Moon: Ripe Berries Moon

July 23 to August 22

*** Blackfoot ***

July - IITohTotToTsiMaTaPiWa -

When People Move Camp Together

August - PakKiPisTsi'oTaa'TTsPi -

When the Choke Cherries Are Ripe

Power Animal: Sturgeon
Mineral: Garnet, Iron
Color: Red
Plant: Raspberry
Clan: Thunderbird
Element: Fire

Characteristics: The second moon of Shawnodese, Spirit Keeper of the South is the Ripe Berries Moon. The stone for this position is placed midway  between the southern and western stones in the outer circle of the Medicine  Wheel. Iron and garnet are the mineral totems for this moon, raspberry is the  plant totem, and the sturgeon is the animal totem. The color is red, and the  position is influenced by the Thunderbird clan.

Iron teaches people in this position about their strength and garnet shows  them their heart is the source of that strength. From the raspberry they learn about their sweetness and the thorns they project to protect this part of them selves from other people. The sturgeon show them their depth and their need  to teach. The Ripe Berries Moon teaches them how to work from the heart  center, how to demonstrate affection, how to face fears, and how to develop  leadership abilities. This moon helps develop courage and power. People experiencing the sturgeon energy need to guard against impulsiveness, arrogance, and a tendency to dominate any scenario