#mabon celebration

[icybevybev]

Simple Mabon Ideas

-Dress in fall colors: orange, yellow, red, brown

-Ward off bad luck/Home protection spell

-Light a candle & meditate on what you are grateful for

-Leaf/Pinecone arts &crafts for the kids

-Cook a fall meal/Bake an apple or pumpkin dessert

-Have a picnic

-Brew a cinnamon apple simmer pot

-Plant bulbs for the upcoming spring

[andy-arfs]

happy mabon / autumn equinox for those who celebrate!!

[carnalpagans]

The perfect morning after waffles! Happy Mabon, everyone!

[littlesy]

[🍂] Happy Mabon

Happy mabon to those who celebrate and those who don’t! i hope you all have blessed days full of prosperity and reflection <3

[hearthandheathenry]

All About Mabon

Mabon is the name given to the pagan and Wiccan holiday that is celebrated on the autumn equinox. This year, it falls on September 22nd in the northern hemisphere. Although celebrations have been happening on the autumn equinox for centuries, Mabon as we know it today is a holiday coined and created around the 70s by new-age paganism and Wicca, named after the Welsh God. Although it doesn't have ancient roots, it does take inspiration from other autumn harvest festivals and participants have created beautiful ways to celebrate the neo-pagan holiday.

Just like other autumn equinox festivals, the main theme of Mabon seems to be one of transitioning seasons and giving thanks to the harvest and honoring nature. Many people consider it the pagan version of "Thanksgiving" as both holidays share many of the same symbolism and draw from seasonal items. Cornucopias play a big part in the symbolism of Mabon, representing a bountiful harvest, along with apples as well. Many people gather, feast, and spend time preparing for the long winter ahead as the days now grow shorter. Balance and scales also play a big role in celebrations due to the equinox, making it a great time to reflect on the give and take of life.

There doesn't seem to be one set way to celebrate Mabon due to its recent nature, so participants are encouraged to simply lean on the underlying themes of the holiday and celebrate in the ways that speak to them as they enjoy the universal shift in seasons.

Mabon Associations:

Colors - red, orange, brown, yellow, gold

Food - apples, squash, bread, corn, grains, root vegetables, grapes, nuts, pomegranates, wine, beer, cider, cinnamon

Animals - farm animals

Items - cornucopias, corn stalks, harvest tools, scales, acorns, autumn leaves

Crystals - amber, citrine, jasper, obsidian

Other - balance, change, thankfulness, reflection, letting go

Ways to celebrate:

have a feast

gather with loved ones and give thanks

write a list of everything you're grateful for

have a bonfire

decorate your home with Mabon and Autumn symbolism

harvest food from your garden

visit a farmers market

bake bread or pie

cook autumn themed food

write down goals for the coming season

create a Mabon altar

donate your time or money to those in need

go apple picking

cleanse and ward your home

stock up on food for winter

[iridescent-witch-life]

Peaflowertea

[suairceagsionadh]

Happy (slightly) belated Mabon!

[raining-tulips]

Alternatives to breadmaking for this lughnasadh:

Boa buns - custard dessert ones, or savory dinner ones. Can be decorated. Bread-ish, but takes less time than bread.

Pasta making - or buying fresh pasta - celebrates the grains

Rice dishes - rice is just as much about abundance as wheat is

Baking with fruits like apples, berries, and late-summer melons

Tortilla making, if that fits with your culture better

Cornbread - homemade, or that 99 cent Jiffy mix.

[ordinarily-unordinary]

Me stealing lil thingies for Dio

My mom wondering where her wine bottle corks are going: ??? Me running to my room hunched over like a lil gremlin to put them on Dio's table: hehehehehe >:3

[esoteric-chaos]

Autumn Equinox Masterpost - Spoonie witch friendly

The Autumn Equinox. This holiday typically falls around September 21st. This welcomes the transition from summer to fall by celebrating the season and honoring crops.

The Autumn Equinox marks the end of the summer harvest season, the second harvest. 

People gather and celebrate the harvest with feasts and gatherings of the folk.

Autumn Equinox Correspondences 

Colours

Dark brown

Burnt orange

Deep green

Dark red

Golden yellow

Earth tones

Herbal

Bay Laurel

Sage

Yarrow

Cinnamon

Rose Hips

Sunflowers

Ash

Oak

Maple

Edibles

Pumpkin

Wheat / Bread

Apples

Corn

Zucchini

Squash

Acorns / Nuts

Root veggies

Stew or chili

Wassail (Credit to Salem from The Cobalt Athenaeum Discord server)

Animals

Stag

Owl

Blackbird

Squirrels

Salmon

Crystals

Citrine

Amber

Quartz

Aventurine

Gold

Ruby

Tiger’s Eye

Symbols

Cornucopia

Hay

Scarecrows

Leaves

Pinecones

Spiritual meanings

Shadow Work

Gratitude

Home protection

Balance

The folk

Accomplishments

Goal setting

Abundance

Harvesting and agriculture

Transition

Scents

Apple

Clove

Cinnamon

Pumpkin

Gods / Goddesses / Spirits

Persepone – (Greek)

Demeter – (Greek)

Morrígan – (Irish)

Epona – (Gallo-Roman)

Pomona – (Roman)

Modron – (Welsh)

Bona Dea – (Roman)

Ceres – (Roman)

Mabon – (“The Great Son”) - (Welsh)

Thoth – (Ancient Egyptian)

Hermes – (Greek)

Thor – (Norse)

Dionysis – (Greek)

Need some suggestions to celebrate? I got you covered.

High energy celebrations

Baking

Hearth magic

Protection rituals

Spend time with the folk

Prosperity ritual

Crafting a money bowl (Add rice, trust me)

Make apple based products (apple cider, apple pie, etc)

Make Wassail (Credit to Salem from The Cobalt Athenaeum Discord server)

Low energy celebrations

Healing bath ritual

Light a candle in honor

Prayer to Gods/Goddesses

Journal

Eat some fresh produce

No spoon celebrations

Chat with friends or family online

Drink apple juice, cider, spiced cider

Tell yourself kind words

Thank the harvest when you are able to fuel your body for taking care of you

Remember that it’s okay if you cant do much while you are unwell. That you come first and you simply existing is a blessing.

How you celebrate the holiday does not matter. You can choose to do any activity that feels right. These are only suggestions and remember that you're enough no matter what.

Edited on 9/21/24

[smudgingpumpkins]

MABON

The Autumnal Equinox

When is Mabon?

It is celebrated on the day of the autumn equinox, or the midway point between the solstices. This falls on either September 21st, 22nd, 23rd, or 24th.

What does Mabon mean?

It is a celebration of the harvest, giving thanks to the natural environment and the community around you. Joy and bountifulness are revered before the upcoming hardships of winter.

Who does Mabon celebrate?

The Celtic god Maponos is closely associated with Mabon, being the god of youth, hunting, and music. The Welsh figure Mabon ap Modron is derived from Maponos, and the god Apollo is the Roman equivalent.

MABON TRADITIONS

Work with stones that promote grounding, stability, and spiritual renewal to prepare for the harsh winters, like lapis lazuli, sapphire, smoky quartz, hematite, and labradorite.

Use sweet, earthy flowers and herbs like calendulas, chrysanthemums, myrtle, milkweed, and cinnamon. These species are said to harbor antimicrobial properties and promote pulmonary aid, perfect for maintaining good health before the winter sick season.

Prepare meals that include fresh apples and bread, seasonal pumpkins, a variety of nuts, and meaty mushrooms, all signifiers of the fall season and a successful harvest. Autumn is often the ideal climate for mushroom and apple picking.

Decorate and dress yourself in fall colors, like browns, ochers, yellows, and reds.

Incorporate animal imagery (e.g., figurines, photographs, drawings, et cetera) of owls, blackbirds, squirrels, wolves, and dogs. These are creatures of hard work, diligence, and faith. Both Apollo and Maponos are said to have an affinity for hunting dogs in particular.

MABON ACTIVITIES

Enjoy a Mabon tea blend. Infuse the tea with orange, rooibos, cinnamon, and star anise and drink while hot.

Take time to rest. Practice self-care and reset your mind and body.

Take a ritual bath. Add coarse salt, drops of basil essential oil, sage, and calendula/marigold petals for a refreshing, relaxing bath.

Fill a cornucopia. Cornucopias can be made out of anything, from wood to wicker to bread dough (if you want something fully edible). Here is a great video on how to make a bread-based one at home!

Host a grand dinner. Mabon is essentially the "Pagan Thanksgiving," so enjoy baking pies and bread and dining on delicious vegetables with family or friends.

Make a Mabon altar. In the center of the altar, place an icon of Maponos or a god(dess) of your choice, and decorate around it with dried fall leaves, twigs, pinecones, acorns, and earthy-colored gemstones.

Get creative with recipes! Carlota Santos, who is the author of Magika, has a recipe for warm, sweet stuffed baked apples. Here is the recipe down below!

[sangaverage]

The family Made some autumn leaf shortbread with cinnamon sugar and they came out okay considering we don't bake often!

Most of them are for now as it's the harvest moon, but I'm saving a few for the S/O for Mabon!

[piscesseer]

Harvest Blessings: Mabon 🍎🌾

On September 22, the harvest festival of Mabon is celebrated. As the leaves begin to change color and a cool breeze sweeps the air, we find ourselves on the cusp of Autumn, a season of transition and transformation.

Mabon occurs on the Autumn Equinox, marking the beginning to fall here in the North where the days will eventually shorten. Mabon presents as an opportunity to reflect and embrace the coming darkness as a necessary part of the annual cycle. Mabon, also known as the Second Harvest or Witch’s Thanksgiving, is a time to be thankful for the bountiful harvest and to prepare for the dark months ahead.

On this day, the night and day are equal. This balance of light and dark is symbolic of the harmony and equilibrium that is found in nature. We are reminded that life is a constant cycle of change, and just as the seasons shift, so do our own lives. Mabon encourages us to reflect on the balance within ourselves and in our daily routines.

Symbols: basket, cornucopia, pinecone, seeds Colors: orange, red, yellow, brown, copper, dark yellow, dark green Foods: corn, beans, squash, apples, pumpkins, root vegetables, eggplant, pomegranate, grapes, wine, cider Herbs & Plants: yarrow, rosemary, sage, mugwort, rosehips, sunflowers, thistle, marigold Stones: amber, citrine, cat’s eye, aventurine, sapphire, jasper Deities: Mabon, Green Man, Demeter, Persephone, Morgan, Pomona, Inanna Animals: owl, stag, blackbird, crow, salmon

One of the central themes of Mabon is gratitude for a bountiful harvest. Today, even if we aren't directly involved in farming, we can still embrace the spirit of Mabon by giving thanks for the abundance in our lives and giving due gratitude for the things we do have in our lives that have served us well.

Named after the ancient Welsh hero named ‘Mabon ap Modron’, meaning Son of Mother, Mabon is the second harvest festival (Lughnasadh being the first, and Samhain being the third). Mabon was said to be held hostage as a baby in the underworld, similar to the story of Persephone and Demeter. The Greek goddess Demeter is closely associated with the Autumn harvest, as it was her grief at losing her daughter, Persephone, that turned the earth from lush to barren cold. 

A celebration of not only the bountiful harvest that nature provides, but also the bounty and rewards of all that we have sown and also reaped over the past year. This is not just a time of harvest, but also a time to prepare the way so that new seeds will be able to grow in the future. The Equinox is a natural time in which to sow peace and gratitude. Any and all positive energy sent out at this time will help to ameliorate any discordant energy, both in our personal lives, as well as the world at large.

It is through gratitude that we can attune ourselves to the natural ebb and flow of this seasonal shift. And one way to do this is to create some sort of gratitude list. Begin with the things that we take for granted: clean air to breathe, water to drink, a safe place to sleep. Then move on to those things that you are particularly grateful for. Pay special attention to those people and things in your life that matter to you the most.

Here are some ways to celebrate Mabon:

The easiest and most fun way to celebrate Mabon is to decorate your home, porch, entryway or altar for Autumn. You might set up your altar with symbols of the season, such as acorns, pinecones or cornucopias and candles with autumn colors, like red, orange and brown, can add a warm, cozy ambience to your space. Bring in fresh and dried flowers, if you’re lucky enough to be able to cut your own, even better. Find acorns and pinecones from outside. If you don’t have access to your own, visit a farmer’s market or take a short stroll to the woods.

Go on a nature walk and appreciate the beauty of the changing seasons. Autumn is a time of stunning natural beauty with vibrant hues of red, orange and yellow. Take a leisurely walk to observe any signs that the season is changing. Nature has a way of grounding us and encouraging introspection.

Celebrating Mabon often means indulging in delicious feasts made from the season’s bounty. Incorporate seasonal foods into your meals. Apples, pumpkin, squash, and corn are all traditional Mabon foods. Try crafting apple pie, roasted pumpkin or heat up soups. Spend time with loved ones and enjoy a feast of seasonal foods. Sharing dishes with loved ones can deepen our connection to the season and its blessings.

During your walk or time outside, reflect on the past year.  What goals have you achieved and what lessons have you learned? What do you want to release as you move into the darker, introspective months of the year? Consider writing these thoughts down. Write down what no longer serves you on a piece of paper and burn it to symbolize releasing those things.

Cleanse your house and release the negative and stagnant energies.

Light a candle and reflect on your blessings. Consider creating a gratitude journal where you can jot down the things you are thankful for. Create a gratitude list and share it with others. Acknowledging blessings can help connect with the essence of Mabon.

Mabon is a time to celebrate the beauty of the coming autumn season and the abundant harvest it brings. It is a time to let go of the old and embrace the new. It is a time to be grateful for all that we have and to look forward to all that is to come. Whether you choose to celebrate simply or do something bigger, the key is to embrace the essence of the season and the lessons it offers. As you celebrate, may you find harmony and contentment in the changing rhythms of life.

[leowitching]

plans for mabon 2023

this year, the main goal is to have a picnic outside on saturday with appropriate food and to conduct a small ritual for gratitude and reflection.

ritual

write down things you are grateful for on slips of paper, collecting them throughout the meal and burning them (safely) afterward. optionally, meditate or just ponder on the things you've achieved and what you want to make a reality in the future.

food

puff pastry apple turnovers sausage, apple and potato roast (with additional veggies) pumpkin bread pumpkin spice latte

[hallaburger]

annual reminder that it's pronounced "map-on" not "may-bon" and also the mabon child doesn't really have anything specific to do with fall - if anything, he's more important at yule because that's when he re-emerges to begin a new cycle

[mistahjs-jester]

Woodland Dreams:

Deep into the woods I go,

My heart is there or so I know

I take upon the spirits fight

And do my best to make things right

I use my spirituality

To set myself and all of them free

Tonight/today we celebrate

Mabon be- help me raise