Mabon
Mabon, also known as Alban Elfed, Mea'n Fo'mhair, and the Feast of Avalon, is the second harvest festival of the pagan year. The word "Mabon" comes from the tale of Mabon of Modron, the Welsh God, (the "great son of the great mother"), also known as the Son of Light, the Young Son, or Divine Youth. Mabon was born at the time of the autumnal equinox. His mother, Modron, is the Guardian of the Outerworld, the Healer, the Protector, the Earth. Mabon was mysteriously captured when three nights old (possibly three years). Through the aid and guidance of the animals (Stag, Blackbird, Owl, Eagle and Salmon) he is freed. He spends this time within his mother's womb and is reborn as the Son of Light possessing great wisdom and great strength. Mabon also translates as "great son" and has connections with Arthurian legend as Modred who was rescued from captivity by King Arthur. Mabon is the King of the Otherworld and the God of Darkness.
It is the celebration of first fruits. In the Greek tradition, this is the time of the great Eleusinian mysteries. In Ireland, it is sacred to the goddess Carman, the patroness of poetry. In Northern Europe, Mabon is known as Winter Finding and is sacred to Frey. The full moon at this time is the traditional "Harvest Moon". At one time, farmers would harvest by the light of this moon. (Of course, if you've ever lived in a farming region you will know that farmers must harvest the grain at the perfect time and try to beat the weather. Once the harvest begins, it doesn't stop until the job is finished.)
The Christian church designated September 21 as the feast day of St. Matthew. September 25th was designated as Michaelmas in honor of the archangel Michael. This date may have been chosen due to the celebration of Mabon on this fixed date by the peasantry of Europe who were not skilled in determining the exact time of the equinox.
Mabon is known as the "Witches' Thanksgiving", being the time to celebrate the fruits of the harvest and the bountiful blessings of the gods. Mother Earth's richness and bounty are honored with food, drink and symbolic sacrifice. The rich colors and fragrances of autumn are combined in the ceremonies surrounding this holiday. In many places, this is the time of county fairs and carnivals...a more modern and secular form of celebrating the bounty of nature.
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Mabon is a time of balance. As the sun enters Libra, it's time to ground and find balance within yourself.
This is the season for preparing for the end of the year. As Samhain approaches, it's time to clean house, resolve issues that you don't want to carry forward into the new year and make new plans. If your life is overly complex, this is a good time to simplify (finding balance).
Decorate for Autumn! Time to bring out the pumpkins, corns talks, hay bales, chrysanthemums, and autumn leaves.
The Mabon feast should include food symbolic of the richness of Mother Earth. Apples or pears, root crops such as carrots or yams, corn, rich breads and beans are just some of the things that lend the spirit of the season to the celebration. Be sure to support your local Farmer's Market!
If at all possible, try to find time to get out into nature. Go to a state park and hike a trail or visit a botanical garden.
Mabon is the signal to begin "fall clean-up". Trim the grass and hedges, clean out the flower, herb and vegetable beds, clean the gutters, wash the windows, and winterize your home. Don't forget to have your oil changed and the anti-freeze level checked in your auto before cold weather arrives!
