hi, angels! you didn’t think i forgot about Mabon, did you? the autumn equinox falls in September, typically ranging from the 21st to the 24th. this year, in 2017, it is occurring on the 22nd. Mabon is symbolic – it the first official day of Fall, as well as a time to show your thanks and count your blessings – a witch’s thanksgiving, if you will! the days and nights are now equal in length, and it is a wonderful period to celebrate such a balance. this was the first holiday i celebrated as a witch. it may even be my favourite holiday on the Wheel of the Year. Mabon is the pathway to a beautiful season, and the air offers a warm essence. it is full of good feelings: being extra appreciative of what you have, recognizing the potential you have to change, and being inspired to grow. with that said, here are some ideas to incorporate into your Mabon altar!:
🍂 colors. this is always the first thing my mind goes to when creating a themed altar! it is the basis for the whole feeling of your sacred space, and will help to get you in the mood for the season. oranges, reds, gold, browns, yellows, and deep purples are a few good fits. objects such as candles, cloths, ribbons, flowers, or statues in these colors are a few wonderful ideas.
🍂 imagery. for this particular time of year, some things you should incorporate include pumpkins, gourds, baskets, acorns, apple or pumpkin seeds, and corn/corn dolls, all of these things symbolize the second harvest, and should also get you in the right mood for the autumn season. if you like, try adding some collected fallen leaves and sticks, as well. (if you cannot add any of these objects in their natural forms, dollar and craft stores have faux or decorative versions of all of them)!
🍂 balance. after all, this is a time of year in which light and dark are at their balanced peak. quartz on one side and obsidian on the other, a light and dark feather, dark and light pumpkins or gourds, a black candle and a white one – try including this symbolism in a creative way!
🍂 candles + incense. what altar is complete without some sort of candle? add ones in the colors of fall, or in yummy autumn scents. if you cannot add real candles to your altar, consider LED ones or fairy lights, spritzing a holiday scented spray around your space. for incense, try to include some scents such as myrrh, sage, pine, frankincense, sweetgrass, cinnamon, and even pumpkin.
🍂 herbs, spices, + crystals. add small dishes or bottles of herbs that compliment the season! marigold, sage, chamomile… just to name a few! citrine, clear quartz, amber, gold, or yellow topaz are a few crystal ideas to get started, as well.
🍂 food. once the actual holiday is closer, consider adding some fresh offerings in bowls or baskets, or on pretty plates/trays. food offerings may include grapes, apples, nuts, grains, and wine.
i hope this list is helpful! i absolutely love this time of year and the sentiment that it holds. remember to dwell more on what you have, rather than what you may not. blessed be, and have a wonderful season! )O(
Can’t use metal shields as a Druid? Creative alternatives, time!
Water Druid? A large, dome shaped coral, a huge seashell, a massive octopus beak, or a turtle shell
Underdark, Swamp, or Night? A giant mushroom cap, a giant bird’s beak, a slab of slate
Forest or Plains? A giant acorn cap or nut shell, or a tortoise shell
Desert? A branch of dead wood as an arm shield for parrying, or a plate from a giant scorpion’s chitin
Still not enough? How about a dragon’s belly scale or pieces from bones or fossils, like a half of a ribcage?
A carved out giant tooth? A lid of a woven basket? A piece of a giant eggshell? What about a wheel broken off of a cart?
You don’t just need to take a wooden shield. Get creative. Use a dinosaur shoulder blade!
One of my good friends just came out to her boyfriend about being ace. She was so worried about it, and she’s used to having to explain what asexuality even is, even before she can worry about getting acceptance for it.
So she asked him if he knew what that meant, and he was like, “Oh, yeah! One of my favorite characters on TV is ace! (Todd, from BoJack Horseman) I get that,” and it just made her entire coming out to him so much easier and more accepting and she’s so much happier now.
teakepp 