Mabon begins today. It is the month of abundance, of harvesting. It is the month of crisp apples, ciders, pies, pastries. It is the time to update and seasonalize your altar. It is a great time to begin a gratitude journal. It is a great time to declutter and give to charities. Demeter is the goddess associated with the autumn harvest.
Mabon is named after the Welsh hero Mabon/ Modron, whose name means son of the mother. He was a baby who was hidden in the underworld. His story follows along with the story of Demeter whose grief at losing her daughter turned the earth cold.
It is a time to declutter your life as well. Most of us have relationships that have run their course. Most of us have some habits that we need to decrease. Most of us have self-defeating behaviors we need to end. This is actually a great time to set new goals. Winter is breathing down our neck and we should plan ahead for ideas, new adventures, new ways to be during further isolation as winter comes.
Buy new lights, new candles, decorate your doorways, your dinner tables. Write down some things to be committed to do. Get rid of stagnant energy that has come due to covid’s restrictions. Find new ways to be involved in your own life. Harvest is mostly done. Take care of your garden areas. Trim back your flowering plants that have given their best. It is a time of rest after seasons of labor. Prepare your bedding for colder nights. Sweep your hearth, if you have one, and prepare the fireplaces/furnaces for colder days.
We are preparing for our seasonal descent into darker days and a time that will aide reflection and peace. Do all you can to be able to able to do that.
Bring out the cornucopias, pine cones and seeds that are the symbol of this month. Decorate in oranges, reds, yellows, browns, coppers, dark greens. Watch for the symbol animals of Fall; the owl, deer, blackbirds and salmon. Put amber, citrine, cat’s eye, aventurine, sapphire and jasper on your altar. If you do not have an altar, choose another name for it if the word bothers you and start an area where you can add things that pique our interest and make you feel peaceful and happy. Add fresh fall vegetables to your meals. Drink teas and make smudges of yarrow rosemary, rose hips. For those of you who have use for, and know how to, make black salt for protection during this season.
Mabon rides the cusp of our Corn Moon/Full Moon, which will make this season feel more acute. Remember the physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual aspects of endings and renewals. Let things go that will hold you back. Begin to settle in. Prepare your nest, prepare to hibernate in so many ways. Connect to those you will share your quietude with. Get rid of the busy busy and allow yourself to savor this season’s settling.
Happy Mabon, sisterfriends.
©Carol Desjarlais 9.18.21
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