As the days and nights stand in perfect balance, we welcome Mabon, the Pagan celebration of the autumn equinox. Falling between September 21–23 in the Northern Hemisphere, Mabon marks the second of the three harvest festivals (along with Lughnasadh and Samhain). It’s a time to honour the earth’s bounty, reflect on the past season, and prepare for the darker half of the year.
The Meaning of Mabon
Named after the Welsh deity Mabon ap Modron, this Sabbat is a moment of balance, gratitude, and transition. The equinox reminds us that light and dark exist in harmony. It is both a celebration of what we’ve reaped—literally and figuratively—and an invitation to let go of what no longer serves us as we move toward winter’s introspection.
Ways to Celebrate Mabon
1. Create a Seasonal Altar
Decorate your altar with autumn symbols like acorns, pinecones, apples, pomegranates, dried leaves, and candles in gold, orange, and deep red. These offerings honor the turning of the seasons and the abundance of the harvest.
2. Have a Harvest Feast
Gather friends and family for a cozy meal. Seasonal foods such as squash, pumpkins, bread, root vegetables, nuts, and cider are perfect for the table. As you eat, take time to express gratitude for the blessings you’ve received this year.
3. Practice Gratitude & Reflection
Mabon is a perfect time to journal about what you’ve accomplished and learned over the past months. Consider what “seeds” you planted in spring that have now come to fruition.
4. Give Back to the Community
In the spirit of sharing the harvest, donate to a food pantry, volunteer, or simply offer kindness to those around you. This helps restore balance between giving and receiving.
5. Connect with Nature
Go for a walk in the crisp autumn air. Collect fallen leaves, enjoy the changing colors, and ground yourself by recognizing the cycles of life, death, and renewal happening all around you.
A Simple Mabon Ritual
Light a candle at sunset. As you sit in its glow, reflect on what you wish to release before winter. Write these thoughts on a piece of paper, then safely burn it (or bury it) as an act of letting go. Close with a moment of gratitude for the abundance in your life.
Welcoming the Dark Half of the Year
Mabon reminds us that endings are not to be feared but embraced. Just as the earth prepares for rest, we too are invited to slow down, nourish ourselves, and turn inward.
Blessed Mabon! May this equinox bring you balance, peace, and a heart full of gratitude.
