Mabon: The Autumn Equinox Celebration

As summer fades and the air takes on a crispness, the wheel of the year turns to Mabon, the pagan harvest festival that honors the autumn equinox. This sacred turning point marks a time when day and night stand in perfect balance before the darkness begins to overtake the light. In the Northern Hemisphere, Mabon usually falls around September 21st–24th, depending on the exact timing of the equinox.

Rooted in ancient traditions, Mabon is often described as the second harvest celebration, following Lammas (Lughnasadh) in early August and preceding Samhain at the end of October. Where Lammas honored the first fruits of summer, Mabon celebrates the abundance of the fields, orchards, and vineyards—the final gathering before the long winter.

The Meaning of Mabon

The name Mabon was popularized in the 1970s by Wiccan author Aidan Kelly, drawing from Mabon ap Modron, a figure in Welsh mythology whose story symbolizes youth, rebirth, and the cycle of life. While not an ancient name for the festival, it has become widely embraced in modern pagan practice.

At its heart, Mabon represents:

• Balance – Equal parts light and dark, a reminder to pause and center ourselves.

• Gratitude – A celebration of abundance, from food to family to the lessons of the year.

• Preparation – A time to store up resources, both physical and spiritual, for the coming winter.

As one of the eight Wiccan sabbats on the wheel of the year, Mabon invites reflection on what we have gained, what we are ready to release, and how we can honor the rhythms of nature.

Traditions and Symbols

Many customs surrounding Mabon echo harvest festivals from cultures across the world. Seasonal fruits, vegetables, nuts, and grains play an important role in offerings and feasts. Common symbols include:

• Apples – A sacred fruit in many traditions, representing wisdom and the cycle of life.

• Grapes & Wine – Tied to harvest, celebration, and transformation.

• Cornucopia – The “horn of plenty,” overflowing with the season’s gifts.

• Colors of Autumn – Deep reds, oranges, golds, and browns mirror the shifting leaves.

Celebrants often decorate their seasonal altars with gourds, acorns, pinecones, and candles in warm tones, honoring both the sun’s waning light and the gathering shadows. These fall equinox traditions create a sense of continuity with both ancient and modern practice.

Ways to Celebrate Mabon

Mabon is a deeply personal holiday, but some practices remain universal. Many choose to honor the harvest and mark the day with meaningful equinox rituals:

• Harvest Feasts – Share seasonal dishes such as roasted root vegetables, apple cider, breads, and pumpkin-based foods.

• Give Thanks – Write down what you are grateful for and place it on your altar or in a gratitude jar.

• Nature Walks – Collect fallen leaves, pinecones, or stones as seasonal tokens.

• Balance Rituals – Meditate on areas of your life that need harmony and release what no longer serves you.

• Acts of Service – Donate food or time to a local charity, honoring the harvest and sharing abundance with your community.

Modern Relevance

Even outside of pagan or Wiccan practice, Mabon holds universal meaning. The autumn equinox is a reminder to slow down, take stock of where we are, and prepare for the quieter months ahead. In a fast-paced world, celebrating Mabon can reconnect us to gratitude, balance, and the natural cycles of change.

Mabon is not only a celebration of the earth’s bounty, but also of the balance within ourselves. By honoring the fall equinox, we acknowledge that life is a cycle—light and dark, growth and rest, beginnings and endings.

As you savor an apple, light a candle, or simply breathe in the cool autumn air, remember: Mabon invites us to pause, give thanks, and step gracefully into the darker half of the year.