​MabonMabonMabon!

Mabon very well may be my favorite Sabbat on the Wheel of the Years. If the summer heat has not broken yet, it surely will soon, and that is something to be thankful for. This year, 2019, the temperatures were in the 70s the two weeks before Sabbat when I left for work, and it cheered my heart.

It’s easier to breathe in Las Vegas at this time of year. It’s pleasant again to be outside. And while we didn’t grow the food we have been eating all year, or the grains for the brews we drank, the Mabon ritual itself serves as a magical act of gratitude, as well as in our witchy way, of taking an active role in this, the second harvest of the year. The “Fixed” Harvest, if you will, as Lughnasadh was the Cardinal, and upcoming Samhain the Mutable.

Surviving the Summer here is always rough. You hope your air conditioning works at home, at work, and in your car. Riding a Harley proves your toughness, and stubbornness. Shade is valuable real estate. Anything left in your car will melt.

But finally, Delling’s dawn breaks later, Billing’s bright farewell comes earlier, and the air is gentler. Inner Circle Sanctuary heads out of town to celebrate the balance of night and day, Sol entering Libra, and to give thanks for the good things in our life.

Our ritual itself is of course, done from memory. We had a full practice the week before. The Sabbat-specific lines are mostly taken from “A Book of Pagan Rituals” written by Ed Fitch. It’s the first Pagan/Magick book I ever bought, and I still highly recommend it.

There are lines that sound like two spies giving each other pass phrases. There are lots of candles lit. There is toasting, drumming, and dancing with fruits, vegetables, and a sickle. Then there is the sacrifice- of the fruits and vegetables, of course!

This is not just fun, this is highly symbolic, as is the Candle Game, which we find in our textbook “A Witches Bible” by Janet and Stewart Farrar. The flame goes out. The Scourge’s lash is punishing, yet invigorating. The light will come back. A circle has no ending.

We also recite an inspired poem by our Lady Sisterwolf, telling Kore’s Tale, of Her ownership of Her becoming Queen of the Underworld. Victim, She is not!

The Autumn Equinox is what we are celebrating, and it is often called Mabon in Witch or Pagan circles. Aiden Kelly has been attributed with naming this Sabbat after the Welsh Deity Mabon, and Inner Circle Sanctuary appreciates his contribution to the ever-growing, ever-evolving religion of Wicca.

Lady Morgana trained us to burn a silver candle as a thank you; when spells work, when good things happen, when bad things are avoided, and anytime you feel grateful. We bring a silver candle to our Mabon Sabbat as the Thank You Candle for our year, for all the things we are grateful for, and don’t it feel good!

Yes, I think Mabon is my favorite Sabbat.  I look forward to it all Summer long!
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Inner Circle Sanctuary Sabbats are glorious, and I hope yours are too. This season is glorious, and I hope we can all agree, there is so much to be thankful for.

Lord Tanys
High Priest, Inner Circle Sanctuary

PHOTO BY OUR OWN LADY NASHOBAWOLF

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