Autumn Equinox, 21^st, September

The bird associated with the Autumn Equinox is the Swan.

Is known by many names in many varied cultures. It is known as Mabon to the Celtics, Alban Elfed to the Caledonii, and the Teutonic's refer to it as Winter Finding. All of these cultures primarily celebrate the Equinox around the same time.

Autumn Equinox is celebrated on the full moon that falls nearest to Mabon traditionally, though since it is a also a celebration of the Day and Night being of the same length, not just a harvest celebration, it is commonly celebrated on the 21^st of September.

This equinox is a time for rest after labor and thus marking the end of the harvest. The Sun is preparing to enter Libra, the harvest has been gathered, both grain and fruit and the Sun is still with us. This is a wonderful time to call in favors or add extra protection. This celebration takes place just before the end of the Vine month and at the beginning of the Ivy month. These two trees are the only ones that grow spirally, which is the universal symbol for reincarnation. The crops as well as the year will continue on.

This Equinox was the time of the Eleusinian Mysteries, the greatest mysteries of ancient Greece.

Traditional activities include baking and gathering dried leaves and seeds in the woods as decoration. Depending on when the leaves turn in your area, you may wish to paraffin them and add them to your house decorations. Dip the leaves quickly in melted paraffin, and put them on wax paper. When the leaves are dry you can put them in a huge, decorative jar with a sigil of protection carved lightly on some or all of the leaves. This is also the time to gather the last of the herbs and other plants you wish to dry for winter use.

Typically cornbread cakes and cider are consumed, and are an excellent addition to the festivities.

The ritual area as well as your home should be decorated with pinecones, grain, maize, acorns, seasonal nuts, red poppies and other autumnal flowers, fruit and leaves. If a sickle is available then it should be decorated with golden ribbons, as the sickle is a primary tool of the harvest. On the altar is a dish containing a single ear of wheat, covered by a cloth. Colors used for candles should be brown, orange, gold, or red. Altar cloths can be made of material with fall designs. River and stream stones gathered over the summer can be empowered for various purposes.