Autumn is a second spring, when every leaf is a flower.

Merry and Bright Mabon!

The autumnal equinox has come and gone. Mabon fell on September 23rd this year, and I'm a day late in getting my post up. I have to say however, that I am so happy to see autumn here. It is absolutely my favorite time of the year. I love the feel of the brisk mornings and the amazing colors. Although autumn is the time when the leaves begin to die, the earth comes alive with color, the trees look as if they are on fire.

"How beautifully the leaves grow old. How full of light and color in their last days." -John Burroughs

I am fortunate to live in the Tennessee Valley where we are surrounded by mountains. Fall is always so beautiful here, I hate to see it come to an end as the last leaves flutter to the ground.

Mabon

The Autumnal Equinox signals the descent of the Goddess into her long winter sleep. We see the decline of nature and the coming winter. We reap the benefits of our sowing and planting. At the moment of the Equinox the sun's strength diminishes until the Winter Solstice and the day and night are of equal length. From this point on the days become shorter, and the nights longer.

Mabon is a witch's thanksgiving, our time to appreciate and give thanks to the Goddess for her bounty and to share in the joys of the harvest and pay our respects to the impending dark. Even if you don't grow your own food and buy only from the grocery store, those things come from the earth as well. Now is also the time to give thanks for a our personal growth and harvests through out this year. We celebrate the aging Goddess as she passes from Mother to Crone, and her consort the God as he prepares for death and re-birth

Mabon Symbology: Wine, acorns, seeds, grains, apples, ivy vines, horn of plenty, pine cones
Mabon Foods: Breads, nuts, vegetables from the soil such as potatoes, carrots, and onions
Mabon Herbal: Thistle, rose, sage, passion flower, marigold, myrrh, honeysuckle, ferns, acorn, saffron, almond leaves, chamomile, yarrow.
Mabon Colors: Red, russet, orange, brown, gold, orange
Mabon Incense: Pine, sage, myrrh, marigold, fern.
Mabon Celebration: Harvest the fruits of your labor. Gather your herbs and vegetables from your gardens and don't forget to scatter an offering of thanks back to the soil. Offer libation to trees, offerings of ciders, wines, herbs, and fertilizers are appropriate.

Happy Equinox and Harvest Home!
Bright Blessings to all!