CHAPTER 1
September
Celebrate Accomplishments
September's Sensual Nature
The first whiff of fall in early September fills our senses with all manner of things associated with school. Sometimes, the aromas are not always pleasant or appreciated. This could be because school signals the end of summer. Very few of us are ready to fall back into the daze of school. It's a shock to our collective system still accustomed to the carefree life of summer. We can empathize with parents and kids still in summer mode having to manage the frenzy of the first day back which arrives far too quickly. Like it or not though, there is nothing like the scent of school to ground a soul back in the pursuit of learning. The olfactory sense seems to work overtime inside educational walls. For grade-schoolers, pencil shavings and new crayons add to the new, shiny classroom smell. The power of the nose is not lost on parents. As we walk through the door we're hit with our own memories. The aroma of school disinfectant and floor polish conjures up our own set of recollections. For students, the taste of stadium hotdogs and brats will forever trigger the memory of infectious camaraderie and school spirit inspired by sporting events.
The sounds of school are also explicit, beginning with the change in street sounds from the flash of skateboard wheels to the lumbering groan of a school bus full of kids. The noise of classroom doors slamming shut, the click of shoes down the stairs and the hushed reprimands of students out in the hall flow in and out of earshot. The commonplace noise of school becomes embedded shaping to some degree how we will respond later to similar sounds. Hopefully, the more pleasant sensual offerings will outweigh the painful ones, such as the drumming of marching bands. Happening upon a practice after school is an unexpected treat. Whatever we were doing or thinking stops as the compelling beat pulls us into the moment. For a brief time our own internal rhythm is thrillingly in sync with something outside of ourselves. The musical pulsing of drums awakens the sleeping artist within and wishful thoughts of joining the band arise.
The weather is another influence on the feel of early September. The wind picks up blowing some of summer's heat away offering the crisp promise of cooler days to come. True to form, our day may begin with a morning walk in a hoodie and end with a stroll down to the coffee shop in flip flops. September is milder than August. But, the rains bring a damp mugginess to the air, reminding us that summer weather will continue to make appearances all the way to the end of the month. Fall storms in September are unlike October's. They thunder and bluster, but the leaves remain intact surviving green and lush. This quickens our appreciation of their protective canopy, soon to be gone.
The last of summer's garden also foretells the coming of fall. We pick the garden clean filling the Mother's cupboard one more time with fresh, ripe, juicy delights. Kitchen witches turn all manner of fruits and vegetables into frozen and canned edibles to be enjoyed during the winter months. Foods of September become more hearty and hot as the morning remains chilly after the night's cooling off. Savory recipes plucked from magazine pages become regular fall favorites. Kettles filled with onions and roots become tasty stews after a long days, slow simmer. Beverages served in ice-chilled glasses switch to earthen mugs filled hot to the brim.
And then there's the apple. Autumn is apple's turn to shine. The apple is a diverse fruit: some sweet, some tart, some better for cooking, some not. We partake of this fruit in all manner of ways: sliced, dipped, frittered, turned over and bobbed. This American staple is found in pies, cakes, salads and butter. Anyone fortunate to grow up with Granny Annie in the kitchen remembers this favorite orchard cobbler with crust made from scratch. Never wasting a scrap, leftover dough in granny's hands turns into squiggly, hot cinnamon crisps, simple but scrumptious. A slice of Granny Annie's apple spice and raisin nut cake drizzled with crème cheese frosting or served 'a la mode represents the hearth warming food sure to be found on September's table.
A Visit to the Wise Hazel Tree
The steward's belly is full with the fruits of September's bounty. Laying on his back, he looks up through the Wise Hazel Tree. The wind brushes leaves aside making it easier to see the intended branches. He counts four of them. The steward peers closer and sees that these particular branches are etched in the ancient languages of Astrology, Numerology, Feng Shui, and Wicca. Sensing his wonderment, the Tree tells the steward, "Settle yourself in, rest your back against my trunk and listen to the spirit of September's story written in the bark of the tree."
Branches of September's Wise Hazel Tree
Mabon~ Autumnal Equinox
Ken~ Knowledge & Spirituality Bagua
Vibration of 9
Sun in Virgo
The formal turning of the wheel to autumn occurs when the Sun crosses over the equator. The Sun's southern sojourn is known as the autumnal equinox. Those who love the Sun may grasp at summer's hot foothold all the way to the equinox at the end of the month. We who prefer fall tend to advance the wheel after the first crisp morning breeze. The Mother, understanding her children and their differences, indulges these seasonal liberties. The autumnal equinox is also known as Mabon and Harvest Moon. For farmers and witches alike, this day marks the point in time when dark and light are of equal length. An interesting side note is the discovery that the equinox date in both the Farmers and Wiccan Almanacs is the same. This may serve to allay the fears of those not as familiar with Wicca's earthen spiritual focus.
Followers of this olde religion are in tune with the changing season for similar reasons as those who work the land. In pagan lore, it is the passing of the reign of Lugh, the God of Light to his twin, Goronwy, the God of Dark. Under the rule of Goronwy, the light of day falls sooner under the night's veil. The growing season, in the absence of light, will come to an end. Mabon thus completes a bi-annual cycle. The vibration of the nine, September's number, propels the harvest towards completion, thus helping the Mother bring closure to this turn of the wheel. This phase of the harvest is only complete after we take stock of Her cupboard and conduct an inventory of the soul's growth.
As we harvest the bounty of the field so too we harvest the bounty of the soul. Ken, the I Ching's trigram representing the Knowledge and Spirituality Bagua, likens the harvesting of the soul to a time of quiet reflection and stillness. After a long day's toil, our inner recesses need space and time to gather and sift through experience to discern the significance of the journey. In stillness, the meaning rises to the surface as insight and knowledge gained. A courageous spirit is needed to seed and harvest a dream. Courage is needed further still to learn from dreams fulfilled and those not realized.
We turn to the Sun for help in this daring inventory of the soul. Under the influence of Mercury, the Sun in Virgo is persistent, almost relentless, in its drive toward accomplishment. The mental prowess of Virgo lends itself nicely to the state of mindfulness required this month. The Virgo rays cut like a knife lending precise, analytical energy to our endeavors. Virgo's practical quality can be a little too strident at times becoming perfectionist and overly critical of the self. To soften this exacting tendency, we call on the sign's earthy core to ensure a welcome inventory of our measure. To further prevent a misguided quest, Virgo's conscientious nature keeps a steady hand on our desires grounding them in earth-friendly pursuits.
We look to the bounty of the earth once more to retrieve a final tool to help harvest the soul. Buried deep within her belly lie the Mother's stones, her precious gems. Stones are in essence the result of Mother's alchemy of minerals, water, pressure and time. This magical mixture turns raw stones into tumbled tools under her spell. The versatile properties of stones serve many purposes beginning with their look and feel. We delight in the rainbow infused colors of Rubies, Emeralds and Topaz, the soft opaqueness of Moonstone and Opal, the bold lines of Malachite and the sparkly brush strokes of Peacock Ore. They bedazzle the eye and beg to be touched.
Another purpose of stones worthy of note is their powerful connection to ritual. A stone's influence can help harness our personal power to a particular intent by directing a focused beam of manifestation energy toward the goal. Therein lies the power of using Mother's jewels for magick and ritual. The Quartz Crystal is a beguiling example of the transformative power of stones. As a crystal pendant, it may grace a maiden's breast to release unrequited love. Hang it from a door frame in a multi-faceted cut to circulate chi as a Feng Shui cure, or the quartz may point to the future at the end of a pendulum's chain.
For use as a zodiac talisman this month, we pick Carnelian, a proud stone at once both warm and strong just like Virgo, the sign it complements. This commonly found stone is mined in radiant shades of orange ranging from light to the deep russet color of autumn. Not coincidentally, Carnelian's energetic properties are helpful in bringing clarity to a situation by heightening our awareness of the path upon which we are stepping. The spiritual beauty of the stone lies in its alliance with the earth. A cobblestone trail cut from autumn tinged Carnelian would surely entice a wayward wanderer back to the path, guiding and nurturing the soul once more.
Prepare for September's Ritual
If possible, perform the ritual at the Autumn Equinox.
~Seasonings for the Wise Hazel Tree's September Brew~
For the Ritual Altar~
An Altar Cloth
A Green Candle for the Divine
A Sun Gold Candle
A Scroll of Accomplishment
A Smudge Stick of Sage
A Bowl to Withstand the Fire's Flames
Stone of Carnelian for September's Intent
To Stand Next to a Symbol for Spirit
A Mother Earth Doll
Apple Spice Tea and Cornbread with Honey
And a Mix of Stones Scattered to Please
Nuggets from Nature Gathered While Out and About
Your Wand Made from a Stick
And, Last but Not Least, a Leaf Fallen from a Tree
Tasks Before the Ritual
1. Beginning with the first day of September~ Awaken with ears tuned to the sounds of the month. As you go about your morning, listen to September's voice inside and out~ no critiquing, just listening.
2. Take a walk or two or three. They need not be far, just long enough to delight your senses to September's look and feel and to gather up fallen nuggets from nature that please.
3. Make or embellish a Mother Earth doll in whatever fashion seems right.
4. Pack a lunch and set out on an apple harvest adventure. Picnic in the orchard and pick a bushel of September's fruit. In this season of giving, share your harvest with loved ones. And, if you're not too tired afterward, make something delicious from your bounty~ a salad, a cobbler, or just bite into it and marvel at the look and taste of fruit picked, transported and prepared by you.
5. Before the ritual may begin there are two final tasks that must be done first. Slip your Virgo stone of Carnelian into a pocket, and recite this meditation to aid you in this endeavor.
In stillness with the self and through quiet reflection
allow lessons learned to rise to the surface.
Ponder the wisdom gained through lessons and deeds
especially those you toiled so hard to achieve.
Now narrow the list to include those of late~ the goals
you nurtured since last September's date.
Select when ready~ those worthy of note,
then, pen them to paper.
We'll celebrate later.
Secondly, make your list into a scroll using ribbon to tie~ storing it someplace safe and nearby.
6. Select a charm that symbolizes the insight gained from your accomplishments and attach it to the wand.
The Day of the Ritual Prepare the Ritual Feast~
Brew your apple spice tea with charged water. Homemade or not, cornbread with honey is a scrumptious complement to our fall flavored drink.
Placement of the Altar~
Lay the altar cloth on the table
For the four directions~
Wand and the burning bowl with sage in the East
Sun Gold candle in the South
Moon refreshments in the West
Nuggets and leaf in the North
Place the green candle in the center to represent the divine
Lay the Carnelian stone and symbol for spirit before the candle
Set the Mother Earth doll near the center
Place the Scroll of Accomplishment next to the Sun's candle
Cover the altar with stones made from the earth, scattering them about for Mother's mirth.
Now add what you please, make it your own, with a touch of whimsy the altar transforms.
Time to Center and Smudge~
Cast the Circle~
Invite the Directions~
Reader:
Welcome Direction of East, Spirit of Wind. Feel the crisp brush of air upon your cheek while you listen to autumn's muse. The dream inspired melody is carried on the wind and sung in soulful notes by the morning dove. In harmony they sing keeping time and beat with the jittery hum of the cicada. Our mind now clear wiped fresh by the wind is ready to receive this choral blessing.
Welcome Direction of South, Spirit of Flame. With an intake of breath, draw in the stove's wood tinged smoke. With autumn filled chest breathe out summer's ashes, the last of the campfire's embers. Now light the Sun's candle~ match to flame~ dreams to achievement.
Welcome Direction of West, Spirit of Heart. Be mindful as you eat and drink from Her cupboard the last of Mother's crop. Each mouthful as sweet as the gratitude we feel as our hearts swell as big as our tummies. When full, offer thanks to the Mother and loved ones for their support of our dreams. (Enjoy the Mother's treats.)
Welcome Direction of North, Spirit of Earth. Behold in reverence nature's nuggets and leaf. Picked for protection from our human misdeeds. Honored in ritual, nature's treasures are symbols for living compatibly with thee.
Welcome Mother Earth and Father Sky. We are blessed by your presence at September's table. We are your stewards. As you sustain us so shall we sustain the earth. Light the green candle to turn the flame divine.
An Autumn Tale A Walk in the Field With Sage Doe Walker
Reader:
The doe noticed the bright afternoon Sun slipping sooner into dusk. She paused long enough to breathe in the orange waves of sunset. Then, continued her slow ambling pace through the harvest turned field. She stopped to sniff the earth. The faint smell of wheat hung in the upturned soil. She gently chewed the few remaining straws poking up from beneath.
It had been a busy growing season. She had a lot to sort through in her mind. To help clear the unimportant from the important, the doe moved as if in a ritual~ walking a few steps, stopping to turn the soil, eating the remnants of harvest. It was relaxing. Her body took over to let her mind wander. Untethered, her thoughts skipped from one thing to another. The doe didn't mind. She noted the thoughts and sent them on their way. Slowly, little by little, clarity took form and the image she was waiting for appeared to her.
Sage Doe Walker stood still, ears twitching, heart fluttering as the male figure walked toward her. Once alongside, he took measure of how much she had grown since last season. He was clearly delighted with his assessment. She stood proud, wiggling a bit as he scratched behind her ears.
They stood together, the doe and God Lugh, quietly surveying the field. Lugh took a deep breath filling his lungs with the fresh harvest scent and remarked, "I don't know which I like best, the first breath of a dewy spring morn or this, autumn's twilight musk. Not that it matters. I will miss it all especially, the Sun." The doe nuzzled his chest in comfort.
After more moments of quiet, Lugh turned to Sage and asked," Do tell little one how did the season treat you?" "Very well, I believe." "I think I figured out how I can best serve the Mother." God Lugh chuckled and said, "That certainly sounds like a grand achievement!" "I don't mean it to sound boastful, Sage Doe Walker shyly replied. In fact, I think what I learned is that serving Her doesn't have to be big."
"I spent a lot of time in this field, watching it grow, being careful not to eat too much. I looked where I stepped and worried with the steward when the rains didn't come and then came too much. I talked to the Mother every day. After about the umpteenth time I asked her how I could help," She told me," to stop fretting and keep doing what I was doing." "The Mother wouldn't tell me what that was exactly."
