Mabon

The Wheel of the Year holds several purposes, both
theological and practical. Theologically, the story of
the Wheel often varies depending on the Tradition. The
Wheel gives the accounts of the mythological events
that repeat throughout the year as well as a vague
"history" of the Gods and Goddesses involved within
the pantheon. For the newbies, by "Tradition" we mean
"denomination"; for example Wiccan, Celtic, Druid,
Native American, etc. On the more practical side, the
Wheel trains us to be able to deal with death and the
inevitability of re-birth that follows. Paganism
teaches that death, a natural function of the
universe, is a part of life; a dramatic change that is
the beginning of a new experience, and something to be
celebrated at the proper time not feared (not
condoning Suicide!) Through the ideas of Heaven and
Hell, Christianity teaches a deep fear of death, and
this spurs our society's horror of death. We are
always trying to find new and improved ways to beat
death, but we will never succeed. It is sad our
society portrays death as such a terrifying
experience; we would certainly have less emotional
pain and suffering in the world if death could be seen
as what it is: a transformation, nothing more.

In this section you will find a rendition of the
upcoming quarter of the Wheel of the Year. Included
will be the mythological lore and some traditional
practices for the celebration, along with some ideas
for activities and decorations.

*Date/Name:
September 22, 1997 holds the date for the next Sabbat:
Mabon (pronounced "MAY-bon") marks the Second Harvest
of the Celtic/Pagan year.

*Background Information:
Mabon marks the Second Harvest, the end of the grain
harvest (which begun at Lughnasadh), and rests on the
Autumn Equinox. The Equinox mirrors dwindling of life
(and eventual progression to rebirth), as well as the
struggle for balance; day and night are equal for a
single day. The pagans of antiquity didn't have the
ability to determine astrological positions as we do
today. The European peasantry, therefore, celebrated
this Sabbat on September 25th; actually, the Celts
marked their days from sundown to sundown, so the
Mabon celebration actually started on the sundown of
our September 24th. Today, with the help of our
technology, we can calculate the exact day of the
Equinox; the date when the sun enters the sign of
Libra, the Balanced Scales, which appropriately fits
the Equinox. September 25th is a medieval holiday
which the Church Christianized under the label of
"Michaelmas," a feast in honor of the Archangel
Michael. It is thought that the Roman Catholic Church
at some point considered assigning the quarter dates
to the four Archangels, since they had assigned the
cross quarters to the four gospel-writers. Making the
Vernel Equinox a holiday called "Gabrielmas" was taken
into consideration in honor of the angel Gabriel's
announcement to Mary on Lady Day. This Sabbat can also
be known as: the Second Harvest Festival, Feast of
Avalon, Cornucopia, Wine Harvest, the Fall Equinox,
Harvest Home, the Autumnal (or Autumn) Equinox,
Festival of Dionysus, Alban Elfed (Caledonii,
Druidic), Winter Finding (Teutonic), or Equinozio di
Autunno (Strega). The full moon closest to the Autumn
Equinox is called the Harvest Moon, and farmers would
harvest their corps by this moonlight as part of the
Second Harvest celebration.

*Meanings:
Mabon is very much like Thanksgiving. Most of the
crops have been reaped and abundance is more
noticeable than ever! Mabon is the time when we reap
the fruits of our labor and lessons, both crops and
experiences. It is a time of joy, to celebrate that
which is passing (for why should we mourn the beauty
of the year or dwindling sunlight?), looking joyously
at the experience the year has shared with us. And it
is a time to gaze into the bright future. We are
reminded once again of the cyclic universe; endings
are merely new beginnings.

Since it is the time of dying sun, effort is also made
to celebrate the dead with joyous remembrance. It is
considered taboo to pass a burial site and not honor
the dead. Natural energies are aligned towards
protection, wealth, prosperity, security, and boosting
self-confidence. Any spells or rituals centered around
balance and harmony are appropriate.

*History/Mythology -- Celtic/Welsh
The tale of Mabon ap Modron, the Welsh God, (the
"great son of the great mother"), also known as the
Son of Light, the Young Son, or Divine Youth, is
celebrated. The Equinox is also the birth of Mabon,
from his mother Modron, the Guardian of the
Outerworld, the Healer, the Protector, the Earth.
Mabon was taken after he is a mere three nights old
(some variations of the legend say he is taken after
three years). Through the wisdom of the living animals
-- the Stag, Blackbird, Owl, Eagle and Sallmon -- Mabon
is freed from his mysterious captivity. All the while
Mabon had rested within his mother's womb; a place of
nurturing and challenge. With strength and lessons
gained within the magickal Outerworld (Modron's womb),
Mabon is soon reborn as his mother's Champion, the Son
of Light, wielding the strength and wisdom acquired
during his captivity.

Also, (from a variation in legend) the Equinox is the
day of the year when the god of light, Lugh, is
defeated by the god of darkness, Lugh's twin and
alter-ego, Tanist. The night conquers day. The tales
state that the Equinox is the only day which Lugh is
vulnerable and the possibility of his defeat exists.
Lugh stands on the balance (Autumn Equinox-Libra) with
one foot on the goat (Winter Solstice-Capricorn) and
the other on the cauldron (Summer Solstice-Cancer). He
is betrayed by Blodeuwedd, the Virgin (Virgo) and
transformed into an Eagle (Scorpio).

Two events occur rapidly with Lugh's defeat. Tanist,
having beaten Lugh, now takes over Lugh's place both
as King of our world and lover to the Goddess
Tailltiu. Although Tanist now sits on Lugh's throne,
his official induction does not take place for another
six weeks at Samhain, the beginning of Winter, when he
becomes the Dark King, the Winter Lord, the Lord of
Misrule. He mates with Tailltiu, who conceives, and
will give birth nine months later (at the Summer
Solstice) to her son, another incarnation of Tanist
himself, the Dark Child.

Lugh's sacrifice represents not only the sun's dying
power, but also the cycle of rebirth, his energy
remaining within the corn we have since harvested. A
incarnate (of Lugh) corn spirit was thought to
specifically reside within the last stalk (or stock),
which was traditionally dressed in fine clothes and
decorations, or woven into a wicker man-shaped form.
This symbolic decoration was then harvested and
carried from the field to be burned with rejoicing for
the spirits release and Lugh's upcoming rebirth.

*Mythology -- Greek:
In Greek mythology, Autumn begins as Persephone
returns to the Underworld to live with Hades, her
husband. The myth says that Demeter's daughter, Kore,
had taken a day to pick flowers in a meadow when the
Earth opened up, and Hades pulled the girl into the
Underworld to become his bride. Kore's name became
Persephone when she married Hades. For nine straight
days, Demeter searched for Kore, with no success. In
misery and despiration, Demeter questioned Helios, the
Sun God, who informed her that her brother, Zeus, had
given the girl to Hades. Furious, Demeter left Olympus
to roam the Earth disguised as an old woman, ending up
settled in her temple at Eleusis. Soon after, she
cursed the Earth so it would yield no crops. Zues sent
her a frantic message inquiring as to why she had
prevented growth on the planet. She replied that there
would be no regeneration of vegetation on the Earth
until her daughter, Kore, was safely returned.

Zeus immediately dispatched Hermes into the Underworld
to retrieve the girl. Hades, not wanting to relinquish
his bride permanently, convinced Persephone to eat
some pomegranate seeds before she returned to her
mother, Demeter. Demeter was yet again distraught when
she learned of this trickery! Finally, Zeus declared
that Kore-Persephone would live with her mother during
one half of the year and return to her husband, Hades,
during the other half. In thanks, Demeter lifted the
curse on the Earth, creating Spring. Every year hence,
during her time of greatest sorrow, Demeter renews the
curse, as her daughter returns to Hades and the
Underworld.

*Mythology -- Wiccan:
Day and night are equal and the God prepares to depart
and begin the journey back to the strength and
development within his mother's, the Goddess', womb.
Both sad and joyful, the Goddess lovingly awaits her
God's rebirth.

*Decorations and Activities:
Activities vary with region and tradition, as well as
personal preference. Some ideas include making a Sun
Wheel as described in the Lughnasadh document. Also,
one could mirror the Celtic tradition of dressing a
corn stalk in cloths and burning it in celebration of
the harvest and upcoming rebirth.

Simple altar decorations can be obtained by taking a
calm "pilgrimage" through your local woods and
collecting leaves, acorns, berries, and other things
symbolic of nature's bounty. Some chose to sprinkle
Autumn leaves around the house and on the sides of
walk ways as decoration, though this may not be
convenient if one lives in the city or doesn't enjoy
the cleanup. Alternately, the changing leaves can be
dipped in paraffin and put on wax paper. After the
leaves dry, they may be placed around the house or in
large jars with sigils of protection and/or abundance
carved lightly into them.

Going through your personal gardens with thanks and
lovingly harvesting what is ready is also appropriate.
Breads may be baked in the shape of the Sun, combining
fruits or vegetables and grains, incorporating both of
the major aspects of this Harvest. The seeds of
various plants are stored through winter for
replanting, and therefore, the plant's rebirth in the
Spring. A feast for friends and family always provides
a cheerful abundance of energy and thanks.

Additional seeds and grains can be set out as offering
to our fellow creatures, and provide a healthy chance
for birds to join in the celebrations as well.
Symbolic designs can be made out of the sprinklings if
one chooses. Those less fortunate should not be
omitted from the celebration. Small, meaningless (to
you) packages of food and drink gifted to a homeless
person will make their day!

To honor the dead, it is traditional to place apples
on burial cairns as symbolism of rebirth and
gratitude. Furthermore, it is a time to honor the
elders, who have devoted so much time and energy to
your growth and development. Something special is in
order for these gracious people.

*Symbolic of Mabon:

    * Foodstuffs: Grapes, Acorns, Wheat Bread, Goat,
Indian Corn, Horn of Plenty, Cornbread, Corn, Root
Crops (ie Onions, Carrots, Potatoes, etc.), Nuts,
Dried Fruits, Apples, Beans, and Squash.

    * Drinks: Wine, Ale, and Cider.

    * Colors (for those who work with Candle Magick):
Red, Deep Gold, Orange, Brown, Maroon, Violet, Russet,
Yellow, and Indigo.

    * Animals: Dogs, Wolves, Stag, Birds of Prey
(especially the Blackbird, Owl, and Eagle), Salmon,
and Goat.

    * Mythical Creatures: Gnomes, Sphinx, Minotaurs,
Cyclops, Andamans, and Gulons.

    * Stones: Yellow Topaz, Carnelian, Sapphire,
Yellow Agate, Lapis Lazuli, and Amethyst. Also, river
or stream stones which have been submerged for the
Summer may be used.

    * Plants: Vines, Garlands (made of these various
plants), Gourds, Pine Cones, Acorns, Wheat, Dried
Leaves, Corn, Pomegranate, Ivy, Hazel, Hops, Cedar,
and Tobacco.

    * Herbs: Myrhh, Thistles, Tobacco, Oak Leaves,
Hazel, Mums, Hops, Acorns, Marigold, Roses, Sage,
Milkweed, Solomon's Seal, Asters, Ferns, Honeysuckle,
Benzoin, Passionflower, Pine, and Cedar.

    * Incense would include: Aloes Wood, Cinnamon,
Cloves, Benzoin, Jasmine, Frankincense, Myrrh, and
Sage.

    * Dieties: All wine Deities (especially Dionysus
and Bacchus), the Mother aspect of the Triple Goddess,
Persephone, Thor, Modron, Morgan, Snake Woman, Epona,
Pamona, Muses, Mabon, Thoth, Hermes, Hotei, Harvest
Deities, and Aging Deities.

    * Other: Burial Cairns, Rattles, and Sun Wheels
(which can be found in this document).


SOURCE(S)
"EmeraldHarley"
--Adapted by Akasha Ap Emrys to share withh all her
friends and those of a like mind.--

Copyright © 1997-99 Akasha, Herne and The Celtic Connection
wicca.com. All rights reserved


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