Mabon is the most wonderful time of the year for me. Some might hear the phrase and think of Christmas or October. Those are wonderful times, too. But everyone has their favorite, and for some reason, mine has always been Mabon.
Living in the South, summer is generally not my favorite, and most Southerners impatiently wait for the autumn coolness after the heat and humidity. Autumn also brings on warm and fuzzy feelings for many people. The changing of leaves from green to the warmer autumn colors triggers feelings of comfort in our brains. For us witches and Pagans, autumn means we are even closer to Samhain and Halloween, which typically makes us very excited.
Mabon is a modern Wiccan and Pagan celebration of the autumnal equinox. It’s one of the eight sabbats on the Wheel of the Year and marks the second harvest, a time of balance, gratitude, and preparation for the darker half of the year.
The idea of Mabon being the witch’s thanksgiving has always appealed to me. The Thanksgiving Americans culturally celebrate in late November has never sat well with me — although I do participate in it with my family. I’m not going to attempt to explain the true origins behind Thanksgiving; I would not do it justice. I think many people have learned that the stories we were taught as children are not always the truth. Spending time with loved ones and showing appreciation for the bounties and gifts provided is a positive aspect of the national holiday.
While the Thanksgiving celebrated today may not have complete, factual roots, Native Americans, Europeans, and other cultures across the world have held festivals and special meals in gratitude for bountiful harvests and to reflect on the past year. This concept of giving thanks is something I can get behind. And if I can tie this season of thanksgiving to something more meaningful, such as Mabon, even better.
We each have so much to be grateful for, even if they feel like little things. And with the dark half of the year fully in swing now, many of us may feel like we are slowing down. I am grateful for electricity, air conditioning, and heating, but things like this take us away from being as in-tune with the cycles of the world as our ancestors were. Most of us have jobs and responsibilities that don’t change or slow down just because it’s getting darker earlier.
Yet there is something about the fall and winter that speaks to our collective unconsciousness. It calls for us to stay home more, where it’s warm and dry and comfortable. Many of us feel like we have more time to delve into our hobbies or even our to-do list. I encourage you, as you feel the pull of the dark part of the year keeping you closer to home, find ways to express your gratitude about the good things in your life. Give your home a deep cleaning as the weather cools off. Try to do it intentionally, and show your home your appreciation for it protecting you, sheltering you, and being a safe space for you.
Drag out your half-finished crafts and honey-do lists, and spend a little time each night working on them. Be grateful that you have these things to do, and the time, space, and need to do them. We take so much for granted that others do not have, and we don’t even realize it. I want to spend this winter honing my gratitude practice, and I highly encourage you all to join me in this endeavor.
This Mabon, I am grateful — for the wonderful things in my life and my experiences. As the wheel turns, life changes. I don’t know what the next turning of the wheel will bring. But I am grateful to have made it this far and I am grateful for the blessings, gifts, and lessons. Blessed Mabon to you! May your harvest season be amazing and bring all the blessings you could ask for.
Emily Guenther is a co-owner of The Broom Closet metaphysical shop. She is a Memphis native, professional tarot reader, ordained Pagan clergy, and dog mom.