The month of September marks the beginning of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere. As the summer heat begins to fade and cooler temperatures prevail, September brings a time of transition and preparation. Many symbols and associations captures the spirit of September and provide insight into what this transitional month represents.
The Zodiac
September is associated with two zodiac signs: Virgo and Libra. Virgo’s symbol is the Virgin, representing purity, wisdom, and attention to detail. Libra’s symbol is the Scales, representing balance, fairness, equality, and justice. Both signs convey September’s role as a month of change and preparation for what’s ahead.
Birthstones
September has two birthstones: sapphire and lapis lazuli. Sapphire symbolizes wisdom, loyalty, and nobility. Its blue color is thought to bring inner peace and spiritual enlightenment. Lapis lazuli symbolizes wisdom, truth, and awareness. Its deep blue color with golden flecks suggests enlightenment and power. Together, these birthstones represent September’s contemplative spirit.
Flowers and Plants
September’s birth flower is the aster or myosotis. Asters symbolize love, wisdom, faith, and color. They convey September’s role in ushering in a new season. Other plants associated with September include:
- Morning glory – represents unrequited love, affection, and mortality
- Forget-me-not – represents true love, remembrance, and memories
- Cosmos – represents peace, serenity, wholeness, and order
These blooms evoke September’s wistful spirit as summer transitions into fall. Their themes of love and remembrance match the nostalgic mood of this month.
Colors
September’s colors are sapphire, lapis lazuli, and cyan. These cool blue tones invoke a sense of calmness and balance befitting September’s meditative vibe. Blue also represents the clear skies of early autumn. Other symbolic colors include:
- Purple – represents creativity and imagination
- Brown – represents earthiness, stability, hearth, and home
- Orange – represents adventure, risk-taking, and fire
These warm tones match the cozy yet exciting transitional mood. They blend stability with action – just like September bridges the seasons.
Weather and Seasons
September marks the beginning of meteorological autumn in the Northern Hemisphere. The autumnal equinox occurs in September, when day and night are equal length. September’s cooling temperatures and early sunsets herald the coming of fall. Trees begin changing color and leaves start falling. Crops are harvested and fields cleared. September’s seasonal changes spur preparation for winter.
Holidays and Observances
September includes a variety of holidays and observances:
| Holiday | Date | Significance |
| Labor Day | First Monday | Honors American workers |
| Grandparents Day | Second Sunday | Celebrates grandparents |
| Autumnal Equinox | September 22-24 | Start of astronomical fall |
| Rosh Hashana | September 25-27 | Jewish New Year |
These celebrations give September a nostalgic and introspective tone. They inspire reflection on work, family, and ancient traditions during autumn’s transitional period.
Foods and Drinks
September’s seasonal ingredients include apples, squash, sweet potatoes, peppers, cranberries, mushrooms, and pears. Warm, comforting foods like apple pie, butternut squash soup, and roasted veggies evoke September’s cozy mood. Seasonal beverages include apple cider, cranberry juice, and pumpkin spice lattes. September’s harvest bounty provides sustenance as the seasons change.
Literature and Film
Many works of literature and film feature September as a time of nostalgia and transition:
- Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury – Begins in September, evoking autumnal nostalgia
- The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck – Set during the Dust Bowl migration in September
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone – Harry travels to Hogwarts in September
- Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind – Much of the movie’s dreamy introspection occurs in September
These works use September to represent wistfulness, new beginnings, and preparation for change.
Historic Events
Many important historic events have occurred in September, making it a month of remembrance:
- September 11 attacks in 2001
- The Great Fire of London in 1666
- The Battle of Britain in 1940
- The Falklands War in 1982
- The signing of the Camp David Accords in 1978
September contains both tragic and hopeful events. This duality captures September’s balance of mourning summer’s end while celebrating the promise of autumn.
Fashion
September fashion embraces the transitional nature of the month. Lightweight sweaters, jackets, scarves, boots, and flannels enter wardrobes as the temperature cools. Jewelry featuring September’s sapphire and lapis lazuli gems captures the month’s meditative mood. September fashion bid summer adieu while welcoming the cozy spirit of autumn.
Symbolism in Art and Media
September is often portrayed in art and media as:
- A woman carrying ripening fruit
- An old man with greying hair representing the fading year
- Children going to school with new books and supplies
- Tree leaves turning yellow, orange, and red
- Blue skies and cool breezes
These images evoke September’s wistful yet hope-filled spirit. They blend autumnal nostalgia with the promise of renewal.
Astrology
In astrology, those born from September 1-22 are Virgos. Analytical, reliable, and health-conscious, Virgos represent September’s practical preparation for winter. Those born from September 23-30 are Libras. Diplomatic, just, and social, Libras embody September’s balance between light and dark. Together, Virgos and Libras capture September’s steady yet graceful change of seasons.
Numerology
In numerology, September is the 9th month. Nine represents wisdom, completion, introspection, and service – all September themes. It emphasizes September’s meditative transition from summer’s carefree days to autumn’s serious preparation. The number 9 reminds us life is a cycle of endings and renewals.
Mythology
September has mythological significance:
- Persephone returns to the Underworld in Greek myths as summer ends
- Anglo-Saxons called September Gerst Monath (“barley month”) after their main crop
- Ancient Romans held Ludi Romani (“Roman Games”) in September
These myths underscore September’s agricultural and melancholic motifs. They venerate September as a month of last harvests and waning light giving way to darkness.
Geography
September marks changing geographical conditions in the Northern Hemisphere:
- Autumnal equinox around the 20th
- Increasing darkness with early sunsets
- Waning temperatures and cooling waters
- Changing leaf colors in deciduous forests
- Bird migrations to warmer climates
September’s geography reminds us of nature’s cycles. As summer’s heat passes, September heralds the quiet chill of winter’s coming reign.
Politics
September holds significance in American politics:
- September hosts Labor Day, honoring workers and unions
- Congress resumes work in September after summer recess
- The president returns focus to domestic policy after summer break
- Party conventions and general election campaigns ramp up in September
After summer distraction, September marks a return to political battles in preparation for elections. It reminds politicians change is coming.
Conclusion
September represents a bridge between summer and fall, light and dark, warmth and chill. Its symbols evoke preparation for winter; the last moments of sunshine before longer nights. September signifies practicality overjoy, industriousness over leisure. But simultaneously, September holds nostalgia for summer’s past joys. Its cooler weather invites contemplation and introspection. September gives us one last glimpse of summer’s carefree spirit while urging us to transition gracefully into autumn’s more solemn mood. So while September may represent an end, it also denotes a hopeful new beginning full of wisdom gained by observing nature’s cyclic transitions.