also called Mabon, Second Harvest, Harvest Home, etc. date varies from year to year, typically on or near September 21st; calculated as the sun at 0 degrees Libra. a Lesser Sabbat, one of two equinoxes, days where darkness and light are evenly balanced the second Sabbat in the season of Water a continuation of what began at Lammas; the second phase of the harvest comes in - storage squash, potatoes, carrots, tree crops like apples, pears, plums. Grapes are harvested and made into wine. days lengthen and darken; the Wheel of the Year ends here and turns anew at Samhain the Goddess prepares to say farewell to the God until his rebirth at Yule; the God becomes an old man, his strength and vitality sacrificed to the harvest. themes include the balance of light and dark, giving thanks and praise to the harvest and to the God for his gifts this year, giving thanks for our food, acknowledging the growing darkness and preparing for it, preparing for Winter Symbols
fallen autumn foliage cornucopias acorns hazelnuts harvested crops sickles and scythes apples gourds and squashes stags colours include deep blue, indigo, harvest gold, reds, browns, silver, and gold. Activities
bringing in the harvest create a harvest display making cider; mulling cider baking with autumn fruits making wine gathering seed pods for spring planting collect leaves and other objects to decorate an altar create a magical necklace out of acorns or hazelnuts make apple dolls create a corn broom or besom making offerings to the land preparing your home for cold weather go for a walk to see fall foliage go for a hay-ride at night have a bonfire with friends meditate on thankfulness Food
Food at Mabon is all about the bounty of the harvest's peak, as all the crops that have grown all year finish and must be brought in before Samhain. Rich, hearty food to fortify against the growing cold are the order of the day.
roast turkey, goose, or chicken venison red wine apple cider (hard or soft) root vegetables of all kinds; potatoes, carrots, parsnips, turnips. cabbage squashes apple and pear dishes of all kind hearty grain breads Gemstones and Minerals
Fluorite Garnet Iolite Labradorite Lapis lazuli Sapphire Tiger's Eye Tourmaline Herbs, Oils, and Resins
Allspice - compassion, love, renewal. Cedar - fire, longevity, physical energy, strength, success. Hazel - change, inspiration, self-sacrifice, wisdom Oak - commanding, confidence, courage, fertility, longevity, magic, prosperity, protection, retention, strength, success, virility, wealth. Oakmoss - clairvoyance, divination, exorcism, grounding, magic, spell-breaking. Patchouli - boosts spells, calming, commanding, love, relaxation, peace, sensuality, spell-breaking. Poppy- clairvoyance, commanding, compassion, divination, dreams, fertility, gain, harmony, love, peace, prosperity, rest, sleep, tranquility, wealth. Red Sandalwood - fidelity, honesty, love, protection. Thistle - cleansing, prosperity, protection, spell-breaking. Tobacco - cleansing, healing, purification, substitute for sulfur. (*Warning* - Toxic when consumed.) Willow - compassion, consecration, divination, endings, exorcism, gentleness, prevents nightmares, prevents theft, release, spell-breaking. (*Warning* - contains saliscin, which converts to salicylic acid when ingested. This is the active ingredient in aspirin. Can cause stomach upset if ingested.) Incense Recipe
This is my own recipe for a Autumn Equinox incense; it is loose, and meant to be burnt on charcoal. A part is simply whatever you choose to use as a measure. A 'few drops' is to your taste, but typically less than ten drops per ounce of incense.
2 pt. red sandalwood 2 pt. willow bark 1 pt. allspice berries 1 pt. oak 1 pt. oakmoss 1 pt. patchouli leaf 1 pt. poppy seeds A few drops of oakmoss oil
