As I write this, there's a huge thunder storm raging outside my window and the sky is very dark... there's a strong and powerful energy around here today!
So... Mabon 21/22 September - another Festival marking the next phase in the turn of the wheel... here we are passing through the seasonal gateway into Autumn, the dark part of the year and there's a definite energy of slowing down and cosying up in preparation for the winter months ahead.
The Autumn Equinox is that brief moment when day and night are of equal length - Sun and Moon embrace one another in perfect balance. This transition coincides with entry into the astrological sign of Libra, further adding to the energy of balance and harmony in all things.
But as Summer breathes her last, tired exhale and the Earth settles in for her long nap... the next indrawn breath is the cool, crisp air of those delicious Autumn mornings.
From here it is soft candlelight and steaming mugs of cinnamon-spiced hot chocolate by the fire... thick comfy socks and cosy woollen jumpers, nights drawing in and sun hanging low in the sky during short daylight hours... fiery hues of orange, yellow and red as trees recline softly into their quiet sleep, laying leaves at their feet to provide a blanket of warmth for the next generation of mini-beasts and creatures, and so many necessary nutrients as those leaves, crisp underfoot, break down and feed the soil ready for new growth in springtime (a long way off now, it seems...)
Although there is no doubt about the importance of the Equinox and transition into Autumn, Mabon itself is a little bit of a conundrum... a modern Pagan festival in a way - as there is no evidence from history to say that this seasonal change had any kind of a name or any kind of big celebratory festival associated with it. The modern sabbat is named after the Welsh god Mabon although there is no historical suggestion of any link between Mabon and this time of year. It's generally agreed that this term was introduced some time in the 1970's as a way to create symmetry in the Wheel of the Year.
However, it is known that the Autumn Equinox was observed and held in high regard (as with all the balance/transition points throughout the year) in many ancient and historic cultures but it didn't necessarily have a name or involve any kind of showy ritual.
What we do know is that it was a time of gratitude and thankfulness to the gods for the crops and harvests. We know it was a time when families and communities would make plans and prepare for the long winters. We can infer that there might have been private rituals to honour the harvests and that people likely gathered in small groups to give thanks and to mark the time and transition from light to dark but this was not really recorded and therefore more likely to be simple family traditions rather than sacred moments.
"The Goddess is Lady of Abundance. Her cauldron, cornucopia, produces all good things, an abundance of blessings. The God is Lord of Harvest. Their union is fruitful and has made all things on Earth." - Rae Beth, Hedge Witch: A Guide to Solitary Witchcraft, Robert Hale London 1990
Ancient or Modern - we live in the here and now...
and as such, we have the opportunity to gather all these rituals and traditions, old and new, and observe or celebrate the season as is fitting to our personal needs and wishes in this moment in time.
So how can you do this...? Here's some ideas:
You might decorate your altar with fallen leaves, pinecones, apples, stems of wheat, nuts and other seasonal items. Maybe add in a candle to honor the light and the darkness. You could even try a candle-gazing meditation or simply spend some time for gratitude and to reflect on what you are thankful for.
Prepare your own harvest feast using seasonal foods: pumpkins, apples, root vegetables and share this with friends and loved ones.
Any transition is a good time for letting go of the past and focusing on the future - forgiveness or simply moving on from energy that no longer aligns with your highest good can benefit you at this time.
Taking a walk in nature is something I recommend at every opportunity but it's easy to see why an Autumn walk is a great idea - so much wonderful beauty to see in the changes taking places in the wild places out there - a lot of gratitude available in these simple moments of mindful observation.
Doing some journaling to help you reflect on any achievements since Summer Solstice and to set intentions for the coming months in line with the darker half of the year.
Why not try some mindfulness activities that you can do whilst staying snuggled up in your own home: drawing or colouring - or knitting... get creative and cosy at the same time!
Some Mabon Associations:
Deities: Herne, Persephone, The Crone, Pomona
Colours: brown, orange, yellow, gold, dark green
Foods: apples, pomegranates, root vegetables, pumpkins, berries, nuts
Crystals: amber, citrine, lapis lazuli, black obsidian
Symbols: leaves, pumpkins, acorns, apples, cornucopias
So, whether you want to call it Mabon, Summer's End, The Gateway to Autumn, or simply Autumn Equinox, it's totally up to you how you choose to spend this sabbat - as always, I encourage you to do your own research, listen to your own inner voice and speak with your own guides and local spirits to decide how this marker in time looks like for you. Your practice is your own and so it should be!
Let me know what your ideas and traditions are... I always love to hear from you...
With love,
Cheryl
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