Vine

Of the tenth month Amergin sings, "I am a hill of skilled ones. "Those who followed a creative path in early Ireland were called "people of skill." This included those who attended Bardic schools and learned to apply their skills to the service of their tradition. As a result, their tradition was enriched and grew through their sharing with each other. They compared ideas and techniques and learned by doing as those who receded them. Their teachings and ways are carried forward today in groups such as ours.

The Bards held regular assemblies where they recited their poetry, shared their art and held captive those who sat and listened and also scrutinized by those considered more learned than they.

This was done during the Harvest season since the energies that go into making public a finished work of art are quite similar to the processes of reaping and storing of crops.

All living creatures are preparing for the coming season of death, storing food, paring down, or traveling to warmer regions. We who are human often imitate them on a deeper level, by sharing the results of our creative and which serves as food for the soul.

Of course, there are many different types of creative activities in a human community, and many different ways in which they may be shared.

As the moon waxes, we gather what we have learned well that we can speak of clearly, and get ourselves ready to once more be blown by the same wind that breathed the creative spirit into us during the Ash Moon and now show the results of that creativity. On the Full Moon we will open ourselves to a full sharing of our innermost dreams and aspirations with others, enjoying the spirit of community under the light of the Full Moon, knowing the fulkness of our many blessings.

And finally, as the moon wanes we hold to ourselves this inner richness gained from the sharing.

I AM A HILL OF POETRY

Hey the gift, Ho the gift,
Hey the gift of the living.

Queen of the dawn, Queen of the clouds,
Queen of the planet, Queen of the star;
Queen of the rain, Queen of the dew,
Queen of the welk in, Queen of the sky;
Queen of the flame, Queen of the lt~ht,
Queen of the sphere, Queen of the globe;
Queen of the elements, Queen of the heavens,
Queen of the moon, Queen of the sun.

On the earth, in the ai~ Through the fire, by the water,
I am ECSTASY, the twelfth month's daughter

© Chris Carol 1979. © 1948, 1966 by International Authors N.Y.

Muin is the tenth consonant. In Celtic countries there was a ban on eating blackberries - "because of the Fairies." It is a Tree of Joy, exhilaration and wrath.

The vine is also called Bramble in Britain as vine is not native. It is the Vine of Dionysus, the bringer of visions. It is the coming of autumn and the decline of growth that leads to winter sleep. Season includes Autumn Equinox, fruiting of the dream world in the introspective "sleep" of the turn of the year.

Vine is a symbol of the intertwining of the conscious and unconscious mind. It is a sign of liberation from inhibitions. It is a gentle and systematic release from the constraints of logic and rationality. Muin is divine inspiration and channeled creativity. Vine tells you that the inner key to your problems awaits an inspired solution. The truth is shining from within and from beyond. You are challenged to follow your intuitive instincts.

Botanical Information

Blackberry Common Names ...

Bramble, Cloudberry, Dewberry, Goutberry, High blackberry, and Thimbleberry

Blackberry is a trailing perennial plant; the slender branches feature sharp, prickles. The leaves are finely hairy, each bearing three leaflets. The white, five-petaled flowers appear from June to September.

It grows in dry or sandy soil, along woodland edges, in hedge rows, and along roadsides.

Blackberry leaves and roots are a long-standing home remedy for cholera, anemia, and for regulating menses, diarrhea, and dysentery. Prolonged use of the tea is also beneficial for enteritis, chronic appendicitis, and stomach upset. It is said to have expectorant properties as well. The fruit and juice are taken for anemia, and using a standard infusion, can be applied externally as a lotion, reported to be good for psoriasis and scaly conditions of the skin.

The Nine Muses

The Nine Muses are the Greek goddesses of inspiration, learning, the arts, and culture. According to Hesiod's Theogony, Zeus lay with Mnemosyne ("Memory") for nine days, and she gave birth to the Muses, who rejoice in their bright dancing places on Mount Helicon -- "nine voices united in one song."

In ancient times, all learning was under the patronage of the Muses, and they were the inspirers of poetry, music, and art. It was common for schools to have a shrine to the Muses, and any place dedicated to them was known as a mouseion, the source of our word "museum."

When Plato founded the Academy, he dedicated a shrine to the goddesses of learning. Aristotle's school, the Peripatos, also possessed a shrine which contained statues of the Muses. The famous Museum at Alexandria, founded by Ptolemy I, was a temple of learning dedicated to the Muses. Before poets or storytellers would recite their work, it was customary for them to first invoke the inspiration and protection of the Muses.

Danu

Danu is also known as Danann, the Irish Dana, the Greek Dione, the Welsh Donn, and Anu. She is also called Mother of Gods, Great Mother, and Moon Goddess. Her name means teacher and wisdom.

It is said that Danu is the power that is the land, never to be overcome by mortals. Her power is in the imagination of those who see magic in the twilight mist between the worlds. Her powerful presence can aide you in achieving anything you desire, especially motherhood, fertility, healing of children, magic and anything creative.

Mother of the gods, she was patron Goddess of the Tuatha De Danann. The Tuatha De Danann (the people of the goddess Danu) became the gods and goddesses of the Sons of Mil, after they were driven "underground." The Tuatha De Danann became known as the fey, and were said to inhabit the Sidhe. The Sidhe (shee) is a magical place beneath the large mounds in Ireland. Danu is not only the Faerie Queen, She is also Goddess of Water. Her name appears all across Europe. (Danube River, Denmark, & the Don River)

In the beginning, it is said that She watered the first Oak tree from the
heavens, and granted life to the Earth. From that tree fell two acorns, which grew to be Dagda and Brighid. A swan is symbolic of Her, representing purity of the female, and gracefulness of motherhood.

In county Kerry, Ireland, there is the "paps of Anu," connecting Danu to the land in a very ancient way, our ancestors worshipped the land in the form of the Gentle Mother.

Titmouse

M - mitan, titmouse, mbracht, variegated.

Why is the titmouse in the next place?

Not hard. Amergin sang of this month: "I am a hill of poetry, and this is the month of the poet, who is the least easily abashed of men, as the Titmouse is the least easily abashed of birds. Both band together in companies in this month, and go on circuit in search of a liberal hand, and as the Titmouse climbs spirally up a tree, so the Poet also spirals to immortality. And variegated is the color of the Titmouse, and of the Master - poet's dress,

Graves, Robert. The White Goddess, pg. 298

The boisterous, friendly titmouse is usually heard before it is seen. Sometimes called "tomtit" in the South, this saucy little bundle of nervous energy bounces through the treetops, scolding peter peter peter at any intruder in the territory.

The word "titmouse" is derived from Old Icelandic titr, meaning "something small" and "mouse" a corruption of the Old English mace meaning small bird.

Two forms of the tufted titmouse appear in Texas, the "tufted titmouse" and the black-crested titmouse." They both feed on an assortment of small insects, spiders, seeds, and small berries. They form long term pair bonds, and the male feeds his mate through the breeding season and while she incubates her eggs.

The Tufted Titmouse can be quite acrobatic as it searches for insects. It is often seen hanging upside down from branches and can often be seen descending the trunk of a tree in a spiraling pattern.

Amethyst

Amethyst is a powerful crystal, and has a wide range of metaphysical uses.

Amethyst is said to bring serenity. It has been called the "stone of contentment," and is soothing and calming. This makes it a good stone for meditation.

Its shielding powers can ward off negative energies while attracting and amplifying positive ones. Amethyst is a good stone to help you cope with sadness and grief.

It provokes honesty and uprightness. This makes amethyst a good stone for those people in the business world, though everyone can benefit from its effects.

Amethyst also stimulates inspiration. It can help you assimilate new ideas, and can help open channels to your true higher self. This makes it a good stone for those seeking spiritual growth.

In antiquity, the word amethyst was indiscriminately applied to almost any purple gemstone, including purple garnet and purple sapphire. The word means "not drunken" because purple stones were credited with the ability to keep drinkers sober no matter how much wine they consumed.

A late myth described Amethyst as a nymph who loved the wine god. When he scorned her, Amethyst withered and hardened into a stone that would always oppose the effects of wine.