Mabon/The Autumn Equinox

Autumnal Equinox - September 20th - 23rd

Symbols/Themes: balance, gratitude, sacrifice, harvest, planning, preparing

Colours: orange, yellow, red, green, brown

Crystals: lapis lazuli, citrine, hematite, amber, aquamarine, amethyst

Herbs: yarrow, sage, rosemary, cinnamon, nutmeg

Plants: apples, pears, blackberries, grapes, corn, gourds, root vegetables, acorns, rose hips, elderberries, hawthorn berries, funghi

Animals: stags, owls, eagles, blackbirds, dogs, wolves

Deities: Mabon, Demeter, Persephone, Pomona, the Green Man

About Mabon

Mabon is the second of the three harvest Sabbats. Often referred to as “Pagan Thanksgiving”.

The Sun enters the sign of Libra, which is associated with balance, harmony, and friendship.

Mabon is technically a term created in the 1970's, named after the Celtic god Mabon, which is a more modern take on the Autumn Equinox. However, ancient pagans still celebrated or held rituals for the harvest around this time.

The Autumnal Equinox is a time of balance between darkness and light. When the day and night are of equal length. The sun will begin to set earlier and the nights will grow longer.

Mabon is a time to reflect on your accomplishments throughout the year. Think about what you can change or improve on in the future. Now is the time to re-balance yourself and clear away anything that does not serve you, mentally and physically. Relax and let go. It is also a time to start planning and sowing the seeds for your intentions for the year ahead.

Mabon is a time for gratitude. Being thankful for an abundant harvest. Celebrate this Sabbat with a feast. Celtic pagans referred to this time as “The Feast of Avalon”, Avalon being “the isle of apple trees” according the Arthurian legend.

Common foods for Mabon are apples, pears, root vegetables, squash, mushrooms, bread, and pies to name a few. Basically any fruits and vegetables that are in season.

Other Ways to Celebrate Mabon

Make an outdoor altar using whatever natural items you can find outside. Dedicate this altar to your deities and give thanks for all your blessings.
Go apple or berry picking.
Bake an apple pie. Draw sigils into the crust for prosperity, health, or fortune.
Make apple cider.
Go on a nature walk and observe changes in the season. Collect natural items for your Mabon altar.
Write a gratitude list. Try writing them down on some leaves that you've collected from outside.
Clean your home, psychically and spiritually.
Donate to a food drive as a way of giving back.
Go foraging for edibles in season. Always leave offerings and give thanks when taking anything from nature.
Try canning, preserving, or pickling some goods to store for the Winter.
Plant spring bulbs in honour of the cycle of death and re-birth.

Mabon Apple Spell

Harvest Sabbats are a great time to do abundance and prosperity spells. Apples are a key symbol for this Sabbat. Apples symbolise life, love, prosperity, fertility, and are often used in divination. Here's a simple apple spell for prosperity. All you need is an apple, a candle, and some cinnamon:

Centre your self and raise your energy, cast a circle, call the quarters, or do what you would normally do to prepare for spellwork.
Take a green or white chime candle and etch into it the words “prosperity" and “abundance” along with the runic symbol “Fehu” representing luck, success, and money, and your intials.
Anoint your candle with an anointing oil such as this prosperity oil, or use an essential oil of bergamot or chamomile.
Light the candle and then hold the apple in your hands. While holding the apple concentrate on infusing it and empowering it with your intention and desired outcome for this spell. Visualise yourself living prosperously. You are successful, wealthy and your life is full of abundance.
When you are ready, slice the apple in half horizontally to reveal the pentagram inside. Sprinkle some cinnamon on each half. Cinnamon draws prosperity and money to you. Cinnamon's associated with success and helps to amplify a spell.
Give thanks to the apple and show your gratitude, then eat one of the halves. When the candle has burned down, take the other half of the apple and bury it outside (if you have a garden, bury it there). Give thanks to the Earth and ground your energy.