𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟏𝐬𝐭

It is the time of the autumn equinox, and the harvest is winding down. The fields are nearly empty because the crops have been plucked and stored for the coming winter. Mabon is the mid-harvest festival, and it is when we take a few moments to honor the changing seasons and celebrate the second harvest.

On or around September 21, for many Pagan and Witches traditions it is a time of giving thanks for the things we have, whether it is abundant crops or other blessings. It's a time of plenty, of gratitude, and of sharing our abundance with those less fortunate. Mabon is often celebrated by the Wiccan community by incorporating the symbols and colors of this harvest holiday into their day. Some of the symbols of Mabon includes horns of plenty, ivy vines, pinecones, gourds, apples, dried seed and pomegranates. Some of the colors associated with this holiday include Orange, brown, gold, maroon and red.

Depending on your individual spiritual path, there are many different ways you can celebrate Mabon, but typically the focus is on either the second harvest aspect or the balance between light and dark. This, after all, is the time when there is an equal amount of day and night. While we celebrate the gifts of the earth, we also accept that the soil is dying. We have food to eat, but the crops are brown and going dormant. Warmth is behind us, cold lies ahead. Here are a few rituals you may want to think about trying. Remember, any of them can be adapted for either a solitary practitioner or a small group, with just a little planning ahead. This is a time of balance and reflection, following the theme of equal hours light and dark. Here are some ways you and your family can celebrate this day of bounty and abundance:

Celebrate the Mabon: Sabbat by decorating your altar with the colors and symbols of the late harvest season.

Hearth & Home Protection Ritual: This ritual is a simple one designed to place a barrier of harmony and security around your property.

Hold a gratitude sermonary: One thing that you can do is to contemplate what you are thankful for and then write messages of gratitude down in a journal, on slips of paper to burn, or even on scraps of fabric that you can tie to a piece of twine to make a garland. If you are celebrating with a family or group over a nice meal, you may ask everyone to state something that they are grateful for before your feast. This allows everyone to be involved in aligning with the energy of the holiday.

Harvesting: It’s also a really good time to can fruits and veggies. Hit up your local farmer’s market if you can- seasonal produce is usually very affordable at the end of the summer. Then make jellies, jams, sauce or other deliciousness that you can then process in canning jars and eat them during the winter months. If physically harvesting these fruits isn’t possible, then you can purchase them and use them as symbols on your altar, or take a nature walk and see what calls to you from nature – use that as a symbol. This is often the easiest way to start celebrating Mabon.

Balance Meditation: Mabon is fall equinox, and an equinox is a day of equal sunlight and darkness. After the fall equinox, the darkness will increase until the end of Winter Solstice, when daylight will begin to increase again. It’s a good time to focus on personal balance. It might be a good time to take the time for contemplation and begin doing some shadow work. Understanding and accepting your shadow allows for spiritual, mental and emotional balance. If you're feeling a bit spiritually lopsided, with this simple meditation you can restore a little balance into your life.

Goddesses of Mabon: There are several goddesses from all over the world that are associated with the fruit and the wisdom of the harvest.

Abundantia – A roman goddess, Abundantia is the divine personification of abundance and prosperity. Honor her by adding a cornucopia to your altar space or offering coins to her.

Demeter– Demeter is a Greek goddess of agriculture and the harvest. While we often see her honored at Lammas/ Lughnasadh, some honor her at Mabon instead. Honor her with barley water or beer or focaccia bread.

Carpo- Carpo (sometimes Karpo) is the Greek goddess of Fruit. Carpo may be an epithet for Demeter in some regions of Greece. Honor her with offerings of fruit.

Pomona– Pomona is the goddess of apples and orchards in the Roman religions. Apples were associated with love, magic and death- and Pomona is also the goddess of enchantment. Include apples in your ritual or celebratory meal for Mabon and honor her.

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Regardless of the theme you choose, use that as your seed and build your Mabon Sabbat around it. This will center and focus your harvest celebration, making your intention clear and your holiday, meaningful.