(September 21)
This is the Autumn Equinox, and is the completion of the harvest begun at Lughnasadh. Once again day and night are equal, poised as the God prepares to leave His physical body and begin the great adventure into the unseen, toward renewal and rebirth of the Goddess. Nature declines, draws back its bounty, readying for winter and its time of rest. The Goddess nods in the weakening Sun, though fire burns within Her womb. She feels the presence of the God even as He wanes.
Decorate the altar with acorns, oak sprigs, pine and cypress cones, ears of corn, wheat stalks and other fruits and nuts. Also place there a small rustic basket filled with dried leaves of various colors and kinds.
Arrange the altar, light the candles and incense, and cast the Circle. Invoke the four corners and the Goddess and God. Stand before the altar, holding up the basket of leaves, and slowly scatter them so that they cascade to the ground within the circle. Say such words as these:
Leaves fall,
the days grow cold.
The Goddess pulls Her mantle of Earth around Her
as You, O Great Sun God, sail toward the West
to the lands of eternal enchantment,
wrapped in the coolness of night.
Fruits ripen,
seeds drop,
the hours of the day and night are balanced.
Chill winds blow in from the North wailing laments.
In this seeming extinction of nature's power, O Blessed
Goddess, I / we know that life continues.
For spring is impossible without the second harvest,
as surely as life is impossible without death.
Blessings upon you, O Fallen God, as you journey into
the lands of winter and into the Goddess' loving arms.
Place the basket down and say:
O Gracious Goddess of all fertility, I / we have
shown and
reaped the fruits of my / our actions, good and bane.
Grant me / us the courage to plant the seeds of joy and love in
the coming year, banishing misery and hate. Teach me / us the secrets
of wise existence upon this planet,
O luminous one of the night!
Works of magic, if necessary, may follow. Celebrate the Simple Feast. Release the Circle.
The foods of Mabon consist of the second harvest's gleanings, so grains, fruits and vegetables predominate, especially corn. Cornbread is traditional fare, as are beans and baked squash.
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