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January 2025
January 2025 – Happy New Year
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January is the first month of the year in the Gregorian and Julian calendars and has 31 days.
It is named after God Janus, the Roman god of beginnings, endings, gates, and doorways.
Janus is depicted with two faces, one looking into the past, the other into the future.
In ancient Roman times, the gates of the temple of Janus were open in times of war and closed in times of peace.
January is often the coldest month of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and the warmest in the Southern Hemisphere.
You may read more:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/January
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Roman God Janus
The Roman God Janus, according to Roman mythology, was the "custodian of the universe".
To all Romans, Janus was the god of the beginnings and the ends, presiding over every entrance and departure, and because every door and passageway looks in two directions, Janus was seen as two-faced or “Janus bifront” — the God who looked both ways.
He was the gatekeeper; his symbols were a porter's staff or virga and a set of keys.
To illustrate his importance, his name was even mentioned before Jupiter in prayers.
He protected the start of all activities.
He inaugurated the seasons.
The first day of each month was considered sacred to him and the first month of the year, January, is named in his honor as it is the gateway to a New Year.
Early Romans coins featured his image, showing him as two-faced, one bearded and one clean-shaven.
Later, during the Renaissance, this image of two faces would represent not only the past and future but also wisdom.
You may read more:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janus
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https://www.britannica.com/topic/Janus-Roman-god
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https://www.andersonlock.com/blog/god-doors/
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https://www.greekmythology.com/Myths/Roman/Janus/janus.html
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https://www.worldhistory.org/Janus/
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Janus Etymology:
The name Janus (Ianus in Latin, as the alphabet had no j) is etymologically related to ianua, the Latin word for door.
Janus himself was the “ianitor”, or doorkeeper, of the heavens.
From Ianus derived ianua ("door") and hence the English word "janitor" (Latin, ianitor).
You may read more:
https://www.etymonline.com/word/Janus
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Calendar etymology:
The word is derived from the Latin calendarium, meaning “interest register” or “account book,”
itself a derivation from calendae (or kalendae), the first day of the month in the Roman republican calendar, the day on which future market days, feasts, and other occasions were proclaimed.
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Why Does the New Year Start on January 1?
In the dark days of winter, a new year begins.
But January wasn't always the start of the New Year.
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Humans have been marking time on calendars for at least 10,000 years, but the methods they used varied from the start.
The Mesolithic people of Britain tracked the phases of the moon.
Ancient Egyptians looked to the sun.
And the Chinese combined both methods into a lunisolar calendar that’s still used today.
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The modern calendar used in most of the world, though, evolved during the Roman Republic.
The first Roman calendar was a lunar calendar – and was far from perfect.
In the beginning the Roman calendar had only 10 months.
The old Roman calendar was starting in Spring Equinox in the month of March – and finishing with the winter solstice in the month of December.
With the finishing of the year in December, the all the Roman public officers that were using public money were giving back the accounting books to be checked and the new elected people were taking office.
The period that we now call January and February – that period was just a “month-less period” for the old Romans.
After December the Romans were having the celebration of God Janus - the Roman god of beginnings and endings, entrances and exits.
And around the time we now call February the Romans were having the celebration of “Februus” - an ancient Italic God of purifications.
And after that “purification” time, the Romans were ready to celebrate the coming of Spring – and the coming of the New Year, that was celebrated in the middle of March with the Spring Equinox.
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As Romans' scientific knowledge and social structures changed over time, so did their calendar.
Around 700s BC one of the original kings of Rome, Numa Pompilius, (one of the guys you haven't heard of), added two new months to the beginning of the year - January and February.
But that was just to “close the gap” between December and March.
The Roman year kept finishing in December.
The public officers keep giving their books back by the end of December.
And the New Years’ celebrations kept been renowned in the month of March with the coming of Spring.
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When later Rome became an “empire” they had to deal with a very serious problem:
Every province of the vast Roman Empire was using a different system of time-keeping.
Therefore, the need to find a time-keeping-system to which everyone would agree, was really pressing for the Romans.
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Finally, in 45 B.C., Julius Caesar demanded a reformed version of the calendar that could be used all over the Roman empire.
This calendar became known as the Julian calendar.
The new calendar was designed by Sosigenes of Alexandria, an astronomer and mathematician who proposed a 365-day calendar with a leap year every four years.
Though he had overestimated the length of the year by about 11 minutes, the calendar was now mostly in sync with the sun.
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Caesar’s new calendar had another innovation: a new year beginning on January 1st.
(So, the “Julian calendar” was corresponding with the Roman public accounting system:
as above mentioned, they were giving the public books back the end of December – so the new books were starting January 1st. And the newly elected officials were taking office January 1st.)
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But though the Julian calendar would stick around for centuries, the date of its new year wasn’t always honored by its adopters.
For long time people kept celebrating the coming of the New Year with the coming of Spring.
Christians celebrated the New Year on various feast days.
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Aside from a few tweaks by other Roman rulers, the Julian calendar remained largely the same until 1582, when Pope Gregory XIII adjusted the calendar to more accurately reflect the amount of time it takes for the Earth to travel around the sun.
Pope Gregory the 13th consulted the Italian astronomer. Aloysius Lilius, (a guy you haven't heard of).
He proposed to Pope Gregory a solution for these drifting days- slight modification of the Leap Year schedule having only 97 leap years every 400 years instead of 100 every 400 years.
Pope Gregory then instituted and mandated this new calendar, which we call the Gregorian calendar, and we still basically use today.
The old calendar had been 365.25 days long; the new calendar was 365.2425 days long.
The new calendar also shifted the dates, which had drifted by about two weeks, back in sync with seasonal shifts.
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Only with Gregory’s 1582 reform did January 1st really stick as the beginning of the New Year—for many.
Today most countries are using the Gregorian Calendar.
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While the modern world mainly syncs to the Gregorian calendar, other calendars and other traditions have lived on.
As a result, different cultures acknowledge different dates as the start of the New Year—and have festivals, rituals and holidays, like Nowruz, Rosh Hashanah, and Chinese New Year—to celebrate.
And many sectors of the Eastern Orthodox churches are still using the Julian calendar.
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You may read more:
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https://time.com/6550127/new-year-celebration-january-calendar-date-history/
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https://www.calendarr.com/canada/january-why-is-the-1st-month-of-the-year/
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https://nerdfighteria.info/v/Hm5E1v6Svls/
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hm5E1v6Svls&t=1s
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Symbols of January
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January's birthstone is the garnet, which represents constancy.
Its birth flower is the cottage pink Dianthus caryophyllus, galanthus or traditional carnation.
The zodiac signs are Capricorn (until January 19) and Aquarius (January 20 onward).
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More analytically:
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Garnet stone
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The garnet is so durable, remnants of garnet jewelry have been found dating as far back as the Bronze Age. Other references go back to 3100 BC when the Egyptians used garnet as inlays in their jewelry and carvings. The Egyptians even referred to it as the symbol of life. The garnet gemstone was very popular with the Romans in the third and fourth centuries.
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This gemstone was used as a talisman for protection both by warriors going into battle and those who wanted to ward off pestilence and plague. Some ancient healers and wise men even placed garnets in wounds and praised its healing powers.
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Garnet jewelry has been a fixture throughout the ages. Garnet gems were often used as signet rings in ancient Rome, and the nobility favored garnets in the Middle Ages.
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The Victorians made garnets very popular during that time period. Some of the loveliest garnet gemstone jewelry from that era mimics its pomegranate namesake, with clusters of tiny red gems forming a larger statement piece.
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Today, the garnet can be found in a range of jewelry pieces and styles, from beautiful rings to stunning tiaras. Since garnet gemstones can come in a range of colors, rare garnets in green or blue make breathtaking pieces, especially in pendants or drop earrings.
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Garnets are a gemstone with a rich history and many meanings, including:
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o Symbol of life: The Egyptians called garnets the symbol of life and used them in jewelry and carvings as early as 3100 BC.
o Protection: Garnets were used as talismans for protection by warriors and to ward off pestilence and plague. Travelers also carried garnets to protect against misfortune.
o Healing: Ancient healers and wise men placed garnets in wounds and believed they had healing powers.
o Promise of a safe return: In Greek mythology, Hades gave Persephone pomegranate seeds to ensure her return to the underworld, and garnets are associated with the promise of a safe return.
o Symbol of Christ's blood: In Europe during the Middle Ages, the clergy valued garnets as symbols of Christ's blood and sacrifice.
o Birthstone: Garnets are the official birthstone for January.
o Symbol of love: Garnets are a symbol of love and continued happiness.
o Symbol of friendship, trust, and commitment: Garnets signify friendship, trust, and commitment.
o Gem of exuberance and passion: Red garnets are celebrated for bestowing vitality, life, and happiness to the wearer.
o `Geobarometers and geothermometers: Garnets can record the pressures and temperatures of peak metamorphism and are used to study geothermobarometry.
The name garnet comes from the Greek word granatum, which reminded the ancients of the ruby pearls of the pomegranate.
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You may read more:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garnet
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Dianthus caryophyllus
Also known as the carnation, this flower is known for its sweet fragrance, ruffled petals, and long-lasting blooms.
Carnations come in a variety of colors, including white, pink, red, purple, and green.
They are a popular choice for bouquets and boutonnieres, and are often used in weddings and other formal events.
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Symbolism
For the most part, carnations express love, fascination, and distinction, though there are many variations dependent on color.
· Along with the red rose, the red carnation can be used as a symbol of socialism and the labour movement, and historically has often been used in demonstrations on International Workers' Day (May Day).
· In China, the carnation flower is the most frequently used flower in weddings.
· In Portugal, bright red carnations were used when in 1974 the authoritarian Estado Novo regime was overthrown; therefore, this transition (brought about by a combination of a coup d'état with civil resistance) is known as the Carnation Revolution.
· Light red carnations represent admiration, while dark red denote deep love and affection.
· White carnations represent pure love and good luck, while striped (variegated) carnations symbolise regret that a love cannot be shared.
· In the Netherlands, white carnations are associated with Prince Bernhard. He wore one during World War II and in a gesture of defiance some of the Dutch population took up this gesture. After the war the white carnation became a sign of the Prince, veterans and remembrance of the resistance.
· Purple carnations indicate capriciousness. In France, it is a traditional funeral flower, given in condolence for the death of a loved one.
· Carnation is the birth flower for those born in the month of January.
· Since Ottoman times, red carnations and tulips are used in the interior wall paintings of mosques in Turkey. It is often said that while tulips represent God, carnations is the symbol for Muhammad. However these flower designs are not unique to mosques but also used in many other Ottoman traditional art forms.
· In Azerbaijan, red carnations has turned into a symbol of mourning after the usage of the flower during Black January events of 1990, a violent crackdown on the civilian population of the country by USSR troops.
· In the United States, former U.S. President William McKinley considered the red carnation to be his lucky flower and often wore one on his lapel. Following his assassination in 1901, the State of Ohio adopted the red carnation as its state flower to honor McKinley.
The formal name for carnation, dianthus, comes from Greek for "heavenly flower", or the flower of Jove.
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You may read more:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dianthus_caryophyllus
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Galanthus
Also known as the snowdrop, this flower has small, white, bell-shaped blooms that appear in late winter or early spring. Snowdrops are usually 3–6 inches tall and grow in clusters. They can naturalize easily and spread over time.
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You may read more:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galanthus
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Capricorn zodiac sign:
Capricorn is the 10th sign of the zodiac, falling after Sagittarius and before Aquarius.
Out of the four elements (earth, fire, water and air), it is categorized as an earth sign.
Earth signs are usually associated with more “grounded” character traits, such as being stable, logical and pragmatic.
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Capricorn – the “Goat of Fear”:
A goat with the tail of a fish is created to face fear and create panic.
It is the sign of decisions made to be protected from monsters in our minds, lives, and immediate physical surrounding.
Always ready to transform into something that scares those scary things off, Capricorn speaks of each natural chain reaction of fear, where one scary thing leads to many others, rising up as defensive mechanisms that only make things worse. Immersed in their secrecy, they face the world just as they are – brave enough to never run away, but constantly afraid of their inner monsters.
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Capricornus was listed by the 2nd century astronomer Ptolomy, but prior to this listing, it was one of the constellations oldest known to men, despite its faintness. It was represented as a hybrid of a goat and a fish since the Middle Bronze Age, with the first attested depictions dated around the 21st century BC.
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Astrology
The zodiac sign Capricorn is associated with the period from around December 22 to January 19. Capricorn is an earth sign with a cardinal modality, which means it's associated with action in the material world.
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Festivals
In India, the Makara Sankranti festival celebrates the sun entering the Capricorn sign. The festival is celebrated on either January 14 or 15 each year.
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Mythology
The constellation Capricornus has been associated with a variety of mythological figures, including:
· Pan: The Greek god of nature, who was half goat and half fish. In one myth, Pan jumped into the Nile to escape the monster Typhon, and only part of his body transformed.
· Amalthea: The goat who nursed Zeus as an infant. In Greek mythology, Amalthea's broken horn was transformed into the cornucopia, or "horn of plenty".
· Ea: The Babylonian god who was half-man and half-fish, and brought knowledge to early humans.
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Thew Greek Myth for Capricorn:
· In Greek mythology, the constellation is sometimes identified as Amalthea, the goat that suckled the infant Zeus after his mother, Rhea, saved him from being devoured by his father, Cronos. Amalthea's broken horn was transformed into the cornucopia or "horn of plenty".
· In another version, Capricornus represents the Greek God Pan who was often represented as partially being a goat:
"In order to escape the horrible monster Typhon that attacked all the Olympians, the God Pan dived into a river and attempted to change himself into a fish.
But only part of him transformed – maybe because of his state of panic.
So, he had the head and body of a goat and the rear section of a fish.
But even so, he was able to swim fast and save himself.
Afterwards, when the entire story finished and the Olympians won over the atrocious Typhon and re-establish the “Olympian world order”, the God Zeus put the image of "half goat and half fish" among the stars as the constellation Capricornus to commemorate the event.”
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You may read more:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capricornus
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Capricorn man personality:
Capricorn men are emotionally reserved, calm, serious, hardworking, ambitious, driven, take charge, and career-orientated individuals. Still, they have a surprisingly soft side..
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Capricorn man sexuality:
As a Capricorn, you are sensitive and sensual in bed. You tend to see sex as another task to be completed to the best of your ability -- which means you are always willing to put in the time and effort needed to satisfy your partner!
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You may read more over Capricorn:
https://www.zodiacsign.com/zodiac-signs/capricorn/
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The Year 2025 in Chinese Astrology:
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According to the Chinese calendar the year 2025 will slither its way into the spotlight as the Year of the Snake. Representing wisdom, elegance, and mystery, the snake is often seen as a symbol of transformation and adaptability.
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Snakes are a symbol of transformation because they shed their skin, which can represent the need to release the past and embrace change.
In many cultures and mythologies, snakes are associated with rebirth, healing, and transformation.
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Important international dates in the month of January
· January 1: New Year's Day, International Domain Day, World Day of Peace, First Foot Day (Hogmanay), and Euro Day
· January 2: World Introvert Day
· January 4: World Hypnotism Day and World Braille Day
· January 8: Earth's Rotation Day and World Typing Day
· January 9: International Choreographers Day and one of the ancient Roman Agonalia observances
· January 11: Heritage Treasures Day and another ancient Roman observance, Carmentalia
· January 14: World Logic Day
· January 16: International Hot and Spicy Food Day
· January 17: International Mentoring Day
· January 19: World Quark Day
· January 20: International Day of Acceptance
· January 21: International Sweatpants Day
· January 24: Global Belly Laugh Day and International Day of Education
· January 25: Burns Supper
· January 26: Australia Day, International Customs Day, and International Day of Clean Energy
· January 27: World Breast Pumping Day and International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust
· January 31: National Backward Day
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Important Canada dates in the month of January
· January 1: New Year's Day
· January - Tamil Heritage Month
· January 11: Sir John A. Macdonald Day
· January 17: Raoul Wallenberg Day
· January 21: Lincoln Alexander Day
· January 24: World Day for African and Afrodescendant Culture and International Day for Education
· January 27: International Holocaust Remembrance Day
· January 29: National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action Against Islamophobia
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More analytically Important dates in Canada in January;
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January 1st - New Year's Day in 2025.
Canadian Statutory Holiday.
You may read more:
https://www.statutoryholidays.com/newyears.php
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https://www.calendarr.com/canada/new-year-s-day/
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKzuo0S3EBg&t=1s
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January - Tamil Heritage Month.
Tamil Heritage Month is celebrated in January to recognize the history and contributions of the Tamil community in Canada:
History
The month was launched in 2010. The Tamil Heritage Month Act, 2014 was implemented in Ontario in March 2004.
Purpose
The month is a time to:
Celebrate the history, culture, and achievements of the Tamil community
Acknowledge the contributions of Tamil Canadians to Canada's social, cultural, political, and economic strength
Educate future generations about the role of Tamil Canadians in communities
Events
Tamil Heritage Month includes events such as:
The Tamil Harvest Festival, Thai Pongal, which is a festival that gives thanks to nature and the sun
Other Tamil artistic and cultural events
Virtual talent shows that celebrate the arts of Tamil seniors.
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You may read more:
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January 11
Sir John A. Macdonald Day.
Macdonald was the first prime minister of the new nation, and served 19 years; only William Lyon Mackenzie King has served longer. In his first term, he established the North-West Mounted Police and expanded Canada by annexing the North-Western Territory, Rupert's Land, British Columbia, and Prince Edward Island.
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You may read more:
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January 17
Raoul Wallenberg Day.
Raoul Wallenberg was a man of outstanding individual courage, humanity and decisiveness. By the end of the Second World War, the young architect and businessman Raoul Wallenberg saved the lives of tens and thousands Hungarian Jews. Some estimates suggest that he saved as many as 100 000 people.
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You may read more:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raoul_Wallenberg
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January 21
Lincoln Alexander Day
Lincoln MacCauley Alexander PC CC OOnt CD QC was a Canadian lawyer and politician who became the first Black Canadian to be a member of Parliament in the House of Commons, a federal Cabinet Minister, a Chair of the Worker's Compensation Board of Ontario, and the 24th Lieutenant Governor of Ontario from 1985 to 1991.
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You may read more:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_Alexander
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January 24
World Day for African and Afro - descendant Culture
Established by UNESCO in 2019 and held every year on 24 January, the World Day for African and Afrodescendant Culture aims to celebrate the many vibrant cultures of the African continent and African Diasporas around the world, and promotes them as an effective lever for sustainable development, dialogue and peace. As a rich source of the world’s shared heritage, promoting African and Afrodescendant culture is crucial for the development of the continent, and for humanity as a whole.
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You may read more:
https://nsgeu.ca/home_page/january-24-is-world-day-for-african-and-afrodescendant-culture/27628/
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January 27
International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
The International Holocaust Remembrance Day, or the International Day in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust, is an international memorial day on 27 January that commemorates the victims of the Holocaust, which resulted in the genocide of one third of the Jewish people, along with countless members of other minorities by Nazi Germany between 1933 and 1945, an attempt to implement its "final solution" to the Jewish question. 27 January was chosen to commemorate the date when the Auschwitz concentration camp was liberated by the Red Army in 1945.
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You may read more:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Holocaust_Remembrance_Day
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January 29
National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action Against Islamophobia
The National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action Against Islamophobia is observed on January 29th. The day commemorates the six people who were killed and the 19 others who were seriously injured in a shooting at the Islamic Cultural Centre of Quebec City on January 29, 2017:
· Ibrahima Barry,
· Mamadou Tanou Barry,
· Khaled Belkacemi,
· Abdelkrim Hassane,
· Azzedine Soufiane,
· Aboubaker Thabti.
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You may read more:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec_City_mosque_shooting
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamophobia_in_Canada
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https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SI-2021-17/page-1.html
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Food recipes for new year
https://www.epicurious.com/recipes-menus/new-years-eve-dinner-gallery
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https://www.allrecipes.com/recipes/193/holidays-and-events/new-year/
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hylGp75b4Q
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWqNpNEzryM
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New Year's Food Traditions That Bring Good Luck
https://www.realsimple.com/holidays-entertaining/traditional-new-years-day-food
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https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/new-years-food-traditions/index.html
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https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/meals-menus/g38331983/new-years-good-luck-foods/
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https://www.allrecipes.com/gallery/lucky-foods-to-eat-on-new-years-day/
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https://www.cozymeal.com/magazine/new-years-good-luck-food
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https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/g1960/good-luck-foods/
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhmFigFg87o&t=1s
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLT_S0JxeEE
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VASILOPITA:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasilopita
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Greek Vasilopita Cake for New Years (No Yeast)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiIt1oCYCvg
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Montreal Festivals and events January 2025
http://www.go-montreal.com/attraction_events_jan.htm
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January & New Year quotes and sayings
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· “I like starting projects in January. That’s the best time to start something. It’s so inward.”
— Carolyn Chute
· “Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365-page book. Write a good one.”
– Brad Paisley
· “Make January the month of meaningful resolutions and the successful beginning of achieving your goals.”
– Remez Sasson
· “January is a time of awakening and new beginnings.”
– Charmaine J Forde
· “Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.”
— Oprah Winfrey
· “Welcome, winter. Your late dawns and chilled breath make me lazy, but I love you nonetheless.”
— Terri Guillemets
· “January is my favorite month when the light is plainest, least colored. And I like the feeling of beginnings.”
— Anne Truitt
· “January is the perfect month for wishing yourself the highest good in whatever you do.”
– Remez Sasson
· “New Year’s Day. A fresh start. A new chapter waiting to be written.”
— Sarah Ban Breathnach
· “An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.”
– William E. Vaughan
· “Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on.”
— Hal Borland
· “What the new year brings to you will depend a great deal on what you bring to the new year.”
— Vern McLellan
· “December is letting go of all the past years fails, and starting anew in January as time again chases its tail.”
— Stewart Stafford
· “Every man should be born again on January first. Start with a fresh page.”
— Henry Ward Beecher
· “Your life does not get better by chance. It gets better by change.”
— Jim Rohn
· “January is the calendar’s Janus, looking both backward and forward with hope and anticipation.”
– Bernard Kelvin Clive
· “January brings the snow, makes our feet and fingers glow.”
– Sara Coleridge
· “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.”
– Seneca
· “January is the quietest month in the garden. But just because it looks quiet doesn’t mean that nothing is happening.”
– Rosalie Muller Wright
· “January is the key to a year of wonder.”
– Unknown
· “January is the month for dreaming big and setting audacious goals.”
– Unknown
· “January is the month to start fresh, erase mistakes, and create new goals.”
· “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”
– C.S. Lewis
· “January is the month to rejuvenate your mind, body, and soul for the challenges ahead.”
– Unknown
· “With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.”
– Eleanor Roosevelt
· “January is the perfect time to start afresh and set new goals.”
– Unknown
· “January is a time for bold new beginnings, a time to dream big and achieve bigger.”
· “The magic in new beginnings is truly the most powerful of them all.”
– Josiyah Martin
· “This is the month to renew your commitment to your dreams and goals.”
– Unknown
· “The beginning is the most important part of the work.”
– Plato
· “January is the time for plans and projects, a time to set the course of the year.”
– Leo Tolstoy
· “The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are.”
– J.P. Morgan
· “January is the month of new beginnings, new hope, and new opportunities.”
– Chitra Garg
· “New beginnings are often disguised as painful endings.”
– Lao Tzu
· “In every new beginning, there lies a magic that helps us reach our dreams.”
– Lailah Gifty Akita
· “A new year is like a blank book, and the pen is in your hands.”
– Catherine Pulsifer
· “January is the time for new beginnings and endless possibilities.”
· “The magic of January is in the promise of a fresh start.”
· “New year, new chapter, new verse, or just the same old story? Ultimately, we write it. The choice is ours.”
– Alex Morritt
· “January brings the snow, makes our feet and fingers glow.”
– Sara Coleridge
· “January is a time of reflection and resolution.”
· “In January, you start the book. In December, you finish it.”
– T.S. Eliot
· “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.”
– Lao Tzu
· “January is a clean slate waiting for your story to be written.”
· “With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.”
– Eleanor Roosevelt
· “January is the doorway to the year ahead.”
· “Every day is a chance to begin again.”
– Unknown
· “January is the month of new beginnings, fresh starts, and unlimited possibilities.”“Your present circumstances don’t determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start.”
– Nido Qubein
· “January is the time to redefine your limits and push beyond them.”
· “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
– Eleanor Roosevelt
· “January is a time to reflect on the past and set intentions for the future.”
· “The best way to predict the future is to create it.”
– Peter Drucker
· “January is not just a month; it’s a journey into the possibilities of the year ahead.”
· “New beginnings are often disguised as painful endings.”
– Lao Tzu
· “January is the time to plant the seeds of your dreams.”
· “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”
– Mark Twain
· “Don’t watch the clock; do what it does. Keep going.”
– Sam Levenson
· “The first month of the year is a month of resolution and resilience, where dreams become plans.”“The only way to do great work is to love what you do.”
– Steve Jobs
· “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.”
– Winston Churchill
· “Believe you can, and you’re halfway there.”
– Theodore Roosevelt
· “January is the month to embrace change and welcome the unknown.”
· “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”
– C.S. Lewis
· “January is the time to turn the page and start a new chapter.”
· “Dreams and goals are the heartbeat of January.”
· “January is not about perfection; it’s about progress and growth.”
· “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”
– Wayne Gretzky
· “January is the month to plant seeds of intention for the year ahead.”
· “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
· “January is a canvas painted with the colors of hope and determination.”
· “January is the time to start living your dreams instead of just dreaming them.”
· “Don’t be pushed around by the fears in your mind. Be led by the dreams in your heart.”
– Roy T. Bennett
· “January is the month for setting goals that challenge and inspire you.”
· “The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.”
– Franklin D. Roosevelt
· “This is the month to renew your energy, focus, and dreams for a brighter future.”
· “January is the month to let go of what was and embrace what can be.”
· “The first month is the month to commit to your goals with unwavering determination.”
· “The only thing standing between you and your goal is the story you keep telling yourself as to why you can’t achieve it.”
– Jordan Belfort
· “Success is not in what you have, but who you are.”
– Bo Bennett
· “The first month of the year is the time to believe in the magic within you.”
· “The harder you work for something, the greater you’ll feel when you achieve it.”
– Unknown
· “The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.”
– Franklin D. Roosevelt
· “January is the month to ignite the flame of determination within you.”
· “The only thing standing between you and your goal is the story you keep telling yourself as to why you can’t achieve it.”
– Jordan Belfort
· “This is the month to renew your energy, focus, and dreams for a brighter future.”
· “January is the doorway to the year ahead, offering us a chance to leave the past behind and embrace the future.”
· “In January, you can’t see the sunshine, but you can feel the warmth.”
· “January is the month to turn resolutions into habits.”
· “January is the bridge between a year of memories and a future of dreams.”
· “The month of January is the start of something new and the end of something old.”
· “January is the month to set intentions that align with your deepest desires.”
· “January is the month to plant seeds of positivity and watch them bloom.”
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You may red more:
https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/new-year
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January 2025 in Massage Luc
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The month of December 2024 was a good month for "Massage Luc".
I did have clients this month.
I have been busy to the point that sometimes I was obliged to refuse clients.
I really feel very bad about that.
"Massage Luc" is a very small business (one man business) and my clients are actually my friends.
Is very hard to refuse the visit of a friend.
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One interesting fact:
Last month I posted one "Massage Luc - Story".
Many people read this story - and many clients that came here were asking me for details.
So, for this month I will post another story from "Massage Luc" - because the visitors of my site like to read my stories.
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This story happened a few years ago.
I remember that it was wintertime - a little after the Holidays.
The temperature outside was about "minus - 14 Celsius" or "6.8 Fahrenheit".
I remember that it was Monday morning.
I was working on my computer and suddenly the telephone rang.
A client asked me to go to offer him a massage in his home.
Because he was playing Hockey the previous day and he did fall and harm himself.
I explained that I sold my car a long time ago.
And I also explained that I cannot carry the massage table - because I travel by BUS and METRO.
The client agreed to pay my UBER to go to him right away - but he asked for a discount because he was a poor student.
He explained that he had some "promotion from UBER" and he wanted to use it.
Because the promotion would expire if not used.
Up to this point, everything seemed logical.
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He needed me to go to his place right away because:
1. He was feeling in pain.
2. He was living in his mother's house.
He said that his mother did not approve of his "Hockey activities" - and he did not even tell her that was in pain because of the Hockey game.
His mother took the car and went shopping.
He wanted to finish the massage before his mother returned home.
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PLUS - the client explained that he did not need any sort of "personal services".
He just needed a Professional Massage because he was in pain.
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The entire story seemed a little funny to me at the time.
The boy that does not say to the mother that harmed himself playing – this seemed to me like an "old movie".
Anyway, finally I decided to go.
In my mind I was going to help a poor student that was in pain and happened to have an "UBER promotion".
I am a professional Massage Therapist - and someone needed me.
His relationship with his mother was not my business.
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The UBER drove me to a faraway area up the mountain.
I remember that I did enjoy the view during the trip.
Finally, we arrived in an upscale district with classy "Victorian Style" houses.
I remember that when I crossed the front garden in my client's house, I noticed that the garden - even if it was winter and the snow covered everything - seemed to have a very nice "geometric plan".
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The client was waiting for me behind the door.
The house was very big and quite impressive inside.
I remember that the one entire wall in the entrance was covered by a mosaic - like an ancient Roman mosaic.
The entire house was lavishly decorated with a "touch of exotic taste".
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BUT:
The most “exotic” of all was my client.
He was just a little shorter than me.
With beautiful big dark eyes and dark skin.
His body was proportional, lean and athletic.
And he was looking very - very young.
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I remembered that I asked him if he was at least 21 years old.
He said "of course" laughing.
He also said that he was from Jewish and Irish descent and that all the people in his family were looking younger.
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I left my winter coat on a chair near the entrance and after that, I followed him to his room.
His room was in harmony with the rest of the house – everywhere the furniture seemed high-quality.
But despite that, his bedroom gave me the impression of a "teenager style".
So, I really suspect that he did not say the truth about his age.
Maybe he was younger.
And I was not at all sure that he was deserving a discount – his house was luxurious.
But he said that was the house of his mother – so, you never know.
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I was massaging him for more than an hour and a half.
He was really in pain - he needed the massage.
I did not stop until he told me that he finally was feeling better.
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I understood that he was in pain - and I did my best to help him with my massage.
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BUT - the guy from the beginning to the very end, he gave me the impression that he was "playing" with me.
It was as if he was "provoking me" to offer him the "personal services" that he excluded when he spoke to me by phone.
Anyway - I pretended that I did not understand anything - I "played it stupid".
(Because I did not want any problems.
And he did not even want to pay for "extra services".)
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After finishing the massage, he told me that he will take a shower.
He disappeared - I do not know where the bathroom was in that huge house.
I picked up all my things - my oil and whatever else I brought - and I found by myself the way to the entrance where I had left my winter coat.
I wore my winter coat - but I left it unbuttoned.
I was just waiting to say goodbye to him and give him my card.
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Suddenly I heard a noise - something like a door opening.
I turned.
And then I have seen my young & good-looking client at the open door, in a small distance from me, wearing only a bathrobe.
He was smiling.
Playfully, he opened his bathrobe completely.
And after he left his bathrobe to fall on the floor.
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I was taken by surprise - surprise and admiration.
He was very handsome.
He was like a living "dark skin statue of a Greek God" staying in front of me.
Just one small difference with a stone statue:
He was in erection.
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All of a sudden, he jumped on me.
That happened very - very fast.
I didn't even have time to react.
I fell on the floor.
It was like a big exotic feline jumped on me.
Thank God for my heavy winter coat and their soft carpet - otherwise I would have been seriously traumatised.
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The scene I remember:
I am down on the floor wearing my coat - open - but I wear my clothes.
He is all naked on top of me.
He embraces me with passion and he is rubbing his naked body and his hard manhood against me.
Momentarily I had the impression that a beautiful huge cat was rubbing and purring all over me...
And the tail of this cat was hard...
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How long did this go on?
I do not know - maybe not long.
But there are some moments where "time stops".
That was how I felt at the time.
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All I remember is that I finally heard him breathing heavily.
And after, we both heard some other noises.
We heard the noise of a car outside and another noise from inside the house.
Probably that was the noise of the automatic garage door that was opening – the garage was connected with the house.
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And in this moment, I heard my voice saying to him:
"This must be your mother!"
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And then the "naked statue" disappeared from my view with the "speed of light".
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I was all alone lying on the carpet of a stranger's house.
And the lady of the house was coming – and she should not find me there.
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I got back on my senses.
I stood up.
I wore my boots fast without tying them and with my coat still open, I ran out as fast as I could.
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The cold helped me wake up and take control of all my faculties.
Thank God I found a BUS – STOP in a small distance from the house.
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Another funny memory:
When I tried to button my coat in the BUS - STOP, I felt my clothes wet in a certain point.
The "dark skin Greek God " left me his "divine semen" as a souvenir on my clothes.
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I think that this is really a funny story - and this is why I share it with you.
I REALLY HOPE YOU LIKED IT!
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For the month of January 2025, I will keep the same popular Special:
Just $ 130 for everything.
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My other Special is always valid:
The client that will come 3 times in a month (paying the regular price) wins a free "Boudoir Photography session" worth $ 300.
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Come to celebrate the first month of the 2025 year of our Lord with a nice Male Massage.
Offer yourself this inexpensive luxury - because you really deserve it!
Come to "Massage Luc".
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Happy New Year to all my clients.
I am wishing you the year 2025 to make all your dreams a reality.
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Always here waiting for YOU!
January 2025 - 2nd Photo Gallery
December 2024
December 2024 - 1st Photo Gallery
December 2024 - Massage Luc
December 2024
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December is the twelfth and final month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian calendars. Its length is 31 days.
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December name:
December's name derives from the Latin word “decem” (meaning ten) because it was originally the tenth month of the year in the calendar of Romulus c. 750 BC, which began in March.
In that Calendar, the winter days following December were not included as part of any month.
Later, with the Julian calendar the months of January and February were created out of the month-less period and added to the beginning of the calendar, but December retained its name.
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Astronomy:
December contains the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, the day with the fewest daylight hours, and the summer solstice in the Southern Hemisphere, the day with the most daylight hours (excluding polar regions in both cases, which consistently have none or 24 hours, respectively, near the solstice). December in the Northern Hemisphere is the seasonal equivalent to June in the Southern Hemisphere and vice versa. In the Northern hemisphere, the beginning of the astronomical winter is traditionally 21 December or the date of the solstice.
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Symbols of December:
December's birth flower is the narcissus.
Its birthstones are turquoise, zircon and tanzanite.
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Astrology:
The zodiac signs for the month of December are Sagittarius(until December 21) and Capricorn (December 22 onward).
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Narcissus flower:
Description:
Paperwhites (Narcissus papyraceus) are a popular type of daffodil, characterized by their delicate, fragrant, and white, star-shaped flowers. They belong to the Amaryllidaceae family and are native to the Mediterranean region.
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Narcissi flowers are also seen to represent; creativity, inspiration, awareness and inner reflection, forgiveness, and vitality. If you give a bunch of narcissi to a loved one it means 'they're the only one' and is said to ensure happiness.
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You may read more:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narcissus_(plant)
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The myth of Narcissus:
In both Ovid's and Pausanias' versions of Narcissus, Narcissus dies by a pool gazing at his own reflection that he falls in love with. He has no concern about anything around him nor does he eat or sleep. He takes his last dying breath by himself and dies by the image that he will never have but so badly desires.
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You may read more:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narcissus_(mythology)
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echo_and_Narcissus
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Turquoise stone
Turquoise is a stone of great wisdom. It enhances communication between this world and the spiritual worlds. It has a purifying essence and protects us from negative outside influences. Turquoise sends a cool refreshing energy into us when we feel spiritually tired and need to be nourished and restored to ourselves.
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Cultural associations:
In many cultures of the Old and New Worlds, this gemstone has been esteemed for thousands of years as a holy stone, a bringer of good fortune or a talisman.
The oldest evidence for this claim was found in Ancient Egypt, where grave furnishings with turquoise inlay were discovered, dating from approximately 3000 BCE.
In the ancient Persian Empire, the sky-blue gemstones were earlier worn round the neck or wrist as protection against unnatural death. If they changed colour, the wearer was thought to have reason to fear the approach of doom.
Meanwhile, it has been discovered that the turquoise certainly can change colour, but that this is not necessarily a sign of impending danger. The change can be caused by the light, or by a chemical reaction brought about by cosmetics, dust or the acidity of the skin.
The Egyptian goddess Hathor was associated with turquoise, as she was the patroness of Serabit el-Khadim, where it was mined. Her titles included "Lady of Turquoise", "Mistress of Turquoise", and "Lady of Turquoise Country".
In Western culture, turquoise is also the traditional birthstone for those born in the month of December. The turquoise is also a stone in the Jewish High Priest's breastplate, described in Exodus chapter 28. The stone is also considered sacred to the indigenous Zuni and Pueblo peoples of the American Southwest.
The pre-Columbian Aztec and Maya also considered it to be a valuable and culturally important stone.
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You may read more:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turquoise
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Zircon stone:
The name "Zircon" derives from the Persian “zargun”, meaning "gold-hued".
This word is changed into "jargoon", a term applied to light-colored zircons.
English word "zircon" is derived from Zirkon, which is the German adaptation of this word.
Yellow, orange, and red zircon is also known as "hyacinth", from the flower "Hyacinthus", whose name is of Ancient Greek origin.
Zircon is said to have great healing energy that can promote balance between a person's physical, emotional and spiritual selves. The gem is believed to help keep people grounded and to promote intuitive and psychic abilities, so it is frequently used during meditation.
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You may read more:
https://www.americangemsociety.org/zircon-folklore/
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zircon
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Tanzanite stone:
The gemstone was given the name "tanzanite" by Tiffany & Co. after Tanzania, the country in which it was discovered.
Tanzanite is commonly believed to facilitate a higher consciousness and stimulate intuition and perception. Some believe that it aids in detoxifying the body and improving vitality. It is said to be a good stone to wear or have near in situations where you need a calming and soothing presence.
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You may read more:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanzanite
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Sagittarius zodiac:
Sagittarius (♐︎) (Greek: Τοξότης, romanized: Toxótēs, Latin for "archer") is the ninth astrological sign, which is associated with the constellation Sagittarius and spans 240–270th degrees of the zodiac.
Under the tropical zodiac, the sun transits this sign between approximately November 22 and December 21.
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Greek mythology associates Sagittarius with the wise centaur Chiron, who was the educator of many Greek heroes.
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Sagittarius, the half human and half horse, is the centaur of mythology, the learned healer whose higher intelligence forms a bridge between Earth and Heaven.
Also known as the Archer, Sagittarius is represented by the symbol of a bow and arrow.
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You may read more:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagittarius_(astrology)
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Greek mythology of the constellation Sagittarius:
SAGITTARIUS, The Archer, represents a centaur - half-man, half-horse creature.
Greek mythology associates Sagittarius with the centaur Chiron, who mentored Achilles, a Greek hero of the Trojan War.
Chiron was also the wise teacher of many other famous heroes: Patroclus, Medus, Jason, Asclepius, Actaeon, Aristaeus and many more.
CENTAUR Chiron, was held to be the superlative centaur amongst his brethren since he was called the "wisest and justness of all the centaurs".
Chiron was notable throughout Greek mythology for his youth-nurturing nature.
His personal skills tend to match those of his foster father – God Apollo - who taught the young centaur the art of medicine, herbs, music, archery, hunting, gymnastics, and prophecy, and made him rise above his “centaur -beastly nature”.
Chiron was known for his knowledge and skill with medicine, and thus was credited with the discovery of botany and pharmacy, the science of herbs and medicine.
Zeus appreciated Centaur Chiron's virtues and granted Chiron the great gift of immortal status.
Chiron became the stars in the sky.
The constellation Sagittarius is where Chiron is now.
He studies us all from the night sky, playfully twinkling in the warm summer sky, and shooting stars that even Hercules found epic.
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You may read more:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiron
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https://www.dltk-teach.com/fairy-tales/sagittarius/story.htm
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https://www.britannica.com/video/this-month-in-astrology-Sagittarius-Zodiac/-293258
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Sagittarius man personality:
The Sagittarius man is optimistic above all else. He sees every moment as an opportunity to learn something new or to help someone or to improve at a skill. Every goal he makes is lofty and ambitious, and every obstacle he faces is just a chance to improve.
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Sagittarius man sexuality:
The Sagittarius man's approach to sexuality is as multifaceted and adventurous as his overall personality. He is known for his playful, spontaneous, and experimental nature, always eager to explore new realms of physical and emotional intimacy.
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You may read more:
https://www.cosmopolitan.com/sex-love/a25608919/sagittarius-man-personality-traits/
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Important and commemorative days in December 2024 in Canada:
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December 3
International Day of Persons with Disabilities
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December 6
National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
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December 10
Human Rights Day
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December 11
Anniversary of the Statute of Westminster
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December 18
International Migrants Day
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December 21
Winter Solstice
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December 24
Christmas Eve
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December 25
Christmas Day
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December 31
New Year’s Eve
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Important and commemorative days in December 2024 in Canada analytically:
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December 3
International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
International Day of Persons with Disabilities is an international observance promoted by the United Nations since 1992. It has been observed with varying degrees of success around the planet.
You may read more:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations'_International_Day_of_Persons_with_Disabilities
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December 6
National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.
The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women (French: Journée Nationale de Commémoration et d'Action Contre la Violence à l'Égard des Femmes), also known informally as White Ribbon Day (Jour du Ruban Blanc), is a day commemorated in Canada each December 6, the anniversary of the 1989 École Polytechnique massacre, in which armed student Marc Lépine murdered fourteen women and injured fourteen others in the name of "fighting feminism".
The commemoration date was established by the Parliament of Canada in 1991. The legislation was introduced in the House of Commons as a private member's bill by Dawn Black, Member of Parliament for New Westminster-Burnaby, British Columbia, and received all-party support.
You may read more:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Day_of_Remembrance_and_Action_on_Violence_Against_Women
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December 10
Human Rights Day.
Human Rights Day (HRD) is celebrated annually around the world on 10 December every year.
The date was chosen to honor the United Nations General Assembly's adoption and proclamation, on 10 December 1948, of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the first global enunciation of human rights and one of the first major achievements of the new United Nations. The formal establishment of Human Rights Day occurred at the 317th Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly on 4 December 1950, when the General Assembly declared resolution 423(V), inviting all member states and any other interested organizations to celebrate the day as they saw fit.
You may read more:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_Rights_Day
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December 11
Anniversary of the Statute of Westminster.
Building upon resolutions passed at the Imperial Conferences of 1926 and 1930, Canada and other dominions of the then British Empire sought to gain formal recognition of their autonomy from the United Kingdom. In the 50 years since Confederation and having attained a true sense of nationhood at the Battle of Vimy Ridge in 1917, Canada actively worked for such recognition of its autonomy to be expressed both at home and on the international stage. This was to find expression through the granting of legislative equal status for all the self-governing dominions. The Statute of Westminster, 1931 — an act of the British Parliament — affirmed Canadian autonomy and recognized the virtual independence of the dominions that, for all intents and purposes, had existed in principle since World War I and the Treaty of Versailles that followed. Beyond marking a truly significant milestone in our evolution as an independent nation, the Statute of Westminster, 1931 can be seen, in many ways, as the foundation or charter of the present-day Commonwealth.
You may read more:
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December 18
International Migrants Day.
International Migrant Day takes place every year on December 18. The event, which originated in 2000 and was proclaimed by the U.N. General Assembly, is an opportunity for organizations like the Canadian Red Cross to spread information about the human rights and fundamental freedoms of migrants.
You may read more:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Migrants_Day
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December 21
Winter Solstice.
During December solstice, the Sun is directly over the Tropic of Capricorn, located in the Southern Hemisphere. The solstice also marks the changing of seasons in many countries. 21 December is the first day of winter (in the Northern Hemisphere) and the first day of summer (in the Southern Hemisphere).
You may read more:
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December 24
Christmas Eve.
Christmas Eve is on December 24 and marks the culmination of the Advent period before Christmas that starts on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Eve. Many churches mark the end of Advent with midnight church services. During modern times, it is popularly celebrated on the night before Christmas Day.
You may read more:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_Eve
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December 25
Christmas Day.
On December 25, Christians around the world celebrate the birth of Christ. The origins of the holiday are uncertain; by the year 336, however, the Christian church in Rome observed the Feast of the Nativity on December 25.
You may read more:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas
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Why Is Christmas in December?
The origins of the Christmas holiday and its December date lie in the ancient Greco-Roman world, as commemorations probably began sometime in the 2nd century. There are at least three possible origins for the December date. The Roman Christian historian Sextus Julius Africanus dated Jesus’ conception to March 25 (the same date upon which he held that the world was created), which, after nine months in his mother’s womb, would result in a December 25 birth.
In the 3rd century, the Roman Empire, which at the time had not adopted Christianity, celebrated the rebirth of the Unconquered Sun (Sol Invictus) on December 25th. This holiday not only marked the return of longer days after the winter solstice but also followed the popular Roman festival called the Saturnalia (during which people feasted and exchanged gifts). It was also the birthday of the Indo-European deity Mithra, a god of light and loyalty whose cult was at the time growing popular among Roman soldiers.
The church in Rome began formally celebrating Christmas on December 25 in 336, during the reign of the emperor Constantine.
As Constantine had made Christianity the effective religion of the empire, some have speculated that choosing this date had the political motive of weakening the established pagan celebrations.
The date was not widely accepted in the Eastern Empire, where January 6 had been favored, for another half-century, and Christmas did not become a major Christian festival until the 9th century.
You may read more:
https://www.britannica.com/story/why-is-christmas-in-december
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https://www.britannica.com/video/Christmas-December-25/-238775
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History of Christmas Trees:
The history of Christmas trees has many roots, ranging from the use of evergreens in ancient Egypt and Rome to the German traditions of candlelit trees that made its way to America in the 1800s. Discover the history of the Christmas tree, from the earliest winter solstice celebrations to Queen Victoria’s decorating habits and the annual lighting of the Rockefeller Center tree in New York City.
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In Britain, the Christmas tree was introduced in the early 19th century by the German-born Queen Charlotte.
In 1832, the future Queen Victoria wrote about her delight at having a Christmas tree, hung with lights, ornaments, and presents placed round it.
After her marriage to her German cousin Prince Albert, by 1841 the custom became more widespread throughout Britain.
An image of the British royal family with their Christmas tree at Windsor Castle created a sensation when it was published in the Illustrated London News in 1848.
A modified version of this image was published in Godey's Lady's Book, Philadelphia in 1850.
By the 1870s, putting up a Christmas tree had become common in America.
You may read more:
https://www.history.com/topics/christmas/history-of-christmas-trees
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First Christmas Tree in Canada:
The Christmas tree made its first appearance in North America on Christmas Eve 1781, in Sorel, Quebec.
The baroness Riedesel hosted a Christmas party and invited British and German officers.
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Santa Claus:
Santa Claus (also known as Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle, or Santa) is a legendary figure originating in Western Christian culture who is said to bring gifts during the late evening and overnight hours on Christmas Eve. He is said to accomplish this with the aid of Christmas elves, who make the toys in his workshop, and with the aid of flying reindeer who pull his sleigh through the air.
You may read more:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Claus
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Christmas elf:
In English-speaking cultures, a Christmas elf is a diminutive elf that lives with Santa Claus at the North Pole and acts as his helper. Christmas elves are usually depicted as green- or red-clad, with large, pointy ears and wearing pointy hats. They are most often depicted as humanoids, but sometimes as furry mammals with tails. Santa's elves are often said to make the toys in Santa's workshop and take care of his reindeer, among other tasks.
They were first introduced in literature by Louisa May Alcott in 1856. Santa is much older, emerging in U.S. folklore in the early 17th century from St. Nicholas with attributes of various European Christmas traditions, especially from English Father Christmas and Dutch Sinterklaas. The association of Christmas presents with elves has precedents in the first half of the 19th century with the Scandinavian “nisse” or “tomte”, and St Nicholas himself is called an elf in A Visit from St. Nicholas (1823).
You may read more:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_elf
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December 31
New Year’s Eve.
In the Gregorian calendar, New Year's Eve, also known as Old Year's Day, is the evening or the entire day of the last day of the year, 31 December. In many countries, New Year's Eve is celebrated with dancing, eating, drinking, and watching or lighting fireworks. Some Christians attend a watchnight service. The celebrations generally go on past midnight into New Year's Day, 1 January.
You may read more:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Year%27s_Eve
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Christmas traditions and customs in Canada:
Montreal:
Montreal is another Canadian city that is darn cold but still charming over the holidays—especially in Old Montreal, with its historic buildings and cobblestone roads. The city puts on plenty of festive events starting at the end of November, with the annual Santa Claus Parade (locally known as the Défilé du Père Noël) kicking off the season every year since 1925.
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Luminothérapie, which takes place throughout the holiday season and into March, is one of the city's most popular winter events. Free to the public in the Quartier des Spectacles district, Luminothérapie is a competition where local artists display interactive public art installations and video projections. Merry Montreal, meanwhile, is a city-wide event where three public spaces—Place Jacques-Cartier, Square Dorchester, and Square Victoria—get decked out in public art installations and festive lights in December.
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You may read more:
https://www.tripsavvy.com/christmas-traditions-and-customs-in-canada-4178657
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Best Canadian recipes for December / Christmas:
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https://www.finedininglovers.com/article/7-classic-canadian-christmas-dishes
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https://hiddenponies.com/2013/12/a-canadian-christmas-tradition-tourtiere/
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https://dairyfarmersofcanada.ca/en/canadian-goodness/recipes/our-recipe-collections/holiday-recipes
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_6pIKUap8Y
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Montreal festivals and events December 2024
http://www.go-montreal.com/attraction_events_dec.htm
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December quotes and sayings:
· "It's the most wonderful time of the year." — Unknown
· "December is a simple wish that brings spectacular moments." — Unknown
· "December: A month of lights, snow, coziness, and feasts; time to make amends and tie up loose ends; finish what you started and make your wishes come true." — Unknown
· "Of all the months of the year there is not a month one half so welcome to the young, or so full of happy associations, as the last month of the year." — Charles Dickens
· "May and October, the best-smelling months? I’ll make a case for December; evergreen, frost, wood smoke, cinnamon." — Lisa Kleypas
· "December, being the last month of the year, cannot help but make us think of what is to come." — Fennel Hudson
· "November, I’ll give thanks that you belong to me. December, you’re the present beneath my Christmas tree." — Neil Sedaka
· "In cold December fragrant chaplets blow, and heavy harvests nod beneath the snow." — Alexander Pope
· "December has the clarity, the simplicity, and the silence you need for the best fresh start of your life." — Vivian Swift
· "To appreciate the beauty of a snowflake it is necessary to stand out in the cold." — Aristotle
· "When snow falls, nature listens." — Antoinette van Kleef
· "Kindness is like snow—it beautifies everything it covers." — Kahlil Gibran
· "Snow flurries began to fall and they swirled around people's legs like house cats. It was magical, this snow globe world." — Sarah Addison Allen
· "Welcome winter. Your late dawns and chilled breath make me lazy, but I love you nonetheless." — Terri Guillemets
· "The color of springtime is in the flowers; the color of winter is in the imagination." — Terri Guillemets
· "A little more fun, a little more love, a little more light every night. That’s the joy of Hanukkah." — Unknown
· "Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is time for home." — Edith Sitwell
· "Winter is a season of recovery and preparation." — Paul Theroux
· "Wisdom comes with winters." — Oscar Wilde
· "Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love." — Hamilton Wright Mabie
· "Winter forms our character and brings out our best." — Tom Allen
· "In seed time learn, in harvest teach, in winter enjoy." — William Blake
· "Autumn arrives in early morning, but spring at the close of a winter day." — Elizabeth Bowen
· "Winter is not a season, it's a celebration." — Anamika Mishra
· "Let all the failures of your past year be your best guide in the New Year." — Mehmet Murat ildan
· "Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right." — Oprah Winfrey
· "As we look to the new year, hold on to what is good. Let go of what is bad. It really is that simple." — Mandy Hale
· "May your walls know joy, may every room hold laughter, and every window open to great possibility." — Mary Anne Radmacher
· "What the new year brings to you will depend a great deal on what you bring to the new year." — Vern McLellan
· "Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us." — Hal Borland
· "Mankind is a great, an immense family. This is proved by what we feel in our hearts at Christmas." — Pope John XXIII
· "Christmas is a season not only of rejoicing but of reflection." — Winston Churchill
· "Christmas will always be as long as we stand heart to heart and hand in hand." — Dr. Seuss
· "Christmas is like candy; it slowly melts in your mouth sweetening every taste bud, making you wish it could last forever." — Richelle E. Goodrich
· "May you never be too grown up to search the skies on Christmas Eve." — Unknown
· "'Maybe Christmas,' he thought, 'doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas... perhaps... means a little bit more.'" — Dr. Seuss
· "Christmas is doing a little something extra for someone." — Charles Schulz
· "Christmas is most truly Christmas when we celebrate it by giving the light of love to those who need it most." — Ruth Carter
· "If kisses were snowflakes, I'd send you a blizzard." — Unknown
· "There are three stages of man: he believes in Santa Claus; he does not believe in Santa Claus; he is Santa Claus." — Bob Phillips
· "You can tell a lot about a person by the way they handle three things: a rainy day, lost luggage and tangled Christmas tree lights." — Maya Angelou
· "Christmas is a magical time of year… I just watched all my money magically disappear." — Unknown
· "Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree. In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall." — Larry Wilde
· "It is December, and nobody asked if I was ready." — Sarah Kay
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You may read more:
https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&q=December&commit=Search
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Christmas quotes and sayings:
· "Christmas is doing a little something extra for someone.” – Charles M. Schulz
· "Christmas Eve will find me, where the lovelight gleams. I'll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams." – Kim Gannon and Walter Kent, "I'll Be Home for Christmas"
· “Peace on earth will come to stay, when we live Christmas every day.” – Helen Steiner Rice
· "The joy of brightening other lives becomes for us the magic of the holidays." – W. C. Jones
· "Christmas magic is silent. You don't hear it–you feel it. You know it. You believe it." – Kevin Alan Milne
· "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas, just like the ones I used to know. Where the treetops glisten, and children listen to hear sleigh bells in the snow." – Irving Berlin, "White Christmas"
· "It’s Christmas Eve. It’s the one night of the year when we all act a little nicer, we smile a little easier, we cheer a little more. For a couple of hours out of the whole year, we are the people that we always hoped we would be." – Frank Cross
· "It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving." – Mother Theresa
· "The holiday season is a perfect time to reflect on our blessings and seek ways to make life better for those around us." – Anonymous
· "We should learn the true Christmas lesson of gentle, thoughtful kindness to those we love and to all we meet in life's busy ways." – J. R. Miller
· "Don't get caught up in the wrapping paper and forget that the gift of the Christmas season is simply love." – Toni Sorenson
· "I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month." – Harlan Miller
· “There's nothing cozier than a Christmas tree all lit up.” ― Jenny Han
· "One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas Day. Don't clean it up too quickly." – Andy Rooney
· "Freshly cut Christmas trees smelling of stars and snow and pine resin–inhale deeply and fill your soul with wintry night." – John J. Geddes
· "During the holiday season, in fact all year long, wrap yourself around another's presence, not presents." – Christine E. Szymanski
· "The mood is right, the spirit's up. We're here tonight, and that's enough. Simply having a wonderful Christmas time." – Paul McCartney, "Wonderful Christmas Time"
· "The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other." — Burton Hills
· "Christmas is the day that holds all time together." — Alexander Smith
· "The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear." – Will Ferrell, Elf
· "Have yourself a merry little Christmas. Let your heart be light. From now on, your troubles will be out of sight." – Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"
· "At Christmas, all roads lead home." – Marjorie Holmes
· "I don't think Christmas is necessarily about things. It's about being good to one another." — Carrie Fisher
· "Mankind is a great, an immense family... This is proved by what we feel in our hearts at Christmas." ― Pope John XXIII
· "Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!" – Theodor Seuss Geisel, How the Grinch Stole Christmas
· "Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful." – Norman Vincent Peale
· "And so I'm offering this simple phrase to kids from one to 92. Although it's been said many times, many ways, merry Christmas to you." – Robert Wells, "The Christmas Song"
· "What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future." – Agnes M. Pahro
· "Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas." ―Peg Bracken
· "Christmas is like candy; it slowly melts in your mouth sweetening every taste bud, making you wish it could last forever." – Richelle E. Goodrich
· "Christmas is a necessity. There has to be at least one day of the year to remind us that we’re here for something else besides ourselves." ― Eric Sevareid
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You may read more:
https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/search?page=32&q=Christmas
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Santa Claus quotes and sayings:
· Francis P. Church
“Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist.”
· Clement Clarke Moore
“His eyes—how they twinkled! his dimples, how merry! His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!”
· Chris, "The Polar Express"
“On Christmas Eve, many years ago, I lay quietly in my bed. I did not rustle the sheets. I breathed slowly and silently. I was listening for a sound I was afraid I’d never hear. The ringing bells of Santa’s sleigh.”
· Francis P. Church
"Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies!”
· Shirley Temple Black
“I stopped believing in Santa Claus when I was six. Mother took me to see him in a department store and he asked for my autograph.”
· Robert Paul
“You know you're getting old when Santa starts looking younger.”
· Charmaine J. Forde
"An ounce of goodness every day,
Can soothe the heart in many ways,
An ounce of goodness 'just because'
Don't wait until Christmas to be Santa Claus."
· Jon Bon Jovi
“Believe in love. Believe in magic. Hell, believe in Santa Claus. Believe in others. Believe in yourself. Believe in your dreams. If you don’t, who will?”
· Lemony Snicket
“The real Santa Claus is at the mall.”
· Anonymous
“Dear Santa, Before I explain, how much do you know already?”
· Truman Capote
“Of course there is a Santa Claus. It’s just that no single somebody could do all he has to do. So the Lord has spread the task among us all. That’s why everybody is Santa Claus. I am. You are.”
· Jack Handy
"If you ever have to steal money from your kid, and later on he discovers it's gone, I think a good thing to do is to blame it on Santa Claus."
· James Gould
"A cynic is just a man who found out when he was about 10 that there wasn't any Santa Claus, and he's still upset."
· Tom Armstrong
"Let me see if I've got this Santa business straight. You say he wears a beard, has no discernible source of income, and flies to cities all over the world under the cover of darkness? You sure this guy isn't laundering illegal drug money?"
· Victor Borge
"Santa Claus has the right idea—visit people only once a year."
· Dick Gregory
"I never believed in Santa Claus because I knew no white dude would come into my neighborhood after dark."
· Herbert Hoover
"A good many things go around in the dark besides Santa Claus."
· Francis P. Church
"Alas! How dreary would be the world if there was no Santa Claus! There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence."
· Edwin Osgood Grover
"Santa Claus is anyone who loves another and seeks to make them happy; who gives himself by thought or word or deed in every gift that he bestows."
· Paul M. Ell
"They err who thinks Santa Claus comes down through the chimney; he really enters through the heart."
· Bob Phillips
"There are three stages of man: he believes in Santa Claus; he does not believe in Santa Claus; he is Santa Claus."
· Pat Boone
"The greatest thing is not to believe in Santa Claus; it is to be Santa Claus."
· Dolly Parton
"I still believe in Santa, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy and true love. Don't even try to tell me different."
· Gary Allan
“Let’s be naughty and save Santa the trip.”
· Anonymous
“It’s all fun and games until Santa checks the naughty list.”
· Matt Groening
“Aren’t we forgetting the true meaning of Christmas. You know, the birth of Santa?”
· Catherine Tate
“Who’s the bane of Santa’s life? The elf and safety officer.”
· Anonymous
“I left Santa gluten-free cookies and organic soy milk and he put a solar panel in my stocking.”
· Unknown
"Dear Santa, I have been nice all year. Most of the time. Once in awhile. Never mind, I'll buy my own stuff."
· Santa Claus in "Home Alone"
“How can you give Kris Kringle a parking ticket on Christmas Eve? What’s next, rabies shots for the Easter Bunny?”
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You may read more – from The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus Quotes:
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Santa books:
https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=Santa&qid=q1MepTaMmz
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December 2024 in Massage Luc:
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The month of November 2024 was really an "interesting" month.
I have been busy.
I had my regular local clients - and unexpectedly this November I was having tourists.
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I had several interesting experiences.
I will mention one specific experience - because I believe that it is worth mentioning:
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I received a call to go massage 2 clients in a five - stars - Hotel downtown.
I asked if the clients were a gay - couple.
And I got this reply:
"Just one gay man. The second man is not gay - but wants the experience. I will explain more in person."
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So, I went.
I met a very nice guy - he is from the US.
He explained to me that he is "openly gay".
In the company where he is working, he is "out of the closet".
And he said that for many years he was having “secret feelings" for another person inside the same company.
But he could never speak openly about his "secret love".
Because the "object of his desire" was a happily married family man.
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And the company at a certain point sent an entire team of people to Montreal for some reason.
Our "gay guy" and his "secret love" were included in this team.
They completed their company's mission - and they were all very happy.
The last day in Montreal, they were all having lunch together to celebrate the success of their mission.
At the lunch table the "gay guy" said to the rest of the company that he wanted to call a "Montreal - male - masseur" to celebrate.
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And then happened the unthinkable:
The guy that was his "secret love" for all these years, approached him after lunch.
He approached him secretly and he confessed that he wanted to have the experience of being "touched by another man".
But this had to be a secret from everybody else.
PLUS:
Because it would be the very first time that another man would touch his body, he wanted to have his eyes covered with a sleeping mask.
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So, the "gay guy" called me.
He wanted me to massage him and his "secret love".
He just gave me a condition:
While his "secret love" would have his eyes covered, he wanted to enter the room and watch.
Because he was deeply in love with this guy and he wanted at least to see him naked while receiving a massage.
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So:
My duty was:
1. First to massage the “gay guy”.
2. And after to massage the second guy while his eyes were covered.
And while the eyes of the second guy would be covered, I had to allow the "gay guy" into the room.
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And so I did.
I completed the massage with my first client - the gay guy was really very happy with my service.
After the second guy walked in.
He covered his eyes and lied naked in front of me.
I started massaging him.
Then the "gay guy" entered the room secretly.
And then:
I made a signal to the "gay guy".
He approached me.
I put his trembling hand over the body of his "secret love" - and I allowed him to continue the massage that I started.
I just stepped aside.
The guy with the “covered eyes” was not aware of the changing of masseurs.
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Allowing him to continue the massage was not in the schedule.
That was my “initiative”.
But had been very appreciated from the “gay guy”.
And the “massage of love” that he offered to his “secret love” with the “covered eyes” was very-very appreciated from the “receiver”.
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I had to be there - for the moment the "family guy" would uncover his eyes.
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It was really very interesting.
The way the hands of the "gay guy" were touching the body of his "secret love" - that was something that I would never forget.
That was a real love feeling!
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Both clients were very happy.
I got paid well and they had given me a very good tip.
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But I feel that this experience was "above money".
I feel that I did witness real feelings of love - "secret love".
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The simplified special $130 for everything has been very popular and I will keep it for the month of December 2024.
My regular special is always valid:
The client that will come 4 times in one month gets a free "boudoir Photography session" value of $250.
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December is the month of Christmas, the month of Holidays.
This Holiday season, you allow yourself the inexpensive luxury of a Professional Male Massage.
Come to Massage Luc.
I am waiting for YOU!
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Merry Christmas to all my clients.
Happy Holidays 2024 to all my clients.
December 2024 - 2nd Photo Gallery
December - 3rd Photo Gallery
November 2024 - Massage Luc
November 2024 - 1st Photo Gallery
November 2024 - Massage Luc
November 2024
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November is the eleventh and penultimate month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian calendars. Its length is 30 days.
November was the ninth month of the calendar of Romulus c. 750 BC.
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November is a month of late spring in the Southern Hemisphere and late autumn in the Northern Hemisphere. Therefore, November in the Southern Hemisphere is the seasonal equivalent of May in the Northern Hemisphere and vice versa.
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Name of November:
In the first Roman calendar, November was the ninth month.
The Latin novem meaning "nine" - and that explains the name of this month.
November retained its name, when January and February were added to the Roman calendar.
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Symbols of November:
November's birthstone is the topaz (particularly, yellow) which symbolizes friendship and the citrine.
Its birth flower is the chrysanthemum.
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Astrology
The Western zodiac signs for November are Scorpio (October 23 – November 21) and Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21).
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Analytically:
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Topaz stone:
Topaz has long been associated with soothing, healing and re-motivating, and has been called the gemstone of good fortune and love. It is also thought to give one the energy to promote forgiveness and truthfulness. Wearing Topaz has been said to help stabilise one's emotions and calm one's nerves.
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Etymology:
Derived from the Greek name “Topazios”, Topaz has been a beloved gemstone and has been primarily known for its variety of colors. Some scholars also trace the origin back to the Sanskrit word 'Tapas', meaning “fire".
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History:
Nicols, the author of one of the first systematic treatises on minerals and gemstones, dedicated two chapters to the topic in 1652.
In the Middle Ages, the name topaz was used to refer to any yellow gemstone, but in modern times it denotes only the silicate described above.
Many English translations of the Bible, including the King James Version, mention topaz. However, because these translations as topaz all derive from the Septuagint translation topazi[os], which referred to a yellow stone that was not topaz, but probably chrysolite (chrysoberyl or peridot), topaz is likely not meant here.
An English superstition also held that topaz cured lunacy.
The ancient Romans believed that topaz provided protection from danger while traveling.
During the Middle Ages, it was believed that attaching the topaz to the left arm protected the owner from any curse and warded off the evil eye. It was also believed that wearing topaz increased body heat, which would enable people to relieve a cold or fever.
In Europe during the Middle Ages, topaz was believed to enhance mental powers.
In India, people believed topaz granted beauty, intelligence, and longevity when worn over the heart.
You may read more:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topaz
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Chrysanthemum flower:
Etymology:
The name "chrysanthemum" is derived from the Ancient Greek: χρυσός chrysos (gold) and ἄνθεμον anthemon (flower).
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In the US, the chrysanthemum generally symbolizes friendship, happiness, and well-being.
However, If you want to express your sorrow or neglected love you would give a bouquet of yellow chrysanthemums.
(This may be quite confusing if you handed these same flowers to someone in Japan – because the same flower has a different meaning in Japan.)
In the language of flowers, the chrysanthemum carries the symbolic meaning of devoted love, loyalty, happiness, longevity, and joy.
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In Western culture:
In some European countries (e.g., France, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Poland, Hungary, Croatia), incurve chrysanthemums symbolize death and are used only for funerals or on graves, while other types carry no such symbolism similarly, in China, Japan, and Korea of East Asia, white chrysanthemums symbolize adversity, lamentation, and/or grief. In some other countries, they represent honesty.
In the United States, the flower is usually regarded as positive and cheerful, with New Orleans as a notable exception.
In the Victorian language of flowers, the chrysanthemum had several meanings. The Chinese chrysanthemum meant cheerfulness, whereas the red chrysanthemum stood for "I Love", while the yellow chrysanthemum symbolized slighted love.
The chrysanthemum is also the flower of November.
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In China:
In Chinese culture, the chrysanthemum is a symbol of autumn and the flower of the ninth moon.
People even drank chrysanthemum wine on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month to prolong their lives during the Han dynasty.
It is a symbol of longevity because of its health-giving properties.
Because of all of this, the flower was often worn on funeral attire.
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In Japan:
In Japan, the chrysanthemum is a symbol of the Emperor and the Imperial family. In particular, a "chrysanthemum crest" (菊花紋章, kikukamonshō or kikkamonshō), i.e. a mon of chrysanthemum blossom design, indicates a link to the Emperor; there are more than 150 patterns of this design. Notable uses of and reference to the Imperial chrysanthemum include:
· The Imperial Seal of Japan is used by members of the Japanese imperial family. In 1869, a two-layered, 16-petal design was designated as the symbol of the emperor. Princes used a simpler, single-layer pattern.
· The Chrysanthemum Throne is the name given to the position of Japanese Emperor and the throne.
· The Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum is a Japanese honor awarded by the emperor on the advice of the Japanese government.
· In Imperial Japan, small arms were required to be stamped with the imperial chrysanthemum, as they were considered the personal property of the emperor.
· The Nagoya Castle Chrysanthemum Competition started after the end of the Pacific War. The event at the castle has become a tradition for the city. With three categories, it is one of the largest events of its kind in the region by both scale and content.
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You may read more:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysanthemum
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Scorpio (October 23 – November 21):
Scorpio (October 23 - November 21) is one of the most misunderstood signs of the zodiac. Because of its incredible passion and power, Scorpio is often mistaken for a fire sign. In fact, Scorpio is a water sign that derives its strength from the psychic, emotional realm.
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Origins
The Babylonians called this constellation MUL.GIR.TAB - the 'Scorpion'; the signs can be literally read as 'the (creature with) a burning sting'.
In some old descriptions the constellation of Libra is treated as the Scorpion's claws. Libra was known as the Claws of the Scorpion in Babylonian (zibānītu (compare Arabic zubānā)) and in Greek (χηλαι).
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In Greek Mythology:
When the world was new, the great hunter and giant Orion was feared by all the beasts.
He slew many great beasts of the land and sea.
None succeeded in staying his arrow.
In a fit of arrogance, he proclaimed to the heavens that he would not rest until he succeeded in killing all the wild animals of the Earth.
His insolence angered Gaia, Goddess of the Earth and mother of all the creatures on the planet.
(Gaia, is actually a personification of mother earth.)
Therefore, the Goddess Gaia, sought the help of a lone scorpion and asked him to slay the giant.
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In the one version of the story the Scorpion was a “gigantic Scorpion”.
Initially, Orion was not afraid of the creature.
But, no matter how hard he tried Orion could not defeat the scorpion.
It dodged of his arrows and all shots fired from his bows.
Panicked, Orion decided to flee and that is when the scorpion took its chance.
Orion was stung with the scorpion’s poisonous tail and Orion; the great hunter was himself hunted and slain.
Gaia, in eternal gratitude to the scorpion, ensured that his success and Orion’s shame would forever be marked for all to see.
The image of the Scorpion was placed in the night sky, with Orion’s image next to it.
As the stars move – it will always look as though the scorpion is chasing Orion.
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In another version of the myth, the Scorpion was just a small insect - Scorpio is actually an insect - and the big and brave hunter did not even see the small bug.
But even if the insect was so small – its poison was still deadly.
The small insignificant - but poisonous insect - killed the proud and heroic Orion.
The hunter that could kill all the big and ferocious wild animals was killed by an insect.
A real "tragic irony".
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The legend of Scorpius and Orion has many different versions.
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In another version, Scorpius is sent not by Gaia but by the Goddess Artemis.
The Goddess Artemis - Dianna for the Romans - was the Goddess of Hunting and protector of all the animals.
In one version Orion attempted to ravish Artemis and as punishment, she sent the scorpion to kill him.
The fight between the scorpion and Orion goes much the same way.
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Finally - as with all the Greek myths - there is also an “erotic version” of the same myth:
The brave and handsome hunter Orion tries to seduce the Goddess Artemis - and he almost succeeds.
The beautiful and dynamic Goddess starts having feelings for the young and handsome hunter Orion.
In this version of the myth, Orion proclaims that he will kill all the wild animals of the Earth - but in order to "impress" Artemis in a romantic way.
But in any case, his proclamation was a "hubris".
Then the Goddess Gaia - or even the brother of Artemis God Apollon - they will send the Scorpio to kill the arrogant hunter.
Again, the fight between the scorpion and Orion goes the same way.
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The Scorpion in all the versions of the myth represents the powers of nature that stop humans from destroying “mother earth”.
Therefore, God Zeus will place the Scorpion on the sky as a constellation.
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The “Scorpio” – the “force of nature” – was the winner in this “fight”.
While the lost one – Orion – was placed in the sky to symbolize all the young men that in their “youthful ambition” want to “conquer the world” and “dominate the nature”.
By placing both in the sky, Zeus “commemorated” the battle itself.
This is an “eternal battle” – the battle between human and nature.
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In the “erotic version” of the myth, the Goddess Artemis herself, will ask from Zeus to place on the sky also the famous and brave and gorgeous hunter - even if he lost the final fight.
Because – he might had lost the fight, but he won her heart.
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"Ho love, invincible in battle…"
(Sophocles).
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And therefore – just because of the love of the Goddess - the ambitious young man that wanted to “dominate nature” and “conquer the world” takes his place in the sky, next to the natural force that stopped him.
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I personally prefer the erotic version.
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Much of the positive traits Scorpio are said to possess in the horoscope may have likely been influenced by the story.
Scorpios are said to be focused, brave and faithful – traits that can be attributed to the Scorpion in the tale certainly.
In the myth Scorpio was having a “mission” – and he succeeded in his mission.
People born under the constellation of Scorpio are people that have a “mission” in their life – and they are capable to accomplish their mission.
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Scorpio man personality:
Scorpio men, have a reputation for being mysterious and enigmatic.
Scorpio men are known for being secretive and guarded, which can make them a bit of a challenge to get to know.
But once you do break through their defenses, you'll find that they're incredibly loyal and devoted partners.
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Scorpio man sexuality:
А man born under the ѕіgn оf Sсоrріо іѕ ruled by hіѕ gеnіtаlѕ.
Не іѕ раѕѕіоnаtе, еmоtіоnаl аnd unрrеdісtаblе.
Ваѕісаlly hе іѕ determined by hіѕ dеѕіrеѕ, and to quench іt, hе tакеѕ оn аny сhаllеngе.
Не jumрѕ оvеr еvеry оbѕtасlе. Не аlѕо dоеѕ nоt thіnк аbоut соnѕеquеnсеѕ.
Lеt оthеrѕ саll hіm аn hеаrtlеѕѕ Dоn Juаn, thіѕ оріnіоn dоеѕ nоt mіrrоr hіѕ rеѕtlеѕѕ ѕеаrсh fоr ѕехuаl аdvеnturеѕ.
You may read more:
https://astrologyk.com/zodiac/man/bed/scorpio
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Holidays and Observances in November 2024, Canada.
· November - Hindu Heritage Month
· Nov 1 Friday - All Saints' Day - Observance, Christian
· Nov 2 Saturday - All Souls' Day - Observance, Christian
· Nov 3 Sunday Daylight Saving Time ends Clock change / Daylight Saving Time
· November 5 – 11 Veterans' Week
· Nov 8 Friday National Aboriginal Veterans Day - Observance
· Nov 11 Monday Remembrance Day Observance MB, NS, ON, QC
· Nov 11 Monday Remembrance Day Statutory Holiday All except MB, NS, ON, QC
· November 20 - National Child Day - Transgender Day of Remembrance
· November 20 – 26 Canada History Week - Fourth Saturday of November - Holodomor Memorial Day
· November 25 - December 10 / 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence
· November 29, Black Friday 2024 Canada.
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More analytically Holidays and Observances in November 2024, Canada:
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· November - Hindu Heritage Month: Hindu Heritage Month is an opportunity to remember, celebrate and educate future generations about Hindu Canadians and the important role that they have played and continue to play in communities across Ontario. 1. The month of November in each year is proclaimed as Hindu Heritage Month. You may read more:
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· Nov 1 Friday - All Saints' Day - Observance, Christian:
All Saints' Day, in the Christian church, a day commemorating all the saints of the church, both known and unknown, who have attained heaven. It is celebrated on November 1 in the Western churches and on the first Sunday after Pentecost in the Eastern churches.
You may read more:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_Saints%27_Day
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· Nov 2 Saturday - All Souls' Day - Observance, Christian:
All Souls' Day, also called The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, is a day of prayer and remembrance for the faithful departed, observed by Christians on 2 November.
You may read more:
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· Nov 3 Sunday Daylight Saving Time ends - Clock change / Daylight Saving Time
When does daylight saving time end in 2024?
Daylight saving time will end for the year at 2 a.m. local time on Sunday, Nov. 3, when we "fall back" and gain an extra hour of sleep.
You may read more:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daylight_saving_time
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· November 5 – 11 Veterans' Week:
Each year during Veterans' Week, from November 5 to 11, Canadians remember and honour the brave individuals who served our country in the past, and we recognize those who serve in uniform today.
You may read more:
https://www.veterans.gc.ca/en/remembrance/commemorative-events/veterans-week
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· Nov 8 Friday National Aboriginal Veterans Day – Observance:
This November 8th is National Indigenous Veterans Day, a day of remembrance and commemoration of the contributions of Indigenous veterans in the First and Second World Wars, as well as the Korean War.
You may read more:
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· Nov 11 Monday Remembrance Day Observance MB, NS, ON, QC
It is observed across Canada each year on 11 November — the anniversary of the Armistice agreement of 1918 that ended the First World War.
You may read more:
https://www.veterans.gc.ca/en/remembrance/history/a-day-of-remembrance
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· Nov 11 Monday Remembrance Day Statutory Holiday All except MB, NS, ON, QC
Remembrance Day (November 11) and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (September 30) are not statutory holidays in Quebec.
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· November 20 - National Child Day
November 20 is National Child Day in Canada. It is also World Children's Day, championed by UNICEF to mark the date in 1989 when children's human rights were recognized with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
You may read more:
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/national-child-day.html
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· November 20 - Transgender Day of Remembrance
“Every year, we recognize Transgender Day of Remembrance, which was first observed on November 20, 1999, to memorialize the murders of Rita Hester and Chenelle Pickett.
You may read more:
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· November 20 – 26 Canada History Week:
Canada History Week provides all Canadians with the opportunity to learn more about the people and events that have shaped the country we know today.
You may read more:
https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/history-week.html
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· Fourth Saturday of November - Holodomor Memorial Day:
Throughout Ontario, the fourth Saturday in November in each year is proclaimed Holodomor Memorial Day to memorialize those who perished as victims of genocide by famine that occurred in Ukraine from 1932 to 1933.
You may read more:
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· November 25 - December 10 / 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence:
From November 25 to December 10, the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence are a time to both reflect on violence against women and to take action to end it.
You may read more:
https://www.canada.ca/en/women-gender-equality/commemorations-celebrations/16-days.html
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· November 29, Black Friday 2024 Canada.
The tradition of Black Friday gradually made its way to Canada, initially driven by the proximity to the United States and the influence of American retailers. Canadian retailers recognized the opportunity to boost sales and attract shoppers during the holiday season.
You may read more:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Friday_(shopping)
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Canadian recipes for November:
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From Canadian living:
https://www.canadianliving.com/food/article/30-seasonal-recipes-to-cook-this-november
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From CBC:
https://www.cbc.ca/life/food/what-to-cook-in-november-bring-on-the-comfort-food-1.5787923
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From Food Network Canada:
https://www.foodnetwork.ca/article/most-popular-recipes-november-2022/
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From Dairy Farmers of Canada:
https://dairyfarmersofcanada.ca/en/canadian-goodness/recipes/our-recipe-collections/fall-recipes
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Montreal Festivals and Events November 2024:
http://www.go-montreal.com/attraction_events_nov.htm
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Quotes and sayings for November month:
· "November: A month of gratitude and reflection." — Unknown
· "Crisp air, warm hearts. Hello, November!" — Unknown
· "November: Where gratitude meets grace." — Unknown
· "In November, we find beauty in simplicity." — Unknown
· "November's chill brings warmth to the soul." — Unknown
· "Grateful hearts gather in November." — Unknown
· "November: A time for thanks and giving." — Unknown
· "Hello, November! Let's make memories." — Unknown
· "November: The month of cozy moments and thankful hearts." — Unknown
· "In November, we cherish the little things." — Unknown
· "November is a whisper of hope and a song of gratitude." — Unknown
· "Short days, long nights. Welcome, November." — Unknown
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Funny November quotes:
· "November: The month where no one knows what to wear." — Unknown
· "November: The official start of 'I can't feel my toes' season." — Unknown
· "Why did November invite December? Because it wanted to end with a chill." — Unknown
· "November is when I finally accept that summer isn't coming back." — Unknown
· "November: The month of 'just one more slice of pie'." — Unknown
· "November: Where the 'No-Shave' movement gets real." — Unknown
· "If you see me eating a salad in November, just let me be. I'm struggling." — Unknown
· "November: The month where you realize you didn't need that extra pumpkin spice latte." — Unknown
· "November: The prelude to holiday shopping chaos." — Unknown
· "In November, the thermostat battle begins." — Unknown
· "November: The month when we all remember to be thankful for not being a turkey." — Unknown
· "November is the month when no one knows what to wear: winter coat or shorts?" — Unknown
· "In November, I'm grateful for stretchy pants and pie. Lots of pie." — Unknown
· "November is the month where I get to start complaining about the cold for real." — Unknown
· "If months had personalities, November would be that quirky friend who always brings snacks." — Unknown
· "November: When the only thing falling faster than the leaves is my motivation." — Unknown
· "I'm thankful for a month that starts with candy and ends with leftovers." — Unknown
· "November: The official start of my seasonal hibernation." — Unknown
· "It's November, time to dust off my 'I'm so cold' face for the next few months." — Unknown
· "November: That awkward month when you realize Christmas is almost here and you haven't done any shopping." — Unknown
· "November: The month when you remember how to rake leaves, only to wish you didn't have to." — Unknown
· "November is like the Thursday of the year. You're almost there, but not quite." — Unknown
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You may read more:
https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/search?q=november
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Quotes and sayings for Black Friday:
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· “Anyone can buy. It takes an artist to shop.” – Jennifer Finney Boylan (American author)
· “A bargain is something you don’t need at a price you can’t resist.” – Franklin Jones (author)
· “Whoever said money can’t buy happiness simply didn’t know where to go shopping.” – Anonymous
· “Crying is for plain women. Pretty women go shopping.” – Oscar Wilde (playwright and poet)
· “Shopping is a bit of a relaxing hobby for me, which is sometimes troubling for the bank balance.” – Rebecca Hall (actress)
· “I always say shopping is cheaper than a psychiatrist.” – Tammy Faye Bakker (American evangelist)
· “Anyone who lives within their means suffers from a lack of imagination.” – Oscar Wilde (playwright and poet)
· “Once again, we come to the Holiday Season. A deeply religious time that each of us observes, in his own way, by going to the mall of his choice.” – Dave Barry (American author)
· “Shopping is my cardio.” – character Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City
· “Get in, loser, we’re going shopping.” – character Regina George in Mean Girls written by Tina Fey
· “I love shopping. There is a little bit of magic found in buying something new.” – Rebecca Bloom (American actress, writer, and comedian)
· “When women are depressed, they eat or go shopping. Men invade another country. It’s a whole different way of thinking.” – Elayne Boosler (American comedian and writer)
· “Shopping is a woman thing. It’s a contact sport like football. Women enjoy the scrimmage, the noisy crowds, the danger of being trampled to death, and the ecstasy of the purchase.” – Erma Bombeck (American humorist)
· “Online shopping has fed the craze for speed, because when you can’t touch the fabric or try on the outfit, the only emotion you experience is the excitement of the purchase and the thrill of beating everyone else to it” – Suzy Menkes (British journalist)
· “The odds of going to the store for a loaf of bread and coming out only with a loaf of bread are three billion to one.” – Erma Bombeck (American humorist)
· “The only consolation I had was buying things. If I bought some pretty thing it cheered me up for a while.” – Iris Murdoch (Irish-British novelist and philosopher)
· “Don’t even front like you love your family, America, or God, if you don’t have a detailed and rehearsed Black Friday tactical shopping plan.” – Rob Delaney (American comedian and actor)
· “I don’t shop because I need something, I just shop for shipping’s sake.” – Cat Deeley (television presenter and actress)
· “I approximated the Black Friday experience at home by hurling myself into a wall a number of times and then ordering online.” – Kumail Nanjiani (Pakistani-American comedian and actor)
· “Style Strategy is about shopping smart, staying chic, and making it all last. It’s about showing women how to shop for value without compromising style” – Nina Garcia (Colombian journalist and editor)
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You may read more:
https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/17414400-black-friday
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November 2024 in “Massage Luc”
The month of October 2024, was a really a good month for “Massage Luc”.
I would say that the month of October 2024, surpassed my expectations.
I have seen many new clients this month – some locals and some travelers.
(I was not expecting travelers in October.)
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From the month of Thanksgiving and Halloween, now we are going to the month of “Black Friday”.
After November the Holidays are coming.
And after the Holidays the year is changing.
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In November the autumn is finishing – and the year is coming to an end.
We are leaving something behind us – and we “prepare” ourselves for the next step.
Since I was a kid, the month of November was for me a “preparation month”.
In this sense – I think that November is a very important month.
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For the month of November 2024, I will keep the same VERY POPULAR SPECIAL:
Just $ 130 for the entire service.
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Of course, my “art – Special” is always valid:
The client that will come 4 times in a month may get a free of charge “Boudoir Photo session” value of $ 300.
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I am wishing to all my clients a beautiful November 2024.
And I am wishing you also to make the most of the “Black Friday 2024”.
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This month of November with the beautiful colors of autumn and all the “Black Friday” exactment, offer to yourself a gift:
A nice Male Massage!
Because you worth it!
Come to “Massage Luc”.
I am waiting for YOU!
November 2024 - 2nd Picture Gallery
October 2024 - 3rd Photo Gallery
Discover Massage Luc's Signature Massages
Thai Massage
Our Thai massage services are a unique blend of acupressure, stretching, and rhythmic compression techniques. The therapist uses their hands, feet, elbows, and knees to apply pressure to specific points on the body, promoting relaxation and healing.
Aromatherapy Massage
Our aromatherapy massage services use essential oils to enhance the massage experience and promote relaxation and healing. We offer a variety of oils to choose from, each with their own unique benefits.
Reflexology Massage
Our reflexology massage services are based on the ancient Chinese practise of applying pressure to specific points on the feet, hands, and ears that correspond to different organs and systems in the body. This technique promotes relaxation and balance throughout the body.
Hot Stone Massage
Our hot stone massage services use smooth, heated stones to apply pressure and heat to the body, promoting relaxation and healing. This technique is perfect for those looking to relieve tension and reduce stress.
Swedish Massage
Our Swedish massage services are a classic technique designed to promote relaxation and ease muscle tension. This technique involves long, flowing strokes and kneading of the muscles.
Deep Tissue Massage
Our deep tissue massage services are designed to target chronic muscle tension and knots. This technique involves slow, deep pressure on the muscles and connective tissues.
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