Mabon: Life, Death, & Autumn Leaves

September!  The Autumn Equinox, Mabon…Fall and just the most wonderful time of the year is upon us!

The leaves are changing, turning glorious hues of red, golds, and orange, there is a crispness in the air, the sweaters are coming out and there is a cozy vibe settling in that just can’t be denied.

This time of year is all about giving thanks, finding balance in all that surrounds us, and reflection.

But what exactly is Mabon you might ask? Or why is the Autumn Equinox important?

Yes! Good questions to have so let’s dig in!

Read on to learn a little bit about this very special changing of the season.

What is Mabon?

Mabon, the Autumn Equinox, also known as the Witches Thanksgiving among a few others, falls between September 21st and the 23rd.  This year, the equinox will technically occur on the 22nd.

 This is the time of year when once again the sun and moon are in balance. Falling into the moments where the sun’s power begins to diminish and the onset of winter begins.

Days will become shorter, the night will reign and the temperatures will drop.

Mabon is a time for balance, giving thanks, and reflection. We give thanks to mother earth for the bountiful harvest, but also honour death as nature prepares to go dormant for the long winter.

Mabon History

Mabon history is actually kind of odd, seeing that the term ‘Mabon’ only came about in the 70’s. Alas, the name has stuck (and there seems to be much debate on whether or not it should have lol).

Some prefer the term Harvest Home as a more traditional name, among others. I, however, do quite enjoy the term Mabon, and is generally the one I stick with.

Regardless of what you call it, Mabon, Autumn Equinox, Harvest Home; September, the harvest and the changing of the season has long been a celebrated and exhilerating time.

A perfect time for us to take a moment, breathe deep, appreciate life and renew our strengths.

That being said ‘Mabon’ is the Sun God in Welsh  Mythology and represented youth, love, sex, power, and vitality. He was the Child of Light and son of the Earth Mother Goddess, Modron.  In Welsh, Mabon translates to ‘great son’and is the masculine side of the harvest. This is the second grain harvest (after Lughnasadh), a time to rejoice and rest after the last grain has been cut.  

In one mythology, it is the day when the God of Light is defeated by the God of darkness. Mabon is sometimes seen as a child who was born at Yule, grown throughout the year with each Sabbat and by the Autumn Equinox is an elder preparing to return home to the fairie realm to once again be reborn at Yule. This is a time to give him thanks.

Symbols of Mabon 

Mabon has a special place in my heart, and perhaps it will have one in yours now as well. Here are some Mabon essentials to help you ring in the day 🙂 

Gods/Godesses Celebrated:

• Goddesses – Modron, Persephone, Inanna, Demeter 
• Gods – Mabon, The Horned God

Herbs:  

• Marigold – good luck, respect, admiration, attract new love
• Myrrh – healing, meditation, increases magical abilities, spiritual opening
• Sage – wisdom, dispels negative energy, cleansing, improves mental ability
• Yarrow – love, healing, banish negativity, divination
• Thistle – protection, healing
• Rosehips – health, wealth, prosperity, fertility, encourages restful sleep

Incense:

• Sweetgrass – peace, tranquility
• Pine – success, strength, new beginnings, cleansing
• Sage – wisdom, dispels negative energy, cleansing, improves mental ability
• Myrrh – healing, meditation, increases magical abilities, spiritual opening
• Cinnamon – strength, prosperity, love, healing
• Frankincense – protection, cleansing, success

Colours:

• Orange
• Yellow
• Red
• Gold
• Violet
• Brown

Crystals:  

• Amber – healing, harmony, love, pleasure, cleansing
• Aventurine – enhances joy, clarity, creativity, success, peace
• Citrine – courage, optimism, success, luck
• Clear Quartz – magickal strength, healing, balance
• Amethyst – new beginnings, happiness, protection, peace, love
• Lapis Lazuli – confidence, courage, clarity, tranquility 

Creatures Honoured:

• Wolves
• Owls
• Stag
• Goats
• Butterfly
• Minotaurs
• Gnomes

Food & Drink:

•  Wine & Cider
• Pies
• Pomeganates
• Apples
• Root Veggies
• Grains
• Pumpkin

Mabon Festivities

There are many ways to honour and celebrate Mabon.

Honour the day however best suits you, and your personal practice. Here are a few ideas to get you going 🙂

 Give Thanks  

Give thanks to Mother Earth for her bounty, harvest, and all she provides for us.

Remember to be grateful to her, and the universe for all of the gifts they give. Be thankful for the grander blessings as well as the little things.

This is a time for meditation, observation, and appreciation. The earth and our lives are rich and not to be taken for granted.

Build your Mabon Altar

Turn your altar into an autumn shrine. Fill it with some of those symbols I mentioned above and special items of the season (leaves, acorns, gourds, pumpkins).

Looking at your altar should always bring a smile to your lips and a feeling of comfort to your soul.

Perform a Mabon Ritual

An extremely potent and magical time, take the opportunity to perform a ritual of protection, prosperity, or a home blessing. This will help to prepare you for the colder months. This is an optimal time for cleansings. 

Go on a Nature Hike

Grab your favourite sweater, get out into nature and connect with the earth.

Breathe in the crisp air, and have a few quiet moments to reflect on what changes you might like to see in the coming months. Gather leaves and other bits and bobs to bring home for your altar! 

Out With the Old

Mabon is an end but also a beginning. It is a time to begin fresh, and with sharp new focus.

De-clutter your home as well as your mind. Let go of things that no longer serve, and make room for fresh perspectives.

Set new intentions for yourself to bring you through the season with strength, positivity, and joy. 

Bake Fall Goodies

Put on your kitchen witch pants and indulge! Fall treats are always a much-anticipated part of the season, there is no denying it.

Bake a fresh loaf of bread, apple crumble or pumpkin pie and let the wonderful aromas of autumn fill your household.

Like these VEGAN PUMPKIN CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES by Baker by Nature. Yummy! 

Fill a Cornucopia

Yes the big, horn looking thing from all of the Thanksgiving pictures 😉 Also known as the horn of plenty.

Fill it with seasonal veggies, fruits, nuts, seeds, and wild flowers. Leave it outside as an offering to nature and her creatures.  

Host a Mabon Dinner

For what is a celebration without delicious food! Prepare foods of the season; root veggies, grains, pies, and cider.

Make it as large or small an event as you like, a feast for the whole family. Or perhaps  just you and your partner. Size is not important, just be thankful, be joyful, and be present <3  

Final musings.

A beautiful time for taking stock of where you are at in life, finding balance, and being grateful.

Rejoice in the changing of the season; find renewed strength, harmony, and motivation from nature, take an extra moment to breathe and centre yourself.

And of course be present, be ever thankful, and let the magick of the season wash over you.

Embracing this dark, chillier time of the year can bring much to your spiritual self.  Let it lift you up and rejuvenate you.

Hopefully you are feeling fully ready to take on this season with a smile, renewed energy, and joy.

Bring on the sweaters, cozy nights, fiery fall colours, and hot bevvies, the season of the witch is about to begin!

AND for additional inspiration and ways to really take on this glorious season check out my newly released AUTUMN KITCHEN WITCH HANDBOOK! It contains everything you need to embrace the season and your inner magick this Autumn. You can find more details HERE.

I want to hear from you!

What does Mabon mean to you? Do you have any favourite traditions or will this be your first time celebrating? I always love to know your thoughts, so please do leave a comment or drop me a line. There are lots of ways for us to connect 🙂 

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Mabon blessings pixie dolls. 

Yours in health and magick,

Krystle xo