Mabon is the pagan holiday of the autumnal equinox, a time both to celebrate and to stop and reflect. It’s a time to be thankful for the present, and also to take stock of it.
Mabon is a harvest festival that dates back to the ancient Celts. Their Druids honored the Green Man, the god of growing things, and offered him wine and herbs. The autumnal equinox was also celebrated by the pagan Anglo-Saxons, who called September “holy month.” Mabon is sometimes called “Second Harvest,” because a first harvest was already gathered in August. The ancient people were thankful for the bounty of the harvests.
Because Mabon falls on the autumnal equinox, it’s a transition time, as well as a harvest festival. People think about the cycles of life, as the seasons change from summer to winter, and reflect that death and rebirth are a part of nature. Modern Wiccans recognize this in the triple goddess, the Maiden, the Mother, and the Crone, as she passes from Mother to Crone.
The autumnal equinox is also a time to think about balance, as the hours of light and darkness are the same. It’s important to embrace both light and darkness, as without darkness there would be no light. In the same way, we have to take the bad with the good in life. One of the special goddesses of Mabon is Persephone, who spends half the year in Hades and half on earth. She represents both the vegetation of summer and the barrenness of winter.
Mabon is a time to gather with friends and relatives, and enjoy the good things of the harvest. People dress in their best and feast lavishly. Some of the special foods of Mabon are breads, apples, potatoes, carrots, and onions. Beef stew, turkey, squash soup, and apple butter are all good dishes to serve. Pomegranates are connected with Mabon, and any recipe with them would be welcome. Many people also like to make a special dark bread that honors the Crone.
While feasting, it’s good for people to think about where they are in life, the blessings they have, and what plans they have for the future. It’s also good to think about those less fortunate. Guests could bring canned goods to the feast, and the canned goods could be donated to a food bank.
Mabon is a many-sided harvest celebration, with much to reflect on.
