Graphic illustration of wavy lines in brown leading to a diamond-shaped design of intersecting lines in a gradient of brown to dark blue leading to a dark blue vine with leaves.
celebratediversity

Spiritual Seasonal Observances – Fall 2024

Celebrate Diversity emails share events and resources related to recognition days, heritage months, and spiritual seasonal observances as a part of Emerson’s commitment to celebrate all forms of diversity in our community. The content is crafted by staff partnering across the Social Justice Collaborative, Marketing & Communications, Campus Life, and Internationalization & Equity.

Our first email of the 2024-2025 academic year notes many meaningful religious, spiritual and faith-based traditions that are observed and celebrated during the fall.

Image of dried oranges and fruits.

 

 

 

Multifaith Observance Resources

We also remind you of the Multifaith Observance Google Calendar that can be synced to your personal account. The Multifaith Observance Google Calendar displays information on important religious and spiritual dates, as well as restrictions to note when planning campus events, course deadlines, meetings, or programs. The detailed spreadsheet list of these dates is also available at Multifaith Holidays through Academic Year 2027. This resource from the Center of Spiritual Life, based on resources from Harvard Divinity School, provides vital information. Please remember that our Religious Observance Policy exists so that holidays can be recognized wholly by members of our community.

Screenshot of the Multifaith Observance Google Calendar. Text: Click to Add - Multifaith Observance Google Calendar.
Multifaith Observance Google Calendar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wishing all Emersonians joy as we start the new academic year.

September, October, November

During the months of September, October, and November, many important times of worship, celebration, and observance are held among many faiths, cultures, and traditions. We encourage you to learn more below, and consider what personal or community practices you might want to engage with during this season of change.

Ganesh Chaturthi, September 7

Procession of a beautiful idol of Lord Ganesha in Mumbai.
Lord Ganesha

Birth of the Prophet Muhammad, Mawlid Al-Nabi, September 15-16

Celebrating Mawlid Al-Nabi, 12 Rabi al Awwal 1445 H.
Mawlid Al-Nabi

 

 

Mid-Autumn Festival, September 17

  • A major holiday in China, celebrated by Buddhist, Taoist, East and Southeast Asians.
  • Also known as Moon or Mooncake Festival.

Autumn Equinox, September 22

Sunlight filtering through trees in a forest with the ground covered in red and brown leaves during autumn.
A forest during Autumn Equinox (Courtesy of Unsplash).
  • Also known as Mabon, a Pagan spiritual observation of the changing of seasons.
  • The sun crosses the celestial equator and day and night are nearly equal in length.
  • Learn More: All About Mabon: The Autumn Equinox.

 

 

 

Rosh Hashanah, Evening of October 2 – October 4

Painting of a Shofar and food to celebrate Rosh Hashanah.
Shofar during Rosh Hashanah
  • Jewish New Year.
  • Celebrated with feasts, candle lighting, and blowing the Shofar, a rams horn, which has many symbolic meanings.
  • Learn More: Rosh Hashanah 101.

 

 

Yom Kippur, Evening of October 11 – October 12

Jewish prayer shawl with prayer book with passage to remember the dead.
Jewish prayer shawl and prayer book (Courtesy of Unsplash)
  • Jewish Day of Atonement, holiest day of the year.
  • 25-hour period of fasting and prayer.
  • Learn More: Yom Kippur 101.

 

 

 

 

Dussehra, October 12

  • Also known as Vijayadashami, a major Hindu celebration, marking the end of Navratri, a nine-night festival.

Dussehra Introduction Video

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sukkot, Evening of October 16 – October 23

Jewish woman and child visiting their family Sukkah in the Jewish festival of Sukkot. A Sukkah is a temporary structure where meals are taken for the week.
Sukkah structure during the Jewish holiday of Sukkot (courtesy of iStock).
  • One of the three great pilgrimage festivals of the Jewish year.
  • Named after the huts (sukkot in Hebrew) the Israelites lived in during their 40 years in the desert after slavery in Egypt.
  • Learn More: Sukkot 101.

 

 

Diwali, October 31 – November 1

Gold dragon sculpture surrounded by shallow bowls with candles.
A golden dragon sculpture during Diwali (courtesy of Unsplash).

 

 

 

 

All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, November 1 and November 2

An exquisitely sculpted marble dais in The Cathedral of St. Nicholas in England.
Marble Sculptures at Cathedral of St. Nicholas in England (courtesy of Unsplash).
  • Catholics observe All Saints Day for the saints without a yearly feast day.
  • Christians observe All Souls’ Day in remembrance of relatives, friends, and strangers who are no longer living.
  • Learn More: All Saints Day & All Souls Day.

 

 

Birth of the Báb and Birth of Bahá’u’lláh, November 2 – 3

The Bahá’í House Of Worship in Chicago, Illinois.
The Bahá’í House Of Worship in Chicago, Illinois (courtesy of Unsplash).