Equinoxes are key astronomical events that mark the changing of seasons. They occur twice a year, specifically during the Spring Equinox in March and the Autumn Equinox in September. During these times, the earth’s axis is tilted neither toward nor away from the sun, resulting in nearly equal amounts of daylight and darkness across the globe. The observance of the autumn equinox has ancient roots, dating back thousands of years. It has been celebrated in various cultures worldwide, often marking the time for harvest and community gatherings. The specific traditions and significance can vary, but the event itself has been recognized since ancient agricultural societies, making it a significant astronomical and cultural milestone.

Many modern pagans and Wiccans refer to this holiday as Mabon, associating it with the Welsh figure of the same name. However, this is a modern association which started in the 1970’s by American Wiccan Aidan Kelley. In truth, the Mabon figure has no historical or mythological ties to the Autumn Equinox whatsoever. There are a few elements in the story of Mabon that can be loosely connected to the equinox, but these are purely speculative. Mabon’s story can be found in The Mabinogion, a collection ancient Welsh tales. There are a few different translations, of which I own three. I no longer refer to the holiday as Mabon, but simply as the Autumn Equinox.

The celebration of the Autumn Equinox has ancient roots, dating back thousands of years. It has been observed in various cultures worldwide, often coinciding with harvest festivals. The specific traditions and significance can vary, but the equinox itself has been recognized for at least 2,000 years, with some evidence suggesting even earlier practices related to agricultural cycles. At this time, the hours of day and night are of equal length. A popular theme for the holiday is ‘balance’, but after today the nights will begin to grow longer and we enter a period of darkness. It is a time to be grateful for our personal harvests, but it is also a time for looking within. It is a time for letting go of things that are no longer working. It is a time of preparing for what lies ahead. This seasonal change is a reminder that the cold and long dark nights will once again return, and we must be ready.