Blessings from Witchcraft Dawning,
and HA! I got it done! Just in time for the holiday... joyous
celebrations all.
~Markus
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*Mabon
The Wheel of the Year holds several purposes, both theological and
practical. Theologically, the story of the Wheel often
varies depending on the Tradition. The Wheel gives the accounts of the
mythological events that repeat throughout the year as
well as a vague "history" of the Gods and Goddesses involved within
the pantheon. For the newbies, by "Tradition" we mean
"denomination"; for example Wiccan, Celtic, Druid, Native American,
etc. On the more practical side, the Wheel trains us to
be able to deal with death and the inevitability of re-birth that
follows. Paganism teaches that death, a natural function of the
universe, is a part of life; a dramatic change that is the beginning
of a new experience, and something to be celebrated at the
proper time not feared (not condoning Suicide!) Through the ideas of
Heaven and Hell, Christianity teaches a deep fear of
death, and this spurs our society's horror of death. We are always
trying to find new and improved ways to beat death, but we
will never succeed. It is sad our society portrays death as such a
terrifying experience; we would certainly have less emotional
pain and suffering in the world if death could be seen as what it is:
a transformation, nothing more.
In this section you will find a rendition of the upcoming quarter of
the Wheel of the Year. Included will be the mythological lore
and some traditional practices for the celebration, along with some
ideas for activities and decorations.
*Date/Name:
September 22, 1997 holds the date for the next Sabbat: Mabon
(pronounced "MAY-bon") marks the Second Harvest of the
Celtic/Pagan year.
*Background Information:
Mabon marks the Second Harvest, the end of the grain harvest (which
begun at Lughnasadh), and rests on the Autumn
Equinox. The Equinox mirrors dwindling of life (and eventual
progression to rebirth), as well as the struggle for balance; day
and night are equal for a single day. The pagans of antiquity didn't
have the ability to determine astrological positions as we do
today. The European peasantry, therefore, celebrated this Sabbat on
September 25th; actually, the Celts marked their days
from sundown to sundown, so the Mabon celebration actually started on
the sundown of our September 24th. Today, with the
help of our technology, we can calculate the exact day of the
Equinox; the date when the sun enters the sign of Libra, the
Balanced Scales, which appropriately fits the Equinox. September 25th
is a medieval holiday which the Church Christianized
under the label of "Michaelmas," a feast in honor of the Archangel
Michael. It is thought that the Roman Catholic Church at
some point considered assigning the quarter dates to the four
Archangels, since they had assigned the cross quarters to the four
gospel-writers. Making the Vernel Equinox a holiday called
"Gabrielmas" was taken into consideration in honor of the angel
Gabriel's announcement to Mary on Lady Day. This Sabbat can also be
known as: the Second Harvest Festival, Feast of
Avalon, Cornucopia, Wine Harvest, the Fall Equinox, Harvest Home, the
Autumnal (or Autumn) Equinox, Festival of
Dionysus, Alban Elfed (Caledonii, Druidic), Winter Finding (Teutonic),
or Equinozio di Autunno (Strega). The full moon
closest to the Autumn Equinox is called the Harvest Moon, and farmers
would harvest their corps by this moonlight as part of
the Second Harvest celebration.
*Meanings:
Mabon is very much like Thanksgiving. Most of the crops have been
reaped and abundance is more noticeable than ever!
Mabon is the time when we reap the fruits of our labor and lessons,
both crops and experiences. It is a time of joy, to
celebrate that which is passing (for why should we mourn the beauty of
the year or dwindling sunlight?), looking joyously at the
experience the year has shared with us. And it is a time to gaze into
the bright future. We are reminded once again of the cyclic
universe; endings are merely new beginnings.
Since it is the time of dying sun, effort is also made to celebrate
the dead with joyous remembrance. It is considered taboo to
pass a burial site and not honor the dead. Natural energies are
aligned towards protection, wealth, prosperity, security, and
boosting self-confidence. Any spells or rituals centered around
balance and harmony are appropriate.
*History/Mythology -- Celtic/Welsh
The tale of Mabon ap Modron, the Welsh God, (the "great son of the
great mother"), also known as the Son of Light, the
Young Son, or Divine Youth, is celebrated. The Equinox is also the
birth of Mabon, from his mother Modron, the Guardian of
the Outerworld, the Healer, the Protector, the Earth. Mabon was taken
after he is a mere three nights old (some variations of
the legend say he is taken after three years). Through the wisdom of
the living animals -- the Stag, Blackbird, Owl, Eagle and
Salmon -- Mabon is freed from his mysterious captivity. All the while
Mabon had rested within his mother's womb; a place of
nurturing and challenge. With strength and lessons gained within the
magickal Outerworld (Modron's womb), Mabon is soon
reborn as his mother's Champion, the Son of Light, wielding the
strength and wisdom acquired during his captivity.
Also, (from a variation in legend) the Equinox is the day of the year
when the god of light, Lugh, is defeated by the god of
darkness, Lugh's twin and alter-ego, Tanist. The night conquers day.
The tales state that the Equinox is the only day which
Lugh is vulnerable and the possibility of his defeat exists. Lugh
stands on the balance (Autumn Equinox-Libra) with one foot on
the goat (Winter Solstice-Capricorn) and the other on the cauldron
(Summer Solstice-Cancer). He is betrayed by
Blodeuwedd, the Virgin (Virgo) and transformed into an Eagle
(Scorpio).
Two events occur rapidly with Lugh's defeat. Tanist, having beaten
Lugh, now takes over Lugh's place both as King of our
world and lover to the Goddess Tailltiu. Although Tanist now sits on
Lugh's throne, his official induction does not take place
for another six weeks at Samhain, the beginning of Winter, when he
becomes the Dark King, the Winter Lord, the Lord of
Misrule. He mates with Tailltiu, who conceives, and will give birth
nine months later (at the Summer Solstice) to her son,
another incarnation of Tanist himself, the Dark Child.
Lugh's sacrifice represents not only the sun's dying power, but also
the cycle of rebirth, his energy remaining within the corn we
have since harvested. A incarnate (of Lugh) corn spirit was thought to
specifically reside within the last stalk (or stock), which
was traditionally dressed in fine clothes and decorations, or woven
into a wicker man-shaped form. This symbolic decoration
was then harvested and carried from the field to be burned with
rejoicing for the spirits release and Lugh's upcoming rebirth.
*Mythology -- Greek:
In Greek mythology, Autumn begins as Persephone returns to the
Underworld to live with Hades, her husband. The myth says
that Demeter's daughter, Kore, had taken a day to pick flowers in a
meadow when the Earth opened up, and Hades pulled the
girl into the Underworld to become his bride. Kore's name became
Persephone when she married Hades. For nine straight
days, Demeter searched for Kore, with no success. In misery and
desperation, Demeter questioned Helios, the Sun God, who
informed her that her brother, Zeus, had given the girl to Hades.
Furious, Demeter left Olympus to roam the Earth disguised as
an old woman, ending up settled in her temple at Eleusis. Soon after,
she cursed the Earth so it would yield no crops. Zues sent
her a frantic message inquiring as to why she had prevented growth on
the planet. She replied that there would be no
regeneration of vegetation on the Earth until her daughter, Kore, was
safely returned.
Zeus immediately dispatched Hermes into the Underworld to retrieve the
girl. Hades, not wanting to relinquish his bride
permanently, convinced Persephone to eat some pomegranate seeds before
she returned to her mother, Demeter. Demeter
was yet again distraught when she learned of this trickery! Finally,
Zeus declared that Kore-Persephone would live with her
mother during one half of the year and return to her husband, Hades,
during the other half. In thanks, Demeter lifted the curse
on the Earth, creating Spring. Every year hence, during her time of
greatest sorrow, Demeter renews the curse, as her daughter
returns to Hades and the Underworld.
*Mythology -- Wiccan:
Day and night are equal and the God prepares to depart and begin the
journey back to the strength and development within his
mother's, the Goddess', womb. Both sad and joyful, the Goddess
lovingly awaits her God's rebirth.
*Decorations and Activities:
Activities vary with region and tradition, as well as personal
preference. Some ideas include making a Sun Wheel as described
in the Lughnasadh document. Also, one could mirror the Celtic
tradition of dressing a corn stalk in cloths and burning it in
celebration of the harvest and upcoming rebirth.
Simple altar decorations can be obtained by taking a calm "pilgrimage"
through your local woods and collecting leaves, acorns,
berries, and other things symbolic of nature's bounty. Some chose to
sprinkle Autumn leaves around the house and on the
sides of walk ways as decoration, though this may not be convenient if
one lives in the city or doesn't enjoy the cleanup.
Alternately, the changing leaves can be dipped in paraffin and put on
wax paper. After the leaves dry, they may be placed
around the house or in large jars with sigils of protection and/or
abundance carved lightly into them.
Going through your personal gardens with thanks and lovingly
harvesting what is ready is also appropriate. Breads may be
baked in the shape of the Sun, combining fruits or vegetables and
grains, incorporating both of the major aspects of this
Harvest. The seeds of various plants are stored through winter for
replanting, and therefore, the plant's rebirth in the Spring. A
feast for friends and family always provides a cheerful abundance of
energy and thanks.
Additional seeds and grains can be set out as offering to our fellow
creatures, and provide a healthy chance for birds to join in
the celebrations as well. Symbolic designs can be made out of the
sprinklings if one chooses. Those less fortunate should not be
omitted from the celebration. Small, meaningless (to you) packages of
food and drink gifted to a homeless person will make
their day!
To honor the dead, it is traditional to place apples on burial cairns
as symbolism of rebirth and gratitude. Furthermore, it is a
time to honor the elders, who have devoted so much time and energy to
your growth and development. Something special is in
order for these gracious people.
*Symbolic of Mabon:
Foodstuffs: Grapes, Acorns, Wheat Bread, Goat, Indian Corn, Horn of
Plenty, Cornbread, Corn, Root Crops (ie Onions, Carrots, Potatoes,
etc.), Nuts, Dried Fruits, Apples, Beans, and Squash.
Drinks: Wine, Ale, and Cider.
Colors (for those who work with Candle Magick): Red, Deep Gold,
Orange, Brown, Maroon, Violet, Russet, Yellow, and Indigo.
Animals: Dogs, Wolves, Stag, Birds of Prey (especially the Blackbird,
Owl, and Eagle), Salmon, and Goat.
Mythical Creatures: Gnomes, Sphinx, Minotaurs, Cyclops, Andamans, and
Gulons.
Stones: Yellow Topaz, Carnelian, Sapphire, Yellow Agate, Lapis Lazuli,
and Amethyst. Also, river or stream stones which have been submerged
for the Summer may be used.
Plants: Vines, Garlands (made of these various plants), Gourds, Pine
Cones, Acorns, Wheat, Dried Leaves, Corn, Pomegranate, Ivy, Hazel,
Hops, Cedar, and Tobacco.
Herbs: Myrhh, Thistles, Tobacco, Oak Leaves, Hazel, Mums, Hops,
Acorns, Marigold, Roses, Sage, Milkweed, Solomon's Seal, Asters,
Ferns, Honeysuckle, Benzoin, Passionflower, Pine, and Cedar.
Incense would include: Aloes Wood, Cinnamon, Cloves, Benzoin, Jasmine,
Frankincense, Myrrh, and Sage.
Dieties: All wine Deities (especially Dionysus and Bacchus), the
Mother aspect of the Triple Goddess, Persephone, Thor, Modron, Morgan,
Snake Woman, Epona, Pamona, Muses, Mabon, Thoth, Hermes, Hotei,
Harvest Deities, and Aging Deities.
Other: Burial Cairns, Rattles, and Sun Wheels (which can be found in
this document).
Hope you enjoyed your celebrations!
~Markus
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Editors:
Markus
Witchcraft Dawning Webmaster
http://www.oocities.com/CollegePark/4885/index.html
witchdawn@hotmail.com
&
Ralph M.
ralphmj@hotmail.com
(
geocities.com/collegepark)