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Posts Tagged ‘Sukkot’

In its formal structure, Sukkot most closely resembles Pesach. Both are seven days long, and both arrive on the 15th day of their respective months, exactly half a year apart. Yet, Pesach doesn’t have a post- holiday gathering, while Sukkot has the 8th day, Shemini Azteret, which is a distinct, separate festival. For the first time in a week, we stop “living” in the Sukkah and put away our Lulav and Etrog. So what is this “Eighth day holiday” really about?

The Targum says that the word “Atzeret” means “gathering”. One major part of Sukkot is the necessity for the Jewish people to gather together as Jews. Shemini Atzeret is a festival that is dedicated to the Achdut (unity), of the Jews. Although other holidays may also fulfill this same purpose, Shemini Atzeret, a holiday with no distinct reason, is dedicated to the theme of unifying all Jews.

Especially in these modern times, the issue of ‘Who is a Jew’

sometimes grows more important than ‘What is a Jew’. Shemini Atzeret is a time where G-d doesn’t want any Jews to become separated. He wants all Jews to be unified, no matter what their level of observance. I want one more day where all Jews can be unified as one. Read the rest of this entry »

Birthstone:                     Opal

Libra (23 September – 23 October): Ruled by Venus. Use Libra energy for harmony, love, understanding, justice and a balanced outlook – and for all things beautiful.

Scorpio (24 October – 22 November): Ruled by Mars in the ancient system, now ruled by Pluto. Use Scorpio energy for penetration, courage and endurance, passion, transformation, perception, concealment and willpower.

2 October:                   Sukkot begins

2 October:                   Mahatma Ghandi’s birthday

3 October:                   Full Moon

5 October:                   World Teacher’s Day

9 October:                   Sacred to Felicitas, Roman Goddess of good fortune and luck.

15 October:                 Sacred to Mars, Roman God of battle.

17 October:                 Diwali

18 October:                A day to honour Cernunnos, the Pagan Horned God of fertility, wild animals, forests and hunting.

31 October:                 Samhain is one of the four Greater Sabbats and an agricultural festival. On land, it is the third and last harvest of the year (Lammas and Mabon being the first two) and a time to store the final food stores away for Winter. Samhain is the beginning of the Witch’s year, a time of divination and prophecy and a time to honour the dead.

All month:                   Create your own good luck this month by putting last month’s period of reflection into action; be courageous and passionate.

See my blog for more on the above.