Preparing for Mabon

As I was lying in my bed this morning trying to wake up, a trio of Canadian Geese flew past my window. And then looking further into the distance, flock after flock of sea gulls flew by, their feathers catching the morning sun. They looked like little diamonds in the sky. Beautiful . . . just beautiful. Don't you wish every day started out that way?

Anyway, it got me to thinking about making preparations for Mabon.

Mabon, also known as the Autumn Equinox, will be celebrated on September 23rd this year (also a full moon night). It is a celebration of the second harvest and preparations for winter are underway. Mabon is a time of reflection and of giving thanks for the abundance in our lives, whether it be for abundant crops or other blessings. It is also the time when there is an equal balance between light and dark.

Depending on your individual spiritual path, there are many different ways you can celebrate Mabon, but typically the focus is on either the second harvest aspect, or the balance between light and dark. While we celebrate the gifts of the harvest, we also acknowledge that the crops are turning brown and going dormant. The warmth of summer is behind us and the cold of winter lies ahead.

This is also the time to honor the Dark Mother, Demeter, and her daughter Persephone who are strongly connected to the time of the Autumn Equinox. When Hades abducted Persephone, it set in motion a chain of events that eventually led to the earth falling into darkness each winter. This is the time of the Dark Mother, the Crone aspect of the triple goddess. The goddess is bearing this time not a basket of flowers, but a sickle and scythe. She is prepared to reap what has been sown.

This being my first Mabon, I have such an abundance of choices to make in how to celebrate. I'll definitely be putting together an altar to honor Demeter and perform a Mabon ritual. Perhaps I'll make a nice pot roast dinner and celebrate with a nice glass of red wine. And if the day is nice, maybe I can convince Brian to go on a long walk with me through the Pheasant Branch Conservancy and take in the sights and smells of Autumn. Perhaps I can even find some Apple Cider to heat up and enjoy with a cinnamon stick after our walk . . .

Any way you celebrate Mabon, I hope you enjoy the day and reap the many blessings offered to you at this time of the year!