We’re past the first of the three Harvest festivals on the Wheel of the Year, having celebrated the greater Sabbat of Lammas at the start of August. Now the leaves are just starting to turn, and the summer is drawing to an end; it’s cooler outside in the mornings here in Philadelphia, and while we probably still can expect an “Indian summer” this year like every other, most of the hot days have passed us by and we’re moving inexorably toward the fall season. Our next stop on the great Wheel is the festival of Mabon, the second harvest festival.
Mabon is the celebration of the Autumnal Equinox, when day and night once again equalize and we prepare for the dimming of the light. The light half of the year, the domain of the Lady, is in its last phase, and we draw close to the hinge of the year between the dark and the light halves of the annual cycle. I tend to think of Mabon as the “main” harvest festival whereas Lammas starts the harvest and Samhain ends it—but at Mabon, we’re right in the thick of gathering in the sheaves. Mabon gives us a chance to take stock of what we’re reaping and to prepare for the darkness; we often refer to it as “Pagan Thanksgiving”, a chance to enjoy the bounty of the earth together and to express our gratitude for the gifts of soil and labor. The tool of the Sabbat is the cakes: our traditional cakes are grain made edible and let us directly consume the fruits of the earth.
Acorn is planning an open Sabbat for Mabon, which will allow us to share the rewards of the season with guests. If you’re interested in joining us for our Pagan Thanksgiving, contact us and let us know.