Celebrating Mabon (Autumn Equinox)
(~excerpt from "The Crystal Witch" "A Year and A Day of Spells for Empowering Life" by Andrew Pacholyk)
Traditions from the Celtic culture have always fascinated me. Found in France, at the end of the 19th century, The Coligny-Calendar is a compilation of pre-Christian Celtic systems of timekeeping, including the Gaulish Coligny calendar, used by Celtic countries to define the beginning and length of the day, the week, the month, the seasons, quarter days, and festivals. The Gaulish Coligny calendar is possibly the oldest Celtic solar/lunar ritual calendar.
Evidence has shown that it was made under the auspices of the Druids, as it shows the Druidical belief in lucky and unlucky days. Each month is divided into a good half(marked "MAT" or auspicious) and a bad half (marked :ANM" inauspicious). The year was divided into a light half and a dark half.
Mabon falls at the end of the "light half". This is also the Autumn Equinox. This is the time of the completion of the harvest started at Lughnasad. Day and night are equal once more as the God prepares to travel toward renewal and rebirth from the Goddess. Mabon, a Welsh son of the Divine Mother, was captured as a child and taken to the Otherworld. He was ultimately rescued and this sun festival celebrates the second harvest (or second chance). Autumn is a season of shadows and a time of waning light, but it is also a season of abundance, giving thanks and harvest. Traditions from this season include traditional walks through wilderness or fields, gathering dried plants to be used for decorating or future herbal decoctions. The altar can be adorn with acorns, pine cones, corn stalks, and various colored Fall leaves. This is the time for completion of tasks, the act of forgiving and the fruition of long-term goals. Here is a fun "ritual" or positive affirmation process that brings awareness to our seasonal change:
-1 candles (brown, red, pumpkin) or (3 white for purity, spirit and sanctity)
-1 anointing oil (create your own ~ Fall oil, or use our MOON Glow Mabon/Fall oil)
-1 incense (create your own ~ see recipe below ~ or use our Sacred Incense Collection)
-1 crystal each of color: brown stone (copper or flint), purple stone (amethyst or fluorite), orange stone (carnelian or calcite), black stone (obsidian or tourmaline)
-1 basket
-loaf of bread
-gourds of pumpkins
-apples, berries (black, current, red)
-leaves
-Salt, altar cloth, popcorn (representing harvest)…
In the Western most part of your home, build your altar or use your current altar.
With your salt or popcorn…. Cast a circle or lay down your altar cloth.
Light your incense and trace the circle with the smoke, then place the dish of incense in the center.
Now add your basket to the center of the circle.
With your oil, anoint your candle. Place the candle in the circle and then light your candles.
With your oil, anoint your crystals. Place your crystals into the basket.
Now add your bread, gourds, pumpkins, leaves, apples and berries to the basket
"Oh harvest day so full of pride,
I give thanks for all gifts of mine,
Of gracious food to fill my soul,
With gratitude that's 10 times fold.
With thanks for all that comes my way,
To those who suffer every day,
Let their burden be much less,
through my prayers and thankfulness."
Take a moment of contemplation before your sacred space. Reflect upon the joy of abundance in your life and the gratitude before you. You may have much or you may have a little. What really matters is that you are truly grateful for what you DO have and NOT what you don't have. Take advantage of this time to give thanks. Realized how blessed and lucky you are. Pay attention to what you have been give DAILY. This is the real magic and it is important that you REALLY recognize it! Walk within nature and get familiar with the re-introduction of nature, back into your aura. It is time to give thanks, contemplate and remember.
Andrew Pacholyk, MS L.Ac
http://www.peacefulmind.com/workshops.htm
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