Season of the Witch
Feature Story New Worlds issue: NW054
by Ellen Dugan

My new book, Autumn Equinox: The Enchantment of Mabon, takes a fresh look at this “forgotten�?Sabbat. This holiday is often overlooked by magickal folks, so right at the beginning of the book I dive into many of the questions that have confused people over the years. For example, where did the term Mabon come from anyway? With so many different titles and names for this particular fall holiday, I thought it was time to get back to the basics. I wanted to explore the roots of the Autumn Equinox festival, take a look at all of its various names and titles and see how we could apply the old tradition of a “harvest home�?celebration into the modern world.

So, are there historical links to this modern Sabbat of Witches and Pagans? Yes there are, they are just buried in old agricultural customs. When you read Autumn Equinox you’ll discover where all these traditions originate, and separate the truth from the fiction. But how do we take the harvest folklore and customs of our agricultural past and tie these into our magickal celebrations of today? Well, we allow this fresh information to inspire us into exploring all the magickal possibilities of this colorful and enchanting season of the harvest.

This book demonstrates creative magickal ideas that will inspire you with new ways to celebrate the Sabbat. I want to encourage you, the reader, not only to celebrate the actual day of the Autumn Equinox Sabbat, but to re-discover the magick and enchantment of our most bewitching season, the fall.

Rediscover the Magick of this Bewitching Season

Autumn Equinox has nine chapters, and they are stuffed full of autumn meditations, feature over 40 themed spells, charms, autumn rituals and even a few Pagan prayers. All of the seasonal enchantments featured in Autumn Equinox: The Enchantment of Mabon are worked with simple, natural, magick supplies. These natural supplies are most likely to be found at home in the backyard, or a local park courtesy of good old Mother Nature.

You will discover a fun chapter devoted to the astrological energies during September, called “September Sun Sign and Star Magick,�?that features down-to-earth spells and charms that align with the zodiac energies that are prevalent during the fall months. There is also an illuminating chapter on the magick of the Harvest moon. Plus, there are chapters dedicated to the Goddesses of the Harvest, with a new look at some old legends and tales. The Gods of Vegetation and Vine have their own chapter as well, with rituals, mediations and magick to help you connect to these ancient harvest and agricultural archetypes.

Autumn Equinox also uncovers the natural magick of the garden in autumn, with fall flower and foliage fascinations. You’ll study a Garden Witch’s dozen of fall plants, complete with their accompanying magickal correspondences. There is a section on fall color magick with multi-colored autumn foliage, and a discussion of when autumn truly begins in the garden. These natural autumn magicks are practical, affordable and very user friendly. Most importantly, they will encourage you to go outside and stomp around in the falling leaves to enjoy the gorgeous colors in the fall landscape and to re-connect with nature.

As with all the other Sabbat series books, there is a chapter on seasonal foods. Here you’ll find seasonal recipes and an all-purpose food blessing. There are ideas and tips to set an attractive harvest table, with natural centerpieces and elegant home-made decorations. This chapter also includes meal blessings and Pagan prayers.

The book finishes with “Autumn Pot-Pourri,�?and this chapter is overflowing with magickal projects and spell crafts for the fall. Witchy wreaths and garlands, luminaries to light up autumn nights, herbal soap recipes that can be easily made at home and correspondence charts on harvest deities, magickal herbs, plants and foodstuffs, and an “Autumn Enchantment�?worksheet. This handy information will both inspire and assist you when you begin to create autumn spells and charms of your very own.

There are so many wonders to discover during the season of autumn. The Autumn Equinox is for everyone to enjoy. This newest book in the Sabbat series will encourage you to look into the overflowing cornucopia nature has to offer us in the fall season, and to add some natural autumn enchantment into your lives, homes and your Craft. Autumn is our colorful season of harvest and a time to be thankful for the earth and all its bounty. This is the kick off to our most bewitching time of the year!