September 1 2026 Autumn

 

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

Lammas August 1 2026

 

Lammas or Lughnasahd is the first day of August and a sign that summer has moved into harvest time.  Garden stuff is plentiful and most of the fruit, both tame and wild, is ready to harvest at the end of July.  August marks the time of jam making, pickle making, and harvesting seeds for next year.  Garden produce is eaten with the surplus canned or frozen.  

Lammas is about gratitude to the Universe for the wonderful abundance.  Remember to share some of the jars of jam or fruit because in giving we open up for more abundance.

Blessings,

Judy

Welcome August 2025

August 1 is traditionally the day that our Ancestors welcomed the Goddess of Harvest into their houses and onto the farms.  Harvest of fruit, corn, and even early grain started after the Goddess came in to give her blessings.

The Angels have a message for us.  They say that there are no longer the gardens and farms and orchards that there used to be.  So many people depend on others for their food.  The Angels suggest that the non-farmers offer up prayers or meditations for the farmers.  The meditation or prayer may offer that the harvest is bountiful and that all crops come off without bad weather or other obstacles.  We can ask for a blessing of abundance for all gardens and for all gardeners.

The Angels say that August is to be a time of turmoil around the world.  They say that we can make it less tumultuous by being grounded, and at peace with all that is.  They remind us that we are the creators of our own story.  Therefore, we can re-write the story at any time.  We can set the intentions that all is well where ever we live.

In fact, the Angels say that we can change destiny with some prayer.

Blessings,

Judy

Mother Earth Speaks - Companion Planting

It is spring time!  Finally! I was looking through past journal entries about Mother Nature and Mother Earth to see what wisdom each of them sent me in the past.  In a meditation, I channeled the following information about getting ready for the garden and wisdom on companion planting as guided by Mother Earth.

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Dear Ones!  I come to speak to you about planting for some of you are getting ready to plant in green houses or even out doors.  You can give your herbs and garden plants a new kick start by planting different herbs with different plants.

For example, if you plant Basil with Tomatoes, you will repel insects that plague tomatoes.  This is a Mother Nature natural remedy for pests!  This works with potted plants as well as ground planted veggies.  

If you plant chives around apple trees, it will prevent scab on the apples.  Since chives have a lovely purple flower, it also brings the bees around to the apple tree.

Nasturtium plants repel aphids when planted with beans and tomatoes.  Nasturtium flowers can be used in salads and sandwiches.  Nasturtiums also make an excellent companion plant to not just broccoli or apple trees, but also to corn, sweet corn, Zea maize,  and cabbages.  

Harvesting your Herbs

As soon as there are enough leaves on the herb plant, that picking a few will not impair the plant's survival. This also means that the herb is ready to be harvested. Always harvest your herbs in the morning hours. It is usually in the morning that the herb plant's oils are at their highest concentration. When harvesting herb make use of a sharp knife, pruning scissors, or shears. Do rinse the herbs gently in cool water immediately after harvesting. Allow the herbs to air dry, or pat the herbs lightly with a paper towel. Use them immediately, alternatively, store in the refrigerator for later use.

Blessings,

Judy