Mabon

First thoughts on Mabon: Autumnal Equinox

Equinox – half in light, half in darkness

Mabon is usually celebrated (in the northern hemisphere) between September 20th-23rd. Night and day are of equal length and in perfect equilibrium; dark and light, masculine and feminine, inner and outer, all in balance.  From this cusp of transition, the days begin to wane, and darkness begins to defeat the light. The natural cycle is moving towards completion; the Sun’s power is waning, and the nights grow longer and the days are shorter and cooler.  The sap of trees returns to their roots deep in the earth, changing the green of summer to the fire of autumn, to the flaming reds, oranges and golds. We are returning to the dark from whence we came.

Autumnal Leaves and Seeds
Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,
Close bosom-friend to the maturing sun;
Conspiring with him how to load and bless
With fruit the vines that round the thatched-eves run;
To bend with apples the moss’d cottage trees,
And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core;
To swell the gourd, and plump the hazel shells
With a sweet kernel; to set budding more,
And still more, later flowers for the bees,
Until they think warm days will never cease,
For summer has o’er brimmed their clammy shells.
From To Autumn by John Keats

What needs to be let go in your life? Are you prepared to do this? What will you withdraw from?

Second thoughts on Mabon: the God

Posted on 18th Sep 2019 by mhcweb01

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Mabon celebrates the second harvest of fruits.  The grain harvest being gathered since Lammas is now safely in and is joined by the abundance of fruit and vegetables.  The Goddess is in her zenith as Harvest Queen/Mother, before turning into the Crone of winter; the God finally sacrifices himself with the cutting of the last grain (returning in the spring). 

Grain is gathered in

The name for this festival was probably applied quite recently.  Mabon is a Welsh deity, son of Modron (Earth Mother Goddess).  He is the Child of Light (many similarities with Lugh).  He was abducted from his mother when he was only three days old and was thrown into a prison for eons until he was saved by the knights of King Arthur. He is a God of hope and freedom; he frees caught animals and weakens the chains of all those who are unjustly imprisoned.  He protects all that is wild and free and is honoured whenever animals and people are defended or freed. 

Mabon with his mother, Modron

What do you have in abundance?  What do you need to gather to sustain you through the winter months?  What do you hope for?  How will you free yourself from a difficult situation or relationship?

Third thoughts on Mabon: Things to Do

Things to do to connect with this festival.

  • • make Rose Hip Syrup
  • • de-clutter
  • • celebrate your abundance/harvest
  • • make apple cake/pie/crumble
  • • make wine
  • • gather last of the herbs
  • • offer libation of wine, cider etc. to the earth
  • • walk in fields/woods
  • • cook with seasonal produce

What can this festival help you with?

  • • bringing something into balance
  • • bring equality
  • • bring harmony
  • • let go before withdrawing (to emerge later)
  • • bring prosperity/abundance
  • • sacrifice to be made
  • • thanksgiving
  • • journey to the underworld
  • • give gratitude for everything

What needs to be balanced in your life? What will you harvest from this years work? Do you spend time giving thanks for even the smallest thing?

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