Reviewing my past November columns, a couple of things popped out. It has been four years since we’ve had an acorn deluge like this year (this year is crazier) and it takes six years to cycle the calendar back so the days and dates match up; 2026 matches 2020. I’m sure a prognosticator for an almanac somewhere has tied our eleven months of drought proceeding a very wet July and August and now normal-ish rainfall to acorn production, fall leaf color and the winter’s severity but I will not. I will suggest you get out and see the brilliance of the maple trees before November winds blow them away.
Moving the hour of daylight back to the morning works well for early risers with an eastern view. The action off Earth in November is in the east before sunrise. Venus returns as the Morning Star, very low on Halloween morning. On the 2nd, a thick crescent moon sits just above Mars with brighter Jupiter and Leo’s heart, Regulus, below the planets. By the next morning, the moon is below the trio. That star/planet grouping will dance about all month as an easy view for early commuters with a drive to the east. The moon revisits the trio on the 30th.
The moon wanes on through the first week of November, shrinking to a super thin crescent on the 7th, now just below bright Venus with Libra’s Alpha star, Spica, nearby. Earthshine, radiation from the sun reflected off the Earth to the moon, will light the moon’s dark side making it easier to find the tiny crescent. Also Super, the Full Beaver moon on the 24th is near perigee and close to Earth in its oval orbit. If it seems bigger, it is!
My regular mention of the reality of ongoing change, or not, has stirred me to discover and mix in a little pre-Roman history this month. November, meaning the 9th month, remains unchanged as our 11th month. The change from a ten to twelve month calendar (January & February tacked on ahead of the original year starter, March) happened seven centuries before the changes of month’s 5 and 6 to their new names: July and August.
The Romans tweaked their, and our, astrological world, as well. The vast and ancient zodiacal constellation Scorpio had its claws removed to form a new constellation: Libra. Meaning the Scales, Libra was created to represent the balance and justice of the Roman republic. The lingering names of Libra’s brightest stars, meaning the northern and southern claws, remind us of its ancient origin. The sun spends all of November in Libra (until the 23rd) and Scorpio.
Some things may not have changed since Roman times but this November will see much change. Leaves will continue to change colors before tumbling to Earth. The sun will sneak lower and lower into the southern sky, sharing 50 minutes less warming daylight over the month taking temperatures lower and lower; frost will happen. An election (have you voted? Do it!) will bring changes on the 3rd. What should not change, our gathering and giving of thanks with family and friends on the 26th, Thanksgiving Day! But, first, get out and catch those stunning maples before they flutter down on a November breeze!
Randy Holladay
oldrockguy@gmail.com
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