POV: You’re new to all things Witchy and are trying to navigate allllllll the different sources of information. Don’t worry Bestie, I’m here to give you the easy beginner-friendly deets for understanding the pagan celebration of Mabon! Here’s the quick breakdown:
What is it and how do you say it?
Mabon (pronounced MAY-bun or MAH-bun) is a pagan festival celebrated as part of the Wheel of the Year, a modern calendar of seasonal holidays observed by many modern pagans, particularly those following Wicca and other neopagan traditions.
When is Mabon?
Mabon occurs on the autumnal (Fall) equinox, typically around September 21st to 24th in the Northern Hemisphere. It marks the second of three harvest festivals (the first being Lammas/Lughnasadh, and the third being Samhain). It is a time of thanksgiving and a recognition of the need to share. For some, it is to secure the blessings of the gods during the coming winter months. For this reason, it is often called “Pagan Thanksgiving” and celebrated with a feast.
History & Lore
The festival is named after Mabon ap Modron, a figure from ancient Welsh mythology, though the holiday itself is a modern creation of the 1970’s. Aiden Kelly, a prominent figure in the American neopagan movement, chose the name Mabon for this sabbat on the Wheel of the Year. There is no historical evidence that Mabon ap Modron was specifically associated with the fall equinox in ancient times; in fact, he is more often associated with youthfulness and strength!
Common Mabon Correspondences
There are a wide variety of herbs, foods, animals and other items that symbolically correspond to the celebration of Mabon. A few common correspondences include Rosemary, Sage, Corn, Apples, Pumpkins, Owls, Stags, and Maple Leaves. You can find a more thorough list in my Mabon Ritual Guide which is now available on my website.
Who Celebrates Mabon?
Anyone can celebrate Mabon! You don’t have to be a Witch, or a Pagan, or a Wiccan practitioner. Observing this, or any other holiday/festival/sabbat doesn’t make you “more witchy” or spiritual or whatever.
However, if you choose to celebrate keep in mind that the feast of Mabon is a time to express gratitude and to give thanks for the blessings in our lives. This is also a time to honor the aging deities or ancestors, recognizing the cycle of life, death, and rebirth that is mirrored in the changing seasons.
Final Thoughts
My quick overview of Mabon should be enough to get you started with comfortably honoring this pagan holiday. Of course, there are many sources available should you wish to take a deeper dive! An excellent and comprehensive resource is Mabon: Rituals, Recipes & Lore for the Autumn Equinox from Llewellyn Publishing. It’s part of their Sabbat Essentials series, and pretty affordable too for us thrifty witches! (My affiliate link above can save you a few bucks too!) Wishing you many bright blessings as you celebrate Mabon.
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