September Is Here! Esoterically Speaking that is.

September, for the uninitiated, it is a time to conclude the rites of summer with a long Labor Day weekend, that weekend, originally intended to be a salute to the working people and their struggles for fair work week with time off, now, nothing more than a celebration of the end of the vacation season, signaling that it's time to go back to work.  It's also a warning to children that it's time to hit the books for summer is over and school is back.

For those of us with eyes to see who see, September is the ninth month of the year, the first month of Autumn, and it derives its name from septem, the Latin word meaning "seven," as September was the seventh month of the old Roman calendar. 

The traditional birthstone of September, is the blue sapphire, to which the pagans of old incanted:

A maiden born when rustling leaves

Are blowing in the September breeze,

A Sapphire on her brow should bind,

'Twill cure diseases of the mind.

Oh, the good old days. 

September is shared by the astrological signs of Virgo the Virgin and Libra the Scales (or Balance).  Before the Virgo sign's symbol of a virgin was co-opted by the patriarchy, the figure representing Virgo was simply an unmarried woman who chose to live by her own laws and to never, ever give it away for free.  To embrace the sign's motto, 'I serve', we must first and foremost serve with determination at the altar of the self.  As the sign that arrives just before the zodiac's midway point, Virgo marks the last moment we have solely to ourselves before we step into the wider collaborative communion of the final six signs. 

September is sacred to the following Pagan deities: Persephone, Thor, and the Wiccan Goddess in Her aspect of the Mother. The Celtic tree-calendar month of Coll ends on September 1, and from September 2 until the September 29, it is the vine month of Muin, sacred to the god Lugh (Loou-ggh).

During the month of September, the Great Solar Wheel of the Year is turned to the Autumn Equinox, one of the four Lesser Sabbats celebrated each year by Wiccans and modern Witches throughout the world. 

Being the ninth month of the year, September is represented by the 9th card of the Major Arcana, The Hermit.  The Hermit is usually depicted walking with a lantern and a stick; he represents meditation, isolation and quietude.  The card also signifies crystalized wisdom and practiced discipline.  The Hermit is a taskmaster who motivates conscience and guides others on their path.  The perfect card to get things ready for the coming chills of Winter, the death of and resurrection of the Sun, the all enchanting moon goddess and her mesmerizing rights. 

Hex 12

According to Carol Anthony's book, The Philosophy of the I Ching, "the hexagram representing the ninth month is called Standstill (Hex. 12).  Here three Yin lines have advanced into the hexagram from the bottom.  Visually, this hexagram represents the mid-point between the summer and winter solstices.  Heaven is above, drawing farther and farther away, while the earth below sinks farther into the depths of winter.  "The flowing and ebbing of the earth's energies was a primary theme in early matriarchal societies.  Accordingly, the hexagrams representing the last six months of the year give counsel that accords with the time, i.e., retreat, conserve, and store up supplies to prepare for the coming time of decrease (winter)."

In Bess Matassa's book, Cosmic Year, the astrology of September asks us to kneel at our inner altars, anointing ourselves in the signature of scents of self-understanding so that we can bring our unique mystique to the world.  She goes on to  say, "Wed to witchery of the sixth sign of Virgo, this month is for letting our constituent parts come into clarity, as we take an inventory of our assets and mine our own mineral make-up for magic."

Finally, the number 9 is considered a symbol of spiritual enlightenment and completion.  It is often associated with a higher consciousness, selflessness, and compassion.  So, those of you on the path of true enlightenment, the Bodhisattvas of the earth in service to others, relax, enjoy a cup of hot chocolate, trace a leaf with your souls pen, in your spiritual journal, begin that masterpiece the universe is calling you to produce, get ready for cooler days, longer nights, the Autumn reunites, the stars are bright, it's September! Enjoy! 

~~ Eso Terry