The Fall Equinox, also known as the Autumnal Equinox, is a pagan holiday that celebrates the transition from summer to fall. It is a time to honor the changing seasons and the balance between light and darkness. In pagan traditions, this time is often associated with harvest festivals and giving thanks for the abundance of the earth. The term "Fall Equinox" is widely used in modern times, but it is not a name that is typically associated with pagan traditions. Instead, pagans may refer to this holiday by different names depending on their specific spiritual practices and beliefs. One pagan name for the Fall Equinox is Mabon, which has its roots in Welsh mythology.
While the calendar has autumn starting from 1st September, for many the season truly begins later in the month – on the Autumnal Equinox.
A simple Mabon celebration you can do at bedtime is light a candle, close your eyes and breathe deeply for five minutes, giving thanks for all your blessings. In ancient times Mabon was a celebration of the second harvest Lughnasadh was the first when farmers gathered hearty foods like gourds, pumpkins, grapes and apples.
One pagan name for the Fall Equinox is Mabon, which has its roots in Welsh mythology. Mabon is believed to be a god of youth and the harvest, and his name is associated with the bounty of the earth. The name Mabon is often used by modern pagans to honor the significance of the Fall Equinox and the cycles of nature.
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:
Animals: Owl, stag, blackbird, salmon
Another name for the Fall Equinox in pagan traditions is Alban Elfed, which means "Light of the Water" in Welsh. This name emphasizes the transitional nature of the equinox, as the days become shorter and darkness begins to gain prominence. It is a time to reflect on the changing seasons and the symbolism of light and water. Other pagan traditions may have their own unique names for the Fall Equinox, each with its own significance and symbolism. These names often reflect the specific cultural and spiritual practices of the pagan community using them. Overall, the Fall Equinox is a time of celebration and reflection in pagan traditions. It is a time to honor the changing seasons, give thanks for the abundance of the earth, and embrace the balance between light and darkness. Whether using the names Mabon, Alban Elfed, or others, pagans find meaning and connection in this ancient holiday..
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