Michaelmas: History and the Feast of Archangel Michael
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BY NICOLE LAU
Michaelmas, celebrated on September 29th, is the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels, honoring the Archangel Michael—the warrior angel who leads heaven's armies against evil. This ancient Christian festival marks the end of the harvest season, the beginning of autumn's darker half, and the cosmic battle between light and darkness. It's a day of protection, courage, and spiritual warfare, when we invoke angelic help against the forces that threaten us.
The Biblical Origins
Archangel Michael appears throughout scripture as God's warrior and protector.
Daniel 10:13, 21: Michael is called "one of the chief princes" and "your prince," protecting the people of Israel
Daniel 12:1: "At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise"
Jude 1:9: Michael disputes with the devil over Moses' body
Revelation 12:7-9: The most famous passage: "Michael and his angels fought against the dragon... that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him."
This cosmic battle—Michael defeating the dragon/Satan—is the central image of Michaelmas.
The Name "Michael"
Michael (Hebrew: מִיכָאֵל, Mikha'el) means "Who is like God?"
The Question as Battle Cry: When Lucifer claimed to be like God, Michael's name itself was the response: "Who is like God?" (Answer: No one. Certainly not you, Lucifer.)
The Humility: Despite being the greatest warrior angel, Michael's very name proclaims God's supremacy, not his own power.
The Four Archangels
Michaelmas honors all angels, but especially the four archangels:
Michael: Warrior, protector, leader of heaven's armies, defeater of Satan
Gabriel: Messenger, announcer of births (John the Baptist, Jesus), revealer of prophecy
Raphael: Healer, guide, protector of travelers (Book of Tobit)
Uriel: Light of God, wisdom, illumination (apocryphal texts)
While all are honored, Michael takes center stage on September 29th.
Historical Development
Early Church (5th-6th Century)
The feast originated in the Eastern Church, celebrating the dedication of a basilica to St. Michael near Constantinople.
September 29th: Chosen to mark the dedication of the Basilica of St. Michael on the Salarian Way in Rome (5th century)
Medieval Period
Michaelmas became one of the four "quarter days" in England—major dates for rent payments, hiring servants, and legal contracts.
The Quarter Days: Lady Day (March 25), Midsummer (June 24), Michaelmas (September 29), Christmas (December 25)
Michaelmas Term: Universities and law courts began their autumn term on Michaelmas, a tradition continuing at Oxford and Cambridge
Agricultural Significance
Michaelmas marked the end of harvest and the beginning of winter preparations.
Harvest Home: Final crops gathered by Michaelmas
Hiring Fairs: Farm workers sought new employment for the coming year
Rent Day: Tenants paid annual rent to landlords
The Dragon-Slaying Imagery
Michael's defeat of the dragon/Satan became the festival's central symbol.
The Iconography: Michael depicted in armor, with sword or spear, standing on or slaying a dragon/serpent
The Scales: Often shown holding scales (weighing souls at judgment) and sword (divine justice)
The Symbolism: Good triumphing over evil, light over darkness, order over chaos, heaven over hell
Traditional Customs
The Michaelmas Goose
Eating goose on Michaelmas was traditional in England and Ireland.
The Origin: Geese were at their fattest after feeding on stubble from harvested fields
The Legend: Queen Elizabeth I was eating goose when she heard of the Spanish Armada's defeat. She declared goose should be eaten on Michaelmas for good luck.
The Saying: "Eat a goose on Michaelmas Day, want not for money all the year"
Blackberries and the Devil
Folklore says blackberries should not be picked after Michaelmas.
The Legend: When Michael cast Lucifer from heaven, he fell into a blackberry bush. In revenge, the devil spits (or urinates) on blackberries every Michaelmas, making them poisonous.
The Reality: Late September blackberries are often moldy or past their prime, so the folklore has practical wisdom.
Nut Gathering
Michaelmas was traditional time for gathering nuts (hazelnuts, walnuts) for winter storage.
Michaelmas in Different Traditions
Catholic and Orthodox
Feast Day: September 29th (Catholic), November 8th (Orthodox)
Observance: Special Mass, prayers to St. Michael, blessing of swords or weapons
Anglican
Holy Day: One of the principal feasts
Observance: Special services, hymns to St. Michael
Folk Christianity
Protection Rituals: Invoking Michael's protection against evil
Harvest Celebrations: Feasting, thanksgiving for harvest
Weather Divination: Michaelmas weather predicts winter conditions
The Themes of Michaelmas
Protection and Defense
Michael as protector against evil, danger, and spiritual attack.
The Prayer: "St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil..."
Courage and Strength
Michael as warrior, giving courage to face our battles.
Justice and Judgment
Michael weighing souls, ensuring divine justice.
Transition and Threshold
Michaelmas marks the transition from light half of year to dark half, from harvest to winter.
Spiritual Warfare
The ongoing battle between good and evil, light and darkness.
Modern Observance
Church Services: Special Masses and services honoring St. Michael
Waldorf Schools: Michaelmas is celebrated with dragon-slaying plays, courage-building activities
Harvest Festivals: Community celebrations marking harvest's end
Protection Rituals: Invoking Michael's protection for the coming dark season
Michaelmas's Relevance Today
In our modern world, Michaelmas offers essential wisdom:
Facing Our Dragons: We all have dragons to slay—fears, addictions, toxic patterns. Michaelmas reminds us we don't face them alone.
Spiritual Protection: In a world of spiritual confusion, invoking angelic protection grounds us.
Courage in Darkness: As days shorten and darkness grows, we need courage to face winter—literal and metaphorical.
Good vs. Evil: In an age of moral relativism, Michaelmas affirms that good and evil are real, and good ultimately triumphs.
Harvest Gratitude: Marking the harvest's end reminds us to be grateful for abundance before winter's scarcity.
Whether you're Christian or not, Michaelmas's themes of protection, courage, spiritual warfare, and the triumph of light over darkness offer powerful symbols for navigating life's battles and transitions.
As you honor the powerful energy of Michaelmas and the protective light of Archangel Michael, consider deepening your connection with a beautiful archangel michael tapestry to invite his presence into your sacred space. You might also explore the sacred space cleanse printable energy clearing ritual kit to purify your environment before welcoming fresh celestial guidance. For those drawn to lunar alignments during this feast, the 13 new moon rituals lunar beginnings offers a beautiful way to set intentions under the archangel’s watchful eye. To reflect on your spiritual path, the tarot journaling prompts 100 questions for self discovery can help you uncover messages from the divine. Finally, the blue moon rare manifestation portal audio invites you to channel Michael’s protective fire into your deepest desires, weaving courage and clarity into every ritual.
