Lughnasadh has passed, and now we move toward the autumnal equinox, often referred to as Mabon, and although that is a recent designation, it has become the prevailing term for the holiday. The autumnal equinox has many names, Harvest Home, Mabon, the Feast of the Ingathering, Gleichentag, Meán Fómhair, or Alban Elfed (in some Druid traditions).
Mabon marks the day when night and day are of equal lengths, and we start the passage into winter. No matter the path you follow, or the title you choose, the equinox celebration is a Pagan ritual of thanksgiving for the fruits of the harvest, and a way to honor the God and Goddess in order to receive their blessings during the winter ahead.
Mabon marks the day when night and day are of equal lengths, and we start the passage into winter. No matter the path you follow, or the title you choose, the equinox celebration is a Pagan ritual of thanksgiving for the fruits of the harvest, and a way to honor the God and Goddess in order to receive their blessings during the winter ahead.
Like the seasons, everything has a natural rhythm, so the equinox is also about finding our balance and blessing our homes for the coming year. It’s a time of letting go and reflection on the passing of cycle of life and the death and rebirth of the Horned God and the offerings of the earth after winter has passed.
Between now and Mabon, we’ll be sharing parts of our rituals and different spells that we have used and participated in over the years. We’ll start with a blessing spell that I like to use to bless my house before having people over for ritual or feast. It’s a simple cleansing and blessing spell that requires very little ritual, but it requires a little bit of preparation. You will need the following:
Grind the lavender and the rose petals together.
Choose where you would like to set up your candles, your chalice, and your offering bowl. I’ve used this blessing two different ways. One is to use your altar, and set the items up on it, decorating the altar for the season. The other is to set the candles up to signify the four corners of your home in the way that feels right to you.
I use my altar for the offering bowl and chalice regardless of which way I do the candles, but if you have some place that represents the heart of your home, that will work as well. Place the ground lavender and rose petals in the offering bowl, and pour some wine/mead/water of your choice. I use mead personally.
Light the smudge stick and smudge your entire home while chanting:
Cleanse this home and fill with light
To carry us through the winter night
Blessed be my home and all within,
As we wait for spring to begin again.
Afterward, take the ashes of the offering and the wine and use the wine to wash the ashes into the ground by your front porch as you thank your deity for blessing your home.
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