The Seventh Month

I love the energy of September. It's the waxing time of the year. I'm in the process of turning inward and taking stock of what the seasons have yielded. I'm looking for signs of fall and winter, a chill in the air to break the 100-degree heat index. Mabon is coming and the seven weeks of Samhain are around the corner. The stores are already selling Thanksgiving and Christmas decor. This morning as I was browsing goodies at Sentir Cubano, I kept thinking about holiday gifts. That CD would be a great gift for Jose; these espresso cups would be perfect for my cousin; this guayabera would look so cute on my niece.

With the chaos of the holidays approaching, most of us probably don't take on new projects at this time of year. And yet I always feel there's a newness to September. Summer is supposed to be vibrant and full of energy, but the heat and humidity just make me lazy in every sense of the word. I start to feel really good in the fall though. After a lazy summer, a new school year unfolds and work seems important again. Clothes matter too; I always dress better in the fall and take advantage of those summer sales. Labor Day is almost here. It's the unofficial end of summer and if something ends, then something must begin.

I've been spending the last few weeks reflecting on the seeds that I planted in the dawn of year, which ones came to life in the springtime, which are now bearing fruit, and which ones didn't quite make it. I see the most growth in my spirituality. I spent much of the year undergoing training in the Georgian Wiccan tradition, refining my own sense of theology and ritual, learning about my ancestors, and developing a better relationship with Spirit. In other areas, I've reconnected with old friends and found a way to express myself artistically.

I'm also thinking about what's next. Brigid and Danu came into my life so I've committed to learning more about the Celtic world. Soon I'll be taking a class on astrology and I want to explore more ecstatic and shamanistic approaches to Paganism. I'm also working towards making a commitment to take better care of my body, which often takes second place to my spirit.