The Season of Mabon : Six Things I am Ready to Release
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Mabon marked the last turn in the Wheel of the Year. The days are growing shorter, as we head toward the winter months. Just as with the moon phases and the waning light of the full moon, the waning daylight of autumn is a good time to release that which isn’t serving you anymore. This could be habits, things, or even people. As we move more fully into Autumn and the leaves fall from the trees here in Western Maine, I am taking this time to actively work on releasing these six things:
Screen time. During the Pandemic I found myself watching A LOT of Youtube. I follow a variety of content creators from around the world and I found myself enchanted by the lives of various vloggers. And it became really easy to just spend more and more time watching other people’s lives and less time working on my own. So now, when I have some downtime on the weeknights and weekends, I am more conscious about screen time and I don’t just automatically turn to youtube or other streaming services out of habit. I may opt to listen to music or a book on Audible instead. Or if my eyes aren’t too tired from work (hello middle age) I’ll do a few sudoku puzzles. I find sudoku enormously comforting, as it reminds me of my late grandmother, who I adored. Do you have any screen-free activities you like to do?
Doomscrolling. Popularized during the pandemic, doomscrolling has become second nature during my work day. At the peak of my doomscrolling, I was checking various news sites at least 5-6 times a day, despite the fact that there is literally never any good news in the headlines. So rather than go looking for the latest political gossip or confirmation that the world is still on fire, I opt to look through Pinterest or read some of my favorite blogs instead. I keep a bookmark folder on my browser, to make it easy to look at these sites rather than the news, if I have a few minutes of downtime at work. I still check headlines once in the morning, but after that I let it go for the rest of the day.
Anti-Aging. A few weeks ago I wrote about moving from Mother to Crone. Part of that transition has been embracing growing and looking older. As women we are taught that aging is akin to letting yourself go. Society tells us that age spots and wrinkles are things to be feared, rather than celebrated. I’m over the barrage of messaging that tells me I need to maintain the same face and body I had 10-20 years ago. So, while I still wear makeup and color my hair (for now) I do these things because I enjoy doing them, not because I am trying to look younger. Basically my mantra these days is This is my face, deal with it.
Body Commenting. Growing up in the toxic diet culture of the 80s and 90s, it is second nature for me to pay compliments to someone who has lost weight. It comes out of my mouth before I can stop it. “Wow you look soooo good!” Ugh, Lorri, really? I am just now realizing, this can be a really harmful habit and, unless the person brings it up first, it is just better to not comment on someone’s body. Period. Instead of body size, I’d rather focus on all the wonderful qualities of my friends, family and colleagues.
Retail Therapy. Back in January I shared I was on a no spend challenge, which has more or less continued through this year. It’s not that I haven’t bought anything new, but rather, I have become much more aware of why I want to purchase certain items. Often it is out of stress or boredom, rather than need. Retail therapy has always been an easy way to get out of dealing with my emotions. Letting go of the capitalist hold on my behavior has been one of the most liberating experiences of my life, so far. Opting to wait and see, rather than impulse buy has saved me a ton of money and allowed me to have much more space, both literally and figuratively. I am no longer bringing items into my home pell-mell, which I have to then find room for, or take care of and/or eventually get rid of. As someone who is deliberately trying to simplify her life, buying nothing is the easiest thing of all.
Worry. I am a worrier by nature. And depending on what’s happening at the time, my worry can grow exponentially, until it is interfering in my day-to-day life. I know that it’s impossible to eradicate worry completely from my life. But being able to recognize normal worry, versus unhelpful catastrophizing (which I can do in a split second - mad skills) means that I can process my emotions and get on with my day, rather than sitting in my own head being miserable*. One tool I like to use to help me manage my worry and anxiety is my Let It Go List.
*Gentle reminder that I am not a licensed-clinical-anything. These are just my experiences. If you feel like anxiety is getting the best of you, please consult with your primary healthcare provider.
So that’s what I ‘m doing, or continuing to do, for this last turn in the Wheel of the Year. Are you letting anything go of anything during this season of Mabon? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below or connect with me over at Instagram.
Recommended Reading
Happy Mabon
Happy Mabon! It’s hard to believe the Autumn Equinox is upon us. I hope your Mabon celebration is filled with harmony and balance, and you have a chance to something special to celebrate.
It’s birthday-palooza at our house - I have two Mabon babies (who are now officially adults!) and my own birthday is in early October. Because our schedules are so busy now, we’re planning one giant family dinner the weekend between our birthdays, so we can all celebrate together. And that will also double as my own Mabon celebration. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the end of this Wheel of the Year than spending it with the people I love most in the world.
A Gift for Mabon
This week’s featured printable is a new collection of seasonal word art. I wanted to give something special to the Mabon House Community as we celebrate the end of the Wheel of the Year. I appreciate all the kind messages and comments that have been sent my way over the past year - they have been a bright light in the darkness.
This is a new collection of monthly printables. They will fit with the 2023 Wheel of the Year Planner, or can be added to any other planner, grimoire or just used as some pretty wall art.
I hope you have a wonderful Mabon and a good end to this Wheel of the Year. There are some exciting things brewing for the Mabon House Community in the coming months. I can’t wait to start sharing with all of you!
Happy Mabon Friends!
A History of Mabon and The Wheel of the Year
Disclaimer: This website uses affiliate links, meaning: at no additional cost to you, I earn a small commission if you click-through and make a purchase. If you’d prefer to support local retailers in your area, independent booksellers can often order specific books for you and have them delivered to the store for pick up, for the same price as ordering online.
Mabon is the last sabbat in the Wheel of the Year, marking the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. Celebrated during the autumnal equinox, Mabon occurs around September 21st in the northern hemisphere and March 21st in the southern hemisphere.
The history of Mabon stretches back to ancient Celtic times, though Mabon as a sabbat holiday really took root in the 1970s. One of the lesser known sabbats, Mabon is gaining popularity as more people turn toward nature as a guide for their spiritual path.
The Early History of Mabon
The name Mabon comes from a medieval Welsh myth, the Mabinogion. This oral narrative, which is along the lines of Homer’s The Iliad and The Odyssey, tells four different stories featuring a cast of recurring characters. Mabon, who is often portrayed as a young man or warrior, is the cultural hero of one of these myths. He is born a Divine Child and his birth is associated with some kind of miracle, like immaculate conception, similar to the stories of Jesus, Buddha and the Aztec man-god Quetzalcoatl.
As a baby Mabon is kidnapped and taken to the otherworld (AKA underworld) and is eventually rescued, echoing the story of Demeter and Persephone, who are two figures from Greek mythology closely associated with the autumn and spring equinoxes.
Mabon as the name of a specific holiday did not take hold until the 1970s (more on that below). But the celebration of the autumn equinox is as old as humanity. So while ancient Celts may not have celebrated Mabon, per se, they most certainly celebrated the autumn equinox, rejoicing in the near end of the busy harvest season.
Mabon Printable - 1 PDF Download If you like this printable, be sure to sign up for the Free Member’s Library , where you’ll have access to more Wheel of the Year Printables, Planners and Calendars.
Mabon and The Wheel of The Year
So, if Mabon wasn’t an ancient holiday like Yule or Samhain, when did it start? Good question!
Despite hundreds of years of Christianity in Europe, there remained a keen interest in ancient pagan rituals and celebrations. The fear that surrounded paganism in the 17th and 18th centuries (think Salem Witch Trials) gave way to a more academic interest during the Age of Enlightenment. Ancient paganism was further mythologized by writers of the Romantic period of the late 18th century (think classic fairy tales). Throughout the 19th and 20th century a neopagan movement gained traction with many different sects popping up throughout Europe and North America.
The White Goddess by Robert Graves was one of many 20th century writings that helped popularize the concept of eight holidays based on the agrarian and seasonal cycles of the British Isles, blending the ancient Celtic fire festivals and the solstices and equinoxes.
By the mid-20th century, the Wiccan religion had been established in North America. In the late 1960s, Aiden Kelly, a neopagan writer who helped establish Wicca, is credited with shaping the eight pagan festivals into what would become known as the Wheel of the Year. He is also credited with coining the name Mabon for the autumn equinox celebration, marking the last sabbat holiday in the Wheel of the Year.
Mabon and Witchcraft
For modern witches, since Mabon marks the end of the Witch’s Year, it is a good time to let go of things that no longer serve you. Cast spells for decreasing or ending old habits, meditate on what you would like to let go, and give thanks for the good things you have in life.
Mabon and Astrology
In her book The Modern Witchcraft Guide to the Wheel of the Year, author Judy Ann Nock likens the season of Mabon with the transition from Virgo to Libra. She explains that this is a time from moving outward during the season of Virgo and the fullness of summer to a time of introspection. The Libra, with its focus on balance and harmony, is a turning point in the Wheel of the Year.
Modern Mabon Celebrations
The second of the three harvests, Mabon is often equated with Thanksgiving and seen as a time by Wiccan and Witches (as well as those who don’t identify with any spiritual label) to reflect and thank the earth for its bounty. While our modern Thanksgiving holiday in the United States often focuses on excessive amounts of food, football and getting a jump on the holiday shopping, historical thanksgiving celebrations were rooted in celebrating the efforts of one’s labor and the connection between people and the earth.
In his book Wicca Demystified, author Bryan Lankford explains “To understand this sabbat, picture Thanksgiving and add to it the fact all food was grown yourself…you would not starve over the winter. Then you will understand how important this celebration was.”
How will you be celebrating Mabon this year? Share in the comments!
References & Recommended Reading
https://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/history/sites/themes/society/myths_mabinogion.shtml
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aidan_A._Kelly
https://www.learnreligions.com/intro-to-paganism-step-by-step-study-guide-4006913 (Step 7)
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