Rushing Autumn

Why Pumpkin Spice Season Might Actually Belong in August

Hear me out: Autumn decorations and pumpkin spice season should start EARLIER than they already do. In fact, they should start right around August 1. If this is uncomfortable for you, then… I actually totally agree. I’m uncomfortable with this too. HOWEVER, I have actual scientific and cultural logic to back me up on this “hot take”. Bear with me…

In the sweltering days of August, many of us are searching for a fresh bottle of sunscreen and a replacement cooler at the store and we’re unpleasantly startled when we stumble across back-to-school supplies and fall decorations. Pumpkin spiced products start rolling out after mid-August and sound anything but refreshing for those still in the grip of summer. But is it actually too early?

Here’s my scientific rationale for why it’s not really too early: According to the movement of the Earth around the Sun, Fall starts on September 21 (or 22 in some years) and lasts until Dec. 21. Astronomically, we shouldn’t really be getting excited for the fall season until mid-late September. Some time ago, meteorologists agreed that Fall was September, October, and November. So meteorologically, Fall starts on September 1. One can reasonably argue that we could get excited and plan ahead about something like a season shift a few weeks ahead of time. So it’s logical (if slightly off-putting) to begin to purchase themed decorations and pumpkin-spiced beverages in August, in anticipation of the start of the season.

But are we rushing into autumn simply to escape the doldrums of summer?

Don’t get me wrong- Fall is glorious. I’ve written many blogs and articles about the beauty and wonder of fall, stretching back to my first one on The Joy of Pumpkin Spice: The Science Behind Loving Fall published in HuffPost. You don’t get to be “The Pumpkin Spice Neuroscientist” without loving the fall season.

So believe me when I say that I don’t want to offend FALL. But are we stealing from Summer?

Fall is one of the most productive seasons for almost every industry as companies race to meet end-of-year goals of all sorts. September is one of the biggest months of the year for hiring. That productivity and unified energy toward goals is exciting and intoxicating. I love the fall season for its energy and enthusiasm as much as for its bright colors and warm drinks. But in our rush to get to that exciting fall season, are we skipping over the joys of summer? By the time July 4th is in the rearview mirror, many of us are starting to get bored of the hot, lazy days and antsy for the next thing.

Doesn’t Summer deserve a proper send-off?

Where is the celebration of the end of summer? The glory of enjoying the long days, the warm weather, the abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables, the season of vacations and living in the moment? Are we giving a short shrift to the value of our laziness as we eagerly dive into high productivity mode of getting back to school, back to work, and kicking into full gear?

Midsummer

August 1 is what’s called a cross-quarter day. It’s the half-way mark between the astronomical start (June 21) and end (Sep 21) of summer. Throughout human history and across cultures we have celebrations that align with the movement of the earth around the sun. Lots of people are familiar with the Solstices and equinoxes that mark the seasons, but we might not be paying attention to the halfway point between those. These cross-quarter days are actually times of celebration across many cultures. For example, the one that lands in the middle of autumn (Sep 21- Dec 21) lands around Nov. 1 (Halloween, All-Saints Day, Samhain, and others fall around that time). It’s a marker when we go from early fall apple-picking to late fall preparations for winter. In the middle of winter (Dec. 21-Mar 21), is Feb.1, a celebration of Midwinter, Groundhog’s Day, and other celebrations that mark the first signs of spring. In spring (Mar 21- June 21), the middle marker lands around May 1, with celebrations of May Day, Cinco de mayo, and many other spring festivals that launch us into summer.

August 1 isn’t a popular celebration time in our modern culture. But it does have some traditional celebrations, like Lammas Day, an old celebration of the beginning of the wheat harvest, and other late summer fruits and vegetables. That is… apples and pumpkins and wheat. The whole harvest theme. It’s basically pumpkin spice season. So here’s my pitch: the “fall” stuff starts August 1 and is great until Nov 1. And then, it’s time for the winter stuff.

I know, I know… “but what about Thanksgiving!?” “what about spooky season stuff?” and “it’s still too hot for a PSL!”. Well I can’t solve everything today, but I’d say that we probably just have to re-theme slightly. I’m still working on it. Let me know if you have an answer!

Meanwhile, my call to action for today is not to give anyone too hard a time if they’re excited for Pumpkin Spice Season and all the trappings that will come with it. Of course they may be building anticipation for all of the fantastic fall activities, weather, and energy. They may also be celebrating the end of a beautiful summer. We don’t have to be delusional about when Autumn starts to enjoy pumpkin spice and everything nice in August. Cheers, my friends.