Mabon: Balance, Gratitude & Apple Cider

 Mabon, celebrated on the Autumn is a sacred day in the pagan Wheel of the Year, marking a moment of perfect balance when day and night are equal. It is after the Welsh God Mabon, son of the Earth Mother Modron. Mabon symbolizes the gathering of crops and the winding down of the year as we prepare to move into the colder, darker months.
In ancient times, this was a period of great significance to our ancestors, whose survival depended on the bounty of the harvest. They would honor the land, spirits, and deities responsible for the fruits of their labor, offering thanks for abundance and preparing for the challenges of winter. Today, Mabon remains a potent time for modern witches and pagans to give thanks, seek balance, and cultivate a deeper connection to nature’s rhythms.
Mabon is all about balance—between light and dark, action and rest, external work and internal contemplation. As the Sun wanes and the nights grow longer, the energies of the earth shift. It’s a time for us to reflect on our personal harvests—what we’ve achieved, learned, or gained over the past year. It is a time to take stock of the year’s abundance, both material and spiritual. Acknowledge the blessings, relationships, and growth in your life. Gratitude raises your vibration and helps you align with future abundance. Additionally, Mabon is a perfect time to let go of what no longer serves you—whether it’s a bad habit, toxic relationships, or outdated goals. Just as the trees shed their leaves, we too must release the unnecessary.
My favorite way of celebrating Mabon is with warm apple cider! With its connection to the harvest, apples are associated with wisdom, love, and protection. When you drink apple cider during Mabon, you’re not only partaking in a delicious autumn drink but also connecting to the cycles of nature, the wisdom of the Earth, and the sacred energies of the season!
The apple is a sacred fruit in many pagan traditions, often seen as a symbol of life, death, and rebirth. When cut horizontally, an apple reveals a hidden pentacle inside, representing the interconnectedness of life. Apple cider, made from this magical fruit, is a staple for Mabon feasts and rituals.
 
Mabon Apple Cider Gratitude Spell:
This simple spell using apple cider is designed to help you express gratitude and invite balance and abundance into your life for the coming year. You can perform this spell alone or with a group as part of a Mabon ritual or celebration.

What You’ll Need:
- A cup of warm apple cider (preferably homemade or locally sourced)
- Cinnamon stick or ground cinnamon
- A small candle (yellow, orange, or brown works well)
- Pen and paper
 
Find a quiet place where you won’t be disturbed. Light your candle and take a few moments to center yourself with deep breaths, feeling your energy align with the Earth and the changing season.
​
Take your pen and paper and write down at least three things you are grateful for from the past year. These can be anything from relationships, health, personal achievements, or lessons learned.

Stir the apple cider gently with a cinnamon stick or sprinkle ground cinnamon on top. As you do, speak aloud the following or similar words:
 
“Fruit of the Earth, cider of gold, 
Abundance and blessings within you hold. 
Grateful I stand for all that’s been, 
May balance and bounty flow once again.”
 
Sip on the apple cider while you reflect on the past year. Allow the candle to burn out and keep your list of gratitude in a safe place to reflect on when your soul needs a little pick me up.

---