Autumn Equinox, Mabon
Mabon Blessings!
Considered by earth-based traditions as the "Pagan Thanksgiving '', Mabon is one of three harvest festivals. Early societies knew the importance of gathering together in community to feast as a village of one because all played an important role in the survival of the tribe, and without each other they would not survive.
The Autumn Equinox will happen this year on Wednesday, September 23, 2022 at 1:04 UTC, which is September 22, at 9:04pm EDT and 6:04pm PDT in the Northern Hemisphere. This marks the astronomical beginning of the autumn season in the Northern Hemisphere and the start of spring in the Southern Hemisphere.
The equinox is the point in time when the sun crosses the celestial equator simultaneously across the globe. We have two equinoxes in a year, one in the spring and one in autumn. At the exact moment of the equinox, the sun shines directly on the equator before continuing its journey north or south. In other words, when the sun passes over the equator, the length of day and night are the same.
We use the energies of polarities ; light and dark, masculine and feminine, inner and outer, awake and unconscious, etc. to sit in harmony with both energies and restore balance. It's a time of prayer and thanks for a blessed harvest season
In our personal spiritual journey, we can take the metaphorical seeds we planted during Ostara, or the spring equinox and observe the journey from then to now. We take note of the fruits of our labor, what served us, what lessons we learned, and also what we are ready to release. It's symbolic of embracing the natural death, rebirth, death process that is all around us, and within us. All things must die before they are reborn again. If you long for the light, you must first face the darkness within yourself.
Use this time to reflect on your journey and to give thanks for all your blessings.
Yours in deep love and gratitude,
Amanda
Mabon Meditation
Gather fallen leaves, acorns, apples, etc. and sit in meditation while holding them in the palm of your hands. You can have just one gift from nature, or as many as you would like.
Sit with a tall spine, float the eyes closed, and focus a few rounds of breathing in stillness with long, deep, inhales and exhales. Inhaling on a count of 4, and exhaling on a count of 8.
After several rounds and when your intuition tells you that you are ready, focus all your attention on the pieces of nature in your hands. Connect deeply with them and their journey from seedling, to this very moment. Each time your mind wanders to your to-do list, a conversation you need to have, an errand you need to run, etc. call it back to the nature in your hands.
Breathe in the essence of the journey of the leaf, seed, apple, etc. Breath out the essence of releasing, letting go. Let it play out like a movie in your head. Remember, there is no right or wrong way to do this. Whatever you experience is exactly what you are meant to.
When you feel the time is right, come out of your meditation, thank the pieces of nature for their energy, journal about your experience, and then release the items back into nature or perhaps in a Mabon fire while sipping warm apple cider!
Enjoy!
