In Paganism, the autumnal equinox is often referred to as Mabon. This term stems from Welsh mythology and is named after the god Mabon ap Modron. Mabon is associated with the harvest and the reappearance of darkness, as the days become shorter and the nights longer. The autumnal equinox is a time of balance between light and dark, as day and night are of equal length. It is considered a time to celebrate the bounty of the harvest and give thanks for the abundance of nature. Mabon is seen as a time of reflection and gratitude, as well as a time to prepare for the coming darkness of winter.
We start preparing for winter, animals collect food and warmth in anticipation of darkness. We start to turn inward, and practice gratitude for what the harvest has brought us.
To show appreciation for the bounty of nature, take a woodland stroll or embark on a hike to revel in the sights, sounds, colors, textures, and foods that exist in the great outdoors. According to NASA, the equinoxes are prime time for the Northern Lights, and geomagnetic activities are more likely to take place in the spring and autumn than in the summer or winter.
Mabon is seen as a time of reflection and gratitude, as well as a time to prepare for the coming darkness of winter. It is a time to honor the cyclical nature of the seasons and recognize the importance of balance in our lives. The term Mabon is widely recognized and used in modern Pagan and Wiccan communities as a way to refer to the autumnal equinox and its significance in the wheel of the year.
What is the autumnal equinox?
When is the autumnal equinox, what date does the autumnal equinox fall on and when does summer end?
The autumnal equinox occurs in September each year, and in the northern hemisphere the date marks the end of summer and beginning of autumn.
The Earth is tilted on its axis. This means that the Sun illuminates the northern or southern hemisphere more depending on where the Earth is along its orbit.
However, at two points in the year the Sun will illuminate the northern and southern hemispheres equally. These are known as the equinoxes.
When is the autumnal equinox?In 2023 the autumnal equinox will occur on 23 September at 6:50am GMT (7:50am BST).
ImageWhen is autumn?
There are three main different ways of defining autumn: astronomical, meteorological and phenological.
Astronomical
Astronomically, the four seasons centre around the equinoxes and solstices. However, there is disagreement between those who see the equinox or solstice as the start of the season, and those who hold that it represents the middle of the season.
Meteorological
By contrast, meteorologists tend to divide seasons into periods of three whole months based on average monthly temperatures, with summer as the warmest and winter as the coldest. On this basis, for most of the northern hemisphere the autumn months are usually September, October, and November.
Phenological
The third way of defining autumn is to use what are known as phenological indicators. These cover a range of ecological and biological signs, such as the leaves falling off the trees and the migration of birds to warmer climates. These events of course are greatly influenced by weather and climate, and so changing climate could cause autumn to start earlier or later than the standard astronomical or meteorological definitions.
Visit the Royal Observatory to find out more about the history of measuring time and the seasons.
The main idea here is that in Paganism, the autumnal equinox is referred to as Mabon, named after the god Mabon ap Modron. Mabon represents the themes of the harvest, balance, and the transition towards darkness. It is a time of reflection, gratitude, and preparation for winter..
Reviews for "The Dark Half of the Year: Pagan Celebrations of the Autumnal Equinox"
1. Amy - 1/5: I was really disappointed with this book. I was expecting to learn more about the autumnal equinox from a pagan perspective, but instead, it was just a collection of random facts and information that wasn't very interesting or engaging. The author seemed to jump from topic to topic without any clear structure, and I found myself getting bored and confused. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a deeper understanding of the pagan meaning behind the autumnal equinox.
2. John - 2/5: While I appreciate the effort to shed light on pagan practices and beliefs, this book fell short for me. The information provided was very basic and didn't dive deep into the subject matter. Additionally, the writing style was dry and lacked any sense of excitement or passion. I was hoping for a more engaging and immersive experience, but unfortunately, this book didn't deliver. I would suggest looking for alternative resources if you're genuinely interested in learning about the pagan term for the autumnal equinox.
3. Sarah - 2/5: As someone who has been practicing paganism for several years, I was eager to read this book and gain some new insights into the autumnal equinox. However, I found the content to be rather simplistic and lacking in depth. The author seemed to gloss over many important aspects and instead focused on trivial information. It felt like a missed opportunity to truly explore the pagan significance of this time of year. I would recommend seeking out more comprehensive resources if you're looking to fully understand the pagan term for the autumnal equinox.