Symbolism of the months of the year

[tattwa]

July

July was named for the Roman Emperor Julius Caesar, organizer of the Julian Calendar in 46 BC, which remained in use until 1752, when the Gregorian calendar was adopted.

The birthstone for July is the red ruby. It symbolizes love, and an open heart. The ruby is the carrier of the red ray, and helps the wearer to gain courage. Ruby is worn to improve circulation and the richness of the blood.

Associated with the sign Leo, it strengthens the heart center leading to the will, and through compassion turns personal love into love of humanity. The ruby is not limited to Leo, but is supportive of all fire signs. Its contrasting properties are associated with Shiva the destroyer, and correlate with the process of purification.

The seventh Full Moon of the year (the full Moon of July) is known as the Mead Moon, named after the mowing of the meadows (or meads), and the first issue of ale. In Teutonic tradition it honors the sacred children of the Moon, Bil and her brother, Hyuki. On their way to draw the sacred song-mead for their family from Bryger, the enchanted spring, they were kidnapped by Odin’s handsome chariot driver, Mani and taken to the Moon in his chariot.

There, the water was transformed into sacred mead, elixir of the gods, which is symbolic of wisdom and strength. Earth elders call out to the children when the Moon is full, to sprinkle a few drops on their lips so they may gain the brew’s gifts. The children, seen during the full Moon as twin shadows on the Moon’s face were then praised and venerated by mortals for their gift of the elixir. This myth became the source of the nursery rhyme, Jack and Jill… The Mead Moon celebrates the time of the year when honey is harvested. Honey, yeast, and fruit juice fermented together for months are the main ingredients in mead. Many additional ingredients have been used for
flavoring, including gingersnaps.



In the Wiccan tradition, the July Full Moon is known as the Buck Moon, when male deer grow their first velvet antlers. Masculine in tradition, it is an appropriate time to work on the physical body or answer the challenge of mastering physical objects.

July is associated with goddesses such as Rowana, patroness of the secretknowledge of the runes. Wood cut from the Rowan tree was used to make magical runes. Holda, the white goddess, and Hela, the black goddess are also honored in July. They were the twin daughters of Norse trickster god Loki, and are the goddesses who shared rulership of the underworld. On the last day of July, Loki and his consort Sigyn are honored.

In the Japanese Calendar, on the 17 is celebrated the re-emergence of the Sun Goddess Amaterasu-O-Mikuni, who had plunged the world into darkness by retreating into her cave in fury after she was ridiculed by her brother, the trickster Susanoo-O-Mikuni. Her retreat and reappearance are the Japanese version of the universal myth of the departure and return of the Light, and along with it, the life force of the Earth.

July 25 – Furrinalia, honoring the ancient Italian goddess of springs. This festival reminds us of our vital reliance on sources of water. Ancient people blessed the springs.

July is the birth month of several members of the family of Pythagoras, noted philosopher/mathematician/astronomer. Pythagoras himself was born on July 24, 569 BC in Samos, Ionia. His daughter, Damo (seeress, disciple and inheritor of his secrets and writings) was born on July 21; his mother, Pythais was born on July 28; and his wife, Theano (who, with her two daughters carried on the Pythagorean School after her husband’s death) was born on July 11. Many sources state that it was Teano who developed the principle of the "Golden Mean".

July 31, at sundown is the beginning of Lammas, the two-day festival of the blessing of bread from the first grain harvest. As a symbolic gesture, blessing a loaf of bread can remind us to be grateful for what we have, and to discover what other riches are possible when the cooperative work of the harvest is complete. Lammas comes at the middle of summer, and is the third fire festival, the rituals of which we can use to feed our spirits. After extending gratitude to Earth goddesses, Demeter and Ceres for nourishing their bodies from the bounty of the Earth, the ancients called upon fire deities who bestowed and encouraged inspiration: in the Celtic tradition, they are Ceridwen and Brighid; We may invoke them to grant us the nine gifts
of the Cauldron: Poetry, Reflection, Meditation, Lore, Research, Great knowledge, Intelligence, Understanding, and Wisdom.

[tattwa]

August


Once known as 'Sextilis', as it was the sixth month of the Roman year (from March),August was then named for Caesar Augustus, the firstRoman emperor.

Demeter (aka Ceres), the goddess of fertility, and her daughter Persephone (aka Kore), are associated with this month of harvest.

The Old-English name for August was Hlaf-maesse, that is, Loaf Mass, or Loaf Feast, because during the month was held a feast of thanksgiving for the first fruits of the corn, August being the time when harvesting begins. In ancient times, a Loaf Mass was celebrated, using consecrated bread made from the first-ripened corn.The first day is sometimes called Lammas Day, lammas being a slightly altered form of the word hlaf-maesse.

This is traditionally the phase of the year in which the power of the god wanes as the goddess waxes. This transition is symbolized in the zodiac by the fading solar energy of Leo yielding to the fertility of Virgo, bearerof grain, grapes and the harvest of the future. At this time the first fruits of the grain harvest are celebrated throughout the Northern hemisphere in the baking and offering of ritual bread and cakes.

Among the gemstones associated with August are Amber and Topaz. Amber is known as "the Gold of the Sea", because this fossilized resin from the once prolific, now extinct species of Conifer, Pinites Succinifer used to wash up in great numbers on the shores of the Baltic Sea. Amber produces a charge of negative electrons when rubbed, and generates heat; actually, amber takes on the temperature of the wearer. Associated with the Sun, amber, an organic substance also produces sparks of light. It is said to effect relief in sore throats and to stop nosebleeds. Topaz (aka Peridot) was known to the ancient Egyptians as the "Stone of Strength", the stone of Ra, the Sun god. The color of Topaz can be changed by heat; and with heat, pressure and friction,it exhibits strong electric phenomena. In medieval times Topaz was used to heal women’s illnesses, and to promote peaceful sleep. First discovered at the Isle of Topazos in the Red Sea, Topaz was acclaimed for its gift of good health, wisdom, and the protection against a violent or sudden death.

In Greece, the 3rd of August marked the Festival of Artemis, the goddess the Romans called Diana. Diana was the goddess of the moon and was often called Diana Lucifera, Diana the Bringer of Light. The Greeks knew her as Artemis, the twin sister of Apollo, and daughter of Zeus and Leto. She was born under Mount Cynthus in Delos and hence was also called Cynthia and Delia. She was the goddess of hunting, carried a bow and quiver like her brother, and was especially fond of music and dance. Diana was never conquered by love, and submitted to no man, hence she was the goddess of a chaste" moon and, except for her family, tolerated only female companions. Her priestesses were all chaste.

On August 4th in 1693, the blind Benedictine and master herbalist Dom Perignon realized champagne. After a few quality assessment sips, he called to one of the other monks, "Look, brother, I have been drinking stars!"

The 11th of August On this day the Sufis honor Haji Bektash (d. 1337), the master who initiated women into his order and advocated gender equality in Islam.

On the 6th of August in the Egyptian Calendar was celebrated the Festival of Thoth, Neter of literature, intuitive learning and prophetic arts. This festival, held on the 19th day of Thuthi, the month sacred to Thoth, begins the crucial time following the annual Nile inundation, when writing, sacred geometry and other arts invented by Thoth are used to determine the new pattern of earthly order, as cords stretched over the land mark the re-establishment of divine design after the floodwaters recede.

On the 13th there is Japanese Obon Festival . People all over the country dance, sing and drink. They also light huge bonfires in the shapes of kanji (Chinese characters) and Buddhist symbols to help orientate and redirect the lost souls who are blowing about in the heavens, and point them toward Amida, the Pure Land, the Western Paradise. Obon is Japan's festival of family reunion and remembrance. Everyone eats the departed ones' favorite foods,and puts out plates for them, sings their favorite songs, tells the stories and jokes about them, and refreshes the family's memory.

August 15 is the Christian celebration of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In the Orthodox Church it is called the Dormition of the Theotokos. Church tradition accounts say that since she was the Immaculate Virgin, preserved free from all stain of original sin, she was taken up into heavenly glory, body and soul (known as translation) when her earthly life was over.

August 23 is the day sacred to Nemesis, Greek goddess of Justice.The goddess of righteous anger, who first emerged from Chaos. Her festival was called Nemesia. She defended the belongings and memory of the dead from all insults, and avenged all those who despoiled their reputations or their property.

August 29 is sacred to Urda, the eldest of the three Norns, who represents the past. August 29 is also the date that commemorates the birth of the Lord Krishna, and is a day of spiritual joy. Worship is done in the late evening hours, as Lord Krishna was born at midnight, symbolizing the Light dispelling darkness.

[tattwa]

September

September was originally named for the seventh month of the old Roman calendar. In Latin, septem means “seven” and septimus means “seventh”; September was in fact the seventh month of the Roman calendar until 153 BC.
September's flower is the “aster “or “morning glory”. One of September’s gemstones is the sapphire, which means "beloved of Saturn". Sapphires come in all colors, (the red sapphire is called ruby) the favorite being blue. Ancients believed that the Earth rested upon a giant sapphire, which gave a blue color to the sky. Sapphires bound on the forehead were said to cure diseases of the mind, and dipped in cool water and placed on the eyes were said to cure vision disorders.

September is sacred to the ancient Greek goddess Carpo, the Hora of Autumn (Thallo was the Hora of spring). The Horae, daughters of Zeus and Themis, were goddesses of time and order in nature. Carpo was venerated and invoked for the successful timing of the harvest, that the Earth be clothed in appropriate raiment.

In the Hawaiian Zodiac, Mahoe Mua and Mahoe Hope encompasses the month of September. People born in this time are an enigma. The saying is that their first conscious act dictates how they will conduct their life. A mischievous act will create a life filled with mischief, and a beneficent act will create a life of goodness. In Greek mythology, Mercury’s first act was one of mischief.

The astrological year is divided according to the travel of the Sun through the ecliptical signs of the zodiac, which are offset from the modern calendar months. During the first two-thirds of September, the Sun moves through the last two decanates of Virgo, one of the signs associated with Mercury. Virgo's symbol is the Vigin (in September we find the feast of her nativity). Virgo's symbol is sometimes shown as a woman carrying a sheaf of wisdom, representing the harvesting of wheat at the time of year of the Virgo . It heralds the end of Summer and nearing of the harvest .Virgo has always been a symbol of the production of crops .Some sources maintain that Virgo began as The Great Mother, a Sumerian Corn Goddess, while in Egypt, she was Nidaba, Goddess of Grain, whose harvest begain when the Moon was in her constellation. In medieval times, Virgo was associated with the Virgin Mary. However, in most depictions, Virgo holds sheaves of wheat or an ear of corn, emphasizing her role as a Goddess of Fertility and Agriculture. “Shibboleth” or ear of corn is a prominent emblem in Masonry , it's an emblem of “plenty”.

Sept. 3, 2007 celebrates the birthday of Krishna. According to the Hindu epics, Krishna was the eighth incarnation of the God Vishnu. His purpose was to destroy the demon Kansa who was responsible for the increase of evil in the world.

Sept. 8th is the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Not unknown to other religions, the Israelites called her the divine Sophia,manifesting in the scrolls of the law, called the bride of the faithful.
Celebrated as the festival of Sukkoth (Tabernacles), Alexander Susskind of Grodno (1780) observed "When a man sits in this dwelling, the shadow of faith, the Shekinah spreads out Her wings over him from above." Known as Fatima or Mary in Islamic tradition, the Divine Feminine is honored: "Woman is a beam of the divine Light. She is not the being whom sensual desire takes as its object. She is Creator, it should be said, She is not a Creature." (Jalaluddin Rumi, Mathnawi Book 1)

This year Ramandan begins on September 13th, 2007 and ends with Eid-al-Fitr on Oct. 12th, 2007. Ramadan is the most sacred holiday of the Muslim year and is mandated by the Qur'an (2:183).
Traditions/ Practices It occurs in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is the holy month of fasting. Fasting is considered to be the third pillar or religious obligation of Islam and provides many benefits including learning self-control. This results from a lack of preoccupation with satisfying bodily appetites during the daylight hours. Ramadan is a time of worship, reading the Qur'an, charitable acts, and the purification of individual behavior. This is also the time in which the Qur'an was revealed to Mohammed as guidance for the people.
Ramadan begins when a trusted witness testifies that the new moon has been sighted. Consequently, the fasting may be delayed if the moon is not visible. During this period, Muslims must abstain from food, drink, and sexual intercourse from dawn until dusk each day. Ramadan is a time of atonement somewhat similar to Yom Kippur and Lent.
Ramadan ends with Eid-al-Fitr or the Festival of Fast-Breaking which is joyous celebration marked by a special gift of charity. Muslims dress in holiday apparel and attend a community prayer in the morning.

Sept. 14 is the Egyptian Feast of Lights, honoring the gods who protect the tombs of the dead. September 19 is a daylong fast to propitiate Thoth (the Logos), the Egyptian god of wisdom and magic, and their name for Mercury. Mercury was known in Greece as Hermes. Hermes had a reputation as "The Trickster," which is still evident in modern times. There was once an asteroid that was named Hermes, but it disappeared two weeks after it was discovered, never to be observed again!! The trickster is a shapeshifter who takes the form of the coyote, and several birds, such as the crow. The crow, a remarkably clever bird has a propensity for thievery, and has been known to outwit humans. Crows have been known to mimic human words, and are one of the loudest and most raucous of all birds. It is said that Cicero was forewarned of his death by the presence of a raven (cousin to the crow.) Odin, another form of Mercury carried a raven on each shoulder. During the First World War, ravens and crows followed the troops and feasted on the battlefield carnage, to the dismay of the surviving soldiers. When the angry soldiers shot at them, the birds deftly stayed out of range of their artillery.

Sept. 15, 2007celebrates the birthday of Ganesh, God of Success , removal of obstacles, extreme intelligence and patron of esoterical knowledge. He is invoked at the beginning of new undertakings.

Although the traditional name for the September pleniluna (full Moon) is the Harvest Moon, the Wiccan ritual refers to it as the Wine Moon, or the Barley Moon, in thanksgiving for all that the revered nature spirits have allowed during the growing season.

September provides a home to the autumnal equinox, this year falling Sep 23, celebrated in all ancient religions honoring the hunting and fishing deities, after adult animals have reproduced. Entrapment of young animals was forbidden. In Celtic tradition it is the festival of Mabon (Welch for "son"), when, at the equator, sunrise is due east, and sunset is due west – and daytime and nighttime hours are equal. It is the festival that marks the point of transition between light and dark .

The autumnal equinox is sacred to the mother and daughter Greek goddesses Demeter and Persephone who embody the growing and resting seasons; the Irish goddess Carman, patroness of poetry; and the Norse fertility god Frey, and Freya, goddess of love and beauty. It is the transition time between the mother and the crone, the second and third faces of the triple goddess. When we choose to move into a new framework, it must be done from within, as perception paints our consciousness.

Between the 24 and 26 , in China you find the “Tasting New Rice Festival”,a traditional time of family reunion, celebrated by eating mooncakes and enjoying the full moon. In Japan, they also celebrate the equinox around this time.Services are held at home altars and gravesites are cleaned and purified.

September 28 is the festival of Zisa a German autumn harvest goddess, who was invoked to bring peace and renewal to the Earth.

September 29 is the celebration of Michaelmas, in honor of Archangel Michael, the Warrior Angel of the First Ray.

September 30 is the festival of Medetrinalia. Medetrina was the Roman goddess of medicine.

Have a great month of September.

[3i3o]

And what about October?

[Dalzi]

Thank you for starting with July :D. Interesting.

[tattwa]

Originally Posted by 3i3o

And what about October?

In about 2 weeks..... it takes time to gather all the info....

[tattwa]

October


October was named for the eighth month of the old Roman calendar, that used to begin in March. “Octo” is from the Greek , meaning “Eight”.

October is associated with the altruistic Athena, Greek wisdom goddess, and guardian of heroes. October is also sacred to the Roman goddess Astraea. Daughter of Zeus and Themis, Astraea is honored as the goddess of purity, justice and discipline. Astraea brought patience and hope to the world of mortals, as they progressed into ever more violent times. October is also sacred to the Egyptian great goddess, Hathor, whose joyful religion lasted for over 3,000 years, embodies all the feminine possibilities. Goddess of sensual pleasures, and the special guardian spirit of all women and all female animals, Hathor is also identified with the Greek Aphrodite, the spirit of guile and sexuality and the Roman Venus, the spirit of charm and beauty, who governs the sign Libra, one of the Astrological Zodiacal sign of the month of October.

The gemstones linked with October are the opal and the tourmaline. The fire opal, October’s most spectacular gemstone, may be worn as a talisman of hope for it embodies the colors of all precious stones. The opal is said to avert painful times and misfortune when worn by those born under the Sun sign of Libra (September 23 to October 23). For the Scorpio part of October, the tourmaline balances the polarity of its wearer and deflects negativity,
especially when worn on the forehead at the third eye or at the throat chakra. Tourmaline wands are used in massage and in healing rituals. October's flower is the calendula or cosmos.

This is also the season of the Scandinavian goddess, Skuld, the third and last of the Fates, who ruled the processes of life. Skuld honors the Crone, or the final wisdom path of the goddess, also known as Cailleach. Cailleach is the Crone Aspect of the Great Goddess, Creator of Storms, and Goddess of Sovereignty. The Cailleach Beara is one of the oldest living mythological beings associated with Ireland, and is born old at Samhain (Nov 1st) but grows ever younger over time until she is a beautiful maiden at Beltane.

October 2 is Mahatma Ghandi’s birthday. Born in Western India in 1869, he developed a creed of passive resistance against injustice: “satyagraha”, meaning “truth force”.

On October 4th, we celebrate the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi. St. Francis had an affinity for animals and for all the elements of creation he was a patron of natural conservation, and he understood the natural cycles of Earth, as you will see in the selection below.

Each Autumn in Nepal starting on October 6th , Hindu worshippers of the great God Vishnu hold a nine-day religious festival to honor their transcendant protector and redeemer. The celebration, one of the most auspicious of the Hindu Year, includes Haribodhini Ekadasi, the day in Hindu tradition when Vishnu awakes from his annual four-month rest on a subterranean bed of snakes. To mark Vishnu's wakening, the faithful bathe in sacred waters, chant the God's name 1008 times and make secret...and thus, more truly charitable...offerings of alms by hiding them in unripe pumpkins. Should Vishnu's followers fail to honor him at this time, traditions holds that they risk rebirth as crowing roosters or human mutes.

On October 9th Muslims all around the world will spend the night in prayer as it's the “Laila al-Qadr”. It commemorates the night the Prophet Mohammad received His first revelation the culminated in the Holy Coran.

"Indeed We sent it [the Holy Coran] down on the Night of Power. What will convey to you what the Night of Power is? Better is the Night of Power than a thousand months. In that Night the angels and the Spirit descend by the permission of their Lord for every errand. Peace it is, until the break of dawn."
- Quran, Chapter 97 , Al-Qadr

When the night of spiritual darkness is removed by the Noor of Allah, a wonderful peace and sense of security arises in the soul which lasts until this physical life ends and the glorious day of the spiritual world dawns, when everything will be on a different plane and the nights and days of this world will seem less than a dream. This is the meaning of "until the rise of dawn" and not the literal interpretation as many may understand it. Surely, Allah's realm/time span is larger.

October 12th the Muslim community will celebrate “Eid-al Fitr”. It marks the end of Ramadan and the fast; festive and joyous occasion filled with special foods and delicacies.

On October 18th , the ancient Greek festival of Thesmophoria was celebrated. Women would retrieve pig carcasses from snake-filled chasms into which the dead swine had earlier been thrown. Then, mixing the rotten flesh with seed, the women prayed to the Grain Goddess Demeter for abundant crops.

Want to watch a piece of Halley's Comet streak past a planet that looks like an exploding star? No problem. Just set your alarm on the 21st of October. Go outside before sunrise, around 5:30 a.m. is best, and look east. The brightest object in that direction is the planet Venus. It looks like a star going supernova. Above Venus lies Saturn, and below, near the horizon, is Jupiter. Every 10 minutes or so you'll see a meteor streak among these planets. The meteors are pieces of Halley's Comet... "Every year around this time Earth glides through a cloud of dusty debris from Halley's Comet," explains Bill Cooke of the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center. "Bits of dust, most no larger than grains of sand, disintegrate in Earth's atmosphere and become shooting stars."

Astronomers call it the "Orionid meteor shower," because the meteors appear to stream out of a point (called "the radiant") in the constellation Orion. The radiant is near Orion's left shoulder. Framing the scene are several bright stars: Sirius, Regulus, Procyon and others. Pay special attention to Castor and Pollux in Gemini. They're arranged in an eye-catching line with Saturn.

On the night of October 22 , in the village of Kurama, near Kyoto, is celebrated Japan's Hi Massuri, also known as the Fire Festival. Through streets ablaze with bonfires, people carry flaming torches in a frenzied procession of fire, which is considered to be a purifying element. The brilliant parade ends at a Shrine where at midnight, it is believed that the Gods descend to Earth. Also on this date, the Sun begins to take its leave from the Sign of Libra and continues its journey by entering the Sign of Scorpio.

The Full Moon of October is called Full Hunter's Moon . This year it falls on the 26th of October. With the leaves falling and the deer fattened, it is time to hunt. Since the fields have been reaped, hunters can easily see fox and the animals which have come out to glean.

Most of the month of October is dedicated to the sign of Libra. Libra is the Seventh sign of the Zodiac. It is sometimes referred to as the Balance. The origin of the word Libra derives from the Latin meaning "balances" or "scales." Often, a statue of the Goddess of Justice holding the scales or balances is erected over the domes of modern court houses. In ancient times, this constellation was associated with the judgment of the living and the dead.

The symbol...or glyph...of Libra is generally considered to be a representation of the Beam of the Balance. However, in ancient times, it was thought to depict the top of the Euphratean Altar. Of course, the standard image is that of the scales, indicative of balance, equilibrium and justice...a sign of cosmic reciprocity and cooperation rather than competion. It is also said to be the Spirit in its material expression, ready to ascend back to its original pristine state...the junction point of the world and that which is beyond . In some cultures, this glyph is said to symbolize the setting Sun as it descends over the horizon and a more lowly description that has been given to this symbol is that of a humpback bridge.

Early Christians maintained that Libra represented the Apostle Philip and it is also an emblem of the Archangel Michael. The Hebrews called it Moznayim, a Scale-beam said to be featured on the banners of the Asher Tribe. To the Ancient Chinese, Libra was Show Sing, the "Star of Longevity," but later generations changed the name to Tien Ching, which means the "Celestial Balance." The sacred books of India refer to this constellation as Tula or "Balance," where it is depicted in illustrations as a man bent on one knee holding the Scales aloft. To the Ancient Egyptians, Libra was sometimes viewed more in the form of a feather than a pair of scales. It has also been referred to as the "Golden Chariot of Pluto." In modern times, Libra is usually the symbol of the "Scales of Justice" and stand alone, not being held by any personage. Often more commonly described as a "high-flying kite."

October is also the gateway to the darker part of the year, and many cultures celebrated the end of October in honor of those who have died. The ancient Persians celebrated Mordad, dedicated to appeasing the Angel of Death. The Hindus celebrate a festival of the dead called Durga. The ancient Egyptians celebrated the Day of the Dead in November, and the Mexicans and Peruvians commune with deceased relatives during the "Days of the Dead" that
span the end of October and the first day of November.

On October 31, Kali, the terrible goddess is invoked to slay the demons within. Hallowe’en (Holy Evening, or All Hallows Eve), called the Day of the Dead in Latin cultures in the Americas, and All Souls Day in western Christian cultures is when prayers for those loved ones who have left this plane of existence are evoked. Their accomplishments and/or their misdeeds are acknowledged, and their souls are remembered in prayer. This sets the stage for All Saints Day
November first, when Christian heroes and heroines are recognized and petitioned to assist us mortals in their quest for a more blessed existence for our souls after death.

October 31 is also the Eve of Samhain (pronounced Sow-wan), the Celtic New Year’s Eve, which celebrates the peak of the cycle of rebirth. It is a magical time of shape shifting, when the veil between the seen and the
unseen is very thin, and mysteries are revealed to the faithful. It is similar to its yearly opposite, Beltane, with its occurrences elemental mischief and uncanny phenomena. It is a night when ghosts, witches and all manner of evils were abroad and many of the Celtic rites associated with the day evolved into the trappings of Hallowe'en, particularly 'guising' when children would dress up and process around neighbours' houses with 'tattie bogles' or 'neep lanterns' (candles inside hollowed-out turnips with ferocious carved faces).

Excerpt from St. Francis’ Canticle of the Sun:

"…Be praised, my Lord, through all your creatures, especially through my lord Brother Sun, who brings the day; and you give light through him. And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendor! Of you, Most High, he bears
the likeness.

Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars; in the heavens you have made them, precious and beautiful.

Be praised, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air, and clouds and storms, and all the weather, through which you give your creatures sustenance.

Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Water; she is very useful, and humble, and precious, and pure.

Be praised, my Lord, through Brother Fire, through whom you brighten the night. He is beautiful and cheerful, and powerful and strong.

Be praised, my Lord, through our sister Mother Earth, who feeds us and rules us, and produces various fruits with colored flowers and herbs…"

Have a great month of October.

[tattwa]

November


November was named for the 9th month of the Roman calendar. The dark face of the Goddess was honored, as the portion of daily darkness increased. The wisdom of the mature divinities, the dark goddesses, Hecate, Menat, Atropos,Lillith and Cailleach were acknowledged on November first, during the cross-quarter day, the festival of Samhain.

Early November's gemstone is the Aquamarine or Beryl. In the East, they are revered as the stone of purity, given to the newly wedded to preserve and increase their mutual love. Also the stone of the Seer and Mystic, it was
said to enhance visions. The wearer of these stones is assisted in finding hidden things. The Sagittarius part of November favors the topaz. It is worn to radiate the gift of light that dispels the darkness and ignorance that
arises during the winter quarter. The topaz is said to calm anger in the wearer. True and lasting friendship is symbolized by the topaz, which is found in various colors – most are white, golden, pink, brown, and less often green, and black. First named Topazein, when first found on the Island of Topazos in the Red Sea, meaning: "to seek after". Pliny, the Elder called it "the Stone of Strength". November's flower is the Chrysanthemum.

In Egypt, and many parts of the Roman Empire, this day was part of the three day Festival of Isis, the Egyptian mother goddess. Isis, the Egyptian goddess of rebirth remains one of the most familiar images of empowered and utter femininity. The goddess Isis was the first daughter of Geb, god of the Earth, and Nut, the goddess of the Overarching Sky. Isis was born on the first day between the first years of creation, and was adored by her human followers.

Unlike the other Egyptian goddesses, the goddess Isis spent time among her people, teaching women how to grind corn and make bread, spin flax and weave cloth, and how to tame men enough to live with them .As the personification of the "complete female", Isis was called "The One Who Is All", Isis Panthea ("Isis the All Goddess"), and the "Lady of Ten Thousand Names".

The goddess Isis, a moon goddess, gave birth to Horus, the god of the sun. Together, Isis and Horus created and sustained all life and were the saviors of their people. Isis was called the Mother of Life, but she was also known as the Crone of Death. Her immense powers earned her the titles of "The Giver of Life" and "Goddess of Magic". Her best known story illustrates why she is simultaneously known as a creation goddess and a goddess of destruction. In this sense her symbolism is very much the same that Shiva. The ancient images of Isis nursing the infant Horus inspired the style of portraits of mother and child for centuries, including those of the "Madonna and Child" found in religious art.

November 1st marks the Christian feast of All Saints, when Christian heroesand heroines are recognized and petitioned to assist mortals in their quest for a more blessed existence, and November second honors All Souls who have departed physical form. Many religions celebrate the Day of the Dead at the turn of the month. The ancient Egyptians celebrated it in mid-November. November 7 is the traditional beginning of the Festival of Plato, master
philosopher and father of European mysticism.

On the 9th , Diwali or Deepavali, the festival of "rows of lights" (Deep = Lamp, Vali =Array), is one of the most important of all Hindu festivals. It is also a significant festival for the Sikh and Jain faiths. This festival marks the victory of good over evil. The Sanskrit word Deepavali means an array of lights that stands for victory of brightness over darkness.Of all the festivals celebrated in India, Diwali is by far the most glamorous and important. During this time, homes are thoroughly cleaned and windows are opened to welcome Lakshmi, goddess of wealth. Candles and lamps are lit as a greeting to Laksmi. Gifts are exchanged and festive meals are prepared during Diwali.
While Deepavali is popularly known as the "festival of lights", the most significant esoteric meaning is "the awareness of the inner light". Central to Hindu philosophy, is the assertion that there is something beyond the physical body and mind which is pure, infinite, and eternal, called the Atman. Just as we celebrate the birth of our physical being, Deepavali is the celebration of this Inner Light, in particular the knowing of which outshines all darkness (removes all obstacles and dispels all ignorance), awakening the individual to one's true nature, not as the body, but as the unchanging, infinite, immanent and transcendent reality. With the realization of the Atman, comes universal compassion, love, and the awareness of the oneness of all things (higher knowledge). This brings Ananda (Inner Joy or Peace).
As the Sun enters Sagittarius on November 22nd, we celebrate the festival of the Roman Diana (Greek Artemis), goddess of the Moon and the hunt. This coincides with the celebration of Cecilia, patron saint of music and of the
blind. The Full Moon of the 24th is called "Full Beaver Moon". And November 25 marks the day of honor for Persephone (Kore), queen of the underworld during the three dark months of the year.

Persephone was kidnapped from her mother, Demeter (Earth Mother goddess) by Hades (Pluto) from the Earth’s surface. Because she took in nourishment (a bite of pomegranate) in Hades’ kingdom, she was to remain in the underworld during the three dark months of the year, providing it with light and warmth. For the other nine months she lived above ground with her mother. Her story relates to the fecundity of the Earth in its growing season and the life cycle of death, gestation and rebirth. Pomegranate fruit is mentioned in the Bible as one of the blessed species of the Land of Israel (Deuteronomy 8:8). Pomegranates decorated the columns in the Temple in Jerusalem, and the robes of the high priests. Jewish tradition likens the pomegranate, which has 613 seeds, to the human body, which has 613 nerves, and the Torah, which contains 613 commandments. In numerology, 613=1, the number of new beginnings. The pomegranate symbolizes fertility and the potential beginning of life in many different cultures and religions as well as in Freemasonry : the pomegranate is of course a very powerful symbols and serve to ornate the
colums B and J .

Sunday, November 30 is the beginning of Advent, which runs until December 24 It is the Christian time of preparation for celebrating the birth of Christ. The lighting of special candles is a part of their ceremonies to celebrate the return of the Light of the World.

Most of the month of November is dedicated to the Water sign of Scorpio.
Scorpio is the Eighth Sign of the Zodiac. It is associated with beginnings and endings...and those born under this Sign are unafraid of either, possessing a deep, driving desire and unstoppable determination to learn about others. The Sun enters Scorpio as Autumn advances. It is a time of impending hiberation, but even as the land is chilled, the seeds within the earth promise eventual reawakening. This is the Season of Scorpio...perhaps the most complex of all Zodiac Signs. Is is significant that this Sign has not one symbol, but several: the Scorpion, the Eagle and the Phoenix, each contributing distinctive qualities to the Sign's nature. Aggression and instinct are provided courtesy of the Scorpion aspect, illustrated by way of destructive behavior, a viciously competitive personality with a tendency to be violent and cruel. The Eagle aspect provides a shrewd insight possessed by most Scorpio natives...they have the ability to see what others miss. They discern hidden motives, ferreting out secret flaws and vulnerabilities. Indeed, due to the thirst for power and and mastery, those governed by this Zodiac Sign are not above exploiting the weaknesses of others to their own advantage. It has been said that counted among the most important tasks of those ruled by Scorpio is the necessity to rid themselves of the tendency to be judgmental, learning to temper their insight with compassion. Individuals who can manage this difficult assignment manifest the virtues of the Phoenix...the redemptive third aspect of this Sign. Much like the Phoenix, those governed by Scorpio are survivors. In an emotional sense, they may perish in the ashes of their own destructive nature, but they can also transcend and transform. According to some sources, the Dove is also symbolic of this Sign, lending those it rules the virtue of compassion, as is the Snake or Serpent. Natives of Scorpio do possess a capacity for high spritual development, but it is generally believed that their path toward such enlightenment will be the most difficult of the entire Zodiac. In short, those governed by this Sign must become alchemists...transmuting dark instinct and selfish impulse into purified desire. They must also strive to discipline themselves, working toward curbing and chanelling their considerable power for constructive purposes.

Have a great month of November.

[tattwa]

December

December, originally named for the tenth month in the Roman calendar, was dedicated to the Roman goddess, Vesta (Greek: Hestia), the goddess of virtue purity, and the fire of the "Mystical Hearth of the Cosmos", which symbolizes the eternal present. This honored the sanctity of the home by making each household a shrine to the goddess. December is filled with sacred festivals, as many early religions celebrated the birth of the Sun-Son (Apollo, Dionysos, Frey, Helios, Horus, Jesus, Mithras, Osirus) at this time of the year. In ancient Egypt , the god-man Osiris and was entombed on DEC-21. "At midnight, the priests emerged from an inner shrine crying 'The Virgin has brought forth! The light is waxing" and showing the image of a baby to the worshipers."

The Roman celebration of Saturnalia, and its ancient myths and rites honoring the first Father of all peoples and gods, even including Adam, as ruler of Eden. Also honored this month are Pallas Athene (Roman: Minerva), Goddess of Wisdom, and Ceres (Greek: Demeter), Goddess of Motherhood, three of the four goddesses for whom the first asteroids were named.

Porphyry, Neoplatonist philosopher and astrologer, born in Tyre about 234 AD developed one of the oldest quadrant methods of house division. He was a scholar, and a protégé and biographer of Plotinus, and presented Plotinus’ teachings in the form of the Enneads (six groups of nine). December is special to Porphyry, whose name means "purple", the color of royalty.

December 6 is St. Nicholas's Day. St. Nicholas was bishop of Myra in Lycia, Asia Minor, during the fourth century. He's credited with saving three sisters from lives of ill repute by throwing bags of gold into their house (some say down the chimney) to provide for their dowries. In many places here and abroad, children still hang their stockings by the chimney or place their shoes by the window for St. Nicholas to fill with presents and sweets on the eve of his feast day.

This story reminds us of the Roman myth of the three Fates, the sister goddesses who are honored at the Winter Solstice, the beginning of the year for the Sun. The Fates are also known as Parcae, (Greek: Moirae; Scandanavian: Norns; Western Europe: Wyrdes; Indian: Niyati). The first Fate Decuma (Greek: Clotho, Scandanavian: Urd) was the "spinner" who bore the distaff and spun the thread of life. The second Fate, Morta (Greek: Lachesis Scandanavian Verdani), was the "apportioner", who measured the thread against a special rod, for the length of life), and the third Fate, Nona (Greek: Atropos, Scandanavian: Skuld) called "The Inevitable", it was she who snipped the thread at the end of life. These goddesses were also invoked at the birth of a child to mete out its destiny.

Of December’s two gemstones, turquoise is one of the first gems ever to be mined, and is found in arid and semiarid lands – desert environments of many countries. Colors range from green to blue. A third century myth states that turquoise is said to protect a rider from falling off his or her horse.

American Indians believe turquoise takes its blue from Heaven, its green from the Earth. Traditionally, the turquoise is a stone of success and prosperity. An alternate birthstone for December - the zircon - is sometimes called an "imitation" diamond. In ancient times, it was said to heal disease and to bring sound sleep to the wearer. In 14th century Europe, it was worn to protect the wearer from the black plague. Zircons come in many different colors; the most prized being red. The red of the zircon and the green of the turquoise remind us of traditional Christmas colors.

December celebrations include the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary on December 8. She is also known as the Mayan Mother and the Virgin of Guadalupe in Mexican lore.

Advent, the four-week spiritual preparation for Christmas began on November 30. This emphasis on spiritual matters is shared by nature religions in preparation for the return of the Sun, which began at the winter solstice.
The word advent means "the coming." It begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, and marks the beginning of the Christian year. Advent is a time to celebrate the Light in the midst of darkness. Christmas, the celebration of the nativity of the Christ Child, symbolizes the return of the Light to the world, and the gift of Life.

Jalal al-Din Rumi, Sufi poet and mystic (born 9/30/1207 in Balkh,Afganistan – died 12/17/1273) is honored on December 17.

At the end of the Hajj (annual pilgrimage to Mecca), Muslims throughout the world celebrate the holiday of Eid al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice). In 2007, Eid al-Adha will begin on approximately December 19th, and will last for three days. During the Hajj, Muslims remember and commemorate the trials and triumphs of the Prophet Abraham. The Qur'an describes Abraham as follows: "Surely Abraham was an example, obedient to Allah, by nature upright, and he was not of the polytheists. He was grateful for Our bounties. We chose him and guided him unto a right path. We gave him good in this world, and in the next he will most surely be among the righteous." (Qur'an 16:120-121)

One of Abraham's main trials was to face the command of Allah to kill his only son. Upon hearing this command, he prepared to submit to Allah's will. When he was all prepared to do it, Allah revealed to him that his "sacrifice" had already been fulfilled. He had shown that his love for his Lord superceded all others, that he would lay down his own life or the lives of those dear to him in order to submit to God.

December 23 is the blank day in the Celtic calendar that has no ruling tree, called "The Secret of the Unhewn Stone." It is a day symbolizing time and timelessness – between the end of the old cycle and untapped potential of the new.

Winter Solstice, or Yule is associated with the completion of the out breath of the year; the pause of midwinter; the longest night of the year. Yule, celebrated by the ancient Goths at the time of the winter solstice in honor of the Sun, and by the ancient Norse (Iul – meaning wheel) as the beginning of the Great Wheel of the Zodiac, the Wheel of Life, at the time of the turning point when the Sun is reborn to the world. The winter Solstice is celebrated by all Free -Masons around the world: it heralds the day the Sun is reborn and St John the Baptist is the patron of this day.

Most of the Christians celebrate Christmas, birth date of Jesus Christ, on 25 December. But why "Most", why not all ? Because few Christians still celebrate Christmas on 06 January, believed to be the correct date. In 354 some Western churches, including those of Rome, commemorated the birth of Christ on December 25th. But why was Dec 25th chosen as a date for celebrations. Actually, Christianity borrowed and then replaced Mithraism, which was the main religion in Persia and Rome. Followers of Mithraism used to worship the Sun-god "Mitra" or "Mithra". It was the birthday of Mithra, 25 December (winter solstice), that was taken by the early Christians as the birthday of Jesus as a need and urgency by the early Christians to compromise with existing traditions. The real birthday of Christ was abandoned in favor of the birthday of Mithra. The worshippers of Mithra were called "Soldiers of Mithra" which is the origin of the term "Soldiers of Christ."

The festival that is now known as Christmas was actually a celebration for the Vedic Solar Deity Mitra. This Hindu deity Mitra was also worshiped by the Persians as Mithra, which later was adopted by Rome and remained even after the conversion to Christianity.

In India, Mitra was recognized as 'God of Heavenly Light' as a form of the sun and an ally of Indra, King of Heaven. Mitra was often prayed to and invoked along with Varuna, the Hindu god of moral law and true speech. Jointly known as 'Mitra-Varuna', it was believed that together they would uphold order in the world while travelling in a shining chariot and living in a golden mansion with a thousand pillars and a thousands doors.

Mitra was praised in the Vedic hymns as 'God of Light', 'Protector of Truth', and 'Enemy of Falsehood'. The worship of Mitra extended westwards to Persia (Iran) and eastwards towards China.

Mithraism is best documented in the form it had acquired in the later Roman Empire. The cult of Mithras came to Rome in the first century BCE, and quickly gained a steady following, mostly among soldiers, public servants and merchants. It was widespread throughout the Roman Empire in the first century and peaked in the third century before being suppressed along with all other non-Christian cults at the end of 4th century. It was an initiatory 'mystery religion,' passed from initiate to initiate, like the Eleusinian Mysteries. Roman worship of Mithras began sometime during the early Roman empire, perhaps during the late first century of the Common Era (hereafter CE), and flourished from the second through the fourth century BCE. during which it came under the influence of Greek and Roman mythologies. The Mithraic cult maintained secrecy. Its teaching were only reveled to initiates.

The Yule log, cut traditionally from the ash-tree, Yggdrasil (the world-tree whose roots were knotted in Hell and its boughs supported Heaven). This Tree of Life sheltered the Norns, another example of the triple-goddess: Urth (the past), Verdandi (the present), and Skuld (the future) who lovingly tended the tree. In Norse tradition, the festival of Yule (December 26-January 6) assigns 4 days to each of the Norns to honor the turning of the year. New Year’s day, the middle of this period has become a day when we remember the past and plan for the future, making resolutions to better our lives, and invoking the assistance of these triune sister goddesses.

December 31 is the Scottish New Year’s festival of Hogmanay, named for a solar giant who was magically divided into two giants, Gog and Magog. He was portrayed as the spiritual guardian of London. The associated shamanic ritual transforms the negative vestiges of the old year into a positive offering.

Merry Chistmas to all, have a great month of December.

[tattwa]

January

When we say Happy New Year, we happily invoke the energy of the ancient Roman god of passage. He has two faces -- one for endings and one for beginnings. Janus, for whom January was named, was the guardian of the gateway between the past and the future. Janus (from the Latin root "janua",meaning door) was honored as the guardian of the door.

Trevor Stewart writes :"In the Classical era, Janus was commonly shown as carrying two keys, one of gold and the other of silver, to open and lock each of the two solstitial gates, "the Janua Coeli "and "the Janua Inferni", corresponding respectively to the Winter and Summer solstices (i.e., the two extreme points of the Earth’s annual cycle around the Sun). Janus, as Master of Time, was the Janitor who opened and closed this cycle. On the other hand, he was also the god of initiation into the Greater and the Lesser ‘Mysteries’.

The word ‘Initio’ comes from the root-word ‘in-ire’ (= ‘to enter’ and this is clearly connected with the concept of a gateway). According to one, rather obscure passage in Cicero’s treatise "De Natura deorum", the name ‘Janus’ had the same root as the verb ‘ire’ (= to go) and this root-word has been detected in Sanskrit texts where among its derivatives is the word ‘yana’ (= the way). According to most linguists, it seems that that word‘ianus’ is based on the root ‘ia’. This is an extension of an Indo-European root ‘ei’ (= ‘to go’) an this abstract term singifies ‘passage’ or ‘travelling’. The ancient Oriental concept of ‘Tao’ means literally ‘the way’ and is shown in Mandarin Chinese by two ideographic characters which are the signs for the head and the feet (i.e., the beginning and the end).

Furthermore, you will recall that Jesus proclaimed Himself to be ‘the Way’. It is interesting, and not entirely inapposite, I suppose, that the symbol of the two keys is retained, even to this day, by the Papacy in its Coat of Arms. You will notice the two keys on the Tarot card "the Hierophant", or "the Pope". (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:R...Hierophant.jpg)

Incidentally, another symbol for Janus was that of a barque, a vessel that appropriately could move backwards and forwards corresponding to Janus’s two faces - and this is also retained today as one of the other chief symbols of the Papacy.

There is one other curious co-incidence which you may care to consider. Janus was the god of beginnings. His name was assigned to the first month of the Roman calendar. He presided over the so-called solstitial gates, the ‘gate of men’ and the ‘gate of the gods’; i.e., the Summer and Winter Soltices respectively. I am sure that you can tease out the zodiacal allusions and connections in this. His stolitial festivals were commemorated by the members of the Collegium Fabrorum (the guild of artisans) whom some would regard as the Classical forerunners of the later Medieval stonemasons. These solstitial feasts of Janus became eventually, in the Christian dispensation, the festivals of the two Saints John and the medieval stonemasons had both Saints John as their patrons.

Janus' festival, called "the Kalendae " is from January 1st to 3rd. Deference was also paid to him at the most important beginnings in the life of an individual...such as birth and marriage.He was invoked at the start of each new day and often referred to as the Porter of Heaven. Sacrifices were also made in January to the goddess Fortuna for favors in the coming year. Nowadays, we make resolutions to sacrifice destructive or useless habits to make room for worthwhile and constructive activities and behaviors that will lead us to good fortune.

January 1st, New Years’ Day, also known as Hogamany, is a Scottishcelebration that includes a walkabout around the boundaries of ones’ property. Also called "first footing", folklore tells us that the first foot inside your door after midnight, December 31 will foretell the flavor of the coming year’s fortune.

Although they had no written calendar, ancient Babylonians (who resided in modern day Iraq) celebrated the beginning of a New Year on what is now March 23rd, the time of year when Spring arrives and new crops planted. It was a festival which lasted for 11 days, during which the King was stripped of his clothes and banished. For a few days, the people could do as they pleased. Upon the return of the King...in grand procession and wearing fine robes...the Babylonians went back to work and behaved in proper fashion once more. Thus, each New Year, did the people make a fresh start to their lives.

Ancient Egyptians originally celebrated the New Year with the Feast of Opet around the middle of June, which was when the Nile River usually overflowed its banks. Consequently, people were unable to work and would be free to take part in the festivities. Statues of the God, Amon, together with effigies of his wife and son, would be taken by boat down the Nile from Karnak to Luxor, where the people would sing, dance and feast for a 24 days before transporting the statues back to the temple. Phoenicians and Persians proclaimed the beginning of the New Year on the Autumnal Equinox (September22nd). Early Greeks first observed the occasion at the Winter Solstice (December 21st) and later, at the Summer Solstice (June 21st).
The Romans initially observed their New Year in March, a festival which they called Calends or Kalends. It was a time when people decorated their homes with lights and greenery and gave each other gifts carefully chosen for their luck-bringing properties, such as sweets or honey to ensure peace...gold, silver or monetary presents to ensure propsperity...and lamps for a year filled with light. The festival lasted for three days, during which time slaves and masters dined together and normal rules of the society were put on hold while everyone was permitted to do what they pleased. The Emperor and other select politicians would usually be presented with gifts and wishes of good fortune for the year ahead. However, since the Roman calendar was constantly being tampered with by the Emperors, it became out of synchronization with the Sun. In order to set the calendar right, the Senate, in 153 B.C., proclaimed that the first day of a New Year would be observed on January 1st. Nevertheless, tampering with the calendar continued until 46 B.C., when Julius Caesar established what was to later be known as the Julian Calendar. Again, it designated January 1st as the New Year but, in order to synchronize the calendar with the Sun, Caesar was obliged to allow the previous year to continue for 445 days.

AUSTRIA, POLAND AND SWITZERLAND: New Year's Eve is known as the Eve of Saint Sylvester or Sylvesterabend. According to legend, Saint Sylvester (or, according to Polish lore, Pope Sylvester) slew an evil monster-dragon known as the Leviathon in 1000 A.D., the year widely predicted at that time to be Judgment Day. The Leviathon was supposed to rise, devour the land and the people and set fire to the heavens. He did rise and was vanquished. The Leviathon, a serpent-dragon with shiny scales who fed on other dragons, was so large that its multicolored coils encircled the Earth. In Switzerland, the people parade through the streets dressed in costumes and hats, representative of good and evil spirits.

CHINA: The Chinese New Year, known as Yuan Tan, takes place sometime between January 21st and February 20th, the exact date being fixed by the Lunar Calendar, in which a New Moon marks the beginning of each month. Yuan Tan is celebrated by Chinese people all over the world. For many families, it is a time of feasting, visiting relatives and friends. In the cities, spectacular processions are arranged. The celebrations are intended to bring luck, health, wealth and happiness. Houses are cleaned in order to rid them of the previous year's bad luck before the festivities begin. Street parades are held where thousands of people gather to watch the procession of floats weave their way through the crowds. The dragon is a popular figure, associated in particular with longevity and wealth. Inside the costumes will be as many as 50 dancers, all twisting and turning the dragon's long, silk body and blinking eyes. Since the Chinese believe that evil spirits dislike loud noises, they decorate their houses with plastic firecrackers in order to ward off any bad luck that the spirits might bring. Often, doors and windows are sealed with paper to keep out such evil spirits. Plants and flowers are purchased in order to ensure good luck for the coming year. The Kumquat tree is considered to be the luckiest...its name a play on the word "lucky." The peach blossom is also a favorite and the tangerine is also considered lucky because of its bright color. However, since odd numbers are considered unlucky, the tangerines are always purchased or given as gifts in pairs. When the New Year is associated with a particular animal, then the meat of that animal is not eaten for the first day of the year. For several days prior to New Year's Eve, housewives clean and redecorate their homes. Favored foods at this time are those thought to ensure wealth and happiness for the coming year, such as black moss seaweed and dried bean curd.

GREECE: January 1st is an important day in the Greek calendar. Not only is it the first day of the year, it is also Saint Basil's Day. Saint Basil was one of the forefathers of the Greek Orthodox Church. He is remembered for his kindess and generosity to the poor. Saint Basil is believed to have died on January 1st. New Year is perhaps even more festive than Christmas since it is the main day for gift-giving and for telling stories of how Saint Basil would come in the night and leave presents in children's shoes. There are many special dishes prepared but the most important is Vassilopitta or Saint Basily's Cake. Inside the cake is place a silver or gold coin and pieces are distributed in accordance with strict order. The first slice is for Saint Basil, the second for the house, the next for the most senior family member on down to the youngest member...a piece is even cut for those household members who are absent and there may also be a slice for the cattle. Whoever finds the coin in their piece of cake will be blessed with luck during the coming year. In addition to Saint Basil's Cake, there is usually an abundance of food, including Kourabiedes Shortbread, thiples and honey. The table is often decorated with olive-branches, nuts, fresh fruit and other symbols of happiness and wealth. The first person across the threshold on New Year's Day is said to bring the family luck throughout the year to come. Traditionally, either the father or a "lucky child" is the first to cross the threshold...a "lucky child" is one who has both parents still living.

January 6th marks the Christian celebration of Epiphany after the 12th night of Christmas, the device that shows Christian beliefs and recounts them each year. Epiphany comes from the Greek and Latin root meaning appearance, manifestation, or revealment, and to show forth or to manifest. An epiphany today means a meaningful experience wherein a numinous moment occurs that changes the significance of everything in the life. The celebration of Epiphany is taken from the story of the three Wise Men from the east, who traveled 12 days and nights to see the newborn savior. It was "revealed" to them in a dream, that if they follow the "appearance" of a special star or light in the heavens, they would find a child in whom The Christ was manifested". The Wise Men or Magi , brought special gifts from their homelands- Persia- fit to offer a king. These wise men were astrologers.

The gifts consisted of gold (ruled by the Sun), the precious metal of Kings, because of its beauty and rarity. Of all the metals, it is nearly inert - doesn’t easily mix with other elements, and doesn’t break down, but maintains its elemental form.

The second gift, frankincense (also Sun ruled), was an aromatic hardened gum resin of the Boswellia Carterii Thurifera tree, used as an incense in religious rituals, and represents pure prayer. Boswellia is an anti-inflammatory, now used to treat arthritis. The third was myrrh (Saturn ruled), a resin from the Commiphora myrrha tree - used in incense, as a holy oil for anointing the dead, as a mouthwash, as a vermifuge, and as a painkiller. It is a fragrant but bitter-tasting gum resin used to make incense, perfumes, medicines, and holy ointments for consecration .Resins are found in Arabia and Somalia, and are used in protection rites. Epiphany is celebrated as a time of consecration - a time of dedication to a better future.

January’s gemstones are the garnet and the agate -- the word garnet is derived from the Latin "granatum", which means pomegranate .
Garnet crystals are granular, shaped like the fruits of the pomegranate. The most prized color of the gemstone is the deep clear poppy red of the fruit, although garnets also come in many hues (even to red orange and yellow). These gems were reported to bring sleep to their wearers, and to calm a restless brain. Garnets were also associated with constancy and fidelity, and were said to fortify the heart of the owner.

January 25 in the runic calendar is Disting, the feast of the Disir, the Norse guardian goddesses. In the Druidic form of this ritual, the Fire Maiden lights the fire of wisdom and love and power, and makes an offering so that the sacred fire burns within us. Then the Keeper of the Well pours
water of wisdom and life, and makes an offering so that the sacred waters flow within us. Then the Tender of the Tree dresses the Cosmic Tree, Yggdrasill, symbolic of Life and our connection with the Earth, and asks that the sacred tree grow within us. Symbols of land and sea and sky within
and without honor the adage "as above, so below".

January 26 is Vasant Panchami, the festival of Kites, devoted to Saraswati, goddess of learning and wife to Brahma. She is asked to bestow the wealth of Knowledge to all humanity. Celebrants wear yellow clothing in honor of the mustard fields, symbolic of spring coming to the land. Saraswati is a bit like our “Sophia”

January is the month of Saturn, embracing both of Saturn’s signs, Capricorn and Aquarius when time often weighs heavily. Saturn rules Time . Time is most certainly an enigma.

"…You would measure time the measureless and the immeasurable.

You would adjust your conduct and even direct the course of your spirit
according to hours and seasons.

Of time you would make a stream upon whose bank you would sit and watch its
flowing.

Yet the timeless in you is aware of life’s timelessness, and knows that
yesterday is but today’s memory and tomorrow is today’s dream.

And that which sings and contemplates in you is still dwelling within the
bounds of that first moment which scattered the stars into space…

…But if in your thought you must measure time into seasons, let each season
encircle all the other seasons,

And let today embrace the past with remembrance and the future with longing.


"On Time" from "The Prophet" by Khalil Gibran

I wish you all a Happy New Year and have a great month of January.