SECTION ONE - HOLIDAY LORE
Mabon Lore & Recipes - StormWing
Mabon - Angie as featured on The Enchanted Grove
Harvest Home - Mike Nichols
Mabon Recipes, lore and chants - Isha ArrowHawk
Mabon Solitary Ritual - StormWing
Mabon Lore & Recipes
By StormWing
Mabon (pronounced MAY-bun, MAY-bone, MAH-boon or MAH-bawn) or the Autumn Equinox is one
of the Lesser Wiccan Sabbats and is usually celebrated around September 23rd, though it
can occur as early as the 20th, depending on the timing of the actual Astrological event
(check the calendar). The Autumn Equinox, like the Spring Equinox divides day and night
equally. However during Autumn, (as opposed to Spring, when the opposite occurs) we
begin to see the waning of the Sun more obviously now as the days continue to grow
shorter until the Wheel of the Year spins around again to Yule. (Images to the left and
below are by Anthony Meadows and from Llewellyn's 1998 and 1999 Witches' Calendars.
Click on either image to go directly to Llewellyn's Web Site.)
The various other names for this Sabbat include the Autumn (or Autumnal) Equinox, the
Fall Equinox, the Second Harvest Festival, Festival of Dionysus, Wine Harvest,
Cornucopia, Feast of Avalon, Equinozio di Autunno (Strega), and Alban Elfed
(Caledonii,
or Druidic - which celebrates the Lord of the Mysteries). The Teutonic name for this
period is Winter Finding, which spans from the Equinox itself until Winter Night, on
October 15. Winter Night is the Norse New Year.
The symbolism of this Sabbat is that of the Second Harvest, the Mysteries, Equality and
Balance - when day and night are equal. Symbols to represent the Mabon Sabbat are such
things as grapes, wine, vines, garland, gourds, pine cones, acorns, wheat, dried leaves,
burial cairns, rattles, Indian corn, Sun wheels, and horns of plenty. Altar decorations
might include autumn leaves, acorns, pine cones, a pomegranate to symbolize Persephone's
descent into the Underworld, and a small statue or figure to represent the Triple
Goddess in Her Mother aspect.
Deities associated with Mabon include all Wine Deities - particularly Dionysus and
Bacchus, and Aging Deities. Emphasis might also be placed on the Goddess in Her aspect
of the Mother (Demeter is a good example), Persephone (Queen of the Underworld and
daughter of Demeter), and Thor (Lord of Thunder in Norse mythology). Some other Autumn
Equinox Goddesses include Modron, Morgan, Snake Woman, Epona, Pamona, and the Muses.
Some appropriate Gods besides those already mentioned are Mabon, Thoth, Hermes, and
Hotei.
At this point in the Wheel of the Year, two appropriate mythological legends are that of
Mabon and Modron, and the story of Demeter, Persephone and Hades. The Sabbat is named
for Mabon, the Welsh God who symbolized the male fertilizing principle in the Welsh
myths. Some mythologists equate him as the male counterpart for Persephone.
The universal story of Mabon and his mother, Modron has been passed down to us from the
ancient proto-Celtic oral tradition. Mabon ap Modron, meaning "Great Son of the Great
Mother", is the Young Son, Divine Youth, or Son of Light. Just as the September equinox
marks a significant time of change, so, too, does the birth of Mabon. Modron, his
mother, is the Great Goddess, Guardian of the Otherworld, Protector, and Healer. She is
Earth itself.
From the moment of the Autumn Equinox, the Sun's strength diminishes, until the moment
of the Winter Solstice in December, when the Sun grows stronger and the days once again
become longer than the nights. Mabon also disappears, taken at birth when only three
nights old (some legends say he was stolen from Modron at the age of three years).
Modron cries in sweet sorrow... and although his whereabouts are veiled in mystery,
Mabon is eventually freed with the wisdom and memory of the most ancient of living
animals - the Blackbird, the Stag, the Owl, the Eagle, and the Salmon (other legends
state that King Arthur himself was Mabon's rescuer). All along, Mabon has been quite a
happy captive, dwelling in Modron's magickal Otherworld - Modron's womb. It is a
nurturing and enchanted place, but also one filled with challenges. Only in so powerful
a place of renewable strength can Mabon be reborn as his mother's champion, as the Son
of Light. Mabon's light has been drawn into the Earth, gathering strength and wisdom
enough to become a new seed.
According to one Greek myth, Autumn begins when Persephone returns to the Underworld to
live with her husband, Hades. This is the tale...
Demeter's daughter, known as Kore at this time, was out picking flowers in a meadow when
the Earth opened, and the god Hades dragged the girl into the Underworld Kingdom to be
his wife. Kore's name changed to Persephone when she became the wife of Hades. For nine
days Demeter looked everywhere for Kore, to no avail. In despair, she finally consulted
the Sun god Helios, who told her that her brother Zeus had given the girl to Hades.
Furious to hear the news, Demeter left Olympus and wandered the Earth disguised as an
old woman. She finally settled in her temple at Eleusis. She cursed the Earth so it
yielded no crops. Zeus became frantic and sent her a message as to why she had done
this. She responded by stating to Zeus that there would be no renewing vegetation on
Earth until her daughter, Kore, was returned to her.
Zeus sent Hermes into the Underworld for the girl. Hades, not wanting to give up his
wife permanently, enticed Persephone to eat pomegranate seeds before she returned to her
mother. Upon learning of this trick, Demeter again despaired, until Zeus declared that
Persephone-Kore would live with her husband during half of the year, and return to live
with her mother during the other half. In gratitude, Demeter lifted her curse on the
Earth, thus creating Spring at the time of her great joy of her daughter's return; and
Fall at her time of great sorrow when her daughter returned to the Underworld to live
with her husband, Hades.
Mabon is considered a time of the Mysteries and marks the end of the second of three
Pagan Harvest Festivals, when the majority of crops have been gathered. It is considered
a time of balance, a time of darkness overtaking light, a time of celebration of the
Second Harvest. It is a time to honor the Aging Deities and the Spirit World. The
principle key action of Mabon is giving thanks. Pagan activities may include the making
of wine and the adorning of graves. A traditional practice is to walk wild places and
forests, gathering seed pods and dried plants. Some of these can be used to decorate the
home or altar, others saved for future herbal magick. It is considered taboo to pass
burial sites and not honor the dead.
The Autumn Equinox is a wonderful time to stop and relax and be happy. While we may not
have toiled the fields from sunrise to sunset every day since Lammas - as our ancestors
did - most of us do work hard at what we do. At this time of year, we should stop and
survey the harvest each of us has brought in over the season. For us, like our
ancestors, this becomes a time of giving thanks for the success of what we have worked
at.
Spellwork for protection, wealth and prosperity, security and spells to bring a feeling
of self-confidence are appropriate for Mabon. Since this is a time for balance - you
might include spells that will bring into balance and harmony the energies either in a
room, home, or situation. Ritual actions might include the praising or honoring of fruit
as proof of the love of the Goddess and God, and a ritual sprinkling of Autumn
leaves.
Depending on when the leaves turn in your area, beautiful multi-colored leaves can be
dipped in paraffin, to be used for decoration. Quickly dip the leaves in melted
paraffin, and put them on wax paper. When the leaves are dry, you can put them in a huge
decorative jar with a sigil of protection carved lightly on some or all of the
leaves.
Appropriate colors for this Sabbat are red, orange, deep gold, brown, russet, maroon and
violet. Candle colors might be orange, dark red, yellow, indigo, or brown. Altar cloths
can also be made of material with Fall designs. Stones to use during Mabon are amethyst
and yellow topaz, carnelian, lapis lazuli, sapphire, and yellow agate. River and stream
stones gathered over the Summer can be empowered for various purposes. Animals
associated with the Autumn Equinox are dogs, wolves and birds of prey. Mythical
creatures include gnomes, minotaurs, sphinx, cyclopes, andamans and gulons. Plants
associated with Mabon are vines, ivy, hazel, cedar, hops and tobacco. Traditional herbs
of the Mabon sabbat include acorns, asters, benzoin, ferns, honeysuckle, marigold,
milkweed, mums, myrrh, oak leaves, passionflower, pine, roses, sage, Solomon's seal, and
thistles. Incense for the Mabon Sabbat Ritual might include any or all of the following:
frankincense, aloes wood, jasmine, cinnamon, musk, cloves, benzoin, myrrh, and sage
The foods of Mabon consist of the gleanings of the Second Harvest, so grains, fruit and
vegetables predominate, especially corn. Corn bread and cider are traditional fare, as
are beans and baked squash. Others foods include wine, grapes, breads, pomegranates,
roots (carrots, onions, potatoes, etc.), nuts and apples.
May the Lord and Lady bless you all with lots of prosperity, and a plentiful Second
Harvest!
Next I will list several recipes appropriate for the Mabon turn in the Wheel of the
Year. I have gathered these from various places, noted on each...
Covenstead Bread
Recipe by Gerina Dunwich
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup finely chopped citron
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons anise seeds
2-1/3 cups flour
1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon allspice
Bring the water to a boil in a saucepan. Add honey, citron, sugar, and anise seeds. Stir
until the sugar completely dissolves and then remove from heat.
Sift together flour, baking soda, salt, and spices, and fold into the hot honey mixture.
Turn the batter into a well-greased 9 X 5 X 3-inch loaf pan and bake in a preheated
350-degree oven for one hour. Turn out on a wire rack to cool. (This recipe yields one
loaf of bread.)
Covenstead Bread improves if allowed to stand for a day, and it is an ideal bread to
serve during Lammas and Autumn Equinox Sabbats as well as at all coven meetings.
(This "Covenstead Bread" recipe is from "The Wicca Spellbook: A Witch's Collection of
Wiccan Spells, Potions and Recipes" by Gerina Dunwich, p. 169, a Citadel Press Book,
Carol Publishing Group, 1994)
Salem Witch Pudding
Recipe by Gerina Dunwich
4 eggs, separated
1-1/2 cups pumpkin puree
1 cup light brown sugar
3/4 cup half-and-half
5 tablespoons rum
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
In an electric mixer or large mixing bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff. In a
different bowl, beat the egg yolks until thick and lemon-colored. Combine the yolks with
the remaining eight ingredients; mix together well; and then fold in the egg whites.
Pour the pumpkin mixture into a buttered 1-quart souffle dish. Place it in a pan of hot
water and bake in a 350-degree preheated oven for about 45 minutes. (This recipe yields
6 servings.)
(This "Salem Witch Pudding" recipe is from "The Wicca Spellbook: A Witch's Collection of
Wiccan Spells, Potions and Recipes" by Gerina Dunwich, p. 173, a Citadel Press Book,
Carol Publishing Group, 1994)
Texas-Style Pecan Pie
Recipe by Edain McCoy
This recipe makes two pies.
2 deep-dish unbaked pie shells
6 beaten eggs
1/2 cup butter, melted (The real thing is best. If you use margarine, add 1/8 teaspoon
salt to the recipe.)
2 cups brown sugar, packed
1-3/4 cups corn syrup
2-1/4 teaspoons vanilla
2-1/2 cups chopped pecans
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Slowly and thoroughly mix together the eggs, butter,
brown sugar, corn syrup, and vanilla. Pour the mixture into the two pie shells. As this
mixture will not "rise" like some pies, you can fill the shells higher than usual, but
not so high that they boil over and leave a sticky, burned mess in your oven. Cover the
pie with the pecans. Bake for about an hour.
(This "Texas-Style Pecan Pie" recipe is from "The Sabbats: A New Approach to Living the
Old Ways" by Edain McCoy, Llewellyn Publications, 1994)
Blackberry Wine
Recipe by Edain McCoy
2 & 1/2 pounds fresh Blackberries
3 cups Sugar
2 cups Hot Water
Let the berries set out in a large bowl for about four weeks, stirring them
occasionally. The berries will get a rank smell and may begin to mold.
With mortar and pestle, crush the berries into as smooth a pulp as possible. Stir in the
sugar and then the water.
Pour the wine into casks to ferment for eight to ten months. The longer it is kept the
better it will be. The wine will have to be aired every few days to allow building gases
to escape. This wine has a gentle port-like flavor when finished.
(This 'Blackberry Wine' recipe is from "Witta: An Irish Pagan Tradition" by Edain McCoy,
Llewellyn Publications, 1994)
Mabon Incense
Recipe by Scott Cunningham
2 parts Frankincense
1 part Sandalwood
1 part Cypress
1 part Juniper
1 part Pine
1/2 part Oakmoss (or a few drops Oakmoss bouquet)
1 pinch pulverized Oak leaf
Burn during Wiccan ceremonies on Mabon (the Autumnal Equinox, circa September 21st), or
at that time to attune with the change of the seasons.
(This 'Mabon Incense' recipe is from "The Complete Book of Incense, Oils & Brews" by
Scott Cunningham, Llewellyn Publications, 1989)
Autumn Equinox Ritual Potpourri
Recipe by Gerina Dunwich
45 drops Honeysuckle Oil
1 cup Oak Moss
6 small Acorns
2 cups dried Oak Leaves
2 cups dried Honeysuckle
1 cup dried Passionflower
1 cup dried Rosebuds and Petals
1/2 cup dried Pine Needles
1 tablespoon Sage
Mix the honeysuckle oil with the oak moss and then add the remaining ingredients. Stir
the potpourri well and store in a tightly covered ceramic or glass container.
(This 'Autumn Equinox Ritual Potpourri' recipe is from "The Wicca Spellbook: A Witch's
Collection of Wiccan Spells, Potions and Recipes" by Gerina Dunwich, a Citadel Press
Book, Carol Publishing Group, 1994)
And finally, here are a few nice devotional incantations/poems with proper credit given
to each author...
Enjoy and May Ye Blessed Be!
Autumnal Equinox
by Rhiannon Cotter
The Autumnal Equinox represents a turning point from Summer to Fall during which the
themes of balance and equality are once again evident. The crops that have been ripening
during the Summer now come to fruition. The Goddess as Mother generously offers us the
fruits whose harvest She has overseen. Our energy is now directed inside so that we can
reflect upon the harvest and integrate its components into our lives and
personalities.
Lady Autumn
by Deirdre Akins
Lady Autumn, Queen of the Harvest,
I have seen You in the setting Sun
with Your long auburn tresses
blowing in the cool air that surrounds You.
Your crown of golden leaves is jeweled
with amber, amethyst, and rubies.
Your long, flowing purple robe stretches across the horizon.
In Your hands You hold the ripened fruits.
At Your feet the squirrels gather acorns.
Black crows perch on Your outstretched arms.
All around You the leaves are falling.
You sit upon Your throne and watch
the dying fires of the setting Sun
shine forth its final colors in the sky.
The purple and orange lingers
and glows like burning embers.
Then all colors fade into the twilight.
Lady Autumn, You are here at last.
We thank You for Your rewards.
We have worked hard for these gifts.
Lady Autumn, now grant us peace and rest.
Mabon
by Ezzy Violet
The Time of Change is upon us again -
the Equinox comes, the Wheel turns...
The Goddess and the God prepare for
Their journey to the Otherworld,
as the Earth and all of Her children
prepare for the Time of Quiet and
Reflection that lies ahead...
May we use this Autumnal period to seek for the strength and power within
to assist us on our own quests for
vision, feeling, and peace...
May we see and feel the presence of
the Goddess and the God within, though
without, the Earth begins Her slumber...
Keep us in Your light...
Invocation of Blue Corn Girl for Autumn Equinox
by Noel-Anne Brennan
(If there is more than one person present for this invocation, others can whisper
"listen, she is coming" or "Blue Corn Girl is coming" at various points in the chant, as
indicated by parentheses.)
Listen,
She is coming,
Blue Corn Girl is coming,
She is coming in the winds,
(Listen, she is coming)
She is coming in the sunlight,
(Blue Corn Girl is coming)
She is coming in the fallen leaves,
She is coming in the dying meadows.
Listen,
She is coming,
Blue Corn Girl is coming,
(Blue Corn Girl is coming)
She is coming
To see the harvest
(Listen, she is coming)
Of the fruits of the soil
And the fruits of the soul
Listen,
She is coming,
Blue Corn Girl is coming,
Listen,
She is coming.
Blue Corn Girl is here.
Welcome.
The night has a thousand eyes,
And the day but one;
Yet the light of the bright world dies
With the dying sun.
William Bourdillon
Mabon
By Angie
Featured on The Enchanted Grove
http://www.enchanted-grove.com
September 25th
Known as Fall, or Autumnal Equinox, celebrates the end of harvest. The autumnal equinox
occurs when the sun crosses the equator on it's apparent journey southward, and we
experience a day and a night that are of equal duration. Up until Harvest Home, the
hours of daylight have been greater than the hours from dusk to dawn. But from now on,
the reverse holds true. Astrologers know this as the date on which the sun enters the
sign of Libra, the Balance (an appropriate symbol of a balanced day and night).
However, since most European peasants were not accomplished at calculating the exact
date of the equinox, they celebrated the event on a fixed calendar date, September 25th,
a holiday the medieval Church Christianized under the name of 'Michaelmas', the feast of
the Archangel Michael. It must be remembered that the Celts reckoned their days from
sundown to sundown, so the September 25th festivities actually begin on the previous
sundown.
Mythically, this is the day of the year when the god of light is defeated by his twin
and alter-ego, the god of darkness. It is the time of the year when night conquers day.
And as I have recently shown in my seasonal reconstruction of the Welsh myth of
Blodeuwedd, the Autumnal Equinox is the only day of the whole year when Llew is
vulnerable and it is possible to defeat him. Llew now stands on the balance, with one
foot on the cauldron and his other foot on the goat. Thus he is betrayed by
Blodeuwedd,
the Virgin and transformed into an Eagle.
Two things are now likely to occur mythically, in rapid succession. Having defeated
Llew, Goronwy now takes over Llew's functions, both as lover to Blodeuwedd, the Goddess,
and as King of our own world. Although Goronwy, the Horned King, now sits on Llew's
throne and begins his rule immediately, his formal coronation will not be for another
six weeks, occurring at Samhain or the beginning of Winter, when he becomes the Winter
Lord, the Dark King, Lord of Misrule. Goronwy's other function has more immediate
results, however. He mates with the virgin goddess, and Blodeuwedd conceives, and will
give birth -- nine months later -- to Goronwy's son, who is really another incarnation
of himself, the Dark Child.
Llew's sacrificial death at Harvest Home also identifies him with John Barleycorn,
spirit of the fields. Thus, Llew represents not only the sun's power, but also the sun's
life trapped and crystallized in the corn. Often this corn spirit was believed to reside
most especially in the last sheaf or shock harvested, which was dressed in fine clothes,
or woven into a wicker-like man-shaped form. This effigy was then cut and carried from
the field, and usually burned, amidst much rejoicing. So one may see Blodeuwedd and
Goronwy in a new guise, not as conspirators who murder their king, but as kindly farmers
who harvest the crop which they had planted and so lovingly cared for. And yet, anyone
who knows the old ballad of John Barleycorn knows that we have not heard the last of
him.
In the rhythm of the year, Harvest Home marks a time of rest after hard work. The crops
are gathered in, and winter is still a month and a half away! Although the nights are
getting cooler, the days are still warm, and there is something magical in the sunlight,
for it seems silvery and indirect. As we pursue our gentle hobbies of making corn
dollies and wheat weaving, our attention is suddenly arrested by the sound of baying
from the skies, as lines of geese cut silhouettes across a harvest moon. And we move
closer to the hearth, the longer evening hours giving us time to catch up on our
reading, munching on popcorn balls and caramel apples and sipping home-brewed mead or
ale.
Herbs - Hazel, Corn, Acorns, Oak, Wheat Stalks, Cypress Cones, Pine Cones.
Incense - Myrrh, Sage, Pine.
Decorations - Acorns, Pomegranates, Pine Cones, Baskets of Fallen Leaves
Colors - Orange, Dark Red, Yellow, Brown.
Foods - Breads, Corn, Cornbreak, Beans, Squash, Apples, Roots (Carrots, Potatoes,
Onions), Cider.
Harvest Home
By Mike Nichols
There were three men came out of the West,
Their fortunes for to try,
And these three men made a solemn vow,
John Barleycorn must die...
Despite the bad publicity generated by Thomas Tryon's novel, Harvest Home is the
pleasantest of holidays. Admittedly, it does involve the concept of sacrifice, but one
that is symbolic only. The sacrifice is that of the spirit of vegetation, John
Barleycorn. Occurring 1/4 of the year after Midsummer, Harvest Home represents
mid-autumn, autumn's height. It is also the Autumnal Equinox, one of the quarter days of
the year, a Lesser Sabbat and a Low Holiday in modern Witchcraft.
Technically, an equinox is an astronomical point and, due to the fact that the earth
wobbles on its axis slightly (rather like a top that's slowing down), the date may vary
by a few days depending on the year. The autumnal equinox occurs when the sun crosses
the equator on it's apparent journey southward, and we experience a day and a night that
are of equal duration. Up until Harvest Home, the hours of daylight have been greater
than the hours from dusk to dawn. But from now on, the reverse holds true. Astrologers
know this as the date on which the sun enters the sign of Libra, the Balance (an
appropriate symbol of a balanced day and night). This year (1988) it will occur at 2:29
pm CDT on September 22nd.
However, since most European peasants were not accomplished at calculating the exact
date of the equinox, they celebrated the event on a fixed calendar date, September 25th,
a holiday the medieval Church Christianized under the name of 'Michaelmas', the feast of
the Archangel Michael. (One wonders if, at some point, the R.C. Church contemplated
assigning the four quarter days of the year to the four Archangels, just as they
assigned the four cross-quarter days to the four gospel-writers. Further evidence for
this may be seen in the fact that there was a brief flirtation with calling the Vernal
Equinox 'Gabrielmas', ostensibly to commemorate the angel Gabriel's announcement to Mary
on Lady Day.) Again, it must be remembered that the Celts reckoned their days from
sundown to sundown, so the September 25th festivities actually begin on the previous
sundown (our September 24th).
Although our Pagan ancestors probably celebrated Harvest Home on September 25th, modern
Witches and Pagans, with their desk-top computers for making finer calculations, seem to
prefer the actual equinox point, beginning the celebration on its eve (this year, sunset
on September 21st).
Mythically, this is the day of the year when the god of light is defeated by his twin
and alter-ego, the god of darkness. It is the time of the year when night conquers day.
And as I have recently shown in my seasonal reconstruction of the Welsh myth of
Blodeuwedd, the Autumnal Equinox is the only day of the whole year when Llew (light) is
vulnerable and it is possible to defeat him. Llew now stands on the balance
(Libra/autumnal equinox), with one foot on the cauldron (Cancer/summer solstice) and his
other foot on the goat (Capricorn/winter solstice). Thus he is betrayed by
Blodeuwedd,
the Virgin (Virgo) and transformed into an Eagle (Scorpio).
Two things are now likely to occur mythically, in rapid succession. Having defeated
Llew, Goronwy (darkness) now takes over Llew's functions, both as lover to
Blodeuwedd,
the Goddess, and as King of our own world. Although Goronwy, the Horned King, now sits
on Llew's throne and begins his rule immediately, his formal coronation will not be for
another six weeks, occurring at Samhain (Halloween) or the beginning of Winter, when he
becomes the Winter Lord, the Dark King, Lord of Misrule. Goronwy's other function has
more immediate results, however. He mates with the virgin goddess, and Blodeuwedd
conceives, and will give birth -- nine months later (at the Summer Solstice) -- to
Goronwy's son, who is really another incarnation of himself, the Dark Child.
Llew's sacrificial death at Harvest Home also identifies him with John Barleycorn,
spirit of the fields. Thus, Llew represents not only the sun's power, but also the sun's
life trapped and crystallized in the corn. Often this corn spirit was believed to reside
most especially in the last sheaf or shock harvested, which was dressed in fine clothes,
or woven into a wicker-like man-shaped form. This effigy was then cut and carried from
the field, and usually burned, amidst much rejoicing. So one may see Blodeuwedd and
Goronwy in a new guise, not as conspirators who murder their king, but as kindly farmers
who harvest the crop which they had planted and so lovingly cared for. And yet, anyone
who knows the old ballad of John Barleycorn knows that we have not heard the last of
him.
They let him stand till midsummer's day,
Till he looked both pale and wan,
And little Sir John's grown a long, long beard
And so become a man...
Incidentally, this annual mock sacrifice of a large wicker-work figure (representing the
vegetation spirit) may have been the origin of the misconception that Druids made human
sacrifices. This charge was first made by Julius Caesar (who may not have had the most
unbiased of motives), and has been re-stated many times since. However, as has often
been pointed out, the only historians besides Caesar who make this accusation are those
who have read Caesar. And in fact, upon reading Caesar's 'Gallic Wars' closely, one
discovers that Caesar never claims to have actually witnessed such a sacrifice. Nor does
he claim to have talked to anyone else who did. In fact, there is not one single
eyewitness account of a human sacrifice performed by Druids in all of history!
Nor is there any archeological evidence to support the charge. If, for example, human
sacrifices had been performed at the same ritual sites year after year, there would be
physical traces. Yet there is not a scrap. Nor is there any native tradition or history
which lends support. In fact, insular tradition seems to point in the opposite
direction. The Druid's reverence for life was so strict that they refused to lift a
sword to defend themselves when massacred by Roman soldiers on the Isle of Mona. Irish
brehon laws forbade a Druid to touch a weapon, and any soul rash enough to unsheathe a
sword in the presence of a Druid would be executed for such an outrage!
Jesse Weston, in her brilliant study of the Four Hallows of British myth, 'From Ritual
to Romance', points out that British folk tradition is, however, full of MOCK
sacrifices. In the case of the wicker-man, such figures were referred to in very
personified terms, dressed in clothes, addressed by name, etc. In such a religious
ritual drama, everybody played along.
They've hired men with scythes so sharp,
To cut him off at the knee,
They've rolled him and tied him by the waist
Serving him most barbarously...
In the medieval miracle-play tradition of the 'Rise Up, Jock' variety (performed by
troupes of mummers at all the village fairs), a young harlequin-like king always
underwent a mock sacrificial death. But invariably, the traditional cast of characters
included a mysterious 'Doctor' who had learned many secrets while 'travelling in foreign
lands'. The Doctor reaches into his bag of tricks, plies some magical cure, and presto!
the young king rises up hale and whole again, to the cheers of the crowd. As Weston so
sensibly points out, if the young king were ACTUALLY killed, he couldn't very well rise
up again, which is the whole point of the ritual drama! It is an enactment of the death
and resurrection of the vegetation spirit. And what better time to perform it than at
the end of the harvest season?
In the rhythm of the year, Harvest Home marks a time of rest after hard work. The crops
are gathered in, and winter is still a month and a half away! Although the nights are
getting cooler, the days are still warm, and there is something magical in the sunlight,
for it seems silvery and indirect. As we pursue our gentle hobbies of making corn
dollies (those tiny vegetation spirits) and wheat weaving, our attention is suddenly
arrested by the sound of baying from the skies (the 'Hounds of Annwn' passing?), as
lines of geese cut silhouettes across a harvest moon. And we move closer to the hearth,
the longer evening hours giving us time to catch up on our reading, munching on popcorn
balls and caramel apples and sipping home-brewed mead or ale. What a wonderful time
Harvest Home is! And how lucky we are to live in a part of the country where the
season's changes are so dramatic and majestic!
And little Sir John in the nut-brown bowl--
And he's brandy in the glass,
And little Sir John in the nut-brown bowl
Proved the strongest man at last.
(This file contains eight seasonal articles by Mike Nichols. They may be freely
distributed provided that the following conditions are met: (1) No fee is charged for
their use and distribution and no commercial use is made of them; (2) These files are
not changed or edited in any way without the author's permission; (3) This notice is not
removed. An article may be distributed as a separate file, provided that this notice is
repeated at the beginning of each such file. These articles are periodically updated by
the author; this version is current as of 9/28/88.)
Mabon Recipes, lore and chants
By Isha ArrowHawk
Mabon Recipes: Fall Sabbat Incense, Stuffed Acorn Squash, Mabon Incense, Fresh Apple
Pound Cake, Wild Rice with Apples and Walnuts, and Sweet Potato Casserole.
. . .
Fall Sabbat Incense
3 parts Frankincense
2 parts Myrrh
1 part Rosemary
1 part Cedar
1 part Juniper
Burn during fall and winter Sabbat rituals.
Stuffed Acorn Squash
2 acorn squash, washed and cut in halves
1/2 stick of butter
1/2 cup of crushed Ritz crackers
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup brown sugar
Wash and cut acorn squash in half from stem to bottom. Scoup out the seeds and rub the
inside and cut parts with butter. Put the acorn squash on a cookie sheet. Melt the
butter, and mix in the walnuts, brown sugar, and crackers. Place in the holes of the
squash and bake at 350 degrees for 30 - 40 minutes or until done.
Mabon Incense
2 Parts Frankincense
1 Part Sandalwood
1 Part Cypress
1 Part Juniper
1 Part Pine
1/2 Part Oakmoss (or few drops of Oakmoss Bouquet)
1 Pinch Pulverized oak leaf
Burn during Mabon rituals.
Fresh Apple Pound Cake
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 large eggs
3 cups firm apples, diced
3 cups plain flour
1 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped
1 teaspoon baking soda
Mix together sugar and oil. Add eggs and beat well. Combine flour, baking soda, and
salt. Add to oil mixture. Stir in vanilla, apples, nuts, and mix well. Pour batter into
a greased 9 inch tube pan Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour and 20 minutes or until cake is
done.
Icing:
1 stick margarine
1/4 cup evaporated milk
1 cup light brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
Heat margarine and sugar together over low heat. Add milk and let come to a full boil.
Remove from heat and add vanilla. Drizzle over the cake.
Wild Rice with Apples and Walnuts
1 cup wild rice
2 cups water
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
Cook rice and oil in water for 50 minutes.
1 cup walnuts
1 rib of celery, chopped
4 chopped scallions
1 cup raisins
1 red apple, peeled and chopped, set aside in lemon water
2 teaspoons grated lemon rind
Combine nuts, celery, onions, raisins, drained apple and lemon rind and set aside.
3 T. lemon juice
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 t. salt
1/3 cup olive oil
pepper, to taste
Whisk together juice, salt and pepper, garlic and oil and add to cooked rice. Add fruit
mixture to the rice (to which has been added oil, spices and juice) and mix well. May be
served cold or heated.
Sweet Potato Casserole
3 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and steamed until completely soft
3/4 cup orange juice
2 eggs, beaten
2 Tablespoons melted butter
2 T. sugar
1 1/2 Teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 t. nutmeg
Mix juice, eggs, sugar and spices and blend thoroughly with potatoes using an electric
mixer. Spread into a greased 9"x13" pan.
1/2 cup flour
1/4 c plus 2 T. brown sugar
1/2 t. cinnamon
1/4 c. chopped butter
1/2 c. chopped pecans
Mix together flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, butter and nuts until crumbly, spread on top
of sweet potatoes and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
======
Mabon Kids Page Link:
http://www.witchyworks.com/pagankids/textmabon.html
======
MABON
about 21 September (Fall Equinox)
In times of plentiful harvest, ancient peoples have always celebrated. In the modern
world--at least in the Western World--we have acquired a tendency to think of harvest
celebrations as childish, unnecessary. This leaves many of us unfulfilled. Some of us
need the wild, footloose feeling of a celebration to help us see the perspective of the
whole, to feel truly appreciative of our labors, and to have a sense of closure. Mabon
is a holiday with three main themes: celebration, grace, and balance. Although these
themes are present every day, now is the time to give them your full attention.
Celebration. This is the time for looking back upon the efforts of the past--not just
this year, or the last, but also of your lifetime. Look back on these efforts of yours
and your fellows and congratulate yourself on a job well done. Think of those things
which you have done that contributed to the community as a whole. Use this knowledge of
past effort to plan future contributions.
Grace. With all of the efforts put forth by yourself, there is always work on someone
else's part that allowed you to build upon it. Mabon is an excellent time to give
gracious thanks to all the time and energy put forth by others to help you. The work
done by others not only helps you by making your work easier, it gives you a base to
build higher than you could without it. Take what materials and aid others have given
you and use them to further the work you do, which in turn gives others a base to build
upon.
Balance. The Autumnal Equinox is an instant--frozen in time, where our earth is at an
equal facing with the sun. From this point on the days will become shorter, the nights
longer and colder. It's also--mystically--a time of magickal balance. Forces of dark and
light are trading places once again in their cycle. The light half of the year from the
spring equinox (Oestara) until Mabon, is the best time of the year for outward turning
magick, that which draws from forces and affect forces which lie outside of yourself.
Spells which turn upon inner forces and mostly affect your own self will become more and
more important as the dark half of the year grows in power.
As the wheel of the year turns, we ready for a funeral. The God--Mabon--who was born of
the Goddess last Yule. He grew into a scrappy and energetic toddler at Imbolc. The
forests were his playground, as a spritely golden-haired youth, at Oestara. At Beltane
we see him with his newly-won Bride. A man in his prime at Litha. At Lughnassadh, a
leader and a teacher of His people. Now, at Mabon he is a man of advancing years, still
strong in intellect, but caged in a weakening body. As He looks back on the year, He
knows He will die at Samhain.
The passing of Mabon is inevitable and He should be mourned. But He is not without fond
remembrances of His life. So we, too, must remember--All things must end, but the ending
is always a good time to celebrate our successes, thank our selves and those who helped
us, and take part in the balance of life.
- Sef Uther MacEoghainn, 1997
=======
Mabon is the second in the trilogy of harvest festivals, and marks the completion of the
grain harvest begun during Lammas. This lesser Sabbat occurs at the Fall Equinox
(somewhere between September 20th and 23rd) when the sun enters Libra. Mabon is a Welsh
name meaning "great son," and refers to the Son of the Great Mother; The Son of Light.
Other cultures also identified with this Celtic figure. In ancient Rome he was known as
Mercury or sometimes Apollo. Christian Britain replaced Mabon with St Michael, to whom
churches on many sacred Pagan sites were erected. The Fall Equinox became known as the
Christian Feast of Michaelmas.
Other names for the Sabbat include the Festival of Dionysus, Wine Harvest, Cornucopia,
Feast of Avalon, Equinozio di Autunno (Strega), and Alban Elfed (Caledonii, or Druidic -
which celebrates the Lord of the Mysteries). The Teutonic name for this period is Winter
Finding, beginning on the Equinox itself and running until Winter Night, October 15th.
Winter Night is the Nordic New Year.
Once again we find ourselves in the time of balance. For a brief time, day and night are
once again equal. It is at this time of the year the crops are gathered in (brought
home, hence the name "Harvest Home"), and winter is still a month and a half away! Many
Witches and Wiccans rededicate themselves to the Craft, and initiation ceremonies
performed by Priestesses and Priests of covens are quite common at Mabon. It is a time
for thanksgiving, meditation, and introspection; a wonderful time to slow down a little
and simply relax. We may not work the fields all the live long day as our ancestors did,
but most of us work quite hard. It would be wise for each of us to examine and consider
our own personal harvest during this season. Mabon is the time to honor the Ancient
Ones and the Spirit World. Traditional Pagan activities at this time include fermenting
grapes to make wine and the decorating of graves. Also traditional is to wander wild
places and forests, gathering seed pods and dried plants. Some of these can be used to
decorate the home or altar; others saved for future herbal magick. Symbols to represent
the Mabon Sabbat are such things as grapes, wine, vines, garland, gourds, pine cones,
acorns, wheat, dried leaves, burial cairns, rattles, Indian corn, Sun wheels, and/or
horns of plenty. In one Craft tradition the Fall Equinox is called "the Night of the
Hunter," when weak livestock which will not survive the winter must be slain. Mabon in
some traditions marks the death or departure of the God in His yearly life-cycle; in
others, however, this may occur at Lughnasadh or at Samhain. The Fall Equinox has also
been identified as the "assumption of the Crone," when the dark face of the Goddess
assumes the sway over the world which She will hold until the return of the Maiden at
Imbolc.
Deities associated with Mabon include all of the vine/grape harvest Deities -
particularly Dionysus and Bacchus. Emphasis should also be placed on the Goddess in Her
aspect as the Mother (see below regarding Demeter and Persephone). Some other Autumn
Equinox Goddesses include Modron (Mother of Mabon), Morgan, Snake Woman, Epona,
Pamona,
and the Muses. Some appropriate Gods besides those already mentioned are Thoth, Hermes,
Hotei, and Thor. At this point in the Wheel of the Year, two appropriate mythological
legends
are that of Mabon and Modron, and the story of Demeter, Persephone and Hades. The Sabbat
is named for Mabon, the Welsh God who symbolizes the male fertilizing principle in the
Welsh myths. Some mythologists equate him as the male counterpart for Persephone.
The story of Mabon and his Mother, Modron, comes from the ancient Celtic oral tradition.
Mabon ap Modron, meaning "Great Son of the Great Mother," is the Young Son, Divine
Youth, or Son of Light. Just as the September equinox marks a significant time of
change, so too, does the birth of Mabon. Modron, his mother, is the Great Goddess;
Guardian of the Otherworld, Protector, and Healer. She is Earth itself.
From the moment of the Autumn Equinox, the Sun's strength ebbs, until the occurrence
Winter Solstice in December. This is when the Sun begins to wax and the days once again
grow longer than the nights. At the Equinox Mabon disappears, taken when only three
nights old. Mabon dwells in Modron's magickal Otherworld - Her womb. It is a nurturing
and enchanted place, but also one filled with challenges. Only in such a powerful place
of renewable strength can Mabon be reborn as his Mother's champion; the Son of Light.
Mabon's light has been drawn into the Earth, gathering enough strength and wisdom to
become a new seed. His whereabouts are a mystery, but Mabon is eventually freed, at the
Winter Solstice, thanks to the wisdom of the most ancient animals - Blackbird, Stag,
Owl, Eagle, and Salmon.
The Fall Equinox is also associated with the classical myth of Demeter and Persephone.
Persephone was abducted by Hades at this time of the year, and September was the time of
the Eleusinian mysteries in ancient Greece. Some Wiccan traditions reenact these
mysteries each September.
According to one version of the Greek myth, Autumn begins when Persephone returns to the
Underworld to live with her husband, Hades. This is the tale...
Demeter's daughter was known as Kore at this time. An opening appeared in the Earth
while Kore was out picking flowers in a meadow and the God Hades dragged the her into
the Underworld to be his wife. Kore's name changed to Persephone upon becoming Hades'
wife. The distraught Demeter searched high and low for nine days for Kore but to no
avail. The Sun God Helios, finally revealed to Demeter that her brother Zeus had given
the girl to Hades. Incensed at this news, Demeter departed Olympus to wander the Earth
disguised as an old woman, finally settling in her temple at Eleusis. She cursed the
Earth to no longer yield crops. This upset Zeus extremely, and he sent Demeter a message
asking her to explain why the reasons for doing this. The response to Zeus was
straightforward and to the point: Until Demeter's daughter, Kore, was returned to her,
there would be no renewing vegetation on Earth.
Sent by Zeus, Hermes traveled into the Underworld demanding Hades release the girl.
Having no desire to relinquish his wife permanently, Hades lured Persephone to eat
pomegranate seeds before returning to her mother. The eating of the pomegranate seeds
bound Persephone to Hades forever. Demeter became furious upon learning of the trick.
Zeus' solution was that Persephone-Kore would live with her husband during half of the
year, and return to live with her mother during the other half. Demeter accepted the
compromise, lifting her curse on the Earth, creating Spring at the time of her
daughter's return, and Fall when her daughter returned to the Underworld to live with
her husband, Hades.
This is the essence of Mabon: the rejoicing for a bountiful harvest, thanking the Gods
for being so kind during the year, and acknowleding the necessity of a balance between
light and darkness.
May you win the Gods' favor for the coming year,
WhiteWolf
=======
One of the 4 minor Sabbats, Mabon, is a time of balance, the days and nights are equal,
giving way to increased darkness. Mabon is the Witches' Thanksgiving. The God prepares
to leave his physical body beginning the great adventure into the unseen toward renewal
and rebirth of the Goddess. The Goddess is entering into Cronehood and the dark year is
beginning. It is the second Harvest Festival of the Witches' calendar, and it celebrates
and gives thanks for the bountiful harvest of fruit, squash, grains, and vegetables.
Mabon is also known as the Autumn Equinox, Second Harvest, Festival of Dionysus,
Cornucopia, Wine Harvest, and Alban Elfed. It between September 20th and 23rd, the
reason for this variance, is due to the differences between the actual astronomical
event and our calendar.
Symbols used to represent the Mabon are: grapes, wine, vines, garland, gourds, burial
cairns, Horn of Plenty.
Foods in tune with the Mabon are: wines, grapes, nuts, apples, roots - carrots, onions,
potatoes, etc., cider, pomegranates.
The plants & herbs associated with the Mabon are: morning glories, asters, hazel,
corn, aspen, acorns, vines, ivy, cedar, hops, tabacco, mums, passion flowers,
honeysuckle.
For the Mabon incenses and oils you can use any of the following scents, either blended
together or alone: benzoin, myrrh, sage, apple blossom, hay/straw, patchouly.
Colors associated with the Mabon are: brown, orange, violet, maroon, russet, deep
gold.
Stones associated with the Mabon are: amethyst, yellow topaz, sapphire, lapis lazuli.
Animals and mythical beasts associated with the Mabon are: dogs, wolves, birds of prey,
gnomes, sphinx, andamans, cyclopes.
Appropriate Mabon Goddesses are all Grape-Berry Goddesses, Fruit-Vegetable
Dieties. Some
Mabon Goddesses are: Akibimi (Japanese), Morgan (Welsh-Cornish), Cessair (Welsh), Epona
(Celtic-Gaulish), Lilitu (Semitic), The Muses (Greek), Sin (Irish), Pamona (Roman).
Appropriate Mabon Gods are all Wine Gods, Gods of Fruits, Non-grain Harvest Gods, Gods
of Abandonment. Some Mabon Gods are: Dionysus (Roman), Great Horned God (European),
Haurun (Canaanite), Bacchus (Greek), Hotei (Japanese), Mabon (Welsh), Thoth
(Egyptian).
Altar decorations can consist of: autumn leaves, gourds, berries, pine and cypress
cones, acorns, a small statue or figurine representing the Triple Goddess in her Mother
aspect.
Traditional activities during the Mabon consist of: hay rides, adorning graves, wine
making, hosting a wine tasting party and quilting bees.
Taboos on Mabon are: passing burial sites and not honoring the dead.
Spellwork can be for: herbal magick
======
Mabon
Autumn Equinox, 2nd Harvest, September 21st
Mabon, (pronounced MAY-bun, MAY-bone, MAH-boon, or MAH-bawn) is the Autumn Equinox. The
Autumn Equinox divides the day and night equally, and we all take a moment to pay our
respects to the impending dark. We also give thanks to the waning sunlight, as we store
our harvest of this year's crops. The Druids call this celebration, Mea'n
Fo'mhair, and
honor the The Green Man, the God of the Forest, by offering libations to trees.
Offerings of ciders, wines, herbs and fertilizer are appropriate at this time. Wiccans
celebrate the aging Goddess as she passes from Mother to Crone, and her consort the God
as he prepares for death and re-birth.
Various other names for this Lesser Wiccan Sabbat are The Second Harvest Festival, Wine
Harvest, Feast of Avalon, Equinozio di Autunno (Strega), Alben Elfed (Caledonii), or
Cornucopia. The Teutonic name, Winter Finding, spans a period of time from the Sabbat to
Oct. 15th, Winter's Night, which is the Norse New Year.
At this festival it is appropriate to wear all of your finery and dine and celebrate in
a lavish setting. It is the drawing to and of family as we prepare for the winding down
of the year at Samhain. It is a time to finish old business as we ready for a period of
rest, relaxation, and reflection.
Symbolism of Mabon:
Second Harvest, the Mysteries, Equality and Balance.
Symbols of Mabon:
wine, gourds, pine cones, acorns, grains, corn, apples, pomegranates, vines such as ivy,
dried seeds, and horns of plenty.
Herbs of Maybon:
Acorn, benzoin, ferns, grains, honeysuckle, marigold, milkweed, myrrh, passionflower,
rose, sage, solomon's seal, tobacco, thistle, and vegetables.
Foods of Mabon:
Breads, nuts, apples, pomegranates, and vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, and
onions.
Incense of Mabon:
Autumn Blend-benzoin, myrrh, and sage.
Colors of Mabon:
Red, orange, russet, maroon, brown, and gold.
Stones of Mabon:
Sapphire, lapis lazuli, and yellow agates.
Activities of Mabon:
Making wine, gathering dried herbs, plants, seeds and seed pods, walking in the woods,
scattering offerings in harvested fields, offering libations to trees, adorning burial
sites with leaves, acorns, and pine cones to honor those who have passed over.
Spellworkings of Mabon:
Protection, prosperity, security, and self-confidence. Also those of harmony and
balance.
Deities of Mabon:
Goddesses-Modron, Morgan, Epona, Persephone, Pamona and the Muses.
Gods-Mabon, Thoth, Thor, Hermes, and The Green Man.
Mabon is considered a time of the Mysteries. It is a time to honor Aging Deities and the
Spirit World. Considered a time of balance, it is when we stop and relax and enjoy the
fruits of our personal harvests, whether they be from toiling in our gardens, working
at our jobs, raising our families, or just coping with the hussle-bussle of everyday
life. May your Mabon be memorable, and your hearts and spirits be filled to
overflowing!
--Adapted by Akasha Ap Emrys to share with all her friends and those of a like
mind.--
Copyright © 1997-99 Akasha, Herne and The Celtic Connection wicca.com. All rights
reserved.
======
Mabon
Date - Fall Equinox.
Other Names - Wine Harvest, Feast of Avalon, Alban Elved.
Colors - Orange, Russet, Maroon, Brown, Green, Yellow, Dark Red,
Indigo.
Deities - Wine Gods, Harvest Deities, Aging Deities, Mother Goddesses, Persephone,
Thor.
Incense - Benzoin, Myrrh, Sage.
Stones - Carnelion, Lapis Lazuli, Sapphire, Yellow Agate.
Foods - Corn and Wheat Products, Breads, Nuts, Vegetables, Apples, Roots, Carrots,
Onions, Potataoes, Cider, Pomegranates.
Flowers/Herbs - Acorns, Aster, Benzoin, Ferns, Grains, Honeysuckle, Marigold, Milkweed,
Mums, Myrrh, Oak, Passionflower, Pine, Roses, Sage, Solomon's Seal, Thistles,
Vegetables.
Symbols - Apple, Wine, Vine, Garland, Gourd, Cornucopeia, Burial Cairns, Acorns, Pine
Cones.
Keywords - Balance of Light and Dark, Time of Rest after Labor, Completion of the
Harvest, Thanksgiving, A Good Time for Meditations.
KORE CHANT: FALL EQUINOX
Her name cannot be spoken,
Her face was not forgotten,
Her power is to open,
Her promise can never be broken.
All seeds She deeply buries,
She weaves the thread of seasons.
Her secret, darkness carries,
She loves beyond all reason.
She changes everything She touches, and
Everything She touches, changes. [Repeat--chant.]
Change is, touch is; Touch is, change is.
Change us! Touch us! Touch us! Change us!
Everything lost is found again,
In a new form, In a new way.
Everything hurt is healed again,
In a new life, In a new day.
[Repeat any and all verses.]
Mabon Solitary Ritual
By StormWing
This Ritual is best performed during the early evening hours, just after Sunset, as this
is the time of day which corresponds to the time of year. Sweep area, starting in the
North and moving deosil, with your magickal broom to cleanse the Circle area and "sweep
away" any lingering negative energies. Lay out the circumference of your Circle with
cord, stones, etc., as necessary.
Set up the Quarter candles (North-Green, East-Yellow, South-Red, West-Blue) and/or other
items symbolizing the elements at the Four Quarters (use a compass if not permanently
marked out). Set up your altar as desired, and face it to the North, covering it with
the red altar cloth. Place all of the items listed below in their proper places upon it.
For this ceremony, decorate the altar with the cornucopia filled with harvest items, and
whatever else feels right. In addition to your usual tools and props, upon the altar
should be:
Red or Brown Altar Cloth
Cornucopia filled with Fruits and Vegetables of the Harvest
A Red Apple
Bolline or another Sharp Knife (for cutting the Apple)
Altar Pentacle or a Plate (to cut the apple on)
A Bell
A Second Wand decorated with Colored Ribbons
(to use in the Demeter/Persephone portion of the ritual)
A Wicker Basket (to carry the Decorated Wand in)
Incense - Any of the following either alone or mixed together to make an Autumn Blend:
Frankincense, Aloes Wood, Jasmine, Cinnamon, Musk, Cloves, Benzoin, Myrrh, and Sage
When all is set up, take a shower or bath for purification and don your ritual robe or
other ritual attire. Be sure to wear your magickal jewelry. Sit quietly and meditate for
a little while - to ground and center before beginning the Ritual. When you feel ready
to begin, play some quiet peaceful music for the ritual.
After the Circle is cast, begin the Mabon Sabbat Ceremony by sitting quietly for a few
moments, then say these words aloud in dedication:
"Lady Autumn, Queen of the Harvest,
I have seen You in the setting Sun,
with Your long auburn tresses
blowing in the cool air that surrounds You.
Your crown of golden leaves is jeweled
with amber, amethyst, and rubies.
Your long, flowing purple robe
stretches across the horizon.
In Your hands You hold the ripened fruits.
At Your feet the squirrels gather acorns.
Black crows perch on Your outstretched arms.
All around You the leaves are falling.
You sit upon Your throne and watch the dying fires
of the setting Sun shine forth its final colors in the sky.
The purple and orange lingers and glows
like burning embers.
Then all colors fade into the twilight.
Lady Autumn, You are here at last.
I thank You for Your rewards.
I have worked hard for these gifts.
Lady Autumn, now grant me peace and rest."
Sit quietly again and reflect on the meaning of the Autumn Season for a little while.
When you are ready, pick up your wand and hold it in your power hand, face the North and
with your arms outstretched (kneel or stand) and say:
"The Wheel of the Year turns on and on,
bringing us all to and from each Season,
and from and to another.
What will be is. What was will be.
All time is here and now in this Sacred Space.
I now pause to watch the Wheel turn
and cast this Circle on this blessed eve
to celebrate the Season of Mabon, the Autumnal Equinox -
the time of the Second Harvest.
In this moment between time,
I come to praise the bountiful aging Goddess
and Her consort, the God of the Harvest.
I wish to give thanks and feel myself
as a part of the relentlessly turning
wheel of life, death, and rebirth.
O Great God of Wine and the Harvest,
who has been known as Mabon, Dionysus, Bacchus, and Thor -
Grant me strength and understanding
throughout this season and always.
O Great Goddess of the Harvest and the Underworld,
who has been known as Demeter, Persephone, Modron, and Morgan -
Teach me the secrets of the Mysteries and the ways of magick."
Place your wand back in its place on the altar.
Spread your hands out over the Harvest Altar and say these words:
"The time of change is upon us again -
the Equinox comes, the Wheel turns...
The Goddess and the God prepare for
Their journey to the Otherworld,
as the Earth and all of Her children
prepare for the time of quiet and
reflection that lies ahead...
May I use this Autumnal period to
seek for the strength and power within
to assist me on my own quest for
vision, feeling, and peace...
May I see and feel the presence of
the Goddess and the God within,
though without,
the Earth begins Her slumber...
Keep me in Your light..."
Lower your arms and sit quietly meditating again for a while.
When you are ready, stand at your altar facing the North and raise your arms in
greeting. Say:
"Between the worlds I build this sacred altar.
Outside of time, this rite leads to the ancient way.
Where I may find Demeter of high Olympus
And conjure magick great. Be here, I say."
Place the decorated wand in the wicker basket and carry it to the North. Say:
"Persephone returns to the Underworld.
Weep not, Earth Mother,
For the Divine Child of love is here."
Carry the basket to the East; say:
"Persephone returns to the Underworld.
Although the Light is fading,
It shall return to the Earth."
Take the basket to the South; say:
"Persephone returns to the Underworld.
The cold of winter comes,
But only for a short time."
Finish by carrying the basket to the West; say:
"Persephone returns to the Underworld.
The Earth shall lie in slumber
Until the Light of this Divine Child
Once more grows in strength and shines full upon us."
Place the basket on the floor before the altar. Ring the bell three times.
Take your bolline in your power hand and the apple in the other. Say:
"Reveal to me your hidden secrets That I may come to understand your sacred Mysteries."
Set the apple on the altar pentacle (or plate) and cut it crosswise (with the
bolline)
to reveal the pentagram in the core. Contemplate this hidden sacred symbol for several
moments. Then say:
"In life is death, in death life.
All must follow the sacred dance into the cauldron,
Time after time, to die and be reborn.
Help me to remember that
Every beginning has an ending
And that every ending has a new beginning."
Take a bite of the apple. What is left put outside later to share with the birds. Say:
"Holy Mother, Demeter,
Comfort and protect me in my times of tribulation.
Instruct me into the Mysteries.
You, with your daughter Persephone, have the power
To lead me to new understanding."
Now is the time for meditation and any spellworkings you may need or desire to end your
Sabbat celebration. Appropriate Spellwork for Mabon include those for protection, wealth
and prosperity, security and spells to bring a feeling of self-confidence. If no
spellwork is to be done at this time, then proceed with the Cakes and Ale Ceremony,
followed by Releasing the Magick Circle.
