Marvellous Mabon

We have just one weekend left available in all yurts on 20/21st September. This year the Autumn equinox falls on 22nd September so why not grab a gathering of like-minded friends and come for a weekend away to celebrate Mabon?

What is Mabon?

Mabon is a pagan holiday in the Wheel of the Year, falling on the Autumn equinox. The Autumn equinox is when there is equal light and dark in the day and it falls between 20th and 22nd September depending on the year. As such Mabon symbolises balance. It is also a harvest festival, giving thanks for the fruits of the earth as the last of the harvests are brought home. 

How to celebrate Mabon

Thanks to its connection with harvest, Mabon is a feast-centred holiday, a perfect time to celebrate with a meal for family or friends. Coincidentally this year our village Mystery Supper falls on Mabon weekend. A Mystery (or Safari) Supper is like a potluck supper, but rather than all gathering in one place, each couple hosts one course (starter, main or dessert) and you only find out which house you are going to at the very beginning and then at the end of each subsequent course. You could of course do a traditional potluck dinner. 

You might like to decorate your home for Autumn with finds from the woods such as leaves and nuts, pumpkins and gourds from the garden. Perhaps make an Autumnal wreath for your door with dried flowers and leaves.

As Mabon marks the move into the darker half of the year a lovely way to honour this is by lighting a bonfire or candles. Cleanse your home using smudging sage or scented candles to purify your space.

Express gratitude for the year that has gone by journalling all that you are grateful for.
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The Wheel of the Year

The modern Wheel of the Year has 8 festivals - at the Winter and Summer solstices, the Spring and Autumn equinoxes and four interceding ones. We've written blogs about some of them before (click on the name to view): 

Winter Solstice (also known as Midwinter or Yule) around 21st December
Imbolc (sometimes called as Candlemas) around 1st February
Spring Equinox (or Ostara) around 21st March
Beltane (May Day) 1st May
Summer Solstice (Midwinter or Litha) around 21st June
Lammas (Lughnasadh) the first harvest festival held around 1st August
Autumn Equinox (Mabon or Harvest Home) around 21st September
Samhain (All Hallows) 1st November.
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