So it's finally October. It's most definitely my favorite month - by far. I love anything to do with autumn. I love the crisp, changing colors of the leaves, the smell of a burning bonfire, hoodies, pumpkins and warm, homemade soups.
Even though October has arrived in a rather ominous fashion, and I turn 25 in less than two days, I can't help but feel happy about it being here.
So, in dedication of my favorite month, here are some interesting facts about it.
Being the eighth month in the old Roman calendar (Roman year originally begin in March in honor of the God of War, Mars, which meant that, instead of being the 10th month, it was the eighth), October got its name from the Latin word 'Octo' meaning 'eight.' Even after January and February were added, October got to keep its name. Thank goodness.
If you're part of any of these cultures - German-Americans, Hispanics, Italian-Americans and Polish-Americans - feel free to celebrate the entire month! This one's for you guys.
The month of October is also dedicated to the devotion of the rosary in Roman Catholic countries, which began in the 19th century.
October became famously known as "Red October," due to the Russian October revolution of 1917 (although in the modern Gregorian calendar, the revolution started in November).
October is also called the 'yellow month' by the Slavs because of the fading leaves. To the Anglo-Saxons, it was known as Winterfylleth because at the full moon of fylleth, winter was supposed to begin.
If you were born in October you undoubtedly know that your birth flower is the calendula and your birthstone is the opal. What you may not known is that opal symbolizes beauty and happiness. However, it also has a few super superstitious elements. It is said that the gem will crack if worn by anyone who was not born in September. I've actually heard stories about this. I've had plenty of opal necklaces and rings and I've never had any of mine crack. This is some pretty cool information if you're a fantasy nut like me. Opals are also thought to have the power to predict illness because it responds to heat. When your body temperature rises, it causes the opal to lose its shine - leaving it dull and lacking color.
The traditional birthstone for October, however, is tourmaline. It is commonly pink or green - thought it can be other colors as well. The tourmaline gem is said to protect the wearer. This is another cool aspect to the Halloween month.
Speaking of Halloween ... [the coolest holiday] has origins in the ancienc Celtic festival known as Samhain. The celebration occurred at the end of the harvest season in Gaelic culture and is sometimes regarded as the "Celtic New Year." The ancient Celts believed that on October 31, now known as Halloween, the boundary between the living and the deceased dissolved and the dead became dangerous for the living by causing problems such as damaged crops or sickness. The festivals would frequently involve bonfires, into which the bones of slaughtered livestock were thrown. Costumes and masks being worn at Halloween goes back to the Celtic traditions of attempting to copy the evil spirits or placate them. In Scotland, for instance, the dead were impersonated by young men with masked, veiled or blackened faces, dressed in white.
So maybe this October, you'll appreciate just how neat of a month it really is. Or maybe not. Either way, I had to share my unending love for it.
