Mabon is the second of three harvest festivals. The first of which was at Lughnassadh, and the third being Samhain.
It is also known as the Autumnal Equinox and Harvest Home. Being a day of balance, equal hours of both light and dark, but also when night ultimately triumphs over day.
As Wiccans we give thanks to the waning sunlight, and as we store our harvest of this year's crops, we also take a moment to pay respect to the impending darkness that looms right around the corner.
The emphasis is on the message of rebirth that can be found in the harvest seeds, ready to be planted in the spring, to start the cycle of life all over again.
Autumn is the time of year, when the air begins to cool - giving us a respite from the searing heat of the summer sun. The crops have grown tall and glorious, and the vine is heavy laden with the fruits of our labors. We delight in the coolness, yet we know to bring out our winter coats, for all too soon, winter will come.
Autumn is a time of Thanksgiving. A time of reflection of the past year. The gods have gifted us with many blessings, and we gather together at this time to offer our thanks for gifts received and those that have yet to come to fruition.
Focus of Mabon
Mabon is sometimes considered the time of the Mysteries, particularly in the Greek cultures, where Persephone is honored for Her return to the Underworld, and it is acknowledged that Her mother, Demeter will mourn Her, withdrawing Her life giving fertility until the Spring comes again.
It is also a time to honor Aging Deities and Deities of Corn and Wine-making. This is a time of balance, and is a time where we stop and relax, and enjoy the fruits of our own personal harvests.
It is the drawing of family as we prepare to wind down for the coming winter months. We finish old business and ready ourselves for a period of rest, relaxation and reflection.
If any spell-workings are done on this day, those of Protection, Prosperity, Security and Self-Confidence should be considered.
Community Focus of Mabon
Traditionally a pagan thanksgiving, we recognize the second harvest and acknowledge what we have to be thankful for. A journey to commune with the spirits of the harvest as a way of asking what tasks can be done to express thanks and give back to the community.
Mabon Blessings
As we enter the dark seasons of the year, may the starlight and firelight
Continue to show us the way home.
May hugs and smiles continue to warm us.
And may the voices of our friends surround us with love.
© 2001 AmberFox
Ravenna's Mabon 2011
This year I kept it simple. I've noticed that that seems to be my usual thing in the past few years. Simple. I spend more time in contemplation then I do in ritual, which is okay. I'm a busy person, I've got 3 kids and a family to take care of and part of my practice is joining the magickal with the mundane.
So this year, I had good food with my family and enjoyed the fact that I'm alive. I am thankful for the simple gifts in my life, and the ones that aren't so simple. I am thankful for my friends and family, for the home I live in (even if it's a bit crazy here) and just... yeah, I'm thankful. I am grateful for everything I have. This past year was a trying one for me, and in the end... I look back and remember to be thankful for all these gifts in my life.
~ Ravenna Angelline, September 25, 2011
Ravenna's Mabon 2006
Okay, Mabon... gotta love this holiday! This year was spent with much contemplation, and an examination on what this day is all about. We had a lovely time spent harvesting our garden, and now we've got so many tomatoes, I'm going to have to start making my own canned marinara sauce... mmmm.
Mostly, I played with my children. And I got my oldest son's new friend and his sister involved. We made masks from paper plates and colored paper. Harvest Man Masks and even a Harvest Queen mask. There was much fun involved, the kids were all running around and laughing and being so wonderful.
I am grateful for them. To be reminded of the joy of simply living by them. It's a miracle.
~ Ravenna Angelline, September 23, 2006
Ravenna's Mabon 2005
This year's Mabon celebration was very simple and nice. We had a small ritual, sharing what each of us was thankful for this year. Me, I'm thankful for my boys. My oldest is happy and active and just started preschool. My youngest is growing stronger more and more every day. He started crawling last week and is now even clapping his hands.
I brought them both to the ritual, since family was welcome to attend. It was definitely a learning experience for my oldest, but it also reminded me that he is used to our rituals at home. They are even more simple then the one we went to. A small child has incredibly an short attention span, so he found it difficult to be still for the ritual. Even so, he behaved very well for his age.
The food for our thanksgiving feast was by far one of the yummiest spreads I've yet seen for Mabon! There were all kinds of scrumptious foods, from popcorn chicken, meatless spaghetti (YUM!) and a really incredible chili recipe that one of my Sisters brought with her. Even my oldest child loved the taste.
So anyway, my children and I had a nice Mabon this year, and I'm glad that we got to share the day and the moment with my Craft Sisters and Brothers. It was wonderful!