MABON (Autumnal Equinox)                        September 21                   During Autumn, those of us living in the northern hemisphere begin to see the waning of the Sun more obviously now as the days continue to grow cooler and shorter until the Wheel of the Year spins around again to Yule. At the Autumnal Equinox, the days and nights are equal. It is a time of balance, but the light slowly and surely gives way to the increasing darkness. It is the second harvest, and the Goddess mourns her fallen consort, but the emphasis is on the message of rebirth that can be found in the harvest seeds. The Autumn Equinox is a wonderful time to stop and relax and be happy. While we may not have toiled the fields from sunrise to sunset every day since Lammas as our ancestors did, most of us do work hard at what we do. At this time of year, we should stop and survey the harvest each of us has brought in over the season. For us, like our ancestors, this becomes a time of giving thanks for the success of what we have worked at. Spellwork for protection, wealth and prosperity, security and spells to bring a feeling of self-confidence are appropriate for Mabon. Since this is a time for balance, you might include spells that will bring into balance and harmony the energies in a room, a home, or a situation. Ritual actions might include the praising or honoring of fruit as tangible proof of the love of the Goddess and God, and a ritual sprinkling of Autumn leaves. It is a good time to walk in the forests, gathering dried plants for use as altar decorations or herbal magick. Symbols to represent the Mabon Sabbat are such things as grapes, wine, vines, garlands, gourds, pine cones, acorns, wheat, dried leaves, Indian corn, Sun wheels, and horns of plenty. Altar decorations might include autumn leaves, acorns, pine cones, a pomegranate to symbolize Persephone's descent into the Underworld, and a small statue or figure to represent the Triple Goddess in Her Mother aspect. Cornbread and cider are good additions to festivities.