Mabon

 

Autumn Equinox – September 22nd.  This is the time of balance, and for protective magic.  This is one of my favourite Sabbats!  The colours are browns and russet to represent the autumn leaves.  My altar is decorated with leaves and rose hips and I burn incense of cinnamon or ginger or pine.  I also include fruits such as brambles, apples and pomegranate which I later give as an offering.  A suitable libation is elderberry or bramble wine, or oak leaf wine if you can get it.  My feast is usually a stew with bread and apple pie!

This Sabbat is sacred to Persephone – hence the use of pomegranates on my altar set up.  Part of your ritual might include a spell to ask the Goddess for protection.

Mabon rituals – in my opinion – should be performed outside, preferably in nearby woods or the seclusion of your garden.  It is a good time to connect with the spirits of the woods and again honour the Green Man.  As we are entering the dark season, this is a special time for me, it is a time for creativity, study and tool making; and is a time for meditation.  This is a turning point in the seasons which I think is why I ‘feel’ this time more than others, as winter is just around the corner.

As we saw the death of John Barleycorn at Lughnasadh, at Mabon we witness the battle between the Sun Lord and the Oak King.  

Here is my own ritual used at Mabon for several years, which I have adapted over time.  Every ritual is personal to the individual, so you may like to take little bits from several rituals to create something unique – or write your own rituals (let your imagination go wild!).

 

Mabon Ritual

 

Raise circle and call quarters:

 

Hail to the Guardians of the Watchtower of the East, spirits of spear and thought, lend forth your power and your strength.  Hail blessed spirits of air and sky, cloud and breeze.  Spirits of inspiration and spring; spirit of the eagle and sylphs; of incense and of the dawn, we ask that you bless us with your presence for this rite of celebration.

Hail to the Guardians of the Watchtower of the South, spirits of sword and will, lend forth your power and strength.  Hail blessed spirits of fire and art and passion.  Spirits of summer and the sun and noon, spirits of salamanders and lion and the magical Phoenix, we ask that you bless us with your presence for this rite of celebration.

Hail to the Guardians of the Watchtower of the West, spirits of cup and emotion; lend forth your power and strength.  Hail blessed spirits of water and fertility.  Spirits of Autumn and twilight hours, spirits of the sea and ocean creatures, of rain and divination.  Spirits of undines and snake, we ask that you bless us with your presence for this rite of celebration.

Hail to the guardians of the Watchtower of the North, spirits of disc and matter; lend forth your power and strength.  Hail blessed spirits of earth and healing, of rock and stone and crystals.  Spirits of Winter and midnight and gnomes; and of sphinx and bull.  Spirits of mountains and fields, we ask that you bless us with your presence for this rite of celebration.

 

Hail Lady of Earth and Lord of Sky, be with me this night as my light and counsel.  I call to you in love and trust.  

Hail Lady of all Abundance and Lord of the Harvest, I am a child of the Goddess, I walk the path of the Ancients, I ask that you lend energy to this rite of thanks and celebration.

As above so as below.

So mote it be!

 

(Sit in contemplation; think about the promises made at Imbolg and their progress thus far.  Think about personal harvest, of those plans that have come to fruition and those yet to be fulfilled.  When ready, if not already done so at beginning of the rite, burn or bury any ‘negativities’ brought along.  Take time to think about each one as you banish it, picture it leaving you and see yourself now happier and more fulfilled without the weight of it burdening you.  As you send it away, do so with love.)

 

The wheel turns on to Autumn time, when night and day are equal.  The battle between the light and dark is won and the Oak King gives up his reign in favour of the Holly King.  We bid farewell to the Sun Lord, Lugh, borne to us at Yule, and welcome Herne.  May his reign be strong and his protection be steadfast.

 

I celebrate the gain. The fruits and all of the Earth’s abundance.  Recognising the outgoing and the incoming spiral.  Every end is followed by beginning.

 

Communion:

 

Thank you Lord for this life giving bread, may we share in the nature’s harvest.

Thank you Lady for the wine, given from the fruits of your harvest.

 

Libation.

 

Blessed spirits of the … thank you for your power and presence, merry meet, merry part, merry meet again.

 

Thank you Lord and Lady for your presence and energy, hail and farewell.

 

The rite is ended; the circle remains open but not broken.

Blessed be!