To those living in the Northern Hemisphere, I bid Mabon’s blessings to all who celebrate! We now welcome the autumn, the harvest season. As we move toward the darker half of the year, it is an opportunity for rest, reflection, and the culling of that which no longer serves us. Today, I share with you not only the history of this sabbat, but how I observe and celebrate it on my own path as a Khthonic Wiccan (which you can read about here).

History & Folklore

Named after the Welsh mythological figure whose name means ‘divine son’, Mabon (pronounced ‘mah-bahn’) is one of the eight sabbats of the Wiccan Wheel of the Year which is inspired by the Hellenic Eleusinian Mysteries and various European Harvest Festivals. As it occurs during the autumn equinox – one of two days of the year in which night and day are equal in length – it is considered a Greater Sabbat, though this does not imply that it is any more important than the four Lesser Sabbats.

The term ‘Mabon’ as used in reference to the autumn equinox was established by the prominent Wiccan figure, Aiden A. Kelly, around 1970. Interestingly, however, the initial influence for this naming came from a different mythos entirely: the Hellenic tale of Persephone’s abduction and the Eleusinian Mysteries which recounted it. The sabbats as they were named up to this point, however, were largely etymologically Briton. Thus, in seeking possible parallels to the story of Persephone and Demeter in Celtic and Saxon mythology, he came upon the Welsh tale of Mabon ap Modron who was stolen away as an infant from his mother in the middle of the night.

The Eleusinian Mysteries ( Ἐλευσίνια Μυστήρια) were a set of initiatory rites held each year at a Panhellenic Sanctuary in Eleusis (modern Elefsina) for the cult of Demeter and Persephone. The rites told their story in three phases: the descent of Kore, the search for Kore, and the ascent of Kore as Persephone in reunion with her mother. Appropriately, much of the rituals, ceremonies, and beliefs held by the cult were kept under wraps, though the common belief is that those initiated into the Mysteries were said to receive a special reward in the afterlife, with some scholars believing that reward to be the conferring godhood or immortality upon the initiate or ‘mystai’ (μυσταί).

What little we do know of the Mysteries comes from referential literature of the time and, predominately, inscriptions found within Eleusis itself which refer to rite which involving “Goddesses” accompanied by Triptolemos, Demigod of the Sowing of Grain, and “the God and the Goddess” (likely Haides and Persephone) accompanied by Eubouleus, Demigod of the Sacred Swine. The rites were attended by four categories of people: those who had attained ‘epopteia’ (‘ἐποπτεία‘, or contemplation) from the larger initiatory rites, those who had only undergone the smaller initiatory rites, those who were undergoing the ceremony for the first time, and the priesthood (which consisted of six separate branches of its own).

The Eleusinian Mysteries were broken into two separate celebrations of the equinoxes. The Lesser Mysteries took place in the month of Anthesterion (February/March of our calendar) under the direction of the Arkhon Basileus (or King Magistrate) of the time. In order to qualify at all for initiation, participants must have prepared by sacrificing a piglet to Demeter and Persephone, purifying themselves in the Ilisos River, and taking a vow of secrecy. According to inscriptions, during this time, priests would fill two special vessels with some type of libation to pour out to the west and to the east while people chanted, “Vrokhe kai syllepse!” (Rain and conceive!) to the earth and the sky. Afterwards, a child was initiated near divine fire to honor and represent Ploutos, God of Wealth and son of Demeter. In closing, an ear of grain would then be cut in silence to represent the force of this new life.

Less modest were the Greater Mysteries, which took place in the month of Boedromion (September/October of our calendar) and lasted for a total of ten days. In preparation for official festivities, priests would first gather the sacred objects (of which were unknown outside of the Mysteries) from Eleusis to the Eleusinion temple in Akropolis. The next day was marked with a gathering called the Agyrmos with an official declaration and a sacrifice carried out by priests. New initiates would then go to wash themselves in the sea at Phaleron. This was followed by a festival within a festival – the Epidauria – a procession, sacrifice, and all-night feast (called a ‘pannykhis’) in honor of Asklepios, God of Medicine.

The procession which followed moved along a path called the Hiera Hodos (sacred way) from Kerameikos to Eleusis. Along the way, initiates would swing branches called ‘bakhoi’ along the ground, shouted obscenities in honor of Baubo – the only woman who could make Demeter laugh during her time of grief by making dirty jokes and lewd gestures – and made ritual cries to Iakkhos, God of Ritual Cry and attendant of Demeter. Once in Eleusis, another pannykhis commemorated Demeter’s search for Persephone, and initiates partook in a drink called kykeon, thought to be made from water, pennyroyal, and psychoactive ergot-infected barley). Finally, initiates would move into the great hall of Telesterion – which contained at its center a palace called the Anaktoron, which kept the sacred objects stored and hidden away until later in the evening – where extremely secret rites known only to those who were permitted to participate were conducted, with the penalty for divulging such secrets being as severe as execution. Thus, today, we know only the performances of the myth of Demeter and Persephone and of the commentary on and displaying of the sacred items which were housed there. Some believe that priests also revealed visions of life after death by way of fire scrying, and others believe that this was accompanied by internal meditative experiences brought on by the consumption of kykeon.

In closing, yet another pannykhis was held, accompanied by dancing and merrymaking, which was open to the public and followed by the sacrifice of a bull. Initiates would also pour libations to the dead at this time, officially concluding the Mysteries. Unfortunately, with the destructive invasions of the Sarmatians and later popularization of Christianity, the Mysteries found themselves fading into irrelevance, with Emperor Julian of Rome being the final emperor to be initiated into them.

Other influences on Mabon as we observe it today come from the European festival known as Harvest Home, or the Ingathering. Though this, too, was Christianized over time as the Feast of the Nativity of Saint May, the Feast of Saint Michael (Michaelmas), and the Feast of Saint Martin (Martinmas), the focus on the harvest and many of the original traditions that went along with it remained. Doors and churches were decorated with wreaths and garland. Laborers negotiated debts, wages, and rents with their landlords (dubbed in olden times as the Lord of the Manor, while the representative of the laborers acted as the Lord of the Harvest). Games and competitions were held. Harvest baskets were prepared by farmers and donated to be given to the less fortunate. It was also customary, for a time, for tenants to present landlords with seasonal geese.

Observations of the autumn equinox continue into this day through Hellenismos (Boedromion), Druidry (Alban Elfed), Heathenry (Winter Finding), Celtic Paganism (Feast of Avalon), and more. Pagan Pride is typically held this time of year as a means of fostering community, holding food drives, and raising public awareness of Pagan beliefs. A more traditional Harvest Festival is held annually in the UK, with Dożynki held in Poland and Erntedankfest held in Germany. Many are also likely familiar with the Thanksgiving tradition in the US, with similar festivities occurring at different time in places like Canada, Liberia, and Grenada. The core idea in all cases remains the same: Life is precious, and we are lucky to have it.

In Khthonic Wicca

In Persephone’s cyclical seasonal journey, Persephone begins her descent back down into the Underworld to reunite with Haides. Demeter mourns her departure, and the land begins to wither. This also marks a period of rest for Gaia and a balance between the realms of dark and light. Still, yet, Hekate’s torch remains lit.

In domain, Kore (Persephone) may be honored as a parallel to Mabon and Demeter as a parallel to Modron. To raise the spirits of the grieving mothers, we should strive to always be open to humor and play. As with every Khthonic Wiccan observance of the sabbat, we also take time at Mabon to offer prayer to the Sacred Triad on the whole, to the Olympioi, and to the Protogenoi in accordance with seasonal shifts in energies.

As acts of service around this time of year, you may continue community-building and philanthropic endeavors and begun during the season of Lammas. Your focus should be on helping others who are otherwise unable to prepare for the coming winter. It is also good to give veterans additional care this season, as they are representative of the transition from Warrior to Sage.

Sabbat Correspondences

As mentioned in the previous section, the best possible parallel for Mabon on this particular path would be Kore.

In Wicca, the Mother Goddess begins transition into the Crone Goddess, and the Warrior God turned Sage God approaches the end of his life. While it is a somber occasion, it is also a reminder for us that we should not take life for granted, and our priorities should always be in line with the reality of the cycle of life and death.

Plants: Marigold, Clove, Cinnamon, Pomegranate, Maple
Minerals: Amber, Agate, Jasper, Topaz, Bronze
Colors: Brown, Gold, Orange, Red, Purple
Animals: Blackbird, Crow, Loon, Cricket, Alopex Teumesios
Symbols: Cornucopia, Gourd, Scarecrow, Sickle, Acorn
Tarot: The Empress, The Hermit, The Hanged Man

Mabon Ritual Ideas

In terms of celebrations, rituals, and observations, Mabon shares a great deal with Lammas. Though I personal tend focus on gratitude workings more during Lammas, many Wiccan joke that Mabon is the Wiccan’s Thanksgiving. If you do decide to have a Thanksgiving-style feast for Mabon – as with my recommendation for Lammas – it’s a good idea to set aside some offerings of your Mabon dinner for your patron deities, make places for them at the dinner table, and express gratitude for their blessings and presence over your area. Be sure to dispose of them in an appropriate way for the flora and fauna in your area.

Personally, however, I receive the larger part of the celebration of Mabon for a personal observance of the Greater Eleusinian Mysteries. In my version, when reading the myth (in lieu of performance), I consume six pomegranate seeds representing the six months of the year Persephone spends in the Underworld in solidarity with her. I may also have a safer variant of kykeon, which I’ll share in the next section.

Picnics are great this time of year, just as the weather starts to turn. This is, unfortunately, happening later and later down in Louisiana. Whenever the weather does start to turn, though, a small picnic with an invitation to Demeter and the genius loci (spirit of the place; local land spirits) is a lovely tradition to have.

It is also very important to continue supporting your local community at this time. Aiding in or holding your own drive for food, clothing, and blankets to donate to those who may be less fortunate at this time is a wonderful thing to do, as well. Winter can be a difficult time for people who lack the means to comfortably survive it. I also like to cleanse and pray over items before donating them. You may also like to do a community prosperity ritual or prayer at this time to promote success, good health, and happiness throughout your community in general.

Mabon Spread Ideas

Roasted goose around this time of year is traditional, but chicken does just as well if you cannot find goose. Better still, if you cider roast it, you can bring some additional fall flavor to your main course. Corn chowder or bisque, baked sweet potatoes, and Dark Mother Bread (honey whole wheat bread representing the Goddess in her Crone aspect) make for excellent sides to this dish. For desert, you could go with a classic apple pie or pumpkin. Pair this with pomegranate wine and/or apple cider, and you’ve got a full spread.

There is also the matter of kykeon, if you choose to partake. There are a couple of varying recipes, but that thought to be used for the Mysteries was a combination of barley water and pennyroyal. When it comes to pennyroyal, dosage is extremely important, so I would steer clear entirely if you are pregnant, nursing, or dealing with a health condition (especially if your condition is liver-related). As we are forgoing an ergot infection in our blend, some options for additions in your blend are mugwort or blue lotus. Otherwise, butterfly pea flower, honey, and a bit of lemon can do wonders for flavor while adding the transformative energies of the flower. This should all be brewed as tea and be consumed in modest quantities.

For Your Reference

The Digital Grimoire provides a plethora of free resources on witchcraft, Khthonic Wicca, and more. As of today, a quick reference for Mabon has been added to the Sabbats subsection, available here on my website any time you should need it. Until my next article, have a very blessed Mabon!

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