Ber, the Moon

In European pagan traditions the moon was called "br" [bre or ber], a beautiful sound with which we do still name some of our own "solar" months; Septem-ber (septiem-bre), Octo-ber (octu-bre), and so on -the Seventh Moon, the Eighth Moon, etcetera... 

As it happens nowadays, Autumn began on the Seventh Moon (Septem-ber) and it lasted till the Tenth Moon (Decem-ber), while winter would start from there on till the beginning of the new year, in March -as it also does nowadays.

Curiously enough, in Spanish the spring -the very first season of the pagan year- keeps the original pagan name of the year's first month, the First Moon of the year, "la primavera"; la prima-ber(a), la primera luna.

 

Chema Nieto

First published at WordReference (#17); an adaptation from Spanish original at Bongobundos, 2009.

Original picture by Chema Nieto. Spring, Arriondas.