What does October Mean?
October Birthstone, Zodiac Sign, Flower, Number & More!

Happy Halloween! Oh, wait that’s not the entire month. Nonetheless there are people world-wide who anticipate the Halloween season with similar zeal as Yule/Christmas. October was the 8th month of the year on the Julian calendar, and the 10th on the Gregorian one. In the Northern Hemisphere Autumn is in full swing. The Southern Hemisphere welcomes spring.

Winterfylleth is the Old English term for October, which historians believed had something to do with the Full Moon of Winter. For those who are counting, come October 17th you have only 75 more days to wait until the year’s end.

Gardeners, now is the time to begin harvesting and storing your bounty. Whether you dry, can or freeze many vegetable crops are now ready for plucking. This is also a good time to fertilize the soil so it enriches while at rest. While you are outside keep an eye on the weather. Gray skies portend a hard winter, warm temperatures warn of a very cold February.

In the skies the Orionid meteor shower begins building activity. Starting around November 5h, the best viewing comes on October 21st before sunrise, yielding as many as 20 streaks per hour. We can thank Halley’s comet for this show, having produced it from the debris it left behind.

Native American calendars give the vast majority of this month over to Raven Spirit (until the 22nd). As scavengers they are the clean up crew for many natural events (and sadly from a historical perspective, many battle grounds). Ravens have uncanny intelligence and are known to favor kind-hearted humans, showing it with tiny shiny gifts.

Raven is the “chatty Kathy” of nature. This bird has a distinct language and mystics say that Raven can tell us our future should it so choose. This is particularly interesting since Hallows is a holiday in which procrastination figures heavily. Even when Raven isn’t cawing about tomorrow, he brings many a secret to those willing to listen. Gods and Goddesses associated with Raven include Odin (often called the Raven God), Apollo and Athena.

October Birth Stone: Tourmaline & Opal

Tourmaline has a distinguished spot among sacred stones thanks to it having vast color variations. This diversity lead more than one hopeful treasure hunter to misidentify tourmaline as many other valued gems. Truth be told, tourmalines are somewhat like snowflakes. Each is unique.

Every continent in the world has a source for Tourmaline. Some specimens fetch a pretty sum! Legend tells us that Tourmaline’s color range comes from traveling the rainbow. Rituals in India used Tourmaline for insight, particularly in determining the source of problems. Alchemists favored the stone because it produced a small charge upon heating or cooling. Some historians believe that Tourmaline has connections with the philosopher’s stone because of this property.

Tribes in Africa carried Tourmaline for protection. Wiccans and Pagans use it for strength, creativity, harmony, and happiness. Tourmaline helps us communicate in such a way that our words are understood as well as our intent.

As with other magical crystals and gems, Tourmaline’s color changes its vibration. Use blackTourmaline for psychic safety and pink for love or reducing stress. Work with red Tourmaline for relationship matters, green for stamina and grounding and brown for true-seeing. Elementally Tourmaline comes under the jurisdiction of Water orEarth depending on who you ask. Some people determine the element of this crystal by its prominent color.

Opal delights our eyes with all the little flashes of color and light. That inner fire inspires many feelings, not the least of which is wonder. Metaphysically Opal saturates our aura with positive energy. It’s excellent for clearing blocked Chakras and psychic gifts.

As a sacred stone, Opal has a lot of depth. It encourages us to look at our innermost feelings and desires, both good and bad. This is like a mirror. However, Opal dispels the negative and supports the positive.

There are three types of Opal commonly known. The Fire Opal, as the name suggests, has vivid reds, yellows and oranges. Elementally it aligns with Fire too. Second is the Rainbow Opal, often referred to as Precious Opal because light plays off the spheres within the gem with far greater pizzazz than other Opals. Finally the Common Opal is, well, rather ordinary having no fire like the other two. These stones have a pearl-like finish.

Among Precious Opals one stands out as worthy of greater attention. The Black Opal is dark with deep greens and blues. Light Workers consider these the most fortunate of the Opalswith strong connections with our spiritual endeavors. Black Opal connects the Crown Chakra with the Root Chakra a bit like our spine connects our head with our legs, providing support. Use this gem for scrying and true-seeing. Opal correlates to the Moon and the Water Element but for those stones whose intense color shifts that vibration.

October Zodiac Signs: Libra & Scorpio

We open the month of October in the Astrological sign of Libra, which comes under the Air Element and the rule of the planet Venus. As you might expect from the Scale symbolism, Libras are very balanced. They dislike confrontation and keeping relationships on an even-keel. Their fair-minded nature makes them natural diplomats and the most scrupulous of lawyers.

The Libra nature comes into full perspective in their home. One side of the room must balance with the other. A table has a centerpiece that is NEVER off center, and if it has end pieces they sit evenly separated and perfectly matched. In another life, Libras were probably Feng Shui experts. Everywhere you look piles of books await the hungry Libra mind. And, there is no question that the Libra home has highlights of beauty in every possible place.

Starting October 23 we come into the Sign of Scorpio, ruled by the planets Mars and Pluto with a governing Element of Water. When you make a Scorpio friend you will have them for life as long as you are ALWAYS honest. The Scorpion tends to sting when anyone keeps secrets, particularly harmful ones. Additionally you will always see Scorpio people with others who are driven, passionate and courageous. Those born under this sign have never sat on the sidelines of anything in their lives.

Scorpio loves research. They diligently keep mental notes for future reference, making them highly resourceful. The Water energy in Scorpio makes for intense emotion. They cry, laugh and speak their mind with ease while still somehow maintaining a mysterious air. In relationships the Scorpion is very sensual and intimate. In friendship, partnerships and commitments – they are in it for the long haul, preferably life.

October Holidays

For Catholics the whole month of October is the Month of the Holy Rosary. For people of other persuasions it is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Black History Month (UK), Health Literacy Month, National Work and Family Month and LGBT History Month. If you are feeling hungry you can celebrate National Pizza or Seafood Month.

Celebrations whose date changes slightly every year begin with Oktoberfest. The first full week of October is Customer Service Week, with the first Monday of the month dedicated to Child Health Day. National Poetry Day in Ireland and the UK takes place on the first Thursday, followed in the US by Word Smile Day on the first Friday. The Second Monday in October marks Columbus Day and Canadian Thanksgiving. Additionally, Bosses Day comes on the third Monday of October, National Bandanna Day in Australia (last Friday) and Make a Difference Day (the fourth Saturday).

For fixed celebrations we start the month on a high note with International Music day (10/1). Ok we couldn’t resist the pun. World Animal Day comes on October 4th, National Noodle Day (10/6), World Post Day (10/9) and Freethought Day (10/12). Moving into the 2nd half of the month there’s International Spirit Day (10/15), World Menopause Day (10/18), International Day of the Nacho (10/21), International United Nations Day (10/24), National Cat Day (10/29) and Halloween (10/31).

October Flower: Calendula

Calendulas come in both perennial and annual varieties. They are part of the same family as Marigolds. The name Calendula comes from a Latin term that means “little clock or calendar”. Calendula enjoys being among the edible petals of the world, appearing in salads, as an alternative for saffron and even cheese coloring.

During Greek and Roman rituals people wore garlands of Calendula. They are a sacred flower in India being used on Hindu statuary for Lakshimi and Genesh as a wish for wealth and opportunity. The flower also appears here in marriage ceremonies as a symbol of fertility.

Christians used Calendula for holy decorations, appearing near images of the Virgin Mary. A Calendula planted outside a Mexican home represented the hope for visiting happy spirits. Calendula’s colors shine with Autumn hues, namely bright orange and yellow. The Victorian Language of Flowers a gift of Calendula signaled the recipient that the gifting party kept them in their thoughts.

October Month Number: 10

Pythagoras considered ten to be the number of the Universe itself, holding all knowledge. Agrippa seemed to agree feeling it was a complete number filled with life’s essence and representing totality. Because of the 1 and the 0 visually, ten can represent the unity of the sacred masculine and feminine (kind of the Adam and Eve of Numerology).

Mayan culture regarded ten as a number marking the end of one cycle and the beginning of the next. Jewish custom requires ten people to open a Synagogue. Chinese philosophy says that humans have 10 souls, 7 of which belong to the lower plane (perhaps alluding to Chakras) and three of which are superior.

Apollo had ten Prophetesses. Hinduism tells of ten lords of existence as forces from Brahma acting as creative energies. In Hebrew this number means “Ego”. Metaphysically the number ten supports a positive outlook, independence, victory, creativity, leadership and determination. It is the number associated with Isis, Osiris and the
Wheel of Fortune in the Tarot.

October Colors: Red-brown, Yellow-brown, Orange and Black

Octobers colors reflect what is happening in nature in the Northern Hemisphere. Trees flash their brilliance with reds, yellows, oranges and browns. Looking specifically at the addition of brown to the equation, this embodies the Earth Element. Brown is reliable, secure and grounded. When Brown mixes with other colors it tones them, providing an organic feel. So while red sparks with Fire, Brown calms it without loosing Red’s stimulating properties. Brown added to yellow still radiates warmth but with less activity.

The color orange is happy and enthusiastic. These two characteristics increase when the brightness of this hue increases. Orange helps us express ourselves, especially emotionally. Along a similar line it helps heal those dealing with love’s wounds. In both cases Orange helps us socialize and find a sense of inner contentment.

While some people cling to negative associations for the color Black, it need not be gloomy. Black is mysterious, authoritative and elegant. Black brings greater impact to all other hues.

The color black can represent a sexy side (think about that little black dress). Oddly it can also be rather inconspicuous. How often do we stop and say, “hey look at that black!”? In some settings Black represents accomplishment (a Black belt) and profit (in the black).

October Symbol: Butterfly

On the Celtic Animal Calendar the month of October belongs to Butterfly until the 27th. In Celtic tradition the idea of Butterfly as social certainly rang true. People born with a Butterfly Totem fly from place to place, person to person. Sitting still is nearly unheard of. The Butterfly dares to dream and imparts their vision to others happily. People associated with the Butterfly experience joy, encouragement and wonder just from being in proximity to the Butterfly’s aura. One of this creatures favorite sayings is “life is good! Live every moment of it!”.

The Celts (and many other cultures) revered Butterfly as the messenger of transformation. When the caterpillar retreats to a cocoon, how amazing it must be to emerge a Butterfly! In that one moment everything alters. Nonetheless, Butterfly seems to know exactly how to take to wing and accept. Such vulnerability; such faith! Butterfly Sprit certainly has much to teach us.

October Full Moon

Days grow shorter and the temperature drops. In the sky the Blood Moon rises. Also sometimes called the Dying Grass Moon or Hunters’ Moon. But why Blood? Because it reflects the necessity of hunting and preserving for the months ahead, and the oncoming slumber in the earth.

October’s Full Moon is a fantastic time for making hardy meals. Make a bunch to enjoy now and “put up” for enjoyment throughout the season. Bring some colorful Autumn accents into your home and sacred space. Get cozy and enjoy!

October Facts

• Walt Disney World, Florida, opens (1971).
• Peanuts comic strip appears (1950).
• Kathryn Sullivan becomes the first Woman to take a walk in space (1984).
• Martin Luther King Jr receives the Nobel Peace Prize (1964).
• Al Capone convicted of income tax evasion (1931).
• Opening of the Erie Canal (1825).
• The Statue of Liberty gifted to the U.S. (1886).
• Black Tuesday Crash (1929).
• Assassination of Prime Minister Indira Ghhandi (1984).

October Quotes

“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” ~ L.M. Montgomery

“October, baptize me with leaves! Swaddle me in corduroy and nurse me with split pea soup. October, tuck tiny candy bars in my pockets and carve my smile into a thousand pumpkins. O autumn! O teakettle! O grace!” ~ Rainbow Rowell

“The crickets still sing in October. And lilly, she’s trying to bloom. Tho she’s resting her head on the shoulder of death, she still shines by the light of the moon.” ~ Kevin Dalton

“October had tremendous possibility. The summer’s oppressive heat was a distant memory, and the golden leaves promised a world full of beautiful adventures. They made me believe in miracles.” ~ Sarah Guillory

“In the entire circle of the year there are no days so delightful as those of a fine October.”~ Alexander Smith

“October had the tremendous possibility. The summer’s oppressive heat was but a distant memory and the golden leaves promised the world full of adventures. They made me believe in miracles.” ~ Sarah Guillory

“ The trees are in their autumn beauty, the woodland paths are dry. Under the October twilight the water mirrors a still sky.” ~ William Butler Yeats

“October is a symphony of permanence and change.” ~ Bonaro W. Overstreet

October Birthdays

• Groucho Marx (10/2)
• St. Francis of Assisi (10/4)
• Simon Cowell (10/7)
• John Lennon (10/9)
• Nancy Kerrigan (10/13)
• Emeril Lagasse (10/15)
• John Lithgow (10/19)
• Snoop Dog (10/20)
• Weird Al Yankovic (10/23)
• Picasso (10/25)
• Emily Post (10/27)
• Bill Gates & Julia Roberts (10/28)
• Dan Rather (10/31)