Mabon Altar of Abundance 

Mabon is a time of abundance the second harvest, the one that affirms there will be enough to sustain us through the winter. I always wish I lived near farmland at this time of year. I love the affirmation that the Earth gives us everything we need, a great bounty that is an Earthly sign of the Mothers love for us, Her lap just full of grains and fruit. 

And Mabon is a time of balance the still point between day and night. Balance, abundance how can you celebrate those two elements, especially if you live, as I do, one mile from the center of a city? A favorite Mabon activity is an altar I create by instinct, from what I have on hand. An altar that balances the four elements, and spirit at center, with the abundance in my home and yard, right now. 

You can come at this activity with a spirit of playfulness, a lets see what happens! approach. Or you can start by becoming still and silent, and inviting your senses and your subconscious the voice of the Mother to guide you. Clear off a space for your altar the space you always use, or a space youll use just for a day or so, or one on a table or step outdoors. Lay a cloth to protect the surface, if you need to.  

Then take a large basket with you for your gathering, and see what transpires. I usually just roam through the house and yard, moving objects, stones, potted plants here and there, trying to really see them and see which ones call to me. If something does call, I gather it in, and move on. At some level, Im thinking of the elements, and making sure I have something for each. Stop any time after you have seven or more objects (to give you things to choose from). My friend, Marilyn, ends up with about twenty things (shes a Taurus - those Earth signs love their objects!). Dont forget to roam in the kitchen and garden, too, especially at this time of year when the bounty of the fields is a strong theme. 

Now for the fun part. Lay the objects out, and see what youve gathered to you. Often, I find what Ive gathered in tells me what I want to work on. Its a little like a tarot reading step back, look at the whole of it, and try to catch a theme. What object are you most drawn to? That will be your center, spirit, and a key to the work youre doing.  

My altar this year put my grandmothers old flour sifter at center that was a surprise. A found dove feather for air, a clay salamander for fire, salt water in a turquoise bowl for west, a Goddess stone (one with a hole in it) I keep in my garden for earth. Setting each object in its appointed place, I saw a theme Ive been working with: something from my childhood at the center, and surrounding it, images of this time of my life, feather for lightheartedness, salamander for change, salt water for rebirth, the Goddess stone for the passage from life to death and life again. 

Childhood, freedom, transformation, rebirth and death an abundant tapestry! It is a gift to the Goddess, and one from Her to you, to set your creativity free to build something from the many things youve already been blessed with. Joyous Mabon! 

by sisalfish

Mabon, 2002 

 
sisalfish is a Dianic wiccan living in an old house in San Antonio, with her husband of thirty years and a neurotic sheltie named Chee. Shes interested in chant, ritual movement, shamanism and tarot, and is a Mystery in the Dianas Grove Mystery School.