Fall Solstice Celebrations of Paganism Paganism is an umbrella term that encompasses a variety of earth-centered spiritual traditions. One of the most significant celebrations in paganism is the Fall Solstice, also known as Mabon or the Autumn Equinox. The Fall Solstice marks the halfway point between the summer and winter solstices and occurs around September 21st in the Northern Hemisphere. It is a time of balance when day and night are of equal length. Pagans see this as a time to give thanks for the harvest and honor the cycle of life and death. During Fall Solstice celebrations, pagans engage in a range of rituals and activities that connect them to nature and honor their spiritual beliefs.
Trees would be left outside for the time being but were still decorated with hanging bells, chimes and ‘clooties’. Beautiful wreaths of grape vines, ivy, and autumn leaves would be attached to doors. In Cornwall, Elder leaves were incorporated for protection, with Rowan wreaths placed over the doorways to cattle pens to keep them safe through winter.
But there are those such as Arwen, Welsh God of stags, dogs, and hunting or Cernunnos, the horned Celtic God of hunting, fertility and wild things, wwhoseimportance increased at this time, particularly before people had livestock to sustain them through winter. What the Welsh God of mythology has to do with the autumnal equinox isn t clear, especially when we consider that the holiday in question wasn t even recognised as a pagan-Celtic celebration by the Welsh.
During Fall Solstice celebrations, pagans engage in a range of rituals and activities that connect them to nature and honor their spiritual beliefs. They often gather in sacred outdoor spaces such as groves or meadows to perform rituals, make offerings, and commune with the divine. One common practice during Fall Solstice is creating a harvest altar.
Mabon: The pagan festival that marks the autumn equinox
As with all things that claim to be pagan, separating fact from myth can be problematic, largely because the pagans didn’t write anything down. Our understanding of ancient practices was born largely from conjecture. These myths were treated to a degree of re-invention during the Age of Enlightenment and were romanticised by the Victorians. However, in the case of Mabon, it’s noted (even by even staunch pagans/neo-pagans) that the word wasn’t applied to the autumnal equinox until the 1970s. And besides, Mabon is the God of Welsh mythology.
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What the Welsh God of mythology has to do with the autumnal equinox isn’t clear, especially when we consider that the holiday in question wasn’t even recognised as a pagan-Celtic celebration by the Welsh. However, it is now, though a purely pagan/neo-pagan holiday, and one of the eight Wiccan sabbats celebrated during the year. Mabon occurs between the 21st and 24th of September, the exact opposite of the Vernal Equinox, to mark the beginning of spring, though in Wiccan parlance it’s better known as Ostara. The pagan, eight-spoked, wheel of the year denotes winter (Yule), spring (Ostara), summer (Litha) and autumn (Mabon), with each season split by what is commonly referred to as ‘cross-quarter days. For example, Mabon is equidistant between the start of ‘Lughnasadh’ on the 1st of August and Samhain on the 1st of November.
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While ‘Mabon’ and ‘Autumn Equinox’ have been conflated to create an event without any solid provenance, both elements are authentic in their own right. Mabon derives from the Mabinogion (pronounced Mabin-OGion), a collection of 14th-century stories written in Middle Welsh. The Mabinogion was compiled from texts found in two late-medieval manuscripts. The Red Book of Hergest and The White Book of Rhydderch, that date from the eleventh and the fourteenth centuries. These texts were edited and translated by antiquarians, William Pughe and Lady Charlotte Guest in the early 19th century. However, if the contents may be subject to the fashionable whims of the day, the gist of the narrative prose that defines the publication is genuine.
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Similarly, harvest festivals have always been celebrated in some form or another throughout history. It was customary to use the early/mid-September harvest (full) moon to gather as many of the few remaining crops before the autumnal rains made the task increasingly more arduous. And after the grain, fruit and crops have been safely stored away, why not celebrate the fact that you have a chance of making it through winter with, at the very least, the odd bonfire and a merry tune?
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Over the years these celebrations have been variously ritualised, for example, one of the (many) traditions associated with pagan-Celtic harvest festivals involves dressing the last remaining corn sheaf in fine clothes before releasing the spirit of the corn by setting the effigy alight. But it would seem that Mabon celebrations are more subtle, symbolised by the horn of plenty (the cornucopia) and the humble apple.
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The Cornucopia acts as a metaphor for a healthy harvest, while its shape imbues the fundamental characteristics of male and female. The Apple symbolises the fruit of the harvest for one fairly obvious reason (it’s in season) but above and beyond that it’s believed to represent healing, renewal, regeneration, and even immortality, with one little trick up its sleeve.
Cut an apple width way and it reveals a little pentagram. The pentagram represents the elements of Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Spirit on each of its five points. It makes a perfect motif on the Mabon altar, alongside other seasonal fruits, to celebrate the gifts from the earth and give hope to the dark months ahead.
But! Before you cut the apple in half, how about a round of apple magic, one of the ‘traditional’ games played during Mabon.
The name Mabon comes from the Welsh God, who was the son of the Earth Mother Goddess. However, there is evidence that the name was adopted in the 1970s, and the holiday was not originally a Celtic celebration.
This is a tabletop display that showcases the abundance of the season, featuring items such as colorful leaves, fruits, and vegetables. Pagans use this altar as a focal point for meditation, prayer, and reflection on gratitude. Another tradition is the making of corn or wheat dolls. These dolls, often created by hand, represent the fertility and abundance of the harvest. They are believed to bring good luck and protection to the home. Feasting and sharing food is an integral part of Fall Solstice celebrations. Pagans gather for communal meals, often using locally sourced ingredients and traditional recipes. The sharing of food symbolizes the interconnectedness of all beings and the importance of community. Bonfires are a common element of Fall Solstice celebrations. The flames are seen as a source of warmth, light, and spiritual transformation. Pagans may perform rituals around the bonfire, dancing and singing to honor the changing seasons and connect with the divine. In summary, Fall Solstice celebrations in paganism are a time to give thanks for the harvest, connect with nature, and honor the cycles of life and death. Through rituals, altars, feasting, and bonfires, pagans celebrate the abundance of the season and seek spiritual connection..
Reviews for "The power of rituals: Transforming energies during fall solstice in paganism"
1. John - 2 stars - The fall solstice celebration of paganism was a complete disappointment for me. I went with high expectations, hoping to experience something unique and mystical. However, what I found was a disorganized event lacking any real substance. The activities were poorly planned, and it felt more like a hastily put together gathering for people to dress up and indulge in random rituals. Overall, I left feeling unsatisfied and disillusioned with the whole concept of paganism as a spiritual practice.
2. Lisa - 1 star - I attended the fall solstice celebration of paganism with an open mind, but unfortunately, it turned out to be a complete disaster. The event lacked structure and direction, with no clear schedule or designated areas for different activities. The few workshops offered were poorly executed, providing minimal information and leaving attendees confused. Moreover, the organization was severely lacking, with long queues for basic amenities like food and restrooms. Overall, it was a frustrating and underwhelming experience that left me questioning the appeal of such pagan celebrations.
3. Mark - 1 star - I regret attending the fall solstice celebration of paganism. It felt more like an excuse for people to gather and engage in superficial rituals without any deeper meaning or understanding of paganism. The event had no educational aspect, and it seemed like the organizers were more interested in creating a spectacle rather than fostering a genuine spiritual experience. I left feeling disconnected and disappointed, realizing that this celebration was simply not the right fit for my spiritual beliefs.