Summer is coming to a close and fall is in the air, which means that Mabon is right around the corner. One of the eight sabbats commemorated by the Wheel of the Year, Mabon is a harvest festival celebrated by Wiccans, as well as some pagans and witches. While it is not necessary that you celebrate Mabon or any other holiday along the Wheel of the Year, it is always a good idea to stay in tune with the changing of the seasons and honor the wisdom that each one brings to the table.
For instance, Mabon falls on the Autumnal Equinox when day and night are of equal length. It's the turning point in the year where the days begin to get shorter and the nights longer. This is the perfect time to start turning inward and settling down for the long fall and winter nights ahead. But before we head into the darker days, Mabon gives us the opportunity for one last hurrah with the warmth and light of the sun. Need some ideas for how to celebrate? I've got you covered!
1. Go on a Nature Walk. What's a better way to attune yourself to the changing of the seasons than by getting out there and actually experiencing all that nature has to give? If you have a park or nature preserve nearby, slip on your hiking boots and get outdoors. Pay attention to the way the light filters through the leaves, the way the leaves have started changing colors, how the animals are beginning to stock up for the colder days. Feel the breeze in your hair, the sun on your skin, and smell the wet tang of the ground beneath your feet. If it's safe to do so, find a place where you can meditate and soak up the beauty of Mother Nature before she settles in to rest for the year.
2. Have a Harvest Picnic. As this is a harvest festival, it's only right to have food and feasting be a staple of the holiday. If you live in a temperate area like me, September is usually still quite warm and comfortable for getting outside, throwing down a blanket, and having a nosh with your closest friends and family. A great way to set the menu is to check out what's in season at your local farmer's market to really ensure you're honoring the bounty of Mabon time. Think berries and squash, pumpkins and apples. Add a whole grain loaf of bread to the mix with a delicious spread of seasonal jams and jellies. Enjoy a glass of wine (if you're of age) or a mug of yummy cider. Take the time to give thanks for the abundance available to you and honor the closing of summer and the coming of autumn.
3. Go Apple Picking. Want to combine your harvest with your nature walk? Then find your nearest orchard and head on over to pick some apples! Apples are in season at this time of year and are oh so delicious. Plus, when cut through the middle, the seeds form the shape of a pentacle which represents earth, air, fire, water, and spirit. This activity gets you in touch with the actual act of harvesting that our ancestors relied upon to get them through the cold months and connects you with the real meaning for the sabbat. And at the end of the day, you get to take home a beautiful bushel of apples to enjoy.
4. Create a Mabon Altar. If you're the type of witch who is able to have an altar or who likes utilizing an altar as part of your personal path, now is a great time to zhuzh it up for the season. Add candles in corresponding colors like gold, red, orange, or brown. Place leafy garlands upon it or other things that signify the harvest time like pumpkins, gourds, or nuts. Perhaps switch out your altar cloth to one in autumnal colors or with a pretty fall pattern. Whatever gets your creative juices going and allows you to tap into the energy of the season. For me, it's definitely the addition of corresponding candles. I like to keep my altar as uncluttered as possible, so switching out my candles is super easy and makes things look that little bit more festive.
5. Count Your Blessings. Mabon is the perfect time to reflect on the things you are grateful for. So often we focus on the things that upset us or have gone wrong, but we completely gloss over all of the good things that have happened or the abundance we have been blessed with. During this harvest festival, take some time to sit down with a journal and list out all of the things you have to be thankful for. Not only will it help to lift your mood if you're in a bit of a slump, but it helps to put things into perspective and reminds us that we all have things we can show gratitude for. If you want to ritualize this or practice a spell for gratitude, go right ahead! You can make this as chill or as elaborate as you want!
How do you celebrate Mabon? What are some ways that you get in tune with the changing of the seasons?
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