It is that time of year when the summer barbeques end, vacations are over, and kids are at school. Therefore, summer is over, and fall is here. September 21st is the first day of the autumn equinox, which means it is also another pagan Sabbat, Mabon. The last Sabbat was Lughnasadh on August 1st, marking the midpoint between Litha and Mabon. Now it is Mabon. Now, the sun crosses the celestial equator, resulting in equal lengths of day and night. Nature undergoes significant transformations during this time, with the days becoming shorter and cooler as the Earth prepares for winter. Let’s discuss Mabon, its history, and its rituals and end it with a collective tarot reading.
What Should You Do During Mabon?
During Mabon, you can honor and give thanks for the abundance of the harvest season. It is a time to recognize and appreciate the balance between light and darkness.
As you engage in Mabon rituals, you may choose to gather with loved ones and partake in a harvest feast. This feast lets you come together and enjoy the season’s bountiful fruits, vegetables, and grains. By sharing this meal, you symbolically express gratitude for the Earth’s abundance and strengthen your sense of community.
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During Mabon, you may also engage in the act of letting go. This can include releasing negative emotions, decluttering your space, or participating in a ceremonial burning of old writings or objects. Letting go creates space for new growth and invites positive changes in your life.
Now, let’s go over the history of Mabon and elaborate on more common rituals after.
The History of Mabon
The history of Mabon is rooted in ancient Celtic and pagan traditions. It is named after Mabon ap Modron, a figure from Welsh mythology associated with the harvest and the changing seasons. However, the specific historical origins and practices of Mabon as a holiday must be well-documented.
Mabon, a modern pagan Sabbat, became popular in the mid-20th century by practitioners of Wicca and other pagan traditions. It’s part of the Wheel of the Year, celebrating life’s changing seasons and natural cycles.
Mabon does not have ancient historical records or specific rituals but draws inspiration from various cultural and mythological sources. People celebrate the harvest, show gratitude for the Earth’s abundance, and honor the balance between light and darkness.
As with many Sabbats, the specific practices and interpretations of Mabon can vary among different pagan traditions and individual practitioners. It is a time for personal and communal celebration, honoring the harvest, and embracing the transitional energies of autumn. Now, let’s discuss everyday Mabon rituals and festivals.
Mabon traditions can vary among different Pagan traditions and individual practitioners. However, here are some standard practices and activities associated with the celebration:
Harvest Feasts: Mabon is a time to celebrate the abundance of the harvest season. It’s a time when people gather for feasts or potluck meals. They incorporate seasonal fruits, vegetables, and grains into their meals and share food to enjoy the bounties of nature.
Gratitude Rituals: Mabon is a time to express gratitude for the gifts of the Earth and the harvest. Many people perform rituals or ceremonies to acknowledge and give thanks for the abundance in their lives. They may use verbal expressions of gratitude, write gratitude lists, or make offerings to the Earth or Mabon deities.
Nature Walks and Outdoor Activities: Mabon is an opportunity to connect with the natural world during the changing seasons. Going for nature walks, hikes, or outdoor activities can help you appreciate autumn and nature’s cycles.
Craft and Artistic Activities: Mabon is a time of creativity and inspiration. Creating wreaths, cornucopias, or seasonal decorations is a great way to celebrate the season and showcase artistic talents.
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Letting Go and Reflection: As Mabon represents the balance between light and darkness, it can be a time for introspection and letting go. Reflecting on the year, releasing what no longer serves, and setting intentions for the coming months are standard Mabon practices.
Another standard Mabon ritual is setting up an altar or sacred space. Let’s discuss what to expect to see on a Mabon altar.
What Is on the Mabon Altar?
On a Mabon altar, you can include items symbolizing the energy and themes of the autumnal equinox and harvest season. What you want to add is you to you, but it is expected to add harvest fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables such as apples, pumpkins, gourds, corn, or grapes represent the abundance and bounty of the harvest.
You can also add autumn leaves and flowers. Gather colorful leaves, branches, or flowers that reflect fall’s vibrant hues. Arrange them in vases or as decorative elements on the altar.
Remember the candles. Use candles in autumnal colors like orange, gold, or deep red to represent warmth, light, and transformative power. You can also use candle holders made of natural materials like wood or metal.
Crystals are another addition. Use crystals that resonate with the energy, such as citrine for abundance, carnelian for vitality, or amethyst for spiritual connection. Place them on the altar to enhance their power and symbolism.
You can also add symbols of balance. Incorporate items representing the balance between light and darkness, such as scales or a yin-yang symbol. These remind you of the equinox and the need for balance.
Also, add a cornucopia, also known as the “horn of plenty,” which symbolizes abundance. Fill it with fruits, vegetables, or symbolic items to represent the overflowing harvest.
Include any tools or offerings that are significant or part of your spiritual practice. This can be an athame (ritual knife), a chalice, a smudging bundle, or items that connect you to your spirituality.
Your altar is where you meditate, journal, and do tarot readings. Let’s do a collective tarot Mabon reading so you know what energy to expect.
Here is a Mabon tarot reading, a four-card spread from New Age Hipster. The cards drawn are:
What has grown – Six of Cups
What to keep – Ace of Swords
What to give – Hierophant
What to receive – Queen of Swords
Now, let’s explore these cards.
Card One – Six of Cups
The first card indicates what has grown, and the Six of Cups emerges. The Six of Cups represents nostalgia, innocence, and emotional connections. Your relationships and emotional bonds have flourished in the context of what has grown.
This card indicates that you have cultivated a sense of harmony and warmth in your connections with others. This means you may have growth in friendships or rekindling connections from the past. Now, let’s see what comes up next.
Card Two – Ace of Swords
The second card indicates what to keep: the Ace of Swords. The Ace of Swords signifies new beginnings, clarity, and mental fortitude. In terms of what to keep, this card advises you to hold onto your mental clarity and your fresh perspectives.
You likely developed new perspectives over the year, so you will want to keep those. Additionally, you should continue to embrace the power of clear thinking, logical reasoning, and decisive action. This card reminds you to keep seeking truth and embracing intellectual growth. Now, let’s examine the next card.
Card Three – The Hierophant
The third card indicates what to give, as the Hierophant appeared in this position. The Hierophant represents tradition, spirituality, and guidance. In the context of what to give, this card suggests that you should offer your wisdom, knowledge, or spiritual insights to others. It may be time for you to act as a mentor, teacher, or guide.
You should begin sharing your experiences and offering guidance to those who seek it. This card encourages you to provide support and structure to those who could benefit from your wisdom. Now, let’s explore the final card.
Card Four – Quee of Swords
Finally, the card represents what to receive: the Queen of Swords. The Queen of Swords embodies intellect, independence, and discernment. It suggests being open to receiving the wisdom and guidance of a strong, independent, and intellectually astute person.
You may receive this guidance and wisdom from a strong, independent woman. However, not always. This person may provide valuable insights, advice, or support to contribute to your personal growth, mental clarity, and decision-making. Be sure to listen to this advice and consider taking it. That is unless it truly does not align with your values.
Key Takeaways
Mabon is a Sabbat that celebrates the autumnal equinox when day and night are of equal length. It is named after Mabon ap Modron, a figure from Welsh mythology associated with the harvest and the changing seasons.
During Mabon, people honor and give thanks for the abundance of the harvest season. You want to express gratitude for nature’s bountiful gifts and reflect on the balance of light and darkness.
Many people and pagan communities celebrate Mabon by engaging in rituals and activities that connect them to the natural world. These may involve gathering and decorating fall fruits, vegetables, and leaves. Creating altars or sacred spaces and participating in communal feasts or potluck meals is expected.
The holiday also reminds us of the approaching winter season and the need to prepare for the colder months. It’s time to let go of what’s no longer needed and embrace the season’s reflective energies.
Overall, Mabon is a celebration of the autumnal equinox and a time to honor the harvest, express gratitude, and prepare for the transition into the darker and colder months of the year.
What to expect during Mabon shows in the collective tarot reading. This Mabon spread indicates that your emotional connections have grown and blossomed, and you should continue nurturing those bonds. It advises you to embrace mental clarity and sharpness and to share your wisdom and guidance with others.
Additionally, be open to receiving guidance and insights from a strong and independent individual. This spread indicates that the season of Mabon is ideal for personal and spiritual growth and for sharing and receiving wisdom. Have an enjoyable Mabon celebration!
