Mabon or the Autumn Equinox is one of the four minor sabbats of the wheel of the year. The official date is September 22nd, but festivities can last from September 21st to September 24th. This harvest festival is celebrated under different names such as Winter's Findings, Feast of Avalon and many more.
During the equinox, the sun shines equally on the Northern and Southern hemispheres, the day and night are of equal length. The theme of the holiday is therefore balance, the scale. We must celebrate light and darkness as much in the physical world around us, as within ourselves. Mabon is for some considered the “Thanksgiving” of witches. It is a time to recognize our successes as well as our failures during the past year and to share love and gratitude with the people we love. We can take advantage of it to finish our projects and prepare for winter, the season of introspection.
According to Wiccans, this is when the Goddess changes from Mother to Crone, a symbol of the triple goddess (often represented as the three moons). It is the end of the harvest, the nights become longer, the leaves fall, the plants die, and the animals prepare to hibernate or migrate. In many cultures, autumn is also a symbol of death, the end of fertility, and rest. This is why Mabon is an opportunity to honor our ancestors and the people who have left us this year. We must remember that our time on Earth is precious and recognize how lucky we are to be alive.
How to celebrate Mabon?
Here are some activities we offer you:
- Blessing Jar or Pot of Gratitude:
If you already have a jar like this, now is the perfect time to light a candle, sit down and take the time to read each paper, remembering your good memories. If this is not something you have done before, you can start your new jar now.
Take a jar of your choice, preferably transparent, and sit down with a sheet of paper, scissors and a pencil. Think about the last year, your best memories. Cut small pieces of paper, on which you will write down each blessing that has come into your life. Put them in your jar and place it in a visible place. During the next year, take a moment once a week or as often as suits you, to add the things you are grateful for. When it is the Autumn Equinox again, you can sit down and read each piece of paper, filling your heart with gratitude.
- Picking apples or walking in the forest:
Pick apples with your family or simply walk in the forest (where you can already start collecting pine cones for your Yule tree).
- Potluck Dinner:
Gather your friends and family and have a big potluck dinner (where everyone brings something they (preferably) cooked at home). Watch the sunset with music playing. As the sun fades into darkness, light some small lights or candles and continue the celebration outside.
- Meditate on the subject of balance:
By this we mean meditate on the balance between light and darkness, without the latter, the stars could not shine. Success is not without trial and error.
- Act of generosity:
In this time of gratitude, it is important to think about giving back. No need to make a monetary donation, you can give your time to a cause that is close to your heart, clean out your closet and take your clothes to a family counter or you can cook a meal and take it to someone you know who needs it.
Of course, let yourself be inspired and create your own Mabon activities!
Important colors and symbols:
- Red. signifies love, passion, change and action.
- Yellow for creativity and light.
- Orange signifies balance, warmth and optimism.
- Green for harmony, growth and rebirth.
- Brown symbolizes family, home and stability.
- The horn of plenty
- Apples
- Pine cones
- The seeds
- Pumpkins and squashes
- Tan
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Mabon or the Autumn Equinox is one of the four minor sabbats in the Wheel of the Year. The official date is September 22nd, but the festivities can last from September 21st to 24th. This harvest festival is celebrated under various names, such as Winter's Findings , Feast of Avalon , and more.
During the equinox, the sun shines equally on the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, and day and night are of the same length. The theme of the celebration is balance, symbolized by the scales. It is a time to honor both light and darkness, not only in the physical world around us but also within ourselves. For some, Mabon is considered the “Thanksgiving” of witches. It is an opportunity to acknowledge our successes and failures over the past year and to share love and gratitude with the people we care about. It is also a time to complete any unfinished projects and prepare for winter, the season of introspection.
According to Wiccans, this is when the Goddess transitions from Mother to Crone, symbolizing the Triple Goddess (often depicted as the three moons). It marks the end of the harvest season: the nights grow longer, leaves fall, plants die, and animals prepare to hibernate or migrate. In many cultures, autumn is also a symbol of death, the end of fertility, and rest. For this reason, Mabon is an opportunity to honor ancestors and those who have passed away during the year. It is a reminder of the preciousness of our time on Earth and the importance of appreciating the gift of life.
How to Celebrate Mabon?
Here are some suggested activities:
-
Blessing Jar or Gratitude Jar:
If you already have one, this is the perfect time to light a candle, sit down, and take the time to read each note, recalling your fondest memories.
If you don't already have one, now is a great time to start.
Take a jar of your choice (preferably transparent), along with paper, scissors, and a pen. Reflect on the past year and your best memories. Cut small pieces of paper and write down every blessing that entered your life. Place them in the jar and put it in a visible spot. Over the next year, take a moment weekly—or whenever you like—to add new notes of gratitude. By the next Autumn Equinox, you can sit down and read them, filling your heart with thankfulness.
- Apple Picking or Forest Walks:
Go apple picking with your family, or simply enjoy a walk in the forest where you can also start gathering pinecones for your Yule decorations.
- Potluck Dinner:
Gather your friends and family for a potluck dinner where everyone brings a dish they've (preferably) made at home. Watch the sunset with music, and as the sun disappears, light small lanterns or candles and continue celebrating outdoors.
- Meditate on Balance:
Reflect on the balance between light and darkness. Without darkness, the stars cannot shine. Success comes from trials and errors.
- Acts of Kindness:
During this season of gratitude, think about giving back. You don't need to donate money—consider giving your time to a cause you care about, decluttering your wardrobe and donating clothes to a charity, or preparing a meal for someone in need.
Of course, feel free to get creative and come up with your own Mabon activities!
Key Colors and Symbols:
- Red: Love, passion, change, action
- Yellow: Creativity, light
- Orange: Balance, warmth, optimism
- Green: Harmony, growth, rebirth
- Brown: Family, home, stability
- Cornucopia (Horn of Plenty)
- Apples
- Pinecones
- Seeds
- Pumpkins and squashes
- Tan
Source:
https://www.mumblesandthings.com/blog/2016/9/19/10-ways-to-celebrate-mabon-and-the-autumn-equinox