October Eve

At long last, the dark, ominous presence of October is felt. It’s Last Day for September, harbinger of winter’s advance. Autumn may be born in what the Anglo-Saxons called Gerstmonath, but its roots run deepest within October’s embrace.

As I’ve said so many times before, in September we collect the components, but in October we cast the spell.

And what a spell it is — Winterfylleth, they called it in ancient times. With most of the harvest in, it was time to prepare for the long, cold dark ahead. The veil between this world and the next thins throughout the season, culminating in Samhain, Calan Gaeaf, Kalan Gwav, and Kalan Goañv, when the spirits are unfettered and those bumps in the night becoming a thundering cacophony.

I’ve loved October since I was but a wee lad, growing up on the banks of Turkey Creek in rural Indiana. Nature is never more beautiful than in these October months, when the earthy greens, russets, golds, and vermilions of autumn’s palette are painted upon the leaves of the Hoosier woodlands.

October brings with it Connor’s birthday (14 this year); our annual visits to our favorite abandoned house, Fishers’ Renaissance Faire, and Mississinewa 1812; All Hallow’s Read; paranormal investigations; cemetery strolls; and heaps of horror and fantasy roleplaying and playtesting.

There are frightening tales to be read and spinetingling movies to be watched; and writing, so much writing to be done.

Oh, October, how I love thee…

I bid September a fond farewell. You have set the stage, but now it’s time for the dark star to ascend, to bask beneath the arcane spotlight and for the play to begin.