Category: Fall Equinox/Mabon

May Your Ostara or Mabon Sabbat be a Happy and Blessed Time

Well, I just learned something new about the spring equinox in the northern hemisphere and the fall equinox in the southern hemisphere. The spring equinox is at 4:58 PM CT on March 20th while the fall equinox is at 8:58 AM 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.

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:

Coven Life’s Chat Room

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

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

Mabon/Ostara Coven Gathering

Side note: There will be no chat on Saturday, September 22, 2018, because of the Sabbat Celebrations on Friday and then the Esbat on Monday, September 24th, 2018. If anyone wants to use the chatroom to visit with other coven members go right ahead. The chatroom was set up partly for Esbat and Sabbat gatherings and partly for any coven member to use to talk to other members or close friends. All we ask is you do not use to do rituals in without a Coven Life Coven Elder present.m Thank you!

WHEN:

Friday, September 21, 2018

Socializing starts at 6:00 PM CT

Sacred Circle will be cast at 7:00 PM CT

Please do not enter the chatroom after 7:00 as this will cause the circle to be broken

WHERE:

Coven Life’s Chatroom

Before we celebrate the Autumn Equinox – Mabon in the Northern Hemisphere and the Spring Equinox – Ostara in the Southern Hemisphere we will be doing a special spell/blessings for two of Lady Beltane’s grandsons. The reason for this is their full custody has been given to their father who is a negative person is his wife. Lady Beltane’s daughter has been their spiritual teacher since infancy raising them not only in the Christian beliefs but more in the Lakota Native American tradition. The boys are in need of more protection now that they will be living full time with their father and to let their eyes be open to the type of person he really is compared to the fake Mr. Nice guy he shows in public.

We ask that you stay for both the Mabon and Ostara rituals if you do not leave after the protection spell/blessing. Thank you

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

FOR ALL RITUALS: Lighter or Matches

Atheme or Sharp Object to Inscribe Candles with

2 candle holders

A Glass of Juice or WIne

For Protection Ritual: 1 -12 White Taper Candle

For Mabon – 1 Orange candle any size is fine

1 Apple

Sharp knife to cut the apple

FOR OSTARA: 1 Yellow candle any size is fine

1 Hard Boiled Egg in the shell or if allergic to eggs 1 Plastic Egg

1 Marker of your favorite color

PROTECTION SPELL/BLESSING, CASTING THE CIRCLE

LADY BELTANE: I call upon the triple goddess as the Crone and the Horned God to walk this circle with me three times three. To keep those in the circle safe and to not let any harm come to anyone outside our circle. We are now in a place between planes, where time has no meaning.

TAke the white taper candle and carve the names Christopher and Cory 2 (make sure to have the 2 after Cory or the protection will go to his father instead) and the word Protection.

EVERYONE: Type in the word “DONE” when you are finished inscribing the names

EVERYONE: As you light the candle you just inscribed say the following:

We call to ArchAngel Micheal to wrap Cory 2 and Christopher in a bubble of white protective light. To guard the young men with his sword and shield.

We call to the god Thor to add his power to the bubble of protection and to guard the young men with his hammer.

We call to the Mother Goddess Hekate to add her power to the bubble of protection and through her let the young men always feel and trust the love their mother has for them.

We call to the Universe to let Cory 2 and Christopher’s eye wide open to see their father and step-mother for people they really are and not the false front they put on for everyone they come into contact with.

We ask these things for Cory 2 and Christopher to keep them safe, to let them finish growing into loving, caring, and honest men.

So Mote It Be

Let the candle burn for one hour. Then light it daily to burn for one hour until it has completely burned out. Take the melted wax and place it under a bush or close to a tree. Mother Earth will take the energy in and release it into the Universe so the spell/blessing stays strong for a long time.

If anyone wishes to say anything to LAdy Beltane’s daughter please do so but keep it short. Thank you

If anyone wants to leave the circle at this time please type in LEAVING so I can open a doorway for you to pass through.

EVERYONE: PLease introduce yourself (FIRST NAME ONLY) and what state or country you live in.

MABON CELEBRATION – Northern Hemisphere

EVERYONE: Cut the apple in half horizontally. Place the 2 halves side by side. Place the orange candle in the middle at the top part of the two halves. Notice that the center of the apple looks like a pentagram.

Light the orange candle while asking Hekate to enter your home to help bless it. Next starting at the top point of the apple pentagram start by asking Spirit to enter your home and bless it. Remember to touch each point of the pentagram, in turn Next, you will ask Air to enter your home and bless it. Next comes Fire ask it to enter your home and bless it. Next, ask Water to enter your home and bless it. Finally, ask Earth to come into your home to bless it. When you are done calling in the elements wait 2 minutes thinking about your home being blessed with warmth, enough food, and warm clothes to get you through the coming colder months. Then thank the elements and Hekate for their blessing and tell them to return from where they came.

Let your candle burn all the way down if it is a small one or if it is larger let it burn for about a half an hour this evening. You can than relight it when you feel the need to.

After the circle has been opened take one half of the apple outside to share with the wildlife around your home and allow the other half to dry out and leave it out somewhere in your home to help the blessing continue.

 

OSTARA CELEBRATION – Southern Hemisphere

LIght the yellow candle and set it about 12 inches away but in front of you. Take 2 minutes to write one goal on your egg that you would like to achieve before Mabon arrives. Try to use only 1 or 2 words to write your goal in any type of alphabet you want to. Runes, Ogham and other types of “magickal alphabets or symbols can be found by either searching on Coven Life website or doing a search on the internet. Type in “DONE” when you are through. Now carefully holding the yellow candle allow wax from it to drip on to the egg, turn the egg so the wax gets all over it while asking Ostara to help you reach your goal. Take 2 minutes to do this step. Type in the word “DONE” when you are through.

After the circle is opened take the egg outside and bury it while asking Mother Earth to help your goal to grow and be harvested on Mabon. Then work towards your goal daily until you reach it. Let the candle burn all the way down and bury the melted wax with the egg so it keeps feeding the egg energy.

EVERYONE NORTH and SOUTH: Lift your glass of juice/wine in a toast to all the gods, goddesses, the Archangel, and elements that helped us with all or rituals this evening. Repeat Lady Beltane’s toast. Remember to save a little to pour on the ground as an offering to the gods and goddesses that helped us tonight.

LADY BELTANE TOAST: We raise our glasses in to honor Hekate, Thor, The Horned God, Ostara, The Crone, Moter Earth, Spirit, Air, Fire, Water, and Earth for their power and help with protecting Lady Beltane’s grandsons, blessing our homes or helping us reach our goal.

EVERYONE: Type in “So mote it be” when you are done saying the toast.

LADY BELTANE: I bring us back to the Earthly plane and real time. I open this circle three times three. Go in love and peace dear brothers and sisters. Blessed be until we merry meet again

 

 

Blessed Mabon and Happy Autumn Equinox

May you be blessed with abundance from the fruit of your labors!

As you enter the darker time of the year may your thought and actions stay positive, may you find joy in this time of rest and recharge your batteries.

 

Blessings dear ones of warmth, light, rest, and comfort!

Mabon in Australia

Mabon or Autumn Equinox (Approx. 21st-22nd March, check calendar)

Mabon falls at the Autumnal Equinox, when nights and days are of equal length, but light bends increasing towards darkness, and winter is on its way. It is a time of balance, and a time of looking forward to and preparation for the winter.

At this time food is prepared for storage, jams and pickles are made, and fruits are candied and preserved. Maple syrup is a traditional food for Mabon, as are all long-keeping plant foods, and honey, which is a natural preservative. Special foods to celebrate with include traditional Greek baklava (honey cake), and anything preserved or that involves fermentation. The colors of the season are brown and gold.

In Australia, Mabon falls close to the end of Daylight Savings time, and the change in the time that evening falls makes us very aware that winter is on its way, and that summer is well and truly over. It is at Mabon that the Cauldrons are first lit again, the last of the summer fruits are eaten in thanks, and summer ribbons and garlands are put away in preparation for the colder months.

Mabon is the second harvest, and the Goddess is mourning her fallen consort as he has been cast down, but the rebirth found in the seeds of harvest gives hope for the future, and the continuing circle of hope. Mabon is a time of gathering, of preparation. It is also a time to walk among the gum trees, smelling the resin and the eucalyptus oils in the air, and gathering oils, barks, plants and herbs to be dried for culinary, medicinal and magickal purposes.

To read the rest of this article please click on the following link: Southern Hemisphere Mabon