Mabon Lore

Mabon Correspondences

• Other Names: Autumn Equinox, Harvest Home, Second Harvest, Alban Elfed, Witches' Thanksgiving, and Cornucopia.
• Colors: Brown, Orange, Violet, Maroon, Russet, and Deep Gold
• Symbols: Grapes, Wine, Vines, Garland, Gourds, Burial Cairns, Rattles, Horn of Plenty, Indian Corn and Sun Wheels.
• Ritual Meaning: Celebrating the Second Harvest, Balance, Honoring Aging Deities, Darkness Overtaking the Light and the Celebration of Wine.
• Key Actions: Giving Thanks
• Ritual Oils: Apple Blossom, Hay/Straw, Black Pepper and Patchouli.
• Stones: Yellow Topaz, Carnelian, Sapphire, Yellow Agate, Lapis Lazuli and Amethyst.
• Plants: Vines, Ivy, Hazel, Cedar, Hops and Tobacco.
• Activities: Wine Making and Adorning Graves.
• Taboos: Passing Burial Sites and not Honoring the Dead
• Animals: Dogs, Wolves, Birds of Prey (Especially the Owl and Eagle), Blackbirds, Salmon, Stags and Goats.
• Mythical Creatures: Andaman, Cyclops, Gnomes, Gulon, Minotaur, and the Sphinx.
• Deities: All Wine Deities (especially Dionysus and Bacchus), Persephone, Modron, Morgan, Snake Woman, Epona, Pamona, Muses, Demeter, Ceres, Thor, Mabon, Thoth, Hermes, Harvest Deities and Aging Deities.
• Foods: Grapes, Acorns, Wheat Bread, Indian Corn, Cornbread, Corn, Root Crops (Onions, Carrots, Potatoes, etc.) Nuts, Dried Fruits, Apples, Beans, and Squash.
• Drinks: Wine, Ale, and Cider

Maenads (Wild Women)

 Women especially were drawn to following Dionysian celebrations and the deeper mysteries beyond the wild rites. There was a lot of the uninhibited riotousness of a modern day rock concert-and more- to these exuberant and ecstatic gatherings.

According to some ancient writers it was possible for a woman for whom the pressures of life had simply gotten too great, to take off for a week, month, or more and join with the maenads, the "wild women," who did indeed run completely wild and totally free in the forest, enjoying riotous, ecstatic dancing, singing, and drinking in the mountain wilderness.

Encountering them was terminally unfortunate for the unlucky wanderer, the curious rogue, or the wild animal that trespassed on their domains! They were viewed as sacred madwomen, and by both religious law and popular sentiment; no harm was ever to come to them, on pain of death. Offerings of food and drink were left by the devout in places, where the maenads would find them. There was a risk to performing this duty to Dionysus, however, for anyone caught by the wild women could quite possibly meet a violent end.

After a woman had "been wild" for long enough and felt that all the stresses of house and family responsibilities had been worked out of her system, she could apparently return home to resume her life as before, no questions asked, dignity intact.

Will we ever have a return of the maenads, the Bacchae, the wild women? With some modifications for this very different era it might still be a very interesting idea, and a way for getting life's hard pressures out of the soul and spirit. Perhaps some day.

Bacchus/Dionysus

During the time of Greece his worship was centered in Thrace and Phrygia (though it spread far and wide), and a thousand or more years previously he seems to have come from ancient Crete. In the eras before Rome he was called Dionysus, the young and virile god of vegetation, wine, and ecstasy.

During the time of Rome, he was known as Bacchus, the god of wine. Bacchus was the protector of those who imbibed a little, a lot, or simply were totally drunk! He gave a release from stress and a relaxation from hard work, and he was present when businessmen, politicians, soldiers, friends, and lovers would come together.

But there was a much darker and wilder side to Bacchus/Dionysus in centuries before. He was recognized as a god who was both riotous and oddly enough who would reveal the deepest mysteries of life to those who were willing to take the chance.

His cult was wild and dangerous: the unwary risked death and dismemberment in trespassing on the rites or attempting to spy on the worshippers.

And the deeper mysteries of life, death, and immortality? They're still here for those who wish to seek them. But for now, celebrate the fruit of the fall season. Raise a chalice of fine red wine, and give a salutation to Bacchus, to Dionysus.

Snake (Serpent)

The stories of Dionysus' birth vary. The original legend, from the far more ancient sea-empire of Crete, seems to be that the Goddess coupled with the primal male-force of the serpent while she was herself in serpent form to beget the ambitious and daring young goddess who later was called Persephone.

Some people believe that Persephone was not seized and carried off by Hades to the underworld, but quite willingly sought him out and went with him. Hades, in addition to ruling the land of the dead, was and is still the patron of wealth and power, and possesses the vast wisdom of life, death, and what lies beyond.

Then the primeval serpent mated again, or perhaps it was Hades himself, but Persephone gave birth to Dionysus. His symbol has become the snake or serpent.

The snake is an arcane symbol of earth and water. It has its own intelligence. Like a river winding its way above ground or far below, it creeps silently along its path. It dwells in the earth and comes forth like a fresh spring of water from the hillside, or a new shoot from its hole.

Above all, the serpent can penetrate the tomb, and in sloughing off its own skin represents rebirth and immortality. It can be a dangerous creature, but similarly there is danger in seeking the deepest of wisdom.

In the Bible, it is also a serpent who offers Eve the Forbidden Fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. It is said that the Serpent offered Eve an Apple, who then tasted and offered it to Adam. When they ate the fruit, they lost their innocence and were thus cast from Paradise.