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The autumn equinox or ‘Mabon’ is one of the four principal sun festivals of the old Celtic religion (as well as other preChristian religions). It is the time when the shortening day is equal in length to the night. Dates such as these were of great importance to agrarian societies who were very conscious of the rhythm of the seasons. The spring equinox falls in mid-March.
Some sources believe that Michaelmas Day, the feast of St Michael the Archangel, was deliberately placed close to the date of the equinox to encourage the pagan Celts to convert. This feast has been celebrated on the 29th of September since the Middle Ages. Harvest celebrations, fairs and markets were held in all cities and towns. These festivities included parades and plays and in some areas of northern Europe and England the drinking of a special wine known as ‘St Michael’s Love’. In Denmark the drinking of Saint Michael's wine on September 29 has been preserved as a popular custom to the present day. Michaelmas was one of the traditional days when three-monthly rents were due and when contracts were made or renewed. It was a very popular feast day in England and even in present times, the autumn term English universities and schools is called the ‘Michaelmas Term’. Relative Links: St Michael the Archangel Go To Page: 1
The copyright of the article Michaelmas or Mabon: September 29th in Modern Customs is owned by Linda Campbell. Permission to republish Michaelmas or Mabon: September 29th in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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