the women during their moon cycle where the “Mystery Teachings” were taught. The women of the village also assisted each other during childbirth, performing soothing massages, combing each other’s hair, and singing as they delivered babies. The new mothers stayed in the moon lodge while being attended to by the other young and old women, while healing and regaining strength after the birth. Menstruating women came to the moon lodge each month to celebrate with the other women and to rest.

The older wiser women in moon pause elevated to the position of elder and grandmother within the circle. The women in moon pause spent more time in the moon lodge instructing, and teaching, the old ways of the “Mystery Teachings.” The children of the village received nurturing and care from many mothers and grandmothers as all the women shared responsibilities of the young, therefore no child was left orphaned. Ceremonies were held for young girls who were beginning their menstrual cycles announcing their journey into womanhood. The men, the medicine people, and the “Two Spirits” (third gender’s recognized as a sacred being within the village) also took part in the ceremonies. It was not an embarrassment for the young girl but was seen as a great honor.

EarthKeeper Shares the Mystery Teachings

Brooke Medicine Eagle, a teacher and Native American EarthKeeper states that the time the women spent in the Moon Lodge provided an opportunity for prayers, visions, was uplifting and served a higher purpose, something that is missing in today’s society. Further she says, women connecting to each other naturally in the time of the moon cycle, and birth of their children make happier, more vital, less stressed women.

Grandmother The Matriarch Of Our Family

Even though my father moved the family from the Great Smokey Mountains my mother, her sisters, my beloved grandmother and all the female children continued with the moon lodge practices at my grandmother’s house in Pennsylvania. I was raised within a beautiful culture, practicing ceremonies regarding the Cherokee moon lodge and the “Mystery Teachings” by my grandmother. Within that circle of women I also learned about gardening, and my oneness with nature. I was taught to love and respect all creatures including those with feathers, skin and wings. One of my favorite stories from my grandmother is one that expresses her reverence for the bees. I learned that water is the first element of creation however soon after the creation of the plants the bee was created specifically for the plants and gardens of earth. There is a sacred story told about the queen bee that explains why all the other bees guard and protect her. They know that within her is the secret of life. She is the center of their universe. Without the bees our squash and corn will not grow. Grandmother said, “You must invite the bees to your gardens, as a welcomed guest for without them there will be no food.” I was taught to never harm a wing creator, or for that matter any creator for each has a purpose in the harmony of life. The four-legged creators were a gift of food for the people and as grandmother said they are willing to give up their life. The kill of an animal was appropriate only for food, accompanied with prayers and thanksgivings offered for its life back to the Great Spirit.

The post Mystery Teachings of the Sacred Moon Lodge appeared first on OMTimes Magazine.

OMTimes Magazine » Metaphysics