MABON ~ AUTUMN EQUINOX

Mabon is a modern pagan holiday and one of the eight annual festivals observed in the Wiccan and Neopagan Wheel of the Year. It is typically celebrated on or around the autumnal equinox, which falls around September 21st or 22nd in the Northern Hemisphere. Mabon is a harvest festival, and it is often referred to as the “Witch’s Thanksgiving” or the “Second Harvest.”

Here are some key aspects and traditions associated with Mabon.

Harvest Celebration. Mabon marks the time of the second harvest, when many fruits and vegetables are ripe for picking. It’s a time to give thanks for the abundance of the season and to celebrate the fruits of one’s labor.

Equinox Balance. Mabon falls on the autumnal equinox, a day when day and night are of equal length. It symbolizes balance and harmony in nature and is seen as a time to reflect on the balance in one’s own life.

Feasting. Like Thanksgiving, Mabon often involves feasting and sharing a meal with friends and family. Many people prepare dishes using seasonal produce, such as apples, pumpkins, and grains.

Altar Decorations. Altars are often decorated with items that represent the harvest season, such as fruits, vegetables, gourds, acorns, and colourful autumn leaves. Candles in autumnal colours like red, orange, and brown may also be lit.

Nature Walks. Some people choose to go on nature walks during Mabon to appreciate the changing foliage and to connect with the natural world.

Rituals and Ceremonies. Wiccans and Neopagans who celebrate Mabon may perform rituals that honours the changing of the seasons, express gratitude for the harvest, and seek balance and harmony in their lives.

Goddess and God Imagery. Mabon is often associated with the symbolism of the Goddess as the Earth and the God as the Sun. It’s a time when the God is seen as aging and moving toward his journey into the underworld, while the Goddess prepares to give birth to him again at Yule (the winter solstice).

Offerings. Some practitioners make offerings to deities or spirits of the land as a way of showing gratitude for the harvest and seeking their blessings for the coming winter.

Charity and Giving Back. Just as Thanksgiving often involves helping those in need, some people use Mabon as an opportunity to engage in acts of charity and giving back to the community.

For many this is the start of a very nostalgic time and season, many people are drawn to Witchcraft around this time. Its a calling if you do feel this.

It’s important to note that Mabon is not a universally observed holiday, and the specific customs and rituals associated with it can vary among different pagan and Wiccan traditions. Some people may also use alternative names for this holiday, such as “Harvest Home” or “Autumn Equinox.” Overall, Mabon is a time to celebrate the changing seasons, express gratitude, and connect with the natural cycles of life and death.