One of eight seasonal festivals in the Celtic Wheel of the Year, Mabon is the festival of harvest that takes place on the autumn equinox.
Much like the spring equinox, this time of autumn equinox finds the day to be balanced in both light and dark—signifying the turning point where the dark begins to overtake the light.
This is a time where we gather the last of this year’s harvest, and share our abundance with all those we love. It’s a time where we honor the old ones—the crones—of our lives in deep love and reverence. It’s a time where we take time to reflect on the lessons and gifts this year has given—while giving our deepest gratitude to the deities, the plants, and the trees that have honored us with their power and their guidance throughout the seasons.
Mabon, although new in name, is very old in tradition. It is a festival that has been celebrated over hundreds of years and marks the time where the darkness, the shadows, the aged ones, and that deepest rest begins to flow back into our lives.
At this time, we give thanks to the light and give space for the dark to thrive once more in our lives.
How to Celebrate Mabon:
In preparation for this upcoming festival, it is important you allow yourself time to slow down.
If you can, spend the days leading up to Mabon in deep reflection and gratitude for all that has come to pass. And slowly, if you feel called, begin to gather the necessary pieces and symbols to honor this time of year in action, intention, and altar.
Themes: this is a time to wrap-up old business, share your gifts, and gather the last of this year’s harvest to prepare for this upcoming time of rest and reflection.
Offerings: wine, gourds, acorns, bread, apples, corn, pomegranates, dried seeds, sage
Traditions:
- Creating an altar to honor the harvest of this time: using fallen leaves, acorns, autumn foods and colors to set the energetic tone
- Gathering with friends and family in shared feast and celebration
- Drying the last of the garden’s herbs
- Walking in the woods and reflecting on the gifts this year has brought
- Offering libations to our ancestral trees
- Casting spells of protection and abundance
- Honouring the crones in our life with love and bounty
- Pick apples in a local orchard—honoring the fruits of the season
- Hold a ritual of gratitude for all the gifts, blessings, and abundance this year has given
