September marks the shift from summer’s heat to autumn’s crisp embrace, a time of transition, reflection, and preparation for the darker half of the year. The month carries strong energies of harvest, balance, and protection, making it ideal for workings related to prosperity, ancestral veneration, and spiritual cleansing. With the autumn equinox bringing equal day and night, this is a powerful period for setting intentions, restoring harmony, and strengthening connections to both the seen and unseen worlds. In this month’s Hoodoo Almanac Fun Facts, we’ll explore notable observances, folk traditions, and the spiritual significance of September’s seasonal and celestial events.
The origin of the name September derives from the Latin word septem, meaning "seven," as it was originally the seventh month of the Roman calendar. In modern times, September marks the beginning of the fall season in the Northern Hemisphere, symbolizing a time of harvest, transition, and reflection as the days shorten and the weather cools.
The Month of Mabon: September is the time of the Autumn Equinox, a balance between light and dark. It is a season for reflection, gratitude, and the start of harvest work in Hoodoo.
Virgo-Libra Transition: This month shifts from Virgo (earth, order) to Libra (air, balance). It’s a time to focus on organizing your life and seeking balance in relationships and emotions.
Birthstone: Sapphire
The birthstone for September is the sapphire, a gemstone long associated with wisdom, protection, and divine favor. Revered across cultures, sapphires are often seen as symbols of truth, loyalty, and sincerity. Their deep, celestial blue hue evokes the vastness of the sky and the mysteries of the universe, making them a favorite for those seeking clarity and spiritual insight. Historically, sapphires were believed to guard against envy and harm, serving as talismans for royalty and clergy. In modern metaphysical practices, sapphires are valued for enhancing intuition, promoting mental focus, and fostering inner peace, making them a powerful choice for personal adornment and magickal workings.
Herbs for September
September is a transitional month, where the energy shifts from the height of summer into the cooler days of autumn, making it a time to work with herbs that enhance protection, grounding, and the harvest of one's efforts. Herbs like sage, mugwort, and lemongrass are particularly powerful during this time. Sage is well-known for its cleansing properties, ideal for clearing away the stagnant energy of summer and preparing for the autumnal shift. Mugwort aids in enhancing intuition and spiritual insight, making it an excellent herb for meditation and connection to the unseen realms. Lemongrass, with its uplifting scent and energy, is perfect for bringing clarity and focus as one sets intentions for the months ahead. As the energy of the earth begins to shift, these herbs help maintain balance and ensure protection while paving the way for new spiritual and magickal opportunities.
Fruits and Vegetables
September brings a bountiful harvest of fruits and vegetables, marking the end of summer and the beginning of autumn’s abundance. As the season shifts, fruits like apples, pears, grapes, and plums are in full swing, offering their sweetness and rich flavors. Apples are especially symbolic in many cultures, representing knowledge and the harvest, while grapes signify abundance and prosperity. Vegetables such as squash, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, and tomatoes also shine during September, as they thrive in the cooler weather and signal the approaching fall. These fruits and vegetables are ideal for preparing hearty meals, preserving for the winter months, or using in rituals tied to abundance, transformation, and gratitude. The harvest season is a time to celebrate the fruits of labor and invoke the energies of growth and completion.
Flowers of the Month: Aster and Morning Gory
For September, the flowers of the month are the aster and the morning glory, each carrying unique metaphysical properties. The aster is traditionally associated with wisdom, protection, and divine guidance. It is thought to open the crown chakra, aiding in mental clarity and spiritual insight, and is used to protect against negative energies. The morning glory, particularly the Ipomoea jalapa, the root of which is known as High John the Conqueror, is considered a powerful flower of spiritual strength, success, and personal transformation. Its connection to High John makes it a symbol of resistance and empowerment, aiding in the manifestation of desires and overcoming obstacles. Together, the aster and morning glory offer a balance of wisdom, protection, and transformative energy, supporting individuals on their spiritual and personal journeys.
September Lore
- If bees drone about as late as September, they are storing up additional honey against a long winter.
- Count the number of sunny days between July 1 and September 1 and multiply by two - this gives you the number of freezing cold days to be expected the following winter.
- On September 21 a south wind indicates a light winter; a north wind, a heavy winter.
- The quarter of the wind on September 21 governs its prevailing direction for the next six months.
