WHEEL OF THE YEAR | MABON Autumnal Equinox
MABON ~ AUTUMNAL EQUINOX The Wheel of the Year is turning once again as we are approaching the second harvest celebration. Mabon, also known as the Autumn Equinox, comes between September 21 - 23. Similar to Thanksgiving, it is a time to celebrate the harvest and gather with family to share and enjoy the fruits of our labor from the spring and summer months. Mabon also reminds us that the cycle of life is like the harvest of the fields. All things journey a cycle. While the harvest may have ended, a new beginning will be planted in due time. Mabon signals a day of balance like it's counterpart Ostara, when daylight is equal to night. Once Mabon has passed, the nights begin to grow longer in preparation for the coming winter season. The foliage will begin to change soon and the animal world is also beginning to prepare for a cold winter slumber. In Greek lore, the Goddess Persephone is making her transition to the Underworld to be with Hades. Mabon gets its name from the Welsh God, who was known as the Son of Light or the Young Divine. Legend tells of how he was stolen from his mother Modron, the Healer, Protector and Guardian of the Outerworld, when he was just three nights old or three years old depending on which variation of the story you read. While in captivity, Mabon grew from the wisdom of the Stag, Owl, Eagle, Blackbird and Salmon, strengthening him to be able to free himself to be reborn as his mother's champion, the Son of Light. His story tells us that even when we find ourselves in darkness, there are lessons to be learned there and we can once again be reborn into the Light.
Some correspondences to Mabon are: COLORS: Green, Brown, Orange, Rust, Red, Golden Yellow and Maroon GEMSTONES: Yellow Agate, Tiger's Eye, Yellow Topaz, Carnelian, Sapphire, Lapis Lazuli ACTIVITIES: Making wreaths or besoms; Bringing in the harvest; Preparing a feast to share with family and friends; Placing apples on gravestones; Giving offerings to the land; Taking walks through a forest or park; Participating in a food fundraiser; Gathering seeds and acorns DECORATIONS AND SYMBOLS: Fallen leaves, wheat stalks, acorns, pines cones, pomegrante, Indian corn, cornucopia, red fruits, poppies and cypress cones FOODS: Apples, acorns, dried nuts, cornbread, vegetable stews, berries, corn, beans, potatoes, onions, wine, ale and cider HERBS: Solomon's Seal, Passionflower, Fern, Honeysuckle, Myrrh, Hops, Sage, Marigold (Calendula), Milkweed, Tobacco, Pine, Sage and Cedar INCENSE: Frankincense, Sage, Benzoin, Cedar, Jasmine, Apple blossom and Sweetgrass MAGICKS/SPELLWORK: Harmony, Balance, Protection, Prosperity, Success, Renewal and Self-Love and Self-Confidence GODDESSES: Modron, Demeter, Persephone, Morgan, Pamona and The Muses GODS: Mabon, Thoth, The Green Man, Thor and Hermes