Mabon: a time of balance
Self-care rituals and practices perfect for the Autumn Equinox
Known as Pagan Thanksgiving, Mabon is an ancient Celtic term for the Autumn Equinox: an event in the celestial year where night and day are equal, making it a time of balance, equality and harmony.
In the northern hemisphere for 2022, Mabon starts on Wednesday 21st September and ends on 22nd, the final day of the Autumn Equinox.
In ancient times, Mabon was a celebration of the second harvest (Lughnasadh, the day that honors the Celtic god Lugh, was the first), a time to give thanks for the abundance of nature (both literally and spiritually).
Back then, this group of druidic, tree-lovin’ folk celebrated the earth’s cycles and seasons by dividing the year into eight segments at key seasonal points.
As the harvest festival, Mabon was traditionally celebrated by gathering hearty foods like gourds, pumpkins, grapes and apples. Ancient Celts used this day to give thanks to nature for a good harvest, as well as to pray to their gods and goddesses that the crop would last through the winter season.
Today, the Autumn Equinox is the best time to get cosy (we see you pumpkin spice lattes), clean the home, give thanks for security, and connect with others.
The exact date of Mabon varies each year but the final day of celebration is always on the same day as the Autumn Equinox. This year, the UK Autumn Equinox takes place on Friday September 23rd: the time when day and night are of equal length, in terms of daylight.
The Autumn Equinox also marks the official end of summer and the start of Libra season: a time said to be of balance of beauty. The ancients saw this point of equilibrium as a time when opposites — dark and light, masculine and feminine, inner and outer — are in perfect balance. But it also marks the cusp of transition, meaning from here on out the atmosphere begins to wane as darkness takes over light, cold over warmth.
The sap of trees return back to their roots deep in the earth, changing the green of summer to the fire of autumn. In terms of personal growth, it’s a time to complete projects, clear out and let go of what is no longer needed as we prepare for winter to be a time of reflection and peace. It’s also said to be the perfect time to plant seeds of new ideas which will come into fruition with the return of Spring.
Since ancient times, people around the world have always used seasons as opportunities to give thanks, reflect and prepare for the next turning point ahead.
Today, reverting back to methods of living in tune with the rhythm of the earth’s cycles is becoming popular once more. In Germany, there’s Oktoberfest, Mehregan in Iran and even American Thanksgiving was originally on the 3rd October, which was much closer to the actual harvest season.
So while these celebrations vary from culture to culture, marking these festivals in your own way can be a helpful reminder to us all that we have much to be grateful for.
In essence, Mabon is all about gratitude for what has been reaped this year so far — while keeping an eye towards the hardships of winter. For us, this could be a recognition of a mental and physical adjustment needed for the darker, longer nights ahead.
So, how can we mark the occasion in 2022-style?
Here are just a few ways you may want to ritualise Mabon:
Declutter and complete
We tend to think of Spring as the time to clear out but, traditionally, ancient peoples knew the start of the hibernation season was the best time to get your declutter on.
After all, you’re probably going to be spending more time at home over autumn and winter, so now’s the perfect time to finish any lingering projects and clear out both emotional and physical clutter so your home feels calm, relaxing and peaceful.
Gratitude journal
Creating a gratitude journal to manifest the things you desire seems like the latest big fad. But at it’s very core, feeling thankful for what we have is hugely beneficial to both our mental and physical health.
All in all, noting gratitude is a task that seems to pay off in every sense: helping people sleep better, lowering stress, and improving interpersonal relationships and personal success.
Start by writing down everything that happens that you feel happy and grateful for. Then, each morning, write a list of five blessings you’re thankful for. Not only will it brighten your mood for the day ahead, it signals to the universe that you’d like more of the same, thank you very much.
Get outdoors
Now we probably don’t need to bang on too much for you to know how much we love the benefits of walking. Getting out for a walk is a good idea no matter the time of year, but taking in nature’s wild abundance is said to be especially beneficial on the Autumn Equinox.
Plant bulbs and ideas
The Autumn Equinox is an excellent time to plant tree seeds and shrubs. They then have all winter in the darkness to establish and germinate. Plant hide in the earth until early Spring beckons… and the same can be said for any big projects you have in the pipeline,
Now’s a great time to get planning, plant the seed of of your idea, and watch it grow over the winter season.
Give to charity
We like to see the festive season as the time of giving… but why wait ‘til December to start feeling like you’ve given back?
Pick a cause or campaign you feel strongly about and offer up some of your time, energy or money and we’re sure you’ll have started the autumn season off in the best possible way.
Make a Mabon centre-piece
Wiccans and modern-day Pagans refer to this practice as creating an altar… but it’s 2022, and who likes labels anymore?
For us, this one’s a matter of bringing the outdoor signs of autumn into the home. Think creating a cute little centre-piece on your dresser, windowsill or fireplace… wherever you have the space.
This space can be used for meditation or reflection… a place perfect for journaling with gratitude. To celebrate Mabon, try adding harvest symbols (like pine cones, leaves, squash, or — yes — a pumpkin if you must), along with crystals in dark colours for good vibration.
Creating a centrepiece, wreath or piece of art to adorn your home can bring in the positive energy associated with Mabon/the Autumn Equinox, so here are some more ideas to get you started:
Plants: pinecones, seeds, autumnal leaves
Herbs: rosemary, sage, cinnamon, rosehip
Flowers: sunflowers, thistle, marigolds
Foods: squash, beans, pumpkins, cider, root veg, pomegranate, wine
Colours (for candles, cloths and journaling paper): orange, red, brown, copper, dark yellow, dark green
Crystals: amber, citrine, sapphire, jasper
Happy Mabon,
xxx
