The Month of Vine means harvest time! We celebrate the Autumn Equinox and Mabon. Vines are fast, touching everything they can, and full of energy.
The Vine often refers to the grape but is also the bramble. Both are used to make wine.
The Celtic word for September is Muin. This month is a bit of the opposite with happiness and anger, joy and rage, with an emphasis on creating balance.
The Vine
Today we don’t consider a vine to be a tree. However, the Druids considered any plant with woody stalks a tree. In fact, many scholars say the word Muin means a thorny plant.
A vine is a plant whose growth habit is by trailing to traveling. They often send off runners. Bramble vines were used for weaving baskets and making bee skeps.
Brambles are vines. So is poison ivy. Balance!
Grape vines were brought to Great Britain about 2000 years ago by Ancient Romans. Before that blackberries were considered the vine of choice for wine.
Vine and the drinking of wine symbolize happiness but also wrath if you drink too much!
To learn more about the 13 Celtic Tree Months read our article.
Vine ASSOCIATIONS
Ogham Letter: Muin (M)
Symbolic Meaning: fertility, endurance, growth, opportunity, rebirth, and virility
Ruling Planet: Venus
Ruling Elements: Air and Earth
Season: Fall
Corresponding Star Sign: Virgo / Libra
Gender: Masculine and Feminine
Language of Flowers meaning: I cling to you
Stone: Emerald
Colors: Green, brown.
Bird: Swan
Deity: Bacchus (Roman), Dionysus (Greek), Osiris (Egypt), and Tuatha De Dannan (Gaelic)
Vine in Celtic Art
The vine symbolizes interconnections and communications. The winding vine is often seen in artwork and religious symbolism from Celtic history.
The symbols of birth and rebirth are seen in the Celtic knot.
Aengus
Aengus is an Irish god of love and a member of the Tuatha dé Danann. Also known as Macan Óc he was known to be very clever and good with words. He has several magical possessions. A sword called Moralltach and a golden harp with silver strings.
He transformed his kisses to birds that fly around his head. He is often seen represented as songbirds or a swan.
One of the greatest legends is about his love. He fell in love with a young maiden he saw recurring in his dreams. However, he could not find her in real life. She had been turned into a swan.
He found 150 young women chained on the shores of Dragon’s Mouth Lake. They had been transformed into swans.
Aengus transformed himself into a swan, found his true love, and flew away with her.
“I went out to the hazel wood,
Because a fire was in my head,
And cut and peeled a hazel wand,
And hooked a berry to a thread;
And when white moths were on the wing,
And moth-like stars were flickering out,
I dropped the berry in a stream
And caught a little silver trout.
When I had laid it on the floor
I went to blow the fire a-flame,
But something rustled on the floor,
And someone called me by my name:
It had become a glimmering girl
With apple blossom in her hair
Who called me by my name and ran
And faded through the brightening air.
Though I am old with wandering
Through hollow lands and hilly lands,
I will find out where she has gone,
And kiss her lips and take her hands;
And walk among long dappled grass,
And pluck till time and times are done,
The silver apples of the moon,
The golden apples of the sun.”
Vine Magic
This is a good month to look inward. Reflect and meditate.
Dragon Magic is often begun during this month of introspection.
Spells to restore peace to a troubled relationship.
Spells for prosperity and fertility into your life.
Vine Zodiac
Were you born during the month of Vine? You are very empathetic and see both sides in a complex situation. A true friend you value relationships and love spending time with those that are close to you.
However, you can also be indecisive and unpredictable. You are creative, artistic, and musical.
The month of Reed symbolizes wisdom, adaptability, and communication with the ancestors. Reeds are flexible and that is beneficial as this month often brings changes. Reed reminds us that winter is near and we must prepare.