I’ve been meaning to write this piece for a while now, and have been unsure exactly how do to it. Monthly associations vary greatly and have a lot of history to them, including etymology, astrology, how the calendar has changed over the years, etc. For example, did you know originally January and February were considered “rest” periods on the calendar, and just didn’t have a name or a place? Meaning we only kept track of 10 months. So what I would like to do is give a semi general overview of monthly associations, and a little etymology background.
(Header photo sourced from @dhasemeyer on Instagram)
January
Named for the Roman God, Janus; the god of beginning and transitions. According to the Farmer’s Almanac, Juno was the tutelary deity of the month. It is also thought to be named for the Latin word, meaning door, or openings/new beginnings. Janus, is thought to be the animistic spirit of doorways.
Moon: Wolf Moon
Deities: Juno, Janis, Freya, Inanna, Sarasvati, Hera, Ch’ang-O
Gemstones and Crystals: Garnet, Amazonite, Tiger’s Eye, Labradorite, Celestine, Moonstone
Herbs & Plants: patchouli, lavender, pine, mimosa, peppermint, Galanthus, cottage pink dianthus, carnation
Incense: bayberry, dragon’s blood, frankincense, jasmine, lavender, patchouli, rosemary, Woodruff
Trees: birch
Elements: Earth/Air
Energies & Associations: fresh starts, communications, new projects, preparing projects, safety, protection
February
February comes from the latin febuarius mensis, which means the month of purification. Which comes from februare; to purify and februa; purifications and expiatory rites. It was given this name, because of the Roman Feast of purification, Lupercalia, which took place on February 15th. Originally, this was considered the last month of the Roman calender, or the end of the “none months” of the Roman calender.
Moon: Chaste Moon/Snow Moon
Deities: Brigit, Juno, Kuan Yin, Diana, Persephone, Demeter, Sjofn, Mars, Apollo
Gemstones and Crystals: nebula stone, amethyst, ammolite, Angelite
Herbs & Plants: honeysuckle, oakmoss, jasmine, nutmeg, pine, sage, snowdrop, viola, primrose, anise, bay, benzoin, chamomile, cedarwood, cinnamon, camphor, copal, eucalyptus, fennel, frankincense, hyssop, lavender, lemon, musk, myrrh, peppermint, pine, rosemary, thyme, vervain
Incense: cedar, frankincense, pine, sage, sandalwood, wisteria, heliotrope
Trees: Rowan, laurel, cedar
Elements: Air/Water
Energies & Associations: purification, cleansing, divination, ambition, unrealized aspirations, unisons, balance, truth, clarity, vision, spirituality, forgiveness, healing, motivation
March
March gets its name for the Latin word martius, which is named after the Roman god of war, Mars. While in Anglo-French is it called marche, in Old French it was known as marz. Martius was the first month of the Roman Calendar, after the month-less period of winter. It was also the beginning of the warfare season, and was celebrated in the same way at the end of a warfare season (October) was celebrated. March remained the first month of the year, through the Roman Calendar, until around 153 BC.
Moon: Worm Moon
Deities: Mars, Ares, Isis, the Morrigan, Hecate, Astarte, Artemis
Gemstones and Crystals: amethyst, aquamarine, pink fluorite, bloodstone
Herbs & Plants: jasmine, star anise, sage, calamus, catnip
Incense: honeysuckle, apple blossom
Trees: Alder, dogwood
Elements: water/fire
Energies & Associations: anger, temper, reconciliation, protection, retribution, new beginnings, fresh starts, planting seeds for new projects, communication, success
April
April was the second month of the earliest Roman Calendar before lanuarius and februarius were added by King Pompilius around 700 BC. With the introduction of the Gregorian calendar, an extra day was added to April in 1582. In Latin, April was aprilis, which has several theories as to where it is derived from. The traditional etymology of the world April is from a verb aperire which is from a verb, meaning “to open.” This is thought to be a reference to spring, to which trees and plants “open” with flowers, beginning the season. This is supported by the comparison of the modern Greek language, with the use of άνοιξη (ánixi) (opening) for spring. April is sacred to Venus, and her Veneralia was held on the first day of April. With this knowledge, another theory for where April gets its name is due to Venus’ Greek counterpart, Aphrodite. The connection potentially goes, aprilis was originally called aphrillis, which would come from the name Aphrodite.
Moon: Pink Moon
Deities: Venus, Aphrodite, Eostre, Kali, Hathor, Ceres, Bast
Gemstones and Crystals: diamond, crystalline kyanite, emerald
Herbs & Plants: daisy, sweetpea, allspice, frankincense, fennel, musk, pine
Incense: pine, bay, patchouli
Trees: bay, hazel, pine
Elements: fire, earth
Energies & Associations: passion, will, emotions, new projects, new life, good luck, opening, opportunity, letting go, honoring what has passed
May
May is a month of spring, however the end of May is commonly when United States school age student begin their summer holidays. The month of May is generally agreed to be named for the Roman goddess Maia, however it is also associated with another Roman goddess, Bona Dea. Another etymology theory was provided by the Roman poet, Ovid, who suggested that the May is named the Latin word meaning “elders”, maiores. This theory is further backed up with his suggestion that June, the following month is the Latin word iuniores, which means “young people.”
Moon: Flower Moon
Deities: Maia, Bona Dea, the Virgin Mary, Bast, Venus, Aphrodite, Diana, Pan, Horned God, Artemis
Gemstones and Crystals: chrysotile, emerald, septarian
Herbs & Plants: Lily of the Valley, Hawthorn, apple blossom, magnolia, rose, vanilla, thyme
Incense: rose, sandalwood
Trees: hawthorn, apple
Elements: Earth and Air
Energies & Associations: development, growth, maturity, illumination, wisdom, logic, personal goals
June
There are several etymologies for the month of June. The first one suggests that the month of June is named for the Roman goddess Juno. The second etymology comes from a Roman poet, Ovid, who suggested that the word Junius (Latin for June) comes from the another Latin word iuniores, which means “the younger.” The month before June, May was suggested to mean “the elders” based on the Latin word, maiores, which further supports this theory. The third source claims June is named after Lucius Junius Brutus; the founder of the Roman Republic and ancestor of the Roman gens Junia.
Moon: Strawberry Moon
Deities: Juno, Hera, Isis, Green Man, Cerridwen
Gemstones and Crystals: pearl, alexandrite, moonstone, blue lace agate, citrine herkimer
Herbs & Plants: rose, honeysuckle, almond, dill, lilly, lemongrass, clover
Incense: lily of the valley, lavender
Trees: oak
Elements: air/water
Energies & Associations: commitment, love, marriage, well dressing, what’s to come, what has passed, movement, ideas, creation, unions
July
Originally July was not called this at all but in; originally it was known as Quintilis, meaning the fifth month of a ten-month Roman calendar.The month of July is named by the Roman Senate, in honor of the Roman general, Julius Caesar. July, or as it was known at the time, Quintilis, was his birth month. On the note of his birth, it is rumored he was born via c-section; when a fetus is removed from the uterus via operation, through the abdomen and uterine lining. Although historian mostly agree that this is very unlikely, the name Cesarean Section is named for his supposed entry into this world. Julius Caesar, unlike all the month’s previously explored, was a mortal, and one of the only month’s named for such. Julius Caesar as a man was a general, statesman and a historian. His conquering of Gaul (now part of Italy, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands) led to an Ancient Roman, July 5th festival.
Moon: Buck Moon
Deities: Cerridwen, Venus, Juno, Hel, Athene
Gemstones and Crystals: green calcite, ruby, peacock ore,
Herbs & Plants: larkspur, water lily, gardenia, myrrh, sandalwood, calamus, lemon balm
Incense: orris, frankincense
Trees: oak, acacia, ash
Elements: Water, Fire
Energies & Associations: authority, self regulation, preparing for the next phase, celebration, reflection, growth, leadership, long term goals, power and strength
August
Originally it was named Sextillis, as it was the sixth month of the original Ancient Roman Calendar. It wasn’t until 8 BC that it’s name was changed for the Roman Emperor, Augustus. According to senatus consultum (quote by Macrobius), this month was chosen due to it being the month in which most of Augustus’ greatest triumphs took place. This included his conquest of Egypt. Augustus was the grand-nephew of Julius Caesar. He was born Gaius Octavius Thurinus into an old and wealthy equestrian branch of the plebeian gens Octavia. His maternal great-uncle Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 BC, and Octavius was named in Caesar’s will as his adopted son and heir. He was a Roman statesman and military leader who was the first Emperor of the Roman Empire, controlling Imperial Rome from 27 BC until his death in AD 14.
Monthly Associations: Accord, Peace and Symmetry
Traditional Monthly Energies: Taking steps needed for the next phase
Moon: Sturgeon Moon
Deities: Ganesha, Hathor, Hecate, Nemesis
Gemstones and Crystals: bronzite, peridot, green sapphire
Herbs & Plants: rosemary, jasmine, lilac, violet, calamus
Incense: frankincense and heliotrope
Trees: hazel, alder, cedar
Elements: earth and air
Energies & Associations: accord, peace, symmetry, taking steps needed for the next phase, cleansing before winter, hard work, closing chapters, youth
September
The name September comes from the Latin word septem, which means seven. This is because, in the original Ancient Roman calendar, September had originally been the seventh month, as January and February were considered rest months and not counted. The Anglo-Saxon’s referred to September as Gerst Monath, because it was the time of year when they harvest barley, to make their favorite drink, Barley Brew. It was also suggested they called is Haefest Monath, which means Harvest Month, for similar reasons. The Ancient Romans believed that the month of September was looked over by the god Vulcan. As he was the god of fire and forge, it was thought this month brought volcanoes, fire, and earthquakes. Vulcan is often depicted with a blacksmith’s hammer.
Moon: Harvest Moon
Deities: Demeter, Ceres, Iris, Optis, Vulcan
Gemstones and Crystals: sapphire, bloodstone, rainbow obsidian
Herbs & Plants: Forget Me Not, Morning Glory, aster, lilac, mugwort, marjoram, rose, thyme
Incense: gardenia, rose, lilac
Trees: hazel, larch, bay
Elements: Earth, Air
Energies & Associations: spiritual development, growth, fresh starts, new projects, drawing inward, female issues, fertility, independence, protection
October
October gets its name from the Ancient Roman Calendar, predating the addition of January and February when there were only ten months in the year. It was originally the eighth month of the year, and therefore gets its name from the Latin word ôctō, which means “eight.” The Anglo-Saxons referred to October as Wyn Monath due to this month being their season for making wine.
Moon: Hunter’s Moon/ Blood Moon
Deities: Astarte, Horned God, Lakshmi, Ishtar
Gemstones and Crystals: Opal, alexandrite, citrine, lilac kunzite, pink tourmaline
Herbs & Plants: calendula, ginger, myrrh, allspice, basil, clove
Incense: pine, patchouli
Trees: yew, cypress, maple, oak
Elements: air and water
Energies & Associations: personal modifications, letting go of and honoring what has passed, ancestors, communicating with the spirits, new beginnings, justice and balance
November
In Ancient Rome, November was the ninth month of the year and has since retained its name which referred to this. In Latin the word novem refers to the number nine, correlating to November’s name. In the Northern Hemisphere, November is the end of autumn, and in the Southern Hemisphere, it is the end of Spring. So November in the Northern Hemisphere is the equivalent to May in the Southern Hemisphere and vice versa. The Anglo-Saxon word for November was Blōtmōnaþ, referring to the time of the year when the cattle were slaughtered for winter. They also called it Wind Monath, because of the winter winds blowing in, bringing the cold weather. The poet, T.S. Elliot referred to November as Sombre November.
Moon: Beaver Moon, Snow Moon
Deities: Kali, Isis, Bast, Osiris, Sarasvati, Hecate
Gemstones and Crystals: yellow topaz, citrine, brown zircon, topaz, silver sheen obsidian
Herbs & Plants: chrysanthemum, cumin, gardenia, vanilla, anise, sage
Incense: cedar, peppermint, hyacinth
Trees: Alder, cypress
Elements: Water and Fire
Energies & Associations: empathy, honor, remembering those who have passed, strengthening connections, transformations, release, relief, and emancipation
December
December is the twelfth and last month of the year in both the Julian and Gregorian calendar. It is also the last month of the year containing 31 days. In the Ancient Roman calendar, the winter months following December were not included in the calendar, making the year begin with what is now March. The name December has been retained from the original calendar, it’s named for the Latin word decem, meaning ten, a reference to it being the tenth month. In the Northern Hemisphere, December is the beginning of winter, while in the Southern Hemisphere, it is the beginning of summer. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is the beginning of rain, wind, and snow. The Anglo-Saxons referred to December as winter monath or yule monath, due to the beginning of winter, and the custom of burning a yule log during this time. After the Anglo-Saxons converted to Christianity, they referred to the month as Heligh monath, translating to Holy Month, a reference to the birth of Jesus Christ, or Christmas.
Moon: Cold Moon
Deities: Hathor, Hecate, Athese
Gemstones and Crystals: lapis, smoky quartz, lazulite, turquoise, zircon, tanzanite
Herbs & Plants: narcissus, cedarwood, juniper, sage, star anise, carnation
Incense: violet, patchouli, frankincense, myrrh, rose geranium
Trees: pine, fire, holly, yule
Elements: Fire and Water
Energies & Associations: discernment, understanding universal truths, celebrating what’s to come, celebrating what has passed, family, spiritual guidance, ancestral knowledge, temper loyalties, true feelings, put things in motion for the fruition of spring