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Mabon Lughnasadh

   
Mabon
By Jonathan
September 22 holds the date for the next Sabbath: Mabon (pronounced "MAY-bon") this marks the Second Harvest of the Celtic/Pagan year. The actual time of Mabon is when the sun reaches 15 degrees of Libra

The turning of the wheel now brings us to Mabon; the second of the three harvest Sabbaths. Mabon is also the Autumn Equinox the time of the year when night and day are of equal length, from which point the dark begins to dominate the light. The month of September also marks the "Wine Moon," the lunar cycle when grapes are harvested from the arbors, pressed and put away to become wine...a favorite drink of Pagans everywhere. Early Pagans considered wine and grapevines sacred as well. Reaching its height of popularity in the eighth century BCE, the following of Dionysus, a God of Resurrection, honored wine and the grapes are symbols of rebirth and transformation. Generally, wine is associated with the God; Goddess with bread created from the grain crops.

Theologically, the story of the Wheel often varies depending on the Tradition. The Wheel gives the accounts of the mythological events that repeat throughout the year as well as a vague "history" of the Gods and Goddesses involved within the pantheon. For those who are new to the craft, by "Tradition" we mean "denomination"; for example Wicca, Celtic, Druid, Northern European etc. On the more practical side, the Wheel trains us to deal with death and the inevitability of re-birth that follows. Paganism teaches that death is a natural function of life and is the beginning of a new experience and something to be celebrated not feared.

Mabon marks the Second Harvest, the end of the grain harvest (which begun at Lughnasadh), and rests on the Autumnal Equinox. This Equinox shows us the dwindling of life (and eventual progression to rebirth), as well as the struggle for balance; day and night are equal for a single day. The European peasantry celebrated this Sabbath on September 25th; actually, the Celts marked their days from sundown to sundown, so the Mabon celebration started on sundown of the 24th.

Today, with the help of our technology, we can calculate the exact day of the Equinox; the date when the sun reaches 15 degrees of Libra, the Balanced Scales. September 25th is also a medieval holiday which the Roman Church Christianized under the label of "Michaelmas," a feast in honor of the Archangel Michael, which is somewhat appropriate considering it is a festival of the God. The Roman Catholic Church at some point considered assigning the quarter dates to the four Archangels, since they had assigned the cross quarters to the four gospel-writers. This Sabbath is also known as the Second Harvest Festival, Feast of Avalon, Cornucopia, Wine Harvest, Festival of Dionysus, the Fall Equinox, Harvest Home, the Autumnal (or Autumn) Equinox and Winter Finding. The full moon closest to the Autumn Equinox is called the Harvest Moon and/or the Wine Moon. In the tradition of the Goddess Sonoma (Northern California) this moon is known as the Crush Moon. Farmers harvest their corps by this moonlight as part of the Second Harvest celebration.

Mabon is similar to our modern American Thanksgiving. Most of the crops have been reaped and abundance is more noticeable than ever. Mabon is the time when we reap the fruits of our labors and lessons, both in crops and experiences. It is a time of joy and cause to celebrate all that is passing, looking joyously at the experiences that the Year has shared with us. We are reminded once again of the cycles of the universe; endings are just new beginnings.

Here in Northern California, as part of the Sonoma Tradition, this is the time of going from The Golden Season to the Green Season, so effort is also made to celebrate the now emanate life giving winter rains that bring life back into a heat parched land. Natural energies are aligned towards protection, wealth, prosperity, security, and boosting self-confidence. Any spells or rituals centered on balance and harmony are appropriate.

The tale of Mabon ap Modron, the Welsh God, (the "great son of the great mother"), also known as the Son of Light, the Young Son, or Divine Youth, is celebrated. The Equinox is also the birth of Mabon, from his mother Modron, the Guardian of the Outer world, the Healer, the Protector, the Earth. Mabon was taken after he was a mere three nights old (some variations of the legend say he was taken after three years). Through the wisdom of the living animals, the Stag, Blackbird, Owl, Eagle and Salmon, Mabon is freed from his mysterious captivity. With strength and lessons gained within the Magickal Outer world (Modron's womb), Mabon is soon reborn as his mother's Champion, the Son of Light, wielding the strength and wisdom acquired during his captivity.

Also, (from a variation in legend) the Equinox is the day of the year when the god of light, Lugh, is defeated by the god of darkness, Lugh's twin and alter ego, Tanist. The night conquers day. The tales state that the Equinox is the only day that Lugh is vulnerable and the possibility of his defeat exists. Lugh stands on the balance (Autumn Equinox-Libra) with one foot on the goat (Winter Solstice-Capricorn) and the other on the cauldron (Summer Solstice-Cancer). He is betrayed by Blodeuwedd, the Virgin (Virgo) and transformed into an Eagle (Scorpio).

Two events occur rapidly with Lugh's defeat. Tanist, having beaten Lugh, now takes over Lugh's place both as King of our world and lover to the Goddess Tailltiu. Although Tanist now sits on Lugh's throne, his official induction does not take place for another six weeks at Samhain, the beginning of winter, when he becomes the Dark King, the Winter Lord, and the Lord of Misrule. He mates with Tailltiu, who conceives, and will give birth nine months later (at the Summer Solstice) to her son, another incarnation of Tanist himself, the Dark Child.

Lugh's sacrifice represents not only the sun's dying power, but also the cycle of rebirth, his energy remaining within the crops we have since harvested. An incarnate (of Lugh) corn spirit was thought to specifically reside within the last stalk (or stock), which was traditionally dressed in fine clothes and decorations, or woven into a wicker man-shaped form. This symbolic decoration was then harvested and carried from the field to be burned with rejoicing for the spirits release and Lugh's upcoming rebirth.

Decorations and Activities:
Dressing a corn stalk in cloths and burning it in celebration of the harvest and upcoming rebirth.

Simple altar decorations can be obtained by taking a walk through local woods and collecting leaves, acorns, berries and other things symbolic of nature's bounty. You may chose to sprinkle Autumn leaves around the house and on the sides of walk ways as decoration, though this may not be convenient if one doesn't enjoy the cleanup. Alternately, the changing leaves can be dipped in paraffin and put on wax paper. After the leaves dry, they may be placed around the house or in large jars with runes of protection and/or abundance carved lightly into them.

Going through your personal gardens with thanks and lovingly harvesting what is ready is also appropriate. Breads may be baked in the shape of the God, combining fruits, vegetables or grains and incorporating these major symbols of this Harvest. The seeds of various plants are stored through winter for replanting, and therefore, the plant's rebirth in the Spring. A feast for friends and family always provides a cheerful abundance of energy and thanks.

Additional seeds and grains can be set out as offering to our fellow creatures, and provide a healthy chance for the critters to join in the celebrations as well. Symbolic designs can be made out of the sprinklings if one chooses. Those less fortunate should not be omitted from the celebration.

Furthermore, it is a time to honor the elders, who have devoted so much time and energy to our growth and development. Something special is in order for these gracious people.

Symbolic of Mabon:

Foodstuffs: Grapes, Acorns, Wheat Bread, Goat, Indian Corn, Cornbread, Corn, Root Crops, Nuts, Dried Fruits, Apples, Beans, and Squash.

Drinks: Wine, Ale, and Cider.

Colors: Red, Deep Gold, Orange, Brown, Maroon, Violet, Russet, Yellow, and Indigo.

Animals: Dogs, Wolves, Stag, Birds of Prey (especially the Blackbird, Owl, and Eagle), Salmon, and Goat.

Mythical Creatures: Gnomes, Sphinx, Minotaurs, Cyclops, Andaman, and Gulons.

Stones: Yellow Topaz, Carnelian, Sapphire, Yellow Agate, Lapis Lazuli, and Amethyst. Also, river or stream stones that have been submerged for the Summer may be used.

Plants: Vines, Garlands (made of these various plants), Gourds, Pine Cones, Acorns, Wheat, Dried Leaves, Corn, Pomegranate, Ivy, Hazel, Hops, Cedar, and Tobacco.

Herbs: Myrrh, Thistles, Tobacco, Oak Leaves, Hazel, Mums, Hops, Acorns, Marigold, Roses, Sage, Milkweed, Solomon's Seal, Asters, Ferns, Honeysuckle, Passionflower, Pine, and Cedar.

Incense would include: Aloes Wood, Cinnamon, Cloves, Jasmine, Frankincense, Myrrh, and Sage.

Deities: All wine Deities (especially Dionysus and Bacchus), the Mother aspect of the Triple Goddess, Persephone, Thor, Modron, Morgan, Snake Woman, Epona, Pomona, Muses, Mabon, Thoth, Hermes, Hotei, Harvest Deities, and Aging Deities.