The Turning Wheel at Mabon
As the Wheel of the Year turns we come upon Mabon, celebrated at the Autumnal Equinox. This Sabbat or holy day is also known as the Pagan Thanksgiving. It follows Lughnasa, the first harvest of the grain and berries on the first of August. Mabon is considered to be the second harvest as farmers gather the fruits of their labor, including pumpkins, gourds and apples from the land. The third and final harvest will take place at Samhain also known as Halloween and/or All Souls Day.
As the wheel turns, the Goddess is the generous Harvest Queen who grows older as life on earth wanes. Her consort, the Sun God, who has approached the sage stage of his life, is preparing for the approaching end of his life on earth. At Mabon we can reflect upon this as we enjoy the generous bounty of this second harvest. We give thanks to the Goddess for her abundance and generosity and thanks to the God for his sacrifice. In addition it can also be a time for the release of destructive habits.
We are heading into the dark time, preparing to go more deeply inward. This is mirrored by what is happening in the natural world all around us. The trees lose their leaves and the berries have gone by. The greens of the summer months are decaying and will become compost aiding future growth. The earth is preparing for the colder and darker days to come and so are we. We see the daylight wane, decrease, making it an excellent time for elimination or letting go of anything that needs to be released in our lives. This could include beliefs as well as unhealthy relationships that have lived their lives with us. It is a time of “putting away” our gardens outside as we prepare for winter. But simultaneously, we can till the soil of our psyches, preparing for an inward journey as we start to enter the dark time of the year.
The symbols of Mabon include pinecones, seeds and the horn of plenty. The colors of the fall include oranges, reds, golds, browns, coppers, as well as dark greens and yellows. The foods include pumpkins, apples, squashes and root vegetables. The herbs include rosemary, sage, mugwort and rosehips. The animals associated with Mabon include the stag, owl, blackbird, and the salmon. As for stones, this is the time to add the amber, citrine, red jasper, carnelian and aventurine to your Mabon altar. The sunflower and thistle are celebrated flowers at this time.
In Maine, Sweet Annie is a favorite known for its amazing scent and lush green color even after drying. During Maine’s Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) Common Ground Fair, you will see many people sporting Sweet Annie crowns on their head, some decorated lavishly others more simply. It is a delightful way to celebrate oneself, the Goddess and Mabon, whether you identify as a witch or not!
So how do I celebrate this Sabbat? I make a point of going to Maine’s Common Ground Fair over the Autumnal Equinox weekend. This year (2022) we will have a LIVE fair again and I can hardly wait to attend! It’s an event that is one of the highlights of my year. In addition to the fair, I always cook up an amazing meal with lots of potatoes and roasted root veggies. Pumpkin pie is always a favorite dessert on my table with fresh raw cream purchased directly from the farmer, whipped to perfection to top a slice of warm pie. Apple picking is a fun outing that I include in my celebrations when possible. And I always engage in a solitary ritual. After my ritual I have a cup of hot mulled cider, and as I drink it in-between sips I converse aloud to the Goddess. I tell her all that I am thankful for and every year my list gets longer. And then I become quiet and I listen to what She has to say to Me.
