MABON RITUALS: Wheel of the Year
Rituals for Mabon
Honoring the Autumn Equinox & the Balance of Light and Dark
As the Wheel of the Year turns, we arrive at Mabon, the Autumn Equinox—a sacred time of perfect balance when day and night are equal. This is the second harvest in the cycle, where we pause to gather the fruits of our labor and give thanks before the darkness begins to grow. Mabon invites us to honor both the light and the shadow, to reflect on what we have harvested—both physically and spiritually—and to prepare for the inward journey of the colder months.
Just as the trees begin to release their leaves, we are asked: What are you ready to let go of? What wisdom have you gained from the seeds you planted at Imbolc or Beltane?
This is a time of gratitude, reflection, balance, and release.
Themes of Mabon
Balance between light and dark
Gratitude and giving thanks
Reaping the harvest of our efforts
Releasing and letting go
Preparing for inner reflection
Honoring the changing seasons
Suggested Rituals for Mabon
Here are some meaningful ways to honor the turning of the Wheel and celebrate the energies of the Autumn Equinox:
Harvest Gratitude Altar
Create a seasonal altar using symbols of the harvest:
Apples, pomegranates, squash, corn, and acorns
Fall leaves, pinecones, and golden cloth
Candles in autumn tones: gold, red, orange, and brown
Place on your altar a list of all the blessings you’ve harvested this year—accomplishments, moments of joy, lessons learned. Light a candle and say aloud:
“I honor the abundance in my life. I give thanks for the fruits of this season.”
Balance Meditation
Sit quietly and center yourself. Visualize the light and dark in perfect harmony within you—your joy and sorrow, your action and rest, your giving and receiving.
Affirm:
“I honor both the light and shadow within. I am whole. I am balanced.”
This is a wonderful time to journal about where your life feels in or out of balance.
Bonfire or Fire Ceremony
If you can, host a small fire outside. Write down things you're ready to release on slips of paper: old habits, limiting beliefs, fears, or unfinished goals that no longer align.
Toss them into the fire and say:
“I release what no longer serves me. As the trees let go, so do I.”
Sharing a Meal in Gratitude
Prepare a seasonal meal using foods of the harvest: root vegetables, apples, grains, and wine or cider. Set a place at the table for Spirit or Ancestors. Before eating, go around the table and speak a gratitude or blessing aloud.
This is a beautiful way to celebrate Mabon with family or friends.
Ancestral Gratitude Ritual
As the veil begins to thin in the coming weeks, begin connecting with your ancestors. Light a candle for them and offer something from your harvest meal.
Speak:
“To those who came before me, thank you. I honor your legacy. I carry your strength.”
Candle Ritual for Equilibrium
Choose two candles—one white (light) and one black (shadow). Light both and place them side by side. Sit with them and reflect on how each side of your life supports the other.
You may say:
“In the space between light and shadow, I find wisdom and peace.”
Let the candles burn down together as a reminder of your inner balance.
Mabon Magical Crafts
Engage your creative energy:
Make a corn doll or wheat braid as a symbol of the harvest
Craft a fall wreath for your door using natural materials
Infuse oil with cinnamon, clove, or rosemary to anoint candles or your altar.
Affirmations for Mabon
I honor the harvest of my efforts.
I give thanks for all I have received.
I embrace both the light and the shadow.
I am balanced, grounded, and at peace.
I release with grace and prepare for renewal.
A Sacred Time to Pause
Mabon is not just about gratitude—it’s about sacred pause. It's a moment to breathe before the descent into the deep inner work of Samhain and winter. This is the calm before the dark, a time to look back on how far you’ve come and ask yourself:
What do I want to carry forward? And what must I leave behind?
