Sabbat of Mabon

As the seasons turn into this time of mists and mellow fruitfulness, the Autumn Equinox this weekend takes us into a time for celtic reflection.  

Watching the world move through the year is a mindful practice; seeing God's hand in the coming and going of skeins of geese and clouds of swallows; in the changing shades of oak, maple and beech; the graphic silhouettes of trees across the horizon;  stormcast skies and shortening days.

This is the time for the ancient Sabbat festival of Mabon; named for the Welsh Celtic God who, like Persephone, gives six months of his life to the underworld so that the earth may benefit from the promise of rebirth into the arms of the Great Mother.

At this time the Green Man also takes his rest; sinking into the loam of fallen leaves; nestling the acorns, seedpods and tubers into his body; protected and preserved until the sun comes again. But, before sleep, there is time for thanksgiving for the abundant fruits and crops of the earth.  Sometimes known as the Feast of Avalon, which means “Land of Apples” the harvest remembers both what is past and what is to come.

 The Celts honored this Sabbat by the harvest of apples;  this is particularly the last few days for the harvesting of fruits.  The fruits, wines and gatherings of the summer are shared in thankfulness for the life-giving harvest of this year; often shared with the mother trees themselves.

This is a time to pause and reflect with thanks on our own harvest of the year; to celebrate our families; friendships; personal achievements and dreams fulfilled.   

Also, to say goodbye with equal thanks to those times that have now passed and the loved ones who rest in the peace of earth and the joy of Heaven. 

Christianity has baptised this period with the practice of Harvest Festivals;  churches richly decorated with displays of flowers, fruit and corn. Many communities bring donations to church to be shared amongst the needy of the area - again a reminder of the early times when the sick and the widow would struggle to survive the winter without help. 

As we enter the time of The Crone; when Brigid the Mother gives up her busyiness and sits a while so as to share her wisdom stories and healing gifts; it is a good reminder to us all to spend a while with those we love in this world and those that now rest in their own misty lands of mellow fruitfulness. 

Mabon Blessing

Blessing of mother and son

warrior and crone

sun and moon 

Blessing of gift and giver

generosity of spirit

heartfelt gratitude

Blessing of light and shadow 

sun rising over violet lakes

setting over velvet hills

Blessing of harvest 

fallen apples; rising wheat

gourds and grape

Blessing of farewells

misty veils and far horizons

grace-ful memories 

Blessing of the Creator God

His blessed Son

and Spirit of Life

blessed be

wordinthehand2014

Lammas

1st August  is Lammas Day from Anglo-Saxon hlaf-mass, "loaf-mas", the festival of the  wheat harvest, and is the first harvest festival of the year. In pagan culture, the festival centres around thanksgiving for the fruits of the harvest which had been given by the long days of the Sun. Wheat is usually the first harvest of the autumn. Bread would be made from the first pickings and used as a protective charm around the barns and houses, with an expectation that, as long as the bread was there, no-one would go hungry.


In Celtic Christianity, very little changed -   a loaf would be made from the first pickings of the crop and brought into church for the Mass. The loaf was blessed, and divided amongst the congregation; it would be kept in the home as a symbol of the sharing of God's blessing. In every Mass we give thanks to God who gives us the food and drink that we need to live.


As Christians we should be aware of  the generosity of our God,  Lord of all Creation. Particularly in these times when there are many of us who live well and often,  because of processed and fast foods, without any knowledge of where our food comes from. It would be good to take a moment sometime today to realise that even the most basic of foods has a life in God; has come to us through a cycle of life that has spanned centuries; that belongs to a pattern of interdependence that we are a part of - not in charge of.


You may not have a field to harvest, or the wherewithal to bake the first loaf of the season. Perhaps instead, take a moment at mealtimes to consider our food; how it comes to us; how we would be without it; how we could share it  - and to give thanks.

Lammas Blessing

Blessing of the Seven Days 

that bring the world to life

Blessing of the Sun and Moon 

that bring the seasons of the world

Blessing of the Earth and Rain 

that form the cradle of the world 

Blessings of the Seed and Shoot

that find birthing in the world

Blessing of the Harvest

that  celebrates its life

by giving it away.

Blessed be

wordinthehand2012