In the woods

📷Mustloveherbs

Mabon Altar Ideas & Correspondences

Mabon, also known as the Autumn Equinox, marks the midpoint between the summer and winter solstices. It's a time to celebrate the abundance of the harvest season and express gratitude for the blessings of the year. One way to honor this occasion is by setting up a Mabon altar, adorned with items and symbols that resonate with the energy of the season. Here are a few ideas for when you’re putting your altar together.

The Altar Cloth: Choose an altar cloth in rich autumnal colors such as deep red, orange, or brown. These colors represent the changing leaves and the bountiful harvest.

Seasonal Fruits and Vegetables: Incorporate apples, pumpkins, squash, and corn, or any local harvests you have in your area. These are traditional symbols of the harvest and abundance during Mabon.

Candles: Use candles in colors associated with Mabon, such as gold, yellow, orange, or deep red. These represent the changing colors of the land. Alternatively, you could use black and white candles to represent the balance of dark and light on the equinox.

Crystals: Consider placing crystals like citrine, amethyst, or jasper on your altar. These stones resonate with the energies of balance, gratitude, and abundance.

Symbols of Balance: Include items that represent the balance of day and night, such as a yin-yang symbol or two candles, one for the sun and one for the moon.

Leaves and Acorns: Collect fallen leaves and acorns to symbolize the changing season and the promise of new growth in the future.

Chalice and Bread: A chalice filled with wine or cider and a loaf of bread represent the traditional elements of water and earth, symbolizing the harvest's bounty.

Deity Representations: If you work with specific deities in your practice, add representations of them to your altar. Some gods and goddesses associated with Mabon include Demeter, Persephone, and the Green Man.

Mabon Correspondences

Colors: Deep red, orange, yellow, brown, and gold.

Herbs: Sage, marigold, hops, and thistle.

Foods: Apples, grapes, nuts, grains, and root vegetables.

Symbols: Scales, cornucopias, and the autumn wreath.

Activities: Apple picking, making wreaths, offering prayers of gratitude, and sharing a feast with loved ones.

Intentions: Reflect on balance in your life, give thanks for your blessings, and set intentions for the darker months ahead.

Bʀᴏᴜɢʜᴛᴏɴ Cᴀsᴛʟᴇ, Oxғᴏʀᴅsʜɪʀᴇ, Eɴɢʟᴀɴᴅ

In September, there are several interesting celestial events to look forward to, including:

1. **Full Harvest Moon**: The Full Harvest Moon is the full moon closest to the autumnal equinox. It usually occurs in September, and this year, it falls on September 20, 2023. It's named the "Harvest Moon" because it traditionally provided extra light for farmers to gather their crops.

2. **Autumnal Equinox**: On September 23, 2023, the autumnal equinox marks the first day of fall in the Northern Hemisphere. It's the moment when day and night are roughly equal in length, and it's a great time to observe the changing angle of the Sun in the sky.

3. **Mars and Venus**: Throughout September, you can observe Mars and Venus in the evening sky. Look westward after sunset, and you should be able to spot these two bright planets.

4. **Jupiter and Saturn**: In the early evening, you can also see Jupiter and Saturn in the southeastern sky. They will be prominent throughout September.

5. **Meteor Showers**: The September Perseid meteor shower, which peaks around September 9-10, may offer some shooting stars. While not as famous as the August Perseids, it's still worth looking out for.

6. **Planetary Conjunction**: Towards the end of September, there will be a close conjunction between Venus and Jupiter on September 29, 2023. They will appear very close in the evening sky, creating a beautiful celestial sight.

So I'm feeling a little down and very low energy, and writing and helping brings me joy, so here's some "it's far too overcast and cold for me to be mentally well" witch ideas:

Light incense. Don't visualize or do magic. Light it up and say, "yay, I like incense."

Make tea. Sloosh it around in your mug a little. Say, "it's just like the ocean." Drink the ocean.

If you are a little cold, say, "I manifest warmth." Go find a bigger, cozier sweater or a blankie. Get warm. Your spell has manifested. You are magic.

Find some of your clickity clackity rocks. Make a crystal grid of no more than three rocks. No matter what grid you make, the intent is, "I have just done a productivity." When you are done, your spell has simultaneously been cast and become manifest.

Wash one dish. Look at it and know that it loves you. You and the dish are friends now.

Imagine what kind of cat you would like to have, if you did want a (new) cat. Think about its appearance and personality. Give it a name. It is now your thoughtform. Enjoy.