SABBATH SERIES: MABON/AUTUMN EQUINOX
Another Sabbath, another celebration to prepare for! For any of my witches and spiritual baddies new to the Sabbaths and the Wheel of the Year, it may feel like theres a new festival every other week. As soon as you’ve celebrated one, settled into the new energy of that sabbath, you’re back at it again, preparing, gathering, learning…it can be exhausting! I too felt like I couldn’t keep up when trying to embrace each new (transitional) season. I wanted to give each one the credit it was due, and curate each moment that felt right to my Craft as well. To this I say, go at your own pace, if you need to skip a Sabbath here or there, it doesn’t make you a bad witch.
It’s important top feel connected as you move through each changing of the season. So, if you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, I recommend sticking to the the four ‘major sabbaths’, and then add in a ‘minor sabbath’ when you feel ready to expand - or vise-a-versa. You can also do your own quick research, or even try to intuit, which Sabbaths you’re most drawn to and stick with those for now. The Wheel of the Year is a guideline to how you celebrate and connect with the Earth, so make it your own!
Embracing Mabons Transitional Energy
Mabon is a ‘minor Sabbath’, also known as the Autumn Equinox. Now, it may feel that the equinox’s and solstices hold much weight and should be considered majors- the reason for this not being the case is that its the marker of change. Mabon is the marker for transitioning from Summer to Autumn, it’s still lingering with Summer energy, and we may still be feeling the remnants of heat trying to hold fast from summers fading. It isn’t a time where we are fully immersed in autumns “peak”, giving Mabon, and other quarter seasons, the title of ‘minor sabbaths’. Mabon is the second harvest festival, also known as “The Great Harvest”, in the wheel of the year, and piggy-backing off of the energy of Lughnasadh, it’a a time to gather, honor, and give gratitude to the food we are taking with us through the colder seasons ahead.
Mark your Calendars for Mabons Arrival
Mabon is a beautiful marker in the year, it’s when we start feeling a slight crispness in the air, or noticing the first browning leaves starting to crisp and awaiting their descend to the earth below. The Autumn Equinox lands in September between the 21st and 24th (Northern Hemisphere). This year it falls on September 22nd, a Sunday which is a perfect time to take a stroll in the closest park and take note of any signs that summer is receding, and autumn is truly here. You may remember in our previous article Litha/Midsummer, we discussed the day being the longest for the year, that leading up to Liha the days were growing longer. Well, since Litha, slowly and maybe not so obviously, the days have been growing shorter, and Mabon marks one of the two times in the wheel where the day and night are finally back to equal duration. This is something observed across the globe, and from this day forward the night will start to take more and more time away from the sun.
Nostalgia and Feelings of a Renewed Self
Many of us have a sense of nostalgia, or even a feeling of anticipation knowing that autumn is around the corner. Regardless if you had a traditional education or otherwise, this time of year has us all in a chokehold from our childhoods. Knowing we’d be back seeing our friends, another year of excitement, new things to learn, and much left to be discovered; school is one of the many things that keep us, even into adulthood, at the mercy of Mabon. Starting something new in a transitional season may seem unorthodox in terms of energy, and spell-work, however this Sabbath embraces that energy tenfold. So if you are entering a new school year, career, activity, or project, this is a great time to ask the Goddesses and Gods who thrive in Mabon, including Mabon himself, to help guide your endeavors.
Gods of Transition and Duality
Mabon
The story of Mabon began in Whales where Mabon ‘divine don’ was born of his mother Modron ‘divine mother’. He was taken from his mother only mere days after his birth, and kept imprisoned. His story is tied to that of King Arthur, as many may know his tales of triumph and adventure. Mabon became freed by the mythic hero Culhwch, who insisted on Mabons help to find a king who had been cursed to live the life of a boar, all so that Culhwch could marry Olwen. It’s a beautiful and exciting tale that I highly recommend you read/research this hero during the season Mabon was named after.
The Green Man
One of the oldest Gods celebrated across numerous cultures in The Green Man. Although known by many different names, The Green Man is one that has been depicted as part tree part man in his physical form. He is a symbol of rebirth and death, the cycle of nature, and a reminder that one phase does not last forever. A preserver of the forests, the ground (dirt, soil, shrubs), and keeper to the trees. You may remember him from our Litha article, but it is now at Mabon that he is honored and layed to rest until Yule where he comes back in full strength to fight the Holy King. In many traditions they honor him by giving toasts, offerings, and songs to the trees.
Pluto/Hades
The eldest son of Cronos, and the ruler of the Underworld, Hades has always been associated with the dark, unseen, and death. It is no surprise that his presence is felt strongly during Mabon and the Sabbaths that come during the Autumn season. As we inch towards a time where the veil is at its thinnest, Hades makes his appearance, welcoming those ready to ascend into our realm for connection and remembrance, or ascend into Hel where they will be upon his watch for eternity. Hades was not seen as a demonic, or evil figure until the church deemed him so, equating him to Satan; so terrified to speak his name they changed it around the 5th Century BC to Pluto, which his energy presides in (especially according to astrologers). He is the ruler of death, acknowledging that beauty is also in the unknown and the unseen.
The Goddesses of the Underworld
Modron
The story of Mabon would not have existed without Modron ‘divine mother’, the mother of our previously mentioned hero Mabon. She is known as an Earth goddess, and the Goddess of Motherhood, and with this cannot tend the lands as she once did before her beloved son was stolen from her. This myth can be found in many forms across many cultures, and it isn’t until the babe, sometimes by then a grown adult, is returned to their mother and homeland that the earth can be restored. Her power regains and the land becomes fruitful once again before the darkness of winter sets in. Thus bringing everyone together for a massive harvest and celebration.
Persephone
Our dear princess of darkness, and bringer of light. She lives between dualities, that of death and the underworld, and of Springtime and rebirth. Many believe that she was captured by Hades and taken to the underworld by force, but recent historians, and Feminists, believe this story strips Persephone of her power, and that the myths strongly suggest that there was a true romance story hidden within the tall tale, and her choice to go. Why she is so pertinent to the Autumn Equinox has much to do with her origin story as the Princess of Hel. Her mother Demeter (who we will discuss) wanted to save Persephone from Hades clutches and bring her back to Olympus. However, Persephone had eaten six pomegranate seeds, damning her to remain in the Underworld for six months of each year. Her descnension back to her beloved King of Darkness begins on Mabon.
Demeter
The Proud mother of Persephone and lacchus, profoundly known as the Goddess of grain, fertility, earth, and harvest. Of course Demeter is honored on this day, and many, if not all, harvest festivals. The story goes that when her daughter Persephone was taken to the Underworld by Hades, she was distraught and did whatever she could to bring Persephone back. Due to her grief and pain, crops, livestock, forests, and even the grass began to die. She refused to aid in its regrowth until her beloved daughter was returned to her. So a plan was devised to grant Demeter her demands, and end her pain. But upon her retrieval she found that Persephone had already eaten the pomegranate seeds, damning her to six months of every year in the underworld with Hades. It is said that his is why we have the autumn and winter seasons, it isn’t until the spring time when Persephone returns for six months that the earth restores itself through Demeters regained happiness.
Choose Your Own Adventure: Mabon Activities
Now that you have a few deities to consider communing with for your Mabon festivities, lets cover some options on what to do with their blessings, how to honor them, and simply to bring in the change of the seasons.
Exchange Harvest Baskets with friends and loved ones.
Go apple picking, and indulge in some cider.
Forage Mushrooms. But beware faerie circles, DO NOT touch any mushrooms that are in a circle!! And don’t step in said circle!!
Explore a nearby vineyard, whether it includes a wine tasting, or stomping of the grapes is up to you.
Make wreathes adorned with wheat, dried apples, cinnamon sticks, dried gourds, and dried flowers.
Donate unwanted sweaters, coats, wooly socks, to those in need. You can also do a clothing swap with friends and loved ones.
Honor the Harvest Full Moon. Leave some bottled water out overnight for moon water!
Host a BBQ, Dinner, or Picnic by bonfire with friends and loved ones.
Go hiking and leaves a non-toxic offering to the earth, trees, and plants around you.
The Great Harvest: How to Prepare & Give Thanks
Bring the energy of Mabon alive with some of these items. Add to your alter, workspace, or outdoor gathering area to encourage coming together with friends and loved ones of this realm, or those in spirit.
Creatures: Horses, Cows, Owl, Salmon, Stag, Toads, Black Bird
Colors: Red, Burnt Orange, Rust, Brown, Deep Yellow
Food items: Apples, Pomegranate, Figs, Oranges, Molasses, Honey, Nuts (especially roasted), Bread, Chili, Casseroles, Soups and Stews. Yummmmmm!
Make Oil infusions. Example: Olive oil mixed with garlic, rosemary, and thyme, or Essential Oil Blends Orange, Cinnamon, and Clove.
Build a Scarecrow (either for decoration or for actual use in your gardens).
Crystals: Amber, Carnelian, Black Obsidian, Orange Calcite, Tigers Eye.
Dry Leaves and Herbs for decorative mobiles and garland.
Flowers & Herbs: Acorns, Maple Leaves/Trees, Marigold, Cedar, Sage.
Another Sabbath will come to pass but how you celebrate is what makes it powerful, memorable, and magickal. Don’t forget that through all of this magick, connection to nature and to the deities, it all begins with YOU. There are countless other traditions, (God)desses, and ceremonies that correlate to the Sabbaths of the Wheel, don’t stop your curiosity here, continue to seek truth, connection, and tradition wherever your heart, culture, and spirit guide you.
Until next time, stay spooky darklings xx
