NOVEMBER - THE INSPIRATIONAL MONTH

Eleven as a number holds some qualities like sensitivity, endurance, righteousness, holiness among others. 

That is why it makes people who are born in the month of eleven to be knowledgeable in teaching and inspiring others. 

In the biblical aspect, the number eleven is seen as incomplete, disorder and imperfection. 

In Genesis 11, men rebelled against God and built the tower of Babel. God judged them by confusing their language, resulting in chaos. 

In the eleventh year of Zedekiah, the last king of Judah, God executed His final judgment against Judah with the complete destruction of Jerusalem and the temple and the exile of the remaining Jews to Babylon.

Johoiakim reigned eleven years when Nebuchadnezzar came up and began his disintegrating work on Jerusalem (2Kings 23:36, 24:1; 2Chronicles 36:5,6).

Zedekiah reigned eleven years when Nebuchadnezzar completed the work by putting an end to Israel's rule in Jerusalem (2Chronicles 36:11; Jeremiah 52:1), for "in the eleventh year the city was broken up" (Jeremiah 39:2).

Judges 17:2, etc., connected with the introduction of idolatry into Israel, which brought with it trouble and disintegration; added to God's order and ordinances for them; and in the end caused the ruin and loss of all government.

The apostle John also saw 11 things in connection with the final judgment (Revelation 20:12-14). These sayings amongst others in the bible signify the imperfection of the number eleven.

Originally the month of November was the ninth month in the Roman calendar which had it name as "novem" from the Latin word until when the Gregorian calendar was accepted by the catholic countries.

There is no exception to the month of November when it comes to birthstones and birth flowers.

For the month of November, its birthstone is Topaz which is known as the stone of wealth and is believed to promote joy and be useful against depression. Its symbolism is optimism, energetic, health, prosperity and loyalty.

With the birth flower it is the Chrysanthemum meaning love and Happiness.  

There is no month without any activities. Some of the activities experienced within the month of November are ; Veterans Day, World Diabetes Day, Thanksgiving Day, American Indian Heritage Month, Good Nutrition Month, Aviation Month, American Diabetes Awareness Month, National Peanut Butter Lover's Month just to mention but few.

One of America’s greatest heroes, Abraham Lincoln (Civil Rights Activist and Lawyer) became the 16th President of the United States, on November 1860.

Did you also know that, this America born son was also a wrestler. In 300 matches he was defeated only once and he is enshrined in the wrestling Hall of Fame. 

It was on this same month that Abraham Lincoln married his wife Mary Todd in Springfield, Illinois.

On November 6, 1860, Henry VI was crowned King of England at age eight. He had acceded to the throne at the age of nine months following the death of Charles VI.

Pope John XXIII who became the 261st Pope of the Roman Catholic Church in 1958 was born on November 25, 1881, in Sotto il Monte, Italy. During his reign, he convened the Second Vatican Council which modernized the mass and increased openness to other religions and denominations.

Did you know that, the one who invented the game of basketball, James Naismith was also born on November 1861 in Almonte, Ontario, Canada.

Quote for the month of November

“November comes

And November goes,

With the last red berries

And the first white snows.

With night coming early,

And dawn coming late,

And ice in the bucket

And frost by the gate.

The fires burn

And the kettles sing,

And earth sinks to rest

Until next spring.”

Clyde Watson

SEPTEMBER-THE MONTH OF PAIN

 When a woman conceives a child in her womb, she is expected to deliver in the next nine month. Before her delivery, she goes through twinge and anguish just to bring forth a human being to this world to fulfill the promise of God.

Mostly when the year draws near like this, expectations become high as people are eager to accomplish their aspirations.

The name September comes from the old Roman word 'septem' which means seven.

Originally, it was known to be the seventh month in the Roman calendar, but later, when the month of January and February were added to the Roman calendar, September became the ninth month.
                                           
The Romans believed that the month of September was looked after by the god, “Vulcan”. As the god of fire, they therefore expected September to be associated with fires, volcanic eruptions and earthquakes.

The Anglo-Saxons called it Gerst monath (Barley month) or Haefest monath ( Harvest month) because it was during that time that they had their favourite drink "barley brew" made from their barleys.

 Within every month, there is some birth flowers associated with it. The month of September is of no exceptional. The birth flower for September is Aster which symbolizes love, Faith and Wisdom whilst its birthstone is Sapphire.

Whenever September gets closer, people begin to feel vexed and cheerless because of what happened on 11th of September, 2001 which became one of the biggest events in recent history that sparked a mass awakening across the world.

There are some events observed within the month of September. Among these events are Labor Day, Constitution Day, National Hispanic Heritage Day, National Potato Month, National Chicken Month, National Piano Month, and National Biscuit Month.

Quote for the month of September
“Perhaps not everything has to be measured. I’d argue, that this is especially true when it comes to matters of heart, matters of beauty, and matters of the soul.
It is nice to know where we stand, but let us not become so obsessed with where we stand that we lose all sight of what we really stand for.” Pete Jutras

JUNE - THE PASSIONATE MONTH

Every month has some inimitable feelings that are mostly associated with it and June is no exemption.  From the research I made, I found out that, the month of June was considered to be the month of good marriages because, marriages contracted in May was believed to be unlucky for couples.

The name June was said to be named after a Roman goddess known as Juno who was the wife of Jupiter. She was the goddess of marriage and the well-being of women that is why the month of June was believed to be a month of good marriages. 

During the Roman calendar, June was known to be the fourth month and had 29 days until the era of Julius Caesar which gave the month 30 days when he reformed the Roman calendar around 46 BC.

Within every month, there are some events in it and June is of no different. Some of the events celebrated in June are, Father’s day, World Environment Day, African-American Music Day, National Dairy Day, National Rose Day, among others. 

Every month and it flowers that it depict. The flower for June is the Rose. The meaning of the June Birth Flower Rose is passionate love and beauty while the gemstones for June are Pearl, Alexandrite and moonstone.

 

The history and beliefs surrounding the June birth Flower is fascinating. There are many myths about the origins of this belief. It is believed that most birthday celebrations instigated during the Roman Empire.

During these festivities, families and friends offered congratulations and brought gifts to dear ones. Some of the gifts included gemstone jewelry such as the Pearl and flowers.

No matter the occasion or season, flowers bring life to people and say it best. They are the best way to express our feelings and show love to dear ones.  Friends are always close to our heart and a flower compliment our feelings the best. Sending a flower to a buddy will make your buddy feel happy. 

June quote by James Whitcomb Riley

Then let us, one and all, be contented with our lot;

The June is here this morning, and the sun is shining hot;

Oh! Let us fill our hearts up with the glory of the day,

And banish every doubt and care and sorrow far away.