Mabon: finding balance and embracing change
Hey Witches,
I have a confession: I’ve never really liked autumn. Summer’s always been my favourite season, and the arrival of September means the days of barely-there clothes, salty-sandy skin, and watching shooting stars are nearly over.
The Wheel turns once again
But my witchcraft practice and new life in the hills of Piedmont in northern Italy are inspiring me to embrace the changing of the seasons in a way I never have before.
People here still live according to the seasons. The Dutch and Swiss tourists and Italian second-home owners have left their holiday homes dark and empty. Cool misty mornings give way to warm, sunny days, which turn into chilly nights. Although it’s the busiest season of the year, with the harvest in full swing, there is a perceptible turning inward happening as people prepare for the long winter ahead.
It’s a moment of both beauty and mourning. As the Earth generously gives forth her abundant bounties, the morning mists and chilly air hint at the colder days to come. The spectre of Death lurks in the valleys and forests.
Image: A misty morning in Piedmont
But as Witches, we know that Death is just another phase in the never-ending spiral of life. The end of a cycle is always the beginning of a new one.
That’s why, in Tarot, Death is considered a positive card. It signifies allowing that which no longer serves to die away so that we can be reborn.
Full Moon in Pisces — the Wine or Harvest Moon
Tonight’s Full Moon in Pisces is known as the Harvest Moon or Wine Moon because it coincides with the grape harvest.
Here in Piedmont, the wine harvest is underway, and the wild grapes inconspicuously grow fat and juicy in the hedgerows. Each time I go for a walk through the cool, damp woods, past golden stubbly fields dotted with hay bales, or beside groves of bone-dry hazelnut trees, I return with my hands and face sticky with purple juice. I can’t help but grab a bouquet of these sweetly acidic delights along the way.
Ancient cultures considered wine a portal to the other world thanks to its consciousness-altering properties. They believed those who partook opened themselves to receive Divine wisdom.
The Wine Moon also takes place in watery Pisces, who rules the depths of our subconscious minds, particularly dreams. As the last sign of the zodiac, Pisces also ties into the theme of Death.
Image credit: Pixabay
Mabon — finding inner balance
September’s never stopped having that back-to-school vibe for me. The riot of Leo season is over, and Virgo steps in to encourage us to clean up our act. That’s why, in many ways, I’ve always found it a much more supportive time for making changes than January, which seems completely arbitrary.
On the 21st of the month, we celebrate Mabon, the second of the harvest festivals, which heralds the start of both Libra season and autumn.
Mabon is the Sabbat of the autumn equinox, when day and night are once again in perfect balance. Like Libra, Mabon encourages us to find balance between opposing aspects of ourselves, such as light and dark or masculine and feminine.
Wine or Harvest Moon in Pisces ritual ideas
Make a Mabon altar in a jar
I came across this idea on Instagram, and it inspired me to make my own little Mabon altar-in-a-jar.
It’s a beautiful way to connect with the energy of autumn, the harvest, and Mabon by getting out into Nature.
Start by putting a little dirt in the bottom of the jar, then top it off with nuts, colourful leaves, pieces of dried apple, or anything else that represents autumn to you.
For my jar, I used whatever I could find. I started with some red, brown, and green/gold leaves and added walnuts, hazelnuts, and acorns. You can also decorate your jar with autumn symbols such as mushrooms, squirrels, or pumpkins.
Image: My Mabon altar-in-a-jar
Drink some wine
I mean...it IS the Wine Moon, after all! Whether you gather your coven or head into the woods alone with a chalice and some candles, it’s the perfect time to connect with the spirit of the vine fruit.
Make apple crumble (or pie)
Depending on which side of the Atlantic you’re from, you might prefer apple pie, but to me as a Brit, nothing says autumn like apple crumble (bonus points if you add some wild blackberries!).
We were recently given some local peaches, so I’m going to try throwing some peaches in there to give my classic crumble a twist.
Call on your Spirit Team
Since Pisces rules the subconscious and psychic abilities, now is a good time to call on your Spirit Team for guidance.
You can either them for clarity on a specific issue or just for general guidance. Since Pisces rules our dreams, you might want to ask your question just before you go to bed and see what answers show up during the night.
Give thanks to Mother Earth
This simple ritual is a beautiful way to honour Mother Earth and give thanks for all the abundance and blessings you’ve received this year.
Materials:
One piece of ripe local fruit
Take your fruit out into nature or your back garden and give it back to the Earth by burying it in the ground.
As you cover it, say something like:
I offer you, oh Mother Earth,
This perfect fruit and all it’s worth
With many thanks for all you do
A gift of love from me to you.