September Almanac
Seasonal Thoughts to Celebrate With!
As the golden days of August give way to September, there's a gentle shift in the air—a crispness that whispers of autumn's approach. This month carries with it a sense of transition, a time to gather the last of summer’s warmth and prepare for the cooler days ahead. September has always held a special place in my heart, as the light begins to soften and the world seems to slow down, inviting us to reflect, gather, and savor. With each rustle of leaves and the first hint of wood smoke in the air, you can almost feel the magic of the garden stirring—subtle, but ever-present, like an old friend’s comforting presence.
For me, September is a month of balance, where the days of sun and shade intermingle, and the harvest invites us to enjoy the fruits of our labor. It’s a time to reconnect with nature, family, and ourselves, finding joy in the rituals that ground us and the beauty that surrounds us. And as we walk the garden paths, perhaps with a basket in hand, it’s easy to sense the whispers of the earth offering its wisdom, its guidance, and its quiet, enduring magic.
Celebrate the Harvest Moon (September 17th)
September’s full moon, often called the Harvest Moon, is a time of abundance and gratitude. The Harvest Moon gets its name because it traditionally provided extra light for farmers to harvest their crops late into the night. This year, the full moon rises on September 17th, casting a luminous glow over the landscape and inviting us to celebrate the bounty of the season. The moonlight, so silver and pure, seems to carry with it the power to amplify our intentions, to manifest our deepest wishes.
Consider hosting a small gathering with friends or family to honor this moment. Set a table outdoors with candles and seasonal decorations like pumpkins, gourds, and autumn leaves—each one carrying its own subtle charm. As you arrange your space, infuse your intentions into each item: a pumpkin for prosperity, a gourd for health, an autumn leaf for letting go of the past. Prepare a meal that highlights the flavors of the season—think roasted root vegetables, a rich stew, a hearty grain salad, and perhaps a warm pear crumble for dessert. Sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon over your dishes to invite warmth and protection into your home.
As the moon rises, take a moment to reflect on what you’re harvesting in your own life. What efforts and intentions from earlier in the year are now bearing fruit? It’s a beautiful time to express gratitude and set intentions for the months ahead. You might even write your wishes on small pieces of paper and burn them under the moonlight, letting the smoke carry your dreams into the night sky. Most importantly? Don’t forget to pull your sweetheart close and dance under the moon.
Apple Picking and Autumn Apple Brew
September is synonymous with apple season, and there’s something truly magical about spending a day in an orchard, surrounded by trees heavy with ripe, fragrant apples. Whether you’re with family, friends, or simply enjoying some solitude, apple picking is a timeless way to connect with the season. The trees, ancient and wise, hold secrets in their branches, whispering them to those who care to listen. A carefully chosen apple can be more than just a fruit—it can be a talisman, a symbol of love, protection, or even a wish waiting to be granted.
Make a day of it by packing a picnic to enjoy among the trees, letting the day unfold at its own pace. Once home, you can turn your apple haul into a cozy treat—an Autumn Apple Brew, a warming drink that fills your home with the spicy, comforting scent of fall. Stir the pot with intention, perhaps adding a wish or two for good health and happiness as you go
Autumn Apple Brew
Ingredients:
- 10-12 large apples (a mix of sweet and tart varieties works best)
- 1 orange, sliced
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- 1 teaspoon whole cloves
- 1 teaspoon whole allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (optional)
-A splash of organic vanilla extract
-2 tablespoons of salted butter (unsalted is fine if you prefer)
- Water to cover
Instructions:
1. Quarter the apples and place them in a large pot. Add the orange slices, butter, cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice, and cardamom.
2. Fill the pot with water, covering the fruit by about an inch. As the water begins to bubble, imagine it drawing out the sweetness of life, infusing your home with warmth and love.
3. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 1 hour, more if necessary, stirring occasionally. Each stir is a reminder to nurture your dreams and desires, letting them simmer and grow.
4. After simmering, use a potato masher to crush the apples and release their juices.
5. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a clean pot. If you like, add the brown sugar and vanilla and stir until dissolved. Let the sweetness remind you that life, too, has its sweet moments.
6. Serve warm, garnished with a cinnamon stick or a slice of orange, and enjoy the comforting taste of autumn. As you sip, feel the warmth spread through you, like a spell for comfort and contentment.
Preparing the Garden for Fall
September is a time to prepare the garden for its winter rest. As the days grow shorter, it’s the perfect opportunity to start transitioning your garden from summer to fall. Begin by harvesting the last of your summer crops—tomatoes, peppers, and herbs—and consider planting cool-weather vegetables like kale, spinach, and carrots. Whisper a thank you to each plant as you harvest, acknowledging the life it has given to nourish yours.
This is also a good time to start composting fallen leaves and other garden debris. Not only does this help clean up your garden, but it also provides rich nutrients for your soil come spring. Consider adding a few dried flowers or herbs with protective or cleansing properties to your compost—lavender, rosemary, or sage, for example. As you tidy up, don’t forget to leave some seed heads and dried grasses for the birds—they’ll appreciate the extra food as the weather cools, and your kindness will come back to you in unexpected ways.
Autumn Equinox Reflection (September 22nd)
The autumn equinox on Sunday, September 22nd, marks the official start of fall and a time when day and night are balanced in perfect harmony. It’s a moment of equilibrium, a chance to pause and reflect on the balance in our own lives. The equinox is a potent time for setting intentions, for bringing your life into alignment with the natural world.
Consider setting aside some quiet time on this day for personal reflection. You might light a candle, brew a cup of herbal tea, and journal about the ways in which you’ve grown this year and what areas of your life could use more balance. The equinox is a time to honor both light and dark, acknowledging the full spectrum of your experiences. As you write, let your words carry your desires into the universe, where they may find their way to fulfillment.
To celebrate the equinox, you might create a small altar with symbols of balance—perhaps two candles representing day and night, or a bowl of harvested fruits and nuts to symbolize the abundance of the season. As you light the candles, take a moment to reflect on what brings balance to your life and set intentions for maintaining that balance as the days grow shorter.
This is also a beautiful time to take a nature walk, observing the subtle changes in the landscape as summer gives way to fall. Notice the way the light slants differently, how the leaves are just beginning to turn, and the crispness in the air that signals the coming of autumn. These simple acts of mindfulness can help ground you in the present moment and connect you more deeply to the natural rhythms of the season. Perhaps collect a few fallen leaves or acorns as you walk, placing them on your altar as symbols of the season’s magic.
Comfort in the Kitchen: Spiced Pear Crisp
As the weather begins to cool, I find myself drawn to the kitchen, where the warmth of the oven and the scents of baking create a cozy retreat. September is the perfect time to start making those comforting dishes that nourish both body and soul. There’s a certain magic in baking, in the way simple ingredients come together to create something warm and satisfying.
One of my favorites is a Spiced Pear Crisp, a dish that combines the sweetness of ripe pears with the comforting crunch of a buttery oat topping, enhanced with extra warm spices to evoke the flavors of fall. As you prepare this dish, infuse it with your intentions—whether it’s love, comfort, or joy—letting those feelings flow into your food.
Spiced Pear Crisp
Ingredients:
- 6-8 ripe pears, peeled and sliced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 cup sugar (or to taste)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup cold butter, cut into small pieces
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Enjoy the warmth of the oven as it preheats, like a hearth where family and friends gather.
2. In a large bowl, toss the pear slices with lemon juice, sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cardamom, and cloves. As you mix, imagine each spice adding its own charm—cinnamon for protection, ginger for warmth, nutmeg for abundance, cardamom for love, and cloves for clarity. Spread the mixture in an even layer in a greased baking dish.
3. In a separate bowl, combine the oats, flour, and brown sugar. Cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle this topping evenly over the pears, visualizing a protective layer of love and warmth covering your family.
4. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the topping is golden and the pears are tender. As the crisp bakes, let the scents fill your home, carrying your intentions with them.
5. Serve warm, perhaps with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and enjoy the rich, spiced flavors of fall. Each bite is like a spell, bringing comfort and joy to all who partake.
Welcoming Autumn with Slow Living
As September unfolds, embrace the slower pace that naturally comes with the change of seasons. Allow yourself to linger over your morning coffee, take leisurely walks to enjoy the changing leaves, and find joy in the simple pleasures of daily life. This is the time when the magic of slow living reveals itself, reminding us that there is power in patience, in stillness, in savoring each moment.
This is a time to reconnect with what truly brings you happiness and to create moments of peace in your routine. Whether it’s reading a good book by the fire, spending time with loved ones, or simply taking a few deep breaths in the crisp autumn air, let September be a month of grounding and gratitude. With each mindful breath, with each intentional step, you are weaving your own spells, crafting a life filled with love, peace, and contentment.
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This September, may you find joy in the transitions, comfort in the rituals, and peace in the balance of the season. Whether you’re celebrating under the Harvest Moon, savoring the sweetness of a freshly picked apple, or reflecting on the equinox, embrace the beauty of this month and let it guide you toward a deeper connection with the world around you. And as you go about your days, remember that the magic of the garden is always with you, whispering its secrets, offering its blessings, and lighting your path with the soft glow of autumn’s light.