"The stripped and shapely
Maple grieves
The ghosts of her
Departed leaves.

The ground is hard,
As hard as stone.
The year is old,
The birds are flown.

November Flower: Chrysanthemum

The name chrysanthemum comes from two Greek words chrysos, which means gold, and anthos, which means flower. The reference to gold comes from the fact that in the Mediterranean the Chrysanthemum coronarium was a golden-yellow flower used in garlands intended to deter demons. Perhaps because a raised eyebrow indicates displeasure the flower was also known as Dios ophrya, which means God's eyebrow. Perhaps they hoped that the reference to God's eyebrow would scare away the demons.

Another common chrysanthemum is the European flower variously known as feverfew, featherfew or tansie. Historically, the tansy was used to reduce fevers in those who were ill. The Latin name for the tansy is Chrysanthemum parthenium.

Several flowers that are often referred to as daisies are categorically, mums. They are the ox-eye daisy, painted daisy, and shasta daisy.

The oldest variety of chrysanthemum is the Chinese chrysanthemum, which was a daisy-like plant in China. It was cultivated for nearly 2,500 years before it made its way to Europe.

In China, the chrysanthemum was often used to symbolize a scholar in retirement because the poet T'ao Yuan-Ming retired to his mum garden rather than accept a position from the Emperor. He said he preferred "to pick chrysanthemums from the hedges, entertain his friends, and get drunk" (Wells, 41).

The Chinese also felt that the chrysanthemum promoted longevity and made wines and medicine from infusions of its leaves and petals. The dew collected from mums was supposed to be particularly effective in increasing the lifespan of those who ingested it. As a result, the mum was also considered one of the four noble plants in China along with bamboo, plum, and orchid.

The Japanese were first introduced to the chrysanthemum in 400 A.D. by Zen Buddhist monks. It became a symbol of the Mikado and was displayed as a sixteen petaled mum made to look like the Rising Sun.

In Italy, the mum is a funeral flower and is associated with the dead.

November Birthstones: Citrine/Topaz

November's gemstone, Citrine, is as warm as a Van Gogh painting of sunflowers. The name Citrine comes from an old French word, "citrin", meaning lemon. One of the more rare forms of quartz, this gemstone ranges in color from the palest yellow to a dark amber named Madeira because of its resemblance to the red wine.

Perhaps because of its scarcity, there is little mention of Citrine used as a gemstone prior to the first century B.C. The Romans were thought to be the first to wear the yellow quartz, crafting it into cabochon, or highly polished but unfaceted cuts of stone set into jewelry. Citrine became more popular during the Romantic Period, when artisans often favored these warm colored gems to enhance gold jewelry. Citrine, like all forms of quartz, was believed to have magical powers and was worn as a talisman against evil thoughts and snake venom. It was also considered to have medicinal properties and was commonly used as a remedy for urinary and kidney ailments.

Sister stone to the purple quartz known as Amethyst, Citrine crystals are found in igneous metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. It is believed that some Citrine may have actually begun as Amethyst, but heat from nearby molten rock changed it to the yellow form of quartz. Citrine is known to change color when subjected to heat and is routinely heated in the jewelry-making process to intensify its color. For this same reason, though, this gemstone should not be left in direct sunlight for a long time because it will permanently alter the color. Most Citrine is mined in Brazil, but other sources of the quartz are Bolivia and Madagascar.

A gift of Citrine is symbolic for hope and strength. With its sunny brightness, this gemstone is ideal for helping anyone to get through the tough times in life!

Alternate Birthstone
Yellow Topaz is an alternate gemstone for those born in November. It's golden color was believed by the Egyptians to be the glow cast by the sun god Ra. Yellow Topaz ranges in color from a peachy blush to a deep cognac. A gift of this gemstone is said to symbolizefriendship and to strengthen one's capacity to give and receive love.

November Special Days:

Nov 1st: All Saint's Day

Nov 2nd: Daniel Boone's Birthday (born 1734 in Pennsylvania)

Nov 8th: (The day the X Ray was discovered in 1895).

Nov 10th: (Sesame Street debuted in 1969). US Marine Corps Established (1775).

Nov 11th: Veteran's Day

Nov 13th: Walt Disney's Fantasia Released (1940).

Nov 18th: Mickey Mouse's Birthday (Created in 1928.)

Nov 19th: Gettysburg Address Delivered by Lincoln in 1863.

Nov 20th: Alli's Birthday (eek!)

Nov 26th: Charles Schultz Birthday ("Peanuts" creator, born 1922).

Nov 27th: Turkey Day! (Dont fill up on stuffing! =P)

Nov 28th: Mark Twain's Birthday (Born in 1835).

Nov 29th: King Tut's Tomb Opened in 1922.