September 2021 Spiritual Calendar

Date Path Connection

September 6 - 8 Judaism/Kabbalah Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah (“Head of the Year”) is the Jewish New Year and begins on the first day of the month of Tishrei, the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. Rosh Hashanah commemorates the creation of the world and marks the beginning of the Days of Awe, a 10-day period of introspection and repentance that culminates on the Day of Atonement/Yom Kippur. It is a time of personal and universal renewal to reflect on behavior, make amends for past wrongs and plant the seeds of dreams with the goal of doing and being better in the coming year. Many also connect to “Tashlich” (Casting off), the custom of reciting prayers near naturally flowing water, such as a stream or river, and symbolically throwing one’s sins away in the form of small pieces of bread. Additional traditional symbols of Rosh Hashana include the Shofar (Ram’s horn), Apples, Honey, Round Challahs and Pomegranates. These reflect the themes of sweetness, abundance and the cycle of life.

September 6 Astrology New Moon

The first day of the lunar month is marked by the new moon and the start of a fresh cycle.   Once again, the universe provides an opportunity to tune into and harness the unique energy of the month.   It’s a clean slate to tap into the full potential of the days ahead, make necessary changes and leave behind what did not work for you in the previous months. The dark night sky is also a symbol for potential; the blank canvas waiting to be filled with your dreams and inspiration.  The first day plants the “seed” of all that can be grown/manifested. New moons remind us to be optimistic and have trust in the timing of events in our lives.  Utilize this window in time to be open to new possibilities and the potential to connect to the positivity as well as channel the strength to resist or transform any negativity. 

September 10 Hindu Ganesh Chaturthi

Also known as Vinayak Chaturthi marks the beginning of the 10-day festival that celebrates Lord Ganesh, one of the most popular deities.   The elephant-headed deity Ganesha (son of Lord Shiva and the Goddess Parvati)  is the God of prosperity, wisdom, new beginnings and the remover of hurdles. It begins on the fourth day (chaturthi) of the month of Bhadrapada, the sixth month of the Hindu calendar and is observed with prayer, public and private displays of Ganesha idols, the chanting of Vedic hymns, and fasting. On the final day of the festival, an idol of Ganesha is carried in a public procession, and plunged into a nearby body of water. When the clay dissolves, it is believed Ganesha returns to Shiva.

September 15 - 16 Judaism/Kabbalah Yom Kippur

The Day of Atonement, also known as the “Sabbath of Sabbaths” or the Day of “At-One-Ment” lasts for 25 hours and is observed on the 10th of Tishrei.   It is customary to pray, ask for forgiveness, attend synagogue, repent, fast, and refrain from working, driving, bathing, using perfume, wearing leather, and sexual relations.  By refraining from these activities, one can do deep soul searching without distraction. Yom Kippur is a unique opportunity to initiate change, re-calibrate, reconcile with God and seal oneself in the “Book of Life”.   On the eve of Yom Kippur the Kol Nidre prayer annulling all vows is recited. The services on Yom Kippur last from morning to evening and include readings from the Torah, reciting of penitential prayers and saying Yizkor (memorial prayers for the deceased). The services end with Neilah, (Closing of the Gates) followed by the blowing of the ram’s horn (Shofar)

September 20 - 27 Judaism/Kabbalah Sukkot

Also known as Feast of Booths or Tabernacles is a week-long  festival that is named after the huts in which the Jews lived during the 40 year period in the wilderness after escaping slavery in Egypt.  It celebrates the gathering of the harvest and commemorates the miraculous protection of God.  The holiday of Sukkot is a joyful time where people gather in the Sukkah to dine, sing and enjoy being together. It also acts as a reminder of the fragility of life and to experience the Divine through appreciation of one’s blessings. One of the practices is to wave the Four Species (lulav, etrog, willows, and myrtle).  Each species represents an aspect of the user's body and relationship with God. The etrog is shaped like the heart (the place of understanding and wisdom), the lulav is shaped like the spine (Uprightness)  the myrtle leaves are shaped like eyes (Enlightenment)  and the willow leaves look like the lips (Prayer)  Together, these four elements show that one should serve God with all his or her heart, spine/body, eyes and lips. There is additional significance of meaning to these as they relate to Jewish study and performing good deeds.  The etrog, which has a good taste and good scent, is like those who know the Torah and do good deeds.  The lulav which has taste, but no scent is like a person who has knowledge, but who does not perform good deeds. The myrtle, which has no taste and good scent, is like a simple person who has no knowledge and learning, but is compassionate, kind and caring.  Lowest on the rung of human values is the willow, which has neither taste nor scent and symbolizes those people who have no interest in learning/gaining knowledge and does not perform good deeds.

 September 20 Astrology Full Harvest Moon in Pisces

The full moon that occurs closest to the Fall Equinox (September 22) is always the brightest of the full moons and is referred to as the Harvest Moon.   It rises shortly after sunset and the shining moonbeams give farmers extra light in order to complete their harvests.  It may appear that there are several nights in a row of full moons.  Full moons signify manifestation and conclusion and the time to connect to balance, abundance and appreciation.  The seeds planted are now being realized. This is a wonderful time to turn inward and self reflect in order to realign with soul and self.  As full moons usually occur when the moon is opposite on the zodiac wheel to the sign the sun is positioned, this full moon of Virgo season will be in the creative and sensitive Pisces. The juxtaposition of these two opposing planets will create instability, heightened emotions and greater sensitivity.

September 22 Astrology/Wiccan Fall Equinox/Mabon

During the Autumnal Equinox, the sun passes directly over the earth’s equator making day and night exactly equal in length.  This equilibrium is reflected in the forces of light and darkness in our lives.  Also known as the Pagan Thanksgiving, many take this time of balance to give thanks to Mother Earth for the bounty of the crops, rest and pray that the harvest will last through the winter.  It is a good time to set intentions that connect to reduction; cleaning house, eliminating bad habits and letting go of unhealthy relationships and limiting beliefs.

September 28 - 29 Judaism/Kabbalah Simchat Torah

Simchat Torah, or “Rejoicing with the Torah,” marks the completion of one annual cycle of Torah readings and the beginning of a new one. It is a joyous holiday that celebrates the love of learning Torah.  It is observed by taking all of the Torah scrolls out of the Ark then carrying them in a dance of seven circles called  “Hakafot”, drinking and singing songs of praise and gratitude.  On the morning of the holiday, the last portion (“Parsha”) of the book of Deuteronomy (V'Zot HaBerachah)  is read in synagogue, followed by the first Parsha of the book of Genesis (Bereshit) creating an eternal cycle with no beginning and no end.