.MTA1MQ.NzAzOTI
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56
Learn from Br. Nutsawi that the Great New Moon made its appearance in autumn, when the leaves began to fall; of course it must be the new moon near the autumnal equinox & as it was the first autumnal new moon, and the first of the year, it is probable that their year, as respected new moons, commenced about the autumnal equinox.
On the first appearance of this new moon, all bathed etc. (as described) and then all the children & youth, as well as many others, continued to plunge in water at day break, every morning, till the middle of December, sometimes having to break the ice. This it is said was to confirm their health, and prevent the early wrinkles of old age. Leaves of all kinds falling into the water, made it medicinal and farther it is said that once a voice came out of the water directing them to bathe.
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It is said by ?aty that anciently a certain part of the year, all fasted every Seventh day; little children fasted till noon, and then all bathed. Enquire further. Learn further that people of the seven class were to feed the fire with their own flesh, but instead of this, different kinds of wood were substituted & called persons of the various clans: Thus, Black Jack, Chestnut Oak, Big Acorn Oak, Willow oak, Black oak, Chestnut Oak, & White Oak, were taken to represent the seven clans & used for feeding the sacred fire, instead of the flesh of the persons in each clan. But of either of the above kinds of wood could not be obtained, then some other sort was selected, & used in its place. At the great yearly medicine dance, new fire was made & fed with the above kinds of wood, first in the Council House Yard, and then at each house through the town. The Council house & all the houses having been previously cleaned inside, ashes, wood etc, taken away, & white washed (dwelling houses) outside with white clay. Enquire further.