Mabon: The Autumn Equinox & a Celebration of Balance by Penelope Davis
Mabon is the second of the three harvest festivals in the Wheel of the Year. It marks the Autumn Equinox, typically occurring between September 21st and 23rd in the Northern Hemisphere. It is a time of balance, reflection, and gratitude. Equinoxes symbolize the point where the amount of daylight and dark of night are equal. As the earth prepares for winter, Mabon is a celebration of the abundance of the harvest and a moment to honor the transition from light to dark.
Origins
Mabon is a modern term adopted by contemporary Pagans and Wiccans to celebrate the Autumn Equinox, though the festival has roots in ancient harvest celebrations. The name “Mabon” itself is believed to come from Welsh mythology, referring to the god Mabon ap Modron, a figure associated with youth, the hunt, and the harvest. While Mabon’s specific association with the equinox is a more recent development, it draws from these ancient practices and deities tied to the earth’s cycles of growth, death, and rebirth.
Historically, cultures worldwide have marked this time of year as a harvest festival. In Ancient Rome, the festival of “Feriae Septimana” celebrated the harvest of grapes and wine, while the Celts, long before the creation of Wicca, celebrated the equinox as a time of balance, reflecting on the changing season and the imminent darkness of winter. For me, Mabon is a time of thanksgiving, in a similar way that Lughnasadha is. It’s a time to be thankful for all that we receive from the Earth.
The Meaning of Mabon
A Time of Gratitude
The equinox signifies a moment of reflection on the abundance of the harvest. Whether literal, such as the fruits and grains that have been gathered, or metaphorical, representing the lessons and growth of the past year. It’s a time to give thanks for all that has been received and to prepare for the winter ahead.
Letting Go and Preparing for Winter
As we harvest the final crops, we are reminded that the earth, and by extension, ourselves, must rest and replenish during the coming months. There was a time when the winter months were specifically reserved for leisure. In The One Straw Revolution, Masanobu Fukuoka discusses winter being a time for rest, reflection, and investment in expressive arts like poetry. Mabon encourages letting go of what no longer serves us, just as nature sheds its leaves. It’s a time to evaluate the past year’s experiences and prepare mentally, emotionally, and spiritually for the colder, more introspective months of the year.
Balance and Harmony
Mabon is about finding balance between the light and the dark, not just in the external world, but within ourselves. The equinox acts as a mirror to our internal world, encouraging self-reflection and balance between opposites. It asks us to examine the ways in which we balance our personal and professional lives, our time between work and leisure, and our relationships with others. If you are interested in starting shadow work, this is a good time to start.
Rituals and Traditions
For those who celebrate Mabon, the festival is often observed with rituals that honor the harvest, the balance of nature, and the cycle of the year. These rituals vary by culture and tradition, but several common practices are associated with Mabon:
Feasts and Feasting
Like many harvest festivals, Mabon is a time for feasting. Traditional foods might include apples, squash, pumpkins, grapes, nuts, and root vegetables—symbols of the season’s harvest. Wine, cider, and breads are often shared as part of the celebration. Canning is another way to easily celebrate the season and is a great way to share abundance with family and friends.
Gathering of the Community
Many Pagans and Wiccans see Mabon as a time to come together with friends, family, and fellow practitioners to celebrate. Rituals can include meditation, prayer, chanting, or drumming. In some traditions, there are ceremonies to honor the Great Mother, symbolizing the end of the cycle of life and the start of the period of rest. Harvest parties are a great way to celebrate.
Hiking and being out in Nature
Since Mabon is also a time of connecting with the natural world, many people celebrate by taking long walks in the woods or spending time outdoors to witness the changing colors of the leaves, the harvests from the earth, and the coming of fall.
Candle Magic
A traditional Mabon ritual might involve lighting candles to honor the balance of light and dark. These candles can be used in spells of protection, gratitude, or growth, often paired with colors that reflect the autumn season, such as red, orange, and gold. This is also the time when people would make candles for the winter. Learning how to dip candles or pouring them into molds can be fun to do with friends and family and a good way to celebrate the season.
Releasing and Letting Go
As the season shifts, Mabon offers an opportunity to let go of what no longer serves you. This could be a physical item, a negative thought pattern, or an emotional burden. A ritual of releases. For instance, writing down things to let go of then burning them. symbolizes the transition from light to dark and the internal changes we are making as we prepare for winter.
Symbols of Mabon
Mabon is rich with symbols that represent both the harvest and the balance between light and dark. Key symbols of Mabon include:
- The Cornucopia (Horn of Plenty): Representing abundance and the harvest, this symbol is often displayed in Mabon altars or feasts.
- Apples: Apples are considered sacred to many cultures and represent knowledge, abundance, and life cycles.
- Oak: The Oak tree is often associated with Mabon, as it symbolizes strength and resilience.
- Grapes and Wine: A symbol of the bounty of the harvest, particularly the grape harvest, which is a significant part of Mabon celebrations in various cultures.
- Autumn Leaves: These symbolize the release of the old to make way for the new, as well as the impermanence of life.
- Hare or Rabbits: This is a traditional Irish symbol of the harvest. Seeing one on Mabon can be a symbol of either good or ill omen depending on what the individual believes.
- Sheaf of Wheat: Or other grain. This symbolizes abundance and harvest.
- Scythe or Sickle: Traditional equipment used in agriculture. Symbolizes the harvest and community.
References
Kelly, A. (2017, September 21). About Naming Ostara, Litha, and Mabon. Patheos. https://www.patheos.com/blogs/aidankelly/2017/05/naming-ostara-litha-mabon/
Fukuoka, M., Korn, L., & Shih, D. (2017). The one-straw revolution: An introduction to natural farming. Tantor Audio.
Penelope Davis (they/them) is a resident in counseling in Phases Therapy’s Richmond office.
To learn more about Penelope and inquire about booking, head over to https://phases-therapy.com/outpatient/penelope-davis/