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 2025
Odali Utugi (Hope Mountain)
SUNRAY PEACE VILLAGE, Lincoln, VT
January 26 | Woodland New Year/Cold Moon
Actual New Moon 1/29 | Full Moon 1/13
March 2 | Bone Moon & Losar on 2/28
Actual New Moon 2/27 | Full Moon 2/12
March 30 | Friends Making New & Cherokee Lunar NY
Actual New Moon 3/29 | Full Moon 3/14
April 27 | Blessing of the Seeds
Actual New Moon 4/27 | Full Moon 4/12
May 25 | Planting
Actual New Moon 5/26 | Full Moon 5/12
June 22 | Late Planting
Actual New Moon 6/25 | Full Moon 6/11
July 27 | Green Corn
Actual New Moon 7/24 | Full Moon 7/10
August 24 | Ripe Corn
Actual New Moon 8/23 | Full Moon 8/9
September 21 | Harvest
Actual New Moon 9/21 | Full Moon 9/1
October 19 | Late Harvest (also New Year)
Actual New Moon 10/21 | Full Moon 10/6
November 23 | Trading Moon
Actual New Moon 11/20 | Full Moon 11/5
December 21 | Snow Moon
Actual New Moon 12/19 | Full Moon 12/4
Vernal Equinox
March 20, 5:01 a.m. ET
Summer Solstice
June 20, 10:42 a.m. ET
Autumnal Equinox
September 22, 2:19 p.m. ET
Winter Solstice
December 21, 10:03 a.m. ET
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.