Forgiveness Moon

Forgiveness Moon is the first new moon after the winter solstice. This year the date of the Forgiveness Moon was on January 18th. This is a time to reconnect with those you have lost touch with and to leave behind all the hurts from the previous year. In the Abenaki community, family and friends often gather together to celebrate this event with a bonfire and throw an item representing the old hurts from the previous year into the fire. But it can also be a very personal ceremony. This year, because of what was happening in my life, I was unable to join friends and family, so I took time to walk in the woods by myself and think about the past year and what should be left behind. The solitude and quiet of the winter woods allowed me some undistracted time to begin to look forward.

We at Abenaki Health and Heritage wish everyone a healthy new year.