MABON

about 21 September (Fall Equinox)

In times of plentiful harvest, ancient peoples have always celebrated. In the modern world--at least in the Western World--we have acquired a tendency to think of harvest celebrations as childish, unnecessary. This leaves many of us unfulfilled. Some of us need the wild, footloose feeling of a celebration to help us see the perspective of the whole, to feel truly appreciative of our labors, and to have a sense of closure. Mabon is a holiday with three main themes: celebration, grace, and balance. Although these themes are present every day, now is the time to give them your full attention.

Celebration. This is the time for looking back upon the efforts of the past--not just this year, or the last, but also of your lifetime. Look back on these efforts of yours and your fellows and congratulate yourself on a job well done. Think of those things which you have done that contributed to the community as a whole. Use this knowledge of past effort to plan future contributions.

Grace. With all of the efforts put forth by yourself, there is always work on someone else's part that allowed you to build upon it. Mabon is an excellent time to give gracious thanks to all the time and energy put forth by others to help you. The work done by others not only helps you by making your work easier, it gives you a base to build higher than you could without it. Take what materials and aid others have given you and use them to further the work you do, which in turn gives others a base to build upon.

Balance. The Autumnal Equinox is an instant--frozen in time, where our earth is at an equal facing with the sun. From this point on the days will become shorter, the nights longer and colder. It's also--mystically--a time of magickal balance. Forces of dark and light are trading places once again in their cycle. The light half of the year from the spring equinox (Oestara) until Mabon, is the best time of the year for outward turning magick, that which draws from forces and affect forces which lie outside of yourself. Spells which turn upon inner forces and mostly affect your own self will become more and more important as the dark half of the year grows in power.

As the wheel of the year turns, we ready for a funeral. The God--Mabon--who was born of the Goddess last Yule. He grew into a scrappy and energetic toddler at Imbolc. The forests were his playground, as a spritely golden-haired youth, at Oestara. At Beltane we see him with his newly-won Bride. A man in his prime at Litha. At Lughnassadh, a leader and a teacher of His people. Now, at Mabon he is a man of advancing years, still strong in intellect, but caged in a weakening body. As He looks back on the year, He knows He will die at Samhain.

The passing of Mabon is inevitable and He should be mourned. But He is not without fond remembrances of His life. So we, too, must remember--All things must end, but the ending is always a good time to celebrate our successes, thank our selves and those who helped us, and take part in the balance of life.

- Sef Uther MacEoghainn, 1997