It is thought that Middlemist’s Red has been present in Chiswick conservatory since the early 19th century. The plant is believed to have come from China, brought to Britain by John Middlemist of Shepherd’s Bush.

The camellia is thought to have arrived in the UK just after 1823 – only a decade after the conservatory first opened in 1813. The conservatory has stood, but slowly run down, over the centuries. At one point the home actually served as a lunatic asylum. The conservatory was hit by an unexploded bomb during World War II; it survived but all the glass was broken.

The current restoration of the conservatory was cost more than £12 million and was co-managed between Chiswick House and Gardens Trust and the English Heritage.

In Pure Spirit

Are you pleased to see such a rare planet safe and sound in a newly restored, historic conservatory? Or is £12m too much for projects such as this?

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October means the eighth month. October was the eighth month in the year according to the old Roman calendar until January and February were added to the start of the year.

The Old English name for October is Winterfylleth which is said to refer to the Winter full moon.

Events in October

• Samhain (or Halloween)

Born in October?

Birthstone: Opal

Flower: Calendula

Tropical Zodiac: Libra (September 23 to October 22) and Scorpio (October 23 to November 21)

Sidereal Zodiac: Virgo (September 17 to October 17) and Libra (October 18 to November 16)

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September means the seventh month.

September is the month where many Christian denominations celebrate the Feasts of the Cross. The feast commemorates the cross used in the crucifixion of Jesus.

The Anglo-Saxons called the month Haligmonað (holy month).

Events in September

• Zhongqiu Jie (Moon Festival)

Born in September?

Birthstone: Sapphire

Flower: Morning Glory (or Aster)

Tropical Zodiac: Virgo (August 23 to September 22) and Libra (September 23 to October 22)

Sidereal Zodiac: Leo (August 17 to September 16) and Virgo (September 17 to October 17)

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August means Augustus Caesar’s month. Augustus Caesar completed the calendar reform started by Julius Caesar and also named a month after himself.

Augustus became the first emperor of Rome after Julius was assassinated in 44 BC.

Events in August

• The Feast of the Assumption

Born in August?

Birthstone: Peridot

Flower: Gladiolus

Tropical Zodiac: Leo (July 23 to August 22 and Virgo (August 23 to September 22)

Sidereal Zodiac: Cancer (July 17 to August 16) and Leo (August 17 to September 16)

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Image by mharrsch via Flickr

July means Julius Caesar’s month. July was added to the year in 46 BC when he altered the Roman calendar and named a month after himself.

Gaius Julius Caesar was the Roman emperor who invaded Britain in 55BC. He was instrumental in changing Rome from a Republic to the militaristic Empire. It was Julius who was assassinated on the Ides of March by Brutus.

Events in July

• Tanabata
• Bon festival

Born in July?

Birthstone: Ruby

Flower: Larkspur

Tropical Zodiac: Cancer (June 21 to July 22) and Leo (July 23 to August 22

Sidereal Zodiac: Gemini (June 15 to July 16) and Cancer (July 17 to August 16)

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June means Juno’s month. Juno’s equivalent in Greek mythology is Hera. She was Jupiter’s wife and the mother to Mars, the god who gives his name to the month of March. Juno is the goddess of marriage and it is therefore considered good luck to be married in June.

Events in June

• Litha
• Meitheamh

Born in June?

Birthstone: Pearl

Flower: Rose

Tropical Zodiac: Gemini (May 21 to June 20) and Cancer (June 21 to July 22)

Sidereal Zodiac: Taurus (May 15 to June 14) and Gemini (June 15 to July 16)

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It is often suggested that the lilac flower – especially the white blossom – is associated with death and that’s why lilac is unlucky. As a result lilac is especially unwelcome in hospitals.

To understand how to cope with lilac in the house we need to look at more closely at the superstition.

The Lilac Tree was once associated with faeries. The fragrance of the tree was so sweet and powerful that it would entice fairfolk and to have lilac flowers in the house would lure the faeries inside.

Faeries were often feared. They were wild and unpredictable. Even pranks and games might prove to be deadly. Worse of all faeries would kidnap people and carry them to the realm of the fey.

The association lilac has with death originates from these roots – people going away and not coming back.

In order to safely display lilac in the house householders should take steps to keep faeries away. There are a number of methods for this. Faeries, it is said, will not cross a line of salt and are vulnerable to cold iron but neither of these methods are particular appropriate for modern households.

Wind chimes serve to distract faeries both with their tinkle and motion. To avoid the lilac bad luck consider putting up wind chimes.

In Pure Spirit

Are you superstitious? Do traditions and fears which originate hundreds of years ago in England mean anything to you today?

Disclaimer: Links marked with a star(*) are revenue links.

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Events in May

• Beltane
• May Day

Born in May?

Birthstone: Emerald

Flower: Lily of the Valley

Tropical Zodiac: Taurus (April 20 to May 20) and Gemini (May 21 to June 20)

Sidereal Zodiac: Aries (April 14 to May 14) and Taurus (May 15 to June 14)

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April means Aphrodite’s month. Aphrodite is a Greek goddess of love and beauty. Her Roman equivalent is Venus.

The Saxons called the  month Eostur-monath after the goddess Eostur. It is the Goddess Eostur from who we derive the the the name Easter.

Events in April

• Buddha’s birthday
• Chaul Chnam Thmey – the Cambodian New Year
• Earth Day

Born in April?

Birthstone: Diamond

Flower: Daisy

Tropical Zodiac: Aries (March 21 to April 19) and Taurus (April 20 to May 20)

Sidereal Zodiac: Pisces (March 15 to April 13) and Aries (April 14 to May 14)

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Image via Wikipedia

March means Mars’ month.

Mars is the Roman god of War and is identified with the Greek god Ares.  Mars was the son of Juno and Jupiter and second only to his father in importance for Roman soldiers.

Until ~700BC March was the start of the year and the beginning of the war season.

The Saxons called the month Hreth-monath after their goddess Hreth.

Events in March

• Ash Wednesday
• Good Friday
• Hanami

Born in March?

Birthstone: Aquamarine

Flower: Daffodil

Tropical Zodiac: Pisces (February 19 to March 20) and Aries (March 21 to April 19)

Sidereal Zodiac: Aquarius (February 13 to March 14) and Pisces (March 15 to April 13)

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