Seasons

The whole of this year, from the month of First Growth through to the month of Frost Fall, I have observed the effects the seasons had on growing and harvesting herbs. To put order to my notes and fill in the smaller details about the seasons, the star constellations and each Immortal that rules over them, I needed to make one final journey to the Star point observatory. This scroll is the result of that journey.

There are 10 months, each of 30 days, that rule our seasons. Each of the months has a star constellation and each star constellation has an immortal that rules over it.

Jacob the remembered rules over the month of Awakenings, bringing with it the start to the end of winter. The thawing of the winter snow is the first sign that the bitterness of winter loses her grip on the land.

The light of Byron's Star gazes down from the night sky during the month of Frost Fall. The last gasp of winter blows across the land stopping any young shoots that dare peer from beneath the soil, the ground still too frozen.

Leximar the Determined creeps across the sky in the month of First Growth. The first of the spring plants struggle to break free from the ground as the morning frosts are chased away by the warmer sun. The trees still look bare but for the small buds that will soon unfold to cover the branches in leaves as the month progresses. Migratory birds return. Greeting us and calling to one an other in song. Animals wipe away the sleep from their eyes, stirring from their warm winter hibernation. Herbs at this time are too young to reap anything from them.

Thanos, Slayer of Imperitar strides through the heavens in the month of Weeping Skies. This rainy season feeds the land, giving life to all. Once young shoots of the herbs and plants no longer struggle as they grow stronger. Although the herbs look stronger now, they give little oils and would be best left to mature properly.

The Seven Sisters, keeping the balance of life and death, watch over the month of Cherrin. This month brings the start of summer. The saplings of the herbs and Plants that struggled for life during earlier seasons now bask in the warm sun. Animals and birds become excited as they build nests after choosing a mate. Some herbs are right for the picking, most are best left. Oils are poor still and the powders from them are poor quality.

Casius, brother to the Great Swordsman, Thanos, watches over the month of Deoris Pleasure. Blossoms of plants bloom with vibrant colour inviting birds and insects to feed on their nectar. Animals and birds hunt feverishly to feed their young. Fruits and berries of the forests begin to hang from the branches and vines. The flowers of the forest open and close with the rising and setting of the sun and moon. The herbs are plentiful now, although they look fully mature, they give poor quality oils and powders.

Hammer of the Gods, Torian, works at his forge in the heavens during the month of Longing. The fruits and berries ripen and hang heavy on the vine as they struggle to keep hold of their life giving branches. The scent and perfume of the herbs tempt us with promises as we long to harvest. The evenings brings great rolls of thunder across the sky as sparks of lightning flash and streak towards the land. My herbs give good quality pastes, but still I think the next month will bring the best rewards from them.

Kerits bane, the dragon Imperitar, battles with Thanos each night through the month of First Harvest. Our longing is over. The fruits too heavy to cling to their branches drop to the ground giving the smaller creatures chance to feast. Herbs and plants, seemingly to dance about shouting "pick me! pick me!" tempt us one last time. Farmers in the fields toil from sunrise to sunset harvesting their crops. The barns and stores fill up, almost bulging at the sides, with the harvest gatherings of fruit, vegetables, wheat and grains, ensuring food for the next winter months. This is when I observed richer oils and sweeter pastes from my herbs. The months of waiting have finally paid off as there are more herbs than I need. I've harvested some for drying to keep me supplied for the coming winter months.

Grendal, with his two hounds, hunts the night sky throughout the Hallow Month. The crops now gathered we prepare for the coming of the next winter. The stronger winds blow, shaking the seeds loose from the trees. The migratory birds gather together, in readiness to flee the coming winter, as the first snow begins to fall towards the end of this month.

The Feast of Ages begins as the month of Winter Cloak takes its bitter grip once again on the lands. A time when hopes and dreams of the coming year runs high and we give thanks to the immortals for watching over our lands and supplying us with this years harvest. The weaker of this years newborn struggle to survive giving the beasts that stay the winter months an easy meal. The circle of life continues as it has done since Kali gave light to the void. I have observed everything that lives has fought and struggled with a will to survive.. never questioning why.. just accepting what is. I give my grateful thanks for everything I have and mostly for giving me life so I may witness these great wonders before me.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ During my studies at the guild I have learned instinctively the properties of each herb and how best to apply them to make pastes and elixirs. This was no small task. Discovering Each of the Guild herbs was exciting and rewarding. I needed no encouragement even though everyone, including Bushi Umbreen, my Haikushi tutor, were always there willing to help. The stories of the Immortals can be found here.