September: Magickal Year
Ancient Origins and Etymology
The name September comes from the Latin word septem, meaning “seven,” as it was originally the seventh month of the early Roman calendar. Even after the calendar reform that made it the ninth month, the name remained unchanged. September has long been associated with the transition between summer and autumn, a time of balance, reflection, and preparation for the colder months ahead.
In ancient Rome, September was marked by festivals such as Ludi Romani, honoring Jupiter, the king of the gods, and celebrating the harvest. Across cultures, September is a time of gratitude for the earth’s abundance and a reminder of the cyclical nature of life. As the autumn equinox occurs around September 21st or 22nd, the month is tied to themes of balance, harmony, and the equal interplay of light and dark.
Planetary Influences and Energy
September is ruled by Mercury, the planet of communication, intellect, and adaptability, and Venus, the planet of love, beauty, and harmony. This combination encourages reflection, connection, and refinement, making September a time to focus on relationships, self-expression, and personal growth.
Astrologically, September begins under the sign of Virgo (ruled by Mercury) and transitions into Libra (ruled by Venus). Virgo’s grounded and analytical energy encourages organization, self-improvement, and attention to detail, making the first part of September ideal for setting goals and refining plans. As the month shifts into Libra, the energy becomes harmonious, social, and focused on balance, encouraging collaboration, beauty, and fairness. This balance between practicality and harmony makes September a month of growth and alignment.
Divine Connections
September’s divine energy is deeply connected to Demeter, the Greek goddess of the harvest and agriculture. Demeter’s energy supports themes of gratitude, abundance, and honoring the cycles of nature. Offerings to Demeter might include grains, fruits, or flowers to celebrate the earth’s gifts.
Another key deity for September is Maat, the Egyptian goddess of truth, balance, and cosmic order. Maat’s energy inspires fairness, harmony, and alignment with universal laws. Working with Maat can involve rituals for justice, balance, and clarity.
The Autumn Equinox, also known as Mabon in pagan traditions, brings a connection to deities of balance and harvest, such as Ceres (Roman goddess of agriculture), Persephone (Greek goddess of the underworld and renewal), and The Green Man (a symbol of nature’s cycles). These deities remind us to honor the transitions in life and embrace gratitude for the harvest, both literal and metaphorical.
Other Deities:
❍ Jupiter (Roman): Abundance, protection, and leadership
❍ Hestia (Greek): Hearth, home, and family
❍ Freya (Norse): Love, fertility, and beauty
❍ Brigid (Celtic): Creativity, healing, and inspiration
❍ Thoth (Egyptian): Wisdom, intellect, and communication
Magical Correspondences
Primary Colors: Brown (stability, grounding, connection to the earth); Gold (abundance, vitality, solar energy); Orange (creativity, joy, harvest energy); Green (growth, prosperity, harmony).
Elements: Earth (grounding, stability, abundance); Air (communication, intellect, clarity).
Numbers: 9 (completion, wisdom, spiritual growth); 6 (harmony, balance, relationships); 2 (duality, balance, partnership).
Directions: North (grounding, stability, earth energy); East (new beginnings, intellect, air energy).
Tarot Cards: The Hermit (reflection, wisdom, inner guidance); Justice (balance, fairness, truth); The Empress (abundance, creativity, nurturing); Ten of Pentacles (legacy, family, prosperity).
Animals: Owl (wisdom, intuition, guidance); Fox (adaptability, cunning, observation); Stag (power, nobility, connection to nature); Raven (transformation, mystery, insight); Squirrel (preparation, balance, resourcefulness).
Natural Allies
September’s natural allies include herbs and crystals that support grounding, balance, and abundance.
Herbs like sage and rosemary are ideal for cleansing and protection, while chamomile and lavender bring peace and harmony. Thyme promotes courage and clarity, and marigold symbolizes creativity and joy. Apple and pomegranate are sacred fruits of the season, representing abundance and the cycles of life.
Crystals like citrine and green aventurine align perfectly with September’s themes of abundance and growth. Citrine inspires prosperity and optimism, while green aventurine supports harmony and balance. Amethyst enhances intuition and spiritual growth, clear quartz amplifies intentions, and smoky quartz promotes grounding and transformation.
Essential Herbs:
★ Sage: Cleanses energy and supports transformation.
★ Rosemary: Offers protection, memory, and strength.
★ Chamomile: Soothes stress and nurtures harmony.
★ Thyme: Promotes courage, clarity, and healing.
★ Marigold: Enhances creativity, joy, and vitality.
★ Apple: Represents abundance, wisdom, and renewal.
★ Pomegranate: Symbolizes cycles, fertility, and transformation.
Power Crystals:
☆ Citrine: Inspires abundance, creativity, and optimism.
☆ Green Aventurine: Encourages growth, prosperity, and harmony.
☆ Amethyst: Supports intuition, spiritual growth, and clarity.
☆ Clear Quartz: Amplifies intentions, brings clarity, and supports transformation.
☆ Smoky Quartz: Promotes grounding, protection, and release of negativity.
Magical Works and Rituals
September is a powerful time for harvest rituals, balance work, and gratitude practices. The month’s energy supports reflection, grounding, and preparation for the next phase of life.
Harvest rituals, such as creating gratitude altars or offering thanks to the earth, align perfectly with September’s themes of abundance. Balance work, such as meditating on the equinox or performing justice spells, can help you align with universal harmony. Cleansing and grounding rituals can help you release what no longer serves you and prepare for transformation.
Optimal Activities:
❍ Gratitude practices to celebrate the earth’s gifts
❍ Harvest rituals to honor abundance and prosperity
❍ Balance work to align with the autumn equinox energy
❍ Cleansing and grounding rituals to prepare for transformation
❍ Offering gratitude to deities of harmony and harvest
❍ Journaling to reflect on progress and set intentions
❍ Spending time in nature to connect with the earth’s energy
Featured Ritual: Autumn Equinox Balance Spell
Purpose: To harmonize energy and honor the balance of light and dark.
Materials:
☆ A brown or green candle (for grounding and balance)
☆ A small bowl of grains or seeds
☆ A piece of paper and pen
☆ A small pouch or jar
Instructions:
➪ Begin by lighting the brown or green candle, symbolizing grounding and harmony. Take a moment to center yourself and focus on your intentions.
➪ Write down one thing you wish to release and one thing you wish to invite into your life on the piece of paper.
➪ Hold the bowl of grains or seeds and visualize the earth’s balance and abundance flowing into your life. As you do so, recite an affirmation such as, “As the earth finds balance, so do I. I release what no longer serves me and welcome harmony into my life.”
➪ Place the grains and the paper into the pouch or jar, creating a symbol of balance and gratitude.
➪ Keep the pouch or jar in a special place as a reminder of your intentions.
Modern Applications
September’s energy can be integrated into daily life through acts of gratitude, reflection, and connection to nature. Take time to enjoy the changing seasons, whether through hiking, gardening, or simply observing the beauty of autumn. Journaling about your goals or dreams can help you stay focused and inspired.
For busy practitioners, simple acts like carrying a crystal or lighting a candle can help maintain your connection to September’s themes. Incorporating seasonal foods or flowers into your home or meals can also bring a sense of grounding and abundance to your daily routine.
Daily Integration Ideas:
❍ Write affirmations for balance and place them where you’ll see them daily.
❍ Carry citrine or smoky quartz for grounding and clarity.
❍ Light a brown or green candle during meditation to focus on grounding and harmony.
❍ Spend time in nature to connect with the changing seasons.
❍ Drink herbal teas like chamomile or sage for relaxation and renewal.
❍ Reflect on your progress and celebrate small victories.
Sacred Space Setup
To create a sacred space aligned with September’s energy, focus on symbols of balance, abundance, and grounding. Use a brown or green altar cloth to represent the earth’s energy, and include candles in shades of brown, green, or gold. Add fresh flowers, grains, or fruits to bring life and vitality to your space.
Incorporate crystals like citrine and smoky quartz, and place a bowl of grains or a symbol of the equinox to honor balance. Offerings to Demeter, Maat, or other deities of harmony and harvest, such as apples or pomegranates, can enhance your altar. For a modern touch, include a journal or creative tools to honor September’s reflective energy.
Essential Altar Elements:
★ Brown, green, or gold candles
★ Crystals like citrine, smoky quartz, and green aventurine
★ Fresh flowers, grains, or fruits
★ A bowl of grains or a symbol of the equinox
★ Offerings to Demeter, Maat, or harvest deities, such as apples or pomegranates
★ A journal or vision board for goal-setting
★ Symbols of balance, such as scales or circles
By embracing September’s sacred energy, you can cultivate balance, gratitude, and reflection in your life, creating a foundation for growth and transformation.
