September

"By all these lovely tokens
September days are here,
With summer’s best of weather
And autumn’s best of cheer."

- Helen Hunt Jackson-

September, the ninth month of the current Gregorian calendar and the first month of Autumn derives its name from setpem, a Latin word meaning seven as September was the seventh month in the old Roman calendar. September is shared by the astrological signs of Virgo, the Virgin and Libra, the Scales.  

The month is sacred to Persephone and Thor.  The sun is lower in the sky than it was in August, and the evenings are cooler.  The Big Dipper hangs low in the Northern sky.  During the month we celebrate the Autumnal Equinox, and the first chill touches the air as the wheel turns closer to the months of darkness.  For the ancient Romans, September 1st was a time of celebration as they paid homage to the god, Jupiter, the sky god who controlled the weather; hence, he ruled over the harvests, as well. 


The birthstone for September is the gorgeous blue sapphire, although they can also be different colors, a stone often thought to possess magical powers.  The ancient Greeks believed that this gem belonged to the god, Apollo, and could help to foretell the future.  Throughout history, the sapphire has symbolized truth, sincerity, and faithfulness in relationships and brought peace, joy and wisdom to the wearer and owner.  According to an old superstition...

A maiden born when autumn leaves

Are rustling in September's breeze 

A sapphire on her brow should bind —

'Twill cure diseases of the mind."

The flower for September is the aster; it's name means star in Latin.  According to an old Greek myth, Astraea, the star maiden, was a goddess who represented purity and innocence during the time that the gods lived here on the earth.  Then, when people became greedy and fought against each other, the gods abandoned the earth, one by one.  The last to leave was Astraea who became the constellation Virgo, the Virgin.  When she gazed down upon the earth, she wept because she saw no stars there.  And as her tears fell to the ground, they turned into asters. 

"The birds laugh loud and long together
When Fashion's followers speed away
At the first cool breath of autumn weather.
Why, this is the time, cry the birds, to stay!
When the deep calm sea and the deep sky over
Both look their passion through sun-kissed space,
As a blue-eyed maid and her blue-eyed lover
Might each gaze into the other's face."

- Ella Wheeler Wilcox, The End of Summer-