Birth Month

September

September 1 – September 30 · Earth (Virgo period); Air (Libra period from September 23) · Mercury (Virgo), Venus (Libra from September 23)

Traditional BirthstoneSapphire (in ancient Hebrew, Roman, Hindu, and Christian traditions); Lapis Lazuli (in some ancient Mesopotamian and Egyptian traditions); also Zircon in some medieval European lists

Modern BirthstoneSapphire

ElementEarth (Virgo period); Air (Libra period from September 23)

Ruling PlanetMercury (Virgo), Venus (Libra from September 23)

Associated crystals

SapphireOpen in the Dictionary Lapis LazuliOpen in the Dictionary IoliteOpen in the Dictionary AzuriteOpen in the Dictionary KyaniteOpen in the Dictionary

Associated herbs

RoseOpen in the Dictionary MintOpen in the Dictionary Lemon BalmOpen in the Dictionary ThymeOpen in the Dictionary FennelOpen in the Dictionary

Source Tradition

Sapphire's assignment to September represents a reassignment: in ancient traditions, sapphire was April's stone. The 1912 Jewelers of America list moved sapphire to September—its current position—while assigning diamond to April. In Exodus 28, sapphire (sappir) is the second stone of Aaron's breastplate. The Hindu Navaratna associates blue sapphire (neelam) with Saturn, whose exaltation is in Libra (beginning September 23). Ancient Persians believed the Earth rested on a giant sapphire whose reflection colored the sky. Both traditional and modern lists now agree on sapphire for September.

Exodus 28:18; Hindu Navaratna tradition; 16th-century Polish Jewish tradition; Jewelers of America, 1912—DIVERGENCE HISTORY: Sapphire was April's traditional stone before 1912 reassignmentExplore sourcing notes in the Appendix