How To Create A Mabon Altar

Mabon or Mid-Harvest Festival is a celebration that generally spans the last 10 days of September (September 20th through 29th). This time period is part of a pagan tradition where followers pay respects to the impending darkness.

It is said that ‘without the dark there can be no light’. One of the traditional methods of honoring the equinox is with the individual creations of Mabon Altars.

A Mabon Altar should be well rounded to stimulate all the senses of the individual embarked upon its creation and those that will enjoy its company.

Sight

To stimulate sight be sure to use seasonal colors and symbols- Yellows, oranges, reds and browns are staple choices. Some choose to cover their altars with linens that symbolize the harvest season. Some go a step further and put brightly colored fallen leaves upon the work surface.

Incorporating candles in deep, rich colors such as reds, golds, or other autumn shades can perfect accents for this time of year.

Mabon is the time of the second harvest as the dying of the fields takes place. Thus the use of acorns, Indian corn, wine, gourds, pine cones, acorns, grains, grapes, corn, apples, pine cones, pomegranates, vines (such as ivy), dried seeds, dried leaves, dried flowers, sheaves of wheat, and root vegetables are befitting of such an altar.

Tools of agriculture may be appropriate including scythes, sickles, and baskets.

Sound

Sound is easier to incorporate into your alter than you may think.

Wind chimes and bells are great auditory additions as is Seasonal music and nature sounds that can be played on a device.

You can combine both sight and sound with a wind chime decorated with crystals.

During the Autumn Equinox, stones ruled by the Sun are said to help bring the Sun’s energy closer to you. Stones such as clear quartz, amber, peridotite, diamond, gold, citrine, yellow topaz, cat’s-eye and aventurine are all appropriate.

Smell

The scent of autumn is one of the most recognized and celebrated seasonal scents.

With such an abundance of options, be sure select just the right amount of variations to avoid a muddied or congested convergence of aromas.

Pine, sweetgrass, apples, oranges, benzoin, myrrh, frankincense, jasmine, sage, black pepper, patchouli, cinnamon, cloves, and oak moss are all great selections, all with the individual power to add wondrous scents to your working space.

A mix of orange, cinnamon and cloves combines for a particularly wonderful aroma.

Taste

Choose edible additions to your alter like bread and honey, grapes or wine and pumpkins.

Apples and nuts are another great option. When setting up your alter place your bread to the right side as this symbolizes life forces.

Fruit should go on the middle or the left this symbolizes the female life energy.