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Last of Summer Days
"Oh, sacrament of summer days,
Oh, last communion in the haze,
Permit a child to join,
Thy sacred emblems to partake,
Thy consecrated bread to break,
Taste thine immortal wine!"
~ Emily Dickinson, Indian Summer, 1896
The term "Indian summer" dates back to 18th-century North America and describes an unseasonably warm, sunny spell in autumn, often following the first frost and marked by dry, hazy skies. Though the phrase’s origins are as hazy as the weather it depicts, some believe Native Americans shared the concept with settlers, taking advantage of the warm days to extend their harvest. In certain Native mythologies, the weather is linked to the gentle sighs of the personified southern wind. Across Europe, similar autumnal warmth is known by various names: "Old Wives' Summer," "All-Hallows Summer," "Gypsy Summer," "Little Summer," "Badger Summer," or "Quince Summer" amongst others. In other parts of the world, these balmy days are tied to feast days, giving rise to terms like "St. Martin's Summer" and "St. Luke's Summer." In Ireland, it’s sometimes called "fómhar beag na ngéanna" (little autumn of the geese), while in Britain, the old term "Goose Summer" evolved into "gossamer," symbolizing the way sunlight illuminates the delicate strands of spider silk floating in the last warm breaths of the season. 💛 🤎 🧡 💛 ☀️ 🕸️
“Indian summer” is a phrase most North Americans use to describe an unseasonably warm and sunny patch of weather during autumn. In U.S. states that experience enough seasonal variation for a brief warming trend to be noticeable, the phenomena is generally observed anywhere from mid-October to early November and normally occurs after the first frost. The warm temperatures are usually accompanied by dry, hazy conditions.
An Indian summer is typically caused by a sharp shift in the jet stream from the south to the north. The warm weather may last anywhere from a few days to over a week and may happen multiple times before winter truly arrives.
To be a true Indian summer, the following generally agreed upon criteria must be met:
Temperatures must be above 70 degrees Fahrenheit for a period of at least seven days or more after the autumnal equinox.
In the Northeastern U.S. and Canada, the heat wave must occur after the first frost.
The origin of the term “Indian summer” is unknown. One theory suggests that early American settlers mistook the sight of sunrays through the hazy autumn air for Native American campfires, resulting in the name “Indian summer.” Others speculate that Native Americans recognized this weather pattern and used the opportunity to gather additional food for the winter.
Indian summer is a common occurrence not only in North America, but also throughout temperate European countries, where it is most commonly called “St. Martin’s Summer,” referring to St. Martin’s Day, which falls on November 11, or “St. Luke’s Summer,” in reference to St. Luke’s Day on October 18.
By designer Carol A.L. Martin, this tartan reflects the muted yellows in autumn when the sun is low in the sky.
Whatever the day, it is a sure sign that winter is coming.
For some Native American summer myths and legends, click the artist's impression of an Indian summer.