Also known as Harvest Home, Mabon takes place on the autumnal equinox, and is the second of the three harvest festivals, the first being Lammas, and the third being Samhain.
It falls somewhere between September 21 and 23 in the Northern Hemisphere, and on one of the corresponding days in March in the Southern Hemisphere.
Since Mabon is the second equinox in the Wheel of the Year light and dark are again equal on this day. Therefore, it's a time to both give thanks for the light and warmth of the growing season, as well as to contemplate the coming darkness.
It follows that this celebration provides an appropriate juncture to tie up loose ends and to complete tasks. It's also appropriate to relax and contemplate the types of things you may wish to reflect/meditate on in a more passive way as the winter months approach, which are typically less active.
Physically, our ancestors were gathering the harvest and preparing their food supply and wares for the colder and less fertile months ahead. At Mabon, we can do the same with our mental and emotional lives as well.
At this point in the Wheel of the Year, the Goddess becomes the old and wise aspect of womanhood, the grandmother, the crone (which does not have a negative connotation here). We are privy to her nurturing and ultimate universal knowledge born of experience and her living through the passage of cycles.
However, we cannot forget the dark aspect of this time of year, and the places in our lives that contrast to the light. Trust this time to dig deep, unearth, and positively transform the things in your life that may be labeled as "dark."
This turn in the Wheel of the Year sees the God reflected in his state as steward of vegetation and animals, often represented as Bacchus, Dionysus, or the Green Man. These figures overlap different pagan sabbats, and indeed have a place in many of the festivals of the light half of the year, especially beginning with Beltane back in the spring.
Consider Mabon the nature god's last romp! Grapes are growing abundantly now, so many honor this by incorporating wine into their celebrations. Ciders and wines are the drinks for this time in the Wheel of the Year. The ancient Druids offered different libations to the plants and trees.
Speaking of overlapping traditions, another masculine aspect comes from the ancient god who actually bore the name Mabon. Little is left of the story, but it involves his being stolen, imprisoned, and rescued (in some stories by King Arthur's knights).
Fittingly, the themes of freedom and liberation factor in. You can make offerings for furthering your own freedom from beliefs that no longer serve you, and also offering this prayer for others you care about as well.
How else can we enjoy Mabon? Telling old stories, picking apples, hiking and going to harvest festivals come to mind. Gratitude also figures prominently, as this was traditionally thanksgiving time in the old ways.
Colors: Think of autumn: red, maroon, orange, gold, browns.
Stones: Lapis lazuli, sapphire, yellow agates
Incense: Myrrh, sage, autumn blend-benzoin
Herbs: Benzoin, honeysuckle, marigold, grains, acorn, tobacco, milkweed, passionflower, sage, rose, ferns, solomon's seal, thistle, myrrh, vegetables.
YOU CAN HONOR THE BALANCE OF THE EQUINOX BY CENTERING IN MEDITATION.
OMHARMONICS DELIVERS BRAIN-ENTRANCING TONES INTO YOUR EARS AND BRINGS YOUR MEDITATIVE EXPERIENCES TO NEW LEVELS.
This concludes our "article on Mabon.
The next sabbat is Samhain.
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