Mabon

The customs of the time center around harvest and feasting, so this is a good time for magicks involving prosperity. Additionally, since this is a time of balance due to the equinox, it is a good time for focusing on bringing ourselves into balance in all aspects of our lives. Mabon is ruled by the Wine Moon, and this was the time when both the grapes of the field and the root crops were harvested. The Ancients celebrated with elaborate feasts and merry making. Herbs were dried and wound into wreaths, and corn was hung over doorways and in windows to bring prosperity to households. It is also a point of transition, when Summertime begins to give way to Autumn, so it is a time to mark transitions in our own lives.

Modern Pagans often celebrate by having more elaborate feasts at their Sabbat, and many rededicate themselves to the Path or to their Traditions. Also, many modern Witches and Pagans make it a practice to donate to food banks and clothing banks for the needy, in order to share their own good fortune, remembering that all that is given is returned to us thrice over.

Altars are decorated with brown and orange candles, herbs of all sorts, nutbreads, and baskets of fruit, especially apples. Oak leaves and acorns, sacred to the Celts and the Druids, are often gathered up and used in decoration as well. Incense used in rites at this time are sage, sweetgrass, myrrh, and cinnamon. Stones sacred to this time are cats eye, clear quartz, and amber. Witches often adorn themselves for Mabon rites in ribbons of gold, red, orange and brown, and fashion brooms of dried herbs for use in spells and ritual.

Traditonal foods chosen for the feast at this time are poultry, like roast chicken or turkey or pheasant, baked sweet potatoes, dishes of spiced squash and apple bread, banana bread, or nut bread.

Take a moment or two out of your life and remember what has been given you by the Goddess and God, and remember others who are beset by misfortune. Remember also the precious gifts of friendship, and make merry with those you love!