The Knight at Dawn is the second book in the Magic Tree House series written by Mary Pope Osborne. It was first published in 1993. The book follows Jack and Annie, the main characters, as they travel back in time to medieval England. In the story, Jack and Annie find a mysterious tree house filled with books. Upon opening a book about knights, they are transported to the time of knights and castles. They arrive at night and encounter a knight on horseback.
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.
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. 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.
They arrive at night and encounter a knight on horseback. The knight mistakes them for intruders and challenges them to a duel. Throughout the book, Jack and Annie explore the castle and learn about life during the Middle Ages.
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.
Read more about: Popular Culture
When is the autumn equinox in 2023?
by Jamie Dwelly
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.
Read more about: Popular Culture
Ancient rituals that mark the start of autumn
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.
Read more about: Ancient History
5 pagan traditions for celebrating the autumn equinox
by Rachel Littlewood
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?
Read more about: Seasonal
The pagan roots of Pancake Day and Shrove Tuesday
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.
Read more about: Popular Culture
Samhain and the pagan roots of Halloween
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.
by Jamie Dwelly
They meet a friendly knight named Sir Teddy, who helps them navigate their way through the castle and teaches them about chivalry. They also encounter a ferocious dragon, which they must defeat in order to complete their mission and return home. As with the other books in the Magic Tree House series, The Knight at Dawn combines adventure, history, and a touch of fantasy. It aims to engage young readers by introducing them to different time periods and cultures in a fun and accessible way. Overall, The Knight at Dawn offers an entertaining and educational reading experience for children. It encourages curiosity, imagination, and a love for learning. Through the adventures of Jack and Annie, readers are transported to different worlds and times, igniting their sense of wonder and deepening their understanding of history..
Reviews for "The Knight of Dawn: A Heroic Adventure in the Enchanted Forest"
1. Sarah - 2 stars
I was really disappointed with "The Knight of Dawb Magic Tree House". The storyline seemed disjointed and the characters were not developed well. The plot lacked depth and there were many unanswered questions. It felt rushed and I couldn't fully connect with the story or the characters. I have enjoyed other books in the Magic Tree House series, but this one just fell short for me.
2. Mark - 2.5 stars
"The Knight of Dawb Magic Tree House" was an underwhelming read for me. I found the writing style to be simplistic and the dialogue felt forced. The pacing was off, making it difficult to fully engage with the story. Additionally, the plot lacked originality and felt cliché. Overall, I found it to be a forgettable addition to the series.
3. Emma - 1 star
I have always been a fan of the Magic Tree House series, but "The Knight of Dawb" was a major disappointment. The book lacked the magic and whimsy that I loved in the previous installments. The characters felt flat and the plot was uninteresting. The writing style was too basic and lacked the depth I've come to expect from this series. I hope future books in the series return to the charm and excitement that initially drew me in.
4. Stephen - 2 stars
"The Knight of Dawb Magic Tree House" felt like a missed opportunity. The concept had potential, but the execution fell flat. The pacing was slow, and the action scenes lacked excitement. The characters were not well-developed, making it hard to care about their journey. Overall, I was left feeling unimpressed and unsatisfied after reading this book.
5. Laura - 2.5 stars
As a longtime fan of the Magic Tree House series, I was disappointed by "The Knight of Dawb". The story felt predictable and lacked the sense of adventure and discovery that I enjoyed in previous books. The writing style seemed more suited for younger readers, and I found it difficult to fully immerse myself in the story. While the illustrations were well-done, they couldn't compensate for the lackluster plot. Overall, this book didn't live up to my expectations for the series.