Early Autumn & Mabon Musings

Sometime in late August, afternoon sunlight begins to change into a deep, sweet gold. The days are still long, the air warm, and corn is high in the fields awaiting the harvest. In southern Appalachia, the overlap between peach and apple seasons is in full swing, farmers’ markets bursting with pies and jellies and ciders. Pumpkins start to pop up on porch steps, and the last summer tomatoes have been plucked from the vines, red ones turned into sauce and green ones fried or made into chowchow. It’s a bountiful time, summer’s last stand before the year begins quickening into its descent. School buses reappear on the roads, but the mountains are still green, air conditioners still propped in bedroom windows. A strange, in-between state of bliss, some folks hanging on to every last bit of summer, and others—like me—buzzing with excitement, waiting for the first fallen leaves, that first hint of chill in the air.

A friend asked me recently how I could love autumn so much, a season where the light dwindles and things begin to decay and die, leading into winter’s cold. I don’t have a straight answer to this question. All I know is that ever since I can remember, fall has been my favorite season.

Maybe it was growing up in the forest of rural New England, where the trees erupt into bejeweled brilliance in October, or the excitement of going back to school and seeing friends again in September. Whatever the origin of my love for the season, I don’t remember. But as an adult, autumn has taken on a deeper meaning for me.  

I recognize, in autumn, the life cycle we’re all part of. There are times when we bloom, and times when we fade. Autumn reminds me that even when things on the surface are falling apart, our roots remain. We are still who we are, and a time will come again when we flourish.

Many of us, if we’re fortunate, will age; all our physical bodies will eventually die. But nature, right before our eyes, shows us that we don’t have to be afraid, that it’s a natural process, and that nothing and no one are ever really gone.

How beautiful it is not to fear death and cower in anticipation from what is inevitable, but to celebrate life, go out in a jubilant blaze of splendor and celebration. We can dread the impending winter, but autumn reminds us to live in the present instead, to celebrate whatever stage we’re in right now.

Times of transition are sacred. Our ancestors knew this. It is why rituals surround birth and death, new jobs, retirements, marriages. We mark changes in life, and honor them, even when they’re difficult. Nature’s rituals are the changing of seasons, and that is to be celebrated.

I have always been comfortable welcoming the dark as well as the light, and that’s what autumn is to me. The spiritual work of dancing with our shadows, taking time to ourselves to observe the way our inner cycles match those in the outer world. The physical work of preparing for the cozy, contemplative days of late fall and winter. Grateful that I will have a warm house to sleep in, a favorite chair to curl up in with a good book and a mug of hot chocolate, food on the table, a cat dozing on the window sill, and friends to talk with.

And the magic of the woods in autumn is unparalleled…I love the crunch of fallen leaves beneath my feet, the scent of woodsmoke in the air, the trees bustling with birds and squirrels preparing for winter, the shadows just a bit longer, the veils just a bit thinner. Life accelerates before it can slow down.

In my neck of the woods, a thick grove of oak and ash trees block my view of the moon and mountains all summer long. Slowly but surely, as autumn takes over, I see a little more of the Blue Ridge each morning, and a few more inches of sky at night. Hopefully, I’ll have a clear view of September’s Harvest Moon on the 29th.

MABON ~ THE AUTUMN EQUINOX

Mabon, the autumn equinox and first day of fall in the northern hemisphere, occurs this year on September 23rd. It’s the second of the three harvest festivals on the pagan wheel of the year (between Lammas, in August, and Samhain/Halloween in October). It’s sometimes called “the witch’s Thanksgiving;” and in fact, the original American Thanksgiving was celebrated in early October, when the harvest was most bountiful.

As with the vernal equinox that marks the beginning of spring in March, Mabon brings an equal balance of day and night, light and dark. We thank the earth for her abundant harvest, knowing we have enough to carry us through darker days to come. Nature is, ultimately, balanced chaos. By honoring the in-between, we acknowledge that we, too, carry a balance of light and dark within us, and that both are necessary parts of our existence. Both equinoxes give us the opportunity to contemplate the idea of balance in our lives, to re-center, and cultivate greater equilibrium.

Many witches also celebrate Mabon with physical and spiritual house cleansings. Spring cleaning clears the dust of winter and welcomes back the light, and fall cleaning can be just as joyous! Colder weather usually means spending more time indoors, so clean and prepare your space accordingly. Sweep out cobwebs or negativity. Adjust the lighting so that longer nights feel warm and welcoming (two words: string lights!). Bring out the cozy blankets and sweatshirts.

Most importantly, give thanks for the bounty of the year’s harvest. Honor the blessings you were given, and know that there are more to come. Release anything you don’t want to carry with you into deep fall and winter, so that you can nest and dream during the quiet months ahead instead of holding on to what no longer serves you. Reflect on how you’d like to finish out this year.

Traditional Mabon celebrations incorporate apples, pumpkins, grapes, acorns, leaves, sunflowers, and anything else that can still be harvested from the garden. Apple picking is a great activity if you have tiny humans.

All cycles of life are worth celebrating. Winter will come whether you welcome it or not, so don’t waste energy dreading it. Find beauty in the present and revel in the harvest!

SEPTEMBER FULL MOON

This year’s Harvest Moon rises on September 29th in the sign of warm, fiery, determined Aries.

There’s an intensity to this full moon, which can be a good thing. Aries is the first sign of the zodiac, symbolized by the ram and ruled by the planet Mars. As with the other fire signs (Leo and Sagittarius), Aries energy is bold and warm, vivacious and exciting. This passion and determination can be helpful when starting new ventures, especially a new business or career. If you’re seeking motivation, Aries energy is what you want!

However, exercise level-headedness and caution in anything new you begin now. Aries can be impulsive, especially in love. Like their symbol, the ram, they tend to charge headfirst-over-heels into new romance…but that can sometimes result in sparks burning out as fast as they ignited. If you’re hoping your new job, hobby, or partner will be around for a while, stay aware and try to keep a slow and steady pace. Aries are also wonderfully loyal once they settle down, so as long as you don’t put blinders on, there’s a good chance for long-term success.

Aries also has a quick temper, and their directness may come across as combative. In Greek mythology, Ares was the god of war and “battlelust.” While heart and courage are wonderful traits, the intensity of the full moon could exacerbate any existing tensions, so be mindful of this influence for a few days around this moon.

If you’re able to catch a glimpse of it, throw on some Neil Young and have a little dance.

 That’s all for now…as for next month, it’s spooky season!!! Some of you have asked me to talk about paranormal experiences, so stay tuned for some Late Autumn Musings in October. And look out for some fun sales & giveaways to celebrate the season of the witch…please consider subscribing and/or following me on socials so you don’t miss out!