And so, The Wheel turns as summer ends for another year and autumn arrives. This shift is signalled by the Pagan festival, Mabon that marks the Autumn Equinox. There’s no evidence that the Celts celebrated this time of year but there are records of the Neolithic and Bronze Age settlements marking it. The Mayans also recognised it but the name Mabon itself is more modern. As with Ostara in the spring, this is the time when day and night are equal again.
Mabon, according to Wiccan tradition, marks the second harvest and a time when the Goddess begins her annual transition from Mother to Crone in preparation for guiding the world into the darkest part of the year. It’s a time of balance, a time to give thanks for what has come to fruition (harvest); it’s a time to begin preparing for what must be let go (trees shedding their leaves.)
Personally, I find this transition from the light and warmth of summer into the darker part of the year a difficult time. I love summer! I love the light mornings and light nights and the sun’s warmth! But I recognise that the seasons need to change and that The Wheel of the Year must turn. Summer will be back next year.
Autumn is a time of reflection, a time to spend time outdoors in nature. Let’s be honest, despite my love of summer, who doesn’t enjoy an autumnal walk when the sun is shining and the leaves are beautiful shades of red, orange, brown and copper.
It’s a time of year when even our food choices have an extra cosy warmth to them. While I’ll never be a pumpkin spice fan, I do love cinnamon and apples and sweetcorn – all things associated either with Autumn of the harvest season.
As the nights grow darker earlier, there is a certain cosiness to be found from closing the curtains, lighting a candle or two and perhaps writing a reflective journal…or to plan next summer’s holiday!
How many sleeps until summer?….
Images sourced via Google – credits to the owners
