And almost unbelievably, we find ourselves once again welcoming the month of September – one of those precious threshold months, a gatekeeper of a new season and an alchemizer of transition.

On the wheel of the year, we experience Mabon in September, or the welcoming and celebration of the Autumn Equinox. This is one of those sacred times in which we experience a period of equal day and equal night. In the northern hemisphere, the days will begin to give away to darkness, becoming shorter and shorter until the winter solstice, and in the southern hemisphere, the night begins to make way for the return of the light, with days growing longer following the spring equinox.

In the words of Ayla Nero, September feels like an “out breath,” and it is a month in which we begin to experience nature letting go of what it no longer needs – a period of starting to slow down, seek deep nourishment, and prepare for the deep rest that is ahead of us.

However, September can also be a time that can feel a little out of balance – we are starting to feel those inklings of wanting to prepare for hibernation and the hint of chill in the air has us starting to crave rich nourishing soups under a blanket, but yet it is still a time of quite a lot of energy. Cool mornings are still met with blistering afternoons of hot and dry heat, farmers are busier than ever in the fields as they gather the last bits of harvest, and children return back to school. Though it is this very tension itself that September asks us to lean into – to ask ourselves what is it that we can let go of, or where can we be more mindful as it relates to our wellness? How can we, too, alchemize this period of transition?

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One particular place we can start is by nourishing our immune system – the looming autumn often brings a seasonal period of germs and ickiness, and to help support our overall wellness, we can take steps now, to prepare our bodies and souls and give them an extra little “boost.”

Nourishing Our Root

Holistic wellness tends to heavily, and regularly, emphasize the importance of nourishing one’s root. This is because it truly is the foundation to all. If our root is out of balance, this can have impacts on our physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness. Just as a tree cannot grow tall without a strong system of roots, we too must tend to this space in order to thrive.

What does this look like in practice? We can take a note from nature that happens particularly at this time. You may notice that with the onset of autumn, plants tend to utilize their energy differently, largely to ensure that the most nourishment can be directed to their roots. Trees begin to shed their leaves, some plants stop growing new shoots or fruits to preserve energy, or some plants transition from producing fruit or flowers to instead seeds or to creating a bulb beneath the soil. This is all done with deep intention as the plants recognize that their energy is precious, and to prepare for the darkness ahead, they must turn inward and direct that energy in the same direction.

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We too can ask ourselves where we are spending our time or energy in a way that perhaps compromises our feeling of safety or groundedness. Where can we make more time for rest? Where do we have the opportunity to say “no,” more? Where can we perhaps make more intentional choices with our nutrition? With what we choose to spend money on?

We can also infuse nourishment into our root chakra by working with root herbs that have adaptogenic properties. In this way, we work with the alchemy of a plant that has directed their energy into their own roots, and can call this into our bodies to help us deal with periods of stress, boost our immune system, or help us move more gracefully through the transition of seasons. Some potent herbs to work with in this way include Eluethero Root (also known as Siberian Ginseng), Rhodiola Root, Ashwagandha Root, Burdock Root, or Astragulus Root. Many of these herbs can be added to soup stocks, decocted as a base for chai tea, or as an alcohol extraction tincture.

Alchemizing the Harvest

We tend to be a society that goes against the grain of the rhythms of nature, which can actually contribute to feelings of dis-ease, such as that of a reduced immune system. Another way we can nourish ourselves is to lean into the energies of the season.

The Autumn Equinox was celebrated by many ancient cultures as a period of feasting and honor – this is because it was so often associated with the fruitfulness and abundance of harvest. And while our ancestors would have also had their hands full with preserving foods for the harsh winter months ahead, it is during this time that they were also gathering herbs for precious medicines and remedies.

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We too can participate in this by preparing our home apothecaries for the impending cold and flu season, and do so while also celebrating the abundance of the harvest.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

~Have an abundance of garlic from this year’s garden? Prepare a delicious and deeply medicinal garlic-infused honey to help stave off bugs that cause illness. For bonus immune boosters (and flavor!) you can also experiment with other immune-supporting culinary herbs such as Rosemary, Thyme, and Sage.

~Create your own bone broth! Did you know that this is actually so easy to do, can save you a bunch at the grocery store, and by making it at home you steer clear of unnecessary additives or preservatives? Save the bones from a rotisserie chicken you bring home for dinner, or ask your local butcher if they have bones on hand they are giving away or selling for cheap, and simmer in a large pot of water for a few hours. Give this an added immune-system supporting boost by throwing in medicinal mushrooms such as Reishi or Shitake, or adding in the aforementioned adaptogenic root herbs! Once you have your broth, add to freezer safe containers and freeze for future use through the fall.

~Create herbal extractions. Many of the herbs we enjoyed fresh throughout the spring and summer can also continue to support us in our home apothecary. For immune-system boosting inspiration, consider making a Mullein tincture to bring relief to respiratory ailments, or extracting Oregano in oil to help fend off a cold before it starts. This can also be a fun time to experiment with preparing glycerine tinctures (especially for tasty aromatic herbs like Lemon Balm or Lavender!) to also support nervous system restoration.

~Store away herbal syrups. Autumn is the time of powerful immune-system boosting allies such as Elderberry, Horehound, or Rose Hips are abundant. These herbs, packed with Vitamin C, are staples in a home apothecary. Create a delicious herbal cough syrup by infusing these herbs with honey, as well as some delicious warming herbs such as Cardamom, Cinnamon, or Nutmeg – because who said taking our medicine has to be a miserable experience?

Whether you preserve your harvest through one of the above means or by simply drying the herbs to use later, it is a beautiful practice to also integrate gratitude into your workings. In the wise words of Robin Wall Kimmerer, when we receive the fruits of nature as a gift versus something of a commodity, we understand their preciousness so much more deeply and act with tender care. Consider ways in which you can give back following the harvest, whether that is through providing offerings, doing a volunteer clean up day, or returning nutrients and compost to the soil in your garden ahead of the arrival of winter.

Combatting Dis-ease with Soul Nourishment

Recently, on the New Heights Podcast, Taylor Swift has gone viral for some pretty relatable and resonate words – “Think of your energy as if it’s expensive. As if it’s like a luxury item. Not everyone can afford it, not everyone has invested in you, in order to be able to have the capital for you to care about this.”

We have so many things vying for our attention at all times of the day, so much so that there has become a term for it – “The Attention Economy.” Large institutions invest a lot of money in identifying ways in which to hold your attention for even just a few seconds, if it means that they can share information, help sell a product, or influence you in some way.

We also juggle so many responsibilities on the daily – whether it is balancing childcare and work, tending to a small business in the day and age of large corporations, tending to our community in a time of great division – there is a lot to carry. This can result in such things as a lack of feeling of groundedness, a fried nervous system, tension as a result of stress, a reduced immune system, or, from a spiritual standpoint, a fractured feeling of our soul.

So once again, we turn to the teachings of nature, which in the autumn are so simple – Let go, turn inward.

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As the days grow shorter and we spend more time indoors, this can also be a time to evaluate what it is our very soul needs, and what would be most nourishing. Perhaps we have been neglecting our creativity during the busy months of summer and our hands are itching to pick them back up again. Perhaps we feel inclined to spend more intentional time with family or friends and need to make adjustments to other obligations that are taking up time and energy in our day to day. Perhaps we need to make more space for meditation or connect more deeply in our studies of nature. Take this time to explore your inner world and where perhaps dis-ease is impacting our soul’s ability to thrive, and become an alchemist with your very energy.

We wish you a beautiful transition into the autumn, dear readers, and may you find the nourishment that is most supportive and unique to you. May you find inspiration amongst the falling leaves, and our wish for you is that you have the space you need for deep restoration and rejuvenation in this season ahead.