Mabon: A season of balance and reflection
Falling halfway between Lughnasadh and Samhain, Mabon marks the Autumn Equinox and the beginning of the autumn season. Day and night are close to equal, the light begins to fade, and the natural world starts its gradual shift towards the quieter half of the year.
Celebrated around 22nd–23rd September, Mabon is traditionally associated with the final harvest. It’s a time to give thanks for what the year has brought so far, and it invites us to pause, take stock, and notice what has grown and changed — while beginning to make space for the season ahead.
Mabon at a glance
When: Around 22nd–23rd September
Position on the Wheel: Between Lughnasadh and Samhain
Seasonal themes: Balance, gratitude, reflection
Associated elements: Earth, air, fading light
Colours: Rust, gold, deep red, olive green
Foods: Apples, pears, squash, nuts
Flowers: Dahlias, asters, chrysanthemums
A season of balance
There’s something I really like about the brief moment of balance that the equinox brings. It really feels like a pause between the busyness of summer and the quieter, darker months ahead. The landscape is changing noticeably, with hedgerows full of berries and the first leaves beginning to turn. Yes, there’s still plenty of life around us, but the season is visibly shifting.
Autumn has always been my favourite season, with spring a close second, and I think part of the reason is because they both feel like transition seasons. The bit in-between where so much change happens.
For me, Mabon is a reminder to notice that change. What can we still enjoy, what’s starting to shift, and where we are in the middle of it all? We don’t have to suddenly slow down or have everything neatly wrapped up. Sometimes it’s enough just to pause and notice.
Mabon energy in life and work
This time of year is a lovely opportunity to check in with ourselves. Summer might have been busier or quieter than we expected, or perhaps things didn’t quite go as we expected. Whatever happened, there’s no need to rush straight into the next thing.
As the season changes, we can take a little time to think about what we’ve enjoyed, what we’ve learned, and what we’d like more of in the coming months.
A few questions to sit with:
What have I enjoyed most over the summer?
Is there anything I’d like to do differently this autumn?
What would I like to make a little more room for?
The goal isn’t to find the perfect balance between work and rest (which I’m pretty sure doesn’t exist). This pause at Mabon is more about checking in with where we are now, and recognising that what we need might change as the season does.
Ways to celebrate Mabon
Mabon is a perfect excuse to enjoy the things I love most about autumn: getting outside, stocking up on my favourite candles, and making something warm and stodgy to eat.
You don’t need to do anything elaborate to mark the equinox. Just a few small things can be enough to help you notice and enjoy the changing season.
Some simple ways to celebrate Mabon:
Take an autumn walk and notice what’s changing in the hedgerows, trees, and gardens around you.
Bake an apple cake or make a warming soup.
Gather a few pine cones, conkers, or seed heads to decorate your home.
Light a candle in the evening and enjoy a book or some music.
Spend a little time looking back through photographs and memories from the summer.
For me, it might be as simple as a walk with Florence, picking up a few small things for the house, or spending an afternoon baking. I love how autumn makes ordinary things feel that little bit more special, especially when we give ourselves time to enjoy them.
Moving towards what’s next
Saying goodbye to summer can feel bittersweet, so Mabon is a chance to really reflect and appreciate what the season brought us. And there’s still plenty to enjoy before winter arrives, whether that’s getting outdoors, making the most of the harvest, or simply enjoying a few cosy evenings at home. The season will change in its own time, and we can find our own rhythm along the way.
For more gentle seasonal reflections and practical prompts, you can subscribe to Notes from the Studio or listen to my podcast, Seasons in Business.
