Significant dates from folklore, lunar and meteorological activities this month in dark blue
Selected Events (Harmony Healing and other events as notified) in Violet
Forest Bathing Events in green.
Timings given are UK time (GMT+1), click here to convert to your time zone
September in Britain is back to school after the summer holidays. It's the month of harvest, blackberries abound on the bramble bushes and apples are plentiful on the trees, conkers and chestnuts are starting to ripen.
The month of September was named after 'septimus' meaning the 7th month in Latin. September was the 7th month when the year started in March. To the Anglo-Saxons, September was called Hālig-mōnaþ meaning ‘Holy Month.
During September, we have the Equinox in the morning of the 23rd, when night and day are equal length across the globe. This almost co-incides with the Khemitian (Khem being the ancient name for Egypt) Festival of the Two Lands on the 22nd. This month I am offering an Equinox/Egyptian themed meditation on the night of Friday 22nd We can also look forward to three other annual Egyptian Festivals (4th, 5th & 19th) plus a selection of Chinese/Confucian (28th), and Roman (17th) annual commemorations and USA celebrates Labor Day on the 4th. A new online series of RSE Level 1 Egyptian Alchemy courses starts with Essene Angels (Thursday 21st September) and Khemitology (starts Tuesday 26th September); see under these dates below for details.
This year we will be running one-hour taster Forest Bathing sessions at the Surrey Hills Wood Fair in Cranleigh on the 9th September (see below for full details). We have a full Forest Bathing event on the 21st (Shere). There will be a further free taster session at Bespoke Events Management immersive VIP showcase launch at their brand new venue at the Hartswood Estate, 4-7pm on Thursday 28th September.
There will be an Egyptian/Equinox themed online meditation on Friday 22nd September and our regular Full Moon Meditation takes place 7.30-9.30pm (UK time) on the night of Friday 29th, with the Harvest Moon, which is also a Supermoon, peaking at 10:57 that morning (UK).
Event with Althea ...
Friday 1st September is the beginning of the Ecclesiastical Year the traditional Christian calendar. in Nicaea (325 AD), The First Ecumenical Council decreed that the Church year should start on 1st September.
For the Hebrews, the month of September was the beginning of the civil year (Exodus 23:16), the month of gathering harvest and offering of thanks to God.
Monday 4th September is the Ancient Egyptian Ceremony of Transformation through Anpu (Anubis).
An MP3 Meditation to overcome negative behaviour patterns is available from the Harmony Shop. The Egyptians believed that when a deceased soul entered the Halls of Amenti they would undergo a ceremony involving the metaphorical weighing of the heart (of the deceased) against Maat's feather. During this ceremony, the weight of the heart represented the degree to which the deceased had lived in truth, measured by how much he/she had sinned; the more he/she had sinned the heavier the heart. The meditation guides you through a journey with Anpu to see how you would fare if your heart was weighed against Maat's feather at this point in your life. Whilst this meditation was devised for use on 4th September, it can be used anytime.
Anpu is the illegitimate child of Nebt-Het (Nephthys), born of her clandestine union with Ausar (Osiris) but raised as the son of Set. Cast out when his true lineage was discovered, he became associated with dark and lonely places, a wanderer through the shadow-realm between life and death, Anpu therefore bearing witness to the darker side of mortality. He seeks out those lost souls who find themselves without guidance after their demise. He guards the Entrance to the Underworld, presided over by his true father Ausar. Hence, all who die will find themselves in the presence of this mysterious Jackel-headed God, who escorts them away from this world and to the gates of the next.
Monday 4th September is also Labor Day in USA and Canada this year, as it's always the first Monday in September. As it's an American celebation, I've reluctantly used the American spelling of labour!
Tuesday 5th September is the Ancient Egyptian Ceremony of the Raising of the Djed Pillar.
The worship of the Djed pillar, and the annual 'Raising of the Djed' ceremony, is amongst the earliest ritualistic religious practices of ancient Egypt.
The Djed was stated to have arisen from the primordial mound of creation and believed to be the backbone of the Egyptian god Wzr (also known as Ausar or Osirus) though sometimes associated with the earlier Deity Ptah.
An informative laminated poster of Wzr (Ausar, Osirus) by Jacqui Taliesin El Masry is available from the Harmony Shop along with other Egyptian Deity posters by Jacqui.
Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th September, 9am-5pm is the Surrey Hills Wood Fair at Fish Pond Copse, Cranleigh, Surrey GU6 7DW. Entry is £10 in advance or £12.50 on the day. We will be there offerning free taster Forest Bathing Sessions on the Saturday only at 11.30am & 2.30pm.
The Surrey Hills Wood Fair is brimming with traditional rural charm celebrating our woodland heritage, wildlife and of course the beauty and versatility of wood. A celebration of the Surrey Hills within the beautiful setting of woodlands and surrounding countryside with easy access from Cranleigh.
The Surrey Hills Wood Fair is a fantastic day out for all ages. To help you plan your day, there is a list of all the fun, crazy, innovative and traditional activities that you can take part in. In order to take part in these activities (including our 1-hour taster sessions), you must also have tickets for the Surrey Hills Wood Fair.
We will be offering 1-hour taster sessions for adults at 11.30 & 2.30 on Saturday only. We believe one hour is the minimum requirement to get tangible benefits from a nature connection session. Attendees will be entitled to book a 2for1 offer on one of our full sessions. All forest bathing sessions which will take place in all weathers except high winds or electrical storms. Book on the day at the event.Email to go on our forest bathing mailing list.
Monday 11th September is my collaboration with Althea Finch of Painfreedom.co.uk.
This will involve an online presentation entitled Ancient Wisdom for Modern Living, 7-8pm (UK time = GMT+1 aka UT+1). Book your free place here on Althea's website.
Monday 11th September - Monday 18th September is Paryushana Parva the Jain celebration of Human transcendence into spirituality and morality. It is an eight day event celebrated with sacred readings and exchanges of cards among loved ones. Dates may vary. This popular Jain festiva is organised every year in the auspicious month ‘Bhadrapad’ (Mid-August to Mid-September) of the Hindu calendar and extends from the fifth day to fourteenth day of the bright fortnight. The festival ordains the Jains to observe the universal supreme virtues in daily practical life: -
Paryushan Parva
I bow to the Arahants, the perfected human beings.
I bow to the Siddhas, liberated bodiless souls.
I bow to the Acharyas, the masters and heads of congregations.
I bow to the Upadhyayas, the spiritual teachers.
I bow to the spiritual practitioners in the universe,Sadhus.
This fivefold obeisance mantra,
Destroys all sins and obstacles,
And of all auspicious repetitions
Is the first and foremost.
Originally obtained from infoindiadirect.com which is no longer functioning. Now detailed on timesofindia.indiantimes.com.
Wednesday 13th September has been the Roman Festival of Lectisternium since at least 399BC. The word Lectisternium derives from lectum sternere, meaning to drape on a couch.
The statues of Juno, Jupiter and Minerva, would traditionally be dressed up and given a feast!
Friday 15th September at 02:35 is the New Moon.
The New Moon Abundance Ritual should be carried out within 24 hours after the New Moon. It needs to be after the New Moon because the moon should be waxing (getting bigger again) to carry the manifestation energy.
There are video instructions on my Facebook Page or You Tube Page.
New Moon is a good time to work on your Vision Board for the rest of 2023.
Tuesday 19th September is the Fast of Tehuti, Kemet day; honouring the god Tehuti (Thoth), the God of Magic, Wisdom and Secret knowledge.
An MP3 Meditation to visit the Akashic Records with Tehuti is available from the CDs and Meditations section of the Harmony Shop which also sells laminated and downloadable Egyptian Deity posters by Jacqui Taliesin El Masry from Alkhemi. This is a meditation to visit your personal Akashic record (which the Egyptians believed were housed in the Halls of Amenti) to see if hidden blockages to your spiritual growth and wellbeing may be revealed at this time.
The totality of the Akashic records are said to contain and describe all knowledge of human experience as well as the history of the cosmos; so they could be described as the DNA of the Universe. This meditation was devised for 19th August or 19th September (both being Festivals of Tehuti) would add emphasis, but can be used anytime.
Thurday 21st September, 11am-2pm, Forest Bathing in the grounds of Harry Edward's Healing Sanctuary, £37.99. This weekday session is designed to fit around school run drop-offs/pick-ups.
Immerse yourself in the healing elements of nature and connect deeply with all your senses. Spend 3 hours in the woods mindfully connecting to your surroundings and living fully in the present moment, guided by me in simple sensory exercises and a treelaxation. A deeply relaxing and rejuvenating experience, and which, despite the title forest bathing, does not involve any swimming!
Some of the scientifically proven benefits of spending time in woodland include reduced stress levels, stronger immune system response, and a stabilised cortisol cycle.
This is a 3-hour Forest Bathing session which will take place in all weathers except very high winds or electrical storms. Book at Harmony Shop. Please email us on to go on our monthly forest bathing update email list.
Thursdays 21st September & 19th October is our Essene Angels Harmony Healing Interactive online evening course, 7.30-9.45pm UK time (GMT+1), offering UK & USA friendly hours.
Learn how to commune with the Weekday and Planetary Guardian Angels and invite them into your life on a daily basis. Even if you are already familiar with the angelic realm, discover how to strengthen your connection with channellings, affirmations, colours, crystals and planetary symbols.
Connect with Melchisadec and Pistis Sophia, the Essene Guardians of our Planet Earth and the Constellations.
Cost is £66 including a personal chart detailing three of your personal Essene Guardian Angels (based on your date of birth) plus 4½ hours of mentoring. Book at the Harmony Shop.
This is a stand-alone unit but also comprises ½ unit towards Egyptian Alchemy Healing RSE Level 1, available at a special package rate of £266, featuring all of the module attunements including a personal angelic attunement, worth £33, created around your date of birth, see Harmony Shop Events for details of the individual modules and the entire RSE 1 package.
Friday 22nd September is the Ancient Egyptian Ritual of the Neteru of the Two Lands. It's no surprise that this is always very close to the Pagan Equinox.
The Two Lands, comprising of Upper & Lower Egypt, were presided over by the more successful Pharoahs. To the north was Lower Egypt where the Nile fans into the Nile Delta. To the south was Upper Egypt, stretching to Aswan. The terms Upper and Lower Egypt are derived from the unusual geography of the Nile, which unlike most rivers, flows from south to north. Its origins are in the highlands of East Africa and it ends with the Nile Delta which drains into the Mediterannean Sea.
In Spiritual lore, Upper and Lower Egypt could be said to represent the higher and lower self of the human body, and as such would need to be integrated on an annual basis with the help of the Neteru (Deities or Angelic Beings).
The unification of Upper and Lower Egypt occurred in about 3000 BC, but the pschent - or double crown, worn by the Pharoahs represented the combined regalia of both areas; the hedjet or White Crown for Upper Egypt and the deshret or Red Crown for Lower Egypt, each half representing sovereignty of one of the kingdoms.
Established Ancient Egyptian tradition generally credits Menes (also known as Narmer), as the king who united Upper and Lower Egypt. On the Narmer Palette the king is depicted wearing the Red Crown in one scene and the White crown in another, and thereby showing his rule over both Lands. See below for details of the themed meditation on this.
Friday 22nd September, 7.30-9.30pm (UK time = GMT+1), is a special themed guided online meditation featuring the Ancient Egyptian Ritual of the Neteru of the Two Lands, as well as the harmony and balance reached when night and day are in perfect equilibrium on the Equinox (peaking tomorrow morning, see entry below).
£20 with concessions to Harmony Healing students. Book at Harmony Shop.
Saturday 23rd September at 07:49 is the Pagan Celebration of the Autumn Equinox, marking the time of harvest festival and fulfilment of summer; since, in the Northern Hemisphere, from now on there will be more dark than light for the rest of the year. An equinox is an astronomical event when the plane of Earth's equator passes the centre of the Sun. Equinoxes occur twice a year, around 21st March and 22nd/23rd September.
In the southern hemisphere, this is the Spring Equinox.
At this point in the year, the night and day lengths are exactly equal, so it's a time of balance and a good time for introspection, look for what is good and worthwhile to become seeds for next year.
Sunday 24th September, being the last Sunday in this month, is traditionally the Pearly King Harvest Festival in London, offering a spectacular display of historical London. More at Londonist.com
The Pearly Kings & Queens are a popular Cockney tradition dating from the 19th century. It started when a young boy covered a suit with pearly buttons to raise money for the poor at fairs and charity events. Other boroughs followed suit and got their own Pearly King or Queen. The Pearly King image is the author's property. The model is unknown but willingly posed for the photograph; there is no commercial gain from the author's use of this photograph.
Sunday 24th September [2023] is Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) which is the Jewish day of repentance, probably the holiest and most solemn day of the year. In Israel, it is an annual holiday. There's no public transport, no form of media communication, and all businesses and shops are closed.
It takes place on the tenth day* of Tishrei, the seventh month. In the Western Calender, this means it will occur between 14th September and 14th October.
Tuesday 26th September & Tuesdays 10th & 24th October is the Harmony Healing Virtual Module: Khemitology (£88), 7.15pm - 9.30pm (UK time/GMT = UK & USA friendly evening hours), 2¼ hours for 3 x fortnightly Tuesdays ending 24th October, worth 1 unit towards RSE Level 1. Held remotely on Zoom.
Khemitology is for anyone fascinated by Egypt, outlining the lesser known Ancient Egyptian philosophies and demonstrating how they can be applied in everyday life. Book at the Harmony Shop.
This is a stand-alone unit but also comprises 1 unit towards Egyptian Alchemy Healing RSE Level 1. Held remotely on Zoom, see Harmony Shop Events for details of the individual modules and the entire RSE 1 package.
Thursday 28th September is Teachers Day a Confucian day for honouring teachers of all types. This is supposedly the date of Confucius's birthday. It's a great day to be thinking about learning new skills.
Thursday 28th September is also our Full Moon Unity Consciousness Meditation, 7.30-9.30pm UK time (GMT+1). The Harvest Full Moon peaks on Friday morning (see below).
If you are looking for regular spiritually enlightening activities, we have our monthly Full Moon Guided Healing Meditations.
Participants all receive a deeply healing experience.
Cost to participate is £20 by online BACS payment (small admin fee added for PayPal).
For more details and to book, see Harmony Shop.
Friday 29th September @ 10:57 is Harvest Full Moon.
This is also the final Supermoon of a sequence of four consecutive Supermoons.
Our online Full Moon Meditation takes place tonight, see entry below for details.
Between this date and the next New Moon is considered as a good time energetically for detoxing the body.
Click here for Angela McGerr's self-conducted Full Moon Angelic Meditation with Gabriel.
Harmony Healing Blog updates can be emailed to you
Acknowledgments
Celestial Forecast is compiled by Joanna Bristow-Watkins of Harmony Healing, the original is published at Joanna's Monthly Celestial Forecasts. It is created using many sources but notably the Moonwise Calendar and Lia Leendertz's annual Almanac. Whilst considerable effort is made to ensure accuracy, this is not an exact science and sources are sometimes contradictory!
These monthly Celestial Forecasts (CF) are generally uploaded to the Harmony Healing website a fortnight ahead and can be accessed via the drop-down box on the right. They are sent out to the main mailing list and CF subscribers a few days before the month starts.
Extracts from the Celestial Forecast are reproduced in Glyden Magick, an online magazine offered via Gylden Fellowship which is a fabulous resource for Neo-Pagans (particularly in the South of England when physical meet-ups can resume).
Through Harmony Healing, Joanna utilises the philosophies of the Ancient Egyptians, in the form of Reyad Sekh Em® (RSE) Level 1 Egyptian Alchemy Healing. Featuring four online modules of Khemitology (Ancient Egyptology according to the indigenous oral traditions), Violet Flame of Amenti, Mindful Chakra Balancing & Essene Angelology. Missed sessions are fully recorded so that late registrations or are possible. Reyad Sekh Em (RSE) Level 1 costs £266 and run about three times a year. the individual modules are stand-alone and cost either £88 or £66, hence the RSE 1 package offers a cost saving.
She is also an intuitive healer offering 1-2-1 distant healings and readings, plus MP3 recordings. She is a fully qualified Fotrest Bathing guide, offering Forest Bathing sessions in the Surrey Hills of England. Joanna acts as the retailer for her sister, Angela Mcgerr's, best selling angelogy books and angel card sets. The are mostly now out-of-print, but Joanna still has some unused copies as well as pre-used versions of many of the card sets, see the Harnony Shop for the full details.