Autumn Equinox or Mabon
The Autumn Equinox usually occurs on or about September 22, when the sun reaches 0 degrees of Libra. Once again, day and night are of equal length, signifying a time of balance, equality, and harmony. Mabon is also the second harvest festival, and witches consider it a time for giving thanks for the abundance Mother Earth has provided.
The Holiday's Significance
This sabbat marks the last spoke in the Wheel of the Year. From this day until the Winter Solstice, the Sun King's path arcs downward toward earth. As the days grow shorter and the cold, barren winter approaches, witches reflect on the joys and sorrows, successes and failures of the year that is nearing its conclusion.
Anything you wish to eliminate from your life can now be released safely, before the New Year begins with Samhain. In keeping with the theme of balance, witches also attempt to align themselves with the forces of nature on Mabon and to unite the disparate parts of themselves in order to achieve peace and harmony within.
Mabon is a good time to do magick spells that involve decrease or endings. Do you want to let go of self-destructive beliefs? Lose weight? End an unfulfilling relationship? Now is the time to break old habits and patterns that have been limiting you.
Ways to Celebrate
Because the Equinox is a time of balance, try to balance yin and yang, active and passive on this day. Seek rest and activity, solitude and socializing in equal portions. Engaging in creative endeavors of all kinds is also a good way to mark the sabbat.
