A time of change.
As “The Wheel” turns once again, we find ourselves at the festival of Mabon and the Autumn Equinox. This marks the very start of Autumn, where the trees are about to show us that there is such beauty in death, and that letting go of what weighs us down or holds us back will finally assist us in being truly born again, anew. Beautiful, rich and vibrant colours of flaming reds, oranges, golds and yellows will start to swirl around us and soothe our souls.
Light and darkness, you see, will measure in equal balance at this point. The Divine Feminine and Masculine both hover in equilibrium, before we see a transitional pass from the light half of the year, into the dark half, with nights growing longer in duration, and daylight fading quicker. We’re entering a period of major transition now, and unlike Spring Equinox, which signals a time for leaping into action, the Autumn Equinox is different. It is opposite. A period of calm and rest. Balance is essential now. Doreen Valiente, one of the most celebrated Wiccan Priestesses once remarked that the Equinoxes – March and September – are the most frequented for spectral appearances of certain hauntings, periods that are well known as being times of psychic stress. This is due to the veil being particularly thin at these times in the year, between the worlds of the seen and the unseen. There is a need to look after yourself lovingly and spiritually.
“Now is the time of balance, when Day and Night face each other as equals. Yet as this season the Night is waxing and the Day is waning; for nothing ever remains without change, in the tides of Earth and Sky. Know and remember, that whatsoever rises must also set, and whatsoever sets must also rise.”
It is a Harvest Festival. In fact it’s the second one. This one we can celebrate the completion of the harvest. The first one being Lammas (Loafmas / Lughnasadh) which celebrates the sacrifices made for the harvest. In ancient times the harvest was crucial for survival, especially through the long, harsh winters, and replanting its seed in the following Springtime. The harvesting of Grapes and Apples would occur during August – October, which meant that the first offerings of wine were a must for celebrations and giving thanks for abundance, with major emphasis on the return of abundance in the future. Reaping what has been sown. We would feast with fresh fruits and vegetables, and decorations adorning the tables, home and hearth such as Corn, the final Blackberries, Pumpkins, Squash and Vines which also mark the coming completion of Vine month, and the start of Ivy month in the Celtic Tree Calendar. Although produce was harvested or collected for decoration, it was always important to leave plenty untouched for other creatures and beings of the planet, ensuring also their survival.
Mabon is named after the God of Welsh mythology of the same name – Mabon. A son of the Earth Mother Goddess Modron. He is known as the Child of Light, and only more recently revered and honoured during the 20th century.
“Farewell, O Sun, ever-returning Light,
The hidden God, who ever yet remains.
He now departs to Land of Youth
Through the Gates of Death
To dwell enthroned, the judge of Gods and men,
The horned leader of the hosts of air.
Yet, as he stands unseen without the Circle,
So dwelleth he within the secret seed –
The seed of new-reaped grain, the seed of flesh;
Hidden in earth, the marvellous seed of the stars.
In him is Life, and Life is the Light of man,
That which was never born, and never dies.
Therefore the Wise Ones weep not, but rejoice.”
– Written by Doreen Valiente.
The Equinox officially occurs during the early hours of September 23rd, at 02:54 am BST.
Things to do this Equinox.
- Plan a great Thanksgiving Feast.
Celebrate with friends and family, with fruits, vegetables and wines a plenty, while giving uppermost thanks for all you have and hold dear. - Have a clearout, or complete a project.
As a time of completion this is a wonderful set of tasks to prepare for Winter and the time of going within ourselves for rest and wisdom. Give yourself a fresh, clear slate to work from. - Plant your Spring-blooming Bulbs.
This tends to be done during September and October. The perfect way to participate. They will have all winter to take hold and germinate. - Go Apple Picking.
They are a great symbol of Mabon and the Equinox, connected to wisdom, magic, health, vitality, renewal, protection, life and immortality. - Time in Nature.
Spend time outdoors. Go for walk, or perhaps forage and collect leaves and other items from the Goddess. - My personal favourite – Bake a Somerset Apple Cake.
Sacred to the land of Avalon. You’ll find a traditional recipe for this below…
Traditional Somerset Apple Cake
INGREDIENTS:
340gms/12oz self-raising flour
a pinch of salt
225gms/8oz margarine/butter
½ teaspoon cinnamon
170gms/6oz caster sugar
115gms/4oz sultanas
450gms/16oz cooking apples, finely chopped
3 eggs
a little milk
a little demerara sugar
METHOD:
- Rub the fat into the flour and salt. Add the sugar and cinnamon. Make a well in the mixture and drop in the egg and fruit. Mix well; if the dough is a little too stiff, add some milk.
- Place in an eight-inch greased cake tin, and sprinkle a little demerara sugar on the top.
- Bake for one-and-a-half to two hours, in a moderate oven (Gas Mark 4/180°C/350°F), until cooked. Allow to cool slightly before turning out onto a cooling rack.
(Thank you to The Goddess and The Greenman for this delicious recipe).
However you choose to celebrate this Equinox and Mabon, I wish you a whole cornucopia of abundance, love, good health and deserved rest.
Autumn Blessings,
Louise x