By William Tomkins
This work would be incomplete without some reference and information regarding the Indian "moons" or months.
We have approached this subject with hesitation, because the Indian moons correspond only in a general way to our own months and with certain tribes the names vary greatly.
The following moons, or months, are those adopted by the American Indian Association after careful study, and are approved as being most nearly correct by Dr. Charles Eastman, Strong Wolf, Running Bear and other prominent Indians.
Where two or more names are given for the same month, we have selected the one which can be gestured and pictured most easily, and is most generally used.
JANUARY. Snow Moon (or Cold Moon), make signs for MOON and SNOW.
FEBRUARY. Hunger Moon; make signs for MOON and HUNGRY.
MARCH. Crow Moon (Awaking Moon or Warm Moon); make signs for MOON, BIRD and BLACK.
APRIL. Grass Moon (Geese Moon); make signs for MOON and GRASS.
MAY. Planting Moon (Flower Moon); make signs for MOON, DIG and GROW.
JUNE. Rose Moon (Buck Moon); make signs for MOON and ROSE.
JULY. Heat Moon (Blood Moon); make signs for MOON, SUN and HOT.
AUGUST. Thunder Moon (Sturgeon Moon); make signs for MOON and THUNDER.
SEPTEMBER. Hunting Moon (Corn Festival Moon); make signs for MOON and HUNT.
OCTOBER. Falling Leaf Moon (Traveling Moon); make signs for MOON and LEAF, with a falling motion.
NOVEMBER. Beaver Moon (Mad Moon); make signs for MOON and BEAVER.
DECEMBER. Long Night Moon; make signs for MOON, NIGHT, and LONG TIME.
NOTE: The meaning and derivation of our common month names may be of interest for comparison:
 | January; Janus, a two-faced God. |
| February; To purify. |
| March; Mars, God of War. |
| April; Aperio, to open. |
| May; Maia, Goddess of Growth. |
| June; Junius, a Roman Gentile name. |
| July; for Julius Caesar. |
| August; for Augustus Caesar. |
| September; seventh month. |
| October; eighth month. |
| November; ninth month. |
| December; tenth month. |
