Correction: The Ogham symbol associated with the period from September 2 – 29 is Muin, the eleventh letter of the Ogham alphabet. Gort is associated with the Ivy Month, September 30 through October 27.
Muin represents the vine, which produces grapes, and in turn, wine. The vine is connected to prophecy and truthful speaking–because typically, people who have been partaking of its gifts are incapable of being deceptive and dishonest. Muin is a symbol of inward journeys and life lessons learned.
In the Celtic Tree Calendar, September 30 through October 27 is represented by Gort, the twelfth letter of the Ogham alphabet.
The Celtic Tree Calendar’s 13 lunar divisions were inspired by the poet Robert Graves as well as ancient Celtic and Druidic traditions. A tree is assigned to each lunar month based on the Ogham alphabet, a medieval script used to write early Irish. Each Ogham letter corresponds to a tree.
Pronounced go-ert, it is represented by the sound of a hard G and the concept of a tilled field or enclosure. It signifies reaping the rewards of a good harvest.
The vine grows in nearly any condition, and its endless upward spiral is representative of the soul’s search for a higher power, inner self, or emotional growth. It also represents getting rid of what no longer serves you. The fruit from the vine may be bitter, sweet, or both.
Medicinal Uses
Grapevine (vitis vinifera) and its components—fruit, seeds, and leaves—have long been recognized for their medicinal properties. The plant is rich in beneficial compounds, particularly polyphenols, which are known for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Wine’s use as a medicine dates back to ancient civilizations, where it was used as an antiseptic, digestive aid, and as a treatment for various ailments. Grape seeds and red wine contain flavonoids and other antioxidants that may help prevent heart disease.
Grapevine leaves have potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects due to their high content of polyphenolic compounds, like resveratrol, quercetin, and gallic acid. Resveratrol is one of the most well-known and researched medicinal compounds found in grapevines. Benefits include cardioprotective effects, antioxidant properties, and anti-inflammatory properties. It shows potential for use in improving blood sugar levels and reducing high cholesterol.
Grapevine leaves are used to treat conditions related to poor blood circulation, hemorrhoids, skin capillary fragility, and hyperpigmentation. Grapevine sap, rich in antibacterial polyphenols, fights free radicals and contributes to skin health. It is used to treat minor scrapes and other skin issues.
Extracts from grapevine shoots have shown potential for improving plasma lipid profiles and inhibiting the angiotensin-converting enzyme.
Besides grape vines, other climbing plants have medicinal properties: passionflower for calming; hops for relaxation and sleep; honeysuckle for treating the common cold; sweet tea vine (jiaogulan) for its antioxidant properties, and bittersweet for rheumatic conditions.
Historic Symbolism
Muin especially celebrates grapes and other fruits used to make wine. The Greek god Dionysus, known as Bacchus by the Romans, was the god of wine-making, orchards, and fruit. He was also affiliated with insanity, ritual madness, and religious ecstasy.
Since antiquity, wine also has been revered as a sacred substance used in rituals. Its continued use in the Catholic Mass attests to this.
The autumnal equinox (Mabon), when light and darkness are balanced, occurs during this month.
Gort, incidentally, is the name of a fictional humanoid that appeared in the 1951 20th Century Fox American science fiction film The Day the Earth Stood Still and later in its 2008 remake. The eight-foot robot protects humanity against aggression by destroying aggressors.
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