Our PlanetMoon Phases & Legends
Edited Feb 13, 2004 12:04 am
(2 previous messages)
- Feb 12, 2004 2:16 am (#3 of 3)
Wolf Moon
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January’s Moon is traditionally known as the Wolf Moon.
Although some of the Moon cycles are known by the same names through different cultural traditions and
folklore, the name Ice Moon is another name commonly used for the first Moon of the year.
Today, people throughout the world mark time on the same calendar; January is the beginning of the year. In
the natural world, however, January is the middle of the winter season, a time of death and desolation.
It is appropriate, therefore, that the legends chosen for the Wolf Moon are tales of both beginnings and
endings.
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Wolf Spirit
Pawnee Native American Tribe
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The Pawnee Indians are one of the most honored tribes in North America. Their name is taken from the
word pa’ni, which has been translated to mean wolf. This is, indeed, the tribe of the wolf. Their
traditions, customs, and legendary herald the Wolf Spirit.
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Tirawa, the Great Spirit, placed Wolf Spirit in the sky to watch out for Evening Star. Tirawa placed Wolf’s
animal brothers - Black Bear, Mountain Lion, and Wild-Cat - next to Wolf Spirit in attendance of the
Moon.
Great was the power of Wolf Spirit and his fellows in their place in the sky. They came to be known as
Black Star, Yellow Star, White Star and Red Star. These Star beasts sent animals like themselves to live
upon the earth. These same animal spirits were responsible for many of the Earth’s creations. They sent
clouds, thunder, lightening, and the wind. They sent the cottonwood, elm, willow, and box elder. They
created the four kinds of corn - black, yellow, white, and red. And it was these great and powerful
spirits that guarded Evening Star each night.
As great as these Star Warriors were, the power of the Morning Star, the Sun, was greater. In time, the Sun
vanquished Wolf Spirit and his brothers. In honor of their greatness, Morning Star set Wolf Spirit and
the other Star Beasts to hold up the four quarters of the universe.
Wolf Spirit, once guardian of the Moon, now stands as devoted servant of the Sun. Yet his likeness upon
the Earth is still heard howling when Evening Star rises in the sky. Could it be that the creation of
Wolf Spirit yet remembers the ancient ties to the Moon? The lone wolf singing his songs to the Moon
is following the ways of his ancestors who first helped the Moon to ascend to her nightly station.
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Storm Moon
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The Moon of February is the Storm Moon. During this month, storms rage upon the Earth and the winter
months are still very much with us. The hardships that accompany the harsh weather present a daily
challenge to the people of the Earth. The waters rage in form of snow and ice upon the land; they toss
the ships upon the sea as if they were feathers in a wind.
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An Arctic Sea Demon
Inuits
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The Alaskan Inuits know Igaluk, the Moon god, as the supreme deity in the universe. Under his watchful
eye, the world’s living creatures were created. Many versions of Igaluk’s legends exist. Carried
primarily through oral tradition, the remembrance of the tales has been less than precise. The tales still
survive, however, colored with the flavor of whatever storyteller last repeated the myth.
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Sedna, often seen as a one-eyed sea Goddess, may have been a child of Igaluk, the Moon God. Some say,
though, she was born of the union of Moon man and Sun woman; others say she was the daughter of
the people of the Earth.
Although the storytellers do not agree about her birth, they do agree that Sedna was a sinister demon. To
look into her single eye was to invite death. Sedna despised the people of the Earth. With evil eye and
violent temper, it was only the angokoq, or tribal shaman, who dared approach her. She was the
mistress of the dead and controlled the human population by drowning people in her storms.
According to one legend, Sedna began as a spiteful and unruly child. She ate and flesh she could find, with
little regard to whose death was necessary to feed her carnal desires. One night, she began to eat the
flesh of her father as he slept. Because of the horror of her behavior, her father rowed her out to sea to
throw her overboard.
But Sedna held fast to the side of the boat. Her father tried to loosen her grasp by hitting her hands with his
paddle. Still, she held firmly. Finally, Sedna’s father severed the girls fingers, one by one. As each
finger fell into the sea, it was transformed into a fish, whale, or seal. This was the beginning of those
creatures that inhabit the sea.
Finally, Sedna sunk to the ocean bottom. She dwells there still, guarding the creatures of the waters.
Despising people, she raises storms to prevent fishing. Because she is fingerless, she can not comb the
knots from her matted hair. Shamans visit her to ask her forgiveness and please her by brushing her
hair. When the shaman is successful , Sedna holds back the storms and releases a few sea creatures to
the shaman.
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Chaste Moon
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March’s Moon is called the Chaste Moon. March is a time of purity. The Earth has thawed and has
loosened itself from the cold hands of winter. New life will soon emerge and the land will grow green
with fertility. In March, however, the Earth is but a child. What will develop into the ripened fruits of
summer is yet young and innocent,. It is the newborn babe; the youthful maiden yet untouched by love.
In early spring, we celebrate the fleeting virtue of innocence. We see the certain potential of
fruitfulness, yet give honor to the innocence of childhood as it is apparent in the maiden, and in this
time upon the Earth. This Moon and it’s legend are the reflection of the Earth and it’s season.
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The Reindeer Maid
Chukchi People of Siberia
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The Moon descended from his place in the heavens to walk among the creatures of the Earth in the form of a
man. His visit was prompted by the beating of his lonely heart.
From his place in the sky, the Moon had seen a certain maiden. She was a young girl who’s duty was to tend
her father’s herd of reindeer at night. She traveled away from her village to faithfully watch over the
herd, alone but for the reindeer. She amused herself through the lonely nights by playing music on her
flute.
The Moon had heard these sweet melodies many times as he sailed across the darkened sky. In fact, it was
this sweet music that convinced the Moon that he must have the maid for his own. He wanted to take
her back to the sky with him to live forever.
But as the innocent girl watched carefully over the herd, a wise old stag watched over her.
The old stag saw the Moon man coming and hid the young girl by turning her into a lamp.
Though the Moon left no part of the girl’s tent unsearched, he could not find her.
Distressed, the Moon left the tent without his prize. As he left, however, the girl changed back to her
youthful form and called out to the Moon, taunting him. He turned back to the tent and found it as he
had before, empty but for a bed, blanket, and lamp.
As the Moon, continued his search he grew tired. He became pale and thin in his weakness until at last he
was so thin that the girl was able to bind him up with a rope. He continued to grow week and begged
the girl for release.
At first, the maid refused to free her captive Moon. She was angry over his search for her. She was angry
that he had wanted to carry her off to his home in the heavens without so much as asking her desires.
Finally, the maid released the Moon and made him promise to attend his duties in the sky and never return
to bother her again.
This the Moon has faithfully done. He remains in the sky, casting his bright light on the Earth below.
But perhaps his loneliness sometimes reminds him of his visit to the Earth. And he remembers, the pain of
his heart weakens his glow.
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Seed Moon
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April’s Moon is called the Seed Moon. The equinox has already heralded the birth of spring, and the Earth
is taking the first steps in it’s new life. It is a time of beginnings. The world is born anew and is filled
with the fascination of the feeling of life that flows throughout its being. The child steps out into the
light and begins to regard every wondrous miracle in the world, without and within.
Today, the wrinkled sages of the hills and farmlands, the wise folk of the countryside, regard the
Seed Moon as it rises in its season. As they gaze at the beautiful silver-blue torch in the nighttime sky,
they quietly remember the tales of life, and the seeds of life the Moon both gives and protects.
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Chinese Seed-Birds
China
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Each child knows of the man in the Moon. According to Chinese legend, however, he did not always live
upon the Evening Star. He was once a greedy neighbor.
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Once there were two neighbors. One was a kind and gentle man, beloved of both human and beast. The other
was a jealous, greedy man. So compassionate was the kind man that, when he found a bird with a
broken wing, he not only helped to mend the wing but also kept the bird under his care until it was
well enough to fly again.
When the bird was healed, the kind man released it to its home in the air. Greatful for the tender care, the
bird dropped a magic seed in the gentle man’s hand and told him to plant it. The man did as he was
instructed. When he did, a green vine sprung from the seed. It was large and beautiful and heavily laden
with ripe luscious fruit.
The kind man’s jealous neighbor heard the tale of the magical seed. Thinking that he too might prosper from
the bird’s magic, he went into the woods. Finding a bird, the greedy neighbor broke the creature’s
wing. He then cared for the creature until the wing was healed.
As with the good neighbor, this man was also rewarded with a seed and given instructions to plant it.
But the planted seed did not grow along the ground like a common vine. This magical growth grew straight
up into the air, farther than anyone could see.
The greedy neighbor, anxious to gain his reward from the magic vine, climbed straight up the vine into the
sky. When he reached the top, he found that he was standing upon the Moon and the vine had
disappeared behind him. This unfortunate soul can still be seen upon the face of he Moon.
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Hare Moon
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The Moon of May is called the Hare Moon. May is rebirth of life upon the Earth. With its reputation for
being prolific, no creature is more suited than the hare as this month’s symbol.
In researching legends for mythology appropriate to May’s lunar cycle, there was no shortage of tales.
Being a creature sacred to many of the lunar deities and of significant importance in many cultures, the legends
regarding the hare seem to be as prolific as it’s reputation.
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The Origin of the Harelip
Hottentot People of South Africa
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The time came when a decision had to be made regarding the fate of human. Time had withered their bodies
and the fullness of their existence had begun to decline. As it happened, the task of this most serious
deliberation fell to the Moon.
The decision would be final and unchangeable. The judgement would have to be of great wisdom, for it
would endure until the end of time. The Moon knew well the gravity of her task and did not enter into it
lightly.
After much thought and consultation with the other gods of the old days, the fate of humans was decided.
Just as it is with her own waxing and waning, it would be with humans. Men and women would rise to the
fullness of their lives and then begin to die away. And just as the Moon, humans, after their deaths, would
rise again with life renewed.
The Moon was pleased with her decision. It would mean that for all time humans would share her gift of
renewal. Those of the Earth below, she thought, should be the first to know how it shall be among them.
She sent the hare with the news of her decision.
When the hare arrived upon the Earth, all the men and women were busy with the work of preparation for
the winter months. They stored what food and grain they had, wove fibers together to keep them warm, and
strengthened their homes against winter’s harsh winds.
So devoted to their work were they, in fact, that they did not even notice the arrival of the Moon’s courier.
The Hare was upset over his apparent neglect. This, he thought, is surely no way to treat one of divine grace.
He decided that the creatures of this mortal realm should be taught a lesson so that they would keep better
manners in the days to come. The Hare knew just the way to do it, too.
When at last he managed to get the attention of the people of the Earth, the Hare told them that he had come
carrying a most important message from the Moon. He told them that the fate of humanity, after much
consideration, had been decided upon, and that he had been sent to deliver the news of the outcome.
The Hare watched as the many assembled before him grew silent and waited anxiously to hear of their fate.
At last, he arrived at the fulfillment of his purpose in descending to the Earth. He began to deliver the
message that he had brought, but the message he gave was not the one with which he had been sent.
"People of the Earth," the hare began, "you can look into the darkness of the heavens at night and see the
cycles of the divine Moon. She rises to the fullness of life and glory. Then she dies away and there is
darkness. By Her divine power, you can see Her then rise yet again. Her power is the gift of renewal. Surely
it is a gift devoutly to be wished even among the races of mortals. But it is a power that is truly divine. It
could come only as a gift unto humans, for you are not of the holy realm. So watch the Moon as she
transcends both life and death in her travels across the sky, and know that in her cycles is proof of the glory
of those who inhabit the heavens. Like the Moon, those of the Earth shall ever-more grow to the fullness of
their lives ere they begin to fade away. But to keep you ever aware that you are not of the same substance as
those who dwell above, humans shall fade and rise again no more!"
With this, the Hare took speedy leave of the Earth and returned to the Moon, confident that he would never
again descend to the Earth unnoticed.
The Moon asked the Hare how the humans reacted to the decision of the Moon to bestow the gift of renewal
upon them. The Hare, aware that he had disobeyed the command of his mistress, was reluctant to give his
account of his journey’s events. Finally, however, he realized that he could not do otherwise. He related the
meeting with humanity as it truly happened.
When She learned the truth of the situation, the Moon became enraged with the malicious actions of her
messenger. So great was her anger, in fact, that she took a hatchet and lowered it swiftly upon the now
trembling hare in order to split his head right between the ears. The rage of the Moon, however, blinded her
judgement, and the hatchet fell short of it’s mark. Instead of falling upon the crown of the hare’s head, the
hatchet met with the hare’s upper lip and cut him severely. The hare was stirred to a rage of his own. He
raised his claws and scratched the Moon’s face. The dark spots upon the Moon are the scars from her battle
with the hare.
The hare has since made peace with his mistress, for you still can see his outline when you look at the
Moon. The hare has always felt, however, that fault lay with humans. A grudge against humanity has been
carried in the heart of the hare. In return for the trouble for which he feels humans were responsible, the hare
has given the curse of the harelip to the world. It is the hare’s way of reminding humans, as he had once
tried before, that those who dwell in the holy skies are not ever to be forgotten.
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Dyad Moon
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The rising of June’s lunar cycle is intimately connected with the name of the Moon. Dyad is an archaic word meaning pair.
At this time upon the Earth, more than any other, the effects of the Sun and Moon are equally apparent. The
Moon that has steadfastly been a symbol of hope still makes her nightly passage across the sky. The effects
of the Sun though, are equally apparent with the beginning of the summer months.
In many cultures, the legends of Sun and Moon are also inseparable. Some mythologies consider them to be
husband and wife, maid and suitor, or brother and sister. Many consider them interconnected and
interdependent.
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An Adulterous Moon
Blackfoot Native American Tribe
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The elders tell a tale of the beginnings of all life. The great creator was the Sun. He first created the Moon
and took her as his wife. Together, they had seven sons, which can still be seen as the stars of the
Big Dipper.
The Creator Sun also gave life to snakes upon the Earth. These creatures reproduced so quickly that the
lands were soon overrun with their kind. Sun went to the snakes and asked them to slow down. Certainly,
the Earth could not sustain them if they continued to multiply at such a speedy rate.
The snakes refused to comply with Creator Sun. Failing to gain their cooperation, he decided to destroy
them all and free the Earth of this burden. And so he did, all but for one female snake. This one she-snake
was about to give birth and Creator Sun felt compassion for her. She alone was allowed to survive.
One of the snake’s descendants, upon reaching adulthood, decided to seek revenge for the destruction of his
kind by Creator Sun. To carry out his mission, he assumed a human form. It was in this shape that he came
to be known as Snakeman.
In order to avenge his race of ancestors, Snakeman wanted to make Creator Sun suffer a loss as grievous as
his own race had suffered in the early times. And so, in his human form, he seduced the Moon.
Sun soon discovered the betrayal and killed Snakeman. Then Sun and his seven sons ran from the Moon.
But the Moon had fallen deeply in love with Snakemen. Because Sun had taken the life of her beloved,
Moon chased after him with the intention of destroying him as he had destroyed Snakeman.
Sun, who had created Moon and made her powerful, was fearful for the safety of his sons. He armed his
sons with powers of their own so that they might defend themselves against the angry Moon. He gave one
son a stick that could turn into a forest and another a rock capable of becoming a mountain. He gave his
third son a skin filled with water that could turn into a rainstorm, and his fourth son one that could
transform into an ocean. His fifth son received a beautiful bird that could change into thunder, lightening,
and rain. His sixth son received a pouch of air that could become a mighty windstorm. The last son received
a magic powder that enabled him to create deep canyons by tracing his finger in the dirt.
As the angry Moon closed her distance on her intended victims, each son used his special power to create an
obstacle for her. The Moon overcame each and moved ever closer to her seven sons and their father. When
she was almost upon them, one of her sons poured his skin of water and an ocean appeared between them.
Creator Sun took advantage of this distraction to raise himself and his sons into the sky. The Moon,
however, was not without powers of her own. She lifted herself into the sky and resumed the chase.
Sun divided the night from the day to gain some rest from the endless pursuit. Through the day, he and his
sons can rest from the relentless Moon. At the rise of nightfall she is once again after them, and they seek
refuge in the west.
So has it been since the earliest times. We see Sun in his transit across the sky, trying to keep ahead of his
angered wife. When the sky turns black, Moon is in pursuit, never failing to track his direction and
following nightly the path of his flight. Should this eternal chase ever end, say the elders, it will be a bad
omen and would foretell the ending of life itself.
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Mead Moon
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The seventh Moon of the year is known as the Mead Moon and usually rises in July.
The Mead Moon rides high at the fullness of the Earth’s fertility. It is a time when the rewards of the
farmer’s long hours of labour are most apparent with the ripening of the fields.
It is a time of wonder and enchantment, when the miracle of growth and rebirth are evident upon the Earth.
It is a time of celebration, named for mead, the ancient elixir of the gods.
The legends of the Mead Moon are a reflection of this special time of celebration and magic.
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The Tale of Hyuki and Bil
Germany
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The god Odin set the child of Munddilfore, called Mani, in the sky to drive the chariot of the Moon.
Along with the handsome Mani rode two children who he had carried away from the Earth when he
journeyed skyward. They were the fairest of children; a boy named Hyuki and a girl named Bil.
The children’s father, Vidfinner, had sent Hyuki and Bil out into the night to draw the enchanted song-mead
from Byrger, the magical spring. The two children filled their bucket to the brim with the magic mead.
So full was their pail that the treasured mead began to spill over as they lifted their burden on a
pole between them.
As Hyuki and Bil descended the mountain spring with their prize, Mani took hold of the children and
carried them off to the sky. The wise elders still call out to Bil when the Moon is full.
They seek to gain her favour that she might sprinkle a few drops of the magic mead upon their lips so they might
gain the wisdom and strength that the magic brew imparts.
Certainly, Hyuki and Bil must still be living upon the face of the Moon. Many believe the dark spots on the
Moon are the children’s shadows. Many repeat their tale in its original form. Others know it as the
nursery rhyme, "Jack and Jill."
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Wort Moon
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August’s lunar cycle is known as the Wort Moon. Wort is an old-world word meaning plant. At the time of
this Moon, the Earth’s fertility is at full maturity and harvest time is at hand.
The legends chosen for the Wort Moon are dedicated to the Earth’s plant life, and are, most appropriately,
tales of the relationship between the Moon and the Earth’s growing flora and fauna. Through times and
cultures, this relationship may change, and the Moon takes on a different role in its relationship to the
plant life. Both the Moon and the Earth, however, always seem to be interconnected. The plants are
necessary for human survival. The Moon, according to some mythologies, has been essential for the
survival of plants.
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Moon Waters
Columbia
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Many years ago, there lived a man named Bochica who was highly honored among the people of the Earth.
Bochica taught the tribes to build their homes sturdy to protect them from the harsh elements and the
night’s cold winds. He taught the people to plant their fields with fertile crops and reap the land’s
bounty at harvest time. In the childhood of humanity, Bochica taught the tribes to care for themselves
and no longer turn to the gods for their every need. He turned the human race from helpless children to
a proud and productive people.
The great and wise Bochica had a wife named Huythaca, and for many years they lived happily together. A
time arrived, however, when their days of love and peace came to an end. No one can be certain what
prompted the change, but Huythaca began to feel discontented with her life. Perhaps it was the
progression of time, which caused her beauty to wane. Perhaps it was jealousy of her husband’s
devotion to the people of the soil. Perhaps it was her idleness in the times when Bochica was among
the Earth’s tribes. Whatever the reason, Huythaca became embittered toward her husband and those
people to whom he devoted his time and knowledge.
Huythaca caused the waters of the river to overflow the banks. The waters covered the fields that were rich
with the crops that would feed the tribes, and flooded the homes that would protect the people from the
night air. All of Bochica’s work was carried away on the back of the river water. The floods of
Huythaca carried off the tribes’ good work and washed away many lives.
When Bochica saw the devastation his wife’s bitterness had caused, he set out to reverse the waters. He
returned the river to its natural state and dried the fertile lands to stay the crops from drowning. The
lives of the Earth people that the water had claimed, however, Bochica could not return.
Because of Bochica’s love of the Earth tribes, the destruction brought upon them by Huythaca deeply
wounded him. He grieved for those who were lost as if they were the children of his own blood. But
greater than his grief was his anger with Huythaca over the destruction she had caused. Bochica did not
let her actions go unpunished.
Bochica turned his wife into the Moon. To add to her dishonor, he gave the Earth people the first solar
calendar. Those who till the soil now plant their crops in the bright sun and look to the sun to nourish
them and make them grow. The Moon can be seen each night making her transit across he sky. When
the people look at Huythaca in her place in the heavens, they are reminded of her days of destruction
and the importance of the Earth’s greenery for their survival.
As for Huythaca, her punishment has increased her bitterness. Although Bochica removed her from the lands
of the Earth people, he could not totally protect them from her wrath. Every now and then, the Moon
still causes the waters to swell. The wise tribes people regard the Moon, as well as the sun, as they plant
their fields. Although Huythaca’s banishment has diminished her, her power is still among us.
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Barley Moon
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The Moon of September is the Barley Moon. September is the time of harvesting grains from the fields.
When the Barley Moon ascends the blackened sky, people celebrate the fruits of the year’s labors.
The legends we dedicate to September’s Moon are tales rooted in the harvest. They are the stories of how
harvesting came to be a most sacred time in the eyes of the creatures that dwell upon the Earth.
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The Barley Mother
Ancient Greece
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The story is told of when Demeter created the first seasons upon the Earth. Each year reflects the death of
the plants in the fields with the coming of winter and their rebirth in spring - but it was not always
as we know it. At one time, no seasons existed; the Earth was rich and fertile throughout the year. It
was always warm and pleasant and all the world was vibrant with life. This was the work of Demeter,
for the goddess loved the Earth and watched over it tenderly.
Persephone, Demeter’s daughter, also loved the Earth. She spent hours playing in Demeter’s fertile flower
fields. If there was anything that enriched Demeter’s heart more than her beloved Earth, it was her love
for her beautiful daughter.
The Barley Mother was not alone in her love of Persephone. Hades, god of the underworld, was also taken
by the maiden’s great beauty. As he watched her from his underworld kingdom, the dark god became
more and more obsessed with her beauty. He made plans to carry her away to the underworld to
spend all of eternity with him.
One day, as Persephone was playing amid her beloved flowers, the Earth opened up. From out of the crevice
arose Hades in his great chariot drawn by black horses. He swept up the maiden in his strong arms and
turned his black stallions back toward the underworld. Having collected his prize and headed safely
back toward his own kingdom, the Earth closed up behind him so no one could follow.
Upon learning of the loss of her daughter, Demeter was consumed by grief. In her great sadness, the goddess
neglected her beloved Earth. The fertile lands grew barren. The warm air grew cold. The vibrancy of life
began to give way to the icy hand of death.
Zeus, the father of all the gods, saw the great sadness of the goddess and her neglect of the Earth that she so
dearly loved. He knew that this was not good and should not be allowed to continue. Zeus sent his
messengers to the underworld kingdom to persuade Hades to release Persephone back to the care of her
mother. At first, the god of the underworld refused. Finally, however, he consented to yield to the
father god’s wishes.
Before releasing Persephone back into the bright world of her mother, however, Hades gave her a taste of a
magic pomegranate. Through the magic of the fruit, Persephone became destined to spend part of very
year in the kingdom of the dark god.
Upon return of her daughter, Demeter was gladdened. She stopped neglecting the lands of the Earth and
fertility was returned to the fields. But the curse of the magic pomegranate continues. Each year,
Persephone must return to Hades’ underworld kingdom. When she does, Demeter grieves. She neglects
the Earth’s green lands and they fall barren in winter.
When Persephone’s time in the underworld is done, she returns to her mother. The birds are the first to hear
the footsteps of the maiden as she makes her way back from the underworld. That is why they herald
the spring with their singing. When Persephone returns, Demeter’s time of grief ends and the Barley
Mother again tends to her beloved Earth. So has it been each year, and so shall it continue. Unless the
curse of the pomegranate is broken, the autumn months will announce the beginning of the Earth’s
barrenness, and spring will continue to ease Demeter’s pain and herald the rebirth of fertility upon her
Earth.
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Blood Moon
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The lunar cycle of October is that of the Blood Moon; its legends are of death. During the Blood Moon, the
changes of the Earth make visible the first signs of winter’s arrival. The trees’ changing colors and the air’s
crispness herald the winter season. All that live upon the Earth make ready for winter’s time of
dominion. The squirrels hurriedly gather any last bits of food before the snows hide it away from their
reach. Those who slumber through the cold months have made ready their beds. The birds have already
taken to the air in search of the warmer lands to the south. People have taken their grain to the winter
store and sealed their dwelling tightly against the bitter, biting chill of the winter winds. The Earth has
begun to fall to barrenness, and people will turn to the hunt for their sustenance. In this time, when all
the world works feverishly to prepare for the coming season, the elders dedicate their tales to the
Blood Moon.
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A Lesson of Darkness
Inuits of the Bering Strait
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Tulugaukuk, the Raven father, was the creator of all life. Raven visualized the world covered with growing
plants. He created trees, vines, and bushes to beautify the lads of the Earth. From out of one of the pea
pods, Man was born. When raven saw this creature, he cared for him.
Raven showed Man the worlds of his creation, including a Sky-Land. In it, there was a round hole. Around
the hole was a short grass that glowed like the white flame. On one edge of the hole, some grass was
missing. Raven explained to Man that this was the star called Moon. Raven had taken some of the fire-
grass to the land below to create the first fire on Earth.
Raven Father fed Man with salmon berries and heath berries, which he had made plentiful in the forests.
Man tasted the berries and his hunger was satisfied. There was fresh water in the clear lakes for Man to
drink.
Next, raven collected clay and shaped two mountain sheep with his hands. Raven called on Man to look at
his new creation. Man was pleased at this new form of life. Raven wondered if people would kill the
sheep if they became plentiful. He thought they might, so he sent the sheep to live among the steep
rocks where few people could reach them.
With more clay, raven formed reindeer, caribou, muskrat, and all the other beasts of the land, water, and air.
In time, Raven became afraid that Man would kill the creatures of his making and use them for food
and clothing. He took white clay and shaped it into a bear, the guardian spirit of the animals. Raven
warned Man not to disturb White Bear, for he would tear Man to pieces with his sharp claws.
The numbers of the Earth people grew steadily. Soon many people lived upon the Earth. As Raven feared,
they began killing the animals of his creation. As punishment, Raven took the light away from the Sky-Land
and plunged the Earth into darkness. The people of Earth made offerings to Raven so that he would
return the light to the Earth, but he would not.
Finally, the son of Raven took pity on the Earth people. The raven Boy took the leather bag in which the
Creator had hidden the Sun and flew far into the sky. When he reached the place where the sun should
be, he tore open the leather bag and the light burst forth. Raven Father called after the boy. Thinking
that his son had stolen the sun for himself, Raven told him not to allow it always to be dark.
Perhaps out of misunderstanding or perhaps to honor his father whose wishes he had first stood against,
raven Boy toppled the sky. Sometimes the Sun is visible through the spinning Sky-Land, sometimes it
is the Moon, the round hole with white fire that less brightly lights the Earth. It is sometimes dark and
sometimes bright. But as Raven Father wished, there is not always darkness upon the Earth.
People still hunt. The Sun and Moon still take their turns being visible above. But we hope the lessons of
the Raven Father have been learned well. We hope that people hunts the creatures of the Creator no
more than is dictated by their needs. We hope they honor the White Bear and remember the lesson of
darkness.
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Snow Moon
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The eleventh lunar cycle is known as the Snow Moon. At this time of the year in Western cultures
throughout Europe and North America, the Earth is blanketed with the first snows of the winter season.
The cold grasp of winter’s ice and snow has begun to take hold. It is a difficult time for those who
depend upon the kindness of nature for their survival.
Yet in this time the peoples of many cultures do not dwell on the harshness of the season. When they regard
the white Moon in the heavens, they may not see a reflection of the ice and snow that makes each day a
challenge to their continued survival. They may see, instead, the silver light of hope. They look upon
the Snow Moon and know in their hearts that the winter will not last forever; the warmth of spring will
once again rule the lands.
The legends of the Snow Moon are stories of transition and hope. The tales reflect an ending to the frozen
grip of winter and herald the beginning of hope and warmth and, perhaps, love.
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The Snow Queen
Denmark
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Some legends remember the Moon as the watchful light that soars above all. She is the hope of the days to
come. She is the watchful eye that is ever mindful of the fate of children. She is the bright tomorrow
that brings promise through the night sky when the snows fall in winter.
The following tale is similar to many of the ancient’s tales, but has been empowered with a special child-
like magic such as only could have been derived from the visionary genius of Hans Christian Anderson,
the great teller of tales.
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In the center of a small village after the fall of a fresh snow, all the children gathered to enjoy sliding and
playing on the newly fallen snow. The boldest children attached themselves to the carts of the people
who passed; the carts would move along with the children sliding merrily behind.
A boy named Kay noticed a large sled approaching the scene of the winter merriment. The driver was
covered from crown to feet in white fur. After circling twice around the laughing children, the driver
steered the big sled close enough so that Kay grabbed on and was carried through the snow.
The sled went faster and faster, away from Kay’s companions, and right out of the village. The snow began
to fall anew. It fell so fast and thick that Kay could not see right in front of him. He tried to let loose of
the big sled but somehow he was held fast. He tried to call out for help but no one heard. The snow
kept falling and the sled kept moving faster and faster.
Sometimes the big sled jumped and Kay found himself flying through the air over crevices and above the
hedges that rose above the snow. Still the sled continued on, never slowing.
Finally, the big sled came to a stop. The driver arose and Kay could see the tall, thin figure of a woman. It
was not until then that Kay saw that her adornments of white fur were made of the purest snow. This
was the Snow Queen that Kay remembered from the tales his grandfather told him.
Kay looked all around the strange and magical place the Snow Queen had carried him. Beneath him, he
heard the songs of the wind. The wolves howled and the snow sparkled. Above him in the winter sky,
the heavens were filled with screaming black crows. Higher still, above the darkness, Kay could see
bright Moon watching over him.
Each day, Kay slept at the feet of the Snow Queen in the land of winter snow. By night, he gazed at the
bright Moon above him. So it continued through time. His days were spent in frozen slumber. His
nights were filled with the light of hope.
In time Gerda, Kay’s closest friend, braved strange lands and unknown perils to rescue him. Until then, the
Moon watched over Kay each night to ensure his survival and stay him from loosing all hope amid his
icy existence.
Children still look to the Moon to watch over them through the night. As Kay was sustained through the
endless winter of the Snow Queen, so are children still comforted by the Moon’s light through the
darkness.
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Oak Moon
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The calendar’s twelfth lunar cycle ascends to its heavenly station in December.
The elders call this time the Oak Moon.
The oak is a symbol of strength and eternity. When the winter is in full reign over the Earth, it is important
to remember the oak’s endurance. To survive the trials of winter, people must find within themselves
the oak’s great strength.
More than any other religious group, the Druids are remembered for their sacred oak rites. Usually, the
Druids are thought to follow a solar deity. Yet in looking at the rites connected with the gathering of
the sacred mistletoe from the oak trees, it becomes obvious that their rites were not performed without
the blessing of the Moon. The proper time for the collection of mistletoe was on the sixth day of the
full Moon. The mistletoe could only be cut with a golden sickle. Although gold is considered a metal
sacred to the Sun, the golden ritual tool used was in the shape of the Moon’s crescent.
The legends of the Oak Moon are the stories of the tree from which December’s Moon derives its name.
They are the tales of the mighty oak.
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Mistletoe, the Fruit of the Oak
Germany
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Many cultures highly valued the mistletoe. Part of its magic was that it grew neither in the Earth nor the
heavens, but was perched upon the oak between Earth and sky. Some thought the mistletoe contained
the life spirit of the oak, for in the winter months, when the oak was void of leaves, the mistletoe was
still green. German mythology recalls the mistletoe’s part in the drama of Frigga, the lunar goddess,
and Baldur, her son.
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Frigga was very protective of her son. A fair part of her concern was rooted in a vision she had had of her
son’s death. Although the goddess was gifted with foresight of the future, she was unable to change the
visions she saw.
In an attempt to remove the possibility of loosing her son, Frigga began to extract a promise from all the
creatures of the world that they would never harm Baldur. She sent her maids to extract a vow from the
living creatures, plants, and even from metals. All things promised to spare the life of Baldur, save the
mistletoe. From the mistletoe, no promise was requested. This was a slender creature, so weak that it
had to cling to the side of a strong oak tree for protection. From such a delicate being, there was no
threat to Baldur. So Frigga was comforted. She had no reason to be concerned for her son’s safety.
With no harm that could befall him, Baldur entertained gods and men alike as a target for their sharp spears.
Stones and arrows were let fly toward him. When he emerged from behind their flurry, he was
unharmed. No stone bruised him. Neither spear nor arrow could pierce his fair skin. All men loved
Baldur and each missile that sailed in his direction was a token of honor. There were few that
restrained themselves from the sport of honoring the son of Frigga.
Hodur was one of the few who did not join in the celebration of the fair Buldar. Although he honored the
god, Hodur was blind and could not aim his bow in the direction of the bright Buldar. Hodur never
took part in the festivities, until one day at Loki’s encouragement.
Now, Loki was an evil god - a god who delighted in chaos and destruction. Unbeknown to the blind Hodur,
Loki had fashioned an arrow out of mistletoe, the only creature from which no vow of protection had
been extracted. Loki placed the arrow in Hodur’s bow, and held the blind archer’s arm so that his aim
was true. When the special arrow struck the beautiful Baldur, he fell to the slumber of death.
Frigga was sorrowful but could do nothing to bring her son back from Hela, the land of the dead. The
mistletoe still survives as a reminder of the tale of the beautiful Baldur, the bright son of the Moon
goddess.
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Wine Moon
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Because the lunar calendar does not coincide with the solar year, there are often thirteen Moons in the year.
The common expression "once in a blue moon" refers to this extra Moon, which occurs only once in
every two-and-a-half years. Most often, when the thirteenth Moon occurs, it is in the longer months of
thirty-one days. The thirteenth Moon never rises in the short month of February and seldom in the
shorter months of April, June, September, and November.
Although Blue Moon might be a term easily recognized, some know the thirteenth Moon as the Wine
Moon. The original explanation given through oral tradition of this name is rooted in the supposed
origin of wine.
Some say that wine was the first gift of luxury the gods gave to humans. When there is an extra Moon in the
year, it is a gift of time. Time is, perhaps, the greatest luxury of all. It is, therefore, fitting that we know
the thirteenth Moon as the Wine Moon.
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Destruction and Delight
Ancient Greece
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In Greece, Dionysus is known as the god of wine. His gift of the grape grants freedom from that which is
rigid. It grants fluidity to the imagination and freedom to the heart. Yet this is a double-edged delight,
for there is a tale of the wine god that speaks more of destruction than of ecstasy.
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There was a time when pirates came upon the young god Dionysus. Driven by a wickedness, they captured
the divine youth. They thought he was the son of one of Zeus’ favorite kings. They took Dionysus back
to their ship and sought to tie him up. To their surprise, their ropes wouldn’t hold the young lord. They
fell off his arms and legs, and he stood there, smiling at the pirates with his dark eyes.
When the helmsman saw the ropes drop from Dionysus, he was frightened. He shouted out that this must be
powerful god. He feared that the dark-eyed youth would bring great storms against their ship. Yet, there
was no storm. Instead, the most incredible things began to take shape.
First, a river of wine appeared that seemed to flow everywhere about the ship. It was sweet and fragrant and
its scent spoke of a personage divine. Then vines sprang up on either side of the vessel, all the way to
the top of the mast. Ripe grapes covered the vines and garlands of flowers covered the oars. The crew
became frightened and realized there was no way that they could pilot their ship. They screamed for the
helmsman to steer them to shore and to the safety of dry land.
It was then that Dionysus became a lion. He seized the captain in his great teeth. The rest of the crew
jumped in the sea to escape the wrath of the wine god. When they did, they became dolphins. Only the
helmsman was spared.
And so it is with the gift of Dionysus. Although it is a gift of luxury, it is also a gift of idleness. The delight
of luxury may at any time give way to the destruction of decadence.
Moon Phases & Legends