As the wheel of the year turns, we find ourselves at Mabon—the Autumn Equinox. This year, it falls on Sunday, September 22nd. Mabon is a time of balance when day and night stand equal before the darkness grows.
This sacred point in the cycle invites us to pause, reflect, and prepare for the quieter months ahead. Mabon is sometimes called the "Pagan Thanksgiving," a time to honour the harvest and express gratitude for the abundance in our lives.
But there’s more to Mabon than giving thanks. It’s also a time for letting go and releasing what no longer serves us—much like the trees release their leaves, making way for eventual new growth. In this blog post, we’ll explore the deep history and traditions behind Mabon, along with practical rituals, recipes, and activities to help you align with this time of balance and transition.
A Brief History of Mabon
Mabon has its roots in Celtic tradition. It is named after the Welsh god Mabon ap Modron. He symbolises the Divine Child, a being of great strength and vitality stolen from his mother at birth. His journey of returning from the darkness mirrors the descent into winter, reminding us that the promise of renewal is always present, even in times of hardship and darkness.
While many know Mabon as a Celtic celebration, other cultures also mark the equinox with rituals of harvest and balance. In ancient Greece, the festival of Thesmophoria honoured
Demeter, goddess of the harvest, and in Japan, Higan no Chu celebrated both the physical and spiritual harvest. The equinox is universal in its significance as a moment to take stock of what we’ve sown and what we’re ready to release.
The Spiritual Themes of Mabon: Releasing and Balancing
At Mabon, nature shows us that shedding is essential for growth. Trees let go of their leaves, signalling it's time to turn inward and release the past year's burdens. This theme of release is central to Mabon rituals, where we can reflect on what we’ve harvested—not just in terms of physical abundance but in the emotional, mental, and spiritual realms.
What successes and struggles have shaped you this year? What are you holding onto that you no longer need?
This candle magick ritual helps you honour the balance between opposites in your life—light and dark, giving and receiving, action and rest—while fostering a deep sense of gratitude for both the blessings and challenges you've encountered.
What You’ll Need:
Two candles: one white and one black
A small bowl of salt (to represent the earth)
A feather (to represent air)
A small dish of water (to represent water)
A stone or crystal (to represent fire and the inner light)
A journal and pen
Set Up Your Space: Create a sacred circle using the four elements: place the salt, feather, water, and stone in the north, east, west, and south corners of your space, respectively. Set the white candle to your left and the black candle to your right.
Light the Candles: As you light the white candle, say:
"I honour the light in my life—the blessings, the joy, the clarity."
As you light the black candle, say:
"I honour the dark in my life—the challenges, the mystery, the growth."
Grounding Meditation: Sit comfortably between the candles and take several deep breaths. Feel yourself grounded by the elements around you. Visualize the balance of light and dark, imagining a warm golden light radiating from within you, equally illuminating both sides.
Reflect on Dualities: Take your journal and write down two lists:
One side for things that bring light and joy into your life (people, experiences, successes).
On the other side, list the challenges you’ve faced this year, the lessons they brought, and how they helped you grow.
Gratitude for Both: Spend a few minutes reading over both lists. Express gratitude for the balance these dualities create in your life. You can say aloud:
"I am grateful for the light and the dark, for both are needed to find harmony within."
Close the Ritual: Blow out the black candle, symbolizing your readiness to let go of the challenges you no longer need. Leave the white candle burning for a few more minutes, embracing the gratitude and light you've cultivated.
Carry the Light: As you finish, keep the small stone or crystal as a reminder of your inner light, and place it somewhere visible to carry the energy of balance forward.
This ritual helps you honour the harmony in your life and gently release what’s weighing you down, creating space for new intentions and growth.
The Symbolism of Mabon
At its core, Mabon is about balance, gratitude, and release. The equinox signifies the balance between light and dark, a powerful reminder that both aspects are essential in the natural world and our lives. Mabon’s symbols—whether pumpkins, apples, acorns, or candles—remind us of life's cycles, the importance of giving thanks, and the beauty in releasing what no longer serves us as we prepare for the coming winter.
1. Pumpkins
Pumpkins are perhaps one of the most iconic symbols of the autumn season and Mabon. They represent abundance, prosperity, and protection. As they grow large and round, they symbolize the fullness and richness of the harvest. Pumpkins also strongly associate transformation, as they shift from a seed to a bountiful fruit, much like the personal growth we experience throughout the year. In some traditions, they are carved to ward off negative energy and protect the home as the nights grow longer.
2. Apples
Apples are sacred during Mabon and represent knowledge, wisdom, and the cycles of life. In Celtic mythology, the apple is often seen as the fruit of immortality and is associated with the Otherworld.
Cutting an apple horizontally reveals a five-pointed star, which has long been a symbol of protection and the balance of the elements. During Mabon, apples are often used in rituals to express gratitude for the harvest and to reflect on personal growth.
3. Cornucopia
Also known as the "Horn of Plenty," the cornucopia is a symbol of abundance and nourishment. It represents the overflowing bounty of the harvest, symbolizing both physical and spiritual abundance. Filled with fruits, grains, nuts, and vegetables, it embodies the idea of being provided for and reminds us to be grateful for the wealth we have in all aspects of life.
4. Acorns
Acorns are powerful symbols of potential, strength, and new beginnings. Though small, they contain the seeds for mighty oak trees, symbolizing the idea that great things can grow from humble beginnings. In Mabon rituals, acorns may be used to represent the seeds of intention for the coming months, as we transition into a time of reflection and planning for the future.
5. Grapes and Wine
Grapes, and the wine they produce, are often featured in Mabon celebrations, representing fertility, abundance, and the culmination of hard work. In many ancient cultures, the harvest of grapes was a sacred event, symbolizing the sweet rewards of labor and the transformation of the fruits of the earth into something nourishing and celebratory. Wine, in particular, is seen as a drink of the gods, used to celebrate life's fullness and bounty.
Traditional Mabon Recipes
Food has always been central to Mabon celebrations, and the equinox is the perfect time to enjoy the rich flavours of the harvest. Apples, grains, root vegetables, and hearty stews are traditional offerings that remind us of the earth’s abundance.
Below are a few recipe ideas to savour the season:
Apple and Blackberry Crumble: Apples are considered sacred during Mabon. Bake a crumble with fresh apples, blackberries, and a spiced oat crust. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla cream or yoghurt, enjoying the sweetness of the harvest.
Roasted Root Vegetables: Carrots, parsnips, and potatoes are classic Mabon staples. Roast them with rosemary and thyme, drizzling them with olive oil and a dash of salt. This simple, grounding recipe is a perfect complement to any main dish.
Pumpkin Soup: Pumpkins are another autumnal symbol of prosperity. A creamy pumpkin soup made with onions, garlic, vegetable broth, and nutmeg warms the body and spirit as we transition into the cooler months.
Harvest Pie: Pies are central to autumn culinary delights; how about a savoury pie combining autumnal root vegetables and a creamy cashew sauce wrapped in a flaky, golden pastry crust? It’s hearty, full of flavour, and perfect for a cosy Mabon feast.
If you really want to celebrate in style, you could follow a traditional cornucopia bread recipe:
Ingredients:
3 ½ cups plain flour
1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar
1 cup warm water
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 egg (for egg wash - optional)
Aluminium foil (for shaping)
Instructions:
Create the Cornucopia Mold: Start by shaping a large cone from aluminium foil. This will be the base of your cornucopia, around which you'll wrap the dough. Make sure the base is sturdy and that it holds its shape.
Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, mix the flour, yeast, salt, and sugar. Gradually add the warm water and oil, mixing until a dough forms. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about an hour or until it has doubled.
Shape the Cornucopia: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into two portions. Roll each portion into long ropes (about ½ inch thick). Start at the foil mould's tip, wrap the dough rope around, and spiral down to the base. Ensure each spiral touches the next so the structure holds together during baking.
Second Rise: Once the cornucopia is fully wrapped, let it sit for another 15-20 minutes to rise slightly.
Egg Wash and Bake: Brush the dough with a beaten egg to give it a golden sheen. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and firm. Allow the bread to cool before carefully removing the foil mould.
Fill and Serve: Fill your bread cornucopia with seasonal fruits, nuts, and herbs to create a stunning, symbolic and edible centrepiece!
Other Activities to Connect with the Season
In addition to feasting and reflecting, Mabon offers opportunities to engage in simple but meaningful activities that deepen our connection to the earth’s cycles:
Nature Walks: Head out for a walk in a local park or woodland, paying attention to the changing colours, the crisp air, and the subtle signs of nature’s transition. Collect fallen leaves, acorns, or pinecones to create a Mabon altar at home, honouring the season's beauty.
Gratitude Journal: Write down three things you are grateful for each day during the week of Mabon. The practice of gratitude reminds us of the abundance that exists even in challenging times.
Candlelight Meditation: As the days grow shorter, sit by candlelight in the evening and meditate on balance. Reflect on the areas of your life that feel harmonious and those that need adjustment. Use this time to realign your intentions for the coming months.
Honouring the Balance of Light and Dark
Mabon invites us to find balance externally in our lives and internally within ourselves. It’s a time to give thanks, honour the harvest, and look forward, preparing for the stillness and introspection that winter brings. Just as the light and dark stand equal on this day, we too can find that sweet spot between action and rest, holding on and letting go.
As you celebrate Mabon this year, I encourage you to take a moment to pause and listen to what your heart needs. By releasing, you create space for new growth, just as nature shows us year after year.
Celebrate Mabon with us at Women's Circle this Sunday; you can book online by clicking the picture below.
Mabon Blessings to you and yours.
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