Among the Heiltsuk people of Bella Bella, the moon in January is called the Elder Moon. This name for the moon in the middle of winter can be found in other cultures as well. In the shamanic tradition, the Winter is the time of the elder, we hear the saying, " the Winter of their years" when referring to the elders. The colour of Winter is white and so is the hair of the old ones. When those relatives have passed through the Winter, they leave this world and become ancestors on the other side. In our language we have saying when one is walking in the truth, beauty, and strength of themselves; it is said that they are walking on the breath of the ancestors. The element of Winter is air, "breath of ancestors".

These are a few of the thoughts that came as I created this rendition for the Elder Moon.

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• Elder Moon
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