This morning's full moon is called Tinpsila Itkaghcha Wi, Ripe Turnips, which is also the name of the month between today and the next full moon. Tinpsila Itkaghcha Wi also marks the beginning of the summer season, which is four full moons whereas spring is only two full moons. Tinpsilas continue to be an important vegetable for Lakotans and this is the month when tinpsilas ripen and are harvested. This CAIRNS Etanhan Wotanin column refers to a traditional narrative about a Lakotan woman who married a star man but inadvisedly dug up a tinpsila-looking plant in the sky world, a journal entry about tinpsilas written by William Clark in 1804 while in Ocheti Shakowian territory, and South Dakota newspaper accounts in 1905 and 1938 about the harventing of tinpsilas. You can read our column, “Tinpsilas Time,” by clicking here. The image above is of a tinpsila near the CAIRNS office.