In the Northern Hemisphere, the second harvest of the season falls between September 21st to the 24th. This equinox also rings in Libra Season, which begins on the 21st or 22nd, and lasts until approximately October 22nd. In the Southern Hemisphere, this marks the beginning of the Spring Equinox (Ostara). Also known as the Autumn (or Fall) Equinox, this is when night and day are (relatively) equal, and marks the beginning of darker days ahead coinciding with the beginning of Fall/Autumn.
In Wicca and Western neo-paganism, ‘Mabon’ is one of the eight sabbats in the Wheel of the Year. This holiday’s name originates from the Welsh epic, Culhwch and Olwen. The name Mabon is named after the Celtic deity (whose name means “son” but could also reference the Sun itself) in the fable who is born on the equinox, then kidnapped 3 days later and held captive in the Otherworld. Mabon is the Child of Light whose disappearance happens during this time of the waning sun. King Arthur eventually rescues Mabon, liberating him on the Winter Solstice. Even though this myth can be traced back to antiquity, the association with the deity Mabon and the Autumn Equinox stems from modern, Gardnerian Wicca, other than earlier pagan traditions. I’m not going to get into Gardnerian Wicca or Gerald Gardner here, but will do so in another zine!
For many modern witches, the name “Mabon” or referring to it as Fall/Autumn Equinox is rather synonymous. I tend to do this myself as I got into witchcraft at the height of the big Wicca movement in the USA in the 1990s. However, as I personally don’t consider myself Wiccan, I prefer to refer to it as Autumn Equinox. There’s no right or wrong name to call it, whichever feels best for you is always the way to go.
However recent or ancient pagan traditions of this equinox may be, it is clear that across the northern hemisphere celebrations at this time of year are ancient indeed. Another myth commonly invoked during the time of Autumn Equinox is the Ancient Greek tale of Persephone.
According to History.com:
“To the ancient Greeks, the September equinox marks the return of the goddess Persephone to the darkness of the underworld, where she is reunited with her husband Hades.”
From Holistic Spirituality:
“The Abduction of Persephone
Persephone [Persephonê] was the goddess queen of the underworld, wife of the god Haides [Haidês] (Hades). She was also titled Kore (Core) (the Maiden) and was the goddess of spring growth. Persephone was worshiped alongside her mother Demeter in the Eleusinian Mysteries. This agricultural-based cult promised its initiates passage to a blessed afterlife.
“Persephone was usually depicted as a young goddess holding sheafs of grain and a flaming torch. Sometimes she was shown in the company of her mother Demeter, and the hero Triptolemos, the teacher of agriculture. At other times she appears enthroned beside Haides.”
Persephone was the daughter of Zeus and his sister, Demeter [Dêmêtêr], who in turn was the middle daughter of Kronos and Rhea. Demeter’s name means ‘Mother Earth’. She was considered the mother of corn, or of all crops and vegetation, and consequently of agriculture and growth. Demeter also presided over fertility, nature, and the seasons.
Demeter’s most important myth concerns the rape of her daughter Persephone by her uncle, Haides, lord of the Underworld. Zeus, without the knowledge of Demeter, had promised Persephone to Haides, and while she was gathering flowers, the earth suddenly opened and she was carried off by Haides.
Her cries were heard only by Hekate and Helios. Demeter searched ceaselessly for Persephone, during which time the earth was infertile and famine-stricken. As all life on earth was threatened with extinction, Zeus sent Hermes to the underworld to fetch Persephone. Haides released her, but gave her a pomegranate, which bound her to him for one third of the year when she ate the seeds. Persephone’s time in the underworld corresponded with the unfruitful times of the year, and her return with springtime.”
As we can see, Hades being considered Persephone’s “husband” is quite a subjective term that cannot be tied up in a bow, and speaks to the very real subject of rape and human trafficking. Many modern witches consider Persephone/Kore (Roman) as patron goddess(es) during this time of year, as well as Hekate (who I will make a zine all about in the future – I’m putting a lot of pressure on myself here).
We don’t need to have a direct connection to the popular Celtic (or other European-based) traditional pagan holidays in order to experience our paganism. Explore ways you experience spirituality. For example, if you are devoted to a certain pop culture universe, see what you can find there that aligns with your personal paganism. Some witches from Jewish backgrounds create a practice that coincides with the Jewish High Holy Days. Spirituality looks different for every person, and the key thing to having a connection with our paganism is to make it our own. The closer our personal connection in whichever way we experience it, the more potent our manifestations will be.
Other examples of deity correspondences of this season*:
Banbha: Celtic goddess of the harvest
Ceres: Roman goddess of the harvest; generosity, knowledge
Çhicomecoatl: Aztec goddess of fire, fertility, community, abundance
Demeter: Greek goddess of grains, guardian of the harvest
Gaia: Greek, protector/nurturer of all living beings and the land
Huichi: Japanese, harvest goddess, strength, resilience
Inna: Nigerian, goddess of yams, the harvest
Inanna: Sumerian goddess of abundance and fertility
Inari Ōkami: Japanese, non-binary Shinto kami of the grains, harvest, natural elements, rice, foxes, fertility
Isis: Egpytian, goddess of the harvest, magic, fertility, abundance, nourishment
Lugh: Celtic god of the harvest, corn, grains, bread
Osiris: Egyptian god of Agriculture, the Underworld
Parvati: Hindu goddess of the harvest, protector of women
Pachamama: Inca goddess of harvest, fertility
Po Ino Nogar: Cambodian goddess of the harvest, growth, fertility
Pomona: Roman goddess of orchards, fruit trees, abundance, fruit, life-giving energy
Selu: Cherokee goddess of corn, harvest, weather, fertility, sustenance, abundance
*Again, please stay mindful of engaging with closed cultures, and appropriation when working with Spirit
One of the main themes of the Autumn Equinox is fostering equilibrium, and this equinox is frequently connected with sacred deities linked to justice, some of whom are typically seen holding scales such as Lady Justice, Archangel Michael, Thoth and Themis. This is the perfect time for concocting spells centered around justice-based initiatives, actions and rituals, as well as the restoration of harmony to communities and families. Activist witches have been particularly focused on spells engaging with the liberation of those experiencing genocide, especially FREEDOM FOR PALESTINE at this time of year.
As Mabon is the second harvest festival in the Wheel of the Year, themes surrounding the Autumn Equinox are gratitude, blessings and the celebration of the Earth’s bounty. It is the season of giving thanks for our loved ones, those past and present. Witches coming from a more secular and/or queer, non-Western vantage point can still embrace all of these associations by reveling in the change of seasons and all the good stuff too. More and more witches have been turning to spellwork centered around climate activism and conserving natural resources at this time of year in particular (but year round too). Crafting magical tools, and talismans, as well as harvesting and mixing botanicals for potions and spells are excellent Autumn Equinox activities.
We don’t need to be involved in a literal harvest to celebrate whatever we have harvested in our own lives over the course of the year. This season gives us a chance to sit back and celebrate what we have manifested into being. It doesn’t matter if it’s on a big or a small scale, a personal or a professional level, or any other measurement: it’s ours to bask in. Allow yourself to do so. It sometimes seems that we spend twice as much time cutting ourselves down, and hardly any time patting ourselves on the back, and building ourselves up.
Transition and wisdom are central themes of Autumn Equinox. This is a time of letting go that which no longer serves us. What has transitioned for you in your life? How are you handling that transition? What are some of the things you learned along the way? It’s time to release all of the muck that has been building up emotionally. As the days get darker, the light inside needs to get brighter.
Mabon is the time to honor the strength within us and take stock of what we have – not just that of the material variety (but, hell, if buying the perfect color of lipstick is your jam: go for it) as we journey into the long, dark winter nights. For many, darkness is something to be avoided. The return of darkness comes with this equinox. What does it feel like when you embrace the darkness (besides feeling metal AF)? Is there beauty in the darkness? What is it? Remember, seeds germinate in the dark. What intentions can you set to germinate over the fall and winter months? The shadow is like a bed of deep, rich soil. The shadow is not always negative: it’s the wellspring of our personal power and home to the subliminal.
Celebrations can be as simple as a glass of wine or a joint in a spot where you can relax and quietly contemplate, to a brash gathering of fellow witches (or general mirth-makers) with a potluck and maybe a ritual however formal or informal you choose to be. As someone who hardly ever takes part in group rituals, I get as elaborate or simplistic as energy allows that day. I typically use this time to do a tarot pull, and a simple meditative ritual.
Just taking a moment to appreciate the changing of the season and the progression of time helps give us a better outlook and reflect upon ourselves and the past year. Stepping back from the day-to-day norm inspires us to live with deeper intention within the moment. Using this time to reconnect with the natural world and our relationship to it better grounds us to the here and now. We are all inhabitants of Earth and time moves all of us. Here’s to us as we journey into my favorite season: Fall.
Autumn Equinox Associations
Colors:
Brown: grounding, focus and stability
Yellow: creativity, friendship, warmth
Orange: energy, vitality
Tarot Cards: 2 of Pentacles; Justice; The Hanged One; The Hermit
Stones:
Garnet: creativity, love, courage
Carnelian: luck, boosts self-esteem, creativity, motivation, love, passion, courage
Bloodstone: protects against negative energy, enhances decision-making, enhances analytical thinking and decision-making
Quartz: manifestation, healing, meditation, protection, channeling
Smoky Quartz: balance, healing, neutralizes negative energy, alleviates anxiety, promotes physical and emotional well-being
Food/Beverages:
apples, grapes, wine, pumpkins, GOURDS MOTHERFUCKERZ!!!, CORNUCOPIA BRO!,
Botanicals/Herbs:
acorns, oak trees, red/orange/yellow leaves, sage, cinnamon, chai, moss, nutmeg
Fragrances:
sage, chai, cinnamon, vanilla, sandalwood, patchouli, plum, musk, pumpkin, cedarwood, moss, nutmeg, bark, bergamot, lavender, mint, juniper, citrus, pear, brown sugar, wood, benzoin, tobacco, mahogany, cardamom, apple, black pepper, clove, cedar, pine, saffron
Happy Autumn Equinox!
This is meant to be read as inspiration. Take what works and leave the rest. If you’d like to share this work, please credit the source and provide a link to this post or our website. Thank you for your support and for spreading this work around. We really appreciate it — and you.