Ceremonial Cycle

These New Moon Ceremonies honor the traditional Tsalagi 12-month planting cycle and are generally held on the Sunday closest to the new moon of each month at the Sunray Peace Village. During each New Moon Ceremony, a Sacred Fire is lit in the Arbor. Community members gather and offer prayers and the Sunray practices of dance, traditional songs, drumming and meditations are led by Ven. Dhyani Ywahoo and Sunray Ministers or Teachers. The ceremony starts at 9 AM, and all of good heart are welcome.

The Ceremonial Cycle continues to be honored at the Sunray Peace Village, and online via Zoom when conditions allow. You are invited to join in at the Sunray Peace Village Sacred Fires or from your own home. Click Here for information on the upcoming New Moon Fire Celebrations.

Ceremony is essential for survival. Our lives depend upon it. I was taught that ceremonies are part of the circle of life and that we each have a spiritual responsibility to contribute to the cycles of creation. Our thoughts, words, and actions contribute to the state of our communities, families, planet and universe. Prayers spoken were and are those of thanksgiving and appreciation.
– Ven. Dhyani Ywahoo, Learning Cherokee Ways

CEREMONIAL CALENDAR  2024

Odali Utugi (Hope Mountain)

SUNRAY PEACE VILLAGE, Lincoln, VT


January 14   |   Woodland New Year/Cold Moon
Actual New Moon 1/11    |     Full Moon 1/25

February 11    |   Cherokee Lunar New Year & Losar 2/10
Actual New Moon 2/9    |     Full Moon 2/24

March 10     |    Friends Making New
Actual New Moon 3/10    |     Full Moon 3/25

April 7     |  Blessing of the Seeds
Actual New Moon 4/8     |     Full Moon 4/23

May 5      |    Planting
Actual New Moon 5/7     |     Full Moon 5/23

June 9     |    Late Planting
Actual New Moon 6/6     |     Full Moon 6/21

July 7 | Green Corn
Actual New Moon  7/5    |     Full Moon 7/21

August 4     |   Ripe Corn
Actual New Moon 8/4     |     Full Moon 8/19

September 1     |   Harvest
Actual New Moon 9/2    |     Full Moon 9/17

September 29     |   Late Harvest
Actual New Moon 10/2     |     Full Moon 10/17

November 3  Trading Moon
Actual New Moon 11/1     |     Full Moon 11/15

December 1   | Snow Moon
Actual New Moon 12/1     |     Full Moon 12/15

December 29   | New Moon
Actual New Moon 12/30     |     


   Vernal Equinox
March 19, 11:06 p.m. ET

Summer Solstice
 June 20, 4:51 p.m. ET

Autumnal Equinox 
September 22, 8:44 a.m. ET   

   Winter Solstice 
December 21, 4:21 a.m. ET    

Our Sacred Home

Through the Seasons


NEW MOON FIRES/ Sunday, 9 AM ET

All are welcome to join in these Celebration Fires.

Guided by Venerable Dhyani Ywahoo, we celebrate the traditions of the Green Mountain Ani Yun Wiwa as the gateway through which Ywahoo Lineage teachings are shared.


At Sunray Meditation Society, sacred ceremonies such as ceremonial new moon fires, meditation practices, and healing celebrations are neither bought nor sold, in contrast to workshops and other teachings where registrations are offered.