October’s name came from the Latin octo, “eight,” because this was the eighth month of the early Roman calendar. When the Romans converted to a 12-month calendar, the name October stuck, even though it’s now the 10th month!

The first full Moon of fall—in this case, the Harvest Moon—appeared Thursday, October 1. On Saturday, October 31 (Halloween), the second full Moon appears. This is the Hunter’s Moon, which will be special for two reasons: it’s a rare Halloween full moon and a Blue Moon! 

October’s birth flowers are the cosmos and the calendula. Cosmos is a symbol of joy in life and love and of peace. The calendula represents winning grace, grief, or chagrin in the language of flowers.