Mabon
Autumn Equinox

Mabon, also known as the Autumn Equinox, is a time of balance, when day and night are of equal length, and the harvest is in full swing. This festival has been celebrated by many cultures throughout history, including the ancient Greeks, Romans, and Celts.

Mabon marks the middle of the harvest season. It is named after the Welsh god Mabon  Modron, who is associated with the harvest and rebirth. The festival has roots in ancient Celtic and Welsh traditions, and has been celebrated for centuries in various forms across Europe.

According to mythology, Mabon was a divine child who was stolen from his mother Modron when he was three days old. He was taken deep into the woods, and it was said that no one could find him except for the great hunter and magician Culhwch. Culhwch and his companions tracked Mabon down, and together they were able to free him from his captors.

In some versions of the myth, Mabon is said to have been imprisoned in a tower, which may represent the darkness of the winter months that follows the harvest season. His release from captivity symoolizes the victory of light over darkness and the return of hope and new beginnings.

In Pagan traditions, Mabon is celebrated as a time of thanksgiving for the harvest, and as a time to honor the balance between light and darkness. It is a time to reflect on the abundance of the earth and to give thanks for the blessings in our lives. It is also a time to prepare for the coming winter months, and to gather and preserve food for the colder season.

Today, modern Pagans celebrate Mabon in a variety of ways, depending on their individual beliefs and practices. Some common ways to celebrate Mabon include:

• Gathering with friends and family for a feast or harvest celebration

• Decorating altars with symbols of the harvest season, such as pumpkins, corn, and autumn leaves

• Offering thanks to the gods and goddesses for the blessings in our lives

• Performing rituals and spells to honor the changing of the seasons and to bring in new energy and abundance

• Spending time in nature, such as going for a hike or spending time in a garden

• Harvesting and preserving food for the winter months.

In honouring Mabon, Pagans connect with the energy of the season and embrace the magic and mystery of this ancient and powerful festival.

In Pagan traditions, Mabon is seen as a time to give thanks for the abundance of the harvest, and to prepare for the darker months ahead. It is a time to honor the balance of light and dark within ourselves and the world around us.

Modern Pagans celebrate Mabon in a variety of ways, depending on their individual practices and beliefs. Some common elements of Mabon celebrations include:

• Harvest feasts: Many Pagans gather together to share a meal and give thanks for the abundance of the harvest. Foods associated with Mabon include apples, pumpkin, squash, and root vegetables.

• Altar decorations: Pagan altars are often decorated with symbols of the harvest, such as cornucopias, wheat, and autumn leaves.

• Rituals and ceremonies: Mabon rituals often involve honouring the balance of light and dark, expressing gratitude for the harvest, and releasing things that no longer serve us.

To truly connect with the energy of Mabon, it can be helpful to explore the history and symbolism of the festival, as well as engage in rituals and practices that resonate with your own beliefs and values. This can include:

• Creating an altar: Set up a sacred space in your home or outdoors to honor the energy of the season.

• Going for a nature walk: Take a walk in nature to observe the changing leaves and connect with the natural rhythms of the season.

• Harvesting or preserving food: Connect with the bounty of the harvest by harvesting or preserving fruits and vegetables.

• Meditating on balance: Spend some time reflecting on the balance of light and dark within yourself and the world around you.

By embracing the spirit of Mabon in your own life, you can deepen your connection to nature and the cycles of the seasons, and cultivate a greater sense of gratitude and balance in your life.