Creating Circles and Ceremonies: Rituals for All ... - reading...

Book III: W heel of the Year 227
5. Mabon - Autumn Equinox
Introduction: Mabon
By Oberon Zell-Ravenheart & She’ D’Montford
Mabon, or Autumn Equinox, is named for the Welsh God of the Harvest, Mabon ap
Modron (“divine son of the divine mother”). As told in the Mabinogion, Mabon was stolen
from his mother three nights after his birth, and dwelt in Annwfn (the Underworld) until he
was rescued by Culhwch. Because of his time in the Underworld, Mabon stayed a young man
forever, and was equated with the Roman Apollo. He is the Green Man whose blood is an
intoxicating beverage: Dionysos (wine), Osiris (beer), and John Barleycorn (whiskey). The
bay tree is sacred to Mabon, as its magickal action is preservation, a time-honored harvesttide
occupation. Also known as Harvest Home, Kirn Feast, Mell Day, Ingathering, and
Harvest’s Height, this festival commemorates the ritual sacrifice of the God and his descent
into the Underworld, and the brewers’ art that produces the sacrament of this season. In
California Wine Country, where we live, it is the festival of the Grape Harvest. Whiskey, the
spirit of the barley, is also readily consumed during this festival.
In Latvia this harvest festival is called Vela Laiks, the “time of the dead.” Just as at
Ostara, the day and night are of equal length. This is the day of the year when the God of
Light is defeated by his twin and alter ego, the God of Darkness. The Autumnal Equinox is
the only day of the whole year when light is vulnerable and it is possible to defeat him.
Harvest Home is the traditional name for this feast of thanksgiving in England, but the Plymouth
Pilgrims had a late harvest, so America’s Thanksgiving is celebrated much later.
The most universal tradition throughout Europe is the making of a “corn dolly” from the
last sheaf of grain to be harvested. Because it was believed that the spirit of the grain resided in
this doll, it was dressed in good clothes, addressed by name, and then woven into a wicker-like
man form. This effigy was then cut and carried from the field, and usually burned amidst much
rejoicing. Sometimes the vegetation spirit was represented by a large wickerwork figure to be
burned as a mock sacrifice, as with the modern “Burning Man” festival held each year at this
time in the Nevada desert. Aidan Kelly assigned this festival the name of Mabon around 1970.
Historically, however, the name does not appear to have previously been attributed to any festival.
At Annwfn
The full moon closest to the Autumn Equinox is the time of the Eleusinian Mysteries,
and since 1990 folks in our HOME Tradition have been enacting an annual re-creation of this
ancient Greek festival, in which Persephone, the Flower Maid, is abducted by Hades, Lord of
the Underworld, to reign as his Queen for the next six months until she returns at the Vernal
Equinox. Those who are chosen to take the roles of Hades and Persephone for this rite
become our Underworld royalty for the winter half of the year, holding court at Samhain and
offering counsel in matters dealing with personal Underworld issues.
At Your House
Most of us enjoy this time of year for the beauty of the fall colors and the energy felt in
the cool air, which seems to put an added perk in our steps. It can be great fun hunting for
just the right harvest symbols. Mabon is a good time to cut new wands and staves of willow.
Make a little “corn dolly” for your garden altar from an ear of corn by twisting and binding
the shucks into a body, legs, and arms (you can make the head by breaking off part of the cob
and leaving a short piece attached to the rest).