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Category: Fall Equinox/Mabon
A Happy and Blessed Ostara or Mabon
Well, I just learned something new about the spring equinox in the northern hemisphere and the fall equinox in the southern hemisphere. Ostara the spring equinox is on Thursday, March 19, 2020 at 10:49 PM PM CT while Mabon the fall equinox is on Friday, March 20, 2020 at 2:49 PM AEDT in the southern hemisphere. Which means we are experiencing the equinoxes at the exact same time just in different time zones and because of the international date line on a different date.
When I read this I felt it covered more than just a blessing for Ostara and Mabon. I felt it was a blessing to carry with us all through the year.
Northern Brothers and Sisters: May what you sow this spring come to a bountiful harvest in the fall.
Southern Brothers and Sisters: May what you sowed in the spring be bring you a bountiful harvest this fall.
Remember we can sow different things for our own reasons they do not have to be something we plant in the ground and watch grow, they can be something we change in our lifestyle or in our spiritual or magickal path. Then when we harvest them they become part of us and who we are.
Sabbat: NH Ostara Sunday, March 22nd, SH Mabon Monday, March 23rd
All Witches and Pagans are invited to join the Heart’s Spirit Coven as we celebrate Ostara in the Northern Hemisphere and Mabon in the Southern Hemisphere
WHEN:
Sunday, March 22nd, 2020 NH
Monday, March 23rd, 2020 SH
At 6:00 PM CDT NH/ 10.00 AM AEDT SH
Circle starts at 7:00 PM CDT NH/ 11.00 AM AEDT SH- SHARP.
45 minutes will be allocated for a chance to talk to our Brothers and Sisters. Please do not enter the chat room once the circle has started. Thank you!
WHERE:
Beginning the Sabbat with a Universal Prayer
Just before we begin our Sabbat, I would like to acknowledge all that has happened and is happening in 2020, before and beyond. It is a significant time of much change and challenges for both humanity and the Great Earth Mother and all within her. Let us take a minute to pray for the universal healing in this time of need.
“May the Great Mother and Great Father give us strength and refuge in our time of need. Help us to remain calm and strong in the face of uncertainty, help us find compassion without the overwhelming feeling of empathy. Great Mother and Father teach me humility, acceptance and to remember my kindness”
So mote it be……..
Ostara in the NH
You will need (aside from your altar usual set up)
See how to set up basic elemental altar below:
https://covenlife.co/2017/07/06/simple-basic-altar-set-up/
Green Candle
White candle
Yin/Yang Symbol- cut out the wholes specified once printed, or you can draw or paint the symbol.
2 eggs colored one darker one lighter
Mabon in the SH
You will need (aside from your altar usual set up)
See how to set up basic elemental altar below:
https://covenlife.co/2017/07/06/simple-basic-altar-set-up/
A wicker basket
Red Apple
Fallen Branch
Seasonal fruit and vegetables
Incense of your choice
Knife to cut apple
Picture of a large pentacle (I use a pentacle disk or you can draw or print one on a piece of paper)
A candle-(the larger the better, one to re-light, whenever you wish to contemplate during the winter months over your magickal and mystical path. If your candle runs low transfer the light to another large candle with love and intent of the energy of the first. Contemplations are done for short periods of time so candle needs to burn for only a couple of minutes at a time, longer if you wish it is purely up to you. Note; DO NOT BLOW OUT CANDLE, SNUFF THE CANDLE INSTEAD)
See how to snuffing candle
Set up for Ritual:
Mabon SH
Sweep your circle with a broom clockwise (use whatever you have on hand, it’s about physically cleaning your space)
Place the wicker basket with seasonal fruit and vegetables in the center of alter
Tree branch to the right of the wicker basket
Ostara NH
Sweep your circle with a broom clockwise (use whatever you have on hand, it’s about physically cleaning your space)
Have your Yin/Yang symbol prepared, holes cut out as indicated on diagram provided ready for ritual
Hard boil your eggs, colour one darker than the other ready to place on symbol
Purify the self and the Environment NH & SH:
Take a shower or bath with your favorite oils
Play your favorite music
Burn your favorite incense
Meditate and ground yourself
Ostara is the beginning of spring, the season for new beginnings and the renewal of life through planting. This is the time we can now plant seeds and nurture them throughout the coming months to bare their fruit. What is it that you would like to plant in your life? What are you willing to nurture throughout the growing season? For this ritual as this season is also a time for re-birth, new life and fertility we will be concentrating on the symbology of the egg. Think of the dark and light as the feminine and the masculine. The Goddess and the God resorting your outer and inner balance.
Mabon is the second of 3 harvest festivals celebrating the equinox and the harvest of apples. On the day of the equinox, day and night is of equal length. For the next 6 months the nights will be longer than the days. This is such a great time of abundance. All the hard work that it takes to collect the harvest, it is now a time to rest, reap what you have sown and take the time to look at you hopes and aspirations and reflect how they have manifested. Most importantly spend it with the people you love. This is a time of giving, sharing and loving.
Cast the Circle:
Hypatia Casting the circle-
To the Guardians of the North:
I call you into our Watchtowers to protect us.
To the Guardians of the East:
I call you into our Watchtowers to protect us.
To the Guardians of the South:
I call you into our Watchtowers to protect us.
To the Guardians of the West:
I call you into our Watchtowers to protect us.
I cast this circle three times three with the assistance of the Great Mother and the Great God.
I call Upon the Guardians of spirit to protect us from above and below. As is above so is below, as is below so is above. May the power of The Great God and The great Goddess join us within this circle now, to protect us and to work with us and allow us to see beyond the veil.
Protect us Great Mother and Great Father for all gathered here and those afar who are unable to be with us. Allow no negative energy to touch us, to harm us and that nothing we call upon will harm us and others. We come together in perfect love and perfect trust.
Greeting:
Hypatia – Merry meet brothers and sisters and honored guests.
Everyone – Respond Merry Greet. Please tell us your first name and state or country you are from.
Ceremony:
Please ALL light your main altar candles (not the Mabon or Ostara candles as yet)
Ritual begins:
Ostara
Place green candle to your left and the white candle to your right. Leaving enough room in the middle to place your Yin/Yang symbol.
Place the Yin/Yang symbol in between the lit candles. Place the darker egg into the hole in the lighter colored side of the Yin/Yang and the lighter colored egg into the hole in the darker side.
When done type in “Ready.”
We offer these eggs to Ostara as all new life grows from an eggs or a seed.
Ostara we ask you to bless these eggs to help us renew ourselves as Mother Earth wakens from her slumber. That we may find new life coursing through us as cleansing energy.
Oak King we ask that your fertilize the hopes and wishes we have written here so they may grow and come to fruition as the year progresses.
As the Spring Equinox is the balance of day and night as equals so is the relationship of all males and females. We ask Hecate and her Consort to bless our relationships with others be they men or women. That we feel equal to them and not above or below them.
Take the eggs and set them on the side. Tape the circle of opposite color into the now empty holes. (Before breaking the eggs to eat them write the same runes on to the circles now in the Yin/Yang symbol. The side you write them on should be the same color as the egg they are written on.
We will take a 2 minutes to complete the Yin/Yang symbol. When you are done type in “Blessed be”.
Mabon
Your wand in right hand, facing your alter, arms stretched out above head……….
“Autumn Queen and Harvest God I honor Thee. As the change of seasons begins the Wheel has turned once more. A time to reflect, a time to come together in the here and now in this sacred space where all time becomes one. The second harvest has been reaped, now take the time to rest and feel the change as the season passes from one to the next.
My Mother, go now and slumber
My Father go now and dream of re-birth”
Arms outstretched, lower your head and close your eyes, sit in contemplation for 30 seconds.
When ready open your eyes and lower your arms
Pick up the apple and place it on the pentacle
Cut the apple crosswise to reveal the pentagram bringing the elements into your life
Lift the half apple up as in offering and say….
“The year gives way to the next as the season passes and the Great Wheel turns. Ancestors, Guardians and Wise ones guide me. Every begging has an ending and every ending a new beginning”.
Light your Mabon candle now
Take a bite of the apple, put aside to share with nature later
Take the tree branch and shake in each direction, starting with the North, then West, South, East and say…….
“Allow me to remember the summer past as the days grow longer and the days shorter. Memories will warm my soul as the sunlight fades and hearth becomes inviting through this divine light of the candle dedicated to the Mother and Father.
Great Mother calls me forward to rest and lull myself to sleep with her songs as I cling myself to her bosom”.
Face the altar and branch held out in front of you and say……
“May I never forget the summer memories and continue to strive during the colder months. May I take this time to go within and reflect on the Mysteries that lead me to a better understanding of myself, of others and all that is in life and death”.
Put the tree branch back on the altar, take 30 seconds to contemplate about :
The symbols that you have mentally attached to this ritual,
The various projects that you will put in action over the winter months, no matter how small or insignificant they may feel.
After the ceremony please feel free to share the consecrated fruit and vegetables in a beautiful meal with family and friends. Make a beautiful dinner for all to enjoy and be thankful for what is.
CLOSING
Dismiss the circle:
- To the Guardians of the North:
I dismiss and thank you from our Watchtowers and give Gratitude for protect us.
- To the Guardians of the West:
I dismiss and thank you from our Watchtowers and give Gratitude for protect us.
- To the Guardians of the South:
I dismiss and thank you from our Watchtowers and give Gratitude for protect us.
- To the Guardians of the East:
I dismiss and thank you from our Watchtowers and give Gratitude for protect us.
As you leave here tonight may the Lady and Lord bless you with all that you need.
I bid you Blessings and great Joy Brothers and sisters of the Craft
Thank you and farewell
Mabon/Autumn Equinox Blessing
From all of us at Coven Life we wish you and yours a blessed and pleasant fall.
March’s Coven Gathering – N.H. Ostara/ S.H. Mabon Sabbats and Full Moon Esbat
Because of the Sabbats falling so close to the full Moon this month I decided to have the rituals combined into one instead of having two gatherings within two days. -Lady Beltane
This Sabbat and Esbat ritual was written by two of Coven Life’s Coven Adepts. Their names are Country Moon and Druantia Earth-song. Druantia Earth-song will be leading the gathering. Please remember that both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres Sabbats are being celebrated and the full Moon you need to stay in the circle until all the rituals are fully done. You are welcome to do both Sabbat rituals if you want to.
WHEN:
Wednesday, March 20. 2019
Socialization 6:00 to 7:00 PM Central Time Zone
Circle Cast at 7:01 PM Central Time Zone
Please DO NOT enter the chat room after 6:59 PM Central Time so the sacred circle does not get broken and have to be recast. Thank you.
WHERE:
WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
1 Black candle for the God.
1 White candle for the Goddess.
1 Black candle for the spell.
2 small pieces of paper.
A pen or pencil.
Your favorite or a Clear Quartz Crystal – have it pre-cleansed.
A fire-proof bowl or small cauldron.
‘ A ceramic tile or another type of hot plate to put under the bowl or cauldron
Matches or lighter.
A good Spring of your choice or Rose or Lavender incense and incense burner for the Northern Hemisphere.
A good Autumn of your choice or Cedar or Pine incense and incense burner for the Southern Hemisphere.
Chalice with Egg nog, white wine or milk for the Northern hemisphere, plus offering plate with a hot cross bun and butter.
Chalice with Red wine or fruit juice for the Southern Hemisphere, plus offering plate with a slice fruit bread and butter.
Pentacle platter if desired.
Altar set-up:
NORTHERN HEMISPHERE: You can decorate your altar up in Spring color’s[Blue, pink, green, yellow, white]. You might like to dye or decorate some eggs prior to the ritual and place them in a basket on your altar [or use a vase of the first Spring flowers instead]. Situate this at the top center of your altar. The White Goddess candle is situated at the top left corner, the Black God candle at the top right, the bowl or cauldron at the top center on the tile or hot plate below the vase of flowers, and the Black spell candle just in front of it[or inside it , in a small candle holder]. Place the paper, pen or pencil, crystal and matches or lighter on the right-hand side. Have your incense burner with the incense in it at the top right and your Chalice at the top left, in front of the Goddess candle. Place the offering plate and bun at the middle right and a Pentacle platter in the middle[if there is room]
Altar set-up:
SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE: You can decorate your altar up in Autumn color’s[Red, orange, green, black]. You might like to scatter Autumn leaves around the altar[or use Autumn evergreen branches in a vase instead.]Situate this at the top center of your altar. The White Goddess candle is situated at the top left corner.
The Black God candle at the top right, the bowl or cauldron at the top center, on the tile or hot plate, and the Black spell candle just in front of the Cauldron [or inside of it in a small candle holder].Place the paper, pen or pencil, crystal and matches or lighter on the right-hand side. Have your incense burner and incense at the top right, in front of the God candle and your Chalice at the top left, in front of the God candle. Place the offering plate and bread at the middle right. You may choose to have a Pentacle too[if there is room]
***Please be fire safety aware. Keep any flammable items away from the candles. It might also be a good idea to open a window to release any smoke.
RITUAL
ADEPT DRUANTIA: Greetings all! Tonight or Today we are drawn together to celebrate three special times-the Full Moon Esbat and Ostara/Mabon sabbats. This is a powerful time, with the emphasis on death, birth, and rebirth[releasing, renewing and balance]. With our spells being brought forth on a Full Moon and Sabbats the two together will make them stronger.
Before we begin, let us all introduce ourselves and state where we are from.
EVERYONE: Please type your first or pagan name, state or country.
ADEPT DRUANTIA: We will now cast the circle and call in the Guardians of the Watchtowers
Guardians of the Watchtowers of the East, Powers of Air, we humbly invite you to our circle and ask for your wisdom, guidance, and protection.
Guardians of the Watchtowers of the South, Powers of Fire, we humbly invite you to our circle and ask for your wisdom, guidance, and protection.
Guardians of the Watchtowers of the West, Powers of Water, we humbly invite you to our circle and ask for your wisdom, guidance, and protection.
Guardians of the Watchtowers of the North, Powers of Earth, we humbly invite you to our circle and ask for your wisdom, guidance, and protection.
Three times three the power is bound. As without, so within, All bad be gone znd good come in. As below so above, A sacred place of light and love.”
INVOCATION OF THE GODDESS:
” We call upon the Goddess Danu to bring growth and equilibrium to our circle. Oh great Danu, mother of both Earth and Moon, we are gathered here this night/day to celebrate your fullness. Now is your time dear Lady and I ask that you come forth and be welcome in our circle. Please be with your earthly sons and daughters as we celebrate the Ostara/Mabon sabbats, and honor you in your time of ripeness. We ask that you bless us with your presence and lend your powers to our workings. Great Danu, We invoke you!”
EVERYONE: Please light the Goddess candle.
INVOCATION TO THE GOD:
“We call upon the Greenman to bear witness to our rite. Oh great Cernunnos, Lord of the Wildwood and all it encompasses, We ask that you come forth and be welcome in our circle. Please be with your Earthly sons and daughters as we celebrate the Ostara/Mabon sabbats and honor the Lady in her time of ripeness. We ask that you bless us with your presence great Lord and lend your powers to our workings. Great Cernunnos, we call upon you!”
EVERYONE: Please light the God candle
We will now begin our rituals … Beginning with the Northern Hemisphere. Southern Hemisphere, please wait until you are prompted.
NORTHERN HEMISPHERE
ADEPT DRUANTIA: At this time and in this place between worlds, we are gathered here, not only in honor of the Mother but also in honor of the Goddess Ostara. Just as she heralds the end of the dark phase of the year, so too do we release the dark within. Just as she signifies the awakening of the light phase, so too do we summon new growth and renewed energy.
EVERYONE: Please take one piece of paper and write down one to three things you wish to release (eg. I release all fears, I release my addiction to smoking, I release anger, I release guilt, I release depression, etc). If you have more than one thing, space them apart so that you can tear them off as you need to burn them. Once you have written it/them down, light the black candle. Spend 2 minutes concentrating on releasing the problem[s].
Then visualize it/them being attached to your body by a black cord. Individually put each problem into a bubble of white light and see a pair of scissors cutting the cord at the base to that attachment. See the balloon of light flying off into the distance with your problem inside until it completely disappears. Do this with each separate problem, and as each is being released, light the paper in the candle flame one at a time, if you have more than one. Once burning well, throw into the heatproof bowl or cauldron and leave it to burn completely. You will have three minutes to burn the piece or pieces of paper.
Once you are finished type in DONE.
Now pick up the other piece of paper and write down one thing you would like to embrace or manifest in your life (eg: I embrace abundance and prosperity, I embrace full mind, body, spirit wellness, I embrace good Luck, I embrace career success, I embrace happiness etc). Once you are done, place the paper down and pick up the crystal. Hold the crystal and concentrate on your desire. See it as it has already happened. Spend 2 minutes meditating upon your desire. Then place the crystal down with the paper underneath it
Once you are finished type in DONE
Now we will do the Southern Hemisphere. Northern hemisphere please be patient.
SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE
ADEPT DRUANTIA: At this time and in this place between worlds, we are gathered here, not only in honor of the Greenman but also in honor of the God Mabon. Just as he heralds the end of the light phase of the year, so too do we acknowledge the need for rest and retreat. Just as he signifies the coming of the dark phase of the year, so too do we plant seeds for positive new growth.
EVERYONE: Please take up one piece of paper and write down one to three things you wish to release (eg. I release all fears, I release my addiction to smoking, I release anger, I release guilt, I release depression etc). If you have more than one thing, space them apart so that you can tear them off as you need to burn them. Once you have written it/them down, light the black candle. Spend 2 minutes concentrating on releasing the problem[s]. Visualize each individual problem being attached by a black cord. Put the problem into a bubble of white light and see a pair of scissors cutting the cord at the base of this attachment. See the balloon of light flying off into the distance, with your problem inside until it completely disappears. Do this with each separate problem and as each is being released, light the paper in the candle flame one at a time if you have more than one. Once burning well, throw into the heatproof bowl or cauldron and allow to burn completely. You have three minutes to do this.
Once you are finished, type DONE.
Now take up the other piece of paper and write down one thing you would like to embrace or manifest (eg. I embrace abundance and prosperity, I embrace full mind, body, spirit wellness, I embrace good luck, I embrace career success, I embrace happiness etc). Once you are done, place the paper down and pick up the crystal. Hold the crystal and concentrate on your desire. See it as it has already happened. Spend 2 minutes meditating on your desire.
When finished, type DONE
THE OFFERING
EVERYONE: Please place your chalice in the center of your altar or on your pentacle. Hold your hands above the chalice and allow the light within you to flow from your heart and down your arms. See it flowing out of your hands and into the chalice. See the chalice glowing with light. Then raise it up high toward the Moon and say-
Dear Goddess and God, I offer you this drink as a token of my gratitude. Honor to thee Oh Old Ones!”.
Then take a drink of the beverage and put the chalice back on the altar in its original place.
Next, move your offering plate to the center of your altar or onto your pentacle and hold your hands above it. Allow the light within to flow forth and down into the food. Once you have filled it with light, raise it up toward the Sun[or imaginary Sun] and say-
Dear Goddess and God, I offer you this food as a token of my gratitude. Honor to thee Oh Old Ones!
Then eat a bite of the food and place the plate back on the altar in its original place. Take a minute to finish your bite and then type DONE.
We thank the Old Ones for the food and drink they provide for us daily.
DISMISSING THE GOD AND GODDESS
O Great Cernunnos, Lord of the Wildwood and all it encompasses, we thank you for honoring us with your presence and aid. Between two worlds, was magick made. Great Lord, we bid you Hail and Farewell !”
O Great Danu Mother of both Earth and Moon, we thank you for honoring us with your presence and aid. Between two worlds was magick made. Great Lady, we bid you Hail and Farewell !”
Now please visualize the God and Goddess going their separate ways, back to from whence they came. Then spend a moment releasing any energy you have retained. You can either bend down and touch the Earth or send it off to someone that is in need of healing. Either way, feel it and see it leaving your arms and going to its destination either deep in the earth to be absorbed and transformed or off to help someone. Once it has left you, stand up again.
DISMISSING OF THE WATCHTOWERS:
Guardians of the Watchtowers of the East, Powers of Air, we thank you for your protection and presence and give you leave to depart our circle. Hail and Farewell!”
Guardians of the Watchtowers of the North, Powers of Earth, we thank you for your protection and presence and give you leave to depart our circle. Hail and Farewell !”
Guardians of the Watchtowers of the West, Powers of Water, we thank you for your protection and presence and give you leave to depart our circle. Hail and Farewell !”
Guardians of the Watchtowers of the South, Powers of Fire, we thank you for your protection and presence and give you leave to depart our circle. Hail and Farewell !”
Three times three the power is ground. As without, so within, All bad be gone and good come in. As below so above, A sacred place of light and love.”
ADEPT DRUANTIA:-
Our circle is open, but never ever broken. Always shall it reside within our hearts.”
***After this ritual, please take the ashes outside and toss or blow to the four winds.Allow the black spell candle to burn down , but make sure it is in a safe place or transfer it to a bath tub or sink.The crystal should be placed in a window that gets both sun and moon and set on top of your piece of paper. Leave it there for one Full Moon cycle.Your desire should have manifested by then…
Update Life in The Craft Newsletter
Well after many hours and hair pulling to figure out how to make this easy for you to read and print out the rituals and/or spells the sample issue of Life in The Craft Newsletter is just waiting for one thing to be ready to send to your inbox either tomorrow or Saturday.
If you would like to receive this free issue of Life in The Craft newsletter please send your email address in the body of an email to LifeinTheCraft@outlook.com
Blessings on Your 2nd Harvest on Mabon
We hope you have had a good harvest from what you sowed last spring!
Wishing you and yours a bountiful harvest dear ones.
Check Out Witches of The Craft Mabon Posts Too
For different ideas and information on Mabon you can always check out our sister website Witch of The Craft which was founded by Lady of the Abyss over a decade ago.
To make it easy for you to find the website just click on this link: WOTC
Thank you to Lady Abyss and the WOTC Staff for the great post about Mabon!
The Witch’s Guide to the Autumn Equinox (Mabon) SEPTEMBER 12, 2018 BY JASON MANKEY
What Is It?
This is easy, it’s the Autumn Equinox, a time of (about) equal day and night. Beginning at the Autumn Equinox until the first day of Spring, there will be more darkness than light in the sky, or more nighttime and less daytime. It usually occurs around September 22-23, but varies a bit from location to location. Mabon is a modern name for the holiday and was first used in the 1970’s.
Did Ancient Pagans Celebrate The Autumn Equinox?
There were several celebrations in pagan antiquity that took place in the month we now call September, though they weren’t necessarily about or on the equinox. Japan has a September celebration too that sounds similar to modern ideas about Mabon. But if you are asking if there were lots of Pagan running around yelling “Happy Mabon” on the Autumn Equinox in the year 200 the answer is no.
The holiday of Harvest Home was once very popular in England and may have possibly had ancient pagan roots. Harvest Home was celebrated in August/September, but didn’t have a set date. Harvest Home occurred when a village gathered the grain,…
To read the rest of this article please click on this link: Witch’s Guide to Mabon
Mabon/Autumn Equinox September 21st-22nd
This festival is now named after the the God of Welsh mythology, Mabon. He is the Child of Light and the son of the Earth Mother Goddess, Modron. In truth, there is little evidence that Mabon was celebrated in Celtic countries and the term Mabon was applied as recently as the 1970’s. All part of our reconstructed Paganism…
Here is another point of perfect balance on the journey through the Wheel of the Year, its counterpart being Ostara or the Spring Equinox. Night and day are again of equal length and in perfect equilibrium – dark and light, masculine and feminine, inner and outer, in balance. But we are again on the cusp of transition and from now the year now begins to wane and from this moment darkness begins to defeat the light. The cycle of the natural world is moving towards completion, the Sun’s power is waning and from now on the nights grow longer and the days are are shorter and cooler. The sap of trees returns back to their roots deep in the earth, changing the green of summer to the fire of autumn, to the flaming reds, oranges and golds. We are returning to the dark from whence we came.
To read the rest of this article please click on this link: Mabon
