Mabon 2025: A Witches Guide to Embracing and Celebrating the Harvest Season
As the warm embrace of summer slowly gives way to the crisp and colourful beauty of autumn, we find ourselves at the threshold of Mabon, a significant festival in the pagan and Wiccan traditions. Mabon, also known as the Autumn Equinox, is a time to honour the bountiful harvest, express gratitude for the abundance of the Earth, and find balance within ourselves. In this blog post, we delve into the essence of the Mabon festival and explore ways to celebrate this sacred occasion.
Mabon, named after the Welsh God, is a time of equal day and night, marking the astronomical transition from summer to fall. It symbolizes the second harvest, where we reap the rewards of our hard work and appreciate the abundance surrounding us. As we reflect on the cyclical nature of life, Mabon encourages us to find equilibrium and harmony within ourselves and our environment.
Mabon provides an opportunity to deepen our connection with nature and embrace the changing seasons. Take a walk in the woods and witness the transformation of the leaves, from vibrant greens to fiery reds and golden yellows. Gather fallen leaves, acorns, or pine cones to create beautiful and meaningful decorations for your home or altar (more on this, later). Engaging in activities like gardening, foraging for wild mushrooms, or participating in a local harvest festival can further immerse you in the spirit of Mabon.
~ Contributed By Elspeth
Many Pagans have known this Equinox as 'Mabon', since the 1970s. Author Aidan Kelly coined the term, after the Welsh deity, 'Mabon ap Modron''
We already had Yule, Ostara and other Pagan events named, but we were lacking a name for this Equinox, this second Harvest ~ so off we went.
He felt it a good fit, to balance the wheel.
Thanks Mr Kelly!
This year, in the Northern Hemisphere, Mabon falls on 22nd September, and, so, Autumn begins.
Just think of all those desperate folk, absolutely gagging for this season and all of its treasures!
(Raises hand.)
Taking a look at a couple of Mabon symbols that are pretty abundant at this time.
Apples!
These represent Earth's Bounty at this point in the season. We get a rich harvest at a time of equal day, and night ~ so apples are good symbols of abundance and balance.
My garden has been a real boon this year with my finally, being truly retired. I've never had so much opportunity to work the plants and soil ~ to live alongside the seasons without interruption.
If you can can find time to get into Nature do it. We've lost our way without her.
What's that saying... 'She's the reason for the Season' ~ I adapted it a bit lol.
I've noticed an absolute abundance of apples, in the trees, on the ground ~ everywhere, a great source to help us celebrate!
Apple cider, apple pies, (Oh yum...recipe coming up) rituals, spells, garlands, or simply as adornments for your altar. The colours are amazing as well. Absolutely decadent velvety rich reds, with hints of warm, golden orange, with greens still popping amongst the more firey hues. A source of firey Mabon colours.
Mother Nature's handiwork is hard to beat.
Crystals for Mabon.
Thinking of the firey colours of this Equinox brings Carnelian to mind for me. It has a huge variety of yellows, reds, coppers and oranges
There are other crystals of course, but this is my preferred stone. Amber, smoky quartz, citrine, and Tiger's Eye, are some of the other popular stones chosen for spell work, and Mabon altar adornments. Perfect for enhancing balance to the Solar Plexus, and the Sacral chakras. They aid in stimulating creativity, and confidence ~ all good energy.
Wishing you a fabulous Mabon/Autumn Equinox!!!
A few links that may interest you ~
https://www.pagangrimoire.com/what-is-mabon-how-to-celebrate/
https://blog.greenwitchliving.com/mabon-apple-banishing-spell/
https://www.tragicbeautiful.com/blogs/book-of-spells/mabon-rituals?...
The Promised Pie
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/ultimate-apple-pie
MABON TAROT SPREAD
~ Contributed By Evil Magician
To do a Mabon tarot spread, you should create a ritual around the themes of Mabon, which are harvest, gratitude, and balance, and incorporate a spread that helps you reflect on the past year's achievements and prepare for the coming darker half of the year. A common approach is a four-card spread where: Card 1 asks about what you've cultivated through the year of light, Card 2 asks what is meant to come with you into the next season, Card 3 is your teacher for the upcoming season of darkness, and Card 4 is the nature of the creative fire being kindled for you.
1. Set the Mood and Intentions
• Prepare the space:
Light a candle, smudge with sage, or play some gentle music to create a sacred atmosphere for your reading.
• Center yourself:
Take a few deep breaths and focus on the intention of the Mabon, which is a time of harvest, reflection, and giving thanks for the blessings of the past year.
• Connect with the season:
Acknowledge the shift into autumn and the purpose of the spread, such as evaluating your harvest, giving thanks, and preparing for the darker, introspective half of the year.
2. The Mabon Spread (a suggested 4-card spread)
• Card 1: What have I cultivated?
This card represents what you've grown and achieved since the spring or the beginning of the year. It highlights your personal and spiritual "harvest".
• Card 2: What should I carry forward?
This card reveals which of your recent growth or ideas are most important to bring into the next season, into the period of darkness.
• Card 3: What will be my teacher?
This card provides guidance for the upcoming period of introspection, helping you learn and grow through the changes of the coming months.
• Card 4: What creative fire is being kindled?
This card shows the nature of the new ideas, projects, or inspiration that are emerging for the coming season.
3. Interpret and Act
• Reflect on the cards:
Consider the traditional meanings of the cards and how they relate to the specific positions within the Mabon spread.
• Journal your thoughts:
Write down your interpretations for each card. This can help you to see patterns, understand the messages, and gain deeper insight.
• Integrate the messages:
Use the insights from the reading to adjust your goals, focus on what to release, or embrace the new creative fire that the cards have revealed.
CLEANSING AND RELEASE RITUAL
~ Contributed By Evil Magician
A Mabon cleansing and release ritual focuses on releasing what no longer serves you as the Autumn Equinox approaches, symbolizing the balance of light and dark. You can perform this by burning symbolic items representing your worries, journaling about what you're releasing, creating a cleansing smoke blend with herbs like sage or rosemary, or taking a cleansing bath. The goal is to create space for new energy and prepare for the darker part of the year by letting go of burdens and embracing forgiveness.
Elements of a Mabon Cleansing & Release Ritual
• Grounding:
Connect to the Earth's energy by placing your feet on the ground to recalibrate your aura and energy, especially important during this transitional period.
• Cleansing:
Use smoke from herbs like sage or rosemary, or a cleansing mixture of black salt and herbs, to clear negative energies from your space and yourself.
• Release:
• Writing: Write down any negative things holding you back, fears, or doubts on a piece of paper.
• Symbolic Burning: Burn the paper to symbolize the release of these burdens, visualizing the smoke carrying them away.
• Forgiveness: Acknowledge any wrongdoings and actively forgive yourself and others to cleanse your consciousness.
• Balance:
Focus on the theme of the Autumn Equinox, where light and dark are in balance. Reflect on the wisdom gained and prepare for the coming "dark half" of the year.
• Intentional Action:
• Meditation: Meditate with cleansing and grounding crystals like red jasper or tiger's eye to support your intentions.
• Herbal Brew: Create a magical brew with herbs like ginger, cloves, cinnamon, and cardamom to symbolize release.
A Simple Release Ritual
• 1. Set the Mood:
Light candles in autumnal colors and gather symbolic items like leaves, amber, or red jasper.
• 2. Clear Your Space:
Use a smoke cleanse with sage or other herbs, allowing the smoke to fill your space and clear any stagnant energy.
• 3. Write and Release:
Take a few moments to write down anything you wish to release from your life on a piece of paper.
• 4. Burn the Paper:
Once you're ready, carefully burn the paper, watching the smoke carry your burdens away.
• 5. Ground Yourself:
Spend a few moments walking outside, connecting with the earth, and allowing its steady energy to ground and center you.
• 6. Journal:
Reflect in a journal about the blessings you received during the year and what lessons you've learned, making space for the next harvest.
Witch spells for Mabon focus on themes of balance, harvest, gratitude, and protection, using elements like autumn leaves, fruits, candles, and acorns to attract prosperity, express thanks, or provide protection. Popular Mabon spells include a gratitude ritual to count blessings, a protection spell using acorns and sage, a spell to manifest abundance with autumn leaves and a coin, and a balance spell using white and black candles.
Gratitude Spell
• Gather items: A brown marker and paper to write on.
• Write your list: List all the things you are grateful for, big and small.
• Fold and bless: Fold the list three times and place it in a special box on your altar, thanking the universe.
• Revisit: Reread your list annually to reflect on your mindset and blessings.
Protection Spell
• Gather items: Acorns, a black candle, and sage.
• Light the ritual items: Light the candle and sage to purify your space.
• Bless the acorns: Pass the acorns through the smoke, stating your prayer of protection.
• Place the acorns: Keep the blessed acorns to protect your home or carry them with you for personal protection.
Abundance Spell
• Gather items: Autumn leaves, a green candle, and a coin.
• Set up: Arrange the autumn leaves in a circle around the green candle.
• Light the candle: Light the candle and focus on your intentions for abundance.
• Add the coin: Hold the coin, visualizing it multiplying in your hand before placing it under the candle.
Balance Spell
• Gather items: One white candle and one black candle.
• Light the candles: Light both candles to symbolize the balance between light and dark energies.
• Meditate: Visualize the energy of the candles bringing harmony to areas in your life that need balance.
Harvest Time Apple Recipes
Mabon For Kids.
~ Contributed By Elspeth
Ok, let's look at a few Autumn Equinox themed, activities for the little ones (and the not so little ones).
Take A Walk
Collages, Scrapbooks.
The woods and fields are stunning at this time. The weather, generally isn't too forbidding either. There are so many treasures to find underfoot or hanging from the bushes as you walk. You can collect various coloured, shaped, and sized leaves, then with a little Modge Podge, a plastic-table cloth ( lol!), lots of A3 or A4 recycled paper, sit back and watch what they put together. You can make collages, or build the picture into familiar objects such as houses and write a stories to go with it. It could be a good time to start scrapbooking, but make sure the leaves etc are dry. You don't want mould building between the pages.
A Talking Stick.
I don't think I need to remind folk of how to start these. The kids need to find a decent, sturdy stick, I always say, "Wand-sized", as they go walking. They can decorate it later. There'll be loads of bits and pieces from, acorns, pinecones and seed pods, leaves, interesting twigs and such. Collect the bits together. A bag helps!
Once home, maybe throw some scraps of wool, silks, fabric scraps and importantly, threads to tie the treasures to their sticks, onto that table again.. Modge Podge or similar is useful too.
Foraging.
Nuts, and berries to make suet balls for the birds. Adult supervison is needed here, from picking and gathering to mixing the suet up.
You may have to help the younger kids with knots if their dexterity isn't upto it yet..but make it a chilled experience so their enthusiasm flows, as we know frustration hampers the fun.
Fairy Fort!!!
This is one of those crafts you can let kids go wild with ~
they'll make their own creative crafts up, if you give them the chance.
Have a Blessed Mabon ~ A Memorable Autumn Equinox
FOR MORE ARTICLES ABOUT MABON VISIT -
https://witches-moon.ning.com/groups/wheel-of-the-year/mabon
Comments
MABON BLESSINGS TO YOU ALL!
Thanks a lot, this was precious! And yes, I am sure we all enjoyed it!
Thanks, Elspeth, I loved it!
You're welcome! Its not just from me ~ there's a collaboration of members up there :-)
We're so glad you like it!!
Ok I loved it all. I love the ideas for the little ones and I love that little house with the acorns. I also like the Gratitude spell. What a great news letter :))))))
Very valuable information, a wonderful edition of the witch's moon chronicle 🍁