As the Wheel of the Year turns and the days grow shorter, we find ourselves approaching the autumn equinox—a time of balance, reflection and harvest. This equinox occurs around the 21st September and many witches call this celebration, Mabon.
I have to admit to having mixed feelings about this Sabbat, as I am often sad to see summer go. I’m finding it especially difficult this year as our British summer was so fleeting! However, while I know its okay to feel a little sad, I also want to think about all the wonderful things about autumn that will bring me joy in the weeks to come, starting with Mabon celebrations.
The Wheel of the Year offers us an invitation to connect with the seasons and cycles of life in our magical practice. This may be in elaborate rituals or spells, but may equally be in small, simple ways such as baking an apple pie or going for a walk in the autumn sunshine. In autumn, we can take a moment to reflect on the past months as well as looking forward to the darker months to come. But it is also helpful to be present in this moment, celebrating this time of balance and being grateful for the gifts it brings.
The History of Mabon and the Autumn Equinox
While the name Mabon is relatively new, the autumn equinox itself has been celebrated for millennia across various cultures, often tied to harvest festivals and thanksgiving observances. American Neopagan, Aidan Kelly gave names to the Wiccan summer solstice (Litha) and equinox holidays (Ostara and Mabon) in 1974. He named this festival after Mabon ap Modron, a figure from Welsh mythology.
Historically, this time of year has been marked by many different names and traditions. The ancient Greeks celebrated the Eleusinian Mysteries, whilst the Chinese have long observed the Mid-Autumn Festival. In the British Isles, the autumn equinox was often simply known as Harvest Home, a time when communities would come together to bring in the last of the crops and celebrate the bounty of the earth. These diverse cultural practices all share common themes of gratitude, balance and preparation for the coming winter.
Whether you choose to call it Mabon, the Autumn Equinox, or something else entirely, here are some ways you might like to celebrate this festival.
The Essence of Mabon
Mabon embodies three fundamental principles: balance, gratitude and reflection. As we stand at the threshold between summer and autumn, day and night achieve perfect equilibrium. This balance invites us to examine our own lives, seeking harmony between work and rest, action and contemplation, giving and receiving.
Gratitude forms the heart of Mabon celebrations. As the final harvest is gathered, we’re called to acknowledge the abundance in our lives—be it material, emotional, or spiritual. This is a time to count our blessings and share our good fortune with others. Many witches use this occasion to donate to food banks or participate in community service, extending the spirit of the harvest to those in need.
Mabon also ushers in a period of reflection and preparation. As nature begins to withdraw its energy, we too are encouraged to turn inward. It’s an ideal time to review the goals we set at the beginning of the year, celebrating our achievements and reassessing our priorities. This introspection helps us prepare for the darker months ahead, both practically and spiritually.
In our magical practice, Mabon offers potent energies for spellwork and rituals. Balancing spells are particularly effective at this time, as are workings for prosperity, protection and letting go. Many witches use this Sabbat to charge crystals, craft protective amulets, or perform divination, taking advantage of the equinox’s powerful energies.
As urban witches, we might not be bringing in sheaves of wheat or pressing apples for cider, but we can still honour the spirit of Mabon. Whether it’s tending to a windowsill herb garden, preparing a meal with seasonal produce, or simply taking a mindful walk in a local park to observe the changing leaves, there are countless ways to connect with the energies of the season, even in the heart of the city.
Celebrating Mabon as a City Witch
As urban practitioners, we may not have access to flower meadows or ancient forests, but we can still create meaningful Mabon celebrations that honour the spirit of the season. The key is to adapt traditional practices to our city environments, finding magic in the urban landscape.
Creating sacred space in a flat or small garden requires creativity. Consider setting up a temporary altar on a windowsill or balcony, adorned with symbols of the season. Autumn leaves, acorns and pinecones gathered from local parks can bring nature indoors. Candles in deep reds, oranges and browns can evoke the changing colours of the landscape. For city witches with limited space, a simple altar tray that can be stored away is a practical solution.
Rituals and practices can be easily adapted to urban living. Meditation is an excellent way to connect with Mabon energies—find a quiet moment to visualise the balance of light and dark, or to journey inward and reflect on your personal harvest. Gratitude exercises are perfect for this Sabbat; try keeping a gratitude journal or creating a vision board of the year’s blessings.
Urban foraging can be a delightful way to connect with nature. Many city parks and green spaces offer opportunities to gather fallen leaves, seedpods, or herbs for your practice. Always forage responsibly and be aware of local regulations. If foraging isn’t possible, farmers’ markets are excellent sources for seasonal items to incorporate into your celebrations.
Kitchen witchery thrives during Mabon. Even in the smallest of kitchens, you can brew magical teas with cinnamon, ginger and apple, bake bread infused with intentions of gratitude and abundance, or create a meal with seasonal vegetables like squash, pumpkin or root vegetables to share with family and friends.
For solitary practitioners, personal rituals can be deeply meaningful. You might perform a candle magic ritual for balance, take a cleansing bath with autumn-themed herbs, or do a tarot spread for insight into the coming season. If you’re part of a coven or pagan community, look for local meet-ups in cafes or parks to celebrate together. Many cities also host pagan Pride events around this time, offering opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals.
As city-dwelling witches, we have the unique opportunity to adapt age-old practices to fit our contemporary lifestyles and keep the spirit of Mabon alive and relevant. Whether you’re harvesting herbs from a windowsill garden, sharing a meal with friends, or simply pausing to appreciate the shifting sunlight on city streets, you’re participating in a celebration that has spanned cultures and millennia.
The autumn equinox reminds us that change is constant, balance is achievable and gratitude is transformative—regardless of our surroundings.
A Simple Mabon Ritual for Balance and Gratitude
What you need
- A white candle and a black candle (If you are unable to use candles, you can use LED candles or another symbol of light and dark)
- An autumn leaf, acorn or other symbols of autumn
- A piece of paper and pen
What to do
- Find a quiet space in your home and cleanse the space in whatever way you choose.
- Place the white candle to your right of your altar and the black candle to your left. Put the autumn leaf or acorn in the centre.
- Light both candles, saying: “As day and night balance, so do light and dark within me.”
- Hold the leaf or acorn, focusing on what you’re grateful for this year. Write these things on your paper.
- Read your list aloud, then say: “For these blessings and those yet to come, I give thanks. May balance and abundance flow through my life.”
- Meditate briefly on balance in your life. Where do you need more? Where do you have enough?
- When ready, extinguish the candles, saying: “As above, so below. As within, so without. Blessed be.”
- Keep your gratitude list somewhere visible as a reminder of your blessings.
This ritual incorporates the Mabon themes of balance and gratitude, and can be easily performed in any urban setting. Feel free to adapt it to your personal practice and available resources.
Remember, there’s no ‘right’ way to observe Mabon. The key is to find practices that resonate with you and your personal craft. As you celebrate this year, allow yourself to be fully present in the moment, to feel the shifting energies of the season and to recognise the abundance in your life—however that may manifest.
May this Mabon bring you balance, reflection and a bountiful harvest of your own making.
Blessed be,
Eva x