Mabon is the Pagan holiday to celebrate Autumn Equinox AKA the first day of Fall. In the Northern Hemisphere at 9:03PM on Thursday September 22nd, the Earth is perfectly aligned sideways to the Sun. In other words, the Sun will be exactly above Earth's equator, moving from North to South. As a result, day and night will be nearly equal in length, throughout the world. On this day all is balanced; the dark and the light, the masculine and the feminine. This is the time to prepare for enlightenment and healing. All things must die in order to be reborn. This is especially true when Mercury is in Retrograde! For everything there is a season.
This is a time of reflection and gratitude. It is also a time for preparation. The long winter is coming.
We use this season of Autumn to process and thank all the lessons this year has brought thus far. This is also a time to release. As the trees release the leaves, so do we release all things which no longer serve us. We thank each mistake so that we can honor the lesson!
I asked my Coven Sisters how they will honor this time. My sister Angelina who is the Maiden of our Coven will be breaking out her fall decorations and adorning her home with celebrations of fall. She will also pack away some of her summer clothing items and summer decor. My sister Nicole who is the Crone of our Coven will continue her journaling and doodling practice in her calendar and will spend time in meditation and barefoot in her yard. As the Mother in our Coven, my own preparation will include starting a new daily gratitude journal and a calendar of myself and my family's fall schedule.
This historically has been the hardest time of year for me as I suffer from Seasonal Affectiveness Disorder(SAD). The transition to this next season has not always been gentle on my heart. I will be including things in my schedule like daily cardio and weekly therapy, 12 step meetings, and time outdoors. Since we Homeschool, I will also do some Fall crafting projects with my children and use the seasons shift as an opportunity to educate them. Next week we will visit a farm festival as a family.
If you would like to celebrate and honor this time, you can be simple or extravagant in your practice. Something as simple as a gratitude list or putting the shorts and tank tops away for the year can be enough. Perhaps you want to perform a ritual such as celebrating a meal with Autumn themed dishes or to decorate your home in Autumn themes. No matter how you choose to celebrate, be intentional. Go within yourself and see what old habit, belief, or idea you need to release. This is a time of dying in order to be reborn in the spring.
"To everything (turn, turn, turn)
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)
And a time to every purpose, under heaven
A time to be born, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weep
To everything (turn, turn, turn)
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)
And a time to every purpose, under heaven
A time to build up, a time to break down
A time to dance, a time to mourn
A time to cast away stones, a time to gather stones together
To everything (turn, turn, turn)
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)
And a time to every purpose, under heaven
A time of love, a time of hate
A time of war, a time of peace
A time you may embrace, a time to refrain from embracing
To everything (turn, turn, turn)
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)
And a time to every purpose, under heaven
A time to gain, a time to lose
A time to rend, a time to sew
A time for love, a time for hate
A time for peace, I swear it's not too late"
-The Byrds
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