Suddenly, in one day, we become Fall. Our temperatures dropped during the night, enough to warrant turning on a little heat, and for the next weeks we hover in the low to mid 20’s c. Mabon is upon us. Our Mother Earth transforms and evolves, as do we. Now is the time to reflect, to renew, and change with the season.
We have just crossed the Fall equinox, August 22, and Banbha begins her reign to oversee Fall harvest. She is a Goddess of the West, the founding of Ireland and protector of sovereignty. She and her two sisters reign together; Eriu and Fodla. She was the great protector of her people’s spirituality and the spirit of the land. She is known to protect us, if we ask, in spiritual ways and ways of our own culture. She inspires us to know how to be leaders, how to work together to protect our culture.
She is, also, the Goddess of Sovereignty. There were great battles in Erin (the name comes from “Eriu” and was named so because she had the greatest force in battle.) Ireland still is trying to gain sovereignty. Early poetry proclaims such battles and thus the stories come down the ages.
Eire, the Celtic name for Ireland comes from her sister Eriu, the Queen of Ireland, who was goddess of sovereignty and holds great power and authority. Fodla is the goddess of prosperity and abundance. It is she who helps us to thrive. Banbha is the goddess of fertility and spiritual essence and considered a Divine Mother. Her name comes from “ban”, white which symbolizes purity and fertility. She helps us protect ourself against those who would try to conquer us.
As it becomes cooler and we know that winter comes hard on the heels of autumn, it is a time to turn inward and nourish our own soul. It is a time of transitions and we need rounding and we need to reconnect to the earth. Harvest your garden, go to someone else’s harvest and gather. Begin to put up winter’s provisions. Be sure and prepare for unseen things that may befall us. Begin to prepare our emotional and spiritual “dens” for the winter. Develop a space that is a place of refuge; choose a shelf, a corner, a room, in your home or area where you can go to seek quiet and sustenance.
Hardest of all, for some of us, is the need to be like the leafy trees who drop their leaves and turn inwards to survive the winter. Like a serpent sheds it skin, like the bears prepare for the long sleep, we need to be prepared to let go, to surrender. We need to reevaluate who, what, where, when of our lives. We need to let go of things that do not serve us anymore. This is symbolized by going through our clothes and putting away our summer things and drag out our fall and winter clothing.
All things are not permanent; they are all fleeting. We need to embrace the changes, knowing we have the possibility for new beginnings if we prepare well. The circle of life goes on with or without us. Seek the warm and charm of fall as we prepare. In fact, wear emerald green to signify the connection with the Celtic sisters.
©Carol Desjarlais 8.28.24
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