This is the group ritual we performed recently at a local park to celebrate Mabon this year. I tried to make it a relaxed, light and fun evening with a focus on chanting and making noise. It ended up being such a lovely celebration, raising some very special energy and I am so grateful for the opportunity to share this time with some very beautiful friends.
MABON RITUAL
by ~Kora~
Reading – What is Mabon?
As with each of the sabbats, Mabon has been known by many names throughout history and across different cultures. Some of these names include Cornucopia, the Feast of Avalon, the Festival of Dionysus, Mea'n Fo'mhair (Druidic), the Second Festival of Harvest or the Second Harvest Festival and the Wine Harvest.
However it is known, Mabon is the Autumn Equinox. This means it is the mid-point between the summer and winter solstices and the time when day and night are of equal length as the sun crosses the equator.
Mabon represents balance but it is also a time to give thanks for the bounty of the earth. In ancient times, this is the second major harvest, when the gifts from the mother are reaped and we give thanks for the abundance of our lives. In today’s modern times, we are no longer so dependent on the harvest festivals, but we still have the opportunity to give thanks for all of the blessings that enrich and fulfil our lives.
Mabon is a reminder that we reap what we sow. In Wicca, we see this as a physical reflection of the seeds we plant in the earth as the warms began to break through the winter around the time of the spring equinox six months ago, but we all also see this as a powerful metaphor for all of the things in our life. We are responsible for our own happiness and we know that it is through our own thoughts and actions that we will benefit and achieve all we set out for in our lives.
Mabon is a time to assess our performance – without blame and without regret. As the wheel begins to turn towards the colder months and our minds begin the process of introspection, we look at what has worked for us and before we turn to thoughts of what we need to think about changing. But, for us now, the focus is on the positives in our lives and that is something we should all take a moment to reflect on.
As such, we will now take a moment to go around the circle and give each of us the opportunity to give voice to something we are thankful that we have achieved or received in our lives.
[The speaker gives thanks for a blessing in their life, followed by the person to their right and so on until all within the circle have expressed an element of gratitude.]
Casting Circle
Tonight, we celebrate Mabon, the autumn equinox and one of the eight sabbats of the wheel of the year. Please, join hands as we cast circle.
Let our voices rise as one in the Elemental Chant and our drums and instruments resound as we in the southern hemisphere call the quarters deosil from the north. Please take up your instruments as you begin to feel the energy of the chant.
The Fire, the Earth, the Air, the Water
Return, return, return, return
Aye-a, aye-a, aye-a, aye-a, aye-a
Aye-o, aye-o, aye-o, aye-o
May the Goddess, in all her aspects, be present here in this circle. We call upon the Goddess with The Goddess Chant, that you may lend your energy here in this circle tonight.
Isis, Astarte,
Diana, Hecate,
Demeter, Kali,
Inanna
Mabon Park Blessing
We take this time to send out blessing to the area around us. We are grateful to have the opportunity to share this time together in nature and we pour our positive energy into the turning of the wheel and the changes it will bring to all living things around us.
We will now raise energy through drumming and noisemaking as a form of sympathetic magic to all that lives around us.
[Everyone to take up instruments; commence drumming/noisemaking]
Cakes and Ale – Poem: Turn the Wheel to Mabon
[Cakes and ale to be distributed]
Turn the wheel; turn the wheel, to the Mabon March
Autumn breeze and maple trees still joyous as they parch
Resplendent in the richest gold with jewels of red and brown
We lament about the shortened days: ‘O, how soon the sun goes down!’
Harvest one and harvest two, in our memories are stored
Corn and grain and welcome rain, are our toil’s reward
Equal are the night and day, thus balances the divine
Turn the wheel; turn the wheel, as we enjoy the Mabon wine
Blessed be
[Sharing of cakes and ale followed by general discussion on Mabon.]
Opening circle
Please take up your instruments as we send our thanks to the quarters.
[Drumming/noisemaking to commence]
Spirits of the north, element of fire
We thank you for your presence here this night
We bid you hail and farewell
Blessed be
Spirits of the east, element of water
We thank you for your presence here this night
We bid you hail and farewell
Blessed be
Spirits of the south, element of air
We thank you for your presence here this night
We bid you hail and farewell
Blessed be
Spirits of the west, element of earth
We thank you for your presence here this night
We bid you hail and farewell
Blessed be
Hail to the Goddess in all her aspects
We thank you for your presence here this night
We bid you hail and farewell
Blessed be
[Chant to open circle]
May the circle be open
But unbroken
May the love of the Goddess
Be ever in your heart
Merry meet and merry partM
And merry meet again
