The month of November comes from the Latin Novem – which was originally the ninth month in the Roman calendar. The last month before the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere, November is the darkest month of the year. The days are short and the nights grow colder, leading up to the beginning of winter. The earth grows quiet during this time. The brightness of autumn has mellowed and a quiet beauty settles over the woods and fields.
Just as the trees and plants settle in for their winter rest, November is a good time to slow down and tend to your home and yourself. No big actions are needed now. Instead, introspection and observation are a welcome respite from the busyness of early autumn. It’s a new Wheel of the Year and time to think about what has been and what is to come.
THE NOVEMBER MOON
The November full moon was known by the ancient Celts as the Dark Moon, Beaver Moon or Oak Moon. The first full moon in the Wheel of the Year, November is a good time to cultivate healthy habits and continue to release negative energy.
CHRYSANTHEMUMS & NOVEMBER
A flower often associated with November in Western cultures is the chrysanthemum. More commonly referred to as Mums, these hardy flowers can withstand dropping temperatures and are one of the last to bloom before the onset of winter. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, chrysanthemums symbolize loyalty, friendship, and joy. In Japan, chrysanthemums are associated with youth, while in parts of Europe they are associated with death and mourning.
NOVEMBER AS A TIME FOCUS ON YOUR HOME
Shorter days and long, cold evenings make November an ideal time to focus on your home. Take some time to do a tidying up of your living area and add in some cozy elements such as candles, slippers and warm blankets. Break out some easy evening activities that will help you unwind after a long day, such as puzzles, books or some simple crafts. For me, November evenings include sudoku puzzles and leafing through my collection of holiday books, while enjoying some hot peppermint tea.
Thanks to social media, there is a new standard of maintaining a fall/holiday aesthetic in your home, where everything looks picture perfect. Now, I appreciate a fall scented candle and a faux pumpkin as much as the next person, but when it comes to tending my home in this season, I practice what I call Gentle Cleaning. This essentially means I focus on the main areas of my home that I use the most during this time of year. This includes my kitchen and living room, where I do my best to keep the areas tidy, with a sense of coziness. November is not a time that I do any big, deep cleans or home projects. There will be time enough for cleaning, decluttering and reorganizing in the spring.
