Tag: Mabon

Mabon Returns

Mabon.  A word we all know, and a word we all associate with the Autumnal Equinox. As with every seasonal celebration, Mabon returns at the same time every year with its unique blessings and lessons for all who wish to hear them. It is one of my favourite Pagan celebrations and no doubt many of you also celebrate with as much happiness as I do to know we are closing in on one of the most magical times of the year. Celebrations are in the air as Autumn rolls over us.

I would find it all too easy at this point to ramble along, telling you why, to me, every season, every month, every day of the year is truly magical, but as ever, I must force my roaming mind to focus on one magical thought at a time.  Today’s thought is Mabon; Mabon returns.  I have written about Mabon before of course and have written of it as one of the eight Sabbats represented on the Wheel of the Year.  And one of those Sabbats it undoubtably is.  

What Mabon also is, however, is the newest addition to these magical and seasonal Sabbats.  I have written before of the joining of minds between Gerald Gardner and Ross Nichols who together brought us the modern Wheel of the Year most commonly used amongst those Pagans who follow the paths of Wicca and Druidry, but to whom the Wheel is most certainly not exclusive.By way of a very brief recap, Gerald Gardner initially incorporated celebrations into his Wicca for Imbolc, Beltane, Lammas and Samhain; those times of year most anciently used by our ancestors to understand and follow the turning of the earth and changing of the seasons.  Yes, our ancestors still celebrated and observed Yule, Litha and Ostara, however less commonly observed was the autumnal equinox of Mabon.  Even the word Mabon is a recent one, relatively speaking.

I read many Pagan blogs, pages, posts and snippets, and listen to many YouTube channels and lectures.  And it seems to me that a lot of Pagans outside of the Wiccan and Druid paths hold the celebration of Mabon in contempt, finding it to be an outsider and not worthy of inclusion in Pagan festivals and celebrations.  The reason I see cited most often is that it does not fit in with the old ways.  

Our ancestors, especially those in the far North, would not have celebrated Mabon, and possibly not Ostara, as their harsh weather did not, and still does not, have seasons that fade slowly into each other.  They do not see much of transitional phases of the seasons such as autumn and Spring.  Instead, they have and had fiercely cold and brutal winters that stole summer from their skies and lay siege to the lands until the sun regained his strength and fought off the frost for another cycle high above the thaw.  Their harvests were not spread over the three festivals that we in milder climates are lucky to enjoy; their larders had to be full and stocked before the snow started to fall or they would be lucky to survive the grasp of winter.

And this is not wrong.  Mabon was not celebrated everywhere.  It is still not celebrated everywhere.  But why, as people who walk a path of acceptance towards one another, need this celebration fall into discord and arguments.  Let’s all celebrate what we will as we will (legally of course, though I know none of you need to be told that, my wonderful Pagan readers). 

I for one will be celebrating and I will encourage other’s who want to and respect those who don’t.  But HOW will I be celebrating – let’s have a sneak peak at some of the things I have planned for celebrating Mabon. 

Pumpkins

Yes I know, Pumpkins are for Halloween (well, in England it was Swede when I was little) but aren’t they just a joy to have as decoration.  A couple of different sized pumpkins and a couple of different sized Mallows make for stunning arrangements on a porch if you’re lucky enough to have one, on your fireplace or at your back door if you use your outdoor space a lot.  Just remember to replenish them if you use real ones or you’ll find yourself wondering what the strange smell is (nope, never done that before – honest).  Then when you’re done with them, don’t just let them go to waste, pop them outside either in your garden or a local wildlife spot and let the wildlife enjoy the fruit. 

Autumnal Wreathes

What fun there is to have making an autumn wreath.  Pretty strings and wools in oranges, reds and browns, real or fabric leaves, pine cones, acorns, conker, and all arrays of rich deep Earthy colours woven into a ring of warmth and hope for the coming colder months.  Hung above your Hearth or on your front door, you are honouring the circle of the seasons, having great fun with your family, friends or by yourself, and you are creating something beautiful to hang in your home. 

Fires

Now I manage to make everything about having a fire.  Here at Mabon we pause and remember that the nights are now noticeably longer as the sun sets earlier and earlier every day.  We light fires at this time to remind both that the sun will and we will once again bask in it’s warmth, and that there is light to be found in the darkness of the night; that the small lights found in the coldest and darkest times can sometimes be the warmest.  And this is the lesson I love most about Mabon (and the other winter festivals); that sometimes we do more growing in the darkness than we do in the light.  Which leads me on nicely to …

A time for Rituals

At Mabon I take time to reflect on my year so far, and to revisit the goals I set for myself at Imbolc and Ostara.  Have I completed any of them? Are they still relevant?  Have they evolved or have I outgrown them?  Are they still leading me in the direction I want to go it?  Are my intentions what they should be to best serve my spiritual, intellectual, emotional and social growth?  This is no small task and it isn’t to be completed in one sitting.  This is something I take my time over, that I enjoy doing and that I use to make sure I don’t find myself too of course for what I want in my life at that time.  Do not be rigid in your goals – perhaps what was right for you or what you hoped for at Ostara is n longer right for you.  That’s okay.  Just reshuffle your thoughts and intentions to align with what is right for you now.

As I undertake this task one of my overriding intentions is to remain honest and authentic to myself.  Those things in my life that are no longer right for me are things that I will let go of inside of ritual space, thanking them for being with me whilst I needed then, and wishing their blessings on someone who needs them more than me.  I do this in many ways, through the use of spell bags, poetry, meditation, cards and runes.  Sometimes I create art in ritual space to freeze in a moment something that has impacted me but which I must let go.  Or something that I have come to learn over the summer months that has been massively influential on where I am on my path right now. 

I also bring into my ritual space new manifestation hopes to brew over the dark months, either burning spells to send my intentions into the Ether, meditating on them and inviting my Goddesses to assist me if they will, or keeping them in a cauldron of my own ritual magical blends to develop and mature over the winter months, burning or releasing them once the time is right, when Spring comes around again. 

Changing Seasons

As a Witch and Druid, watching the seasons change and tuning into the transformation of the landscape around me is something I find enormous peace and calm in.  The simple practice of sitting in a space of nature and observing the changes; the colours changing in the treetops, leaves floating from their lofty homes to create a soft cover of bedding on the ground to urge hibernating animals to start nesting.  Feeling the chill blowing over your skin with each breath of the wind, listening to the tone change in it’s whistle as it twits through the longest of grasses and bare branches of the ancient trees.  I close my eyes, take a breath, and let all the natural elements around me engulf my senses.  Taking mindful and purposeful breaths, I set no time limit, have no expectations, and allow my mind to immerse into the cycle of the birth and rebirth.  When my meditation is over, I make notes on my thoughts, any manifestations and any creative ideas, whether new, old or altered.  Personally, I like to make these notes with a pen (or pencil) and paper. Usually, I have an array of pretty books and pens and spend time creating my thoughts into words, images, and shapes.  I might find pieces of nature such as the leaves and wildflowers around me to press into the pages of my book. 

Now you may be thinking that doesn’t sound very magical, or very “witchy”, but in fact it could not be more Pagan if I tried.  The very essence of a (or at least my) Pagan path is to be immersed in nature and follow the change in the seasons along with the changes on ourselves.  We care for and notice nature, feel and commune with the energies around us, the energy that surrounds and flows through all living beings, plants and animals alike (sounds a bit like the Force doesn’t it – maybe that’s where the inspiration came from – look at the Jedi Robes 😊).  

So I think I’ll leave you with those thoughts, perhaps more of a rambling than usual this time, but isn’t that sometimes the point of a blog; to get thoughts and tangents out of your head, clearing some space for your Muses to whisper into, to start growing whatever will come next out of your thoughts.

Don’t forget to check out all of the items in my Ritual Shop, or continue on to see (the same) items in my Etsy Shop.

I put a lot of my experience and knowledge into practice to bring you magically and ritually charged items in my Ritual Shop, and in my Etsy Store, which stocks identical items. It is better for me if you purchase from my Ritual Shop as it helps me brand and will eventually allow me to sell less on an outside platform.

Stay Wild

Darkest Ginger Blessings

Ginger Witch

Mabon, Autumn Equinox, Fall Equinox, Pagan wheel of the Year, Pagan Sabbat

Mabon: 22nd September 2020

Mabon Magic

This year, in 2020, Mabon falls on Tuesday 22nd September, and I for one cannot wait.  I have a definite passion for this time of year; the cooler days and longer nights that are on the horizon completely resonate with my soul and fill me with an overwhelming sense of peace and calm.

Autumnal Altar for Mabon / Autumnal Equinox / Fall Equinox
Autumnal Altar for Mabon / Autumnal Equinox / Fall Equinox

What is Mabon?

Mabon is the autumnal equinox and marks the official start of the season of Autumn.  As with Ostara, the vernal equinox in March, Mabon is one of two points in the year when the hours of light and dark are equal; the day and night are perfectly balanced at Mabon and allows us time to pause and recognise that same balance within ourselves.

From the summer solstice the in June, the days begin to shorten, and by the time we reach Mabon here in the middle of September, the increased hours of darkness are noticeable and the coolness is starting to creep back into the night air.  The Earths natural endless cycle is approaching it’s time of slumber as that which grows has matured and we give our gratitude for the plenty we are provided with.

Image by Sanja Kolenko - www.etsy.com/shop/sanjaartjpg & @sanja_art.jpg
Image by Sanja Kolenko – www.etsy.com/shop/sanjaartjpg & @sanja_art.jpg

For our ancestors the Autumnal Equinox was one of four points in the year (the Vernal and Autumnal Equinoxes and the Summer and Winter Solstices) and four cross points (Imbolc, Beltane, Lammas and Samhain) representing the cycle of seasons, all of which marked an important point in the cycle of nature and foretold the changing of the weather.  To our ancestors these markers in the year were essential as they kept (and keep to this day) the wheel of agriculture, planting and harvest in motion.

In this seasonal and agricultural respect, which was of course the most important part of life for our ancestors, Mabon marks the middle of the harvest; the full moon closest to Mabon is named the Harvest Moon, and crops, fruits and vegetables were all brought into stores to see communities through the cold and dark months ahead.

Image by Ginger Witch

But Mabon is more than just a marker in the days of the harvest, it is a time for deep reflection and appreciation of the darker side of life and the slow and restful days to come.  Look back witches, at your book of shadows, look back, pagans, at the practices, rituals and manifestations of Ostara, and remember the goals you set for yourself, the spells you cast and the intentions you put out into the ether.  For Ostara is the opposite of Mabon, the other side of this spoke on our ever turning wheel, and the work we set out on then is perfectly considered at it’s universal opposite. 

Image by Ginger Witch

I’m not saying everything should have been achieved, not at all, as whilst the Ether, the Wyrd, the stardust and sunbeams make up who we are and run through our veins and into our very bones, we are only human.  If you have made a plan to achieve a goal, if you have written the first line of a spell, if you have decided you need to take a course of action, if you have started anything at all towards any of your Ostara intentions, Mabon is the time to sit with your progress and remind yourself that what you have done is exactly what you should have done.  You have accomplished.  Let it simmer within you, write down your progress in a book of shadows, a journal to hibernate it over the dark months.  Or maybe these are the months when your progress and intentions will manifest and come to life; if so, write significant words on a spell candle or write whatever feels right to you on a piece of paper to burn, to bring light to your intent and diffuse your progress so far in to the universe and realms around you.

Mabon Luxuries

As with all things in nature, animals and plants alike, this is a time of year to wind down your pace and bring peace and rest into your heart and mind. 

Image by one of my absolute favourite artists, Lady Viktoria who you can find at www.etsy.com/shop/artbyladyviktoria & @ladytor

We see the trees become bare, plants and flowers return to bulb and seed to sleep, and animals build warmer dens and burrow, or migrate to warmer shores. 

If, like me, your spirit feels malnourished without plants around you inside of your home and in your garden, this is the time to start bringing evergreens into these areas.  My personal affiliations are with Ivy and Succulents, Rosemary and Fir.

Fill your hearth, light your candles and slow down.  Take deep breaths, breathe in the ever chillier ait outside of your front door.  Take moments to hear the sound of vibrant fallen leaves crunch beneath your feet and enjoy the feeling of warm soft fabrics and the closeness of loved ones and familiars.  Immerse yourself in magical, ghostly and heart warming stories.  Make sumptuous broths and stews, toast marshmallows by burning fires and drink decadent hot drinks to warm your hands and soul.

Image taken and wreath made by Ginger Witch

One of my favourite things to start doing at Mabon is taking a basket to the woods to collect fallen acorns, pinecones, vines and wood to make autumnal and Yule decorations for my home and for friends.  Mother nature has so many wonderful gifts for us if we take the time to look and to give thanks.

Celebrating Mabon

Decorate your Alter

One of the first preparations most pagans make to honour any of the eight points on the wheel of the year is to prepare their alter.  An alter doesn’t need to be anything expensive or big, it is simply a space of your own that you adorn and decorate with the items you use in your craft, to honour your chosen deities (if any) and with items to recognise, give thanks for and honour the sabbat.  Some Pagans have large chests or tables, others have outdoor spaces and some will  decorate a window sill or mantle.  It may be simply lighting a particular coloured candle.    

Snap shots of my Summer – Autumn transition Altar

Being the start of autumn, Mabon brings with it a kaleidoscope of warming colours, comforting foods and cosy clothes.  We can start to look forward to dusting off snuggly jumpers, slipping into fur lined boots and lighting fires and candles to tell enchanting tales around. 

And amongst this cacophony of colourful change in the earth around us we see alters adorned to reflect this time of transition into autumn.  Ivy, rosemary, pine cones, red and green apples, seeds and pomegranates, along with grains and corn all represent the abundance of the harvest.  Set some or all of these on your alter to show reverence for the plenty the Earth has provided us with.

Spells / wishes / hopes and intentions can be laid on your alter, written in colours of the season such as oranges, yellows, browns, reads and dark greens.  Let your instincts take over and decorate your writings with your own patterns and in colours that speak to you.

Beautiful image by Kat Fedora who you can find at linktr.ee/Katfedora & @katfedora

Candle Spells

Burn a candle in one of these Mabon colours and carve a Sigel or Rune that you are working with into it (if you work with either), or carve a word to represent your hopes and spells for the coming season.  Be sure to use a candle that you will continue to burn until it is completely finished if you carve into it; small spell candles are best.  I never blow out a candle adorned with a spell, however you can snuff the candle if you need to, just be sure not to blow your intention away.

Scents

If you feel a connection with scents and aromatherapy you will enjoy anointing your candle with a dreamy autumnal scent.  Either make your own with some of your favourites or chose something that fills you with feelings of warmth and cosiness.  At this time of year I enjoy the captivating smells of spiced apple, pumpkin, vanilla, ginger, cinnamon, frankincense and lavender.

If you don’t want to anoint your candle its nice to have an oil burner sending out these autumnal feels or to have some incense burning in these comforting undertones.  There’s no reason why you can’t mix and match these uses of scent or use all three at once.

Scented candles are another great way to bring autumnal feels to your altar and home.

Scent can be a real mood setter, can trigger memories and can help to heal our bodies, minds and souls.  If you can work the wonderful gifts that nature gives to our sense of smell, you should absolutely work it one way or another into your alters, rituals, spells and every day witchy life.

Healing Crystals & Stones

If you work with healing crystals, Mabon is a good time to add Lapis Lazuli, Topaz, Magnetite and Shamanic Dream Stone to your alter.

Lapis Lazuli is a stone I work with and wear all year round.  It is very much associated with balance and embracing the darkness and the light in life; placing this crystal on your alter will bring balancing energies into your alter space, into your meditations and into your life.

Lapis Lazuli surrounded by Rose Quartz and Citrine, soaking up the energy of the forest.

Topaz is a stone that vibrates with energies of healing and abundance, both of which are very relevant at Mabon as we are very aware of the abundance of the earth, and, as the harvest begins to come to an end, we can find time to rest and rejuvenate during the coming darkness.

To add Magnetite to your alter also brings balance into your space, but with that balance you will also find a sense of grounding and connection to the earth.

The last stone I would add to my alter is Shamanic Dream Stone which, again, has energies working to balance our bodies and minds.  It promotes introspection and during this time of rest guides us in our journeys within, assisting us in Chakra balancing and completion of tasks and manifestations set at Imbolc and Ostara.

I love to sit with my stones under the moon and by the fire to charge and feel them.

Deities

I don’t want to say too much about deities as all pagans follow different paths and all honour different (or no) deities for different reasons.

What I will tell you, is that for me, Mabon is the time I feel the connection with my Goddesses deepen.  I work with the dark goddesses Inanna, Persephone and Ereshkigal, all of whom have their journeys rooted in not only living and surviving in, but flourishing in the underworld, in the darkness, in rising from deathly situations to be wiser and more divine than they had previously been.  Stripped of themselves and violated, both Inanna and Persephone rise to become the ultimate in feminine divinity and to be more whole and balanced than their former selves.  They were stolen away into the darkness, yet embraced that darkness, walked through it, descended into it, let it engulf them and became sisters with it; and the darkness did not kill them.  Whilst they missed the light, there was healing and rest to be had in their dark days.  Their descents into their underworlds gave them time to see into the blackness and understand that without it, there cannot be light.  In order to see the day, we must make friends with the night.  Without the night, we cannot see the stars or our Luna Goddess high above us.  Without descent there is no ascent.   I will tell their stories fully in later posts, however for now my pagan sisters and brothers, I wish you a very Happy Mabon 2020 and hope that your rest and journey through our coming darkening days is a filled with magic, plenty and laughter.

It’s me, Ginger Witch, wishing you a Merry and Blessed Mabon.

As with all of my posts, I have included the work of some amazing artists whose work I very much admire and covet. Below are links to their online spaces.

Stay Wild & Blessed Be.

Ginger Witch.