Our "Lovers Moon" Cruises begin this month and will be held the night before, the night of, and the night after every month's full moon. That will give you three dates to choose when planning that special date with your main squeeze.

          The full moon for January is the Wolf Moon. The Wolf Moon peaks on January 25^th, and the dates for the cruises are the 24^th, 25^th, and 26^th. Our Lovers Moon cruises commensurate with our Sunset Cruises on those dates. Take advantage and use your 20% coupon.

          The term "Wolf Moon" is a traditional name for the full moon that occurs in the month of January. It is one of the many names given to full moons in different months, and these names are often rooted in Native American, Colonial American, or other traditional North American naming conventions.

          The name "Wolf Moon" comes from Native American and early Colonial American traditions, where the full moons were often named to keep track of the seasons. The name "Wolf Moon" is thought to have originated from the packs of wolves that were heard howling in hunger during the winter months in certain Native American cultures. This association with wolves is linked to the scarcity of food during the winter, leading to increased wolf activity.

          It's important to note that the names of full moons can vary among different cultures and regions, and there isn't a universal set of names. The Wolf Moon is just one example of the many names given to full moons throughout the year. Other full moon names include Harvest Moon (usually in September), Strawberry Moon (June), and Blue Moon (a second full moon occurring within a calendar month). These names add a cultural and historical dimension to our understanding and appreciation of the lunar cycle.

          The Timucua were a group of indigenous peoples who inhabited the southeastern United States, particularly the region that is now Florida and Georgia, before the arrival of European settlers. The Timucua were composed of several distinct tribes and chiefdoms, speaking various dialects of the Timucuan language.

Key characteristics and aspects of the Timucua people include:

Agricultural Society: The Timucua were known for their agricultural practices. They cultivated maize (corn), beans, squash, and other crops. Their settled agricultural lifestyle allowed them to establish more permanent villages and chiefdoms.

Village Life: Timucua communities consisted of villages led by chiefs or leaders. These villages were often situated near water sources and had structures made of wooden poles and thatched roofs. Timucuan villages could be quite large, with populations ranging from a few hundred to several thousand people

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Complex Societies: The Timucua societies were organized into chiefdoms with a hierarchical structure. Chiefs held significant authority, and there were often multiple levels of leadership within a chiefdom. The Timucua engaged in political alliances and conflicts with neighboring tribes.

Spirituality and Religion: The Timucua had a complex belief system that included animistic elements. They believed in the presence of spirits in natural elements like animals, plants, and bodies of water. Rituals and ceremonies played an essential role in Timucua religious life.

European Contact: The arrival of Spanish explorers and settlers in the 16th century, including figures like Hernando de Soto, brought significant changes to Timucua societies. European diseases, such as smallpox, caused devastating epidemics among the Timucua populations. European colonization and the mission system also led to the forced conversion of many Timucua people to Christianity.

Decline and Displacement: As European colonization continued, the Timucua peoples faced displacement and loss of their traditional lands. Many Timucuan communities and cultures gradually disappeared, and the surviving Timucua often merged with other Native American groups or Spanish-speaking populations.

          The Timucua people's history is complex and varied, as their societies were composed of multiple distinct tribes and chiefdoms, each with its own unique characteristics and cultural practices. Their interactions with European colonizers and the impact of diseases and colonization had a profound effect on their populations and way of life.

          Today, there are efforts to preserve and revitalize Timucua cultural heritage, including language revitalization projects and historical research to better understand their history and legacy.

          Learn more about Palmetto, Florida aboard the River Skipper II as we cruise the waters of the Manatee River and lower Tampa Bay.