*~*Mabon Incense*~*
Recipe by Scott Cunningham

2 parts Frankincense
1 part Sandalwood
1 part Cypress
1 part Juniper
1 part Pine
1/2 part Oakmoss (or a few drops Oakmoss bouquet)
1 pinch pulverized Oak leaf

Burn during Wiccan ceremonies on Mabon (the Autumnal
Equinox, circa September 21st), or at that time to attune
with the change of the seasons.

(This 'Mabon Incense' recipe is from "The Complete Book of
Incense, Oils & Brews" by Scott Cunningham, Llewellyn
Publications, 1989)

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*~*Autumn Equinox Ritual Potpourri*~*
Recipe by Gerina Dunwich

45 drops Honeysuckle Oil
1 cup Oak Moss
6 small Acorns
2 cups dried Oak Leaves
2 cups dried Honeysuckle
1 cup dried Passionflower
1 cup dried Rosebuds and Petals
1/2 cup dried Pine Needles
1 tablespoon Sage

Mix the honeysuckle oil with the oak moss and then add
the remaining ingredients. Stir the potpourri well and store
in a tightly covered ceramic or glass container.

(This 'Autumn Equinox Ritual Potpourri' recipe is from "The
Wicca Spellbook: A Witch's Collection of Wiccan Spells,
Potions and Recipes" by Gerina Dunwich, a Citadel Press
Book, Carol Publishing Group, 1994)

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Decorating items:

Hazel, Corn, Acorns, Oak, Wheat Stalks, Cypress cones, Pine cones
Myrrh, Sage, Pine
Orange, Dark red, Yellow, Brown
Acorns, Pomegranates, Pine Cones, Baskets of fallen leaves
Breads, Corn, Cornbread, Beans, Squash, Apples, Roots (carrots, potatoes, onions), Cider

Mabon is the time to honor the Ancient Ones and the Spirit World. Traditional Pagan activities at this time include fermenting grapes to make wine and the decorating of graves. Also traditional is to wander wild places and forests, gathering seed pods and dried plants. Some of these can be used to decorate the home or altar.

Make a Indian Corn bundle to hang on your front door
Make a rattle from an empty gourd and some seeds.
Make a dried leaf mobile
How about a pine cone pyramid?
Weave some wheat into fun shapes

Tradition sees the Mabon Wreath as the primary symbol of this time of year, the remembrance of the wheel of the year, the wheel of life, and the promise of rebirth, both in the spring and in our next lives.

Or make a pretty fall bouquet of leaves, pine cones, corn and grapes to leave on a grave as a gift to the ancestors.

Grapes Gourds Dried Leaves Wine Pine Cones Rattles Vines Acorns Indian Corn Garland Wheat Sun Wheels Horns of Plenty (Cornicopia)

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Celebrating Mabon
By Jill C. Yarnall

Altar and Home: It is appropriate to decorate your altar and home
with traditional Autumn colors of gold, orange, red, and brown.
Decorations might include pumpkins grouped on the doorstep, dried
flowers and wheat attractively arranged in a stone vase, Indian
corn hung from the front door, fall leaves scattered across the
altar, and baskets of apples.

Fresh Apple Candle Holders: Apples can be easily made into clever
candle holders by making a circular cut into the stem area and
hollowing out a space big enough to hold a votive candle. Place
the candle snugly in the hole and light. This decoration is
especially appropriate because apples are sacred to Pagans for the
pentacle shaped arrangement of the seeds inside. To see this for
yourself, slice an apple in half from side to side rather than from
top to bottom.

Mabon Thanksgiving Dinner: To remember and honor the harvest,
Mabon is designated as the Witches' Thanksgiving. Gather friends
and family on the Equinox for a harvest celebrations in grand
proportions. Serve roasted squash or turkey; mashed potatoes;
fresh whole grain bread; vegetables; corn bread stuffing; cranberry
sauce; pumpkin pie; hot spiced cider; and wine.

Gourd Rattle: It is easy and fun to make a dried gourd rattle.
Follow these easy instructions: allow the gourd to dry completely;
drill a hole in the area opposite the stem; pull out the fiberous
material inside with tweezers; fill with a few dried beans; glue in
a stick that fits the hole for a handle; and decorate if desired.
This instrument can then be used for ritual, private meditation, or
drumming circles.

Gourd Dipper: To make a gourd dipper, take a fresh gourd; slice
off an area to be left open for dipping; scrape the insides clean;
and allow to dry in a place protected from insects and high
humidity. The dipper can then be used for scooping grain, herbs,
seeds, incense, or other magickal items.

Hayrides: Organize or attend an old-fashioned hayride to honor
and celebrate the harvest.

Harvest Platter: Choose a large platter on which to form this
centerpiece. Arrange dried or silk leaves, pieces of wheat, nuts,
small Indian corn, small gourds, sugar pumpkins, and candles
together on the platter. This centerpiece can be lit before each
meal to remind all those gathered around the table that the final
harvest is near.

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Depending on when the leaves turn in your area, beautiful multi-colored
leaves can be dipped in paraffin, to be used for decoration. Quickly dip
the leaves in melted paraffin, and put them on wax paper. When the
leaves are dry, you can put them in a huge decorative jar with a sigil of
protection carved lightly on some

enjoy lol E