Reflections Yaro blog – November 2024
November derives from the Latin root Novem- meaning “nine,” because in the Roman calendar, there were only 10 months in the year, and November was indeed the ninth month. The word November was first recorded before the year 1000 AD.
For many
English speakers, November marks the point in the year when the cold begins to
set in. In Australia it is spring and many trees bloom.
Get ready
for some gory history: November was the month of heavy animal sacrifice when
the early Saxons would stock up on food for the winter. Today, Blōtmōnað might
still be a relevant term—particularly during the weeks leading up to that
turkey-filled Thanksgiving dinner.
In the
southern hemisphere, November is the last month of spring, and in Australia, it
means warmer weather and higher spirits as people start to spend more time
outside. There are relatively few restricted areas throughout this month.
I am
sitting on a green chair in front of my outdoor garden, contemplating the rich
soil, preparing the new seedlings for growth, and enjoying the warm sun at 8 a.m.
Since my arrival here from Canada, I am feeling totally blessed and give thanks to my destiny which has allowed me to work and play in many places. The sandy red outback in ULURU, the Barrier Reef in the north of Queensland, and the forests in the West of Queensland and New South Wales.
Here, November
may be the most important month in the calendar, because it is the beginning month
for the preparation for Christmas and New Year. We expect a very hot summer,
and the festivities are outside and mostly holidays on the beach.
If you are
planning to visit ULURU, the sacred stone in the middle of the desert, then
here is some advice:
Kata Tjuta
It will be
damn hot, but as long as you respect the heat you will be fine. If you are
going to do things like the Kata Tjuṯa walk, do it early in the morning, avoiding
the heat of the day, drink lots of water before you set out, and then keep
drinking, constant small sips the whole time you are walking. Uluru and Kata
Tjuta hold great spiritual significance as they are places where many creation
stories converge.
When you
look at Anangu's depictions of Uluru, you can clearly see it as a meeting place
at the very center, with many pathways and tracks leading to and from it. Each
path tells an important story that teaches a vital lesson. I walked around the huge
stone because the indigenous people do not permit climbing the stone.
Of course,
Queensland is almost as large (in territory) as Europe and there are millions of
things to see and visit in November.
I hope you
will look at the amazing photos here and share them with your friends.
ENJOY!
