Mabon
Mabon marks the second harvest festival and the autumn equinox, when day and night stand in perfect balance before the darkness begins to overtake the light. This sabbat celebrates the completion of the harvest season, encouraging reflection on balance, gratitude, and preparation for the coming winter. It’s a time of giving thanks for the abundance we’ve received while acknowledging the necessity of rest and introspection as we move into the darker half of the year.
History & Origins
Though the name “Mabon” is relatively modern, derived from Welsh mythology, the autumn equinox has been celebrated across cultures throughout history. Ancient Greeks told the story of Persephone returning to the underworld, marking the beginning of autumn. Celtic traditions celebrated this time as a harvest festival, while Chinese culture celebrates the Moon Festival. These celebrations universally share themes of gathering the last harvest, honoring balance, and preparing for winter.
Modern Celebrations
Modern celebrations focus on gratitude, balance, and preparation. Practitioners often create altars with harvest bounty, preserve foods, and perform rituals of thanksgiving. Many celebrate with feast gatherings, sharing the abundance of harvest with family and friends. This is also an excellent time for divination, meditation on balance, and spellwork for protection and security during the coming winter months.
Correspondences
Deities & Their Domains
- Mabon ap Modron (Divine Youth)
- Persephone (Underworld Queen)
- Demeter (Harvest Mother)
- Morgan (Fate)
- The Morrigan (Sovereignty)
- Pomona (Orchards)
- Thoth (Balance)
- Herne the Hunter (Wild Hunt)
- Green Man (Nature’s Cycle)
- Dionysus (Wine, Harvest)
- Inanna (Balance)
- Osiris (Death and Rebirth)
Botanicals & Meanings
- Apple (Love, Healing)
- Grape (Fertility, Prosperity)
- Pine (Purification, Protection)
- Oak (Strength, Wisdom)
- Wheat (Prosperity, Abundance)
- Marigold (Protection, Success)
- Thistle (Protection, Strength)
- Sage (Wisdom, Cleansing)
- Bay (Protection, Success)
- Rosemary (Remembrance, Protection)
- Hazel (Wisdom, Protection)
- Blackberry (Abundance, Protection)
- Acorns (Prosperity, Protection)
- Maple (Love, Longevity)
Crystals & Meanings
- Amber (Protection, Healing)
- Citrine (Abundance, Success)
- Tiger’s Eye (Balance, Grounding)
- Sapphire (Wisdom, Protection)
- Lapis Lazuli (Truth, Balance)
- Red Jasper (Grounding, Protection)
- Smoky Quartz (Grounding, Protection)
- Yellow Agate (Balance, Harmony)
- Carnelian (Motivation, Protection)
- Black Tourmaline (Protection)
- Moss Agate (Balance, Growth)
- Mahogany Obsidian (Grounding)
Colors & Meanings
- Brown (Earth, Grounding)
- Orange (Energy, Success)
- Gold (Abundance, Prosperity)
- Red (Strength, Vitality)
- Yellow (Intelligence, Communication)
- Burgundy (Power, Wealth)
- Dark Green (Growth, Abundance)
- Purple (Spirituality, Wisdom)
Tarot Associations
- Justice (Balance, Karma)
- Two of Pentacles (Balance)
- Ten of Pentacles (Abundance)
- Temperance (Balance, Moderation)
- The World (Completion)
- Nine of Pentacles (Abundance)
- King of Pentacles (Material Success)
- Wheel of Fortune (Cycles)
Timing Correspondences
- Day of Week: Wednesday
- Time of Day: Sunset/Dusk
- Moon Phase: Full Moon
Altar Decorations
- Autumn leaves
- Harvest fruits
- Pinecones
- Acorns
- Balance scales
- Cornucopias
- Gourds
- Wine
- Dried herbs
- Fall flowers
- Wheat sheaves
- Autumn wreaths
- Pomegranates
- Apples
- Harvest tools
Foods & Beverages
- Apple Cider
- Harvest Wine
- Pomegranate Seeds
- Root Vegetables
- Squash Soup
- Apple Pie
- Mulled Wine
- Harvest Bread
- Roasted Nuts
- Wild Game
- Grape Dishes
- Pumpkin Foods
- Root Vegetable Stew
- Spiced Beverages
- Harvest Grains
Animal Correspondences
- Owl (Wisdom)
- Blackbird (Magic)
- Wolf (Teaching)
- Crow (Prophecy)
- Deer (Gentleness)
- Fox (Cunning)
- Bear (Preparation)
- Squirrel (Planning)
- Hawk (Balance)
- Snake (Transformation)
Intention Keywords
- Balance
- Harmony
- Gratitude
- Abundance
- Protection
- Preparation
- Completion
- Wisdom
- Justice
- Security
- Reflection
- Transformation
- Harvest
- Release
- Planning
Magical Practices
- Balance Rituals
- Gratitude Ceremonies
- Protection Spells
- Abundance Magic
- Harvest Blessings
- Wine Blessing
- Apple Divination
- Preservation Magic
- Justice Spells
- Wisdom Seeking
- Releasing Rituals
- Transformation Work
- Ancestor Honoring
- Future Planning
- Completion Rites
- Food Preservation Blessing
- Equinox Meditation
- Harvest Thanksgiving
- Balance Assessment
- Winter Preparation Rituals
