Folk Lore
Home ] News ] Businesses ] Council ] Education ] Farming Affairs ] [ Folk Lore ] FVA ] Gossip ! ] Health ] History ] Leisure ] Links Pages ] Recipe ] Spiritual Life ] Sport ]

 

      July

'The first harvest begins; time to give thanks and celebrate.'

Once known as 'Quintilis', as it was the fifth month of the Roman year. The name 'Julius', later 'July' is believed to derive from the honour of the Roman Emperor 'Julius Caesar', named by Mark Anthony. It is the seventh month of the year. 
As part of the seasonal calendar July is the time of the 'Hay Moon' according to Pagan beliefs.

'Hooymaand' (Hay month) Old Dutch
'Moedd-monath' (Meadow month, cattle were turned into the meadow)
'Lida oeftevr' (Second mild/genial month) Old Saxon

The last month of 'Beltane', before 'Lammas', July is more commonly associated with the healing properties and sanctity of water. Perhaps this is due to the knowledge that July is a month of warmth, of the sun, the scorching heat, and the dryness of the land that comes with the dreaded drought. Man, being so much water, has understood only to well how water is such a vital resource for the body and the spirit. It is no surprise then that water and springs have been universally included in many beliefs, legends and folklore, seen as sacred. Is it not ironic that today modern man is battling with pollution to maintain what has always been viewed as precious. Again like our ancestors we are beginning to value water, but perhaps the reasons and methods are different.

Water and wells have also been associated with providing the opportunity to reach eternal life, seen as a sign or mark of that belief when drunk or carried. Indeed we can note the significance within many faiths of water and the ritual of baptism, where it is poured over the body or man is immersed within it. The Chalice Well, at Glastonbury, Somerset, England is one such site visited by thousands of people, being associated with the Celtic cult of the severed head and the Holy Grail.

Trees growing by water were associated with wisdom, those bearing nuts being especially favoured with the ancients, as these could be gathered and eaten. 

The fish of the water were also seen to benefit from their proximity, and it was said that anyone eating fish from such waters, where nut trees grew nearby, would receive inspiration and mystical powers to further the third eye. 
Perhaps connected with this was the belief that sacred waters could also heal sickness, especially of the eye. 
Wells were viewed as having power of time as well as eternity as has been said here. To have full effect on curing the malady, the person drinking the water had to sleep immediately. Here again we have associations with the many stories that describe man waking by water having received prophetic visions or wild terrifying dreams. 
The rituals of Well dressing are still widely practised, which is believed to originate from the placing of prayer rags by pilgrims to sacred sites.

'He gives a drink,
he saves a king,
he doth a noble deed.'
Celtic : The severed head of Conaire.

As part of the astrological calendar, July has many associations. 
This is the month of the house of Cancer ( June 22 - July 22) and the house of Leo (23 July - August 23).
Cancer is the fourth sign of the zodiac symbolised by the 'Crab' which has since ancient times been associated with conception, fertility and birth. The crab indicates the male and female together whilst the tough shell viewed as armour hides deep emotional feelings. 
In Roman mythology 'Juno' placed Cancer in the Heavens following its clash with 'Hercules' when it bit the foot of the hero. The qualities of this sign include protection, thriftiness, a strong awareness of the subconscious, sensitivity, nurturing, caring, and home loving with a need for emotional security. There is a strong sense of the importance of the past, of family, of childhood.


"Whenever two Englishmen meet, ...  their first talk is of the weather !"

 Samuel Johnson

"Folk Lore ~ Oooo, Ahhhh !"

Village Idiot

 
Welcome to Chaddesley Corbett