Welcoming in September
Witchy Reads and Mabon Rituals
Apple cider doughnuts, nostalgic movies, chilly nights and sunny days. There’s a myriad of reasons that so many of us love, and dream about, welcoming in September! Pumpkin spice everything is in abundance and the anticipation of autumn brings a certain coziness and magic to every aspect of our days. My eldest child was born at the end of September, just scraping by as fall baby, so I am even more partial to the joy and nostalgia this month holds.
Reading has long been a favorite past time of mine but September (along with the start of cooler weather and the changing leaves it brings) sparks the desire to slow down and get lost in a book. To sit on the porch with a cozy magical fiction book and maybe something warm to drink. For several years that book was likely one of the many in the Harry Potter series, but as I have connected more to my inner magic, so has my taste in books. Over the last few years I have revisited previously read books to appreciate their magical nuances as practitioner myself. I have picked up previously overlooked witchy classics, and sought out other books for their charming Hallmark-esque qualities. Here is a small handful of the books that I have either recently come across, re-read, or picked up thrifting.
For the Kitchen Witch:
The Love Goddess’ Cooking School by Melissa Senate A sweet story filled with ancestral love, a little mystery and so full of charming kitchen magic that will make you want to add wishes and memories to your own cooking.
Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel Beautiful and tragic, this story set in Mexico and follows the life of Tita and her devotion to her family. It includes full written recipes and is a reminder that even just a little intention can go a long way.
For the Romantic Witch:
The House Witch by Delemhach A fantasy story in a faraway land. A princess navigates an uncertain future and a prickly male lead. It’s an easy read full of hearth and home magic, yet it instills the idea that we are more powerful than we know-or often give ourselves credit for.
Witch Please by Ann Aguirre A story about a coven of modern day, love-adverse witches hiding in plain sight. A cute, fun read and lil’ bit spicy.
For the History Witch:
The Virgin Blue by Tracey Chevalier Set in France, with chapters alternating perspectives from the two main characters: a modern day woman tracing her family tree and her witchy French ancestor who lived a few hundred years prior. Beautifully written, it’s one I’ve picked up and re-read on several occasions.
A Secret History of Witches by Louisa Morgan Currently reading: While still only in the first half, this story is intriguing and is perfect autumn reading. Initially set in France, it follows a Romani family of witches and their escape from persecution. The rest of the family’s story, told through multiple generations unfolds thereafter.
For the Mystery Witch:
Witches of East End by Melissa De La Cruz Set in The Hamptons, this story is a quick (though busy and chaotic) read for anyone who enjoys Norse mythology and a little mystery. It follows the lives of three ancient witches and their assimilation into small town life after being banned to use magic.
Bait and Witch by Angela M. Sanders A quick and cozy read. A lovely book full of small town charm and quirky characters. The way the main character discovers and relates to her magic will charm and draw in a witchy bookworm. Leans into finding one’s magic and setting roots down in unexpected places.
Happy Reading!
The arrival of September also signals the upcoming official start of autumn later in the month. Mabon, or the fall equinox, is the second harvest festival on the Wheel of the Year and generally lands some time between September 21 and 24th. This year, Mabon is on Sunday, September 22 and is probably most traditionally welcomed in with a harvest meal filled with comforting seasonal foods. Think squash, apples, corn and your favorite breads. Almost every fall, after our annual apple picking trip, I make pork chops, stuffing and fried apples ‘n’ onions. An unusual side dish that you might be familiar with if you like the Little House on the Prairie books! Other fall equinox/Mabon activities include: taking a nature walk to look for the first signs of autumn or to sit in gratitude, having a bonfire, decorating with fall leaves and acorns or gourds of any variety. Really anything that helps you embrace the themes of balance, abundance and gratitude. Chances are you already have fall rituals you do to celebrate another turn of the wheel. Halloween movies, canning/preserving, or even your first pumpkin spice coffee of the year all count-it’s up to you to find the magic in it!
As I get ready to reset and decorate my altar for the Mabon season, I might also put on a batch of mulled apple cider. An easy and warming favorite, I love making a September batch to welcome in fall, and will likely continue to brew it up to have something hot and comforting on hand for forest walks or a blustery day from now through Christmas. The warm spices can be used to call in a variety of things: protection and prosperity and luck being the most common uses. Ginger being a root is grounding and associated with love and success. Apples are commonly associated with love and healing.
Mulled Apple Cider
Ingredients:
1 quart apple cider (local or even homemade, if you have access to it)
4 star anise pods
1-2 inch piece of ginger, washed and roughly chopped
2 cinnamon sticks
3-4 whole cloves
1 sliced orange
cinnamon sticks or cross-wise cut apples for garnish
Method:
In a large sauce pan or small Dutch oven combine apple cider, ginger, sliced orange and spices (bonus points for toasting the spices in a hot dry pan first). Speak any intentions aloud or to yourself as you add your ingredients (ex: cinnamon for abundance, ginger for grounding, etc.). Alternately, you may hold the ingredients in you hands while focusing on your desired intention to charge it, thank it and drop it into your cider. Stir clockwise to call in you intentions. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then infuse cider for at least 30 minutes.
The longer you steep the cider the more flavorful it will be and the more the magical properties of your ingredients will infuse your home with your intentions. Pour into a carafe to keep warm or you can place a small sieve or tea strainer over a mug to strain out any big pieces as you ladle in the cider. Cider can also be made in a crockpot, strained and kept warm for several hours. Store leftovers in the fridge up to 4 days.