Sabbats: Mabon the Second Harvest
Read this on THEBONEGENERATION website.
September is here and quickly moving onward. It is the Autumnal Equinox.
The cold wind is picking up, and the rains have made themselves known. It is the second harvest, the beloved “Witches Thanksgiving.”
This Sabbat is pronounced: May-Bone or Mah-bun
Northern Hemisphere (September 21st-23rd) Southern Hemisphere (March 21st-23rd)
Origins:
Mabon is the name of the” Great Son”, a Welsh god. He is often depicted to be a hunter with a horse and hound. He is brandishing a bow and arrow.
-Others would connect the Goddess Demeter (the mother of Persephone, Greek) and Hades to a slightly different story.
The Stories:
Mabon is the son of Modron ( The Great Mother) and when he was 3 days old, he was stolen by an unknown entity and was left to die in the forest. The forest elders (a Stag, Blackbird, Owl, Eagle, and Salmon) returned him to Modron, to live in the underworld.
Many varieties of this story has been told and embellished, one of which was King Arthur who saved the child and returned Mabon to his mother.
~
Demeter was the goddess of grain and harvest and was devastated when her daughter was abducted by Hades to live as his bride in the underworld. She demanded from Zeus to bring her daughter Persephone back, but he did not make any such action. Demeter, furious that she was being ignored, halted the growing of the crops and harvest, forcing Zeus to help her retrieve her daughter. Zeus stated that he would bring her back, given that she had not eaten anything in the underworld. Persephone had eaten 6 pomegranate seeds and thus, due to Demeter’s pressuring ultimatum, Zeus determined Persephone would live 6 months in the Underworld, and 6 months with her mother.
The 6 months vs 6 months are derived from the Greek calendar which varied from islands and inland as well as Roman ties.
Symbolism:
Mabon is closely associated with Beer and Wine, represented by the Greek god of wine: Bacchus (Greek). Grape vines are used in crafting wreaths as well as crowns to celebrate the season of plenty. He was also the reason for theater, and is depicted as one of a few dying gods. Aging gods are depicted during this time, for they represent the seasons, from harvest and sun, to the sleepy blanket of snow and death.
Baking:
Baking pies are a great way to make your way back to the roots of your love for fall, and you can carve sigils to dedicate your pie to your deity. Seasonal fruits such as Apple, Strawberry, Marionberry (Blackberry), Hazelnut, and pecan are great flavors to create.
Reflection and Activities:
This is the Sabbat of peace, happiness, warmth, and bettering ourselves. With this said, this Sabbat is focused on forgiveness, Letting go, kindness, and sharing. (I struggle with forgiveness, but I remind myself there is a time and place for it in certain situations.) And so, because it is the Autumnal Equinox, we are reminded that this Sabbat represents Balance as well as Equality. This is specific to the equality and balance between night and day, drifting towards longer nights and shorter days. You can keep a journal and reflect on the latest years on how much you have learned and grown. Bring Apples to burial sites to show respect towards the dead; that they have not been forgotten after all this time.
Crafts and Tools:
ɸ Cornacopia: A weaved wide horn created as a symbol of harvest. Holds fruits of the harvest. This can be used on an Altar.
ɸ Apple Offering Bowls: For any god of goddess you choose to honor, you can put your offerings within the bowl to show your gratitude.
ɸ Herb Brooms: Tie Herbs you associate with this holiday or your deity to a medium sized twig. You can hand this broom with broom side pointing down the dry properly. As besom making is upon us, we prepare to create our larger version of the broom in Samhain.
ɸ Wicker men: -Are created to burn away our bad habits, negative thoughts, and other things we wish to be rid of before the winter. You can bind a bundle of sticks in the form of a man with a piece of paper or bay leaf with a desired habit, (etc) folded inside. Once cast into a bonfire or even a hearth the burning banishes your cast away thoughts and helps lift your burdens away with the smoke it creates. These do fall under the category of the Corn Husk Dolls as well.
ɸ Grapevine Wreaths: To bend into a circle, we recognize the the cycle of life marches onward, as we are on the cusp of aging and death.
ɸ Rainwater: Collect rainwater to use in spells.
Correspondences:
Gods/Goddesses: Any Aging Deities (Such as Geras, Greek), Wine deities (Such as Bacchus, Greek), Persephone (Greek), Modron (Welsh), Mabon (Welsh), Thor (Norse),Morrigan (Ireland), Epona (Gallo-Roman), Thoth (Egyptian), Hermes (Greek), Snake Woman (Aztec), Pomona (Roman).
There are many more gods and goddesses to find that fit this description. (If you are not familiar with these deities you can assign your own based off of the theme of the sun, agriculture, and harvest)
Direction: North, South, East, and West (For thanking each corner of the earth)
Time: Sunset to sunset
Element: Water
Colors: Red, Orange, Gold, Maroon, Yellow.
Objects For your Altar: Pomegranate, Acorns, Fall leaves, Pine cones, Fruit pits, Tobacco, Wheat, Apples, Berries, Fall Vegetables, Cornucopia, Grapes, Grapevine, Nuts, Dried fruit, Beer, Wine.
Disclaimer: I am always adding more information if I find my original writing to be incorrect. If you want to share with me new evidence to update any information, I would be happy to receive a note from the Contact Me page.
I am aware that some practice with rigid rules and regulations. As a solitary witch, I work as close as I can to these practices but also have many alternatives to work with to receive the same result. These alternatives are specifically noted for those who are learning to embrace the craft.
Always be safe, go with your gut, and don’t let anyone belittle you in the way you practice.
Resources:
https://wicca.com/celtic/akasha/mabon.htm
https://www.thoughtco.com/all-about-mabon-the-autumn-equinox-2562286
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mabon
http://www.earthwitchery.com/mabon.html
https://demetersgarden.net/demeter.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Greek_calendars
http://www.crystalinks.com/bacchus.html
http://www.magickalwinds.com/info/2009/09/03/mabon-all-you-need-to-know/
