Mabon

Date: Tuesday, Sept 23, 2003

Other names: The Fall Sabbat, Alban Elfed, Harvest Home, The Second Festival of Harvest, and the Autumnal Equinox

Mabon was originally a time of thankgiving and rejoice has the Second Harvest commenced.  The pagans of olden times would gather  grains and fruit and place them all over homes and altars.         In this day and age, some Witches come to view Mabon as time when the world is in prefect balance between night and day. This doesn't mean that we neglect the orginal meaning of this holiday, but that we embrace it and its newer meanings and pray for balance and fertility within both yourselves and the Earth. Mabon is a great time to meditate on areas of your life that need balance. You may also wish to reflect upon your overall harmony with Earth -- not just as a planet, but as a mother which gives you life.         Witches still decorate altars with grains, fruits and nuts as a symbol of fertility, thanks, and the coming fall.

For all you witches that can't keep out of the kitchen, try this authentic Mabon recipe. "Enchanting Grape Salad" Serves: 4 Ingredients: 1 cup (228g) baby spinach leafs or butter leaf lettuce 1.5 cups (340g) green grapes 1 cup (228g) diced green apples 1/2 cup (112) crumbled feta cheese 1/3 cup (60mL) balsamic vinegar Directions: Comine the spinach, grapes, and apples in a salad bowl. Add the feta cheese and mix the ingredients together. Add the balsamic vinegar and toss. Serve immediately.

From: The Wicca Cookbook: Recipes, Ritual, and Lore (Jamie Wood and Tara Seefeldt)

Lore- The Autumnal Equinox recognizes and celebrates Mabon, a Welsh sun child god. Mabon sumbolizes the essence of the male aspect needed for fertility. Mabon was seperated from his mother and lived in a world without light. It is believed the Mabon is the counterpart to Demeter's daughter, Persephone, the Goddess of all growing things. Both Mabon and Persephone provide a bridge between the living and the dead. They remind the living there is death so they will live a full life, and they show the dead the way to rebirth.

Simple ways to celebrate- Though some Witches would disagree with me, you don't need huge fancy rituals to celebrate this or any other Sabbat.  Yes, elaborated rituals are preferred, but does that mean that you shouldn't  bother to celebrate the Sabbat if you only have 10 minutes of free time during your day and you don't want to be sleep deprived the next morning? Of course not!  You can always wear oranges and yellows in recognition of fall.  You can also eat things made with whole wheat and other grains ( or try to make the nifty salad above).  Just make sure you thank the Earth during the day for what she has provided you.  Also decorate your altar with grains and sit in front it and reflect of the balance in your life for whatever time you have.