Mabon and Autumn Equinox: Celebrating a shift towards darkness and the second harvest

Hello friends. I have been curating and sharing playlists around the Celtic Pagan Wheel of the Year for some time now. Each time the wheel turns I update my post and playlist from the previous year. This is always a really interesting exercise in observing my own repeating themes and cycles. For an overview of The Wheel of the Year you can check out this post.

The Autumn Equinox, which is also referred to as Mabon, happens on the 21st September. The name Mabon, in the context of this celebration day, was adopted in the 1970s and draws on the Welsh deity Mabon ap Modron. As I mention in my post about The Wheel of the Year, many of the English neo-pagan celebrations draw upon the spirituality and culture of Ireland, Scotland and Wales and the colonisation of those countries by the English meant that they weren’t legally able to speak their own languages or take part in their own spiritual traditions. I believe that it’s important to hold this in awareness if you’re celebrating The Autumn Equinox as Mabon.

Mabon, Autumn Equinox the dance of equilibrium

This season is all about balance, as we honour the convergence of opposites—the God and The Goddess, Yin and Yang, Shakti and Shiva, Masculine and Feminine, Light and Dark. As always, I think it’s important to reflect on these archetypes within the context of gender binaries. We all hold masculine and feminine energy within us and those energies are always shifting.

Observing the cycles and seasons reminds us that change is the only constant. The Autumn Equinox brings cooler evenings, the fiery colours of the leaves changing, the smell of woodsmoke on the air, and the soft, golden light of the autumn sun. It's a season of transition where we look towards the winter and the darker months.

Mabon and the Second Harvest

Mabon is also a celebration of abundance and gratitude. The second harvest is where the last of the summer grain is harvested and orchards and gardens are ripe with fruits and vegetables. This is a time to give thanks to the Earth that sustains us and to consider how we can live in reciprocity with nature.

Finding balance at Autumn Equinox

Both the Spring and Autumn equinox are all about balance. Summer's dynamic energy can drive us forward, but we can’t ride that wave forever. How can we find equilibrium as we move into the gentler, more introspective energies of autumn and winter? The autumn equinox reminds us that it's okay to slow down, rest, and replenish.

Autumn equinox and Mabon playlist and journal prompts

One beautiful way to embrace the energies of Mabon and the Autumn Equinox is through music and self-reflection. My playlist below is curated for this season, with songs to support your exploration of the themes of balance, abundance, and reflection. You can use the playlist as a background for general movement, journalling or breathwork.

Prompts for Self-Reflection

Where could you cultivate more balance? Reflect on areas of your life that feel unbalanced. Is it in your work-life balance, relationships, or self-care routines? Consider what steps you might take to create space.
Where can you surrender as we move into the energy of Autumn? Autumn teaches us the beauty of letting go. Is there something you're holding onto that no longer serves you? It might be a mindset, a habit, or even a relationship. EHow can you release what no longer nourishes your soul.
What is something you have gained by letting go? As you let go of what's no longer needed, take a moment to recognise the gifts that have come from surrender. When we release, we create space for new opportunities and growth.
What have you unexpectedly harvested this year? Life often surprises us with unexpected gifts or lessons Reflect on your experiences and the growth that you’ve experienced this year.

Embracing balance and abundance in our lives

Mabon and the Autumn Equinox offer us a beautiful opportunity to explore balance and abundance in our lives. I invite you to light a candle, listen to the playlist below and reflect on the prompts above. Remember that this season is not just a time of change; it's a time for gratitude and finding balance.

Mabon and Autumn Equinox blessings, Friends