July

Legends and Lore for July

July, the seventh month of the current Gregorian calendar and the second month of Summer's rule, derives its name from Julius (Julius Caesar).
The traditional birthstone amulet of July is the ruby; and the larkspur and the water lily are the month's traditional flowers.
July is shared by the astrological signs of Cancer the Crab and Leo the Lion, and is sacred to the following Pagan deities: Apt (or Apet), Athena, Sothis, Spider Woman, and Rosea.
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July 1
The month of July opens in Nepal with the Naga Panchami festival, which is devoted to the Snake-Gods called Nagas. Sacred snake images are displayed on religious altars, offerings are made at snake holes, and parades featuring live serpents fill the main streets of many villages.
In Japan, this day is sacred to Fuji, the ancient Japanese goddess of fire. Fuji is also regarded as the grandmother of Japan, and on this special day (which also marks the start of Mount Fuji Climbing Season) she is honored with prayers and burnt offerings.

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July 2
On this day in ancient times, the citizens of Rome celebrated the Feast of Expectant Mothers. At temples throughout the city, all pregnant women gathered to receive blessings and honor Bona Dea, Carmenta, Lucina, and other goddesses associated with birth and fertility.

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July 3
The New Year of the Seminole Indian tribe of Florida begins on this date, and is celebrated with an annual Green Corn Dance honoring the new corn crop. In Italy, this day is sacred to the Witch of Gaeta; in Greece, the goddess Athena is honored.

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July 4
U.S. Independence Day. On this day, the anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, the official "birth" of the United States is celebrated by Pagans and non-Pagans alike. On this day, many patriotic American Wiccans honor and give thanks to Lady Liberty, and perform magickal spells and rituals for the benefit of the country.
Day of Pax. On this day in ancient times, Pax (a Roman goddess of peace and harmony, identified with the Greek goddess Concordia) was honored with feasting and revelry.
Also on this day, the spirits of the mountains are honored by the Mescalero Apache Gahan Ceremonial, while the Great God who dwells within the fire of the Sun is paid homage to by the Ute Indian tribe of Utah and Colorado, who perform an annual Sun Dance.

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July 5
Every year on this date, the Aphelion of the Earth takes place. When this occurs, the planet Earth reaches the point in its orbit when it is farthest from the Sun. Many astrologers
consider this to be a highly significant event.
In ancient Egypt, this day was held sacred to Maat, the goddess who presides over truth and wisdom.

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July 6
This is a day sacred to all horned goddesses of the ancient Pagan religions: the Deer Mothers, Europa, Hathor, Hera, Io, Ishtar, Isis, Juno, Luna, Nephthys, Pasiphae, Selene, and so forth.
In Spain, the annual Running of the Bulls takes place on this day. The bull symbolizes fertility and the male procreative power and is a sacred animal to Apis, Baal, Bacchus, Dionysos Zagreus, Dumuzi, Enki, Freya, Menwer, the Minotaur, Moloch, Sin, Thor and Yama.

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July 7
In Japan, the Tanabata (Star Festival) takes place annually on this day and celebrates the reunion of the two celestial lovers who bridged a raging river with their own bodies.
In China, the annual Feast of the Milky Way (Chih Nu) takes place each year on this day to celebrate the romantic encounter between Vega the Weaver Maid and Aquila the Herd Boy.

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July 8
On this date in ancient Rome, a nature festival known as the Nonae Caprotinae (Nones of the Wild Figs) was celebrated in honor of the goddess Juno, the Great Mother. It is believed to be one
of the oldest of the women's festivals.
In Tomar, Portugal, there is an annual parade in which girls balance flower-covered pillars of bread on their heads. This parade is believed to ward off the spirits of illness for the remainder of the year.

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July 9
In ancient Greece, a six-day festival called the Panathenaea began on this day every four years. It was held in honor of the goddess Athena.
On this day, Pagans around the world celebrate the divine birthdays of the wine- and fertility-god Dionysus and the Greek goddess Rhea.
On this date in the year 1992, Herman Slater (Wiccan High Priest, well-known occult author, and proprietor of the Magickal Childe bookstore and Witchcraft supply shop in New York City) lost his battle against AIDS. His death was a great loss to the magickal community.

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July 10
Day of Holda. On this day, the Anglo-Saxon and Norse goddess of the Underworld is honored annually with prayers, the lighting of black candles, and offerings of rose petals.
On this day (approximately) a centuries-old festival is held in Douai, France. Wickerwork giants are paraded through the streets of the city to drive away evil-natured spirits and demons.

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July 11
In ancient times, the Greek deities Kronos (Father Time) and Rhea (Mother Earth) were honored with an annual religious festival called the Kronia, which took place on this date in the city of Athens.

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July 12
According to an age-old superstition, a child who comes into the world on the twelfth day of July ("the luckiest day of the year") will be destined for a life of wealth and great success.
Yama, the Buddhist god of death and the Underworld, is honored annually on this day in Tibet with an ancient festival known as the Old Dances.
This day is also sacred to the goddess Dikaiosune, an ancient deity who presides over justice.

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July 13
On this day, the birth of the vegetation- and fertility-god Osiris is celebrated by many Wiccans of the wiccan tradition. The annual death and rebirth of Osiris personifies the self-renewing vitality and fertility of nature.
In the country of Japan, the annual Bon festival is celebrated on this date in honor of ancestral spirits.
On this date in the year 1527, John Dee was born in London, England. He was renowned as an alchemist and was skilled in the arts of wizardry. For many years he served as the royal astrologer of Queen Elizabeth I. He died in poverty in the year 1608.

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July 14
On this day, the birth of the wiccan falcon-headed god Horus is celebrated by many Wiccans of the wiccan tradition. Light a royal-blue altar candle and burn some frankincense and myrrh as a fragrant offering to him.
On this day in the year 1988, a series of mysterious crop circles began to appear in a wheat field near Silbury Hill in southwestern England.

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July 15
On this day, the birth of the wiccan god Set (or Seth) is celebrated by many Wiccans of the wiccan tradition. Set is an ancient god of darkness and the magickal arts.
In China, this day is sacred to Ti-Tsang, the rule of the dark Underworld. He is honored with an annual Festival of the Dead.