What Is the Fall Equinox?
Fall Equinox, also called Autumnal Equinox, occurs around September 22 in the Northern Hemisphere. It is characterized by twelve hours of daylight and twelve hours of night ("equi" means equal and "nox" means night).
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Mabon
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Among Pagans, including Wiccans, the Fall Equinox is a Sabbat known as Mabon. It is a time to celebrate the harvest with thanksgiving, as well as for contemplation and honoring balance in all things. Mabon occurs when the Sun enters Libra, a zodiac sign represented by scales.
Alternative Names
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Mabon, the Fall Equinox, is known by other names such as Alban Eleud (Druid), Festival of the Vine, Feast of Avalon, Witches' Thanksgiving and Harvest Home.
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Symbols
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Symbols of the Fall Equinox include pumpkins, gourds, apples, corn, grain, pomegranates, grape vines and baskets of fruit and vegetables. Autumnal colors are associated with Mabon, including orange, yellow, brown and red. The god Dionysus is connected with autumn and the Fall Equinox, as is the mythological Persephone.
Wheel of the Year
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Pagans celebrate the Wheel of the Year which refers to eight festivals that occur during the year. Mabon is but one of those festivals. Other festivals include Samhain, Yule, Imbolc, Ostara, Beltane, Midsummer Solstice and Lughnasadh.
Mythology
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Pomegranate, a fruit associated with Mabon and the myth of Persephone The name Mabon (may-bon) may also be a word meaning "son". In mythology, Mabon was stolen from his mother Modron three days after birth and disappeared for many years. Held captive in the otherworld, Mabon fades into the afterworld at Samhain (coinciding with Halloween), only to return in the spring as the male counterpart to Persephone.
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References
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