08/09/2024
Nissa Nissa Nissa
Moonlodge tonight.
We have gathered for moonlodge at the Wise Woman Center for nearly 50 years.
Six or eight times a year, we have come together to sing songs to the moon and each other.
"In the Heart of My Womb Lies My Power," by Marie Summerwood.
"I Giveaway My Blood of Life to Allie My Relations," by Brooke Medicine Eagle.
"My Sister the Moon Sings Her Song to My Womb." (Unknown author)
We sing and dance, feet upon the earth, upon the bare skin of the mother, upon her rock.
We walk in a line to the exposed bedrock — where we dance — singing Nissa Nissa Nissa.
Nissa means "moon" in Seneca, according to grandmother Twylah, who passed this song to me.
Moon, moon, moon.
We circle and step to the left, turning the circle clockwise, with the sun.
Nissa, Nissa, Nissa.
We take small steps.
"Imagine you are wearing a skirt made of skin decorated with shells or beads that make a soft sound as you move your hips," advises grandmother.
Nissa, Nissa, Nissa.
We slide the left foot away and bring the right to meet it.
Nissa, Nissa, Nissa.
The words reverberate in our hearts.
Guy whee oh. Guy whee oh.
We spin on the refrain.
Guy whee oh. Guy whee oh.
"It is as it is." is one translation.
Guy whee oh. Guy whee oh.
"Don't worry; be happy." is another.
Like "irie" (Jamaican) there is no one translation.
Like "shalom" (Herbrew) the meanings can be contradictory.
"I'm down here and the moon is up there and isn't that perfect."
Nissa, Nissa, Nissa
Nissa, Nissa, Nissa
Nissa, Nissa, Nissa
Guy whee oh
Guy whee oh
Three times three, we call to the moon.
In my lineage, fairy tales reveal the power of three, the magic of three.
She is three: Maiden She is. Mother She js. Crone She is.
Three times three.
Beginning, middle, end.
Birth to five years old is the beginning of the Maiden.
5-10 is the fullness of the Maiden.
10-15 is the end of the Maiden. Lollipop in one hand, joint in the other.
15-25 is the beginning of the Mother. The best time to be pregnant and give birth.
25-35 is the strength of the Mother.
35-45 is the end of the Mother.
45-65 is the baby Crone. Watch out; she has tantrums.
65-85 is the crown of the crone. Watch out; she is kicking ass and making change. Grey panthers snarling. www.graypanthersnyc.org
85-105 is the grace of the crone. A time to sit back. To tell the teaching stories. To let the apprentices do the work. To take a nap. To cuddle the children. To sing the healing songs. To tell the silly jokes.
Grandmother Two Worlds told us that elders taught together, not alone. "At least three," she cautioned. "If one forgets, one of the others remembers. If one falls asleep, one of the others is awake. If one loses the thread, one of the others picks it up."
I walk in beauty.
My breath is a giveaway dance.
My heart beats as one with the heartbeat of the earth.
Green blessings are everywhere.
Nissa, Nissa, Nissa.
See you tonight at moonlodge.
