Mabon and the Autumn Equinox: Southern Hemisphere
As the wheel of the year turns, we find ourselves approaching Mabon, the Autumn Equinox, on March 20th in the Southern Hemisphere. This sacred time marks the balance of light and dark, the tipping point where the days and nights stand equal before we descend into the longer nights of the year. It’s a time to honour both the abundance in our lives and what we must now let go of, embracing the natural cycle of change.
For those of us who walk a spiritual path, Mabon offers an opportunity to tune into the cycles of nature and mirror them within. It’s not just about celebrating the changing season; it’s about recognising how this shift is reflected in our inner world, our emotions, and our spiritual journey.
The Energy of Mabon
Mabon marks the second harvest of the year, a time to reflect on the abundance we have received and the preparations needed for the months ahead. This season teaches us that abundance and release go hand in hand, what we take in must be balanced by what we let go of. Mabon, often called the “Witch’s Thanksgiving”, is a time to express gratitude for the earth’s gifts and reflect on the changing season. It signals both fulfilment and the importance of preparing for the leaner times ahead.
Mabon represents equilibrium, the delicate balance between light and darkness. It serves as a reminder that life is always in flux, and true balance is not about holding still but about flowing with the changing tides of energy. It’s a liminal space, a doorway, and these threshold moments hold immense spiritual power. Like the trees shedding their leaves, we are encouraged to let go of what no longer serves us, making space for clarity and new growth.
Ways to Honour Mabon
If you feel called to observe Mabon in a meaningful way, here are some ways to connect with its energy:
1. Create a Gratitude Ritual
Gratitude is the heart of Mabon. Take some time to list the things you’re grateful for, big or small. You might even write them on paper and burn them as an offering to the changing season, symbolising both gratitude and release.
2. Reflect on Balance in Your Life
Since Mabon is a time of equal day and night, consider where balance is needed in your life. Are you giving more than you’re receiving? Are you prioritising rest as much as work? Take this time to adjust where needed.
3. Work with Seasonal Symbols
Every season carries its own magic, and autumn is rich with symbols that help us align with its energy. Apples represent wisdom and prosperity, pomegranates remind us of cycles of death and rebirth, and pumpkins symbolise protection and abundance. Use these in your spiritual practice, meals, or rituals to connect more deeply with the season.
4. Release What No Longer Serves You
Mabon is a perfect time to release what is weighing you down. This might be an old grudge, self-doubt that no longer serves you, or even the pressure to be everything to everyone. Consider what you’ve been carrying that feels heavy, and allow yourself to set it down with intention. Whether it’s old beliefs, a stagnant situation, or lingering emotions, write them down and allow yourself to physically or symbolically let them go.
5. Connect with Nature
Take a mindful walk, notice the shifting landscape, and let nature teach you about change and transition. The earth’s rhythms offer wisdom if we take the time to listen.
Mabon and Shadow Work: A Season for Inner Healing
As the light wanes, we are invited to journey inward and explore the aspects of ourselves that may have been hidden. Shadow work, the process of acknowledging and integrating our less visible emotions, fears, and desires, can be especially powerful at this time. Journaling, meditation, and therapy can help bring these insights to the surface, allowing for deeper self-awareness and healing. Honouring the Wheel of the Year naturally aligns with deep therapeutic work. Mabon invites us to pause, acknowledge what has been, and gently prepare for what’s ahead.
In therapy, this is a beautiful time to explore themes of surrender, trust, and self-acceptance. Sometimes, the hardest thing to do is to allow change to unfold without resistance. Mabon reminds us that we don’t have to fight the season we’re in; we can embrace it, learn from it, and move with it rather than against it.
If you’re feeling particularly unsettled as we move into the darker half of the year, know that this is normal. Many of us experience an energetic shift as the light fades, and it’s okay to seek support during this time. Whether through therapy, ritual, or self-reflection, Mabon offers a space to pause, honour where we’ve been, and set our intentions for the road ahead.
Welcoming the Equinox: A Time of Transition
Mabon reminds us that endings and beginnings are interlinked. As we move toward the darker months, we can choose to see this as a time of rest, restoration, and quiet growth. Instead of fearing change, we can trust that, like the trees releasing their leaves, we are making space for new possibilities. As Mabon approaches, I invite you to take a moment for yourself. Light a candle, sit with your thoughts, and honour the journey you’re on. There is no rush to have it all figured out, this season is about embracing the transitions, not resisting them.
May this equinox bring you clarity, peace, and the courage to embrace change with trust and grace. If you're feeling called to explore this season of change more deeply, I’d love to support you. Book a free intro call and let's talk about how holistic counselling can help you navigate life's transitions with more grounding and ease. And as the days grow darker, may you find the light within.
