A Day To Talk About: December 21^st!

 

Let’s talk about December 21, as some consider it the most magical time of the year.  Lots of wedding and engagements happen on this day of the year.

 

Dec. 21: The Winter Solstice Explained:

For northern latitudes, the solstice marks the beginning of winter, but ancient Sky Watchers didn’t understand the sun’s migration, fearing it could disappear forever as it dipped below the horizon.

At 6:12 a.m. EST on Friday (Dec. 21), the sun will reach a point where it will appear to shine farthest to the south of the equator, over the Tropic of Capricorn, thus marking the moment of the winter solstice — the beginning of winter.

Since June 20, the altitude of the midday sun has been lowering as its direct rays have been gradually migrating to the south.

The sun’s altitude above the horizon at noontime is 47 degrees lower now, compared to six months ago.  Your clenched fist held at arm’s length measures roughly 10 degrees, so the sun at midday is now nearly “five fists” lower in the southern sky compared to on June 21.

The ancient Sky Watchers had no understanding of the sun’s migration; they thought this celestial machinery might break down someday, and the sun would continue southward, never to return. As such, the lowering of the sun was cause for fear and wonder.

As “armistice” is defined as a staying of the action of arms, “solstice” is a staying of the sun’s apparent motion over the latitudes of the Earth. At the summer solstice, the sun stops its northward motion and begins heading south.

At the winter solstice, it turns north. Technically, at one minute past the moment of the solstice, the sun has turned around and started north. It will cross the equator at the vernal equinox, passing into the Northern Hemisphere on March 20, at 7:02 a.m. EDT.  [Top 10 Winter Sky Targets for Sky watchers]

When the ancients saw the sun stop and slowly climb to a higher midday location, people rejoiced; here was a promise that spring would return. Most cultures had winter solstice celebrations and some adapted it to other events. In Persia, the solstice marked the birthday of Mithra, the Sun King.

In ancient times, Dec. 25 was the date of the lavish Roman festival of Saturnalia, a sort of bacchanalian thanksgiving. Saturnalia was celebrated around the time of the winter solstice. And in 275 A.D., the Roman Emperor Aurelian commemorated a feast day coinciding with the winter solstice: Die Natalis Invicti Solis (“The birthday of the Unconquered Sun”).

Among the many varied customs linked with this special season for thousands of years, the exchanging of gifts is almost universal. Mother Nature herself offers the sky observer in north temperate latitudes the two gifts of long nights and a sky more transparent than usual.

One reason for the clarity of a winter’s night is that cold air cannot hold as much moisture as warm air can. Hence, on many nights in the summer, the warm moisture-laden atmosphere causes the sky to appear hazier. By day it is a milky, washed-out blue, which in winter becomes a richer, deeper and darker shade of blue. For us in northern climes, this only adds more luster to that part of the sky containing the beautiful wintertime constellations.

Indeed, the brilliant stars and constellations that now adorn our evening sky, such as Sirius, Orion, Capella, Taurus, and many others, plus as an added bonus this winter season of the planet Jupiter, all seem like Nature’s holiday decorations to commemorate the winter solstice and enlighten the long cold nights of winter.

 

Winter Solstice:

The word solstice comes from the Latin sol “sun,” and sistere “to stand still.” So, loosely translated, it means “sun stands still.” Why? The Sun’s path across the sky appears to freeze for a few days before and after the solstice. The change in its noontime elevation is so slight that the Sun’s path seems to stay the same or stand still.

The day after the winter solstice, the Sun’s path begins to advance northward again, eventually reaching its most northerly point on the day of the summer solstice.

Then, as summer advances toward winter, the points on the horizon where the Sun rises and sets advance southward each day; the high point in the Sun’s daily path across the sky, which occurs at local noon, also moves southward each day. It’s a never-ending cycle!

 

The Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year. Is it also the coldest?

The day of the winter solstice is the shortest day of the year, which means that it’s the day in which we experience the least amount of daylight. Logically, it would make sense to assume that this is also the coldest day of the year since we are exposed to less warmth-giving sunlight on this day than at any other time. But this is not true.

Many factors affect the temperature of a location on any given day, including altitude, snow cover, and large-scale weather patterns. Snow cover, for example, partially blocks solar radiation from being absorbed by the Earth, which results in less heat being released and an overall drop in temperature. Because of these factors, it’s impossible to point to the same date year after year and call it the coldest day.

In the United States, the coldest days of the year tend to occur between mid-December and late January, so while it’s certainly possible that the coldest day of the year could also be the day of the winter solstice, that’s not usually the case!

 

Is the Winter Solstice really the start of winter?

There is not a black-and-white answer to this question—it depends on which definition of “winter” you follow:

Astronomical winter begins at the winter solstice and ends at the spring equinox. Astronomical seasons are based on the position of Earth in relation to the Sun.

Meteorological winter (in the Northern Hemisphere) starts on December 1 and ends on February 28 (or 29). Meteorological seasons are based on the annual temperature cycle and climatological patterns observed on Earth.

Because an almanac is traditionally defined as a “calendar of the heavens,” it follow the astronomical definition of the seasons, which states that each of the four seasons starts on a solstice or equinox.

However, that doesn’t mean that the meteorological definition is incorrect. It is important for meteorologists to be able to compare climatological statistics for a particular season from one year to the next—for agriculture, commerce, and a variety of other purposes. Thus, meteorologists break the seasons down into groupings of three months. Meteorological winter starts on December 1 and includes December, January, and February.

Did you know? For the ancient Celts, the calendar was based around the solstices and equinoxes, marking the Quarter Days, with the mid-points called Cross-Quarter Days.

 

The Magic of December 21:

The Solstice is also the start of a new season depending on where in the world you live, and a new season always brings a transition of energy.

The winter solstice is celebrated by many people around the world as the beginning of the return of the sun, and darkness turning into light. The Talmud recognizes the winter solstice as “Tekufat Tevet.” In China, the Dongzhi Festival is celebrated on the Winter Solstice by families getting together and eating special festive food.

Until the 16th century, the winter months were a time of famine in northern Europe. Most cattle were slaughtered so that they wouldn’t have to be fed during the winter, making the solstice a time when fresh meat was plentiful. Most celebrations of the winter solstice in Europe involved merriment and feasting. In pre-Christian Scandinavia, the Feast of Juul, or Yule, lasted for 12 days celebrating the rebirth of the sun and giving rise to the custom of burning a Yule log.

In ancient Rome, the winter solstice was celebrated at the Feast of Saturnalia, to honor Saturn, the god of agricultural bounty. Lasting about a week, Saturnalia was characterized by feasting, debauchery and gift-giving. With Emperor Constantine’s conversion to Christianity, many of these customs were later absorbed into Christmas celebrations.

Saturnalia was a pagan festival celebrated on the December Solstice, and was meant to be reminiscent of the Golden Age- a time where there was peace on Earth and Saturn was our Sun.

The December Solstice was chosen for this day as it was said to signify a “return to the light.”

 

 

The Solstice is a time where the veil between dimensions is thin. It is also a time where we are more open and connected with the energies of the Earth. Hence the magic! 

Surprise!  Native American Food Helped Today’s Menu! Order Please!

From acorn bread to fry bread, succotash to beef stew, Native American cuisine has been a staple in homes across America for centuries.

Today, these traditional dishes are still consumed in homes and restaurants throughout the country, some stick to the classic recipes, and some put a modern twist on the old favorites. Many staples in our daily diets, like tomatoes, wild rice, and peanuts are often credited to the Europeans, when in fact the Indigenous people of the Americas are to thank for it.

Depending on the region and tribe, the food varies quite a bit. Different tribes had to cater their menus with the foods native to their regions back in the day. Today, traditional meals are still enjoyed and prepared all over the country.

Keep reading to learn a bit about the different tribes, and which Native American foods are known to them.

Southeast

One of the main staples of the southern diet, corn, came from the Southeast Native American tribes.

Still today, much of the food consumed in the south got its roots from the Native Americans. We can thank them for cornbread, grits, and whiskey. While our cornbread and grits may taste a bit different today, the inspiration behind the dishes dates back centuries. The Southeast Native Americans were mainly hunters and gatherers for smaller animals like rabbits and turkeys. The Southeast of the United States is quite warm and was ideal for farming. Crops like tomatoes, sweet potatoes, tobacco, peppers, and cotton were among the most common. They incorporated these foods with their hunted meat to create their main dishes.

Southwest

From Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado the southwest, tribes coming from the present-day Four Corners area of the United States, relied heavily on agriculture. Commonly known as Ancestral Pueblans, they are famous for their pottery, basket weaving, and clay pot cooking. Corn (maize), beans, squash, and sunflower seeds are the most common ingredients in their dishes.

They were also sure to utilize their local pinyon pine trees for pine nuts. For their meat sources, they relied heavily on hunting game, including deer, rabbits, and squirrels. Most of the time they would cook the meat on an open fire or in hand-crafted tools, which are variations of our modern-day cooking ware.

Northeast

The Northeast is today commonly referred to as the New England region of the United States. One thing to remember about this region is the drastic change in seasons.

Famous for having harsh winters and hot summers, the Native Americans in this area had to cater their diets to the current season. Many Native Americans farmed in this area, mostly corn, beans, and squash, also known as “the three sisters.”

Do you like maple syrup over your pancakes or how about maple sugar candy?

The Native Americas from the Northeast to thank for these tasty treats we still eat today. Although they most likely didn’t sweeten their waffles with syrup, they mainly used it season vegetables, fish, game, and grains. The Northeast is also cranberry heaven; the Native Americans used to grow the berries and eat them dried or mixed into different dishes. Sometimes they would even use them raw to flavor their drinking water.

Plains

In the plains region, Native Americans relied on a very meat-heavy diet. They hunted turkeys, ducks, deer, buffalo, elk, and bison for their families. Berries and other dried fruits were also often consumed. Usually, berries would be consumed raw while they did cook the meat into various stews and savory dishes. Pumpkins, herbs, and root vegetables were also heavily used in this region.

Northwest

Native Americans from what is now known as the Northwest region of the United States, relied heavily on salmon, other kinds of fish, and seafood as their primary source of protein. Mushrooms and berries were also abundant in their area, so they used the berries to sweeten their bread and desserts.

They were primarily hunter-gatherers, and their warmer climate made it easier to rely on year-round food supplies. For other sources of protein, they hunted deer, duck, and rabbit and made various stews from the game meat. Only during the summer were they able to dry meat, so dried deer and rabbit meat were often consumed during the warmer months. To make loaves of bread, cakes, and other baked goods, the tribes from the Northwest region would grind acorns down into a flour.

How did Native Americans influence modern cuisine?

Do you love a good turkey dinner with all the fixings?

How about cornbread, cranberries, blueberries, and grits? While these may only be consumed during the holiday seasons in the United States, we do have to give credit to the Native Americans for this food.

Without the Native Americans, we would not have the same corn, beans, squash, wild rice, avocados, peanuts, sweet potatoes, and even chocolate. Today, many Native American families will serve fry bread at their social gatherings, and it’s a commonly known staple in the south. In the last decade, people have been health-conscious than ever before.

While quinoa and spirulina may sound like new foods to you, the Native Americas have been eating them for centuries. Today, they are known as ‘superfoods’ or foods with an ample amount of nutrients. Quinoa has the highest protein content of any grain, and some tribes even used the leaves of the plant in soups and stews. Back in the day, they would also toast and grind up the quinoa seeds to make it into bread. The Native Americans bread, cultivated and domesticated some of the many plant species we still use to today in our daily lives. These crops originating from the Americas are now everyday staples in diets worldwide.

Can you imagine a world without vanilla, potatoes, or peppers?

Without Native Americans, we would not be able to enjoy so many of the favorite foods we have today.

It might not be surprising to know that the “first Thanksgiving” didn’t resemble what we were often taught in school. There was likely no stuffing, turkey, or pumpkin pie. But there was definitely no shortage of options, as Native Americans marked celebratory meals with plenty of fish, produce, and wild rice. Want a fully Indigenous-inspired Thanksgiving meal? Pair our whole roasted trout with roasted turnips, fried cornbread, and wild rice pudding for dessert.

Indigenous Americans originated many classic dishes that just might surprise you too, like fried green tomatoes, succotash, and tamales. Did you know? Grilling salmon on cedar planks also has roots in tribes of the Pacific Northwest, where salmon is revered as a sacred food to tribes all across the region.

Succotash

Tribes across the country enjoyed this super nutritious dish long before more folks relied on it as a cheap meal in the Great Depression.

Ingredients:

2 lbs. fresh or dry lima beans

3 cups fresh corn cut from cob

4 to 6 wild or pearl onions

2 Tbsps. melted bacon fat

2 pieces smoked ham hock

3 quarts water

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Soak dry beans for three to four hours to soften. Drain and add to a pot of boiling water. Let them cook for about 10 minutes, then add corn, ham hocks, salt and pepper, and onions.

Reduce the heat and cook on low for one hour.

This is an excellent side dish for the holidays or anytime.  May even be eaten with a piece of cornbread as a meal.  I love this.  It is one of my favorite recipes and it is totally Native American

 

ABC It is Easy As 1,2,3……May I present our Calendar? December Is Our Star! 

Have you ever wondered, “How did the months of the year get their names?” The months’ names reflect a mix of gods, goddesses, rulers, and numbers. Discover how our calendar developed into what it is today.

How Our Calendar Came to Be

The Ancient Roman Calendar

Today, we follow the Gregorian calendar, but it’s based on the ancient Roman calendar, believed to be invented by Romulus, who served as the first king of Rome around 753 BC.

The Roman calendar, a complicated lunar calendar, had 12 months like our current calendar, but only 10 of the months had formal names. Basically, winter was a “dead” period when the government and military weren’t active, so they only had names for the time we think of as March through December.

March (Martius) was named for Mars, the god of war, because this was the month when active military campaigns resumed. May (Maius) and June (Junius) were also named for goddesses: Maia and Juno. April (Aprilis) is thought to stem from the Latin aperio, meaning “to open”—a reference to the opening buds of springtime. The rest of the months were numbered; their original names in Latin meant the fifth (Quintilis), sixth (Sextilis), seventh (September), eighth (October), ninth (November), and tenth (December) month.

Eventually, January (Januarius) and February (Februarius) were added to the end of the year, giving all 12 months proper names. January was named after Janus, the Roman god of beginnings and transitions. February’s name is believed to stem from Februa, an ancient festival dedicated to ritual springtime cleaning and washing.

Julian Calendar Updates

When Julius Caesar became Pontifex Maximus, he reformed the Roman calendar so that the 12 months were based on Earth’s revolutions around the Sun. It was a solar calendar, as we have today. January and February were moved to the front of the year, and leap years were introduced to keep the calendar year lined up with the solar year.

The winter months (January and February) remained a time of reflection, peace, new beginnings, and purification. After Caesar’s death, the month Quintilis was renamed July in honor of Julius Caesar in 44 BC, and later, Sextilis was renamed August in honor of Roman Emperor Augustus in 8 BC.

Of course, all the renaming and reorganizing meant that some of the months’ names no longer agreed with their position in the calendar (September to December, for example). Later emperors tried to name various months after themselves, but those changes did not outlive them!

Today’s Gregorian Calendar

Quite a bit later, in 1582, Pope Gregory XIII introduced many reforms to the Julian calendar, as there were still some inaccuracies and adjustments to be made. Mainly, the Julian calendar had overestimated the time it took the Earth to orbit the Sun, so the Gregorian calendar shortened the calendar year from 365.25 days to 365.2425 days. This meant that the calendar could be more easily corrected by leap years and that the dates of the equinoxes and solstices—and thus, the date of Easter—once again lined up with their observed dates.

Origins of the Months’ Names

JANUARY

Named for the Roman god Janus, protector of gates and doorways. Janus is depicted with two faces, one looking into the past, the other into the future. In ancient Roman times, the gates of the temple of Janus were open in times of war and closed in times of peace.

FEBRUARY

From the Latin word februa, “to cleanse.” The Roman calendar month of Februarius was named for Februalia, a festival of purification and atonement that took place during this period.

MARCH

Named for the Roman god of war, Mars. This was the time of year to resume military campaigns that had been interrupted by winter. March was also a time of many festivals, presumably in preparation for the campaigning season.

APRIL

From the Latin word aperio, “to open (bud),” plants begin to grow in this month. In essence, this month was viewed as spring’s renewal.

MAY

Named for the Roman goddess Maia, who oversaw the growth of plants. Also, from the Latin word maiores, “elders,” who were celebrated during this month. Maia was considered a nurturer and an earth goddess, which may explain the connection with this springtime month. 

JUNE

Named for the Roman goddess Juno, patroness of marriage and the well-being of women. Also, from the Latin word juvenis, “young people.”

JULY

Named to honor Roman dictator Julius Caesar (100 B.C.– 44 B.C.) after his death. In 46 B.C., Julius Caesar made one of his most significant contributions to history: With the help of Sosigenes, he developed the Julian calendar, the precursor to the Gregorian calendar we use today.

Named to honor the first Roman emperor (and grandnephew of Julius Caesar), Augustus Caesar (63 B.C.– A.D. 14). Augustus (the first Roman emperor) comes from the Latin word “augustus,” meaning venerable, noble, and majestic.

SEPTEMBER

September comes from the Latin word septem, meaning “seven,” because it was the seventh month of the early Roman calendar.

OCTOBER

In the ancient Roman calendar, October was the name of the eighth month of the year. Its name comes from octo, the Latin word for “eight.” When the Romans converted to a 12-month calendar, they tried to rename this month after various Roman emperors, but October’s name stuck!

In Old England, the month was called Winmonath, which means “wine month,” for this was the time of year when wine was made. The English also called it Winterfylleth, or “Winter Full Moon.” They considered this full Moon to be the start of winter. In weather lore, we note, “If October brings heavy frosts and winds, then will January and February be mild.”

NOVEMBER

From the Latin word novem, “nine,” this had been the ninth month of the early Roman calendar.

DECEMBER

From the Latin word decem, “ten,” this had been the tenth month of the early Roman calendar.

More Information On December

In ancient Rome, the calendar had only ten months and a total of 304 days. The year would start in March, which was considered the beginning of spring. March was named after Mars, the Roman god of war. This was followed by April, May, and so on until December.

During the reign of King Numa Pompilius, the second king of Rome, the calendar was revised to include two additional months at the beginning of the year. This change was made to align the calendar with the lunar cycles and to account for the winter period, which was previously unaccounted for.

The months of January and February were added, with January becoming the first month of the year. January was named after Janus, the Roman god of beginnings and transitions. February, on the other hand, was named after the Latin word ‘februum’, which means purification. It was a month dedicated to religious rituals and cleansing.

With the addition of January and February, December was pushed to the twelfth and final month of the year. Despite these changes, the name ‘December’ has prevailed throughout history, maintaining its significance as the month that brings the year to a close.

December holds a special place in many cultures and religions around the world. In the northern hemisphere, it marks the beginning of winter, with shorter days and colder temperatures. It is a time when people gather with their loved ones to celebrate various holidays, such as Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa.

Christmas, in particular, is one of the most widely celebrated holidays in December. It commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ and is observed by Christians worldwide. The holiday is marked by festive decorations, gift-giving, and special religious services.

In addition to religious holidays, December also brings about a sense of reflection and anticipation for the upcoming year. Many people take the time to reflect on the past year, set goals for the future, and make resolutions for self-improvement.

December is also a month filled with cultural traditions and festivities. In some countries, such as Mexico, the celebration of Las Posadas takes place throughout the month. It eenacts Joseph and Mary’s search for a place to stay in Bethlehem and involves processions, music, and food.

In Scandinavian countries, the celebration of St. Lucia’s Day on December 13th is a significant event. It honors St. Lucia, a Christian martyr, and is marked by processions of girls wearing white robes and candles on their heads.

Furthermore, December is a time when many people engage in acts of charity and giving. The holiday season often inspires individuals to donate to charitable organizations, volunteer their time, and help those in need.

Overall, December is a month that holds historical, cultural, and religious significance. It is a time of reflection, celebration, and giving. As the final month of the year, it symbolizes the end of one chapter and the beginning of another, making it a truly special time for people around the world.

The Etymology of December

The etymology of December traces back to the Roman word ‘decem’, which directly translates to ‘ten’. This word reflects the month’s original placement within the Roman calendar. The roots of the name highlight the evolving nature of calendars and the significance they hold in shaping our perceptions of time.

December, the twelfth and final month of the Gregorian calendar, has a rich history that goes beyond its etymology. It is a month filled with festivities, celebrations, and a sense of closure as the year comes to an end.

In ancient Rome, December marked the beginning of the winter season. The Romans believed that during this month, the god Saturn, the god of agriculture and time, reigned supreme. They celebrated the festival of Saturnalia, a week-long event filled with feasting, gift-giving, and revelry. It was a time when social norms were temporarily suspended, and people indulged in merriment and freedom.

As the Roman Empire expanded, December became a month of great significance in various cultures. In medieval Europe, it was a time of preparation for the upcoming winter months. People would gather supplies, stock up on food, and ensure their homes were well-insulated to withstand the harsh weather.

December also holds religious importance for many. It is a time when Christians around the world celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on Christmas Day, which falls on the 25th of December. The holiday season brings people together, fostering a sense of unity and goodwill.

Furthermore, December is a month of reflection and introspection. As the year draws to a close, many individuals take the opportunity to evaluate their accomplishments, set goals for the future, and express gratitude for the experiences and challenges they have faced throughout the year.

December is also a time when nature undergoes significant changes. In the Northern Hemisphere, the days become shorter, and the temperatures drop, marking the official arrival of winter. Snow blankets the landscape, creating a serene and magical atmosphere. In contrast, in the Southern Hemisphere, December brings the arrival of summer, with longer days and warmer weather.

As we delve into the etymology of December, we discover a month that encompasses a multitude of cultural, religious, and natural elements. It is a time of celebration, reflection, and transition. The name itself serves as a reminder of the ancient Roman roots of our modern calendar and the enduring influence of history on our daily lives.

The Linguistic Roots of December

Beyond Latin, the linguistic origins of December can be found in various other languages. For example, in Spanish, December is called ‘diciembre’, while in French, it is known as ‘décembre’. These linguistic connections demonstrate how the name has permeated different cultures and languages throughout history.

As we delve deeper into the linguistic roots of December, we discover fascinating connections that span across continents and centuries. The name ‘December’ finds its origins in the Latin word ‘decem’, meaning ‘ten’. This is because December was originally the tenth month in the ancient Roman calendar.

Interestingly, the shift from December being the tenth month to the twelfth month in our modern calendar can be traced back to the reforms made by Julius Caesar. In 45 BCE, he introduced the Julian calendar, which added two additional months, January and February, at the beginning of the year. This adjustment pushed December to its current position as the twelfth month.

As the Roman Empire expanded its influence, so did the Latin language. Latin became the lingua franca of the Western world, and with it, the name ‘December’ spread to various regions. The Roman conquest of Gaul, for instance, brought Latin to what is now modern-day France. This is why in French, December is known as ‘décembre’, a direct reflection of its Latin roots.

Similarly, the Roman Empire’s conquest of Hispania, which comprises present-day Spain and Portugal, introduced Latin to the Iberian Peninsula. The Spanish name for December, ‘diciembre’, is a testament to the lasting impact of Latin on the Spanish language.

It is fascinating to observe how the name ‘December’ has evolved and adapted as it traveled across different cultures and languages. In each region, it took on a unique phonetic form while still retaining its essence. This linguistic phenomenon highlights the interconnectedness of human history and the enduring influence of ancient civilizations.

Furthermore, the significance of December extends beyond its linguistic origins. It is a month that holds great cultural and religious significance for many communities around the world. In the Northern Hemisphere, December marks the beginning of winter, a season associated with festivities, traditions, and celebrations.

One of the most widely recognized celebrations in December is Christmas, which commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ in Christian tradition. Christmas is celebrated by millions of people worldwide, with various customs and rituals that vary from country to country. From decorating Christmas trees to exchanging gifts, the holiday season in December brings joy and togetherness.

In addition to Christmas, December is also home to other important holidays and observances. Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish celebration that usually falls in December. During this time, families light the menorah, exchange gifts, and enjoy traditional foods.

Moreover, December is a month of reflection and anticipation as the year draws to a close. It is a time for setting goals, making resolutions, and looking forward to the possibilities that the coming year holds.

So, as we explore the linguistic roots of December, we uncover a rich tapestry of history, culture, and tradition. From its Latin origins to its diverse manifestations in different languages, December is a month that bridges the past and the present, connecting us to our shared human heritage.

December in the Roman Calendar

The Roman calendar, as mentioned earlier, positioned December as the tenth month. However, understanding December’s place in this calendar requires a closer examination of its historical context.

The Early Roman Calendar and December

In the early period of the Roman calendar, which had ten months, December was considered the final month of the year. However, it only consisted of 30 days, highlighting the need for the calendar’s later modifications.

December’s Position in the Julian Calendar

With the introduction of the Julian calendar by Julius Caesar, December retained its position as the twelfth month. It was given 31 days to align the calendar more closely with the solar year. The Julian calendar laid the foundation for the calendar system used by many Western societies today.

December in Different Cultures

December’s significance extends beyond the Roman calendar. This month holds cultural importance in various societies worldwide. 

December in the Gregorian Calendar

In the Gregorian calendar, December maintains its place as the twelfth and final month of the year. This calendar, introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582, sought to correct the inaccuracies of the Julian calendar in relation to the solar year. As a result, December 31st marks the end of the year and is often celebrated with festivities and reflection.

December in Non-Western Cultures

While December holds prominence in Western cultures, it is essential to acknowledge that non-Western cultures have their own unique ways of marking this month. For example, in many East Asian countries, December is associated with the celebration of the Winter Solstice, a time when families gather to honor ancestors and eat traditional foods.

The Significance of December in History

The historical events that have occurred during December have shaped the course of human history and left lasting impressions on society.

Historical Events in December

December is often marked by significant historical milestones. From the signing of the Magna Carta in 1215 to the Wright brothers’ first powered flight in 1903, December has been a witness to various groundbreaking achievements.

December in Religious Traditions

December holds profound religious significance in many traditions. For instance, Christians celebrate Christmas on December 25th, marking the birth of Jesus Christ. Additionally, Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, typically falls in December, celebrating the triumph of light over darkness.

Modern Interpretations of December

Beyond historical context, December has found its place in contemporary culture and is subject to modern interpretations.

December in Popular Culture

December is often depicted in popular culture as a month of joy and festivities. It is associated with holiday decorations, family gatherings, and reflections on the past year. Movies, songs, and literature often capture the essence of December, further contributing to its cultural significance.

Symbolism and Associations of December

December is often associated with themes such as winter, snow, and holiday cheer. It symbolizes the transition from one year to the next and offers a time for introspection and planning for the future. The symbolism attached to December varies across cultures, but common themes of renewal and hope prevail.

As we explore the origin of the name December and its complete history, we uncover a tapestry woven with cultural, historical, and linguistic threads. Whether it’s marked by winter solstice celebrations, historical milestones, or contemporary festivities, December continues to hold a special place in our hearts and calendars. It serves as a reminder of the passage of time, the significance of tradition, and the potential for new beginnings.

December’s Birthstones

The winter blues have nothing on December’s birthstones: tanzanite, zircon, and turquoise.

All three of December’s birthstones are best known for their beautiful shades of blue. These gemstones range from the oldest on Earth to one of the first mined and used in jewelry, to one of the most recently discovered.

December’s birthstones are relatively inexpensive, but their beauty rivals even precious gemstones. Colorless zircon is a convincing replacement for diamond, tanzanite often substitutes sapphire, and turquoise is unmatched in its hue of robin’s egg blue.

So there you have it my friends……December! 

Warning! Do Not Take This Ride Share On or Near Halloween!

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow resurfaces every year around Halloween. Washington Irving’s 1820 tale of a headless horseman who terrorizes the real-life village of Sleepy Hollow is considered one of America’s first ghost stories—and one of its scariest. But Irving didn’t invent the idea of a headless rider.

But Irving didn’t invent the idea of a headless rider. Tales of headless horsemen can be traced to the Middle Ages, including stories from the Brothers Grimm and the Dutch and Irish legend of the “Dullahan” or “Gan Ceann,” a Grim Reaper-like rider who carries his head.

A likely source for Irving’s horseman can be found in Sir Walter Scott’s 1796 The Chase, which is a translation of the German poem The Wild Huntsman by Gottfried Bürger and likely based on Norse mythology.

Irving had just met and become friends with Scott in 1817 so it’s very likely he was influenced by his new mentor’s work. The poem is about a wicked hunter who is doomed to be hunted forever by the devil and the ‘dogs of hell’ as punishment for his crimes.

Irving’s story takes place in the New York village of Sleepy Hollow, in Westchester County. In it, lanky newcomer and schoolmaster Ichabod Crane courts Katrina van Tassel, a young heiress who is also being pursued by the Dutchman Brom Bones. After being rebuffed by Katrina at a party at the van Tassel farm where ghost stories are shared, Ichabod is chased by a headless horseman (who may or may not be his rival) who hurls a pumpkin at the man, throwing Ichabod from his horse. The schoolmaster vanishes.

Irving may have drawn inspiration for his story while a teenager in the Tarrytown region. He moved to the area in 1798 to flee a yellow fever outbreak in New York City, according to the New York Historical Society.

He “would have been introduced to local ghost stories and lore at an impressionable age,” Bradley says. “He cleverly weaves together factual locations—the Old Dutch Church and churchyard, ‘Major Andre’s Tree,’ some actual family names, including van Tassel and Ichabod Crane—and a little bit of Revolutionary War history with pure imagination and fantasy,” Bradley says. “It’s a melting pot of a story, and thus totally American.”

Franz Potter, a professor at National University who specializes in Gothic studies, says the headless horseman, as a supernatural entity, represents a past that never dies, but always haunts the living.

“The headless horseman supposedly seeks revenge—and a head—which he thinks was unfairly taken from him,” Potter says. “This injustice demands that he continually search for a substitute. The horseman, like the past, still seeks answers, still seeks retribution, and can’t rest. We are haunted by the past which stalks us so that we never forget it.”

As for folklore mixing with history when it comes to the character of Ichabod Crane, The New York Times reports an actual Col. Ichabod B. Crane was a contemporary of Irving who enlisted in the Marines in 1809, serving 45 years. But there’s no evidence that the two ever met, according to the newspaper.

America’s first ghost story, Bradley says, has endured because it accommodates the changing American imagination.

“It inspires people because it reminds them that there are still some American mysteries, some half-truths that may never be fully known—and that’s the whole point,” she says. “The ‘Legend’ lends itself to any interpretation, and it continues to fascinate and terrify us in the best possible way.”

Forgotten History:

Largely forgotten today, Washington Irving has an odd historical legacy that dips deep into the families and lands of Westchester County.

The tale of Rip Van Winkle, the man who famously fell asleep for years and years and awoke to a changed, unfamiliar world, is about as familiar as it gets when it comes to American folklore. Likewise is the famously tall and gaunt Ichabod Crane (“one might have mistaken him for … some scarecrow eloped from a cornfield”), scared out of his wits in “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by the terrifying, blood-curdling sight of the Headless Horseman.

As rooted in folklore as “Rip Van Winkle” and “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” are, they are not, in fact, popular legends and myths that sprang up during the early years of the United States — they are works of fiction penned by Washington Irving.

Largely forgotten today, Washington Irving has an odd historical legacy. His literary output has long been a part of the American vernacular, yet the actual source of these writings — the author himself — has basically fallen into obscurity. If this were not influence enough, the word “knickerbocker” — a denizen of New York City — also springs from Irving’s pen. (Hence the nickname of the storied NYC NBA franchise.)

The year 2019 marked the bicentennial of the publication of The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent., which was serialized between 1819 and 1820. “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” was published as part of The Sketch Book in March 1820. Because of the serialization, the anniversary of the Sleepy Hollow-based short story was celebrated in 2019–2020, and with that comes an opportunity to restore Washington Irving to his rightful stature.

The physical and psychological landscape of the Hudson Valley are part and parcel of Irving’s most famous fictional creations. “Sleepy Hollow” transpires near “Tarry Town” (as Irving styled it), “a retreat whither I might steal from the world and its distractions and dream quietly away…”

Washington Irving lived and worked here in the Hudson Valley, and the region’s beauty and mystery remain forever linked to his writing output. Sleepy Hollow is a real place, of course, as is Tarrytown. Irving is the namesake of the village of Irvington. Local drivers can avail themselves of the Rip Van Winkle Bridge. It doesn’t take much to ascertain his regional influence.

As a town, “the legacy of Sleepy Hollow and that of Washington Irving are closely shared,” according to Henry Steiner, official historian for the Village of Sleepy Hollow. “Sleepy Hollow has been influenced by Irving, and Irving by Sleepy Hollow. One legacy would not be the same without the other. Irving was a prolific writer, but his two most famous, iconic works are ‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow’ and ‘Rip Van Winkle.’ Sleepy Hollow is the real place that inspired Irving’s best work, and the reception of this short masterpiece was instrumental in establishing Irving’s great fame. He returned the favor by making Sleepy Hollow, the place, world-famous.”

Irving’s expansive estate, Sunnyside, is located in Tarrytown and is an active historical and educational site that hosts a wide range of visitors. Sunnyside, according to Historic Hudson Valley’s Karen Clark, celebrates Washington Irving “and his impact on the region and on literature in general. He had a lasting impact on our culture.” This makes his general unfamiliarity today all the more puzzling. The young United States of the early 19th century, flush with independence, nevertheless struggled with a deep-seated inferiority complex. Europe was the fount of culture and knowledge. “Writing in New York at the beginning of the 19th century,” according to scholar William L. Hedges, “meant writing for an audience bent on viewing itself as sophisticated.”

Irving did not disappoint. “Sleepy Hollow,” with its innovative mixture of the American colloquial inflected with a good dose of spooky German folklore, pushed him into the rank of literary celebrity, one of the first hugely acclaimed writers to come out of the United States. Other writers of the time — like Edgar Allan Poe — were eager for his approval. The public clamored for his autograph. He broke bread with President Martin Van Buren. Irving’s friendly letter to Charles Dickens thrilled the British writer to no end — such was the international renown of Washington Irving.

The beautiful Sunnyside offers tours from May through November. Irving, according to Clark, “actually designed his home and designed the landscape, as well, creating ponds, vistas, a garden.” Besides being a place of striking visual attractiveness, Sunnyside also functions as a student-friendly educational resource, with school group tours and events specifically geared toward the younger set.

Irving spent many, many years in Europe (duly noted and criticized in some quarters) and, in the 1840s, served as American minister to Spain. Sunnyside, though, was eventually his permanent home, where he wrangled with publishers, lived amid his large extended family, and over a lifetime produced an astonishingly varied, prodigious output that ran the gamut from fiction, essays, biographies, travelogue, and — perhaps most surprisingly — a work on the Prophet Muhammad.

The Headless Horseman is a true staple of the fantastic. Not surprisingly, interest in “Sleepy Hollow” spikes during the Halloween season, and with that are added visitors to the village and the Historic Hudson Valley properties. Popular events “Horseman’s Hollow” and “Irving’s Legend” celebrated their 10th year in 2019, thanks to their popularity among locals.

“Visitation has doubled in this time frame, now approaching 50,000 just for these events alone,” says Clark of the 2019 season. “In all, we’ll welcome well more than 250,000 people from all 50 states and several countries to greater Sleepy Hollow country this fall. We are proud to help drive this tremendous economic engine for the area.

in 2019, Historic Hudson Valley launched a brand-new event. “The Sleepy Hollow Experience” was “an outdoor, immersive theatrical experience [that is] a retelling of ‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.’ There’s music, and you can follow the characters from scene to scene around the grounds,” according to Clark. Historic Hudson Valley also had experts on hand during another event, named “Home of the ‘Legend,’” at Sunnyside for those who sought some historical context amid the spookiness.

That context does not negate the role of Washington Irving as a writer. In April 2020, Historic Hudson Valley planned to participate in an academic conference — open to the general public — that was set to convene to discuss Irving’s enduring importance.

More than two hundred years ago, the world read the jolting words that “Ichabod was horror-struck on perceiving that [the horseman] was headless! But his horror was still more increased on observing that the head, which should have rested on his shoulders, was carried before him…” And generation upon generation has collectively shivered. Washington Irving’s considerable legacy endures and should be only deepened since the bicentennial year.

So if the Uber Driver shows up on or near Halloween night on a horse or with a detached head (which might or might not be a pumpkin), do not take that ride!

Happy Halloween!

Quote The Raven  “Nevermore, Nevermore”

 

Edgar Allan Poe (né Edgar Poe; January 19, 1809 – October 7, 1849) was an American writer, poet, editor, and literary critic who is best known for his poetry and short stories, particularly his tales of mystery and the macabre. He is widely regarded as a central figure of Romanticism in the United States, and of American literature. He was one of the country’s earliest practitioners of the short story, and is considered the inventor of the detective fiction genre, as well as a significant contributor to the emerging genre of science fiction. He is the first well-known American writer to earn a living through writing alone, resulting in a financially difficult life and career.

Poe was born in Boston, the second child of actors David and Elizabeth “Eliza” Poe.  His father abandoned the family in 1810, and when his mother died the following year, Poe was taken in by John and Frances Allan of Richmond, Virginia. They never formally adopted him, but he was with them well into young adulthood. He attended the University of Virginia but left after a year due to lack of money. He quarreled with John Allan over the funds for his education, and his gambling debts. In 1827, having enlisted in the United States Army under an assumed name, he published his first collection, Tamerlane and Other Poems, credited only to “a Bostonian”. Poe and Allan reached a temporary rapprochement after the death of Allan’s wife in 1829. Poe later failed as an officer cadet at West Point, declared a firm wish to be a poet and writer, and parted ways with Allan. Poe switched his focus to prose, and spent the next several years working for literary journals and periodicals, becoming known for his own style of literary criticism. His work forced him to move among several cities, including Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York City. In 1836, he married his 13-year-old cousin, Virginia Clemm, but she died of tuberculosis in 1847. In January 1845, he published his poem “The Raven” to instant success. He planned for years to produce his own journal The Penn (later renamed The Stylus), but before it could be produced, he died in Baltimore on October 7, 1849, aged 40, under mysterious circumstances. The cause of his death remains unknown, and has been variously attributed to many causes including disease, alcoholism, substance abuse, and suicide.

Poe and his works influenced literature around the world, as well as specialized fields such as cosmology and cryptography. He and his work appear throughout popular culture in literature, music, films, and television. A number of his homes are dedicated museums. The Mystery Writers of America present an annual Edgar Award for distinguished work in the mystery genre.

Edgar Poe was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on January 19, 1809, the second child of American actor David Poe Jr. and English-born actress Elizabeth Arnold Hopkins Poe. He had an elder brother, Henry, and a younger sister, Rosalie. Their grandfather, David Poe, had emigrated from County Cavan, Ireland, around 1750.

His father abandoned the family in 1810, and his mother died a year later from consumption (pulmonary tuberculosis). Poe was then taken into the home of John Allan, a successful merchant in Richmond, Virginia, who dealt in a variety of goods, including cloth, wheat, tombstones, tobacco, and human trade. The Allans served as a foster family and gave him the name “Edgar Allan Poe”, although they never formally adopted him.

The Allan family had Poe baptized into the Episcopal Church in 1812. John Allan alternately spoiled and aggressively disciplined his foster son. The family sailed to the United Kingdom in 1815, and Poe attended the grammar school for a short period in Irvine, Ayrshire, Scotland (where Allan was born) before rejoining the family in London in 1816. There he studied at a boarding school in Chelsea until summer 1817. He was subsequently entered at the Reverend John Bransby’s Manor House School at Stoke Newington, then a suburb 4 miles (6 km) north of London.

Poe moved with the Allans back to Richmond in 1820. In 1824, he served as the lieutenant of the Richmond youth honor guard as the city celebrated the visit of the Marquis de Lafayette.  In March 1825, Allan’s uncle and business benefactor William Galt died, who was said to be one of the wealthiest men in Richmond, leaving Allan several acres of real estate. The inheritance was estimated at $750,000 (equivalent to $19,000,000 in 2023).  By summer 1825, Allan celebrated his expansive wealth by purchasing a two-story brick house called Moldavia.

Poe may have become engaged to Sarah Elmira Royster before he registered at the University of Virginia in February 1826 to study ancient and modern languages. The university was in its infancy, established on the ideals of its founder Thomas Jefferson. It had strict rules against gambling, horses, guns, tobacco, and alcohol, but these rules were mostly ignored. Jefferson enacted a system of student self-government, allowing students to choose their own studies, make their own arrangements for boarding, and report all wrongdoing to the faculty. The unique system was still in chaos, and there was a high dropout rate. During his time there, Poe lost touch with Royster and also became estranged from his foster father over gambling debts. He claimed that Allan had not given him sufficient money to register for classes, purchase texts, and procure and furnish a dormitory. Allan did send additional money and clothes, but Poe’s debts increased. Poe gave up on the university after a year but did not feel welcome returning to Richmond, especially when he learned that his sweetheart Royster had married another man, Alexander Shelton. He traveled to Boston in April 1827, sustaining himself with odd jobs as a clerk and newspaper writer, and started using the pseudonym Henri Le Rennet during this period.

 

On October 3, 1849, Poe was found semiconscious in Baltimore, “in great distress, and… in need of immediate assistance”, according to Joseph W. Walker, who found him.  He was taken to the Washington Medical College, where he died on Sunday, October 7, 1849, at 5:00 in the morning. Poe was not coherent long enough to explain how he came to be in his dire condition and why he was wearing clothes that were not his own. He is said to have repeatedly called out the name “Reynolds” on the night before his death, though it is unclear to whom he was referring. His attending physician said that Poe’s final words were, “Lord help my poor soul”. All of the relevant medical records have been lost, including Poe’s death certificate.

It was raining in Baltimore on October 3, 1849, but that didn’t stop Joseph W. Walker, a compositor for the Baltimore Sun, from heading out to Gunner’s Hall, a public house bustling with activity. It was Election Day, and Gunner’s Hall served as a pop-up polling location for the 4th Ward polls. When Walker arrived at Gunner’s Hall, he found a man, delirious and dressed in shabby secondhand clothes, lying in the gutter. The man was semi-conscious and unable to move, but as Walker approached him, he discovered something unexpected: The man was Edgar Allan Poe. Worried about the health of the addled poet, Walker stopped and asked Poe if he had any acquaintances in Baltimore who might be able to help him. Poe gave Walker the name of Joseph E. Snodgrass, a magazine editor with some medical training. Immediately, Walker wrote Snodgrass a letter asking for help: magazine editor with some medical training. Immediately, Walker wrote Snodgrass a letter asking for help:

Baltimore City, Oct. 3, 1849

Dear Sir,

There is a gentleman, rather the worse for wear, at Ryan’s 4th ward polls, who goes under the cognomen of Edgar A. Poe, and who appears in great distress, & he says he is acquainted with you, he is in need of immediate assistance.

Yours, in haste,

JOS. W. WALKER

To Dr. J.E. Snodgrass.

 

On September 27—almost a week earlier—Poe had left Richmond, Virginia, bound for Philadelphia to edit a collection of poems for Marguerite St. Leon Loud, a minor figure in American poetry at the time. When Walker found Poe in delirious disarray outside of the polling place, it was the first anyone had heard or seen of the poet since his departure from Richmond. Poe never made it to Philadelphia to attend to his editing business. Nor did he ever make it back to New York, where he had been living, to escort his aunt back to Richmond for his impending wedding. Poe was never to leave Baltimore, where he launched his career in the early 19th century, again—and in the four days between Walker finding Poe outside the public house and Poe’s death on October 7, he never regained enough consciousness to explain how he had come to be found, in soiled clothes not his own, incoherent on the streets. Instead, Poe spent his final days wavering between fits of delirium, gripped by visual hallucinations. The night before his death, according to his attending physician John J. Moran, Poe repeatedly called out for “Reynolds”—a figure who, to this day, remains a mystery.

Poe’s death—shrouded in mystery—seems ripped directly from the pages of one of his own works. He had spent years crafting a careful image of a man inspired by adventure and fascinated with enigmas—a poet, a detective, an author, a world traveler who fought in the Greek War of Independence and was held prisoner in Russia. But though his death certificate listed the cause of death as phrenitis, or swelling of the brain, the mysterious circumstances surrounding his death have led many to speculate about the true cause of Poe’s demise. “Maybe it’s fitting that since he invented the detective story,” says Chris Semtner, curator of the Poe Museum in Richmond, “he left us with a real-life mystery.”

 

Newspapers at the time reported Poe’s death as “congestion of the brain” or “cerebral inflammation”, common euphemisms for death from disreputable causes such as alcoholism. The actual cause of death remains a mystery. Speculation has included delirium tremens, heart disease, epilepsy, syphilis, meningeal inflammation, cholera, carbon monoxide poisoning, and rabies. One theory dating from 1872 suggests that Poe’s death resulted from cooping, a form of electoral fraud in which citizens were forced to vote for a particular candidate, sometimes leading to violence and even murder.

The historical Edgar Allan Poe has appeared as a fictionalized character, often in order to represent the “mad genius” or “tormented artist” and in order to exploit his personal struggles. Many such depictions also blend in with characters from his stories, suggesting that Poe and his characters share identities. Often, fictional depictions of Poe use his mystery-solving skills in such novels as The Poe Shadow by Matthew Pearl.

No childhood home of Poe is still standing, including the Allan family’s Moldavia estate. The oldest standing home in Richmond, the Old Stone House, is in use as the Edgar Allan Poe Museum, though Poe never lived there. The collection includes many items that Poe used during his time with the Allan family, and also features several rare first printings of Poe works. 13 West Range is the dorm room that Poe is believed to have used while studying at the University of Virginia in 1826; it is preserved and available for visits. Its upkeep is overseen by a group of students and staff known as the Raven Society.

 

Edgar Allan Poe: Odd and interesting facts about the dark and mysterious poet behind ‘The Raven’

1. How old was Poe when he became an orphan?

Poe was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on Jan. 19, 1809, but he was immediately abandoned by his father in 1810.

A year later on Dec. 8, 1811, at age 24, Poe’s mother, Eliza, died of tuberculosis, according to The Poe Museum.

Poe and his two siblings were then taken in by their godparents, John and Frances Allan, a wealthy family from Richmond, Virginia.

 

2. How much was Poe paid for ‘The Raven’ when it was published?

Poe’s best-known work is the descriptive, dark poem entitled “The Raven.”

He sold the now-iconic poem to a literary magazine, The American Review, for its February 1845 issue, — for a grand total of $9. It printed the poem with the pseudonym “Quarles.”

However, that same year in January, a New York magazine — The Evening Mirror — released an advanced copy of the poem under Poe’s name.

3. How old was Poe’s wife, Virginia Clemm, when they wed?

Poe married his cousin, Virginia Eliza Clemm Poe, when he was 27 years old.

When Poe and Virginia wed, she was only 13 years old, wrote The Poe Museum.

The two met a year before, when Poe invited his cousin and his aunt, Maria, to stay with him in Richmond, The Poe Museum says.

 

4. How many theories exist about the death of Edgar Allan Poe?

There are as many as 26 theories about Poe’s cause of death, reports The Poe Museum.

Some of the possibilities noted include dipsomania, heart disease, tuberculosis, toxic disorder, hypoglycemia, diabetes, alcohol dehydrogenase, porphryia, Delerium tremens, rabies, murder, flu, heavy metal poisoning and carbon monoxide poisoning.

 

5. How long does it take to recite ‘The Raven’?

Poe’s well-known poem consists of 18 stanzas, with six lines in each stanza — 108 lines in total.

The poem can take 24 minutes to recite if spoken at a rate of 250 words per minute, according to readinglength.com.

 

6. How many pets did Poe and his wife have?

Poe had one tortoiseshell cat named “Cattarina,” which is rumored to have perched on the poet’s shoulders when he was writing short stories.

“Cats were a source of much solace to the writer whose life was as tormented as his tales,” the same source also said.

 

It has been rumored Poe had a Siamese cat as well — and a film adaption of the poet’s life depicted the writer with a pet raccoon. However, there’s no conclusive evidence for these claims.

7. For how many years did the mysterious ‘Poe Toaster’ leave Cognac and three roses at Poe’s grave site?

For over 70 years, a mysterious person called the “Poe Toaster” — dressed in black and wearing a white scarf and large hat — left a bottle of Cognac and three red roses on Poe’s grave every year on January 19, Poe’s birthday.

The tradition came to a mysterious end in 2009 — and the identity of the person or persons has not been discovered, according to Smithsonian Magazine.

8. How many sports teams did Poe inspire with his work?

Edgar Allan Poe is the inspiration behind one NFL team, the Baltimore Ravens.

In 1996, the pro football team took a new name inspired by Poe’s most famous work.

“Named after a mythical bird in a famous poem, the new NFL team in Baltimore became the Ravens ‘evermore’ team on Friday, March 29, 1996,” shared the Baltimore Ravens history page.

 

The Raven

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,

Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,

While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,

As of someone gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door. “

“’Tis some visitor,” I muttered, “tapping at my chamber door—

Only this, and nothing more.”

Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December,

And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.

Eagerly I wished the morrow;—vainly I had sought to borrow

From my books surcease of sorrow—sorrow for the lost Lenore—

For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore—

Nameless here for evermore.

And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain

Thrilled me—filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before;

So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating, “

“’Tis some visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door—

Some late visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door;—

This it is, and nothing more.”

Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,

“Sir,” said I, “or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore;

But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping,

And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door,

That I scarce was sure I heard you”—here I opened wide the door;—

Darkness there, and nothing more.

Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,

Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortals ever dared to dream before;

But the silence was unbroken, and the stillness gave no token,

And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, “Lenore!”

This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, “Lenore!”—

Merely this, and nothing more.

Back into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning,

Soon again I heard a tapping somewhat louder than before.

“Surely,” said I, “surely that is something at my window lattice,

Let me see, then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore—

Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore;—

‘Tis the wind and nothing more.”

Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter,

In there stepped a stately raven of the saintly days of yore.

Not the least obeisance made he; not a minute stopped or stayed he;

But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door—

Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door—

Perched, and sat, and nothing more.

Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,

By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore.

“Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou,” I said, “art sure no craven,

Ghastly grim and ancient raven wandering from the Nightly shore—

Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night’s Plutonian shore!”

Quoth the Raven, “Nevermore.”

Much I marvelled this ungainly fowl to hear discourse so plainly,

Though its answer little meaning—little relevancy bore;

For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being

Ever yet was blest with seeing bird above his chamber door—

Bird or beast upon the sculptured bust above his chamber door,

With such name as “Nevermore.”

But the Raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust, spoke only

That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour.

Nothing further then he uttered—not a feather then he fluttered—

Till I scarcely more than muttered, “other friends have flown before—

On the morrow he will leave me, as my hopes have flown before.”

Then the bird said, “Nevermore.”

Startled at the stillness broken by reply so aptly spoken,

“Doubtless,” said I, “what it utters is its only stock and store,

Caught from some unhappy master whom unmerciful Disaster

Followed fast and followed faster till his songs one burden bore—

Till the dirges of his Hope that melancholy burden bore,

Of ‘Never—nevermore’.”

But the Raven still beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,

Straight I wheeled a cushioned seat in front of bird and bust and door;

Then, upon the velvet sinking, I betook myself to linking

Fancy unto fancy, thinking what this ominous bird of yore—

What this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt, and ominous bird of yore

Meant in croaking “Nevermore.”

This I sat engaged in guessing, but no syllable expressing

To the fowl whose fiery eyes now burned into my bosom’s core;

This and more I sat divining, with my head at ease reclining

On the cushion’s velvet lining that the lamplight gloated o’er,

But whose velvet violet lining with the lamplight gloating o’er,

She shall press, ah, nevermore!

Then, me thought, the air grew denser, perfumed from an unseen censer

Swung by Seraphim whose footfalls tinkled on the tufted floor.

“Wretch,” I cried, “thy God hath lent thee—by these angels he hath sent thee

Respite—respite and nepenthe, from thy memories of Lenore;

Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe and forget this lost Lenore!”

Quoth the Raven, “Nevermore.”

“Prophet!” said I, “thing of evil!—prophet still, if bird or devil!—

Whether Tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore,

Desolate yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted—

On this home by horror haunted—tell me truly, I implore—

Is there—is there balm in Gilead?—tell me—tell me, I implore!”

Quoth the Raven, “Nevermore.”

“Prophet!” said I, “thing of evil!—prophet still, if bird or devil!

By that Heaven that bends above us—by that God we both adore—

Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn,

It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels name Lenore—

Clasp a rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore.”

Quoth the Raven, “Nevermore.”

“Be that word our sign in parting, bird or fiend!” I shrieked, upstarting—

“Get thee back into the tempest and the Night’s Plutonian shore!

Leave no black plume as a token of that lie thy soul hath spoken!

Leave my loneliness unbroken!—quit the bust above my door!

Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door!”

Quoth the Raven, “Nevermore.”

And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting

On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;

And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon’s that is dreaming,

And the lamplight o’er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;

And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor

Shall be lifted—nevermore!

 

REST IN PEACE EDGAR ALLEN POE!

I Will Order A Stake, Please: Richmond’s Vampire!

The Richmond Vampire (also called locally the Hollywood Vampire) is a recent urban legend from Richmond, Virginia.

Local residents claim that the mausoleum of W. W. Pool (Dated 1913) in Hollywood Cemetery holds the remains of a vampire. Supposedly Pool was run out of England in the 1800s for being a vampire. Oral legends to this effect were circulating by the 1960s. They may be influenced by the architecture of the tomb, which has both Masonic and ancient Egyptian elements, and double Ws looking like fangs. Because this cemetery is adjacent to Virginia Commonwealth University, the story became popular among students, especially from the 1980s onward. It was first mentioned in print in the student newspaper Commonwealth Times in 1976.

Since 2001, the vampire story has been combined with the collapse of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad’s Church Hill Tunnel under Church Hill, a neighborhood of eastern Richmond, Virginia, which buried several workers alive on October 2, 1925. This part of the story showed up online in 2001 and was first reported in print in 2007 in Haunted Richmond: The Shadows of Shockoe.

According to this newer story, the tunneling awakened an ancient evil that lived under Church Hill and brought the tunnel crashing down on the workers. Rescue teams found a unearthly blood-covered creature with jagged teeth and skin hanging from its muscular body crouching over one of the victims. The creature escaped from the cave-in and raced toward the James River. Pursued by a group of men, the creature took refuge in Hollywood Cemetery (2.2 miles away), where it disappeared in a mausoleum built into a hillside bearing the name W. W. Pool.

According to Gregory Maitland, an urban legend and folklore researcher with the paranormal research groups Night Shift and the Virginia Ghosts & Haunting Research Society, the “creature” that escaped the tunnel collapse was actually the 28-year-old railroad fireman, Benjamin F. Mosby (1896-1925), who had been shoveling coal into the firebox of a steam locomotive of a work train with no shirt on when the cave-in occurred and the boiler ruptured. Mosby’s upper body was horribly scalded and several of his teeth were broken before he made his way through the opening of the tunnel. Witnesses reported he was in shock and layers of his skin were hanging from his body. He died later at Grace Hospital and was buried at Hollywood Cemetery.

Rumors of a vampire lurking in the shadows of Hollywood Cemetery have circulated since the 1920s. The mythical figure is described by locals as a ghastly creature — dripping blood and flesh — who slumbers in a tomb on the site’s hallowed grounds.

The urban legend, which had its first known print appearance in The Commonwealth Times, alleges that the vampire escaped during the deadly Church Hill train tunnel collapse of 1925. After the collapse killed and buried several railway workers, the first fanged-creature sighting was reported near bookkeeper William Wortham Pool’s grave.

Mr. Pool is alleged to be a vampire, there seems to be a cult in Richmond that has grown up around him.”

Pool, who resided in Woodland Heights, died from pneumonia at the age of 80 in 1922. His initials, “W.W. Pool,” are engraved into stone; some say the letters resemble a vampire’s fangs. 

Curtis contrasts the eerie subject matter of the local tale with the cemetery’s “peaceful atmosphere,” noting the grounds’ springtime flowers, statues and crosses. According to the article, medical students used to break into the cemetery to steal Pool’s remains. 

Tour guides from Haunts of Richmond, a company that gives walking tours of Richmond’s paranormal past, tell the story of the Richmond vampire in the “Church Hill Chillers” and “Shadows of Shockoe” tours. 

It is said the tale most likely originated in a “game of telephone,” most likely started from a sighting of an injured individual with blood on their face, broken teeth and other injuries after the Church Hill tunnel collapse.

“And that story gets relayed from one person to the next,”  “All of a sudden, you go from an injured individual to there being a vampire.”

Hollywood Cemetery’s long, winding paths wrap around tombstones of various shapes and sizes. The grounds serve as a resting place for many famous Virginians, including author James Branch Cabell and Jefferson Davis, former president of the Confederacy.

The cemetery’s rolling hills also serve as the burial sites of two former U.S. presidents, James Monroe and John Tyler.

The original 1920s tale is more frightening than modern-day depictions of vampires, making it an urban legend that would pass through generations of Richmonders. 

There’s so many ghost stories here in the central Virginia area. Will come and take a Tour?  

The Almanac You May Not Know!  Part Two

Dog Days of Summer:

The “Dog Days” of summer are from July 3 to August 11 each year. They’re usually the hottest and most unbearable days of the season. We often hear about the “Dog Days” of summer, but few know where the expression originated. Some think it’s a reference to the hot, sultry days that are “not fit for a dog.” Others suggest it’s the time of year when the extreme heat drives dogs mad. But where does the term come from? And what does it have to do with dogs? You may be surprised to see is has to do with the stars! Read on.

The phrase is a reference to Sirius, the Dog Star. During the “Dog Days” period, the Sun occupies the same region of the sky as Sirius, the brightest star visible from any part of Earth. Sirius is a part of the constellation Canis Major, the Greater Dog.

In the summer, Sirius rises and sets with the Sun. On July 23rd, specifically, it is in conjunction with the Sun, and because the star is so bright, the ancient Romans believed it actually gave off heat and added to the Sun’s warmth, accounting for the long stretch of sultry weather. They referred to this time as diēs caniculārēs, or “dog days.”

Thus, the term Dog Days of Summer came to mean the 20 days before and 20 days after this alignment of Sirius with the Sun—July 3 to August 11 each year.

 

Summer heat is due to the Earth’s tilt:

While this period usually is the hottest stretch of summer, the heat is not due to any added radiation from Sirius, regardless of its brightness. The heat of summer is simply a direct result of the Earth’s tilt.

During summer in the Northern Hemisphere, the tilt of the Earth causes the Sun’s rays to hit at a more direct angle, and for a longer period of time throughout the day. This means longer, hotter days.

The Dog Days of Summer Explained:

Many people think the phrase “Dog Days of Summer” is an idiom where the words don’t literally mean what they say, but the truth is that when you learn the origins of the term, it was quite literal for them. Technically, people referred to this time of year as the “Days of the Dog Star.”

Ancient Greek and Roman cultures were heavily influenced by astrology and stories of the constellations. They had intricate mythology explaining what they saw in the night sky and used those stories to explain the unexplainable in their lives, including the change of seasons and how it impacted peoples’ behavior. When people noticed a connection between the hottest time of the year and a change in the pattern of Sirius, the brightest star in the sky, they knew it was more than just coincidence. To them, it seemed that when Sirius rose and set with the sun, it was adding warmth to the sky, explaining the extreme heat of this time of year.

In ancient Greek, Sirius means “glowing” or “scorcher” so it makes sense that they named this star after the extreme summer heat in the Mediterranean. The myth behind Sirius is that he is the loyal pup of the hunter, Orion. Most novice astronomers are familiar with Orion and can at least identify Orion’s belt in the night sky as three stars forming a straight line.

Ancient Greeks and Romans’ knowledge of constellations was much more intricate, and they envisioned the image of a dog when they connected the stars closest to Sirius, right next to the constellation of Orion. Ancient Romans referred to this constellation containing Sirius as “Canis Major,” which translates to “Greater Dog.” In ancient Rome, this same period of time where the sun and Sirius rose and set together was known as dies caniculares, which translates to “Days of the Dog Star.”

More on Sirius, “The Dog Star”:

In ancient Greek mythology, Sirius is known to be the loyal dog of the hunter, Orion. But the tales of Orion are not very flattering. Orion was known as an excellent hunter; just ask him to find out how absolutely amazing he was. He was a braggart, an alcoholic, and a sexual predator, which got him into all sorts of trouble in the Land of the Gods. He was blinded, banished, and eventually killed.

 

There are multiple versions of the story of how he was killed, including one in which he brags to the goddess Gaia that he could hunt and kill every animal on earth, so she kills him with a giant scorpion who is also immortalized in a constellation. Through it all, Sirius, his loyal canine companion, is by his side. Sirius’s eternal loyalty follows him into the afterlife where he forms the brightest star next to Orion’s constellation. Sirius is forever by Orion’s side despite his major flaws, providing historical proof that we truly do not deserve dogs.

Actually, many cultures around the world have similar myths about the constellation containing Sirius and envisioned a dog or other canine, such as a wolf or coyote, associated with this star. In China, this same star is known as Heavenly Wolf. For the Alaskan Inuit, this star is called Moon Dog. In Cherokee lure, this star is a dog star that guards the entrance to the Milky Way, known as the Path of Souls. Some Pawnee tribes refer to this same star as a trickster, called the Coyote Star.

Modern Interpretations of the Dog Days of Summer:

Over time, as we have lost the direct connection to the explanation of the phrase, people have substituted their own ideas for what is meant by the “Dog Days of Summer.” This includes the idea of sweltering hot days when dogs are more likely to “go mad,” as well as descriptions of a time of the year when dogs laze about because they are too hot to do anything else. While none of these explanations are tied directly to the origins of the phrase, hot summer days do bring unique risks to dogs and require some additional considerations to keep your pup comfortable and safe.

Special Considerations For Your Dog During the Dog Days of Summer

Be mindful of the heat and take measures to prevent heat stroke and other seasonal dangers during this time of year. This includes avoiding exercise with your pup during the hottest times of day and making sure they have a cool place to rest with plenty of water throughout the day. Dogs should never be left alone in an enclosed vehicle, especially on warmer days. Be cautious with brachycephalic breeds, such as French Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, Bulldogs, Pugs, and Pekingese; they can overheat much more quickly, as well as any dogs with underlying health conditions and dogs who are very young or very old.

Other factors to keep in mind are that this time of year may bring more opportunities for swimming, barbecues, and outdoor celebrations. Be sure pups are always supervised near open water as not all dogs are good swimmers and can fatigue quickly if they cannot get out of the water on their own. Also, keep all the delicious barbecue scraps away from your pup. They can get especially sick from ingesting pointy kabob sticks if they find a little bit of meat still attached, as well as from corn cobs, fruit pits, bones, and foods with ingredients that may be toxic to them.

 

Finally, we all likely know of at least one dog, and maybe a few people, who are terrified of the sound of fireworks. Be sure to create a safe, quiet space for your dog during these kinds of celebrations and consider speaking with your veterinarian about a safe sedative for your pup if they are extremely stressed by these sounds.

While the ancient Greeks may be right that these hot days make dogs pant so hard their tongues look like taffy, summer can be lots of fun for pups with the right precautions. As for the strange behaviors it causes in people, you may want to monitor your horoscope more closely during these Dog Days of Summer.

 

Lammas Day:

Our ancestors celebrated life together with the rhythms of each season. Many of these celebrations were interwoven and connected to nature and Earth’s natural cycles. Lughnasadh or Lammas Day is one of those celebrations.

This observance, traditionally observed on August 1, marked the beginning of the harvest, and especially celebrated the first wheat crop, or that of corn. It derives from the ancient English festival the Gule of August, a pagan dedication of the first fruits that the early English church later converted to Christian usage. On Lammas Day, loaves of bread were baked from the first-ripened grain and brought to the churches to be consecrated. The word “lammas” comes from the Old English hlaf, loaf,” and maesse, “mass” or “feast.” Through the centuries, “loaf-mass” became corrupted in spelling and pronunciation to Lammas. To the Celts, this was Lughnasaid, the feast of the wedding of the Sun god and the Earth goddess, and also a harvest festival. In Ireland, baskets of blueberries are still offered to a sweetheart in commemoration of the original fertility festival. In Scotland, the Lammastide fairs became famous for trial marriages that could be ended without question after a year. Much lore is associated with this day, including this proverb: After Lammas Day, corn ripens as much by night as by day.”

You May wish to celebrate Lughnasadh as a way of honoring nature’s incredible fertile energy at harvest time, and as a way to connect with our natural world on a deeper, more meaningful level. I truly believe that by recognizing and celebrating the little shifts in Earth’s natural rhythms, we can become more attuned to nature and feel more grounded in our everyday lives.

WHAT IS LUGHNASADH/LAMMAS DAY

Lughnasadh, by some cultures known as Lammas Day is typically celebrated on August 1st (or February 1st if you are in the Southern Hemisphere!). However, in Celtic culture, it is celebrated the entire month of August in many cases.

Lughnasadh and Lammas are used interchangeably in modern paganism and spirituality, but their origins may still surprise you. Whichever you choose to recognize, in terms of the wheel of the year, this marks the first of three harvest festivals ending with Samhain on October 31st. It also marks the halfway point between the summer solstice (Litha) and the fall equinox (Mabon).

These two sabbats are undeniably linked and have been celebrated in many different ways for quite a long time. They share common themes of harvest, luck, prosperity, abundance, gratitude, and success after a job well done.

WHERE DO THEY ORIGINATE?

Evidence of harvest festivals such as these have been traced back through most studied cultures.

In 3100-2686 B.C. the Egyptians welcomed their first harvest with a massive feast.

A thousand years later, from 1600 – 1046 B.C. the great Dynasties of China celebrated their harvest during the first full moon of Autumn. In 1621 (A.D.) the first Thanksgiving was held in what would later become America.

In 1843, Reverend Hawker introduced a thanking of the harvest to the church.

But what happened between 1046 B.C. and 1621 A.D. is crucial to how we celebrate these harvest festivals today. In Ireland, Scotland, the Isle of Man (as well as some surrounding territories) Lughnasadh was born during this time. The festival first became recognized in commemoration of the God, Lugh (Hence the name). These ancient festivals included matchmaking, harvesting, the trading of goods, and athletic competitions.

While the festival of Lughnasadh is mostly attributed to Lugh. The athletic competitions were attributed to his mother who was said to have died of exhaustion preparing the fields for farming. These athletic competitions became known as the “Taileteann Games,” and could be quite dangerous. Some of the competitions are not unlike what we would see in the Olympics today. Things like long jumping, high jumping, running, spear throwing, hurling, archery, boxing, wrestling, swimming and horse racing, were all quite common.

As we know though, not everyone is an athlete! Non-sporting competitions existed just as well including singing, dancing, poetry and storytelling.

During Lughnasadh, trading and making deals were also prominent activities. These could be political, social, or economical. Local leaders would often meet with farmers to make trade agreements regarding the harvested crop and their livestock. While some were feasting, competing, or dealing, others were visiting holy wells to make offerings of coins and cloth. They would then circle the well in the direction of the sun to gain health, wealth and favor from the gods. Because of these individuals, another name was born for Lughnasadh, “Garland Sunday.” This was because they would often decorate the holy wells with flowers and cloth.

Another common activity at this time was trial marriages! Yes, you heard correctly. In these trial marriages a couple would marry with their hands through a piece of wood. The marriage would last a year and one day, and in the end they could ultimately decide to stay married or to separate with no questions asked!

Most notably, this became a time for bidding farewell to the days of summer. In almost all cultures this became a huge feast that was held amongst both friend and foe!

In Celtic cultures, festivals were a time when weaponry was not allowed. This was a time of peace during these early days of the modern world. Before the great feasts and festivals of Lughnasadh could begin, the first grain was offered up to Lugh. At this time, a bull was also sacrificed. The entire bull would then be eaten.

Lammas became a well favored Christian Holiday, and as stated before, adopted many of the traditions of Lughnasadh like performing arts and feasting.  Over the years, many names have come to form for Lammas and Lughnasadh, and many of them you probably have never heard of!

Garland Sunday

Bilberry Sunday

Mountain Sunday

Reef Sunday

The latter two names are derived for those who survived the climbing of mountains, hills and peaks. Still today, many people make a pilgrimage atop cliffs and mountains on Lughnasadh/Lammas.

 

Cats Night Commence:

Cat Nights begin on August 17. This term harks back to the days when people believed in witches. A rather obscure old Irish legend said that a witch could turn herself into a cat eight times, but on the ninth time (August 17), she couldn’t regain her human form. This bit of folklore also gives us the saying, “A cat has nine lives.” Because August is a yowly time for cats, this may have prompted the speculation about witches on the prowl in the first place. Also, nights continue to get longer. Cats, crepuscular creatures, are nocturnal hunters. Their superior night vision means that the nights belong to them.

On August 17, Cat Nights Begin, harking back to a rather obscure Irish legend concerning witches; this bit of folklore also led to the idea that a cat has nine lives.

The term Cat Nights refers to a rather obscure old Irish legend concerning witches and the belief that a witch could turn herself into a cat eight times, but on the ninth time (August 17), she couldn’t regain her human form, thus remaining a cat forever.

 

This bit of folklore also gives us the saying, “A cat has nine lives.” prompted the speculation about witches on the prowl in the first place.

 

Here’s a poem in honor of Cat Nights:

Cat Nights

By old Irish lore

on the 17th of August

more cats are among us

than ever before.

It is said that witches

can turn into a cat.

But no more than eight switches

as a matter of fact.

On the ninth switch

they cannot regain

their life as a witch.

A cat they must remain.

So if in mid August

you should hear the cats yowl

amongst sounds of the locust

when cats are on the prowl

Then you will know

as lore was told over time

that cats will show

lives as many as nine.

By V. Neumann

 

Harvest Home:

Harvest Home, also called Ingathering, traditional English harvest festival, celebrated from antiquity and surviving to modern times in isolated regions. Participants celebrate the last day of harvest in late September by singing, shouting, and decorating the village with boughs. The cailleac, or last sheaf of corn (grain), which represents the spirit of the field, is made into a harvest doll and drenched with water as a rain charm. This sheaf is saved until spring planting.

The ancient festival also included the symbolic murder of the grain spirit, as well as rites for expelling the devil.

A similar festival was traditionally held in parts of Ireland, Scotland, and northern Europe.

Harvest, the season of the gathering of crops. The word is derived from the Anglo-Saxon haerfest (“autumn”) or the Old High German herbist. Harvest has been a season of rejoicing from the remotest times. The Romans had their Ludi Cereales, or feasts in honour of Ceres. The Druids celebrated their harvest on November 1. In pre-Reformation England, Lammas Day (August 1, Old Style) was observed as the beginning of the harvest festival.

Throughout the world, the harvest of the main cereal crop—typically wheat, corn, or rice—has always been the occasion for celebration. Many harvest-related customs have their origin in the animistic belief in a spirit such as the Corn Mother or Rice Mother, and the semi worship of the last throughout the world, the harvest of the main cereal crop—typically wheat, corn, or rice—has always been the occasion for celebration. Many harvest-related customs have their origin in the animistic belief in a spirit such as the Corn Mother or Rice Mother, and the semi worship of the last sheaf was the great feature of the harvest home.

The personification of the crops left its mark upon the harvest customs of Europe. In western Russia, for example, the figure made out of the last sheaf of corn was called the “bastard,” and a boy was wrapped up in it. The woman who bound this sheaf represented the “corn mother,” and an elaborate simulation of childbirth took place, the boy in the sheaf squalling like a newborn child and, on his liberation, being wrapped in swaddling bands. In England, too, there were vestiges of sympathetic magic. In Northumberland an image formed of a wheat sheaf and dressed in a white frock and coloured ribbons was hoisted on a pole. This was the “kern baby,” or harvest queen, and was set up in a prominent place during the harvest supper. In Scotland, the last sheaf, if cut before Hallowmas (the Feast of All Saints), was called the “maiden,” and the youngest girl in the field was allowed to cut it.

Among harvest customs, among the most interesting are harvest cries. The ceremony of the Devonshire reapers, for example, was in the main a continuation of pre-Christian traditions. After the wheat had been cut, the harvest hands would pick a bundle of the best ears, which they called “the neck.” They would then stand in a ring, in the centre of which was an old man holding the neck. At his signal, they would all take off their hats and utter in a prolonged cry “The neck!” three times, raising themselves upright with their hats held above their heads. Then they would cry “Wee yen! Way yen!” or “We haven!” On a still evening in autumn, “crying the neck” had a dramatic effect when heard at a distance.

 

St Luke’s Little Summer:

turning a gorgeous color. It’s a good time for a brief vacation or visit to a park. In Venice, Italy, they say: “San Luca, El ton va te la zuca” (Pumpkins go stale on St Luke’s Day), but here in North America, pumpkins are enjoying their finest hour. Saint Luke is the patron saint of physicians and surgeons so it seems only fitting that the good doctor give us these calm days. In olden days, St. Luke’s Day did not receive as much attention in the secular world as St. John’s Day (June 24) and Michaelmas (September 29), so it was to keep from being forgotten that St. Luke presented us with some golden days to cherish before the coming of winter, or so the story goes. Some folks call this Indian Summer, but that officially occurs between November 11 and November 20.Lovely, summerlike days that occur around October 18 are called Saint Luke’s Little Summer in honor of the saint’s feast day. Around this time, Saint Luke’s feast day, there is a period brief period of calm, dry weather. Of course, it’s difficult to generalize today across the vast continent of North America, but the temperature is usually mild and the leaf colors are.

 

Indian Summer Meaning: What is an Indian Summer or Second Summer?

he term “Indian Summer” has been around for centuries. What is an Indian Summer or Second Summer? Where did this term originate and what is its meaning today? Learn more.

For over two centuries, The Old Farmer’s Almanac has gone by the adage:  “If All Saints’ (November 1) brings out winter, St. Martin’s brings out Indian summer.”

“Indian Summer” is not the best terminology, given the history of the term “Indian” in North America. The weather phenomenon is probably best described using the term that Europeans and British still use: St. Martin’s Summer. This references St. Martin’s Day—November 11—which is the official start of these unusually late warm spells. Another popular term used by the American Meteorological Society is “Second Summer,” which is indeed appropriately descriptive.

n England, Shakespeare used the expression “All Halloween Summer.” Other old terms include the unfortunate “Old Wives’ Summer” and, poetically, “Halcyon Days.”

 

Definition of Indian Summer, Second Summer:

Here are several criteria for this weather phenomenon, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac.

It’s a period of abnormally warm weather occurring in late autumn between St. Martin’s Day (November 11) and November 20 with generally clear skies, sunny but hazy days, and cool nights.

The time of occurrence is important: It occurs after at least one good killing frost but also be before first snowfall; preferably a substantial period of normally cool weather must precede this warm spell.

As well as being warm, the atmosphere is hazy or smoky, there is no wind, the barometer is standing high, and the nights are clear and chilly.

A moving, cool, shallow polar air mass is converting into a deep, warm, stagnant anticyclone (high pressure) system, which has the effect of causing the haze and large swing in temperature between day and night.

Given above criteria, this weather phenomenon does not occur every year and it occurs more than once some years.

“I am enabled to say, however, that the characteristics of the season, when it appears in all its glory, are a mild and genial temperature, gentle southwestern breezes, unusual brightness of the sun, extreme brilliancy of the moon, a clear, blue sky; sometimes half hidden by a veil of gray haze; daybreaks redder than the splotch on the blackbird’s wing, and sunsets laden with golden fleeces, the wooded valleys aglow with the fires of richly tinted leaves, still clinging to the listless limbs, or lying where they have fallen….” Author Unknown

What is the Origin of Indian Summer?

So where did this term come from? The origin is not certain, but dates back as far back as 1778 in Letters From an American Farmer by the French-American soldier turned farmer Michel-Guillaume-Jean de Crèvecoeur:

“Then a severe frost succeeds which prepares it to receive the voluminous coat of snow which is soon to follow; though it is often preceded by a short interval of smoke and mildness, called the Indian Summer.”

There are many theories. Here are a few of the more plausible ones:

 

Some say it comes from the Narragansett people located in what is now the northeastern United States, who believed that the condition was caused by a warm wind sent from the court of their southwestern god, Cautantowwit (“great spirit”).

Another theory is that Native Americans would routinely use this brief period of warm fall weather as an opportunity to increase winter stores. November is the time to get one’s last harvest in before winter truly shows its head, so a short period of warm weather would be of note around this time.

A third theory suggests that early American settlers mistook the sight of sun rays through the hazy autumn air for Native American campfires, resulting in the name “Indian summer.”

Indian Pudding Recipe 1700’s:

Celebrate November with a delicious, cozy pudding made with native corn! Indian Pudding is a warm baked custard that uses cornmeal, milk, molasses, and cinnamon. The origin of Indian Pudding dates back to the 1700s; it was said to be a favorite dish of Founding Father John Adams! It’s essentially a version of British “Hasty Pudding” (which was made by boiling wheat flour in water or milk until it thickened into a pudding), but in the New World, the Native Americans made cornmeal, which early settlers referred to as “Indian flour.”

the ‘halcyon days’ of December hark back to the kingfisher

This shy little bird is linked to many bizarre beliefs about the weather

Halcyon Days: Kingfisher Bird

The ancients called them the “halcyon days” – a period of fine, settled weather, lasting roughly seven days, which began sometime in the first half of December. During this time, it was said that the kingfisher (also known as the halcyon) would lay its eggs on the surface of the sea.

The phrase, and the concept behind it, originated in ancient Greece, but during the Renaissance was popularised by several writers, including the poet Michael Drayton, who wrote of “the halcyon, whom the sea obeys…” and Shakespeare, where the halcyon features in a speech by Henry VI.

Later, during the last decade of the 19th century, the American poet Walt Whitman wrote of “the brooding and blissful halcyon days!” in his poem Leaves of Grass.

Since then, the phrase “halcyon days” has been adopted into day-to-day language, usually referring to a period of calm, usually in the distant past, rather than necessarily being anything to do with the weather.

There are other strange weather beliefs related to the kingfisher, too. The most bizarre is the idea, dating from Tudor times, that if you hang a dead kingfisher up by its neck, the body will rotate to show the direction from which the wind is coming. There is no evidence that it actually does so; nor does this seem especially useful!

Halcyon Days, which have come to mean any time of happiness and contentment, are actually the 14 days around the winter solstice. According to Greek legend, the halcyon, or kingfisher, built its floating nest around the 14th of December, during which time the gods calmed the seas for the nesting and hatching time.

Where did “Halcyon Days” come from? The bird’s name derives from a myth recorded by Ovid. According to the story, Aeolus, the ruler of the winds, had a daughter named Alcyone, who was married to Ceyx, the king of Thessaly. It’s a longer story but let’s just say that it ends tragically with Ceyx drowning at sea. Grieving Alcyone was about to throw herself into the sea to join her beloved husband. But the gods took pity on the pair, transforming them into halcyons, with the power to still the stormy seas for 14 days near the time of the winter solstice while they hatched their young. (For this reason, mariners credit the kingfisher, or “alcyon bird,” with the power to calm storms and raging seas.)

The “Halcyon Days” usually end by early January. Today, the phrase “Halcyon Days” has come to mean a sense of peace or tranquility. People often use the phrase halcyon days to refer idyllically to a calmer, more peaceful time in their past. It’s also a fitting phrase for the peaceful, joyful spirit of the Christmas holidays today.

 

More accurate are the lines from the 17th-century poet Robert Wild, who wrote, “The peaceful kingfishers are met together about the decks, and prophesy calm weather”. Kingfishers are notoriously shy birds, and so are perhaps easier to see during calm, clear weather – hence the connection between bird and weather forecasting.

 

Beware the Pogonip

The word pogonip is a meteorological term used to describe an uncommon occurrence: frozen fog. The word was coined by Native Americans to describe the frozen fogs of fine ice needles that occur in the mountain valleys of the western United States in December. According to Indian tradition, breathing the fog is injurious to the lungs.

Every year around the week before Christmas, the Old Farmer’s Almanac warns its readers to avoid a weather phenomenon called “pogonip,” an icy winter fog that was evident in parts of Highland County Tuesday morning as droplets of water vapor clung to objects overnight and froze, giving them a shimmering glow at sunrise — and while the almanac says the fog can be dangerous, a local doctor says it amounts to nothing more than a pretty sight.

The word pogonip refers to an uncommon occurrence-frozen fog. The word was coined by Native Americans to describe the frozen fogs of fine ice needles that occur in the mountain valleys of the western United States and Canada. According to their tradition, breathing the fog is injurious to the lungs.

What is also injurious – to lawns, trees, and shrubs, is the lack of snow cover and moisture, especially south and west exposures. Remember, during these conditions check at least once per month in the winter. You will need to hook up your watering hose, apply a sufficient amount of water, use a deep root watering device if necessary, and you must unhook and store the hose when finished. Do not leave the hose attached to the spigot. This may seem like a lot of work, but the time and effort will make for a healthier landscape in the spring.

Some other December pointers:

• Poinsettias perform best in bright, cool locations away from drafts.
• Keep the reservoir in your Christmas tree stand full at all times. Place a couple of

fishing bobbers or brightly colored ping pong balls in the stand so you can monitor the

water level with ease. Think of the tree as a large cut flower which will continue to pull

water up through its trunk.

• Used Christmas tree greens make good mulch to replenish mulch that may have blown

away during the season. Wreaths can be placed directly over perennials and roses.

• Consult the local birding society or wild bird store for the proper care of the birds in

your area.

• Keep an eye out for fruit flies congregating around overripe fruit.
• Indian meal moth adults are most common in homes during the early winter season.

 

So there you have it!  The very common days taken for granted as folklore but still are on the Almanacs radar.