Commonly referred to as Fall Equinox, the Celtic Thanksgiving, or the Great Feast — September 21st marks the day of Mabon. While it’s probably a celebration you haven’t heard of, I’m sure you recognize at least one of its sister holidays (for example, Germany’s Oktoberfest).
What is Celtic Mabon?
This day is marked by a balance in nature. The sun perfectly crosses the equator, giving both the northern and southern hemisphere the same amount of daylight. Twelve hours of sunlight and twelve hours of nighttime in perfect harmony — the beginning of the fall season! Traditionally the time of the harvest, it is no wonder many associate it with the American Thanksgiving.
Although frequently deemed a pagan holiday, this tradition was celebrated long before the name “Mabon” was given to it. Originally, and to most who celebrate, this is simply a celebration of the transitioning relationship with Mother Earth. As the days turn darker toward winter, we believe in bringing with us a sense of positivity and hope. Science even shows that many forms of mental illness get worse with this change in season, so, while this celebration obviously won’t cure mental illness, it may help some people through the winter.
On September 21st, we cheer on the accomplishments that our friends and families have made over the past year, and we remind ourselves that we can shine our own lights within the darkness! For those of you also looking to shine light this season, here are a few ideas to take part in the festivities.
Host a potluck
Mabon is meant to commemorate the end of the harvest season. A time of plenty, and — in accordance with tradition — a potluck is essential! What better way to celebrate than by putting together a huge feast for friends and family?
A potluck gives everyone a chance to get together to celebrate and demonstrate their favorite cooking skills (or their ability to pick out the perfect treat from the bakery section of the grocery store). Ask everyone to bring their favorite dishes — just make sure to find out what everyone’s bringing beforehand. The last thing you want are six dozen pumpkin cookies without a main course!
Since Mabon is a celebration of the bountiful Earth, itself, we recommend hosting your potluck outside, if weather permits. Your local park would be a great option, or if one of your loved ones has a yard big enough to accommodate everyone, that’d be a great choice, too.
Mabon is all about inclusivity, so we want to make sure everyone gets a seat at the table! This a good time to put our differences on the back burner and just celebrate and focus on thankfulness.
Donate food / Start a food drive
In the spirit of the Great Harvest, keep an eye out for pantry items that have been sitting on your shelves for months (but are not yet past their best-by date). Ask yourself if you’re really going to use it before it expires, and, if not, maybe a local family needs it more.
Helping your community is a primary tradition of Mabon — and local food banks need our help now, more than ever, in order to help our less fortunate fill their tables. As always, the Great Feast is meant to include everyone, and we are at our best when we share the bountiful harvest.
If you’re feeling really generous, you can organize a food drive! This will bring the whole community together to support those of us who are a little down on their luck.
Go apple picking
Apple picking is a quintessential fall activity — and incorporating it into your Mabon festivities is a part of the fall equinox tradition. However, according to folklore, couples should only do this activity together if they’re trying to conceive (apples represent fertility)!
Pile in with your family and friends for a daytrip to your local Pick-Your-Own (PYO) orchard or cider mill! If your town doesn’t have one, plan a day trip to one a few hours away. The amenities vary at these orchards — some offer ready-made food (like fresh apple pies), some offer picnic areas, and some offer even more fun! Check around to see what is available in your area. You can make a whole day of it by strolling through the beautiful, fruited orchards, having a picnic among the trees, and enjoying delicious, fresh, apple drinks and pastries!
There’s bound to be plenty of Instagrammable moments but, once you’ve taken your fill of pictures, be sure to put the phone away and spend some time with your loved ones. Be present in the moment and bask in the joy of being surrounded by the (literal) fruits of your labor. Mabon is all about celebrating your and your loved ones’ accomplishments over the year and bringing that positivity to the darker seasons.
Decorating with pinecones
When it comes to this tradition, think of your pinecone designs more as creating compostable décor honoring Mother Nature, rather than a children’s craft project — although children can certainly partake in the fun!
You can infuse the pinecones with your favorite fall scents (like cinnamon, pumpkin, or apple spice) to fill your home with the rich and comforting aromas of the coming autumn. String them together with a red or orange raffia to create garlands for your living room!
You can also make bird or squirrel feeders with pinecones, no-salt peanut butter or sunflower seed butter, and thick natural twine. Mabon is about celebrating Mother Earth and all her creatures, so adorn your yard or apartment patio with these plastic-free feeders to allow your winged or furry friends to partake in the festivities, too!
Use dried flowers, fruits, and herbs to make potpourri
Drying flowers, herbs, and fruits is a tradition that has been passed down for centuries — and it’s a favorite festivity to celebrate Mabon! You can use these dried flowers, fruits, and herbs to make decorative centerpieces for the holidays, homemade candles and soaps (or as embellishments to store-bought ones), and — the ultimate fan-favorite — custom-made potpourri!
Making your own potpourri bestows a festive, fall flair to your home de la nature. I mean, who needs an air freshener plug-in when you can make your own with simple ingredients you probably already have around the house! (Bonus? These handmade scents can last longer and naturally boost your mood, too!)
You can use fruits like apples, pears, and oranges to give your potpourri a fruity aroma, or stick with a few fragrant flowers like roses, lavender, or pansies. You’ll want to find a balance between the fragrances — you won’t want any clashing scents! Half the fun of homemade potpourri is making it visually appealing, so you should supplement your flowers with foraged materials like small pine cones, cloves, or cinnamon sticks.
Don’t worry about your potpourri not being strong enough. You can always supplement with essential oils to add a burst of fresh scent. Be sure to add some orris root powder (which develops a soft violet scent of its own when dried) at the very end in order to preserve the sweet-smelling fragrance, but you can always add in a few extra drops of oil if the scent ever starts to fade.
Release what no longer serves you (literally!)
Mabon is a celebration of balance and a foundation for positivity. Releasing what no longer serves you is essential to achieving balance. Consider what’s been weighing you down this past year — are you still holding on to that negative energy? Meditate in solitude, journal through everything that’s been on your mind, and take stock of all that you’re feeling. Ask yourself, “What is holding me back? What is no longer bringing me joy? What can I let go of?”
Write everything down on a piece of paper, then (here’s the fun part) you’re going to burn it. This part of the process doesn’t have to be done alone — although it certainly can be! — but rather with loved ones gathered together around a bonfire, each of you participating in the release. You can each burn your papers one at a time or throw them all in together.
Make sure you take a moment (and a deep breath) before throwing your paper into the fire. It may seem silly at first, but the physical action of burning will help you to actually psychologically release whatever is holding you back. If you don’t have access to a fire, you can always shred or recycle the paper. The symbolism of this release is what really matters.
And bring your light with you into the coming seasons
Similar to American Thanksgiving, Mabon places great emphasis on appreciating everyone and everything that has happened during the past year. Be mindful about telling those you love how much they mean to you, even if you feel you already tell them enough.
Let this be a time to celebrate your own personal harvest, as well! Whether it be success in your career, accomplishing your yearly resolution, or even just having survived another year in this crazy world. Every day is a gift to be cherished, and while this past year may have been a rough one, allow yourself to appreciate how much you (and your friends and family) have grown and accomplished.
Put positive energy into the universe, and I guarantee that light will shine back on you tenfold.
