The Autumn Equinox and Mabon

It’s hard to believe, but summer has already passed as we are now approaching the Autumnal Equinox. The weather begins to get cool and crisp in the evening, leaves turn to reds and golds, and the sun sets earlier in the evening. Our bodies naturally react to these changes, as we begin to collect of summer’s harvest and enjoy the last few weeks of comfortable outdoor weather. On the Autumnal Equinox, the day and night are equal in length, and until Yule the nights will continue to grow longer. For Pagans and witches, Mabon is a Sabbat of giving thanks, preparing to move indoors, and turning inwards.

In England, the Autumn Equinox was known as the feast Harvest Home, in Ireland is it known as Michaelmas. In West Scotland, Cornwall and Ireland, people visited burial mounds. It is believed that Mabon was a time when wands were harvested by druids. Elsewhere in the world, grapes were harvested and wine was drunk in celebration of the holiday. Regardless of location, the Autumn Equinox is a day for harvest and preparation for colder months ahead as well as a time to give thanks for all that has been collected.

The name Mabon was given to this holiday by Aidan Kelly around 1971, and since then many Pagans and witches have embraced it. Mabon is a Welsh God of Harvest, whose tale is featured in the Medieval Welsh book the Mabinogion. The Mabinogion manuscripts date to the 14th century; however, “The Tale of Culhwch and Olwen” where Mabon’s story is told, could possibly date to the 11th century. Mabon’s mother, Modron, is an early Mother Goddess and Mabon is known as her divine son. In “The Tale of Culhwch and Olwen,” Mabon is abducted from his mother when he is three days old. It is Culhwch and his first cousin King Arthur who rescue Mabon from this imprisonment. Mabon then helps the two heroes hunt the magical boar Twrch Trwyth, thus confirming his role as hunter.

On Mabon, many Pagans like to gather for a Thanksgiving-like feast. For some, rituals of abundance and gratitude are performed, while others use magick to bring in more success and growth. Keeping the theme of harvest in mind, ask yourself: what has blossomed and grown over the last year? Have you had successful projects completed? What goals have you completed? Pause for some time to thank the Gods and Goddesses for all the growth and prosperity in your life.



Works Cited
Green, Miranda. Dictionary of Celtic Myth and Legend. London: Thames & Hudson,
1992.
McCoy, Edain. Sabbats- A Witches Approach to Living the Old Ways. Woodbury, MN:
Llewellyn, 2004.
The Mabinogion, trans. Gwyn Jones and Thomas Jones. London: Everyman Library,
1993.
Zell-Ravenheart, Oberon. “Summer’s End.” Llewellyn’s Sabbats Almanac: Samhain
2009 to Mabon 2010. Woodbury, MN: Llewellyn, 2009.

Please visit Kiki's Cauldron for more information on Mabon correspondences. How do you plan to spend Mabon. Thanks for reading, and many blessings!

The Bright One: highlight on Brigid this Imbolc

Brigid, gold-red woman,
Brigid, flame and honeycomb,
Brigid, sun of womanhood,
Brigid, lead me home.

You are a branch in blossom.
You are a sheltering dome.
You are my bright precious freedom.
Brigid, lead me home.
-From The Goddess Path by Patrica Monaghan



The Celtic Goddess Brigid is honored on Imbolc. Brigid is the Celtic Goddess of fire. Her name means “bright one,” and she is one of the most worshiped goddesses in Celtic culture. Brigid appears as a triple goddess: she is goddess of inspiration and poetry; goddess of healing and fertility; goddess of smithcraft and metalwork. Her magickal upbringing gives her a brightness, divinity, and the powers of prophecy.

She is the daughter of Dagda, the tribal chief of the Tuatha de Danaan and “good-god” of magick and abundance, thus making her an immortal member of the magickal founding troop of Ireland. Brigid was born in a druid’s household, and raised on the milk of Otherworldly cows. She was invoked by women giving birth, and worshipped on Imbolc, as she is a symbol of abundance and fertility. In myth, she had the ability to fill a lake with milk from her cows, which she milked three times a day. She taught the magick of fire and the art of metalworking to smith crafters. For poets, bards, and singers, she whispered divine inspiration. Worshipped on Imbolc, Brigid gives us the promise of a new spring, and inspires us to prepare for abundance and success in the coming warm months.

You can call upon her to help give you inspiration for creative work as well as give you strength and energy. She is often called to help with healing, and called for comfort during times of grieving. At Imbolc, you can show reverence to her by placing her symbols on an altar. The following are suggested decorations for Brigid:

*White and candles surrounded by lavender.
*Metal-crafted objects, or smith crafting tools.
*A cauldron with burning incense (dragon’s blood resin and red sandalwood are excellent for Imbolc)
*A glass of milk.
*Pure water in a silver bowl.
*Blackberry, which was sacred to Brigid, and can be used to attract wealth and healing.
*Brigid's Cross
*Brigid Corn Dolly


In her honor, take a moment to shut off all the lights in your house. Turn off your cell phone, computer, and television. Illuminate your home with white candles, and sit in peace and quiet for a moment, thanking Brigid for light, inspiration, health, and abundance. Consider writing an invocation or poem in her honor, and enjoy the growing warmth and light of the year. Many blessings to you on Imbolc.




Bibliography
Green, Miranda. Dictionary of Celtic Myth and Legend. London: Thames and Hudson, 1992.
Hopman, Ellen Evert. A Druid’s Herbal For the Sacred Wheel of the Year. Rochester, Vermont: Destiny Books, 1995.
Monaghan, Patricia. The Goddess Path: Myths, Invocations, and Rituals. St. Paul, Minnesota: Llewellyn Publications, 1999.