Mabon is a pagan holiday that is acknowledged on the fall equinox and marks the beginning of the autumn season. During this time, we begin to notice the days getting shorter and the leaves on the trees starting to change color. Our t-shirts and flip-flops will soon be replaced with long sleeves and boots. Apple picking, corn mazes, and pumpkin patches are now on the activity list.
Mabon is one of eight celebrations on the Wheel of the Year and falls between Lughnasadha and Samhain. Mabon is considered a harvest festival, specifically one where we give thanks. This is a time to give thanks to Mother Earth and the crops she allowed us to grow. We also give thanks for the sunlight as it will soon be replaced with increased darkness. It is also a time to appreciate our garden and all the hard work it has put in. During this time, our plants that have basked in the summer sun, soaking up all of their energy, are finally ready to be picked. We can now begin preparing them for winter by canning and preserving the food for the colder months ahead.
Since Mabon falls on an equinox, both day and night are equal in length, making it a great time to check in and see where we feel off, inviting us to restore balance in our lives. The equinox marks the point in the year when the sun begins to fade away and the night begins to rein. It is important to examine our shadow selves and seek out ways we can improve. What are things we can work on over the winter so we can transform in the spring like a butterfly? During the fall season, the leaves on the trees begin to change from bright green to golden yellow, orange, and red. Mabon allows us to invite change into our hearts and teaches us to embrace the unknown. Transitions are hard and often viewed as scary, so we try to resist them when in reality they can be a beautiful thing. Changing from one phase to the next allows us to shed old habits and regrow new ones.
Herbs for Mabon:
Plants for Mabon:
- Acorns
- Apples
- Corn
- Grapes
- Mushrooms
- Nuts
- Pumpkin
- Squash
Ways to Celebrate Mabon:
- Drinking cider, mead, and wine
- Celebrating with friends
- Setting an altar
- Giving thanks to Mother Earth and your garden
- Visiting orchards and pumpkin patches
- Checking in with yourself and shadow self
- Meditation
- Kitchen witchery
A Recipe for Mabon:
by Amanda Furbee
The Herb Shoppe’s Open Heart Mulling Spice blend is the perfect combination for sipping and celebrating the traditions of Mabon. Invite in the warmth of a hearth and give thanks for the abundance of our harvest for the year!
Our Open Heart Mulling Spice blend combines classic mulling spices with gentle Hawthorn berries to keep you warm and smiling throughout these cooler months. Add Open Heart Mulling spice to wine, cider, or water for a heart-centered beverage you can sip all season long.
Ingredients:
- .5oz Open Heart Mulling Spice
- 32oz of liquid of choice (wine, apple cider, juice, water)
- Fresh apples, figs, cherries, and/or currants (optional)
- Honey (optional)
Instructions:
- Combine 2-3 tablespoons (.5 oz.) of Open Heart Mulling Spice with one quart (32 oz.) of liquid (wine, apple cider, water)
- Add fruit if you would like. I love the extra sweetness that fruit offers!
- Simmer for 15-30 minutes.
- Turn off heat source, strain, add honey if you would like, and enjoy once cooled enough to drink safely!
- Top with a cinnamon stick and fresh orange peel for an extra treat!