Autumnal Equinox
(Mabon, Thanksgiving, Winter Finding)
The Wheel continues to turn and this time brings the Autumnal Equinox or Mabon, the second day of balance in the cycle of the seasons which matches light against darkness. From this point on, the hours of darkness will gain in length and influence heralding the inevitable death which must follow birth and growth. At this time the god and goddess in the aspects of the Autumn Sage and Wisdoms Crone prepare for the sacrifice which ensures continued renewal, birth and growth of the next season. The Autumn Sage sacrifices himself through the final harvest of the land he represents, and the Crone mourns the loss of her consort, flowers wither, leaves fall, and darkness descends.
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MABON
(Autumn Equinox, Winter Finding, Thanksgiving)
A sabbat of balance. Day and night are again equal as nature declines and preparations are made through the final harvest of the season for winters rest.
Wheel Legend: The Harvest King becomes the Sage, the Hermit, the Lord of Shadows and travels the land with his lamp of wisdom to light his journey into Summerland. In his pack he bears all sorrows and woes which he will leave in the Land of Shadows. The Mother turns now into the Crone tending hearthmatters in readiness for the coming winter.
Purpose: To give thanks for the harvest which will sustain life through the coming winter and balance the joys of the year by releasing all regrets and sorrows to the Hermit.
Needful Things: Six bits of "regret" ribbon cut from the ribbons you wrapped around your broom at Beltane (or just six bits of ribbon if you did not decorate the handle of your broom). A candle carved with "Health" "Wealth" "Wisdom" "Happiness". A Thanksgiving offering of your harvest.
Decorations: In rich, dark autumnal colors with colored leaves, acorns, and pinecones.
Cleanse: With mature, earthy herbal scents of rosemary, sage, clove, etc.
Quarters and Aspects: Those aspects associated with ancient, powerful, eternal forces.
Hearthkeeping matters: Bury the "promise" candle stub somewhere on your property. If you have made offerings to the quarters, pour them out onto bare earth or release them into running water.
Here is an example of a ritual you may use in your own Mabon observance
Shield Envision an autumnal mist moving to form your shield as the mist of seasons end moves across the land.
"Protect this child and guard her aim
from any evil, harm, or bane."
Center When ready, step into your ritual space.
Cast Circle Envision the same autumn mist that formed your shield at the tip of your hand, wand, or athame as you cast from your projective hand beginning at the western quarter and moving deosil (clockwise).
"This is the time of forgetting.
This is the time of letting go.
I burn away
all sorrow and bane
from my harvest, my hearth, my home."
Call Quarters Facing west
"Crystal rivers ageless flow
from wells beyond the time I know.
Be with me now, the harvest over.
Welcome, spirit of the water."
light the blue candle.
Call Quarters Facing north
"Deep the land of ancient earth
and ageless cycle of rebirth.
Be with me now, my harvest home.
Welcome spirit of the stone."
light the green candle.
Call Quarters Facing east
"Still the air of timeless frost.
A gain to partner every loss.
Be with me now, harvest prepared.
Welcome spirit of the air."
light the yellow candle.
Call Quarters facing south
"Ancient blaze of wisdoms light.
Beacon in the timeless night.
Be with me now, my harvest gained.
Welcome spirit of the flame."
light the red candle.
Invoke the Sun raising projective hand in the symbol of the sun (first finger and Little finger extended, like horns, other fingers folded beneath thumb)
"Lord of the Shadows.
Gift of the Harvest King.
Keeper of the ancient knowledge.
Power of the light you bring.
Be with me now, my harvest done.
Welcome spirit of the sun."
light the gold candle
Invoke the Moon raising receptive hand in the symbol of the moon (hold your whole hand in a "c" shape like the crescent moon)
"Crone of ancient mystery,
weaving at a timeless loom.
Mistress of the turning wheel,
the cauldron of rebirth your womb.
Be with me now, my harvest through.
Welcome spirit of the moon."
light the silver candle
Invoke your Guardian tracing a pentagram in the air before you with your hand, wand, or athame
"Spirit within, be with me now as I tally this harvest.
I balance loss with gain.
I balance regret with gratitude.
I balance fear with hope.
I prepare for the change brought with this turn of the wheel."
light the incense
Complete the circle with your purpose sit or stand as you please
"The circle is cast and we stand between the worlds,
beyond the bounds of time
where loss and gain,
death and life,
pleasure and pain,
dark and light
meet here as one.
Blessed be.
I come now between the worlds to release regret, fear, and sorrow. In so doing, I secure my hearth, heart, and home against the darkness which is to come. As I stand here, between the worlds, I give thanks for the bounty and balance brought with this turn of the wheel."
Light the Cauldron candle and focus on it as you meditate upon your fear, sorrow, and loss. Place two ribbon bits upon the altar.
"These bear the regret of my heart and also the regrets of my hearth."
Place the next two ribbon bits upon the altar.
"These bear the fear of my heart and also the fears of my hearth."
Place the final two ribbon bits upon the altar.
"These bear the sorrow of my heart
and also the sorrows of my hearth."
Take all the bits of ribbon up into your projective hand and charge them with all the fear, sorrow, loss, and regret you can recall from the past year.
"I remember and revere the journey of the Autumn Sage and I give thanks for his sacrifice by preserving the harvest which will sustain the future. As he travels now to the shadow land let him bear the burdens of my heart and hearth."
Release/Burn the regret ribbons
"In balance now, regret."
Release/Burn the fear ribbons
"In balance now, fear."
Release/Burn the sorrow ribbons
"In balance now, sorrow."
Take up the promise candle and charge it with all the happiness, health, wealth, and wisdom you hope for the future.
"I remember and revere the wisdom of the Autumn Crone who comforts the sorrow of the past with the promise of the future."
Light the promise candle from the cauldron.
Take up the harvest offering and place it upon the altar.
"I remember the growth and strength of the midsummer King and Queen and revere their transformation to the autumn Sage and Crone as the season of growth has turned with the wheel to the season of harvest.
My thanks now for that which has been given me to harvest. My thanks now for that which will sustain my hearth, heart, and home. My offering now, the fruit of this harvest."
As the promise candle burns out, cast your hopes for the future with the rising smoke.
Ground (touch something from the earth with your projective hand, or just feel the excess energy drain from your body back through your feet to replenish the earth below you)
Simple Feast from the best of your harvest this season. Make liquid offerings to the elements.
Thank the Guardian Make the sign of the pentagram with smoke from the incense stick (if it is still burning) or trace it in the air before you with your wand, hand, or athame.
"Spirit within my spirit.
My thanks for the blessing of your attendance at my simple and solitary rite.
Stay or go as you shall please.
Hail and farewell."
Thank the Moon raising your receptive hand in the symbol of the moon (hold your whole hand in a "c" shape like the crescent moon)
"Autumn Crone and Wisewoman.
My thanks for the blessing of your attendance.
Stay or go as you shall please.
Hail and farewell."
quench the silver candle
Thank the Sun raising your projective hand in the symbol of the sun (first finger and Little finger extended, like horns, other fingers folded beneath thumb)
"Autumn Sage and Hermit.
My thanks for the blessing of your attendance.
Stay or go as you shall please.
Hail and farewell."
quench the gold candle
Thank the Quarters taking the appropriate positions as you thank and release them and quench their candles as you bid them farewell.
"Ancient blaze of purity.
Timeless breath of clarity.
Eternal stone's stability.
Endless river of empathy.
My thanks for your attending me.
Stay or go as you shall please.
Hail and farewell, and blessed be."
Release the Circle beginning at the Southern quarter and moving widdershins (counterclockwise) draw the energy into your receptive hand, wand or athame. When you have finished re-calling the energy, compress it into a little version of the golden aura you started with in your receptive hand and absorb it into your body.
"The circle is open
yet still unbroken.
Merry met, and merry part, and merry meet again."
Ground (touch something from the earth with your projective hand, or just feel the excess energy drain from your body back through your feet to replenish the earth below you)