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Enchantment of Mabon

© Cosette Paneque

Mabon is a magical time. The leaves are starting to change. There's a snap in the evening air, and dew in the morning grass. The cries of migratory birds make you look up and take in that spicy scent that begins to fill the air. Mabon marks the beginning of autumn, a time of balance between light and dark, but now we are moving from light into darkness, from the warm, abundance of summer to the barren, cold winter. Also called Harvest Home, this holiday is a ritual of thanksgiving for the fruits of the earth and a recognition of the need to share them.

Yet Mabon is probably the most undervalued or forgotten Sabbat in the Wheel of the Year. It's not hard to see why. Mabon is not overshadowed by commercialism the way Ostara, Samhain and Yule are. It marks the second harvest, between Lughnassadh and Samhain, but many of us don't live in an agricultural community. And unlike other Sabbats, Mabon is not an authentic ancient festival in either name or date. Although there are many folk customs associated with the fall harvest and modern Pagans often refer to the Welsh story of Mabon and his mother Modron, it appears the autumn equinox was not celebrated in Celtic countries.

Mabon may be a quiet holiday, but it is a deeply profound one, and there are many ways to celebrate it without family.

Decorate your altar
The Autumn Equinox altar is simple. Leaves in the new fall colors and late-blooming flowers make beautiful adornments. You can also add small pumpkins or a pomegranate. Autumn is associated with water, emotions, and relationships, so you can include a small bowl of water. This bowl can be used for scrying at Samhain.

Celebrate animals
The God has many faces. He is the Horned One, the Green Man, the Stag, the Oak King, and the Holly King. In other words, He is the face of nature. Many Pagans honor nature as place we long to go to - the valley, the mountains, the beach - but we often to forget to look in our own backyard. Mabon is an excellent time to honor our animal companions.

Prepare your circle and altar with animal symbols. Call in the powers of the directions by invoking animals associated with them and making their sounds. Invoke the Goddess and God of your tradition or personal preference. Invite the spirits of animal companions that have passed on as well as any others that might have special meanings (such as totem animals). Try to bring in your own pets into the circle, if possible. Consider animals in your neighborhood, your state, your continent, and the rest of the world. Think about animals that are extinct and those endangered. Raise energy by making animal sounds - barking, meowing, growling, howling, roaring. Bless the Earth, all Her creatures, and those that work hard to preserve Her. Have animal cookies and milk and talk with your children about ways they can help preserve species.

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