Mabon Blessings!

The Wheel of the Year is turning into fall and with that comes the fall harvest Sabbats. Mabon falls on September 23rd this year and I'm looking for the colors of fall and enjoying the cooler weather after a summer filled with extremely hot and humid weather.

Mabon, which falls at the Autumnal Equinox, is the second harvest celebration. As at the Spring Equinox, it is a time of balance between light and dark. In the autumn, we move from light to dark and from warmth to cold. It is a time to gather the harvest of summer, apples, grapes, corn, wheat, and vegetables such as squashes and gourds, and prepare for the long winter ahead. It is also a time for thanksgiving and enjoying the bounty set before us.

One of the best known harvest mythologies is the story of Demeter and Persephone. Demeter, was a goddess of grain and of the harvest in ancient Greece. Her daughter, Persephone, caught the eye of Hades, god of the underworld. When Hades abducted Persephone and took her back to the underworld, Demeter's grief caused the crops on earth to die and go dormant. By the time she finally recovered her daughter, Persephone had eaten six pomegranate seeds, and so was doomed to spend six months of the year in the underworld. These six months are the time when the earth dies, beginning at the time of the Autumn Equinox.

The Sumerian goddess Inanna is the incarnation of fertility and abundance. Inanna descended into the underworld where her sister, Ereshkigal, ruled. Erishkigal decreed that Inanna could only enter her world in the traditional ways, by stripping herself of her clothing and earthly posessions. By the time Inanna got there, Erishkigal had unleashed a series of plagues upon her sister, killing Inanna. While Inanna was visiting the underworld, the earth ceased to grow and produce. A vizier restored Inanna to life, and sent her back to earth. As she journeyed home, the earth was restored to its former glory.

In the British Isles, the ancient name for the goddess of this time was Modron, which means 'mother'. Sometimes she was pictured as a trio of women, each seated on a throne. Together, they were called the 'Mothers'. They were responsible for abundance and sustaining the life of the people in the Celtic myths, as was Modron's son who was stolen away into the underworld. Whenever we feed the hungry, we honor the Mothers.

This Sabbat takes its name from the god 'Mabon'. He was called 'Mabon, son of Modron', which means 'son of the mother'. Mabon is such an ancient god that most of the stories about him have been lost. All we know is that he was stolen away from his mother when he was only three nights old and imprisoned until he was rescued by King Arthur's companions. Because Mabon knows what it is like to be imprisoned, he is also the god of freedom. He frees animals from their cages and loosens the bonds of all those unjustly imprisoned. He protects all things wild and free. His totem animals are the owl, blackbird, stag, eagle and salmon. We honor Mabon when we protect animals and when we work for freedom for all people.

The Mabon altar can be as simple or as elaborate as you like. For a simple altar you can have an arrangement of some of the things harvested that will keep for a few weeks like winter squash, dried corn, wheat, pumpkins, and pomegranates. Autumn leaves, a bouquet of late-blooming flowers, a picture or figurines of animals are also appropriate for your Mabon altar.

Candles in various shades of autumn colors like yellow, red, rust, and orange are also nice additions. You may also add fresh herbs like juniper berries, sage, campunala and cloves. Crystals are also a nice addition and I've included ones like carnelian, red tiger's eye, garnet, orange calcite, and citrine. You can also include incense such as sandalwood and myrrh.

Be sure to get outside as much as possible now and enjoy the sunlight. All too soon, we will be enveloped in darkness and cold as the wheel turns into winter.

Mabon Blessings!

Green Tara Against Animal Cruelty

While browsing around the internet today I came across a site that tore my heart out. And while I didn't watch the videos of animals being mistreated, I just know that the images would stay with me and haunt me. In fact, I don't even have to watch them, I intuitively know and am saddened by the cruelty animals face every day.

And so I want to spread the word that there is something you can do, especially if you're a Green Tara devotee like me. Something that is so simple that can make a multitude of difference.

Simply print out this beautiful picture of Green Tara and repeat her mantra 1000 times.

"OM TARA TUTTARE TURE SOHA"

When you print out the image, you are making a COMMITMENT to complete 1000 recitations of Green Tara’s mantra. While reciting the mantra, focus on generating merits for all animals to take a good rebirth, and to stop animal cruelty.

DEDICATE IT to the dancing bears of India and the dolphins stabbed in Japan.

DEDICATE IT to the suffering dogs on the farms of Korea and to the bulls of Spain.

DEDICATE IT to abused working horses and to the chickens in battery farms all over the world.

Think of all the animals in the world who suffer every single day because of human selfishness. Dedicate it because YOU CARE.

Here’s another thing you can do, pass along the Green Tara image to your friends and family and ask them to do the same! Give it to them because you know they too can help reduce animal cruelty around the world. Do something about animal cruelty NOW.

Source: Kechara Animal Sanctuary (www.kechara.com)

Volunteerism

"Dedicate your life to a cause greater than yourself,
and your life will become a glorious adventure."
~ Mack Douglas ~

Last night I went for my orientation at the Dane County Humane Society. To say the least, I am impressed with this organization. Everything they do is for the benefit of the animals (and people) they serve. And they have fun doing it!

The orientation lasted 2 1/2 hours and during that time I found out about the mission and goals of the shelter, went on a tour, and heard from current volunteers. It was time well spent. After the presentation I couldn't sign up fast enough, get my picture taken and shout at the top of my lungs (to myself of course) WHEN DO I START?!!

I should be hearing from my trainer within the next few weeks to set up my schedule. I plan on starting with four hours - one day a week. My job will be 'Canine Companion' which means I'll be walking dogs and playing with them. Ruff, eh? (Get the pun? Rough=Ruff? I know I'm too funny!).

Anyway, if you've given volunteering just an inkling of a thought, I encourage you to get out there and at least experience the orientation. Who knows, maybe your life will be headed on a glorious adventure!

Me with my own brood - Bailey in my lap,
and from left to right; Chloei, Oliver and Shelby.

Breast Cancer Awareness, Samhain & Halloween

My friend, Sharon, over at 'Plumrose Lane' has designed a couple of beautiful blog backgrounds to honor her mother and bring awareness to 'Breast Cancer Awareness Month'. The designs, banners and buttons are free!

In order to help her spread the word, I decided to change my blog background to reflect the 'pink' for the month of October. It wasn't a hard decision, Sharon's designs are gorgeous!

It's also the month of 'Samhain' (pronounced sow-een) and I'm already planning my celebration and rituals. Samhain is a three day festival starting with the end of the harvest, progressing to the honoring of one's animals or pets and finishing with honoring one's ancestors.

End of the Harvest
In my neck of the woods, the garden has died off. Where once there were lush green plants, there is nothing left but dry and dead stalks. The perennials have shut down for the season too, going dormant so that they may return in the spring. For some it is a time to bring in livestock from the fields for the winter -- and if a spider comes wandering into your living room one chilly October night, you know that even the insects are trying to find a place to stay warm.

Honoring of Animals
Man's relationship with animals goes back thousands and thousands of years. They have been a source of food and clothing. They have protected us from the things that lurk in the darkness. They have provided comfort and warmth. In some cases, they have even raised and nurtured our discarded children, as in the case of Romulus and Remus. If you have animals in your home, pets or livestock, this is their night. Feed them before you feed the humans in your family. Put some food out for any wild animals that may happen by as well.

Honoring of Ancestors
As it's a time to honor ancestors, I'll be putting up pictures of my departed grandmothers on my altar along with other items that represent the end of the harvest and the beginning of the dark half of the year. I'll also be placing candles on the altar, which traditionally should be kept burning all night having been placed in a window to guide their spirits here. Instead, I'll put an electric candle in the window . . . safety first!

Samhain is also a good time for divination so I'll be scrying with the black mirror I made recently and perhaps give my new pendulum a go. There are many ways of divination, so be sure to do ones that are right for you.

This year we decided that we're going to dress up and go out dancing for Halloween . . . what am I going as you ask? A Witch of course! In all my years, I've never dressed as a witch and I must say . . . I'm pretty excited about it!

Well, October is off to a good start and with so much to look forward to, I'm sure it will whiz by quicker than a speeding train . . .