Mabon: Meaning, Rituals, and Symbols of the Fall Equinox

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Mabon is a Wiccan and modern pagan holiday that celebrates the Autumn Equinox, the astronomical time of the year when day and night are equal. (The same occurs at the Spring Equinox.) The minor sabbat of Mabon falls between the fire festival of Lughnasadh and the witch’s new year, Samhain, on the Wheel of the Year, and is observed between September 21 and 24 in the Northern Hemisphere. Mabon is also the first day of Fall.

Unlike the ancient Celtic fire festivals (Imbolc, Beltane, Lughnasadh, and Samhain), there is no solid evidence that the Celts formally celebrated the fall equinox.

But, many other cultures did. The ancient Mayans designed Chichen Itzá to mark the equinox sun, while Neolithic and Bronze Age peoples built sites like Carin T in Ireland and Mnajdra in Malta that align with the sunrise on this day.

In modern times, Wiccans and contemporary Pagans observe Mabon as a time of gratitude, balance, and preparation. It’s the time to reflect on the harvest, both literal and metaphorical, and to begin releasing what no longer serves as the Wheel of the Year turns toward winter.

Mythologically, Mabon marks the descent of the Sun King, of the Goddess into her Crone aspect, and is associated with Persephone’s journey to the Underworld.

If you’re interested in celebrating Mabon, here is a look at the holiday’s history, meaning, symbols, altar ideas, recipes, and rituals to help you celebrate the Autumn Equinox in your own way, including with a fall equinox party.

Mabon’s Meaning in the Wheel of the Year

In Wiccan traditions, Mabon marks the second harvest when the Goddess begins her transition from Mother to Crone, preparing to guide the world into the darker part of the year. The Oak King continues to wane and the Holly King is growing stronger.

The Oak and Holly King are twin aspects of the God who battle for dominance at the solstices. The Oak King rules the waxing half of the year, from Yule to Litha, when days grow longer. At Litha, the Holly King began to rise, and by Mabon, his rule is fully established.

Mabon’s meaning is also connected to the harvest, harmony, and home. Like Ostara, it’s a time when energies are in balance. But, while Ostara leans toward growth and awakening, Mabon’s rituals are aligned with release and reflection, going back to the intentions of Imbolc and reviewing the ways they manifested during the year.

It is also a time to give thanks for what has come to fruition, and to begin preparing for what must be let go.

The History of Mabon

On the Autumn Equinox, the sun appears to rise and set in nearly the same place for a few days in a row. After this, the nights are longer than the days until we reach the Spring Equinox, also known as Ostara. If you’re curious, the word equinox comes from the Latin aequus (equal) and nox (night).

The term Mabon” (MAH-bon) was introduced in the 1970s by Aidan Kelly, a key figure in Wicca who is a co-founder of the Covenant of the Goddess (CoG).

Kelly himself explains it in Patheos that “Back in 1974, I was putting together a “Pagan-Craft” calendar—the first of its kind, as far as I know—listing the holidays, astrological aspects, and other stuff of interest to Pagans. We have Gaelic names for the four Celtic holidays. It offended my aesthetic sensibilities that there seemed to be no Pagan names for the summer solstice or the fall equinox equivalent to Yule or Beltane—so I decided to supply them.”

He began to look for a Northern European myth similar to that of Persphone (or Kore). “I could not find one in Germanic or Gaelic literature, but there was one in the Welsh, in the Mabinogion collection, the story of Mabon ap Modron (which translates as “Son of the Mother,” just as Kore simply meant “girl”), whom Gwydion rescues from the underworld, much as Theseus rescued Helen.

It would have been aesthetically better to have found a Saxon name, but so I picked “Mabon” as the name for the holiday in my calendar. It was not an arbitrary choice. I sent a copy of the calendar to Oberon (then still Tim), who liked these new names and began using them in Green Egg, whence they passed into the national Pagan vocabulary.”

Unlike Samhain or Beltane, there’s little evidence that ancient Celts marked the equinox with specific rites. However, the equinox itself is celebrated across many cultures. Ancient megaliths like those at Carnac in France and sites like Chichen Itzá in Mexico were built to align with the equinox sun.

In Europe, the broader harvest season was marked with community festivals, feasts, and agricultural rituals that honored the land’s abundance.

Who is Mabon ap Modron?

Mabon ap Modron is a youthful divine hero from Welsh mythology whose name means “Son of the Mother.” He he is the child of Modron, a mother goddess figure, and is taken from her “when three nights old.” He appears in medieval Welsh texts such as the Mabinogion.

In the tale Culhwch and Olwen, Mabon is rescued by King Arthur’s men to help hunt the magical boar Twrch Trwyth. He’s the only one who can ride a special hound and handle a special horse, and his imprisonment in a mysterious underworld location echoes older mythological themes of divine descent and return (and of the classic hero’s journey).

Though he is not historically connected to the equinox or any harvest rites, Mabon’s story shares similarities with other seasonal descent myths, like Persephone‘s when she is taken into the Underworld and later returns.

While the name Mabon wasn’t historically associated with the fall equinox, the myth of a youthful god returning from darkness aligns with this seasonal turning point.

The Sabbats and the Wheel of the Year Guide

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Mabon Symbols and Colors

If you’re building an autumnal Mabon altar or honoring the end of Summer and the beginning of Fall, here are some symbols you’ll want to incorporate into your Mabon decor or altar.

Mabon Symbols

Colors: Gold, brown, yellow, orange, maroon, violet
Crystals: Amber, carnelian, smoky quartz, amethyst, yellow topaz
Animals: Dog, wolf, stag, owl, raven, squirrel, fox, bear, hawk, swallow, swan
Flowers: Aster, chrysanthemum, marigold
Plants and Herbs: Cedar, maple, myrtle, oak, blackberry, fern, ivy, rosemary, thyme, cinnamon, cloves
Foods: Apples, pomegranates, pumpkins, squash, grapes, corn, wheat, acorns, horn of plenty
Gods: Persephone, the Morrigan, Bacchus, Dionysus, Ishtar, Epona, Modron, Mabon, Thoth

Here’s how to set up your own Mabon altar for the Fall Equinox

What Are Mabon’s Recipes and Foods?

Mabon foods celebrate the second harvest. (Lughnasadh is the first.) It’s a time of abundance, warmth, and preparing for the darker months ahead. Here are some ingredients and dishes to include in your feast or offerings. And, hey, at worst, just celebrate the season by grabbing a pumpkin spice latte.

Apples: A classic symbol of autumn, wisdom, and magic. Serve them baked, sliced fresh, or as part of pies, crisps, and tarts.
Pomegranates: Often associated with Persephone and the Underworld, pomegranates represent cycles, descent, and transformation. Use the seeds in salads, desserts, or sprinkled on top of yogurt.
Pumpkins: Round, orange, and full of seasonal energy, pumpkins represent prosperity and protection. Roast them with herbs, turn them into soup, or bake them into sweet loaves or pies.
Cinnamon: This warming magical spice carries the energy of protection, abundance, and comfort, which is why it’s used in the monthly cinnamon ritual. Add it to baked goods, cider, or even incense blends to infuse your space with cozy, magical vibes.
Root Vegetables: Root vegetables are grounding, nourishing, and require preparation. Roast them with warming herbs (like cinnamon) or add to stews and savory pies.
Squash: Squash is a seasonal staple. Roast it with rosemary and garlic or stuff it with grains for a hearty Mabon dish.
Cider and Wine: Whether pressed from apples or grapes, these fermented drinks are perfect for toasting the equinox. They represent the fruits of labor, the turning of the season, and connect to Dionysus.

Here are more than 50 easy Mabon recipes you can make for the holiday.

How to Celebrate Mabon

Modern Pagan and Wiccan Mabon celebrations center around honoring the god’s descent, the harvest, and the turning inward as the darker days approach. Some host coven gatherings or fall bonfires. Others prefer to enjoy some reflective solo time. Here are some rituals to consider.

Here are some Mabon ritual ideas:

Create a gratitude ritual: Write down or speak aloud what you’re thankful for. You can burn these in a small fire or leave them in your journal.
Refresh Your altar: Use autumn colors, leaves, apples, candles, and symbols of balance and harvest. Add your Wheel of the Year plaque or anything representing this turning point. Or dedicate it to a deity of the season, like Persephone.
Celebrate Persephone: Honor her descent into the Underworld and explore your own inner worlds with meditation or divination. Here’s our guide on how to work with her.
Host a Mabon Feast: Cook with seasonal foods, pour cider or wine, and share intentions or blessings with guests.
Spend time in nature: Observe the signs of the change of seasons in your area. Look for acorns, pine cones, and other symbols of the earth preparing for rest.
Go apple picking or visit a vineyard: Apples, grapes, and wine are all associated with the holiday of Mabon.
Do a releasing ritual: Reflect on what you’re ready to let go of as the days darken. Journal it out and let it go from your heart and mind.
Make your own incense: Use corresponding herbs and oils like rosemary, thyme, cinnamon, and cloves to create your own incense blend.
Fill a horn of plenty: Cornucopia or Horn of Plenty represents the balance of masculine and feminine energy. If you have grown a garden, put some of the produce on display.
Make a broom: Witches have long been associated with brooms and making your own isn’t difficult. As the Witchery in Salem says, “It usually takes 5 or 10 minutes to select your material — unless of course you are a Libra. Then it might take longer.”
Do a balancing spell: If things have felt out of balance for you, harness the balanced energies of the autumn equinox to bring yourself back to the middle path.