Mabon

[meridian_rose]

~Magickal Graphics~


Mabon is the time of the autumnal equinox and marks the end of Summer. It occurs on or around September 21 – this year on the 22nd. Also known as/celebrated as the Second Harvest Festival, Wine Harvest/Festival of the Vine, Feast of Avalon, Equinozio di Autunno (Strega), Alben Elfed (Caledonii)x, Michaelmas (Christian) and arguably in theme at least, the later held holiday of Thanksgiving (USA).

Themes for Mabon include harvesting and prosperity, thanksgiving and reflection, and balance – since this is a time of equal day and light – and, thus, harmony. This is a lesser festival, being astronomically significant rather than agriculturally relevant, but quarter days have become a recognised part of Wiccan practice. It is a sabbat I enjoy mostly because of the wonderful symbols of autumn with acorns, golden leaves, and blackberries, and the sense of new beginnings/study that can accompany September.

I will say that this year the leaves are only just starting to turn, the chestnuts are late and barely ripe. Our climate is changing it seems.

It is time for harvesting fruit such as apples, blackberries, and grapes – and thereby honouring Dionysus and other gods associated with wine, as well as Persephone, whose descent into the Underworld brings winter to the world. Placing apples at graves as a symbol of rebirth is something Yasmine Galenorn recommends.

Correspondences: apples, wine, vines, blackberries and other autumn fruits; acorns from oaks and conkers from horse chestnut trees; fallen leaves; brown, gold, orange and red; amethyst, you could use symbols of balance and harmony such as scales – the zodiac month of Libra begins at the equinox - and the Yin Yang. Crafts liking Making a God's Eye

Why Mabon? It's probably a neo-pagan term referencing the Welsh figure Mabon ap Modron (Mabon son of Modron) who also appears in some of the Arthurian legends.

In Druidic traditions, the autumn equinox was referred to as Alban Elfed, meaning the light of the water. This name refers to a time of year in which the balance of light and dark shifts, so that the darkness begins to take over. x

In the southern hemisphere it is Ostara, where the light and dark are in balance, but where the emphasis is on the forthcoming summer, planting, and planning.

Further reading
Correspondences and Symbols
this post suggests ten ways to celebrate Mabon, or the season itself, including gratitude, getting out in nature, and story telling.
The Autumn Equinox Around the World
Gods of the Vine
Mabon History: The Second Harvest
Origins of Mabon
Mabon Includes correspondences and recipes
Mabon Cooking: Magic From the Kitchen
Mabon ap Modron
My Mabon posts