The History of OctoberHistorically, almanacs portray October as a month of transition. It’s the end of harvest and the start of winter preparations. In Old England, it was called Winmonath, or “wine month,” for the season’s wine production, and Winterfylleth, meaning “winter full moon.” October’s full moon, known as the Hunter’s Moon, marked the time for gathering food before winter. Samhain, meaning “summer’s end,” was celebrated by The Celts on October 31. Taking place when the veil between the living and the spirit world grew thin, the Samhain festival later evolved into modern-day Halloween. And while today’s Oktoberfest celebrates beer, the ancient Romans once raised their glasses to Meditrinalia, a festival dedicated to tasting the season’s new wine and to good health. The festival was later associated with Meditrina, a Roman goddess said to embody health, longevity, and healing through wine. Thought to have been a later addition to Roman mythology, Meditrina’s name is believed to derive from “mederi,” meaning to heal. She represents the restorative balance between body and spirit, a fitting symbol for the month.
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