Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry Folio 9, verso: September Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry (manuscript illustration) Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons
September is the ninth month on both the Gregorian and Julian calendars. The name September is derived from Latin word Septem which meant seven. On the old Roman calendar, this would be the seventh month since that calendar began in March. However, in 153 BC the Roman senate adapted a new calendar in which the year started in January and Septem became the ninth month. The Autumnal Equinox takes place between September 22-24 and inaugurating Autumn in the Northern Hemisphere. In the southern, the same equinox heralds Spring.
The Eastern Orthodox Church starts its liturgical year in September (they follow the Julian calendar instead of the Gregorian). The first full moon of September is often called the Harvest Moon since many farmers begin harvesting crops. The United States celebrates Labor Day on the first Monday in September. The Chinese celebrate the Moon Festival (a major holiday second only to Chinese New Year). Lanterns are made, moon cakes eaten, and gifts exchanged.
As the transition to fall begins, fall produce start appearing. For the U.S., generally that will be apples, artichokes, cranberries, edamame, pears, pumpkins and quinces. Pumpkin spiced beverages start appearing, but it seems some retailers jumped the shark early and started serving them in August. Hard to think of autumn in August or early September when the outside temperature might in 90 F (32 C)!
Today is the last weekend before Labor Day weekend in the U.S. While summer season does not officially end until the Autumnal Equinox, for most it is the end of summer when August ends. Schools have reopened, most people have come back from summer vacations. While it is still warm to hot in many places, by the end of August you can see the signs of Autumn coming. Sunsets are starting earlier now and will accelerate. Likewise sunrises are getting later. So enjoy these precious last few days of summer!
Relaxing day on the beach Image: Bobby Mikul via PublicDomainPictures.net
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Palm Trees & Beach Photo:Petr Kratochvil(publicdomainpictures.net)
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Medieval illustration of men harvesting wheat with reaping-hooks Circa 1310 Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons
August is the eight month on the Gregorian and Julian calendars. One the old Roman calendar this was the sixth month called Sextilis since that calendar start in March. It is named for the Roman emperor Augustus and this month was chosen as many important battles he won were done during this month. It is the last full month of summer in the Northern Hemisphere but in the southern the equivalent of February. In Europe, it is often the month where many workers take vacations.
The adage about August is “Dry August and warmth doth harvest no harm.” August is when the first harvests begin and when the first harvest festivals begin. Typical produce to find in August are cantaloupe, cucumber, corn, eggplant, tomatoes, bell and jalapeno peppers. The first day of August was called Lammas Day by the Celts to mark the annual harvest of wheat and corn. It was typically celebrated with a festival and feast.
The Perseid Meteor shower which began in July continues to August 24. The best viewing days are between August 9-13th. The August full moon is sometimes called Sturgeon Moon but since harvesting begins in the Northern Hemisphere it has also called Grain Moon, Fruit Moon, and Barley Moon. For the people that live in the town of Ny-Ålesund in Norway, August is very important. As the northernmost town in the world, the summer has been one long day. The sun has been staying above the horizon since April and finally during August Polar Day occurs. That often occurs on August 24 though it can vary year to year. Tourists often visit between May-August. The sun does not rise between late October to mid-February.
August is the last full month of summer. Some schools start reopening during the month, which is why parents are often shopping for school items in late July and early August. Many though, if they can, try to use the last month of summer as a time for vacations. It is usually the high tourist season in Europe where many workers get the time off. All the major cities are packed and getting into museums and historical sites can take a while unless you buy a pass (available to tourists) to bypass the line and enter. Also remember if visiting the Vatican, there is a dress code for entering the museum and Sistine Chapel. Generally, men and women must wear clothing that fully covers their shoulders, not wear dresses or shorts that go above the knee, hats & caps must be removed, no tattoos can be visible, no ripped jeans or ripped t-shirts, and if wearing t-shirts make sure it has nothing offensive on it. Women cannot wear any sleeveless or low-cut tops. Full rules can be viewed here. Also be sure to wear comfortable shoes or sandals. The Vatican Museum is large and requires a lot of walking. Flip-flops are not recommended. Also be sure to store your money securely (a money belt is the safest) and watch out for thieves who try to distract you in front while someone quickly opens your backpack or bag to steal.
July, from the Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry Limbourg brothers (fl. 1402–1416) Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons
Welcome to July everyone! July is the seventh month in the Gregorian calendar and is named for Julius Caesar. On the old Roman calendar, it was called Quintillis meaning fifth as July was the fifth month on that calendar. It is generally the hottest month in the Northern Hemisphere and the coldest month in the Southern Hemisphere, which is in winter. The old phrase “Dog days of summer” has nothing to do with canines, but an event in the night sky. During the early parts of July–often the most hot and humid–the star Sirius can be seen in the night sky and is part of the constellation Canis Major (the largest dog). The hot days of July then became described as the dog days in reference to the astronomical event.
July has another astronomical event of note, a Supermoon. There are different names for it (Buck Moon, Thunder Moon, Hay Moon etc) This occurs when the Moon is the closest to the Earth making it appear larger than it normally would appear. It can be either a new moon or a full moon. The July Supermoon is often called a Buck Moon since it in this month new antlers appear on the deer buck’s forehead. It turns out that male deer shed their antlers every year and grow new ones.
There are many observances and events, but two biggest national holidays are Independence Day (U.S., 4 July) and Bastille Day (France, 14 July). Independence Day celebrates the Declaration of Independence from Great Britain on 4 July 1776 while Bastille Day in France commemorates the storming of the Bastille in Paris on 14 July 1789. It is considered the start of the French Revolution.
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Father and son on a Sunday afternoon, 1943. Public Domain (U.S. Library of Congress, digital id#fsa 8d19170)
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June calendar from the Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry From Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry Folio 6, verso: June Between 1412 and 1416, circa 1440 or between 1485 and 1486 Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons
June is the sixth month on both the Gregorian and Julian calendars. June is one four months to be only 30 days long. June marks the beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere (and the reverse below the equator.) The Summer Solstice usually occurs between the 20-22 of the month and is the longest day of the year. June gets its name from the Latin Iunius, which was used on the old Roman calendar (which June was the fourth month since March used to be the first month) and believed to be named for the Roman god Juno. Juno was the wife and sister of Jupiter (the Roman version of Zeus, king of the gods). Juno was the protector of the nation and watched over women. She was also associated with youth.
Midsummer is celebrated in June on the summer solstice or St. John’s Day on 24 June. It is mainly celebrated in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden but the Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania celebrate it as well. Father’s Day is celebrated around the world in June but not on the same date. 19 June is Juneteenth, a federal holiday in the United States, which commemorates the Emancipation Proclamation read aloud in Galveston, Texas. This freed the enslaved people in the state that had been outside of Union Army control.
Rose is the June Flower. Les Roses by Pierre-Joseph Redouté (1759-1840) Photo:Public Domain (US Library of Congress: lccn.loc.gov/50049695)
It is a month of celebrations and weddings are very popular during this month. During Roman times getting married during the month of June was considered lucky and has become traditional since then as the month for preferred weddings. The June symbols are pearl, alexandrite and moonstone for the birthstones, with the rose and honeysuckle for the flowers. Although officially summer does not begin until the solstice, for commercial and agricultural purposes summer begins when the month begins.
May, from the Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry (1412-1416) Limbourg brothers (fl. 1402–1416) Public Domain (Wikimedia Commons)
May is the fifth month on the current Gregorian and the old Julian calendar. It is named for the Greek goddess Maia. On the old Roman calendar, this was the third month. May has 31 days. The full moon in May is sometimes called the Flower Moon since many flowers bloom during this month.
Bouquet of beautiful red roses Davidjose365, May 2015 Wikimedia Commons
May is commonly associated with spring in the Northern Hemisphere but autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. As the bridge month between spring and summer, the month has some days of hot and cold depending on location. There is an old expression that says “Warm January, cool May” that sometimes is accurate. In more olden times, when you sealed up the home for winter, it is now time to open the windows and let the warm spring air in! Spring cleaning was (and still is) a time to clean out the home after a long cold winter and freshen it up. If you ever saw the television show The Beverly Hillbillies, granny would have everything put outside so she could thoroughly and completely clean their mansion.
A sure sign spring is here is when lambs appear. Spring Lamb In The Sunshine Photo: Tanya Hall/publicdomainpictures.net
Spring is the time that plants begin to grow, and many festivals and celebrations have grown up around it. The ancient Romans had several of them during May and many Europeans today have events during the month. Late May is often considered the beginnings of the summer season in many places. The May symbols are the emerald (birthstone), along with Lilly of the Valley and Hawthorn as the birth flowers.
