Septem

Coinciding with the Autumn Equinox, and “Corn” or “Harvest” Moon September, from septem (“seven”), was originally the seventh month in the old Roman calendar. Though now it holds the ninth place, its root still whispers of a former order.

September has long carried the air of harvest—a time when what was sown in spring and ripened in summer must now be gathered, stored, and borne into the darker half of the year. This is a month of weight, responsibility, and preparation.

Like the farmer’s back under the burden of grain, September calls me to bear what is mine with steadiness and strength. It reminds me that agency is not only expressed in outward sovereignty or joyful expression, but also in the quiet capacity to hold, endure, and sustain.

Deep Back Arm Line

The DBAL runs from the little finger, through the forearm flexors and triceps, into the back of the shoulder and scapula, linking ultimately with the spine.

Where its superficial partner (the SBAL) gives me broad action and expressive gestures, the DBAL supplies support and resilience. It is the line that steadies a climber’s grip, powers the archer’s draw, and provides the foundation for any act of sustained pulling or carrying.

Functionally, the DBAL represents my ability to shoulder responsibility without collapse. It does not seek the spotlight; it provides the grounding strength behind the act, the endurance that allows effort to be carried through. When healthy and integrated, it gives me not just physical stamina, but a deeper trust in my own ability to hold steady amid strain.

Responsibility

Responsibility, like the turning of the season, asks me not for words but for practice. Embodying responsibility requires a willingness to be held accountable, not just for my actions, but for the orientation of my being.

The strength of the Deep Back Arm Line reminds me that every extension, every push, and every reach into the world is anchored by the structures that support it. In the same way, my choices are only as strong as the inner integrity that steadies them.

Ways I embody responsibility this month:

  • Reclaim agency:

    Each week, I write down one area of life where I’ve been “passing the buck”. I choose one small, concrete action to step into ownership there. Responsibility begins with clarity about what is truly mine to carry.

  • Practice embodied integrity:

    In daily tasks — lifting, pushing, carrying — I pause to notice how my arms connect back through my shoulders and spine. I ask myself:

    Am I supporting this action with integrity, or compensating with tension? Aligning my body in truth trains my mind to do the same.

  • End the day with reflection:

    Before bed, I take a few minutes to ask:

    What was mine to carry today? Did I carry it well?

    I then write down one win (where I rose to responsibility) and one opportunity (where I avoided it). Responsibility doesn’t maturet in perfection, but in the ongoing willingness to return to practice.