The autumnal equinox is a significant time of year for many pagans and is often celebrated as a festival. Pagans view this time as a balance between light and dark, as the days become shorter and the nights become longer. It is a time to honor and give thanks for the abundance of the harvest and to reflect on the themes of balance and transition. Many pagans mark the equinox by creating altars or participating in rituals and ceremonies that honor the changing seasons. This pagan label for the autumnal equinox is a way to embrace the natural cycles of life and connect with the Earth and its energies..
The most important part of Mabon’s focus is the harvest. On Lammas, the first harvest and the mid-point sabbat between Litha and Mabon, the crops are harvested and a feast is held to celebrate the mid-summer vegetables and fruit. Mabon is the second harvest of the year, where another celebration and feast is more in line with America’s Thanksgiving.
From September 21st to the 24th, the Autumnal Equinox will mark the beginning of fall, and with it comes the mid-harvest festival and the sabbat Mabon. As Adrian Bott has frequently pointed out about Eostre and Spring Equinox, her real mythology and symbolism is much more interesting and satisfying than bunnies and eggs.
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Mabon 2014: Six Ways To Celebrate The Pagan Autumnal Equinox
The autumnal equinox falls on September 23 in 2014, marking the official first day of fall as well as the pagan holiday, Mabon, in the northern hemisphere.
Mabon is a harvest festival, the second of three, that encourages pagans to "reap what they sow," both literally and figuratively. It is the time when night and day stand equal in duration; thus is it a time to express gratitude, complete projects and honor a moment of balance.
Advertisement"Mabon is a time to reflect on the previous year, when we can celebrate our successes (likened to bringing in the harvest) and assess which crops, projects, or dreams didn't come to fruition," the Los Angeles-based pagan leader Laurie Lovekraft told HuffPost.
The pagan website The White Goddess explains:
This is the time to look back not just on the past year, but also your life, and to plan for the future. In the rhythm of the year, Mabon is a time of rest and celebration, after the hard work of gathering the crops. Warm autumn days are followed by chill nights, as the Old Sun God returns to the embrace of the Goddess.
The holiday is named after the Welsh God, Mabon, son of Earth Mother goddess Modron.
Some pagans mark the holiday by enjoying rich feasts with seasonal foods like apples, pomegranates and root vegetables. Many also observe rituals honoring the goddess' transition from mother to crone.
Lovekraft offered six ways to celebrate that can be done in small or large groups or individually:
1. Create an altar. This can be on a dining room table, hearth, or dresser with apples, leaves, pinecones, corn, pomegranate, squash, and root vegetables. Add gardening tools (scythe, baskets, hand trowel) and objects that are the colors of gold, orange, red, bronze, and rust. Light an orange or yellow candle and give thanks for the blessings of abundance you have in your life. (Always remember fire safety when working with candles and never leave a candle burning unattended!)
Advertisement2. Ask for blessings. When lighting your candle, you can call to the Goddess in her Mother aspect and/or ask the Green Man to bless your harvest.
3. Do apple magic. Apples are often harvested in the fall. Cut an apple horizontally to reveal the hidden, five-pointed star (a pentagram) inside. Look for pentagonal forms around you (ex. five fingers and five toes, five petals of certain flowers, starfish, etc.)
4. Listen to music. Music is a wonderful way to get into the mood of Mabon! Songs by Lisa Thiel, the Reclaiming Tradition, and S.J. Tucker are especially evocative.
5. Meditate on balance. This is especially helpful if you are a family caregiver, but also if you have a high-stress job, pressure-filled commute, or have a lot of personal drama. Reflect on how you handle pressure, how you manage your and other people's emotions, and how easily your peace of mind can be disrupted. Think about ways you can reduce stress and bring more balance to your days. Consider going to bed earlier and waking up earlier to get a jump on the day, practicing non-violent communication, eating more healthily, and eliminating unhealthy relationships.
6. Pray for peace. In a world out of balance, praying for peace and stability -- including a stable climate -- can be especially potent during Mabon!
Birds of autumn are very well respected during the Mabon season. Ravens, blackbirds, hawks, swallows, owls, and turkey vultures are revered as symbols of the harvest season. Their dark visages and quick wit allow us to imagine them as signs of change, intelligence, and cunning. Similarly, foxes and wolves are symbolic of the autumnal equinox. They also hold an inherent intelligence that witches respect.
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Reviews for "The Autumnal Equinox: A Sacred Time for Pagan Community and Connection"
1. John - 2 stars - While I appreciate the creativity and diversity of beliefs, I found the use of the pagan label for the autumnal equinox unnecessary. It seemed like an attempt to draw attention or make the celebration more "edgy." Personally, I prefer more traditional or neutral terms when referring to seasonal celebrations, as they encompass a wider range of beliefs and are more inclusive for everyone.
2. Sarah - 3 stars - As someone who follows a different religious tradition, I found the pagan label for the autumnal equinox to be off-putting. It implied that this celebration was solely for those who identify as pagans, excluding others who may also want to honor the changing season. I believe it's important to have inclusive language and avoid using labels that could alienate certain groups of people.
3. Michael - 2 stars - While I understand the historical roots of the term "pagan" and respect different belief systems, I feel that using this label for the autumnal equinox can be misleading and confusing for those unfamiliar with pagan practices. It may give the impression that this particular celebration is solely based on pagan beliefs, which is not necessarily the case. I think it would be better to use more neutral terminology to avoid any misunderstandings or misinterpretations.
4. Emily - 1 star - I found the use of the pagan label for the autumnal equinox to be completely unnecessary and irrelevant. It seemed like an attempt to add a mysterious or mystical element to the celebration without considering the beliefs and preferences of a wider audience. I believe it's important to use inclusive language and avoid exclusive labels that may hinder the participation of those who don't identify as pagan.
5. David - 2 stars - While I understand the significance of the autumnal equinox in pagan traditions, I feel that using the pagan label can be exclusionary to those who don't identify with that belief system. It may deter people from participating in the celebration due to a lack of connection or understanding. I think it would be more inclusive to use a more universal term that encompasses multiple cultural and spiritual backgrounds.