New moon: Oct. 28
Full moon: Oct. 14
The stars: Aquarius (the water bearer) and Cepheus (the king) can be seen in the northern sky.
Gem stone: Opal
Flower: Calendula
Astrological sign: Libra, Sept. 23 to Oct. 22; Scorpio, Oct. 23 to Nov. 21
Harvard history snippet:
In September 1823 a committee was formed to study “why pauperism was on the increase and what were its causes.” After 30 minutes of deliberation the committee concluded that pauperism “was caused by the excessive consumption of alcholic beverages,” and recommended that alcohol sales be restriced and that “intoxicating beverages no longer be provided at funerals.”
—Based on a report by Robert C. Anderson in his book, Directions of a Town
What to do in the garden:
Plant garlic and sunchokes for harvest next summer.
Household tips:
- Use a dry cotton ball to pick up little broken pieces of glass—the fibers catch the ones you can’t see.
- Buy a chalkboard eraser and keep it in the glove box of your car for de-fogging the windows.
Going green:
- Ask your employer to consider implementing a compressed work week or opportunities for telecommuting.
- Buy a shower curtain made of cotton, hemp, or a cotton-bamboo blend. Though more expensive than plastic or vinyl curtains, they will long outlast them.
- Use reusable cotton washrags and natural-bristle brushes instead of one-use wipes or cellulose sponges sold in the supermarket.
Thought for the month:
“Bittersweet October. The mellow, messy, leaf-kicking, perfect pause between the opposing miseries of summer and winter.”
—Carol Bishop Hipps, U.S. gardening author
Do you have an almanac tidbit you’d like to share? E-mail to editor@harvardpress.com.
