September tells us that Autumn is here. Indeed, the leaves started turning beginning about August 20th. It is also the month of the Autumnal Equinox. Here is the information from the Farmers Almanac:
The 2026 fall equinox in the Northern Hemisphere arrives on Tuesday, September 22, at 8:04 P.M. Eastern Time (00:06 UTC on September 23). This moment marks the astronomical start of autumn, where day and night are roughly equal.
Why is September 1 important? For farmers raising grain, September 1 is the signal that there is a limited time to harvest before the rain and snow starts. In Calgary, we have had several snows happen in early September. For ranchers, it is the signal to head out to round up the cattle that have summered in mountain pastures. Round up is usually the first or second week in September. On this side of the equinox, the daylight is shrinking. For hockey players, it is time to get serious about training and lacing on the skates for the pre-season games. For most children/young adults, schools and universities begin classes. Some schools even start the last week of August in our area. Often, organizations start their new fall programs in September for things like bowling, pool, swimming, yoga, qi gong, painting, curling, etc. For many of us, it is a time of harvesting our gardens, freezing, canning, or making juice. Generally, we try to be finished by Equinox.
Upon finishing the harvesting, people gather to celebrate a bountiful year with feasting and socializing. These events happen at the time of Equinox. The old name for Equinox was Mabon.. a time of preparing to move from the light of spring and summer into the darkness of fall and winter.
What ever you are doing this September, remember to take time to give thanks for being here to move into Autumn. Give thanks for friends and family and all that you have.
Blessings,
Judy
