Mabon and the Autumn Equinox: a celebration of balance, abundance, and nature’s transition

As the days grow shorter and the air becomes crisper, we approach the Autumn Equinox, also known as Mabon or Alban Elfed in the Druidic tradition

Celebrated on 21st or 22nd September, this day marks the moment when day and night are in perfect balance—12 hours of daylight, 12 hours of night. It’s a time of reflection, gratitude, and preparation as we transition from the warmth of summer to the chill of winter.

In British tradition, Mabon is a time to celebrate nature, harvest, and the changing seasons.

The historical roots of Mabon and Alban Elfed

The festival of Mabon is a relatively modern name, and takes its name from the Welsh god Mabon ap Modron, symbolising youth and the promise of life and renewal. In ancient Britain, this time of year was essential for gathering in the harvest and giving thanks for the abundance of the earth. Alban Elfed, which translates to “The Light of the Water,” is the Druidic name for this equinox and reflects the importance of the natural world to our ancestors.

In his book Stations of the Sun, Ronald Hutton explains that, unlike many seasonal festivals, the autumn equinox does not have a long, ancient tradition in Britain. There are no direct historical records of pre-Christian equinox celebrations, but the time of year was still significant. 

Druidic traditions and other ancient cultures celebrated the harvest and the bounty of nature. Communities would come together to mark the successful gathering of crops, preparing for the leaner months of winter ahead. The balance of light and dark on this day also symbolised a need to find balance in our own lives—between work and rest, light and shadow, action and reflection.

Preparing for winter

Mabon helps us prepare for the winter months. This preparation isn’t just about stocking up on food or bracing for colder weather. It is also an inner preparation—taking stock of the year, reflecting on what we’ve achieved, and setting intentions for the time of rest and introspection that winter brings.

In a practical sense, ancient peoples would have used this time to store food, strengthen their homes, and ensure their communities were ready for the challenges of the darker months. Spiritually, this time is seen as an opportunity to balance and harmonise your internal world, just as the natural world finds balance between day and night.

Celebrating Mabon at home: feasts and traditions

Here are some simple ways to bring Mabon into your life, drawing inspiration from ancient harvest traditions and modern pagan practices:

Hosting a meal for friends or family is a beautiful way to mark the season and reflect on the themes of balance and gratitude. Include seasonal fruits and vegetables such as apples, squash, pumpkins, and root vegetables, which symbolise the earth’s bounty. Apples, in particular, are significant for Mabon, representing the Cornucopia, or Horn of Plenty, a symbol of abundance.

Outdoor rituals: Take a nature walk or visit a sacred site. Use this time to reflect on balance and change in your life, mirroring the natural balance of day and night.

‍Create an altar: Set up a simple altar at home with autumnal items like leaves, nuts, berries, and candles. This can serve as a focal point for your thoughts on gratitude and letting go.

Acts of charity: Mabon is also a time to think of those less fortunate. Donating to food banks or volunteering in your community connects you to the traditional spirit of sharing the harvest.

Mindfulness and meditation: Use the equinox to meditate on balance and transition. Focus on the changes in nature and how they reflect your own life’s cycles.

‍The importance of pilgrimage in Autumn

As we transition into autumn, there’s no better way to connect with the seasonal shift than by embarking on a pilgrimage. Pilgrimages, both ancient and modern, offer an opportunity to experience the natural world and reflect on its rhythms. The act of walking through autumn landscapes, seeing the changing leaves, and feeling the crispness in the air can be deeply meditative and grounding.

Mabon is the perfect time to reconnect with nature. Even on a simple walk in your local park, being outdoors allows you to witness the changing of the seasons firsthand. The vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows of the leaves signal the beauty of nature’s transition and the ongoing cycles of growth, decay, and renewal.

Exploring pilgrimage routes that pass through autumn woodlands or along peaceful rivers can be a profound way to honour this time of change.

Cardinham Woods on the Bodmin Way offers a stunning display of autumn colours in Cornwall.  Similarly, Tintern Abbey and places along the Welsh Cistercian Way are quiet contemplation places where you can see some of the country’s most spectacular autumn colours.

For those seeking more rugged landscapes, the Simonside Hills near St Oswald’s Way in Northumberland offer spectacular panoramic views and rich autumnal colours, as does the Hope Valley on the Hope Pilgrimage.

If you prefer a tranquil waterside pilgrimage, the Kennet and Avon Canal on the Michael & Mary and White Horse Pilgrim Trail offers the peacefulness of flowing water surrounded by the shifting colours of autumn trees. Water is an essential symbol in Druidic tradition, and the equinox’s Alban Elfed name reflects the life-giving properties of this element, which is mirrored in the canal’s peaceful waters.