Autumn Equinox or Mabon

My friend Allyson Tanner explains to us the meaning of the Autumn Equinox or Mabon.

"Mabon marks the Second Harvest, the end of the grain harvest (which begun at Lughnasadh), and rests on the Autumn Equinox. The Equinox mirrors dwindling of life (and eventual progression to rebirth), as well as the struggle for balance; day and night are equal for a single day. The pagans of antiquity didn't have the ability to determine astrological positions as we do today. The European peasantry, therefore, celebrated this Sabbat on September 25th; actually, the Celts marked their days from sundown to sundown, so the Mabon celebration actually started on the sundown of our September 24th. Today, with the help of our technology, we can calculate the exact day of the Equinox; the date when the sun enters the sign of Libra, the Balanced Scales, which appropriately fits the Equinox. September 25th is a medieval holiday which the Church Christianized under the label of "Michaelmas," a feast in honor of the Archangel Michael. It is thought that the Roman Catholic Church at some point considered assigning the quarter dates to the four Archangels, since they had assigned the cross quarters to the four gospel-writers. Making the Vernel Equinox a holiday called "Gabrielmas" was taken into consideration in honor of the angel Gabriel's announcement to Mary on Lady Day. This Sabbat can also be known as: the Second Harvest Festival, Feast of Avalon, Cornucopia, Wine Harvest, the Fall Equinox, Harvest Home, the Autumnal (or Autumn) Equinox, Festival of Dionysus, Alban Elfed (Caledonii, Druidic), Winter Finding (Teutonic), or Equinozio di Autunno (Strega). The full moon closest to the Autumn Equinox is called the Harvest Moon, and farmers would harvest their corps by this moonlight as part of the Second Harvest celebration.

Mabon is very much like Thanksgiving. Most of the crops have been reaped and abundance is more noticeable than ever! Mabon is the time when we reap the fruits of our labor and lessons, both crops and experiences. It is a time of joy, to celebrate that which is passing (for why should we mourn the beauty of the year or dwindling sunlight?), looking joyously at the experience the year has shared with us. And it is a time to gaze into the bright future. We are reminded once again of the cyclic universe; endings are merely new beginnings.

Since it is the time of dying sun, effort is also made to celebrate the dead with joyous remembrance. It is considered taboo to pass a burial site and not honor the dead. Natural energies are aligned towards protection, wealth, prosperity, security, and boosting self-confidence. Any spells or rituals centered around balance and harmony are appropriate.

# Foodstuffs: Grapes, Acorns, Wheat Bread, Goat, Indian Corn, Horn of Plenty, Cornbread, Corn, Root Crops (ie Onions, Carrots, Potatoes, etc.), Nuts, Dried Fruits, Apples, Beans, and Squash.

# Drinks: Wine, Ale, and Cider.

# Colors (for those who work with Candle Magick): Red, Deep Gold, Orange, Brown, Maroon, Violet, Russet, Yellow, and Indigo.

# Animals: Dogs, Wolves, Stag, Birds of Prey (especially the Blackbird, Owl, and Eagle), Salmon, and Goat.

# Mythical Creatures: Gnomes, Sphinx, Minotaurs, Cyclops, Andamans, and Gulons.

# Stones: Yellow Topaz, Carnelian, Sapphire, Yellow Agate, Lapis Lazuli, and Amethyst. Also, river or stream stones which have been submerged for the Summer may be used.

# Plants: Vines, Garlands (made of these various plants), Gourds, Pine Cones, Acorns, Wheat, Dried Leaves, Corn, Pomegranate, Ivy, Hazel, Hops, Cedar, and Tobacco.

# Herbs: Myrhh, Thistles, Tobacco, Oak Leaves, Hazel, Mums, Hops, Acorns, Marigold, Roses, Sage, Milkweed, Solomon's Seal, Asters, Ferns, Honeysuckle, Benzoin, Passionflower, Pine, and Cedar.

# Incense would include: Aloes Wood, Cinnamon, Cloves, Benzoin, Jasmine, Frankincense, Myrrh, and Sage.

# Dieties: All wine Deities (especially Dionysus and Bacchus), the Mother aspect of the Triple Goddess, Persephone, Thor, Modron, Morgan, Snake Woman, Epona, Pamona, Muses, Mabon, Thoth, Hermes, Hotei, Harvest Deities, and Aging Deities.

Happy Mabon!"


This is one of the best times in the year to manifest your heart's desires, and when they really will be manifested for you. This period will last up until the 30th September, so put your thinking caps on and see what you want most in your life right now! It is doubly special for manifestation because it also falls on a New Moon, which is the time to begin new projects such as diets, business plans, new hobbies etc.

One way to celebrate Mabon is by conducting a manifestation ceremony - the following suggestions are what I am planning to do, but you are welcome to do this any way you wish/or you feel more comfortable with.


Choose a quiet time when you will not be disturbed, light candles of your choice (or choose some of the candles mentioned in the above text). Have a journal to hand, or some loose paper and sitting comfortably, take three deep breaths to centre yourself. Then call upon your Guardian Angels, or God/Creator or other spirit guides/Goddesses and ask them to surround you in love and light during this excercise. Burn some incense (as described above) or make an offering of some fruit/seeds, by laying them in front of your candles.

Then sitting quietly, think about what you would most like to manifest into your life at this time, whether it be a new job/career, money to pay off your debts, a new house, a wonderful relationship or to start a family. Whatever you wish for must make your heart sing, and be for your benefit. You can ask to manifest for other people, but only for their highest and best good - and what you wish for them may not be what they would wish for themselves, so be aware of this.

When you have thought of what you would like to manifest - write it down in your journal or on your paper, in as much detail as possible. Really be specific in the details of this, and include everything (e.g. if you are manifesting a house, state whether it's to be rented or bought, max price, area, number of rooms, size of gardens etc, type of kitchen appliances included etc) this is the time to really make a wish list of what you would like in your life to help you. Also, give a time frame for when you wish this to be manifested to you, be specific to the month/year, but don't worry about the actual day or time - leave that to divine timing, then date and sign the page/paper you have written your manifestations onto. Fold the paper up and put it in a special place (or the journal in a special place).

When you have finished - there is no time frame - close your eyes, connect to your Angels/Guides and let them know that this is what you wish to manifest. Visualise giving it to the Angels/Guides, so that they can take care of it for you. The most important thing here is to let go of it completely - once you have passed it over to them, believe that they will take care of it for you and believe that it will come to you. Next, see the Angels/Guides give you something in return, this could be a beautiful box that is full of love and light, or another gift such as a crystal etc. Thank them for the gift and for taking care of your manifestations for you.

Take three deep breaths again, to bring you back to your body and then blow out the candles. Bury the incense (once it is cool) and the fruit/seeds you gave as an offering in earth or soil in a flowerpot, thereby giving thanks to the earth.

It is always a good idea to take a cleansing salt bath after a ritual, to revitalise your energies for the following season. If you prefer to have a shower, use a salt scrub instead, check out my website for some to purchase: www.freewebs.com/angelchakra

Above all else, do not limit your wishes and have fun!