As we embrace the changing seasons and move through the Wheel of the Year, it is time for us to celebrate Mabon aka the Fall Equinox (in the northern hemisphere). This pagan holiday is one of my personal favorites as it marks the balance between light and dark, and it's the perfect occasion to connect with nature, honor our ancestors, and create meaningful rituals with our loved ones. Plus it means we are getting closer to Samhain and are entering the darker half of the year.
Understanding Mabon and the Wheel of the Year
Mabon falls around September 21st and is a time of thanksgiving, abundance, and reflection. This year is falls on September 22, 2024. It symbolizes the second harvest and prepares us for the colder months ahead. As a pivotal point in the Wheel of the Year, Mabon reminds us of the cyclical nature of life and the importance of balance in all things.
Simple Family-Friendly Rituals
1. Harvest Feast
What better way to honor the bounty of the season than by coming together for a festive meal? Prepare a hearty spread using seasonal produce, such as apples, pumpkins, and root vegetables. Encourage each family member to share gratitude for the food and the connections that bring you all together. You can get my recipes and Pagan Thanksgiving Journal Prompts here.
2. Nature Walk
Take a stroll through your local woods and immerse yourselves in nature's beauty. Collect fallen leaves, acorns, or pine cones to use in your rituals or as decorations for your home. Use this time to reflect on the changing landscape and the cycle of life. Have kids share what they see and how they recognize fall is coming.
My son loves to honor the faery folk too and he leaves little clothes out for them to help them stay warm as colder weather approaches.
3. Ancestor Honoring
This is a great time to start setting up an ancestor altar with photographs, mementos, or candles to honor those who came before us. Offer gratitude for their guidance and wisdom, and invite their presence into your Mabon celebrations. Share stories about your ancestors to keep their memory alive.
4. Gratitude Circle
Gather in a circle with your family and take turns expressing what you are grateful for. This simple yet powerful ritual helps cultivate positivity and harmony within the group. Encourage everyone to speak from the heart and acknowledge the blessings in their lives.
Optional Activities:
Gratitude Jar: We also love to create a gratitude jar at this time of the year that we keep adding to and read it's contents once per month.
Gratitude Tree: Another thing we have done is create a gratitude tree - you can use a small indoor plant or an outdoor tree. On construction paper or on fallen leaves, we write down things we're grateful for and hang them on a tree or branch using string.
The RItual
You can combine all of the above and have, what I like to call, a "Pagan Thanksgiving." This is normally the time of year where I actually celebrate the idea of giving thanks. Here's what we do:
Create a sacred space: Choose a quiet area, such as a backyard or living room. Decorate the space with your autumnal items. This could also simply be your kitchen where you have sunflowers, items you've collected from your nature walk, and more set up in an altar display.
Light some candles: To represent this time of year, you can use white, orange or brown candles. Light them when you feel guided. I like to have mine lit all the time.
Share gratitude: Go around the circle and have each family member share one thing they are grateful for. Write it down in on a leaf or construction paper to add to a gratitude jar or to a gratitude tree. Or simply share out loud.
Offer a prayer or meditation: This is where you get to be creative. Find a prayer, spell, or meditation that speaks to you or make it up yourself. Together, say a prayer or meditate on the abundance of the harvest and the beauty of nature. If you have older kids, sometimes the meditation is best as everyone can be quiet for a few moments to give thanks in their own way.
Enjoy a harvest feast: After the ritual, enjoy a simple meal made with seasonal ingredients.
Creating Meaningful Connections
In the midst of our busy lives, rituals like those observed during Mabon offer us an opportunity to slow down, connect with our loved ones, and tap into the magic that surrounds us.
By incorporating these family-friendly ideas into your equinox celebrations, you can deepen your bond with nature, your ancestors, and each other.
Let this season of Mabon fill your hearts with warmth, abundance, and harmony.
Blessed be! 🍂🌕
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