Mabon/Autumn Equinox ritual

~ Mabon Ritual/Autumn Equinox Ritual
September 21st ~

Tools:
In addition to your magickal tools you will need:
A Red Alter Cloth
A Wicker Basket
A Red Apple
Assorted Fruits and Vegetables of the Second Harvest (Berries, Squash,
Corn, etc)
A Bell
A Fallen Tree Branch
A Bolline
A Sprig or Two of Ivy
An Autumn Blend Incense
Any other Personal items of choice
Preparation:
Sweep area, moving in a deosil (clockwise) manner. Outline your Circle
with a red cord, low vibration stones, or various Harvest items such as
wheat, corn, beans, etc. Set up your alter and place the red alter
cloth
over it. At center top, place the wicker basket, filled with the
assorted fruit and vegetables. Place the apple and the bolline on your
Pentacle or a plate. Place the tree branch to the right of the basket.
Place the rest of your tools and props according to your personal
preference. Take a shower or bath for purity. Sit quietly and meditate
to ground and center. When you are ready, begin by playing some
soothing
music associated with the Sabbat and your ritual.

Cast the Circle and call Quarters.....Pick up your Wand in your right
hand, face your alter, and with arms stretched out above your head,
say:
"I honor Thee, Autumn Queen, and Thy consort, the God of the Harvest.
The Wheel has once more turned, and the change of season begins.
What will be is. What was will be.
The Equinox is upon us, and the time to reflect, at hand.
All time comes together, here and now in this sacred space.
And I, but a moment in time, feel the change as I pass From one season
to the next.
The Second Harvest has been reaped, and the time of rest is deserved.
Go now My Mother and slumber.
Go now My Father and dream of re-birth.
I shall be here to greet Thee on Your return."

With arms still out-stretched lower your head and close your eyes.
Contemplate what you have just spoken. When ready, open your eyes and
lower your arms. Pick up the apple and place it in the center of the
Pentacle/plate. Cut it crosswise with the Bolline, to reveal the
natural
pentagram at it's core. Then lift half the apple, pentagram up, as if
in
offering, while saying:
"As the Wheel turns, the seasons pass, and the years give 'way To the
next,
Guide me most Wise Ones,
Lest I forget
Every beginning has an ending
And every ending is a new beginning."

Take a bite of the apple. Put the rest aside to share later with the
wildlife. Pick up the tree branch and shake once at each direction,
starting with North, saying: "As the days grow colder, and the nights
last longer,
May I remember the summer past.
With sunlight fading, and hearth inviting,
My memories will warm my soul.
From a season of hard work and hard play,
I hear Mother's voice calling me forward.
While I rest, shall She lull me, with songs of a dream,
As close to Her bosom I cling."

Face the altar and hold the branch out in front of you with both hands,
saying:
"With memories of the summer, least I never forget,
And aspirings for the colder months to come,
Least I never stop striving,
I honor Thee with this symbol of Nature,
Keeping it and Thee in my home and heart,
That I may see it and pause,
To reflect on the Ancient Mysteries,
Leading me to a better understanding of myself,
And of others, and all that is Life."

Put the tree branch on the alter, into the basket of fruit so that it
sticks out, back in your direction. Contemplate on the various memory
symbols that you have attached to it. Also contemplate on the various
projects for autumn and winter that you have attached to it. Close your
eyes and feel the seasons pass within the circle from summer to autumn.
When ready, say:
"Between the worlds I stand in this sacred place.
All time is here and now.
As I leave this circle, the season shall have changed,
And I will have changed with it.
May I use the short time of Winter Finding
To draw the strength and power from within
As I quest for vision, understanding, and peace."

Pick up the sprig(s) of ivy, and wrap around your arms, from the elbow
to the wrist. Pick up the Bell with your right hand, and ring thrice,
to
toll the passing of the first 3 seasons of the year. Now place it in
your left hand and ring once to usher in the 4th and last season of the
year. Place the bell on the alter and the ivy in your cauldron (for
burning later).
"In Life is Death, and in Death is Life.
The Sacred Dance goes on and on
From whence we came, we shall return,
And come again.
Seasons pass, and pass again,
The circle stays unbroken
Heed the words of your child, here,
Through Your wisdom I have spoken."

It is now time for meditation and spellworking. Associated
spellworkings
would include those for protection, wealth, security, and
self-confidence. If there is no spellworking, celebrate with Cakes and
Ale, then release the Circle. Clean up. You are done. Find an
appropriate place in your home to display the decorated tree branch.

*Find a fallen tree branch. It need not be a large one, for it will
adorn your alter, then go on display in your home. The more smaller
offshoots from the main branch, the better. Mine has four, which I
think
is awesome! Next, take a couple of pine cones, small shells, dried
flowers, or any other item that reminds you of the late spring-summer
months. With some string, tie each to the offshoots. Also take yarn or
ribbon of yellows, oranges, reds, and gold and tie one end to the
offshoots. Then, on very thin strips of (colored) paper, write down
some
projects to work on during the upcoming ' dark ' months. Wrap these
around the offshoots (like little cocoons) and tie closed with silver
thread. These you will open over the next couple of months when you
start feeling lethargic or without a sense of direction. I tie on a
couple of small bells, to add some ambiance to my ritual...

***This ritual and the accompanying activity planner are dedicated to
MadaRua, as she gracefully transcends from one season of Life to the
next. Our prayers and blessings are with you...

This was taken from a Yahoo! Group called "Magic Light." The "accompanying activity planner" is in another post, entitled "Mabon - Children's Activities."