#maponos

[dionysianivy]

𝐋𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐬

𝘨𝘰𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘩, 𝘷𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺, 𝘴𝘶𝘯, 𝘩𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨,

𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘤, 𝘱𝘰𝘦𝘵𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨

[poeticnorth]

I'm putting together an e-anthology about the Brittonic pantheon (I'm including Welsh & Arthurian figures for this as well). Details on my Lay of the North Sea blog

Seeking Writers For E-Anthology

For a while now, I’ve been wanting to put together a collection or rather an anthology of poems, myths, prayers, rituals, and so on revolvin

[snake-bites-tail]

to Mabon, son of Modron. divine son, taken son.

[faerylaw]

..... who engages in a rhyming competition with the female poet and may be linked – as is attested – to Aeongus Óg, and if this same inspired possession is the source of  Henry Vaughan's account of the poetic spirit actually entering the young shepherd in the form of a hawk carried by a “a beautifull young man with a garland of green leafs upon his head, & an hawk upon his fist: with a quiver full of arrows att his back”

->

Then is there a link between the God of Youth and the Spirit of Poetry which survives in the fragments of story making their own way through the world as episodes in a medieval tale, accounts of poetic & prophetic inspiration and illustrative glosses on words in an exegetical grammar?

But if (as argued by Robert Graves) the source of that inspiration is a goddess rather than a god, whether as Muse or, in the native tradition, the Queen of Faëry as embodied in ballads such as those about Thomas of Ercildoune or  Thomas the Rhymer Who also features in native faërie lore, or in poems such as La Belle Dame Sans Merci by John Keats which are also making their own independent ways through the world, -> Then should we, as Graves suggests, perceive a transfer of power from feminine to masculine deities as the source of inspiration as evinced by Apollo’s inspiration of the priestess at Delphi? And if so, does the release of Mabon (who was snatched from his mother when three days old) from a dungeon below Caer Loyw in Culhwch and Olwen signify a release of that prophetic and youthful power into the world by the warrior Arthur and how are we to compare this to the adoption of prophetic power by Taliesin from a brew prepared by Ceridwen whose own cauldron of Inspiration – like that retrieved from the Otherworld by Arthur – became a source of male rather than female power? Or should gender not be an issue here?

[smudgingpumpkins]

MABON

The Autumnal Equinox

When is Mabon?

It is celebrated on the day of the autumn equinox, or the midway point between the solstices. This falls on either September 21st, 22nd, 23rd, or 24th.

What does Mabon mean?

It is a celebration of the harvest, giving thanks to the natural environment and the community around you. Joy and bountifulness are revered before the upcoming hardships of winter.

Who does Mabon celebrate?

The Celtic god Maponos is closely associated with Mabon, being the god of youth, hunting, and music. The Welsh figure Mabon ap Modron is derived from Maponos, and the god Apollo is the Roman equivalent.

MABON TRADITIONS

Work with stones that promote grounding, stability, and spiritual renewal to prepare for the harsh winters, like lapis lazuli, sapphire, smoky quartz, hematite, and labradorite.

Use sweet, earthy flowers and herbs like calendulas, chrysanthemums, myrtle, milkweed, and cinnamon. These species are said to harbor antimicrobial properties and promote pulmonary aid, perfect for maintaining good health before the winter sick season.

Prepare meals that include fresh apples and bread, seasonal pumpkins, a variety of nuts, and meaty mushrooms, all signifiers of the fall season and a successful harvest. Autumn is often the ideal climate for mushroom and apple picking.

Decorate and dress yourself in fall colors, like browns, ochers, yellows, and reds.

Incorporate animal imagery (e.g., figurines, photographs, drawings, et cetera) of owls, blackbirds, squirrels, wolves, and dogs. These are creatures of hard work, diligence, and faith. Both Apollo and Maponos are said to have an affinity for hunting dogs in particular.

MABON ACTIVITIES

Enjoy a Mabon tea blend. Infuse the tea with orange, rooibos, cinnamon, and star anise and drink while hot.

Take time to rest. Practice self-care and reset your mind and body.

Take a ritual bath. Add coarse salt, drops of basil essential oil, sage, and calendula/marigold petals for a refreshing, relaxing bath.

Fill a cornucopia. Cornucopias can be made out of anything, from wood to wicker to bread dough (if you want something fully edible). Here is a great video on how to make a bread-based one at home!

Host a grand dinner. Mabon is essentially the "Pagan Thanksgiving," so enjoy baking pies and bread and dining on delicious vegetables with family or friends.

Make a Mabon altar. In the center of the altar, place an icon of Maponos or a god(dess) of your choice, and decorate around it with dried fall leaves, twigs, pinecones, acorns, and earthy-colored gemstones.

Get creative with recipes! Carlota Santos, who is the author of Magika, has a recipe for warm, sweet stuffed baked apples. Here is the recipe down below!

[hesy-bes]

Sun-Dappled Bard

O’ Maponos, Great Son, Great Sun, Son of Matrona, mother to all, you strum your harp, and I sit at your knee, listening, embracing, feeling the warmth of your wisdom flowing into my heart.

[dryadofephesus]

To Apollon

Hail Apollo! Beloved from Greece to Rome to Gaul, And of Gaul I do Honor thee, And all your faces! Shining Belenus, the sun who shines upon my skin, The healing Grannus, who tends to the sacred springs, To Maponos, the beloved bard, and keeper of the autumnal sun. O Apollon, Sanavolos I call thee, When I see your raven, I see you, When I feel the sun warming my flesh, I feel you, Bearer of the light, I adore thee!

[honoringthor]

Based on a description of a statue mentioned in the Maponos article on Wikipedia. Who do you feel this is?