The Second Harvest Festival, Mabon – FALL EQUINOX – falls between September 20-23 every autumn. As the leaves rejoin the soil and the sun wanes, the wheel turns again bringing us back into balance this year on Wednesday, September 22, 2010.
The equinox marks the day of equal balance between sunlight and darkness. It is also the second of three pagan harvest festivals (the others being Lughnasad August 1 & Samhain October 31.) For our Celtic ancestors, the fall equinox was time to reflect on the past season and celebrate nature’s bounty, accepting that summer is now over. Harvest marks a time of rest after hard work, and a ritual of thanksgiving for the fruits of nature. At Mabon, we leave the abundant expansion of summer behind, and begin to sort through what we are harvesting for the Fall. We take time to look back on the past 6 months and acknowledge what you have achieved and learnt, to plan for the future. Did we plant enough to nourish ourselves? Were we vigilant in tending what we planted? what do not work? Do we have what we need to get us through the winter months? The process is not to judge, but take honest stock of where we are in case there is a need for a “course-correction.”
With the theme of balance & gratitude, we acknowledge this traditional time of harvesting, hunting, and honoring our ancestors. Though most of us no longer plant our own crops or hunt to provide ourselves with food & clothes, we certainly have planted the seeds of our dreams and taken action towards what we want to manifest. The ancients believed this day to be a day of power when the veils were thin between worlds and the sacred energies of the cosmos could enter into the earth plane more easily. So make plans to honor the equinox by giving thanks, no matter where you are in your life, and acknowledge all the seen and unseen forces that continue to support you along your life’s path. This also marks the season of the Crone and is the “Witch’s Thanksgiving” – time to feast and gather with friends!
- Acknowledge accomplishments & successes
- Celebrate your Abundance
- Honor those who have helped you achieve success
Autumnal Altar: Begin in the evening. Create your altar with autumn colors (orange, reds, browns), fall fruits and flowers. Place things on the altar that connect you to the earth, the moon and the darkness – adding acorns, indian corn, pomegranates, grapes, vines, wine, pine cones, fall leaves, gourds and grains – what feels like fall to you? As you give thanks to all you have been given and to all that you have accomplished, it is also time to start looking towards winter and the season of the Crone, Queen of the Underworld and the Crow. Ask yourself, “how do I best honor my own rhythms at this time of year?” Start listening to your own answers.
Magic: Rituals of protection and security. With the slowing down of the season, let yourself begin to spiral inward – reflect, review, reassess and rest. Walk the Labyrinth. Honor Ancestors who have passed over the other side. Prepare the garden for the Winter. Take time to study & learn. Let yourself come into balance.
Goddess The Crone or the Triple Goddess in her aging aspect is honored in Demeter. She is the mother goddess of fertility, the harvest, vegetation and grain. Explore the myth of Demeter and her daughter Kore.
Resources
The Spiral Dance by Starhawk
Kore Image
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