As the golden hues of summer give way to the deeper, richer tones of autumn, we enter the Celtic month of Vine, a time of transformation, harvest, and introspection. In the Celtic tree calendar, the month of Vine (September 2nd to September 29th) is a period associated with vine plants such as brambles and grapes.
The Month of Vine means harvest time! We celebrate the Autumn Equinox, Haustblot, and Mabon. Vines are fast, touching everything they can, and full of energy. The vine is a symbol of both fertility and transformation. As the grapevine grows, it intertwines and spreads, representing the interconnectedness of life.
The Celtic word for September is Muin. This month is a bit of opposites with happiness versus anger, joy versus 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 like a blackberry.
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)
Symbolism
In this month, we are reminded of the cycles of growth, and harvest, and the importance of taking time to reflect on what we have cultivated throughout the year. The vine’s ability to thrive and produce abundant fruit even in challenging conditions teaches us resilience and adaptability, qualities that are essential as we prepare for the darker months ahead.
Harvest and Reflection
The month of Vine is traditionally a time to gather the fruits of our labors, both literally and metaphorically. The early autumn harvest is in full swing, and it is a time of abundance and celebration. This is a period to savor the results of our hard work, whether that be in the form of crops from our gardens, projects we’ve brought to fruition, or personal growth we’ve achieved.
But this is also a time for introspection. As we gather the physical harvest, we are encouraged to reflect on our personal and spiritual harvest as well. What have we learned over the past year? What successes can we celebrate, and what lessons have we gained from our challenges? The energy of the vine supports us in this reflection, helping us to see the interconnectedness of our experiences and how they have shaped us.
The Spiritual Significance of Vine
In the spiritual realm, the month of Vine is associated with the themes of prophecy, divination, and spiritual insight. The Celts believed that this was a potent time for seeking guidance from the Otherworld and for gaining clarity on the path ahead. The energy of the vine, with its twisting and turning nature, is thought to aid in unraveling the mysteries and hidden truths in our lives.
This is a wonderful time for engaging in spiritual practices such as meditation, tarot reading, or journaling. Allow yourself to tune into the subtle messages that the universe is sending your way. Just as the grapevine produces its best fruit when given the time and space to grow, so too can we cultivate deeper wisdom and understanding when we give ourselves the time to reflect.
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 in your life.
Fertility Charm
Materials Needed:
A bunch of fresh, ripe grapes (preferably green for new beginnings)
A small piece of green cloth or a natural cloth bag
A green ribbon or string
A piece of paper and a pen
A small bowl of clean, natural water
A candle (green or white)
A quiet space where you can focus
Steps:
Prepare Your Space: Begin by finding a quiet space where you can focus on your intentions without distractions. Light the candle to signify the beginning of your ritual. Place the bowl of water in front of you, representing the nourishing and life-giving element.
Set Your Intention: On the piece of paper, write down your intention for fertility. This can be for physical fertility (such as the desire to conceive) or for fertility in other areas of life, such as creativity, abundance, or new beginnings. Be clear and positive in your wording. For example, "May the seeds of life grow strong within me" or "May creativity and abundance flow freely into my life."
Empower the Grapes: Hold the bunch of grapes in your hands. Visualize them as symbols of abundance and fertility, their round, juicy forms representing the potential for growth and new life. Speak your intention aloud, repeating it three times as you hold the grapes. Feel the energy of your words infusing the grapes with your desire.
Bless the Grapes: Dip your fingers into the bowl of water and sprinkle a few drops onto the grapes, saying: "With the water of life, I bless these fruits, may they carry my hopes and dreams of fertility." Imagine the water nourishing the grapes and enhancing their power.
Create the Charm: Place the grapes onto the green cloth or into the natural cloth bag. As you do, imagine your intention being wrapped up with them, safe and secure. Tie the cloth closed with the green ribbon, sealing your intention inside.
Seal the Spell: Hold the charm in your hands and say:
"By the earth, by the water, by the vine, I call forth fertility divine. As these grapes are full and sweet, so too may my life be replete. With love, with life, with joy untold, my wish for fertility now unfolds."
Final Offering: Place the charm somewhere special where it won’t be disturbed, such as under your pillow, on your altar, or in a sacred space. As you do so, offer a few grapes back to the earth as a sign of gratitude, saying: "As I give, so shall I receive. May the earth's abundance return to me."
Close the Ritual: Allow the candle to burn down safely or extinguish it, signifying the end of your ritual. Trust that your intention is now in motion.
Aftercare:
Keep the charm in a safe place until your intention has manifested. When you feel the time is right or when your desire has been fulfilled, you can return the grapes to the earth by burying them, releasing the energy back to nature.
Ways to Celebrate the Month of Vine
Harvest Celebration: Host a gathering with friends and family to celebrate the harvest. Prepare a meal using seasonal produce, and perhaps include some homemade wine or grape juice to honor the vine.
Create a Vine Altar: Decorate an altar with grapevines, autumn leaves, and other symbols of the harvest. Use this space for meditation or as a focal point for your reflections during this month.
Engage in Divination: This is an excellent time to consult tarot cards, runes, or other forms of divination. Ask questions about your year so far and seek guidance for the months ahead.
Reflect and Journal: Set aside time to write about your personal harvest. What have you achieved? What do you still want to cultivate in your life? How can you prepare for the winter months?
Give Thanks: Express gratitude for the abundance in your life. This can be through a simple gratitude journal, a prayer, or by making offerings to the earth, such as composting or planting something new.
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 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.