Mabon is one of the eight solar holidays or Sabbats celebrated by pagans.
It is celebrated around the autumn equinox, which in the northern hemisphere is September 21-25 and in the southern hemisphere is March 21-25.
Also called Harvest Home or simply Autumn Equinox, this holiday is a ritual of thanksgiving for the fruits of the earth and a recognition of the need to share them to secure the blessings of the Goddess and God during the winter months.
Mabone is the second of the three harvest festivals, preceded by Lammas and followed by Samhain.
Set up your Quarter candles (North-Green, East-Yellow, South-Red, West-Blue) or if doing your ritual outside under the nearly full Moon – you can use leaves, stones, and other natural found items to mark your quarters. Set up your altar as desired, and face it to the North, covering it with the altar cloth. Arrange items listed below on it, note the order you might need them in your ritual. For this ceremony, decorate your Altar with a cornucopia filled with harvest items, and whatever else feels right. In addition to your usual tools you will want some or all of these items:
Red or Brown Altar Cloth
Five candles: a White pillar for the Goddess;
Tapers for the Quarters- Green; Yellow; Red and blue
A cornucopia filled with Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
A Red Apple
Bolline or another Sharp Knife (for cutting the Apple)
Altar Pentacle or a Plate (to cut the apple on)
A Bell or gong
Wand decorated with Colored Ribbons.
A Wicker Basket
Incense – Any of the following either alone or mixed in an Autumn Blend:
Frankincense, Jasmine, Cinnamon, Clove, Benzoin, Myrrh, or Sage smudge if you prefer.
Before your ritual, it is traditional to have a body purification bath, and a robe or other ritual attire. Add sea salt, rosemary and bay leaf to the bath, a little Cinnamon essential oil can enhance your experience.
Afterward, sit quietly and meditate for a little while – to ground and center before beginning your Ritual. When you feel ready to begin, play soft and peaceful music for the ritual. Light the incense you have prepared. After it is steadily burning, light the white Goddess candle on your Altar.
Cast your circle, then begin the Mabon Sabbat Ceremony by softly speaking your dedication:
“Lady Autumn, Queen of the Harvest,
I have seen You in the setting Sun,
with Your long auburn tresses
blowing in the cool air that surrounds You.
Your crown of golden leaves is jeweled
with amber, amethyst, and rubies.
Your long flowing purple robe
stretches across the horizon.
In Your hands, You hold the ripened fruits.
At Your feet, the squirrels gather acorns.
Black crows perch on Your outstretched arms.
All around You the leaves are falling.
You sit upon Your throne and watch the dying fires
of the setting Sun shine forth its final colors in the sky.
The purple and orange lingers and glows
like burning embers.
Then all colors fade into the twilight.
Lady Autumn, You are here at last.
I thank You for Your rewards.
I have worked hard for these gifts.
Lady Autumn, now grant me peace and rest.”
When you are ready, pick up your wand and hold it in your power hand, face the North and with your arms outstretched (kneel or stand) and say:
“The Wheel of the Year turns the circle of life,
bringing us all to and from every Season.
What will be, is. What was, will always be.
Eternity past and present,
here and now in this Sacred Space.
As the Wheel turns we acknowledge life’s purpose
and cast a Sacred Circle on this Equinox
to celebrate and give thanks honoring Mabon,
the time of the Second Harvest.
In this moment between all of time
I give praise to the bountiful Goddess
and Her consort, the God of the Harvest.
I wish to give thanks and feel wholly
an integral part of the endlessly turning
wheel of life, death, and rebirth.
To the Great God of Wine and the Harvest,
who is acknowledged in Mabon celebrations,
grant me strength and understanding
in this harvest season and through times ahead.
To the Great Goddess of the Harvest and the Underworld,
who is acknowledged in Mabon celebrations,
teach me the secrets of the Mysteries and the ways of true Magick.”
Place the wand on your Altar, spread your hands out over the Harvest Altar and say these words:
“The time of change is upon us again –
the Equinox comes, the Wheel turns…
The Goddess and God prepare for
Their journey to the Otherworld,
as the Earth and all of Her children
prepare for the time of quiet and
the reflection that lies ahead…
May I use this Autumnal period to
seek for the strength and power within
to assist me on my own quest for
vision, feeling, and peace…
May I see and feel the presence of
the Goddess and the God within,
though without,
the Earth begins Her slumber…
Keep me in Your light…”
Face North and raise your arms in greeting:
“Between the worlds, I build this sacred altar.
Outside of time, this rite leads to the ancient way.
My Goddess returns to the Underworld.
Weep not, Earth Mother,
For the Divine Child of love is here.”
Lift the basket and face East:
“Although the Light is fading,
It shall return to the Earth.”
Face the South:
“The cold of winter comes,
But only for a short time.”
Face the west:
“Goddess returns to the Underworld.
The Earth shall lie in slumber
Until the Light of this Divine Child
Once more grows in strength and shines full upon us.”
Place the basket on the floor before the altar. Ring the bell three times.
Take your Bolline in your power hand and the apple in the other:
“Reveal to me your hidden secrets
That I may come to understand your sacred Mysteries.”
On your Altar paten, cut the apple crosswise to reveal the pentagram in the core:
“In life is death, in death life.
All must follow the sacred dance into the cauldron,
Time after time, to die and be reborn.
Help me to remember that
Every beginning has an ending
And that every ending has a new beginning.”
Taste the apple and ask for a blessing:
Comfort and protect me in my times of tribulation.
Instruct me into the Mysteries.
You and the spirits have the power
To lead me to new understanding.”
Now is the time to perform any spellworking you planned for your Sabbat celebration. Appropriate Spellwork for Mabon includes those for protection, wealth and prosperity, security and spells to bring a feeling of self-confidence.
When you are done, be sure to release the power you have raised, thank the Goddess and the spirits who assisted in your work.
If you have other participants or guests, it is traditional to share “cakes and ale”, which can be any Autumn appropriate muffins, carrot cakes, and wine or apple cider.”
Blessed be~
MAGICKWYRD 