In the Northern Hemisphere. Astronomically, the September equinox is the autumnal, or fall, equinox marking the end of summer and the beginning of fall. This years Autumnal Equinox will occur on Monday, September 23 at 3:50 AM (EST.)

Celebrating Mabon

Depending on your individual spiritual path, there are many ways you can celebrate the Autumnal Equinox, Mabon, but typically the focus is on either the second harvest aspect or the balance between light and dark. Celebrate the Mabon Sabbat by decorating your altar with the colors and symbols of the late harvest season. You can also add foods from your harvest and gardens to your alter. You might want to consider doing a short gratitude ritual as a way of expressing thankfulness at Mabon. If you’re feeling spiritually lopsided, this is a perfect time for a balance meditation to restore balance into your life.

The Impact of the Equinox on the Moon

The full Moon closest to the September equinox, the Harvest Moon, is astronomically special. This is because the time between one moonrise to another around this period becomes shorter. On average, the Moon rises about 50 minutes later every day in a lunar month – the time period between two Full Moons or two New Moons. Around the Harvest Moon, the time difference between two successive moonrises decreases to less than 50 minutes for a few days. Known as the Harvest Moon Effect, this phenomenon occurs due to the low angle the Moon’s orbit around Earth makes with the horizon during this time of year.

The Equinox and the Northern Lights

As the September equinox rolls by, the chances to see the aurora borealis display increases for those located at high Northern Hemisphere latitudes. According to NASA, the equinoxes are prime time for Northern Lights, geomagnetic activities are twice more likely to take place in the spring and fall time, than in the summer or winter

Mabon is a time rich in magic, all connected to the changing seasons of the earth. Why not take advantage of nature’s bounty, and work a little magic of your own? Have a happy and blessed equinox.