Mabon

Mabon

Mabon Quarter Day

Equinox

Mabon, also known as the Autumn Equinox, is one of the Quarter Days celebrated in various cultures and traditions.

It falls around September 21st to 23rd in the Northern Hemisphere, marking the halfway point between the Summer Solstice and the Winter Solstice.

Astrologically Mabon is when the Sun enters Libra at zero degrees.

During Mabon, day and night are nearly equal in length, symbolizing a moment of balance and harmony in nature.

It is a time to give thanks for the bountiful harvest and to prepare for the cooler months ahead and express gratitude for the abundance of the Earth.

Many people commemorate Mabon by having in feasts, sharing meals with loved ones, and giving thanks for the gifts of the season.

Quarter Day

This Quarter Day holds spiritual significance, as it represents a time of reflection, introspection, and preparation for the colder months ahead.

It encourages us to pause and take stock of our lives, giving thanks for the blessings we’ve received and contemplating the lessons learned throughout the year.

Symbolically, Mabon is associated with the theme of letting go, similar to the falling leaves of autumn.

It prompts us to release what no longer serves us and make space for new growth and opportunities in the future.

Wheel of the Year

As the Wheel of The Year turns, Mabon invites us to appreciate the changing seasons, embrace the cycles of life, and find harmony within ourselves and the world around us.

Whether through ceremonies, rituals, or simple moments of gratitude, Mabon provides a chance to connect with nature’s rhythms and celebrate the beauty of the autumnal season.

Get Your Astro Artworks

All the original Astro Artworks on this page are digitally created by Alison.

Her interest in the Solar Cycles and how the annual seasonal flow impacts us all is the inspiration for this piece.

If you love this image of Mabon and you want to get some greeting cards like this, we invite you to visit our Art Shop.

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Thank you.

Mabon Colors

Autumn Colors

Traditional colors associated with Mabon reflect the vibrant and earthy hues of the autumn season.

As a harvest festival, Mabon celebrates the bountiful gifts of nature and the changing colors of the landscape.

The colors that are commonly associated with this festival are below.

Orange

Orange is one of the most prominent colors of Mabon, representing the warm and inviting tones of autumn foliage.

It symbolizes the changing leaves and the abundance of the harvest season.

Orange is also associated with the setting sun, signifying the waning light and the approaching darkness of winter.

Brown

Brown represents the rich, fertile soil that nurtures the crops and allows them to grow and flourish.

It symbolizes the Earth’s abundance and the importance of grounding and stability during the seasonal transition.

Maroon

Deep red hues, reminiscent of ripe apples and other fall fruits, are often associated with Mabon.

This color represents the life force and energy within the fruits of the harvest.

Red is also linked to the changing color of the leaves as they prepare to fall from the trees.

Yellow

Yellow is the color of the golden harvest, symbolizing the ripened grains and crops ready for harvest.

It represents prosperity, abundance, and the rewards of hard work and dedication.

Forest Green

Dark green is associated with the evergreen plants that remain vibrant and strong even as the landscape changes around them.

It represents resilience and the continuity of life.

Deep Purple

Deep purple hues are reminiscent of grapes and the wine-making process, which is often associated with the harvest season.

Purple also represents transformation and the changing of the seasons.

Gold

Gold is a color that signifies the rewards of a successful harvest and the preciousness of nature’s gifts.

It symbolizes the value and abundance of the Earth’s offerings.

Decoration

These traditional colors associated with Mabon are often used in decorations, altars, candles, and other festive elements during the celebration.

By incorporating these colors, people honor the beauty of the autumn season, express gratitude for the harvest’s bounty, and create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for gatherings and rituals during this special time of the year.

Mabon Traditional Gatherings

Mabon, also known as the autumn equinox, is a time of balance between day and night, marking the transition from the warmer days of summer to the cooler days of fall. It's a significant point on the Wheel of the Year and is often celebrated by various pagan and neopagan traditions. Traditional gatherings during Mabon focus on themes of gratitude, reflection, and the harvest season.

Here's a glimpse into Mabon traditional gatherings:

  • Mabon is a time to celebrate the second harvest of the year. Traditional gatherings often feature feasts that highlight the bounty of the season. Participants may share dishes made from the abundance of fruits, vegetables, and grains harvested during the fall.

  • Many Mabon celebrations take place outdoors to connect with nature's changing energies. Picnics, potlucks, and gatherings in parks or gardens provide an opportunity to enjoy the crisp air and the beauty of the changing foliage.

  • Rituals during Mabon often focus on balance and gratitude. Participants may create altars adorned with symbols of the season, such as colorful leaves, gourds, and apples. Candles may be lit to represent the balance between light and darkness.

  • Apples are a quintessential fruit of the fall season. Traditional gatherings may include apple picking excursions to orchards, where participants can gather apples for use in rituals, crafts, and delicious treats.

  • Craft activities that reflect the season's themes are often part of Mabon gatherings. Creating wreaths, decorating pumpkins, making corn husk dolls, and crafting gratitude journals are ways to connect with the spirit of Mabon creatively.

  • Drumming circles can be a lively and vibrant way to celebrate Mabon. The rhythmic beat of drums symbolizes the heartbeat of the Earth and can help participants feel more connected to nature and the changing seasons.

  • Expressing gratitude for the harvest and the blessings of the year is a central aspect of Mabon gatherings. Rituals and practices that focus on gratitude, such as sharing stories of thankfulness or creating gratitude lists, help participants center their celebrations around appreciation.

  • Traditional dances and music can add a festive and joyful atmosphere to Mabon gatherings. Folk dances, singing, and playing musical instruments bring a sense of community and celebration.

  • Taking a leisurely walk in nature during Mabon can be a simple yet profound way to connect with the changing landscape and the energies of the season. Participants may gather fallen leaves, acorns, and other natural elements for use in crafts or rituals.

  • Mabon is a time for coming together as a community to celebrate the harvest and the changing of the seasons. Community potlucks, gatherings, and circles allow participants to share their experiences, stories, and reflections.

Mabon traditional gatherings revolve around themes of gratitude, reflection, and the harvest season.

They offer participants the opportunity to connect with nature, each other, and the spiritual significance of the equinox.

Whether you're using astrology as a tool for inspiration or simply seeking to live your best life, Mabon gatherings provide a space for embracing the balance of the season and expressing appreciation for the Earth's abundance.

Mabon Sacred Spaces

Creating a sacred space for Mabon, also known as the autumn equinox, allows you to connect with the energies of the season and engage in meaningful rituals and reflections.

A Mabon sacred space is a place where you can honor the balance between light and darkness, express gratitude for the harvest, and embrace the changing energies of fall.

Here's how you can set up a Mabon sacred space:

  • Choose a quiet and peaceful location where you can set up your sacred space. This could be indoors or outdoors, depending on your preferences and the weather.

  • Create an altar as the centerpiece of your sacred space. Use a table, shelf, or any flat surface to arrange your altar items. Cover it with a cloth in fall colors like orange, deep red, or brown.

  • Decorate your altar with items that represent the themes of Mabon. This can include colorful leaves, acorns, pinecones, pumpkins, gourds, apples, and autumn flowers like marigolds and chrysanthemums.

  • Place candles on your altar to symbolize the balance between light and darkness. You can use two candles—one white or yellow to represent the sun and one black or dark blue to represent the night.

  • Incorporate crystals that resonate with the energies of fall and balance, such as citrine, carnelian, amethyst, and clear quartz. Arrange them on your altar or use them as decorations.

  • Burn incense or use essential oils with fall scents like cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg. The aroma can help you create a sensory connection to the season.

  • Add seasonal fruits like apples, pears, and grapes to your altar. You can also include grains like wheat, corn, or barley as offerings to represent the harvest.

  • If you have specific tools you use in rituals, such as a cauldron, athame (ritual knife), or wand, place them on your altar as well.

  • If you work with specific deities, ancestors, or spirit guides, you can include representations or images of them on your altar.

  • Place a small piece of paper or parchment on your altar where you can write down your intentions for the season. This could include things you're grateful for, what you're releasing, or what you're inviting into your life.

  • Create a comfortable space near your altar where you can sit and meditate. Use this space for reflection, gratitude practices, and setting intentions for the coming season.

  • As a way of expressing gratitude, you can offer some of the fruits, nuts, or grains from your altar to the Earth, either by placing them outside or by incorporating them into your fall cooking.

 

By setting up a Mabon sacred space, you create a dedicated area where you can honor the energies of the autumn equinox, reflect on the harvest season, and engage in rituals that align with your spiritual practices.

This space serves as a visual representation of your connection to the changing rhythms of nature and the spiritual significance of Mabon.

 

 

Mabon Poem: Harvest's Balance

Here's a poem I wrote that captures the spirit of Mabon, the autumn equinox, and its themes of balance, gratitude, and the changing of the seasons:

Harvest's Balance

  

As summer's warmth begins to wane,

The equinox arrives again,

A moment's pause in time and space,

When light and dark find their embrace.

 

The scales of nature gently sway,

As night and day hold equal sway,

A harmony of sun and moon,

In Mabon's gentle, whispered tune.

 

The leaves, ablaze in colors bright,

Bid summer's fond farewell tonight,

And in their fall, a sacred dance,

Of letting go with elegance.

 

The fruits of labor, rich and sweet,

Now gathered in for all to eat,

A feast of gratitude we share,

For earth's provision, tender care.

 

With every bite, a whispered prayer,

For cycles, gifts beyond compare,

The turning wheel, a constant guide,

As seasons shift and worlds collide.

 

In this moment of perfect blend,

We find the balance, time to spend,

To honor Earth's abundant store,

And give thanks for the evermore.

 

As autumn's cloak wraps earth in gold,

The stories of the year are told,

In Mabon's light, we find our way,

A dance of night and equal day.

 

This poem reflects the themes of balance, gratitude, and the harvest season that Mabon embodies.

It can be recited during rituals, gatherings, or moments of reflection to honor the energy of the autumn equinox.

 

Mabon Folk Dance

If you're looking for a folk dance to embrace the spirit of Mabon and connect with nature's rhythms, the "Harvest Reel" might be a perfect choice.

The Harvest Reel

The Harvest Reel is a lively and joyful folk dance that embodies the essence of the season.

It can be performed outdoors, surrounded by the beauty of nature, or even indoors to bring the spirit of the outdoors in.

This dance is all about celebrating the abundance of the harvest and the changing of the seasons.

To perform the Harvest Reel, you can follow these simple steps:

  • Gathering in a Circle: Form a circle with friends and fellow dancers. Imagine you're creating a circle that represents the cyclical nature of the seasons.

 

  • Harvesting Movements: Begin by swaying gently from side to side, mimicking the movement of stalks swaying in the breeze. Imagine you're gathering the ripe fruits and grains from the fields.

 

  • Sun and Moon Gestures: As you dance, incorporate movements that symbolize the sun and the moon. Lift your arms high above your head to represent the sun's energy, and then lower them to your sides to symbolize the gentle light of the moon.

 

  • Partner Swaps: If you're dancing in a group, consider a part of the dance where partners swap. This reflects the changing partnerships in nature as different plants and animals interact during the seasons.

 

  • Harvest Basket: Hold your hands together in front of you as if holding a basket. With each step, imagine adding a piece of harvest bounty to your basket.

 

  • Seasonal Changes: As the dance progresses, introduce changes in your movements to reflect the transition from the warm days of summer to the cooler embrace of autumn. You can incorporate skipping, hopping, and gentle spinning to embody the changing weather.

 

  • Crescent and Full Moon Steps: Create steps that mimic the shape of the crescent moon and the full moon. These steps can add a touch of whimsy and symbolism to your dance.

 

  • Celebratory Claps: Towards the end of the dance, incorporate celebratory claps and cheers to represent the joy of a successful harvest and the gratitude for nature's gifts.

 

The Dance Experience

Remember, the Harvest Reel isn't about perfect choreography.

It's about embracing the energy of the season, connecting with your fellow dancers, and expressing your gratitude for the bounties of the earth.

Feel free to add your own twists and movements inspired by the natural world around you.

By dancing the Harvest Reel, you'll be living in tune with the solar cycles, celebrating the Wheel of the Year, and embodying the essence of Mabon.

Whether you're dancing in a meadow, a park, or your own living room, this dance will help you connect with nature, celebrate the harvest, and live your best life in harmony with the changing seasons.

Author Bio

Alison Price: Astrology Coach

Alison wants to help you uncover your individual creativity and lead a fulfilling life using your own astrology. She shares her wisdom from the heart with a touch of humor.

Learn more about Alison's journey.

If you'd like to get in touch with Alison, you can reach out to her via email at starzology@gmail.com.

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If you enjoyed this post, you may like some more astrology related articles from our blog.

 

Halloween

Halloween

Discover a little about Halloween and where the Sun is astrologically at Halloween as it moves through the Wheel of the Year.

Wheel of the Year

Wheel of the Year

The Wheel of the Year

Diagram

The wheel of the year is a diagram that shows the Sun’s movement through the twelve signs of the tropical zodiac from Aries to Pisces.

You can draw a wheel of the year in many ways, but they still represent the passing of time throughout a twelve-month period.

 

Flow

Typically, the diagram flows clockwise like time on a clock face, but astrologers flow them counterclockwise to align with the zodiac from which the dates originally come and the rising of the Sun at the Ascendant.

The special eight celebration days have been used for centuries in many cultures around the world.

If you draw your own wheel of the year, you can color it and add the symbols that resonate with you.

In the modern world, there is no right or wrong way to tap into this ancient calendar.

Follow your instincts and create a wheel of the year diagram that speaks to you.

 

Astrology Journal

As an astrologer you would typically draw the wheel of the year in your astrology journal.

If you are more of a pagan, you can create your wheel of the year in your book of shadows or grimoire.

 



The Sun’s Path

We have watched the Sun mark time as it rises and sets every day.

At a broad stroke, the Sun’s rising position on the horizon moves slightly each day.

The daylight hours are longer in summer and shorter in winter.

Every year the Sun transits through the 360º of the tropical zodiac, and in its passing, marks special days in the year.

 

Cardinal Points and the Four Seasons

The Sun’s path crosses the four cardinal points each year which mark the beginning of the four seasons, spring, summer, autumn and winter.

Please note that these dates are for the northern hemisphere.

 

Quarter Days

The four quarter days divide the year up into four quarters.

They are the dates of the two equinoxes and two solstices.

  • March 21st – equinox
  • June 21st – solstice
  • September 21st – equinox
  • December 21st – solstice

 

Cross-Quarter Days

The cross-quarter days divide each of the four quarters of the year.

The cross quarter days are midway between the equinoxes and the solstices.

These dates are around the 8th of the inbetween months and each year is slightly different.

The definition of a cross-quarter day is when the Sun reaches fifteen degrees of the fixed signs.

 

  • February 8th
  • May 8th
  • August 8th
  • October 8th

 

Spring Equinox – Ostara

Around March 21st, the Sun crosses the celestial equator at 0º Aries, moving north for three months.

It is the Aries ingress and this is springtime.

The pagan celebration of Ostara is aligned with the equinox when the day and night is the same.

 

Beltane

The pagan festivity of Beltane is the day the Sun reaches 15 º of Taurus.

This is often celebrated on May 1st each year.

 

Midsummer Solstice – Litha

Around June 21st, the Sun reaches its highest declination at around 23.5º north at 0º Cancer.

Now the Sun moves back towards the celestial equator for three months.

The Cancer ingress heralds summer.

The pagan celebration of Litha is on the midsummer’s day which is the longest day of the year and the day with the most sunlight.

 

 

Lammas

As the Sun reaches 15 Leo, which is typically on August 8th, it is the cross-quarter day of Lammas.

However, the pagan celebration of Lammas is usually celebrated on August 1st.

 

Read more >>> Lammas

 

Autumn Equinox – Mabon

Around September 21st, the Sun crosses the celestial equator moving south at 0º Libra and continues for three months during autumn or fall.

The Libra ingress happens at the autumn equinox and the start of the new season.

The pagan celebration of Mabon is usually celebrated on October 1st which is a date close to the equinox.

 

Read more >>> Mabon

 

Samhain – Halloween

The pagan celebration of Samhain is when the Sun passes over 15º of Scorpio, which is around November 8th.

In general, this special day is usually celebrated on October 31st as Halloween.

All Saint’s Day follows of November 1st.

 

Read more >>> Halloween

 

Midwinter Solstice – Yule

Around December 21st, the Sun’s declination reaches around 23.5º south as it enters 0º Capricorn.

Now the Sun moves back up towards the celestial equator which takes three months and it is wintertime.

As the Sun enters Capricorn it is known as the Capricorn ingress when the winter season begins.

The pagan celebration of Yuletide is celebrated on midwinter’s day.

 

Read more >>> Yule

 

Imbolc

Imbolc occurs when the Sun reaches 15 degrees of Aquarius which is usually around February 8th, although Imbolc is celebrated around February 1st each year.

One symbol for Imbolc is Brighid’s cross made from wheat sheaves or corn dollies.

 

Listen to podcast episode >>> Imbolc for 2024

 

Conclusion

As an aspiring astrologer, it is valuable to understand when the dates for the cardinal signs and the cross-quarter days happen as they shift a little each year.

These special days are not just plucked out of thin air.

Often at the start of a new season, the news channels will state that, “Spring is starting on March 21st at 4:37pm” and this statement may seem weird.

Now that you know how each season is timed (by the Sun’s ingress into a cardinal sign), you can fully understand the seasonal changes and the cross-quarter days that occur at around six-week intervals.

If you are just starting out, pay attention to the equinoxes and solstices first.

Then explore the cross-quarter days afterwards.

The whole year begins at the vernal equinox when the Sun enters Aries around March 21st every year.

 


Starzclass

Aspiring Astrologer Activity: Wheel of the Year

In your astrology journal and with a compass and protractor, please do the following:

 

  • Draw the diagram for the wheel of the year with four concentric circles.
  • Divide the outer wheel into the four seasons.
  • Divide the second wheel in, into the months of the year.
  • Divide the third wheel in, into the twelve signs of the zodiac starting with Aries in the ascendant position.
  • Divide the center wheel into the eight celebrations of the wheel of the year.

Extend Yourself

  • Color in your wheel of the year and decorate it as you see fit. Use your intuition as a guide.
  • For the next celebration that is coming up, give some thought and list what you want to manifest for your life during that period.

 

Share your drawing on social with the hashtag #starzologywheeloftheyear or send a link to your artwork to me at starzology@gmail.com.