Our Fabled Nest

Autumn is the most magical time of the year! Autumn brings a sense of cozy change in the air. Leaves come alive with a multitude of glorious hues from amber to golden even the gorgeous hazel. It’s almost a dance as they float through the autumn breeze… a beautiful metaphor of how lovely and much needed change can be. How lovely it is to let go and trust the process.

Today we are celebrating Mabon or the autumn equinox… this is the seventh festival on the wheel of the year but the second harvest festival. Mabon is pronounced MAY-bun or MAWH-bawn. Thanks to our latest technology, we can easily calculate the exact day of the Equinox. It is the date when the sun enters the sign of Libra. Libra is balanced so this is more than fitting! It is essentially balance of light and darkness. We are also harvesting all of those things we planted. Spiritually, physically or metaphorically all are worthy of a celebration! Traditionally celebrated between the 20th and 23rd of September. I have never celebrated on the same day -it depends on life for my little family. Sometimes it falls in the middle of the week, or life gets a bit hectic. I am a-okay pushing our celebration off until we can properly celebrate.

Harvest festivals have been going on for centuries. Greeks had Oschophoria; autumn festival celebrating grapes for the purpose of wine. We have all heard of Oktoberfest, right? Back in the 1700s, Bavarians started this tradition. It is a longer festival beginning the last of September through most of October but it still has the same concept of merriment and feasting! China even honors family unity on the Harvest moon. In my little world, I celebrate Mabon as a sabbat of gratitude. It is the second to last on the wheel of the year and the second harvest festival. A celebration of what you’ve accomplished since the beginning of the year. Your goals, ambitions and dreams- what came to fruition? It’s beautiful to look back and see how far you’ve come! Look at all of the wonderful things you have accomplished! Mabon is a time to remember balance. Both feminine and masculine sides need to be honored. I also see Mabon as an ending for fresh beginnings. We have set those goals and now reaping the rewards. It’s time to wrap up any unfinished business, let go of anything that isn’t serving your highest self and clean house, so to speak. Stillness of winter is fast approaching, perfect time for introspection about the next season. Let’s get rid of all those things that could hinder progress to make room for all of the beautiful what if’s the future holds.

Mabon is named after a Welsh God. He was aptly known as a God of light, death and resurrection. He is also strongly associated with the harvest and embodies youthful life. Some celebrate the Maga phase of a woman’s life or time of year. We begin with the maiden for the spring, the mother for summer, Maga for autumn and then the final is the crone era. All are beautiful aspects of maturing and aging! Maga is the midlife where motherhood has almost taken a backseat, empty nesting is near, and retirement is in a more forethought. Maga is a beautiful season of life, where changes are more evident. Gracefully aware, letting go and getting excited for the next season.

So how are we celebrating? A simple walk with nature is always my first answer! Greeting the morning is another ritual I love and try to incorporate into my life more frequently. This is the easiest most uncomplicated moment I cherish! I wake up early and love to pour a hot cup of tea or coffee. I bring a journal, a blanket, my tea and maybe a crystal or two. I simply sit on my porch and journal or meditate on this season of life. I look within and really scrutinize how my values and actions are aligning. I do ask the hard questions to see how I can be a better human. Other options are gathering sticks for a bonfire. Instead of wish-cones, I would do grateful cones. Gather a pen, paper and find several pinecones. Cut or rip the paper into strips and write one thing on each piece you are grateful for. Fold this up tiny and stuff in your pinecone…. use as many pieces of paper and pinecones as you need! Then as the bonfire is roaring, think of your many blessings, think of how far you’ve come, give thanks to whom every you worship or celebrate. Simply toss the pinecone into the fire. Other ways to celebrate the Autumn Equinox are visit your local apple orchards, corn mazes and check out local festivals and fairs! Lots of beautiful, simple and easy ways to celebrate Mabon!

Food! Food will always be important to me and the way I celebrate pretty much anyone and anything in my life! I find food nostalgic and connecting to my ancestors. I typically celebrate them on Samhain but there’s a slight nod to them here as well. I wanted a homey country peasant meal (of sorts). A pot pie seemed to fit the theme, but I wanted proper autumn inspired root veggie coziness. Started off with an idea and ran with it! Our filling was a simple blend of sauteed chicken, parsnips, carrots, loads of garlic and fresh herbs. Our cozy filling was topped with pumpkin shaped biscuits… seriously cute! It was a simple but effective nod to simpler times of my ancestors. Apples are in season and I can never get enough! While we didn’t necessarily need a 9×13 pan filled to the brim of delicious apple crisp, we actually did need it!

Cheers to our next adventure!