November was the eleventh month of the Gregorian calendar and the third of Autumn's rule. The name is derived from Novem, the Latin word for nine, as November was the ninth month in Rome's oldest calendar. In the Celtic tradition, winter began on November 1 and was the first day of the Celtic year. The year ended on the eve before Samhain and began again on the day after. They considered it a Moon month of beginnings and endings and many still do.
November 2 is All Soul's Day
It is the Festival of Woden (Odin) as god of the dead; parading the Hodening wild horse and other guising including mummer's plays enacting the mysteries of life, death, and rebirth.
The custom of Soul-Caking, where children go around the village to beg forcakes in return for praying for the souls of the departed was still done in Cheshire up to the 19th century. This was the Feast of All Souls when prayers for the dead were said, and, more anciently, of the respect and remembrance of the ancestors. A mumming or souling play still circulates Cheshire, accompanied by a hobby horse. The horse is one of many which curculate several regions of Britain and Ireland during the winter months, a distant reminder of the winter mare aspect of the Callieach.
Folklore dictates that this is considered an unlucky day for weddings. Those who wed on All Soul's Day are sure to be cursed with misfortune, illness, divorce, or an early death.
Correspondences for November are:
Astrological Signs: Scorpio, Sagittarius.
Spirits: Banshees and other beings who carry messages between worlds.
Herbs: Ginger, hops, wormwood, hussop, patchouli, mugwort, nutmeg, star anise.
Colors: Black, white, purple.
Flowers: White lily, dahlia, chrysanthemum.
Scents: Rosemary, dragons blood, lilac, pine, wisteria.
Stones: Topaz, obsidian, onyx, Apache tear.
Trees: Pine, cypress, yew, elder.
Animals: Bat, wolf, sow, dog, snake
Birds: Owls, raven, falcon.
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