Independence Day Full Moon Walk at Sacred Coldwater Springs
Saturday, July 4, 2020
Gather at the park entrance, 7pm
Park at pay meters on the access road via credit card/quarters
Yes—the Full Moon is on Saturday in Minnesota and everywhere in the US except the East Coast which is an hour ahead of us time-wise. The covid safety precaution is closing fireworks so bring a folding chair and a snack for yourself and we can set up in the parking lot, drink Coldwater water and enjoy each other in a sacred site.
Native Americans have been in this area for 9,000 years according to former Minnesota archaeologist Dr. Robert Clouse who found an ancient bison spear point in Mendota in 1996 at the Sibley House dig. Our state is named for water, mni in Dakota.
If you happen to be at Coldwater when a Native person is collecting water in a traditional way, with song and burning sage, perhaps you could stand quietly, back off a few steps, remove any head covering, and just observe with respect.
Coldwater is an acknowledged Dakota Tribal Sacred Site. The spring has been flowing more than 10,000 years. The United States of America celebrates its 244th birthday this year. Huh!—perspective.
Friends of Coldwater seek to honor this landscape ancestor. Full moon walks have been celebrated at Coldwater Springs monthly since 2000. We return to remember the spirits that feed this Spring. Please bring a rattle.
Sunset 9:02 pm  (6 minutes later than the previous full moon)
Moonrise 8:59 pm  (7 minutes earlier than last month’s full moon)
Exact minute of full moon 11:44 pm Central Standard Time but in New York that’s tomorrow.
The year in daylight on full moon days:
July 16, 2019Â Â 15 hours, 13 minutes daylight, 22 minute daylight loss
August 15th 14 hours, 13 minutes, 1 hour daylight loss
September 13th 12 hours, 33 minutes, 1 hour, 50 minute daylight loss
NOTE: Wednesday, 9/25 we experience 12 hours of daylight & nighttime here.
October 13th 11 hours, 6 minutes, 1 hour, 27 minute daylight loss
November 12th  9 hours, 40 minutes, 1 hour, 26 minute daylight loss
December 11th  8 hours, 52 minutes, 28 minute daylight loss
January 10, 2020Â Â 9 hours, 1 minute, 9 minute daylight gain
February 9th 10 hours, 9 minute daylight gain
March 9th  11 hours, 33 minute, 1 hour, 24 minute daylight gain
April 7th  13 hours, 7 minute, 53 minute daylight gain
May 7th  14 hours, 31 minute daylight gain
June 5th 15 hours, 27 minute; 56 minute daylight gain
July 4th  15 hours, 30 minute; 4 minute daylight gain
DIRECTIONS: Coldwater Springs is between Minnehaha Park & Fort Snelling, in Minneapolis, just North of the Hwy 55/62 interchange. From Hwy 55/Hiawatha, turn East (toward the Mississippi) at 54th Street, take an immediate right, & drive all the way down on the frontage road where you can park at the pay meters.
Gather at the park entrance.
All welcome. Dress for the weather, especially sturdy footwear. We celebrate the full moon in all-weather however the length of the walk depends on conditions. If it’s really cold or wet it’s a quick 10-minutes to the spring outflow gurgling from under the limestone bedrock Spring House built in the 1880s to supply potable water to Fort Snelling.
This gathering is free and open to the public.
#FullMoonWalk #FullMoon #ColdwaterSprings #MinneapolisNature