The autumn equinox is a significant time for pagans, as it marks the transition from summer to fall and symbolizes the balance between light and darkness. Pagans, who follow nature-based spiritual practices, celebrate this seasonal milestone in different ways. Here are some common practices observed by pagans during the autumn equinox: 1. Harvest Festivals: Pagans often celebrate the abundance of the harvest during the autumn equinox. They might organize festivals or gatherings where they express gratitude for the fruits of the earth. This could involve rituals, music, dancing, and feasting.
This could involve rituals, music, dancing, and feasting. 2. Nature Walks: Many pagans take this time to reconnect with nature and go on walks or hikes in forests or natural surroundings.
The Origins and Practices of Mabon
Mabon is a pagan holiday, and one of the eight Wiccan sabbats celebrated during the year. Mabon celebrates the autumnal equinox. In the northern hemisphere, this September 23 rd will be the autumnal equinox. However, the southern hemisphere already celebrated Mabon on March 20, when the Northern hemisphere celebrated Ostara. It also celebrates the mid-harvest festival (also known as the second harvest).
Many civilizations have celebrated a harvest festival around the equinox. In the 1700s, the Bavarians (part of present day Germany) began a festival that starts in the last week of September. They called this festival Oktoberfest. The festival had lots of feasting and celebrating. Oktoberfest is still celebrated in Bavaria today.
Photo of a Mabon altar. courtesy of Flickr user Colleen. Available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/pearlshelf/8726509704
Many cultures see the second harvest (after the first harvest Lammas) and equinox as a time for giving thanks. This time of year is when farmers know how well their summer crops did, and how well fed their animals have become. This determines whether you and your family would have enough food for the winter. That is why people used to give thanks around this time, thanks for their crops, and animals, and food. The original American Thanksgiving was celebrated on October 3, which makes more sense with harvest times. By the end of November, there’s not that much left to harvest.
The name Mabon comes from the Welsh God, who was the son of the Earth Mother Goddess. However, there is evidence that the name was adopted in the 1970s, and the holiday was not originally a Celtic celebration.
To celebrate this holiday, pagans might pick apples. Apples are a common symbol of the second harvest. They may use the apples in an apple harvest ritual that thanks the gods for the bountiful harvest. Others might perform a ritual to restore balance and harmony to their lives, as this holiday celebrates a day with equal light and day. Another common ritual is to set up an altar with symbols of the season, such as apples, grapes, and other seasonal harvests. Any sabbat would not be complete without a feast for family and friends.
You can learn more about Mabon with these items:
They use this opportunity to observe the changing colors of the leaves and immerse themselves in the beauty of the season. 3. Rituals and Ceremonies: Pagans may perform specific rituals or ceremonies during the autumn equinox. These could involve lighting candles, making offerings to the earth, or creating altars with symbols representing the elements of the season (such as leaves, acorns, pumpkins, or corn). 4. Mabon Celebrations: Mabon is the pagan name for the autumn equinox, and many followers of pagan traditions celebrate this time by acknowledging the balance between light and darkness. They may incorporate rituals or activities that symbolize this balance, such as lighting equal amounts of candles representing light and darkness. 5. Divination and Reflection: Some pagans like to use the autumn equinox as a time for divination or reflecting on the past year and setting intentions for the coming months. This could involve practices like tarot readings, meditation, or journaling. 6. Making Crafts: Pagans often engage in creative activities during the autumn equinox. This could include making seasonal crafts or decorations using natural materials, such as creating wreaths with dried leaves or making corn husk dolls. 7. Sharing Harvest: Pagans may participate in community-based activities during the autumn equinox, such as sharing produce from their gardens or volunteering at local food banks. This emphasizes the importance of community and giving back during the season of abundance. Overall, pagans celebrate the autumn equinox as a time to honor the changing of the seasons, express gratitude for the earth's abundance, and connect with nature and their spiritual beliefs. The specific practices and traditions may vary among different pagan traditions and individuals, but the underlying theme of celebrating the natural cycles remains constant..
Reviews for "Pagan Perspectives on the Autumnal Equinox: Finding Meaning in the Season"
1. Sarah - 2/5 stars - While I was looking for a book that would provide a comprehensive understanding of how pagans celebrate autumn equinox, I was quite disappointed with this book. The information provided was very basic and lacked depth. It felt more like a general overview rather than a detailed exploration of the subject. Additionally, the writing style was often confusing and poorly organized, making it difficult to follow along. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for in-depth knowledge on the topic.
2. John - 1/5 stars - "How do pagans celebrate autumn equinox" failed to meet my expectations for a few reasons. Firstly, the author's language was overly technical and made the information difficult to understand for someone without prior knowledge of pagan traditions. Secondly, the book lacked any personal anecdotes or stories to truly engage the reader. It felt more like a dry academic text than a book meant for a wider audience. Lastly, the overall structure of the book was confusing and disorganized, making it hard to find specific information. I ultimately found this book to be a disappointing and unsatisfying read.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - As someone who was looking for a detailed insight into the pagan celebrations during autumn equinox, this book missed the mark. The information provided was quite generic and lacked the depth I was seeking. Additionally, the book could have benefited from more visuals or illustrations to better explain concepts and practices. The writing style was also tedious and cumbersome, making it difficult to maintain interest. Overall, I found this book to be lacking in substance and not quite what I was expecting.