The Autumn Equinox typically falls between the 21st and 24th of September in the UK – this year it lands on the 23rd. The Autumn Equinox sits oppsite Ostara on the Wheel of the Year, when day and night are once again equal in length. This is the second harvest festival of the year, following Lammas, and a time to celebrate graitude and recognising what you have harvested or grown so far this year.
This festival is also called Mabon by many. However, I have come to learn that Mabon is a Welsh Diety, who bears no significance for this festival. One thing I am getting more interested in as I get older, is learning more of my heritage and the Welsh ways. As the adage says ‘know better, do better’.
Where Lammas was about the first harvest, the Autumn Equinox is about preparing for the darker half of the year. Acknowledging the balance between light and dark, and the light beginning to fade. You can see it in the last blackberries in the hedges, the apples falling from trees, the leaves beginning to change colour and the cooler weather.
Mabon Altar Ideas
Here are a few suggestions for what to place on your altar for Mabon.
A harvest basket or cornucopia – include apples, pears, blackberries, nuts or seeds.
Candles – deep orange, brown or dark gold to mirror the colours in the falling leaves.
Pinecones, acorns & leaves – pick them up while out and about, they represent the seeds of next year already waiting.
A set of scales – to honour the equal balance of light and dark.
Corn dollies – to honour the grain harvest.
Mabon Correspondences
Colours: Orange, Brown, Deep Red, Gold, Burgundy
Crystals: Carnelian, Smoky Quartz, Citrine, Amber, Aventurine
Flowers & Herbs: Sage, Asters, Rosehip, Thistle, Oak Leaves
Foods: Apples, Root Vegetables, Bread, Nuts, Squash, Cider
Rituals & Activities for Mabon
Make something with apples. A crumble, a chutney, apples baked whole with cinnamon — anything that fills the kitchen with that particular autumn smell counts as ritual.
Do a gratitude audit. Sit with your journal and actually list what’s grown or come together for you this year, in life or in business. The Autumn Equinox isn’t a festival for vague thankfulness – be specific.
Go on a hedgerow walk. Look for blackberries, rosehips, conkers, fallen leaves. Bring a few bits home for your altar or just to have on the windowsill.
Light two candles of equal size and let them burn down together at dusk, honouring the equal split of day and night before the dark takes the lead.
Have a proper meal at the table. Not standing at the counter or not scrolling while you eat, set the table and sit down to eat, maybe pour yourself a glass of wine.
Have a mini decluttering session to make space at home to match the feeling of things settling and slowing down.
How will you be celebrating the Autumn Equinox this year?
