Simple Rituals for September

September marks the transition from summer to autumn in the Northern Hemisphere, often signified by cooling temperatures, a change in folige colour, and the harvest season for crops.

As the year progresses, many people use September as a time for personal reflection and goal setting, or to prepare for the upcoming colder months. Here are some simple rituals you can do to welcome in September:

• Mabon / Autumn Equinox Festival: Gather seasonal fruits and vegetables to create an altar. Offer thanks to the Earth for the bounty. Light candles and reflect on balance and abundance in your life.

• Nature Walk: Take a walk in nature, collecting fallen leaves, acorns, and other natural items. Use these to create a nature mandala at home.

• Moon Ritual: On the full moon, perform a cleansing bath with herbs and oils to release negativity and invite new energy.

• Gratitude Ritual: Write down things you are grateful for on pieces of paper and burn them in a fire-safe container as an offering.

• Herbal Magic: Create herbal sachets with protective herbs like sage or rosemary to hang in your home or carry with you. Or, use dried flowers in a bath.

• Spirit Communication: Set up a small altar with photos and mementos of loved ones who have passed. Light a candle and spend time in quiet reflection.

• Divination: Use tarot cards, runes, or pendulums to gain insight into your life as the seasons change.

• Wishing Tree: Find a tree in nature, write down your wishes on biodegradable paper, and tie them to the branches. Alternatively, write your wish with a stick in the dirt. Never scratch the tree or harm nature.

• Bonfire Gathering: If possible, host a bonfire with friends or family to celebrate the changing season and share stories.