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Celtic Awareness

Mea'n Fo'mhair: The History of Mabon

Mabon (pronounced MAH-bawn), 2nd Harvest, Autumn Equinox, September 21^st.

Mabon is the time of the year when the day and night are divided equally,moreover, this is the time we all pay homage to the approaching darkness, as well as, give thanks to the waning rays of sunlight.

"The Druids call this celebration, Mea'n Fo'mhair, and honor the Green Man, the God of the Forest, by offering libations to trees. Offerings of ciders, wines, herbs and fertilizer are appropriate at this time. Mabon is considered a time of the Mysteries. It is a time to honor Aging Deities and the Spirit World." (Akasha, 1999).

The 20^th. century Poet and Druid William Blake wrote this poem that he dedicated to autumn

"O Autumn, laden with fruit, and stained
With the blood of the grape, pass not,
but sit
Beneath my shady roof, there thou may'st rest,
And tune thy jolly voice to my fresh pipe;
And all the daughters of the year shall dance,
Sing now the lusty song of fruits and flowers. "
~ William Blake (1913), To Autumn

Harvest Home

This is the second celebration of the Feast of the Ingathering - at the commencement of Lammas, winter withdrew to his underworld, but during Mabon he returns to earth. Harvest Home was the time of year that our Celtic ancestors would celebrate nature's bounties, reflect on past seasonsand acknowledge that (Summer) Lughnasa is now over. Harvest Home alsosymbolizes a time for rest followinga season of labor, and a ritual of blessings and thanksgivingfruits of our labors and lessons.

This is also the time of year to reflect on what you have learnt and achieved, and to plan for the coming year.

Mabon Rituals

By tradition, this Ritual was observed with an ingathering or harvest feast, which was seen as a statement of faith. Finding your center point connecting with the earth and the universe begin the ritual incantation, and know that where you are about to enter is truly between the world.

"Smoke hangs like haze over harvested fields,
The gold of stubble, the brown of turned earth
And you walk under the red light of fall
The scent of fallen apples, the dust of threshed grain
The sharp, gentle chill of fall.
Here as we move into the shadows of autumn
The night that brings the morning of spring
Come to us, Lord of Harvest
Teach us to be thankful for the gifts you bring us ..."
~ Autumn Equinox Ritual

The Wicker man

The ancient Celts had a ritual practice“of dressing the last sheaf of corn harvested in fine clothes” (New-Age, 2003). It was saidthat the corn spirit or the sun was spellbound or trapped in the corn and must be set free. This effigy was burned in commemoration of the Ingathering and the ashes would be spread upon the fields. The misconception that Druids made human sacrifices may have been caused in part by the annual sacrifice of a large wicker man representing the corn spirit.

In some areas the last sheaf was held in reservewaiting the following spring, when the sheafwould be plowed back into the earth. In Scotland the last sheaf of Ingathering is known as “the Maiden,” and has to be cut by the youngest female present (New-Age, 2003).

Fall Equinox - Table of associations