NOVEMBER LORE

Waipa Post, Volume 49, Issue 3554, 6 December 1934, Page 3

NOVEMBER LORE

LEGENDS AND BELIEFS INTERESTING SUPERSTITIONS November really means the ninth month of the year, for it did not change its Roman name when the calendar was altered. The Saxons called it wind-month, because the fishermen drew their boats ashore and did not go to sea again till the spring. In the days of Queen Elizabeth, Saint Martin’s Day, or Martinmas, November 11, was a great feast in England and the signal for all good housewives to start their task of salting fish and meat for the winter. From November 21 to December 20, the earth is under the sign of Sagittarius, the archer, in the zodiac, and some people profess to be able from this to tell the character and fate of people born during this period. Thus it is supposed that thosfe born between the dates men-

tioned are complicated and unusual. Their wisdom makes them unusually humble, and this humility is expressed in the simplicity of their manners. They are usually too wise and intelligent to be conceited. They abound in energy, have a great love of the arts, sciences, and learning of all kinds, are cheerful in hardship, but appear shy and timid. They often possess brains far in advance of those with whom they associate, and, although they sometimes attain high honours, they seldom find kindred souls or intimate friends. The birthstone of November is the topaz. It is a holy stone which, according to Pliny, derives its name from an island in the Red Sea and means “to seek after.” This stone brings good fortune, and is very sensitive, its power being supposed to increase with the moon and decrease as the moon wanes. As all blue stones are associated with Jupiter, the turquoise, sapphire, and blue diamond may also be worn by people born in November, for they bring courage, success, love, and affection to all who come under the influence of Sagittarius.