September Tarot Inspiration: Welcoming Autumn's Wisdom

How to shape the season with intention and self-compassion

As September arrives and the first hints of autumn colour creep into the landscape, we’re invited to slow down, gather in the gifts of the year, and gently prepare for the season ahead. This month, as always, is rich with celestial and spiritual milestones, each offering its own invitation to reflect, release, and renew. From the introspective energy of the Celtic Tree Months to the luminous Harvest Moon and the balancing act of the Autumnal Equinox, September is a time to weave together gratitude, insight, and gentle transformation. Welcome to September Tarot Inspiration!

Below, you’ll find a deep dive into each of this month’s key dates, along with simple rituals to honour the energies at play, bespoke tarot spreads for your own practice, and reflective journal prompts for those who prefer pen and paper over cards. Whether you’re a seasoned tarot reader or simply seeking mindful ways to mark the turning of the season, I hope this month's inspiration offers you grounding, clarity, and connection.

2 September: Celtic Tree Month of Vine Begins

Harvest & Introspection

The Celtic Tree Month of Vine ushers in a period of harvest—both literal and symbolic. Vine is associated with abundance, transformation, and the wisdom that comes from turning inward. As the days shorten, this is a time for gentle introspection, sorting through what you’ve grown and what you’re ready to release. The Vine encourages us to celebrate our achievements, acknowledge our lessons, and prepare for the coming months with self-compassion and clarity.

Rituals for the Month of Vine

1. Harvest Altar Creation

   Gather seasonal items—grapes, apples, autumn leaves, or anything that symbolises abundance for you. Arrange them on a small altar or sacred space. Light a candle and spend a few moments in gratitude for the blessings and lessons of the year so far.

   
   

2. Journaling for Introspection

   Set aside time to write about what you’ve accomplished and what you’d like to leave behind as the season shifts. Use this as a gentle review rather than a critique, honouring both your growth and your humanity.

   
   

3. Vine Meditation

   Visualise yourself as a vine, rooted and resilient, reaching towards the light and bearing fruit. Imagine releasing old leaves and making space for new growth. Let this meditation guide you into a season of calm self-reflection.

   
   
   
   

Tarot Spread: The Harvest Within

Card 1: What have I cultivated this year?

Card 2: What is ready for release?

Card 3: Where can I direct my energy for the coming season?

7 September: Full Harvest Moon in Pisces & Total Lunar Eclipse

Abundance, Intuition & Letting Go

This year’s Harvest Moon rises in dreamy Pisces, amplified by a powerful total lunar eclipse. The energy is ripe for deep emotional release, intuitive insight, and celebrating the abundance in your life. Pisces asks us to trust our inner knowing, while the eclipse brings hidden truths to light and encourages us to let go of what no longer serves. This is a magical time to balance the practical with the mystical, honouring both your material and spiritual needs.

Rituals for the Harvest Moon & Eclipse

1. Moonlit Release Ceremony

   Under the full moon, write down anything you’re ready to release—habits, fears, old patterns. Safely burn the paper, visualising the moonlight dissolving these burdens and making space for new blessings.

   
   

2. Intuitive Water Scrying

   Fill a bowl with water and place it where the moonlight can touch it. Gaze softly into the water, allowing images, words, or feelings to arise. Trust whatever comes—this is your intuition speaking.

   
   

3. Abundance Gratitude List

   List ten things you’re grateful for, focusing on both tangible blessings and emotional or spiritual abundance. Read your list aloud under the moon, feeling your heart open to receive even more.

   
   
   
   

Tarot Spread: Moonlit Reflections

Card 1: What abundance surrounds me now?

Card 2: What truth is ready to be revealed?

Card 3: What should I release to move forward?

Card 4: How can I best nurture my dreams?

21–22 September: Autumnal Equinox (Mabon)

Balance & Gratitude

The Autumnal Equinox, or Mabon, marks the moment when day and night stand in perfect balance. It’s a time to honour both light and shadow, to give thanks for the year’s harvest, and to prepare for the quieter months ahead. In the Southern Hemisphere, this is Ostara—the Spring Equinox—a time of renewal and new beginnings. Wherever you are, the equinox invites you to pause, reflect, and restore balance in your life.

Rituals for the Autumnal Equinox

1. Balance Mandala

   Create a mandala using natural items—leaves, seeds, stones, flowers—arranged in a circle to symbolise balance. As you work, reflect on where you feel balanced and where you might need more harmony.

   
   

2. Gratitude Feast

   Prepare a simple meal using seasonal ingredients. As you eat, give thanks for the nourishment in your life—physical, emotional, and spiritual. If possible, share this meal with loved ones.

   
   

3. Light & Shadow Journaling

   Divide a page into two columns: “Light” and “Shadow”. List what you’re celebrating and what you’re still working through. Honour both as essential parts of your journey.

   
   

Tarot Spread: Equinox Alignment

Card 1: Where am I in balance?

Card 2: What needs more harmony?

Card 3: How can I express gratitude for my journey?

21 September: New Moon in Virgo

Self-Improvement & Shadow Work

Virgo’s new moon is a potent time for setting intentions around self-improvement, healing, and establishing supportive routines. Virgo energy is practical, detail-oriented, and deeply compassionate—perfect for addressing areas where you’d like to grow. This is also an excellent time for shadow work, gently exploring the parts of yourself that need understanding and integration.

Rituals for the New Moon in Virgo

1. Intention Setting Ritual

   Write down one or two intentions for personal growth this lunar cycle. Keep them realistic and compassionate. Place them somewhere visible, or tuck them under your pillow to infuse your dreams.

   
   

2. Shadow Work Meditation

   Sit quietly and invite any uncomfortable feelings or patterns to gently surface. Offer yourself compassion as you witness them, affirming that all parts of you are worthy of love and healing.

   
   

3. Routine Reset

   Choose one daily habit to support your well-being—perhaps a morning walk, journaling, or mindful breathing. Commit to this practice for the next month, noticing how it shifts your energy.

   
   
   
   

Tarot Spread: Seeds of Growth

Card 1: What area of my life is ready for improvement?

Card 2: What shadow needs my attention?

Card 3: What small step can I take towards healing?

21 September: Feast of the Guardian Spirits

Honouring Spiritual Guidance

The Feast of the Guardian Spirits is a vibrant celebration dedicated to the guides, ancestors, and unseen helpers who support us. It’s a time to give thanks, share stories, and strengthen your connection to the spiritual realm. Whether you work with named guides or simply sense a loving presence, this day is perfect for acknowledging their role in your journey.

Rituals for the Feast of the Guardian Spirits

1. Spirit Guide Letter

   Write a letter of thanks to your spirit guides or ancestors. Express your gratitude for their support and ask for any guidance you need. Place the letter on your altar or burn it as an offering.

   
   

2. Guided Meditation

   Set aside time for a meditation focused on meeting or connecting with your spirit guides. Notice any sensations, images, or messages that arise, trusting your intuition.

   
   

3. Story Sharing Circle

   Gather with friends or family (in person or virtually) and share stories of times you’ve felt guided or protected. Celebrate the wisdom and love that flows through these connections.

   
   

Tarot Spread: Messages from the Guardians

Card 1: What message do my guides have for me now?

Card 2: How can I better honour their presence?

Card 3: What support is available to me at this time?

30 September: Celtic Tree Month of Ivy Begins

Resilience & Determination

Ivy is a symbol of endurance, adaptability, and the quiet strength that helps us persevere through challenges. As the Ivy month begins, reflect on the ways you’ve overcome obstacles and the inner resources that sustain you. Ivy reminds us that growth is not always linear, and that resilience often appears in the most unexpected places.

Rituals for the Month of Ivy

1. Resilience Candle Ritual

   Light a green candle and recall a time you overcame a challenge. As the candle burns, affirm your resilience and visualise yourself moving steadily through any current difficulties.

   
   

2. Ivy Walk

   Take a mindful walk in nature, seeking out ivy or other persistent plants. Notice how they climb, twist, and thrive in unlikely places. Let this inspire your own journey.

   
   

3. Determination Affirmations

   Write down three affirmations that embody your determination. Repeat them daily, especially when you need a boost of courage or motivation.

   
   

Tarot Spread: Roots of Resilience

Card 1: Where have I shown resilience this year?

Card 2: What challenge am I being called to face?

Card 3: What inner strength will support me now?

Five Journal Prompts for Autumn Reflection

For those who prefer journaling over tarot, these prompts offer a way to connect with the season’s energy:

1. What am I most grateful for as autumn begins, and why?

   
   

2. Which lessons from the past year am I ready to carry forward—and which am I ready to release?

   
   

3. Where in my life do I feel most balanced, and where could I invite more harmony?

   
   

4. What dreams or intentions do I want to nurture as the days grow shorter?

   
   

5. How have I shown resilience this year, and what strengths have I discovered in myself?

As we journey through September’s rich tapestry of energies, may you find inspiration, comfort, and clarity in both the gentle rituals and the quiet moments of reflection. Whether you’re drawing cards, journaling, or simply pausing to notice the changing light, remember that this season is yours to shape with intention and self-compassion.

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If you feel inspired by any of these practices or wish to share your own insights, I’d love to hear from you! Please feel free to email me at julie@creativesoultarot.com Connecting with fellow seekers always brightens my path. Wishing you a magical, meaningful September filled with abundance, balance, and a deep sense of belonging.