June is the sixth month of the current Gregorian calendar and the first month of summer. It is the “door of the year,” the gateway to the inner realms. The original name for this month was Junonius. It was named for the Roman goddess Juno, patron of the female sex, and so this month was considered an excellent month for marriages. As Juno Moneta, whose temple was located on the Capitoline hill in Rome, she was guardian of money and wealth. June is sacred to Juno and all gods and goddesses who preside over love, passion, and beauty.
The Irish call June Meitheamh or an t-Ogmios, the young month. The Anglo-Saxon name was Aerra Litha, “before Litha.” The Franks called it Brachmanoth, “break month.” June is called Fallow by the Asatru.
The first Full Moon of June is called the Hot or Strawberry Moon in parts of America. It is also referred to as the Strong Sun Moon, Lover’s Moon, and Rose Moon, and it has been called the Moon of Making Fat and the Moon of Horses, and name similar to one of the names for May’s Moon. It shares the names Mead Moon and Honey Moon with July.
Cancer becomes dominant on June 21st as the sun passes from the constellation of Gemini. Roses are for those born this month. June plays host to many stones claiming to be its birthstone. Of them all, emerald is listed most, followed by agate, chalcedony, turquoise, pearl, cat’s eye, or alexandrite, in that order. Pearl and moss agate are also birthstones of Gemini, and moonstone or pearl is the birthstone of Cancer. Chrysoprase, sapphire, and topaz are also connected to Gemini, while albite, chrysoprase, emerald, green tourmaline, opal, pink tourmaline, and rhodochrosite are associated with Cancer.
June 1st
(yesterday)
The festival of Carna honors the Roman goddess of doors and locks equivalent to the Norse goddess Syn, the includer and excluder. Carna (Carne) acted as guardian of the larger organs of the body (heart, lungs, and liver), of domestic life, and the life of man. She warded off all the influences of evil spirits. She “opens what is closed, and closes what is open.” Doors and windows should be repaired on this day especially considering Tempestas, goddess of storms, also lays claim to this day.
The temple of Juno Moneta was founded on the summit of the citadel. (The Church of Santa Maria in Araceli now inhabits the site.) Money derived from the goddess was called Moneta as it was coined in the temple of Juno Moneta. Beginning on the previous night, offerings were made to Jupiter and Juno Regina. This is the beginning of the Secular (Centennial) Games dedicated to Proserpine, Juno Regina, Diana, Mars, the Moerae (Parcae), the Eilithyiae, and Terra Mater. Offerings were made beside the Tiber to the Moerae, the Eileithyiae, and to Terra Mater today and tomorrow. On the following day (after the first night), processions were held in honor of Apollo and Artemis. Hebe, Cup-Bearer of Olympus, was also honored. Hot bacon, and beans mixed with emmer-wheat were traditional festival foods, causing this holiday to also be called Bean Kalends (Kalendae Fabariae).
This is also the festival of the Oak Nymph, honoring all hamadryads (female nature spirits who are believed to inhabit oak trees). Decorate a Pagan alter with acorns and wear some oak leaves in your hair. Kiss an oak tree or place a small offering of some kind before it, and the tree nymphs who dwell within it will surely bestow a blessing upon you.
Ma’at and Ra go forth in secret on the 18th day of Epipi.
The Witchcraft Act of 1563 took affect in England.
June 2nd
(today)
Gawai Dayak is a yearly festival held by the Iban people of Malaysia on the 1st of 2nd day of June to celebrate the gathering of the harvest. Families gather at midnight to offer thanks to the gods and invoke their blessing. A lavish feast is eaten and a man and a woman are selected as the embodiment of the year’s harvest spirit.
This day is sacred to Mother Earth in her fecund aspect.
Shapatu of Ishtar is a Pagan festival dedicated to the goddess Ishtar, celebrated every year on this date. She is the ancient Assyrian and Babylonian deity who presides over love and fertility as well as war.
The birth of the god Apollo is also celebrated on this date.
On the Second day and third night of the Secular (Centennial) Games, distinguished women assembled at the Capitol to give prayers to Juno and sing hymns.
Comments (2)
So that’s why there are so many marriages in June.
I got married in June once. It was the same date as my paternal grandparents wedding. I’m just glad it didn’t last as long as theirs did.