At Fall Equinox, also called Mabon or Harvest, we are again at a point of balance between light and dark, but this time it is the dark that will soon overtake the light. The Goddess aspect of Crone comes forth as Reaper, and the Mother Goddess mourns her consort whom she knows must leave her. The God is seen as the Great Stag who falls, and the grain that is reaped, in order that the people might have sustenance through the cold winter to come. It is a time of feasting and celebration of the harvest, but also of the full realization of the sacrifices that are necessary in order to see us through the dark time that is to come. Even as we celebrate, we prepare for winter.
The first day of Fall, the Autumnal Equinox, occurs when the Sun passes into the sign of Libra, the Scales of Balance. It is a point of equilibrium, of equal day and equal night. From this point forward, the dark (longer nights) will gradually overtake the light. As the days shorten, sunlight wanes, with cooler weather and winter soon to come.
Contrary to the "official" seasonal beginnings, most of us experience the equinoxes and solstices as times when the season that is "beginning" is well established-we feel its presence fully. The very first sense of impending change, of onset and transition, comes at the cross-quarters, the points midway between the equinoxes and solstices that are known in Wicca as the Greater Sabbats. At Lammas, the first harvest of the grain, we celebrated the onset of autumn. Now, at Fall Equinox, in the ways of the ancients, we bring in and celebrate the full-fledged autumn Harvest in thanksgiving for the abundance of the Earth Mother. We might enact and sing the legend of the sacrificed grain as John Barleycorn. Or, we may ritualize the hunt, depicted as a priest with a crown of antlers who is chased and falls. We honor his spirit and thank him even as we mourn him, symbolic of both the sacrificed and resurrected God and of all animals who fall to feed the people. At this Sabbat, the Mother Goddess who reigned as Queen of Summer takes on the dark mantle of Crone, the old and wise one who stands at the crossroads of life and death, all-seeing and all-knowing.
In the agricultural cycle, we are now at the 7th stage. Seeds that once germinated in the womb of Earth, unseen in the long dark night of Winter Solstice (Yule), sprouted at Candlemas, grew strong with roots, stems and leaves by Spring Equinox (Ostara), and formed buds at Beltane that bloomed to full flower by the longest day at Summer Solstice (Midsummer). At Lammas, the first harvest, fruits and grains have formed, some ready to eat. Now at Fall Equinox (Harvest), the plants, trees and vines are heavy with fruits that must be harvested or they will fall when the plants wither or die and drop their seeds to Earth once again at Samhain. Samhain is the 8th and final phase that is not as final as it may seem for it is only that dark time of chaos out of which the new beginning will emerge and be seen as the Bright Lord of waxing light, reborn at Yule, as the Wheel of the Year turns again.
This 7th phase of Harvest has mythical and symbolic correspondence to the Last Quarter phase of the 8-fold lunar cycle, called by the late astrological philosopher Dane Rudhyar, the "crisis of consciousness." It represents the phase in any cycle of activity where even though continued success in what has been may be what we see on the surface (akin to the Harvest feast), within our deepest inner thoughts a period of soul-searching, the "crisis," begins. There is the recognition that something is ending, and we begin to let go of the old in mind and heart, as we silently contemplate what we might do next. At some point during the phase, the changes that are occurring deep inside may begin to visibly manifest, just as the leaves change color in autumn, or the Moon shrinks from half light to the thin, waning crescent.
Many ancient and medieval cultures celebrated the festival of seasonal transition through myth and legend, depicting similar themes of death and of passing into the underworld for the time of winter, followed by a birth and the return of light and spring. Among best loved and often enacted tales of winter's death and spring's rebirth is that of Demeter and her beloved daughter Persephone, who was abducted by Hades to reign as his queen. Demeter, in despair and mourning for her lost daughter, cast winter over the Earth and refused to allow spring to come again until an agreement was finally reached for Persephone to return to Earth. And so it has been ever since that when Persephone makes her yearly descent to her Underworld realm, winter comes, and when she rejoins her mother, then Mother Earth blooms with the flowers of spring.
Because ancient people had no means to exactly measure the time of equinox or solstice, the corresponding festivals tended to be on set days of the calendar. The ancient Celtic celebrations of Harvest were traditionally held on September 25. With the dominance of Christianity, this holiday like so many others was Christianized and became Michaelmas, in honor of the archangel Michael. One Celtic legend gave root to Mabon as an alternate name for modern Wiccan/Pagan Harvest festivals. Mabon was born of Modron and taken after three days (some versions say three years) to dwell in the womb of Earth Mother where he gained the wisdom of the animals, notably Stag, Blackbird, Owl, Eagle and Salmon. Once freed from Earth's womb, he returned to his mother's womb and was reborn as her champion, the Son of Light.
There's another myth of a Celtic God of Light that is markedly astrological and clearly derived from the zodiacal sign of Fall Equinox and those signs adjacent to it. Lugh or Llew (Light), who reigned at the early harvest of Lammas, is said to be at his most vulnerable at Fall Equinox-the only time, in fact, that he can be defeated. He stands over the Libran Scales of Balance with one foot on Cancer (Summer Solstice) and the other on Capricorn (Winter Solstice.) Bloderweld the Virgin (Virgo, zodiacal sign just before Libra) betrays Llew, causing him to be defeated by Goronwy (God of Darkness) and turned into an Eagle (Scorpio, zodiacal sign following Libra, and the sign of Samhain). Goronwy then mates with the Virgin and waits to be crowned Dark King at Samhain, the onset of winter. His dark child will be born nine months later at Summer Solstice, marking the point of transition in the solar year from waxing to waning light.
However you may choose to celebrate the myths and lore of Fall Equinox, the agricultural harvest reigns in the decorations of the season: pumpkins, squash and gourds, sheaves of wheat and Indian corn, and the overflowing cornucopia of harvest vegetables and fruits. Though we acknowledge that the darkness will come, this is a time to feast and celebrate the abundance of the harvest.
Harvest Feast and Ritual for a Group
For several years now Circle of the Cosmic Muse has celebrated Fall Equinox outdoors in our stone circle garden. We gather around the center fire pit over which we cook our harvest feast. I highly recommend this for your celebration, if you are able to arrange a suitable setting. It takes organization, to be sure, but has been well worth it. The idea emerged from a circle discussion of olden times when people gathered around fires and their memories and traditions were passed down through the generations through storytelling.
We create sacred space and call the Watchtowers according to our usual tradition, but after the invocation of Lord and Lady, a short dialogue between them merges into a comfortable and creative sharing time as we settle around the fire on blankets and lawn chairs sharing stories while savory stew bubbles in the cauldron and other potluck goodies from a nearby picnic table are passed. Everyone knows ahead of time that stories will be shared, so we've been fortunate to have a great variety presented, funny, enlightening, inspirational. This year we're collecting songs and chants to combine with a drumming circle, and a skit is planned, as well.
A Personal Ritual for Fall Equinox
An altar for a Fall Equinox could begin as a lovely and very visible seasonal decoration, with a few additional tools to be added only for time of your actual ritual. Cover a small table or cabinet surface with a cloth or mat in one of the fall colors of russet, brown or gold. Add a basket cornucopia with pretty squashes and small pumpkins, an earthenware vase with mums or dried grains or weeds, an antler, and candles of course, perhaps a golden yellow for the God and a deep orangey red for the Goddess. Small earthenware bowls or lidded pots can hold water and salt. An abalone shell could hold white sage leaves or a smudge stick. An earthenware chalice could sit beside a pretty bowl or plate. Prop a rustic broom nearby.
For your ritual have ready four candles to mark the four directions: yellow for East, red for South, blue for West, green for North, and a fire wand or matches. Pour fruit of the vine into your chalice (wine or fruit juice), and have whole grain cookies or dried fruits and nuts for your little plate. With your altar in the center of your intended circle area, place candles at the quarters.
Stand facing your altar, center yourself, draw a large pentagram in the air in front of you, circle it and then step through the circle. Take up your broom and beginning at the east quarter, sweep the perimeter of your circle clockwise, visualizing that you are sweeping the area of all unwanted energies. When you return to the altar, replace the broom and then cleanse and consecrate your altar elements, the water, salt and sage smudge (for fire and air). With either your finger or an athame, draw a pentagram over each one, saying, "Be cleansed of all impurities and blessed in the name of the Goddess and the God." Stir a little salt into the water, saying, Into this Water I blend the salt of Earth that together they form the elixir of life, womb of the Mother, from whence we have all come and unto which we must return." Light the sage smudge, saying: " Fire and Air be now combined, as essence of the mighty God." Carry first the salt water, sprinkling as you go, and then the sage smudge, all around your circle, pausing to salute at each of the four quarters. By this you cleanse and consecrate your sacred space. Returning to your altar, sprinkle yourself, as well, and waft yourself with the sage smoke. Replace them on the altar.
Point toward the east (either with your finger or athame) and while slowly turning clockwise in place, trace and visualize an unbroken circle of luminous light forming around your ritual area, connecting each of the four quarters. As you trace the circle, say: I conjure thee, oh circle of power, to the inner truths I seek at this turn of the Wheel. Be this a protected place, out of time and space, a barrier against all harm, a luminous sphere that will preserve and contain the energy I raise within. By the grace of our Mother Earth and the bright Lord Sun, I do bless and consecrate this circle. So mote it be!
Call the Guardians to the four quarters, lighting the candle of each direction as you do:
To the East I call the power of Air, in Libran balance we now share. Light of day and dark of night, mind that blends with deep insight.
To the South I call the energy, of flames of life and spirit free, Yet grounded, balanced, given form; Sun that wanes, in spring reborn.
To the West I call the waters deep, mysterious force, all souls to keep. Sun that sets, be child of moonlight, balance truth with mystic sight.
To the North I call the power of Earth, Harvest's death gives seeds of birth. Though Sun far South means winter cold, his sparks of life, Earth's womb enfold.
Invoke the God and light his candle:
Invoke the Goddess and light her candle:
With the energies of God and Goddess flowing within you, meditate in silence for as long as you feel the need. Listen for their messages of guidance, perhaps as a voice within, or perhaps as a feeling.
Contemplate the sacrifice of the God, who having completed his work in the waxing and harvest seasons, now surrenders to the inevitability of the death that is change, stepping into the unseen world of a future not yet known. What might you need to surrender, in order to open yourself to future possibilities? Think about letting go. When you hold tightly to what might be better ended, you may be leaving no room for new growth to emerge. What is finished in your life? What will you surrender?
Contemplate the Goddess, who as Mother has given of her abundance in this season of Harvest, but now takes on the mantle of Crone. In her infinite wisdom, she recognizes the necessity of being the instrument of change, and she sees beyond to what might emerge anew. Feel her wisdom and power within you. What should YOU do to bring about needed changes in your life? What will you change? How will you change it? What potentials might open up for you afterward?
When you are ready, complete your meditation by chanting as you move-dance, if you like-around your circle nine times. An appropriate chant is one by Starhawk that is familiar to many: She changes everything she touches, and everything she touches changes.
Returning to your altar, ask the blessings of Goddess and God on your food and drink then place one portion of your food aside to return to the Earth. Offer three toasts as you drink, leaving the last sip to return to the Earth:
Bow in thanksgiving, first toward the Goddess candle, then to the God, then to each of the Guardians of the four quarters, snuffing each candle as you go. Complete your rite by offering the last bit of food and drink to Mother Earth, with your thanks for her abundance.
copyright, Maria Kay Simms