10 Witchy Things to Do in September
September is that perfect in-between month; mornings can be crisp enough for a sweater, but afternoons still feel warm and golden. It’s when I start lighting candles in the early evening again, swapping out my iced tea for herbal brews, and feeling the pull toward more introspective types of magick.
Here are 10 witchy things to do in September to help you sink into the season, connect with your craft, and start thinking ahead to Samhain.
1. Celebrate Mabon, the Autumn Equinox
Mabon, the Autumn Equinox is one of the eight sabbats on the Wheel of the Year and falls around September 21–23 (at the time of writing this post in 2025, it falls on September 22), when day and night are equal in length. Spiritually, it’s a time of balance, gratitude, and honoring the second harvest of the year.
Many witches mark Mabon by giving thanks for what they’ve gathered (both physically, like food and herbs, and personally, like lessons learned), before turning inward for the darker half of the year.
This year, I’m planning a gratitude ritual that involves baking an apple crisp, sharing it with my family, and each of us saying one thing we’re thankful for before we dig in. If you’re short on time, you can do something as simple as lighting a candle and placing an apple slice on your altar as an offering for the harvest.
2. Forage for Fall Decor
I keep a little basket by the front door for “forest treasures,” but I've also been known to come home with pockets full of interesting things I've found when running errands. A quick walk in the park or even your backyard can yield fallen leaves, acorns, pinecones, and seed pods.
Once you’ve gathered your finds, you can use them in jar spells, wreaths, or just scatter them along your mantel for that wild, earthy vibe.
Last year, I found the most beautiful bare twig that looked like it belonged in a fairy tale, and it’s now a favorite part of my autumn altar.
3. Brew an Equinox Tea Blend
One of my favorite September evenings involves making a big pot of tea, curling up under a blanket (or sans blanket here in Florida), and watching the sunset. My current blend: dried apple pieces, cinnamon, and chamomile. It smells like a cozy kitchen and tastes even better with a drizzle of honey. You could even stir it clockwise while setting intentions for balance and abundance.
4. Update Your Altar for Autumn
Even if you don’t have a big altar space, you can swap out seasonal elements. I trade my summer seashells for dried orange slices, add a cinnamon stick bundle tied with twine, and switch to dark green and amber candles. If you have a small bowl, fill it with foraged acorns as an offering to the earth.
5. Work with the Waning Moon
The waning moon is perfect for letting go. Last September, I wrote down a habit I wanted to release on a leaf and let it loose in the ocean. You can also burn the paper (safely) or bury it in the garden.
6. Practice Kitchen Witchery
Seasonal cooking is a spell in itself. Roast butternut squash with sage and garlic, bake pumpkin bread with cinnamon and nutmeg, or make a pot of soup and bless each ingredient as it goes in.
I like to whisper protection and health over the pot while it simmers. It makes dinner feel extra magickal.
7. Start Your Samhain Prep Early
Trust me, October flies by. I’ve already started gathering black candles, drying roses, and printing a small photo of my grandmother for my ancestor altar. This month is perfect for choosing your Samhain ritual theme, ordering any supplies you don't have on-hand, and deciding whether you want your celebrations to be quiet and reflective or more elaborate.
8. Journal with the Season
Questions I’m writing on this month:
- What have I truly harvested this year?
- What am I ready to let rest until spring?
If journaling isn’t your thing, you could meditate on them or doodle your responses. The point is to make space for reflection.
9. Create a Protection Charm
As the veil begins to thin, protection work is a good idea. You can make protection sachets for your home, your car, or to keep in your bag. I also place black tourmaline and obsidian in my doorways and on my windowsills.
Last September, I made a charm bag with black tourmaline, rosemary, a pinch of salt, and a tiny key I found at a flea market. It now hangs by my front door.
10. Take a Twilight Walk
There’s magick in September evenings; the way the sky glows deep purple, the air smells faintly of woodsmoke, and the crickets sing like a familiar lullaby. I like to use these walks as a moving meditation: breathing deeply, feeling the shift in the season, and imagining myself in step with the turning wheel of the year.
Final Thoughts
September is the soft doorway to the darker half of the year. Take time now to gather your tools, replenish your herbs, and dream up your Samhain magick, because the veil is already beginning to stir!
Stay mystical, Friends!