MARCH 21-23

‘Weighing and Sorting’

Also known as Mabon, Wine Harvest, Feast of Avalon

Element: Water

As at the Spring Equinox we are now poised upon a threshold. Light and dark are equal, but dark is gaining. The harvest is gathered and we begin to look forward to a cosy fire in the evenings, although the days may still be warm. This is a crossover point and the balance is delicate.

The equinoxes have a subtle quality to them, felt especially in autumn – and drama may be supplies by stormy weather. The Goddess as Mother presides over stores of sharp-scented and juicy preserves. The God is with Her as a shadowy presence, for this is the time when He begins His descent in earnest.

Autumn Equinox is considered to be the second of the three ‘harvesting’ festivals. Now is the time for weighing and sorting, so all may be in order for the coming winter.

Things to do: Take a walk through the woods or have a go making some wine. Hold a great feast with your family and friends to share your prosperity. Prepare to complete unfinished tasks within the next month, before the Witches New Year.

Correspondence

Goddesses:    the Triple Goddess-Mother aspect, Persephone, Demeter, Ceres, Morgan, Snake Woman, Epona.

Gods:        Sky Father, the Green Man, the Wicker-Man, the Corn Man, Thoth, Hermes, Thor, Dionysus, Bacchus.

Colours:    Red, orange, russet, maroon, brown, gold, green, purple, blue, violet and indigo.

Symbols:    Apples, vines, wine, gourds, garlands, cornucopias, pine cones, acorns, grains, corn, pomegranates, ivy, dried seeds.

Essence:    Beauty, joy, fullness of life, harvest of the year’s desires, strength, laughter, power, prosperity, equality, balance, appreciation, harvest, protection, wealth, security, self-confidence,         reincarnation.

Purpose:    Second harvest festival, new wine pressing/making preparation for winter and Samhain, rest after labor, Pagan day of Thanksgiving, honoring the spirit world, celebration of wine, death of the God, assumption of the Crone, balance of light and dark; increase of darkness, grape harvest, completion of the harvest.

Rituals:        Protection, security, and self-confidence. Also those of harmony and balance. Celtic Festival of the Vine, prosperity rituals, introspection, rituals which enact the elderly aspects of both     Goddess & God, past life recall.

Tools:        Boline, garlands, grains, tools of the harvest.

Candles:    Orange, brown and yellow

Animals:    Dogs, wolves, stag, blackbird, owl, eagle, birds of prey, salmon, goat,Gnomes, Sphinx, Minotaur, Cyclops, Andamans and Gulons.

Plants:        Acorn, aster, cedar, ferns, grains, hazel, honeysuckle, hops, ivy, marigold, oak leaf, pine, rose, sage, tobacco, thistle and vegetables.

Herbs:        Milkweed, passionflower, sage, tabacco, benzoin, myrrh.

Incense:    Benzoin, myrrh, sage, pine, apple blossom, black pepper, patchouli, clove.

Stones:        Sapphire, lapis lazuli and yellow agate.

Food:        Breads, nuts, apples, pomegranates, cornbread, wheat products, grains, berries, grapes, acorns, seeds, dried fruits, corn, beans, squash, root vegetables, hops, sasssafras, roast goose or mutton.

Drink:        Wine, ale and cider.