October is a magical season with old Mother Nature painting her brilliant fall colors everywhere. The pungent odor of cedar and fir swaying in the wind, and large rusty maple leaves floating gently to the earth, add to the scenery. One can smell the fresh, clean air of autumn when the cool wind kicks up. On a cold, clear day when the sky is a color crayon blue, with white marshmallow clouds floating about, it seems almost perfect.
Some of the most beautiful autumn colors I have ever seen were in mid-October, driving through the Cascades one year, on our way home from Livingston, Mont., after visiting family. The mountains were a patchwork quilt of gold, rusts and scarlet. The butter-bright sun shining on patterns of colors held me in awe. I now know why our Native Americans feel them to be so spiritual. To this day they still trek into the mountains to give thanks to the Creator Spirit, who made them. There is a majestic aura in winter when the snow covering the ground becomes clean, white, and pure. Yet, their beauty brings fear, with ice and snow slides for those who drive through their passes.
It’s sad that man can destroy bit by bit what the genus of a higher being has created. The slices of trees torn from the mountains by man leave ugly brown scars, but in time it will disappear with new growth in the versatile mountains and for that we can be grateful.
The month of October is also a month of festivals. It has been celebrated with many traditions around the world, but traditions of ancient times are far more interesting. An ancient legend in Lithuania is called the “Festival of Old Woman.” It’s celebrated each year on Oct. 4 by farm workers. When the harvest is over the last sheaf of grain is dressed like a woman and a festival of feasting, merriment and games is held in honor of the pagan corn goddess.
On Oct. 24, Wiccans, a neo-pagan religion, celebrate the fest of “Spirits of the Air.” Incense is offered to the Sylphs who often take the form of butterflies, and perform rituals that involve dreams and other mind powers. Sylphs are described as mythical creatures or invisible beings of the air. Some call them Cloud Beings. I have often wondered if this has some ancient relativity to angels in the Bible.
If one really wants to celebrate, try the Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany, which will celebrate its 200th year anniversary this year. It came about because of a royal wedding celebration for a Bavarian prince and princess. It includes not just dancing, eating and drinking, but horse racing too.
Some call it beer festival or (bierfest.) Many tourists build their itinerary around the time of the festival to join in the fun. There are so many German brews that connoisseurs hope to try them all. Even McDonalds has beer on the menus during those two weeks. Who would have thought that?
Somehow I don’t associate beer and McDonalds, but when in Rome, as the saying goes, do as the Romans do.
