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Autumn Equinox/Mabon Northern Hemisphere September 21st Southern Hemisphere March 21st Seasonal Relevancy At this time of year, there’s an equal balance of light and dark, summer and winter, male and female. The second grain harvest is brought in, the fruits are ready and the animal hunt begins. Mythological Relevancy There’s equilibrium between male and female energies again so this festival honours the balance between good and bad, light and dark, male and female. It is a time of universal balance across all spiritual and physical elements. Popular Traditions Save some ears of corn or grain from the harvest to make into a Brigid's Cross at Imbolg. Keep the corn or grain ears safe and dry within your home ready for use. A Contemporary Autumn Equinox - Mabon Ritual The altar should be decorated with different fruits and vegetables. There should be a basket of apples with one apple for every two people present and a knife. An empty cauldron sits in the circle centre. Cast the circle as normal if there are no visitors present, otherwise, omit the circle casting. The High Priestess opens the ritual saying; “The Autumn Equinox signals the midpoint in the journey of the sun across the seasons. As we celebrate this day, let us remember that there is balance in all things, day and night, light and dark, life and death, good fortune and misfortune. Let this rite be one of honour for the balance in seasons and in life.” The maiden takes the basket of apples from before the altar and cuts them in half across its middle saying; “The apple is a sacred fruit and contains the five pointed star. The points of the star herein mark the balance of the elements Air, Fire, Water, Earth and Spirit in all things.” She hands a half apple to the first covener saying; “Blessed and thankful are we for the balance of our lives”. The covener replies; “Blessed be.” She repeats this for each covener until everyone has an apple. The High Priest says; “Each of you have one half of a whole. For balance to continue there must always be a joining of dark and light, good and bad for nothing sits alone.” The High Priest and High Priestess come together and press the two halves of their apples together. She says; “We come together in harmony and balance as the Lord and Lady come together through the seasons.” Together they raise their apple pressed together to the sky and the High Priest says; “May we give thanks for the balance of the Lord and Lady above and for the balance in our lives below”. The maiden asks the coveners; “come together with your partner, loved one or friend and join your apple halves together with the other. Let each half become the balance of the other so that all are whole. Take a moment to give silent thanks for the balance in your life.” The coveners pair up and press their apple halves together to make a whole. They take a moment in silent thanks. The High Priestess says; “As the apple seeds form the pentagram, the symbol of our faith and the seed of life that has brought us to this point of balance, let us now eat of the fruit given for us”. Everyone can sit round now and eat their apples and talk through amongst themselves what they see as having balance in their lives. The apple cores can be put into the cauldron and buried after the circle has been dismantled. Consecrate and then have the cakes and ale then close the circle. Follow up with a feast. Smiles and blessings, Amethyst I believe amethyst @oakandmistletoe.com.au www.wedding.oakandmistletoe.com.au
Source: http://www.oakandmistletoe.com.au/useful-articles/autumn-equinoxmabon
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