My love and hatred of this month has grown and waned over recent years.
What used to be a month which felt like a placeholder, between the fun of October and Halloween and the festiveness of the holiday season come December, has largely been replaced.
Now, I see November as a comforting breath.
A long inhale, one which fills up my lungs.
All before the exhale that comes from the end of the year in late November and December.
Early November gives us that time to just be for a moment. No rush, no trying to do all the fall things anymore, just simply sitting in the moment.
And THAT is what makes this month such a joy to me nowadays.
With that, here’s November’s Ever Diaries. I do hope you enjoy.
P.S. If you are new here, welcome! At the start of the month, I send these little overviews out about the time of the year we are greeting—and don’t tell the other posts, but these are some of my favorite ones to write! Every Ever Diaries also includes photos from the place I am dreaming of visiting that month. I always save the location for the sign-off, so see if you can guess the spot as you peruse the post!
Once Upon a November…
We’re in the thick of the months which are named for their previous order in the ol’ Roman calendar days. “NOV”, meaning nine, signified it being the ninth month.
After the addition of January and February to the calendar by Numa Pompilius, the timing of the year got… all mucked up. November being named nine but actually now being the eleventh month is merely one example.
Mucked up is also how one could describe the transition to the Julian calendar system. After the faults of the Roman calendar became VERY apparent (like celebrating the harvest festival in the midst of springtime), Julius Caesar decided things needed to change.
So, with some help, the Julian calendar system came to be. One itty bitty problem remained though: how do you align the old calendar to the new calendar, especially given how royally messed up the old one was?
The answer lies in the year 46 BCE, the longest year in history.
Its length: 445 days.
Confusing, yes?
It was even nicknamed the “year of confusion.”
But, it made things ultimately less confusing by realigning the year to the seasons—no more harvest festivals in spring!—and gave a strong foundation for the currently used Gregorian calendar system to build upon centuries later.
Sources: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20240227-how-julius-caesar-made-the-longest-year-in-history-and-brought-us-leap-years, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julian_calendar, https://engines.egr.uh.edu/episode/2364, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/46_BC
Worth a Revisit This Month
November, in Eleven Words
Eleven words to describe this eleventh month…
Abundant: Laughter and gratitude.
Copper: The world has this copper hue to it.
Appreciative: Giving thanks for all the good.
Wistful: October’s peak autumn has left us; December’s holidays are still coming. We’re in the wistful middle.
Spiced: Cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
Gray: Skies seem to be trending gray this month.
Sleepy: Naps and early bedtimes, pretty please!
Contemplative: Anyone else feeling reflective around this time?
Smoky: Fires are burning— smoke is drifting across the skies from chimneys.
Sporty: Some of the greatest sports games are on!
Unhurried: There’s no rushing November.
November, Written in the Stars
What’s happening in the skies above this month.
November 9: New Moon in the sign of Scorpio
November 17 & 18: the Leonid Meteor Shower—look for shooting stars!
November 20: Be on the lookout for Mercury
November 24: Beaver Full Moon in the sign of Gemini
Notes of November
On the Counter: Rosehips
Tunes on Repeat: Jazz
Currently Watching: Lord of the Rings
Book Dog-Eared: Harry Potter
From the Market: Butternut Squash & Cranberries
“In November, some birds move away and some birds stay. The air is full of good-byes and well-wishes.” —Cynthia Rylant
I’m dreaming of London in November.
Ever joyfully,
Claire
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