Mabon: The Balance of Light and Dark

As the days grow shorter and the air takes on that first crisp bite of autumn, we find ourselves at the turning of the wheel once again. Mabon, the autumnal equinox, marks a moment of perfect balance—day and night in equal measure—before the scales begin to tip, ushering in the longer nights of winter. It is a time of transition, reflection, and gratitude, as we acknowledge the harvest both around us and within us.

Mabon is a celebration of abundance and the fruits of our labor. But it’s also more than just a time to give thanks for the physical harvest. Mabon invites us to pause and take stock of what we’ve sown and reaped in our lives over the past year. The seeds we planted in the spring—whether actual crops, personal goals, or relationships—have grown and come to fruition. Now is the time to gather them, to acknowledge what has flourished and what has withered, and to reflect on the cycles of growth and release that mirror the natural world.

This balance of light and dark also extends beyond the literal sense. Mabon encourages us to embrace both the joyful and the challenging aspects of life. Just as the earth must prepare for the quiet dormancy of winter, we, too, must prepare for the inner work that colder, darker months often bring. It’s a reminder that even as we celebrate abundance, there is value in the quiet, reflective periods that follow.

Many Mabon traditions center around gratitude. Just as our ancestors gave thanks for the harvest that would sustain them through winter, we, too, can practice gratitude for the people, experiences, and growth that have shaped our year. This is a wonderful time to create rituals of reflection—whether through journaling, meditation, or simply taking a walk in nature, allowing the shifting season to guide our thoughts toward balance and harmony.

One of my favorite ways to celebrate Mabon is by creating a centerpiece filled with autumnal symbols: apples, pumpkins, grains, and fallen leaves. These items not only represent the harvest but also the beauty in change. The vibrant colors of autumn are a reminder that transformation, even as we move toward the darker half of the year, can be breathtakingly beautiful.

As we approach the equinox, we are reminded of the impermanence of all things—the fleeting nature of summer, the inevitable shift into autumn, and the cycles that govern both nature and our own lives. Mabon asks us to honor the balance we experience today while preparing for the introspective journey ahead.

Take this moment to reflect on your own harvest. What have you cultivated this year? What can you celebrate, and what do you need to release as you move forward into the darker months? Just as the trees shed their leaves, we are invited to let go of what no longer serves us, making space for new growth when the light returns.

Mabon is a time to celebrate abundance, to give thanks for what we have, and to acknowledge the balance of life—the light and the dark, the joy and the sorrow. It is a time to gather around the hearth, whether physically or metaphorically, and honor the cycles of the earth and our own inner journeys.

As we stand at this moment of balance, may we find gratitude not only for the harvest but also for the quieter times ahead. For in that stillness, the seeds of our future dreams and intentions lie dormant, waiting for their time to bloom once again.