Mabon/Autumn Equinox

The autumn equinox is a time of perfect balance - when light and dark are totally equal. A time when the Lord of the Greenwood withdraws into his winter self, returning to the Underworld. It is also the second of the Harvest Festivals. This is a time to reflect on our personal harvests and what we've accomplished so far in our lives. A time to balance inner and outer lives, sorting & reflecting on what will be replanted and what will be cast aside. A time of physical & mental recycling, an important turning point of the soul.  Take this time to take stock of what's going on in your life and begin clearing away the chaff.  Find those areas that are healthy and thriving and cut away the rest.  Treat your life as though it were sheaves of wheat and decide which bundles you will keep and which need to be thrown away.

This is a good time to reflect upon what is going on in your life - what is positive and what is negative. Use Tarot, runes or other technique to help you focus on what you need to harvest this year. What are you willing to sacrifice or what have you already sacrificed.

Take time to look at the wondrous changes taking place all around us.  The leaves are turning rich & warm hues before fluttering to the ground.  Apple picking is going on all over the Northeast.  Take some time to sit beneath a tree as it transforms and see what images you get.

Activities:

Here's a recipe for incense or oil that you can use in your celebration:

4 drops Pine Oil
2 drops Frankincense Oil
2 drops Cinnamon Oil
2 drops Clove Oil
4 drops Rosemary Oil
2 drops Sage Oil

Some activities to do with your children are creating

  • a talking stick - find a stick in the woods or on your property and help the children decorate it.  Then use it during family discussions as a "talking stick".  Whoever holds the stick gets everyone's undivided attention and cannot be interrupted.
  • dream pillows.- combine some mugwort, lavendar, hops or other herbs into a bowl.  Using two pieces of material (of whatever size you prefer) begin sewing three end together.  Once three sides are sewn put the herbs inside the pouch and finish sewing the remaining side.  Put this on your child's pillow to give them sweet dreams.
  • Take a nature walk through the woods and explore the changing colors of the leaves with your children.  Tell them the various myths created to explain why this occurs each year.
  • Go apple picking with your children and let them help you create marvelous dishes out of the apples.  Make apple fritters, applesauce, apple pies, baked apples.  Use your imagination (and your cookbook) and have fun.

Foods:

Foods that are appropriate at this time of year include: corn, beans, lentils, apples & squash.

Breakfast: Corn muffin with apple butter
Lunch:  Cream of squash, corn chowder or lentil soup
Dinner:  Make some pork with applesauce, squash and corn

Here are some great sites to check out for recipes to use:

Enjoy!