The Pagan autumnal equinox, also known as Mabon, is a celebration that takes place around September 21st each year. It marks the halfway point between the summer solstice and the winter solstice, when day and night are of equal length. This harvest festival is celebrated by many Pagan and Wiccan communities as a time to give thanks for the abundance of the harvest and to prepare for the coming winter. It is viewed as a time of balance, when light and darkness are in harmony. During Mabon, Pagans often gather in outdoor settings to commune with nature and honor the changing seasons. They may create altars decorated with autumnal foliage, fruits, and vegetables, as well as symbols of the equinox such as cornucopias or scales.
As the Wheel of the year comes to an end, Mabon is a good time to set intentions that involve decrease and reduction such as ending bad relationships, unhealthy habits or self destructive beliefs.
Indeed, the Greek goddess Demeter is much more closely associated with the Autumn harvest, as it was her grief at losing her daughter that turned the earth from lush abundance to barren cold. As the Harvest Moon is always the full moon closest to the Autumnal Equinox it can take place in either September or October, depending on the lunar cycle.
They may create altars decorated with autumnal foliage, fruits, and vegetables, as well as symbols of the equinox such as cornucopias or scales. Rituals and ceremonies at Mabon often involve lighting candles, offering prayers and gratitude, and performing rituals to release that which no longer serves them. This is seen as a time of reflection and introspection, as well as a time to prepare for the colder months ahead.
The Origins and Practices of Mabon
Mabon is a pagan holiday, and one of the eight Wiccan sabbats celebrated during the year. Mabon celebrates the autumnal equinox. In the northern hemisphere, this September 23 rd will be the autumnal equinox. However, the southern hemisphere already celebrated Mabon on March 20, when the Northern hemisphere celebrated Ostara. It also celebrates the mid-harvest festival (also known as the second harvest).
Many civilizations have celebrated a harvest festival around the equinox. In the 1700s, the Bavarians (part of present day Germany) began a festival that starts in the last week of September. They called this festival Oktoberfest. The festival had lots of feasting and celebrating. Oktoberfest is still celebrated in Bavaria today.
Photo of a Mabon altar. courtesy of Flickr user Colleen. Available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/pearlshelf/8726509704
Many cultures see the second harvest (after the first harvest Lammas) and equinox as a time for giving thanks. This time of year is when farmers know how well their summer crops did, and how well fed their animals have become. This determines whether you and your family would have enough food for the winter. That is why people used to give thanks around this time, thanks for their crops, and animals, and food. The original American Thanksgiving was celebrated on October 3, which makes more sense with harvest times. By the end of November, there’s not that much left to harvest.
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.
To celebrate this holiday, pagans might pick apples. Apples are a common symbol of the second harvest. They may use the apples in an apple harvest ritual that thanks the gods for the bountiful harvest. Others might perform a ritual to restore balance and harmony to their lives, as this holiday celebrates a day with equal light and day. Another common ritual is to set up an altar with symbols of the season, such as apples, grapes, and other seasonal harvests. Any sabbat would not be complete without a feast for family and friends.
You can learn more about Mabon with these items:
Flowers: Sunflowers, thistle, marigolds
Many Pagans also use Mabon as an opportunity to give back to their communities and practice acts of service. They may donate food to local food banks, volunteer at shelters, or simply spend time in nature, appreciating the beauty and abundance that the Earth provides. Overall, the Pagan autumnal equinox is a time to honor the changing seasons, reflect on one's own spiritual journey, and express gratitude for the blessings of the harvest. It is a time of balance and harmony, when the energies of light and darkness come together in celebration of the Earth's cycles..
Reviews for "Magickal Correspondences for the Autumn Equinox in Paganism"
1. Jane - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to attend the "Pagan autimnal equilox" event, but I was left disappointed. The organization was poor, with long waits and unclear directions. The event itself had a lackluster atmosphere, with a small turnout and minimal decorations. The activities offered were also underwhelming, with limited options and little entertainment value. Overall, it felt like a missed opportunity to celebrate the autumn equinox in a meaningful and enjoyable way.
2. Mike - 1/5 stars - Attending "Pagan autimnal equilox" was a complete waste of my time. The event was disorganized, chaotic, and the vendors were unimpressive. There was a lack of communication about the schedule of activities, and many of the advertised workshops did not happen. The whole event lacked a cohesive theme or purpose, leaving me feeling confused and unsatisfied. I would not recommend it to anyone looking for a meaningful or well-executed celebration of the autumn equinox.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - Unfortunately, "Pagan autimnal equilox" fell short of my expectations. The event lacked a clear structure, and I found it difficult to immerse myself in the experiences being offered. The workshops and activities were poorly organized, and there was a lack of variety. The ambiance was also lacking, with no effort put into creating a captivating atmosphere. Overall, it felt like a half-hearted attempt at celebrating the autumn equinox, and I left feeling underwhelmed and unsatisfied.