MABON
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SEPTEMBER 20-23
One of the 4 minor Sabbats, Mabon, is a time of balance, the days and nights are equal, giving way to increased darkness. Mabon is the Witches' Thanksgiving. The God prepares to leave his physical body beginning the great adventure into the unseen toward renewal and rebirth of the Goddess. The Goddess is entering into Cronehood and the dark year is beginning. It is the second Harvest Festival of the Witches' calendar, and it celebrates and gives thanks for the bountiful harvest of fruit, squash, grains, and vegetables.
Mabon is also known as the Autumn Equinox, Second Harvest, Festival of Dionysus, Cornucopia, Wine Harvest, and Alban Elfed. It between September 20th and 23rd, the reason for this variance, is due to the differences between the actual astronomical event and our calendar.
For more detailed information about this Sabbat Click Here for Mike Nichols essay.
Purpose: This is time for thanksgiving, evaluation and meditation. The time for looking back upon the efforts of the past--not just this year, or the last, but also of your lifetime. As well it is a time to give thanks for the time, effort and support you have recieved from others. Take stock in what you've received and prepare for the dark days. Also a time to gather the seeds that will give new birth in the spring.
Symbolism & Representations of Mabon
Color: Red, Deep Gold, Orange, Brown, Maroon, Violet, Russet, Indigo
Herb/Scent Myrhh, Thistles, Tobacco, Oak Leaves, Hops, Acorns, Marigold, Rose, Sage, Pine, Cedar, Ferns, Honeysuckle
Stone: Topaz, Yellow Agate, Lapis Lazuli, Amethyst, Carnelian
Foods: Grapes, Acorns, Wheat Bread, Indian Corn, Cornbread, Corn, Root Crops, Nuts, Dried Fruits, Apples, Beans, Squash
Animal/Creatures: Dogs, Wolves, Stag, Blackbird, Owl, Eagle, Salmon, Gnomes, Sphinx, Cyclops
Goddess: any Mother aspect of the Triple Goddess
God: any Wine or Aging God
Others: Statue of Goddess in Mother Aspect, Fruits, Nuts, Seeds, Leaves, Grapes, Large Harvest Bowls, Canned Goods
The Mabon Altar can go up anytime before Mabon; I usually put mine up anytime after the 1st of September and tend to leave and use parts of it through autumn. I decorate my home with leaves and gathered things from outside throughout the fall and until I get ready to decorate for Yule.
Spell work includes those of celebration, harvest, gathering and thanksgiving. I begin now to prepare for the more final deaths that come at Samhain and try to finish up any projects or issues in my life that will need to be let go of at that time. I take special note of seeds and put some away for safe-keeping. I'll need them in the spring. This often takes the form of those projects/changes that need some time to rest and develop before they can bloosom.
- Mabon Goddess Wall Hanging
- Mabon God Wall Hanging
Betsy Foster
© October 2001
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