Category: Fall

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Working with the magic of October; reflect with death, decay, and rebirth

As the leaves change color and the air turns crisp, we notice how this month beckons us into the depths of the world around us and the shadows within ourselves. October is a month of ancestors, death, transformation, and walking in the shadows, and is marked by the festival of Samhain and Halloween. It’s a time to honor the ancestors, remember the dead, and celebrate the thinning of the veil between the worlds. This month’s magic is a time to release, of letting go, and death. It is the month that reminds us of the importance of endings. Showing us the beauty in taking a moment of reverence to honor where we have been and where we came from. At the same time reminding us that it is necessary for a vibrant new beginning. As we give thanks for the harvest of this year and the stores we have prepared for the dark, bitter, Winter months ahead. We take the time to connect to the cycle of death and decay, fertilizing the soils where one day our future seeds will be planted to bloom for all to see.

History of October

October is the 10th month of the Julian and Gregorian calendars with a length of 31 days. The name October means 8th month in Latin as it was the 8th month of the year according to the old Roman Calendar which began in March.

Zodiac Signs For The Month Of October

Those born in October are said to be born under either the sign of the scales Libra or the scorpion Scorpio.

First, Libras are born between September 23rd–October 22nd. They are known for being charming, diplomatic, and peace-making, and are said to have a strong moral compass and the ability to see both sides of an argument. They are also known for being obsessed with symmetry and balance, and strive to create equilibrium in all areas of life.

Second, Scorpios are born between October 23 and November 21. They are known for being passionate, intuitive, sensual, and emotional. Scorpios are known for their intense passion and magnetic presence. They are also said to be fierce and enigmatic.

Thinning of the veil

As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, many spiritual traditions recognize a time known as the Thinning of the Veil during the month of October. This concept is central to festivals like Samhain, Halloween, and the Day of the Dead, where it’s believed that the boundary between the world of the living and the world of spirits becomes thinner. So, what does the thinning of the veil actually mean? The Thinning of the Veil refers to the belief that during certain times of the year; especially in late October and early November; the division between the physical world and the spiritual realm weakens. This allows spirits, ancestors, and other supernatural energies to come closer, offering an opportunity for reflection, communication, and connection. This concept aligns with the seasonal transition from autumn to winter. The veil’s thinning is a powerful symbol for many people, representing a time to pause and honor the cycles of life and death. It’s believed that during this period, it’s easier to communicate with ancestors and receive messages from the spirit world across many cultures and practices.

Sacred Days And Celebrations In October

Every Single month has sacred and important days and celebrations to help you connect to the energies of the month. Plus they usually are a lot of fun to take part in! Below you will find a list of the sacred days and celebrations for the month of October and there are many for this month! But, first we are going to talk about the one that is front and center this month for pagans, and witches. We even see it on the wheel of the year. In case you didn’t know; the wheel of the year; is a visual representation of the cyclical nature of time and the seasons, and symbolizes the eternal cycle of life, death, and rebirth. This month we celebrate the sabbat, Samhain, a festival marking the end of the harvest season, the beginning of the darker half of the year, and the thinning of the veil when our ancestors are the nearest.

Samhain

Samhain is probably the best known Wheel of the Year holiday. Irish Gaelic for “Summer’s End” Samhain (pronounced Soo-Ween) is a Celtic festival that takes place from October 31 to November 1. It marks the end of summer, the harvest, and the darker half of the year. the veil between the physical and spirit worlds is thin during Samhain, allowing for more interaction between the two. This time of the year is to close the year, reflection, set intentions for the year to come, celebrate and honor deities of the dead and our ancestors. Samhain is also considered the Witches and Wiccan New Year too many. This is when the Wheel of the Year, which represents the solstices, equinoxes and cross-quarters, now comes to an end and will start over again the following day after Samhain.

To learn more about Samhain you can check out my ritual from Samhain 2023 with Divination on youtube today!

Álfablót

Alfablot is deeply rooted in Norse culture and practices. It was a time when the people honored the Alfar, their ancestors/ the elves, with sacrifices, rituals, and offerings left at their burial mounds. Alfablot literally means Alfar and blood sacrifice or the elven sacrifice. So essentially, this was an observance that consisted of giving offerings or sacrifices to the Alfar, the elves or our ancient male ancestors. Álfablót was celebrated at the end of the harvest season, around the same time as Samhain, the Day of the Dead, and later all saints day. How this day was actually celebrated is shrouded in intense mystery but, what we do know is the women of the family usually led the festivities on the families property at the end of harvest season.

Dias De los Muertos

Day of the Dead combines the ancient Aztec custom of celebrating ancestors with All Souls’ Day, a holiday that Spanish invaders brought to Mexico starting in the early 1500s. The holiday, which is celebrated mostly in Mexico on November 1 and 2, is like a family reunion, except dead ancestors are the guests of honor. Día de los Muertos is a joyful celebration that is more about healing than feeling bad. It is also a time to face mortality and not be afraid of it. It’s a time when families welcome back the souls of their deceased relatives for a brief reunion that includes food, drink and celebration. Even though it is celebrated on November 1st I wanted to include it this month to give you prep time.

To learn more about Dias de los Muertos you can learn all about it on Divination Academy’s YouTube channel today!

Other sacred days and holidays

  • Oktoberfest: A beer festival that takes place in Munich, Germany, and runs from late September to early October
  • Roman Festival of Bacchus: A festival that takes place on October 3 and honors Bacchus, the Roman god of wine and vegetation.
  • Great Horn Festival: A festival that takes place on October 18 and involves invoking the Horned God and Lady of the Wood.
  • Celtic Tree Month of Reed: A month that begins on October 28.
  • Winter Nights/Vetrablot: A Norse celebration of the arrival of winter that takes place on October 31.
  • Dísablót: A Norse pagan holiday that takes place on November 1
  • Dussehra: A 10-day Hindu festival that ends on October 2
  • Sukkot: A Jewish holiday that commemorates the journey to the promised land
  • Diwali: A 5-day festival celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains
  • October 3 to October 11 – Navaratri: A festival in the Hindu faith that celebrates the Goddess Durga.
  • October 11 (sundown) to October 12 (sundown) – Yom Kippur: This is the holiest day of the year in the Jewish faith, also known as the Day of Atonement and the end of the 10 Days of Awe. It is the second of the High Holidays devoted to prayer, repentance, and fasting. It is the most widely observed Jewish holiday of the year.

Magical And Witchcraft Themes For October

In witchcraft, October is a time of magic, transformation, and honoring the cycle of life and death. As the days grow shorter and the nights longer in the Northern Hemisphere, witches embrace the energy of the season to connect with their ancestors and the spirit world. It’s the month when we are able to communicate with them more easily and we welcome them alongside us once again. This month encourages us to be more aware of the cycles of life and to appreciate the beauty found in change. To embrace the necessity of death and decay for with it comes rebirth, transformation, and change. It is also a time for reflection, where we look back on what we have experienced and what we are grateful for. This is the time of the year when we reap what we have planted, nourished, and sown. This is the month we welcome our shadows and the things that we hide in the dark.

The gods and goddesses of October

With every season and month there are certain themes, magic, and energies we have the ability to connect to including deities. Everyone works with and views deity energy a little differently. Whether you view them as archetypes of the human consciousness, representations of the source energy, or as being entities on their own, there are certain deities that now is the time to connect to and honor them in the most sacred and amplified way.

During this month a few deities take center stage because they have festivals or sacred days during this month to help you connect with them in a very intimate way. The deities that are going to be the best for you to connect to right now are deities connected to the fall, our ancestors, the spirit realm, death, rebirth, the afterlife, shadows, and the underworld. You can also choose to work with the energy of Samhain and the deities associated with it. Below we will talk about some of the deities you can work with this month.

Persephone

In Greek mythology, Persephone is the goddess of agriculture, the spring, the Underworld, duality, and the wife of Hades. Prior to her marriage with Hades she was known as Kore, which means “daughter” or “maiden”. I find this to be crucial to her story and representation of rebirth, because, before she grabbed power in her marriage to Hades, the gods hadn’t even given her a name or her own place of power. Which makes no sense to me because she was born from two of the most powerful deities. Persephone is the daughter of Zeus, the chief god, and Demeter, the goddess of agriculture. For her to have such little power, be sheltered, and not have her own place of power within the pantheon was in injustice she would rectify through the power of rebirth and duality by becoming Hades wife. As the wife of Hades, Persephone governs the realm of the dead by his side with grace, compassion, and might. Persephone’s presence in the Underworld brings a sense of balance between life and death. Working with her this month you can call her as guide into the underworld and communicating with the your ancestors on the other side.

To learn all about this alluring, intriguing, and transitional goddess, and see her story in a whole new light. Plus meet her in a guided meditation you can watch my class all about her here!

Dionysus

Dionysus is a Greek god most well known for his wine-loving ways, but there’s SO much more to him than what’s on the surface. He is the Greek god of wine, intoxication, sacred polarity, ecstatic trance, dance and theatrical performance, sacred hallucinogens, and masked processions and festivals. He is a very unique god in the Greek pantheon because, he isn’t thought to be one of the original Olympians. But, to have originated from Thrace as a titan and later was added to the pantheon. He not only wasn’t part of the original 13 deities of the Greek pantheon but, he is said to be twice-born. Before he became Dionysus he was born to Zeus and Persephone as their son Zagreus. His story is one of death, sacrifice, transformation, and rebirth which is why he is such a great deity to work with during this month. Use him and his love of wine to help you connect to the deepest shadows of yourself to allow rebirth and connect to the spirits in the underworld.

If you would like to learn more about his first life as Zagreus, what his story means and how he can show up in your life join the Modgepodgemystic Mysteries my patreon community today where I share my journey with him.

Hekate

To some she is Hecate, others Hekate. For many, she comes without a name revealing herself during times of great personal pain and loss. To others she the triple goddess. There is much to learn about Hecate from the written records, but for a witch to truly know Hecate, we need to experience her.
Hecate is a complex goddess with a long history. Hecate is an ancient Greek Goddess often associated with the Underworld, witchcraft, necromancy, crossroads, the spiritual realm, and the moon and so much more. She is the Goddess of Witchcraft, a guide along the path, and the universal Keeper of the Keys. The Guide who leads us back to our soul. And she is a face of The Great Mother, creatrix and destroyer of all. She is a liminal spirit – she guards the thresholds between the human and spirit world. She is the bringer of power and healing. She spins the wheel of time, weaving her magic and mystery throughout. The fiery spark that lives in all the universe. Working with her during this month allows her to hold the torch for you as you walk to the crossroads with your ancestors by your side to choose your path for the next year ahead.

To learn more about her and meet her at the crossroads you can watch my class on her with Divination Academy here.


Osiris

Osiris is one of the most important deities in the Egyptian pantheon, he was the first son born to the god of earth geb and sky Nut. He was the Original ruler of the underworld until his wife Isis took over after his death at the hands of his own brother Set. Osiris was not only the ruler of the dead but also the power that granted all life from the underworld, from sprouting vegetation to the annual flood of the Nile River. He’s the god of fertility, resurrection, and the afterlife. Osiris is super important in the Egyptian underworld, called the Duat. He’s not only a god of the afterlife but, he is the one whom judges all the souls. When someone dies, their soul goes on a journey through the Duat, facing all sorts of challenges. Until The big moment at the end when the “Weighing of the Heart” ceremony takes place. They weigh the person’s heart against the feather of Ma’at, who stands for truth and justice. Osiris is there, watching and presiding over the entire thing. Being the one whom listens to the scales and judges each soul with fairness for all. Working with him this month can give you a chance to look at the weight of your own heart through reflection and do the inner work to still try and tip that eternal scale in your favor.

Lady Hel

The ruler of Helheim. Hel Goddess of the Dead, daughter of Loki, is much more than a mysterious name and looming, shadowy presence. She is a deity of immense complexity, but one that is worth learning from. Hel, also called Hella and Hela, is the daughter of the trickster god Loki and the witch-giantess Angrboda in Norse mythology. Along with her brothers, the wolf Fenrir and the snake Jörmungandr, she was raised by her mother in a place called Járnviðr, the Iron Wood. She rules over the land of the dead, under one of the 3 roots of Yggdrasil, called Helheim. Yes, she is terrifying to behold, as the legends go, yet she brings transformation and paves the way for creation after destruction. When she manifests, she appears as a half-dead half-alive woman, showing the paradox between life and death. The polarity, that is needed for the Universe to continue on. Hel’s spiritual powers include death (physical and metaphorical), the afterlife, protection, transformation, omens, wisdom, mystery and ancestral connection. Work with her this month to learn more about ancestors, shadow work, and to explore your fears about death and the afterlife.

To learn more about her and meet her you can watch my class on her with Divination Academy here.

Correspondences For The Month Of October

First, what is a correspondence? A correspondence is an item or symbol that is meant to connect you to a specific energy thru it’s representation. It is seen also as an item to respect, honor, and venerate that energy as well whether it be a deity, an archetype energy, the zodiac energy the moon is currently or for time of the year like a month, which I will list below for you to use. Remember this is just a start to the list for you. You can use any correspondences that connect the magical themes and energies of October. Just follow your intuition on what you choose to work with!

  • Planet-Venus
  • Animal-bat, cat, blackbird, snake
  • Element-Air, Earth
  • colors- Black, orange, purple, red, brown, yellow, gold, silver
  • Symbol-Pumpkins, apples, cauldron, skulls
  • Herbs- Sage, rosemary, marigold, chrysanthemum, Calendula, sunflowers, wild ginseng, wormwood, yarrow, rose, marigold
  • Stones/ crystals- Obsidian, garnet, black tourmaline, Smoky quartz, amber, pyrite, onyx, carnelian, turquoise, opal
  • Deities-Ishtar, Horned God, Osris, Loki, Persephone, Cerrunnos, Dionysus, lady hel, lakshmi, hades, Saraswati, hekate, Janus, Anubis, fide, The Morrígan, Lilith, The Cailleach, baba yaga, Crom-Cruach, cerridwen, lady of the dead
  • Zodiac- Libra and Scorpio
  • Themes-transformation, rebirth, death, the underworld, shadow work, ancestors, the veil, spiritual realm, release, letting go, harvest, change, remembrance

How to connect to the magic of October

We’ve talked a lot about all the different types of energies the month of October has and gives us access to work with. So, how can you specifically connect to those energies? In your everyday life you can make sure your affirmations , intentions, and manifestations align with the energies of the end of the harvest, duality, transition, death, our ancestors/ guides, the afterlife, remembrance, our shadows and the cycle of seasons. You can celebrate and honor any of the sacred days and holidays and connect to the energies of Samhain, Dias de las Muertos and any other days of the dead while the veil is thinning all around us.

Some Rituals and spell workings during this time that will be really intensified will be based on the cycles of the seasons, death, decay, and the darkness of the shadows surrounding us.  October is a time of the year where witches are able to really connect to the veil, the otherside, and our guides/ancestors. We can use this time to set up altars to connect to those who came before us in remembrance, honor, and respect. We can also take the time to cast spells and do divination work to speak to those who are walking among us from the otherside. Giving them the voices they have been longing for to carry their messages forward. October is a month where witches enjoy spending time in graveyards and cemeteries to perform rituals, say prayers, and connect to the dead who reside there. While all of these are magical, spiritual, powerful, and fun things to do let’s not forget to have proper graveyard etiquette. If you need to learn more about what that is come join me on October 23rd in my patreon community for an exclusive event to learn just that!

October creates a very potent liminal pocket of time that is teeming with duality, balance, and the power of transition through darkness, death, and decay. It’s a month that really pulls us to go deep within ourselves for introspection, reflection, self awareness, and growth. This makes it a great month to do any work on transformation, death, and letting go through shadow work. Allowing the energy of death in the finality of the harvest season to fertilizer your soul, during the cold winter months to bloom and grow after there is no more snow. If you would like to learn more about shadow work you can purchase my eBook here;  you can book me for a 1:1 session as your guide here; and you can watch my free class previously taught on it through Divination here.

Spells and Rituals Ideas

  • Pumpkin Prosperity magic
  • Leaf magic
  • Create a spell jar for Samhain
  • Study the Alfar and connect to them with sacrifice
  • Have a dumb supper
  • Practice liminal magic working with the veil
  • Shadow work
  • Go ghost hunting and visit places where spirits are active
  • Communicate with the dead through divination like tarot, or seances (Don’t forget to check out my free virtual tarot event)
  • Create an altar to represent your ancestors in your home
  • Visit an apple orchard and do some apple magic
  • Walk a corn maze and connect to the earth and harvest
  • Visit a graveyard or cemetery and leave an offering for the gatekeeper who resides there
  • Connect with deities of the dead, the underworld, and the afterlife
  • Fire gazing during a bonfire
  • do release work
  • do protection magic like hexes, curses, and calling on the spirits of the dead
  • Create black salt
  • Make a simmer pot to welcome your ancestors and the spirits of the dead into your home
  • Make a pentagram wreath and hang on your door, your hearth, or your altar
  • go on a nature walk and do some earthing soaking up the death and decay around you
  • Use pumpkin seeds for some fertility magic
  • Cast spells for renewal, rebirth, and transformation
  • Leave a candle in the window
  • Carve a jack o lantern and leave sage leaves inside to protect your home and family from unwanted spirits or energies
  • Cast love spells, glamor spells, or perform sex magic
  • Journal and reflect on the past year
  • Clean up headstones at cemeteries
  • meditate on the next year ahead and what goals you are wanting to set
  • Perform grey magic to work with balance and duality
  • leave an offering at the crossroads for hekate to help you choose a path or make a decision that needs to be made
  • Necromancy spells
  • Use bones in divination
  • Do some self care to prepare yourself for your coming death during the winter months ahead
  • Prepare winter stores of food with kitchen magic and sigils
  • Place a pot of marigolds near the front door

Duality and the month of October

Since, I am a grey witch I look for the duality in every single energy I work with including sacred times like a month of the year like October. October is a month that really shows us how two things that are opposing can come together to create a time of both beauty, love, and joy while also creating death, sadness, and remorse. We see this theme all throughout the month with it starting off with Libra season. an energy encompassing beauty, harmony, and love and then ending in it’s cyclical journey with Samhain and holidays all about death, decay, and ancestors who have passed on. Speaking of; working with our ancestors, passed loved ones, and the thinning veil is the most dualistic aspect of this month over all. Working with spirits, ancestors and our passed loved ones when the veil is thinnest during this month allows us both a chance for comfort and solace. While also bringing us back to a place of sadness and loss. We are given a pocket in time where we can reconnect with those who were dear to us in a more tangible way than simply through memories. Working with them and allowing them into our homes during this month reminds us of the cycle of life. Reminding us to be grateful for our time on the earthly side of the veil and preparing us for when we will walk through it to be an ancestor ourselves.

Reflect with death, decay, and rebirth

We talked about many things in this blogpost including the history, some celebrations, the different energies and magical themes we can work with during this month, how to connect to those energies, deities we can honor and worship, and how to work with the magic of October. October is a time of powerful reflection, death, and spiritual connection. From the quiet introspection of Samhain to the lively celebrations of the Day of the Dead, this month reminds us of the ongoing cycle of life and death, and offers a chance to honor our ancestors. Whether you follow the rituals of Samhain, Halloween, or the Day of the Dead this month allows for a deep connection with both the past and the unseen world around us. Allowing us to bridge the gap between the past and where we are heading to next. October is the month when leaves fall thick to forest floors where they will decay and later be reborn. October is the month when the veil grows thin opening a door for a new cycle to begin.

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Mabon aka The fall Equinox; A day in duality to balance day and night

Across many cultures, the time of the autumn equinox aka Mabon, has been marked with festivals that celebrate the second harvest, a crucial period for gathering resources before the onset of winter. Mabon, or the fall equinox, is the first step toward the season of transformation. This is a time of transition and harvest, and a time of balance and realignment as we turn to greet the darkness of shadow season. As the Autumn Equinox brings equal day and night, Mabon stands as a poignant reminder of balance and reciprocity.

Mabon is not only a time for celebration but also for reflection and preparation. It encourages contemplation of life’s balances—light with dark, activity with rest, and abundance with scarcity. This equilibrium is reflected in the equal length of day and night during the equinox. In this sense, Mabon mirrors the theme of balance seen in the earlier spring equinox festival, Ostara, but with a focus on gratitude and the harvesting of blessings. This sabbat serves as a reminder to cherish and utilize the abundance currently available while preparing for the leaner times winter may bring. It’s a time to make the most of the remaining warmth and light, gathering resources and fortifying homes against the coming cold, all while giving thanks for the year’s bounty and the people with whom we share it.

What is Mabon?

Mabon is the Wiccan term for the Autumn Equinox that occurs annually between September 21st and 23rd. It’s the first official day of Fall, sometimes known as the Witches’ Thanksgiving. Although I really recommend for you to not refer to it as such. That is dripping in cultural appropriation and celebrating the slaughter of many and blood running across the land.Mabon is the second of three harvest festivals for many Wiccans, witches and pagans.

The history of Mabon

The idea of a harvest festival is actually very old. Cultures from around the world have been celebrating this time of year for the last millennia. Most of how we see it now is rooted deeply in Celtic and Welsh traditions. Ancient Greece held a festival known as Oschophoria which celebrated the harvest of grapes to make wine. Oktoberfest began in the Bavarian counties during the eighteenth century. In the East, this is a sacred time to celebrate the harvest, family, and unity. Many cultures believe Mabon or the second harvest, to be the best time for giving thanks and reflecting upon the year. For, it is during the second harvest was when food storage and prep for the long winter months ahead would really begin.

When is Mabon?

In the northern hemisphere, it’s typically celebrated between September 20th and September 22nd, the exact moment of the Equinox varies from year to year. This is due to a slight misalignment between the Gregorian calendar and the actual rate of the Earth’s rotation around the Sun. Mabon 2024 will occur on Sunday, September 22, at 8:44 AM EDT, aligning with the Autumn Equinox. While this marks the official date, celebrations can vary, with some extending the festivities throughout the weekend to fully embrace the season’s themes of balance and gratitude

A Celebration of The Harvest

With Mabon, we celebrate the plenitude of earth’s bounty, the abundance of life, as well as what needs to be released. Mabon holds the energy of gratitude, celebration, and letting go. We connect to and honor the fertility the land has produced and all its riches. It is time to reap what we have sown, both physically and energetically. We are now feeling the fullness of the Fall season all around us and interwoven in the air. Mabon is the celebration of the fruits of our labor all spring and fall long in our fields, gardens, and orchards. Mabon holds the energy of gratitude, celebration, for the bounty of the land.

A time to connect to the cycle of the seasons

It’s the time the leaves change and begin to fall. Mabon is a reminder every single year that change is always coming, needed, and beautiful. Mabon is the welcoming of the harvest and our last farewell to the long days of Summer. Because following the Autumn Equinox, the days will start to fall shorter than the nights. It’s the reminder to us all that life like the seasons is cyclical.

A time of reflection, transformation, and rebirth

Mabon marks when the length of the day and night are equal, initiating the dark half of the year, and with it, the ability to integrate, transmute, and release what has occurred over the course of the year. To allow ourselves to descend into the depths of our soul to hold up a mirror of reflection for ourselves. We are able to truly embrace the shadows of our soul within this liminal space giving them the comfort and grace to change.

Mabon and Duality

Since, I am a grey witch I look for the duality in every single energy I work with including sacred times like the festival and holiday of mabon and the fall equinox. This sabatt is not only is teeming with an abundance of the energy of the harvest and the bouty the earth has brought us but, we also see it in the transition this month brings us through. Mabon and the fall equinox marks the time of the year when we acknowledge the cyclical transition from one season to another. We see us leave the hot, vibrant, fun and sun based season of Summer and turn our attention to the crisp, cool, productive, and earth based season of fall. We literally get to watch in real time on this day that is equal day and night, nature transitioning from being bustling with life to decaying in death. This sabatt is a really unique pocket of liminal space and time for us to connect too. We get to be surrounded by the bounty and abundance of the fall harvest and all the joy, celebration and gratitude that brings. While we are also confronted with the reality of nature beginning to die around us and the dark cold winter that is very soon going to be upon us.

Common Traditions

Traditionally this sabbat is celebrated with mid-autumn vegetables like squash, apples, seeds, nuts, grapes, wine, baskets which symbolize the gathering of crops, and sickles and scythes symbolizing the harvesting of the crops. Great feasts were commonly held at this time with lots of drinking and merriment. Hospitality was extremely important, as they may have ended up being the ones to help you through the harsh winter months if your stores ran dry.

Deities of Mabon

During Mabon and the fall equinox its common for many witches and pagans to work with and celebrate deities that connect to and represent the energies central to the celebrations. This season and it’s celebrations are full of magic, and there are many autumn gods and goddesses who embody its transformational energy.Mabon is a really important time in pagan culture and there are plenty of autumn gods and goddesses to work with or worship, depending on your practice, festivals, and celebrations. Let’s take a walk through the fields we are harvesting. Or through a woods full of vibrant leaves falling to the ground all around us. To take a look at the bounty of fall and revival in the transformation around us you can meet SOME of those deities in my previous post here!

Magical Themes Of Mabon

Every season and every pagan holiday has certain concepts and magical themes. Which means, depending on your tradition and needs, you can weave one or more of these themes into your personal celebrations. This Sabbat perform spells to cultivate inner balance, restore harmony, give thanks for the harvest, and embrace the changing seasons. It’s also an ideal festival to spend time in introspection, journaling about your experiences, analyzing your discipline and structure, and giving thanks for the abundance in our lives. It’s a very liminal time weaved with the energies of duality.  Mabon is a great time to focus on spells that express gratitude to harvest and the Earth for all it’s bounty it has brought you. This is a very potent time to allow yourself to descend into the depths of your soul for inner work and reflection. To dance between the fallen leaves and the liminal space of shadows in the woods to grow, heal, and be reborn. On Mabon, we see the following magical rituals and spells below as well. Remember these are just some of the themes and energies you can connect to and work with on Mabon.

  • Gratitude
  • Abundance
  • Growth
  • Change
  • Transformation
  • The harvest
  • Liminal space
  • Rebirth
  • The underworld
  • Death

Correspondences To Connect To Mabon

First, what is a correspondence? A correspondence is an item or symbol that is meant to connect you to a specific energy thru it’s representation. It is seen also as an item to respect, honor, and venerate that energy as well whether it be a deity, an archetype energy, the zodiac energy the moon is currently or for A holiday or sacred time like Mabon, I will list below for you to use.Remember this is not an all encompassing list and there may be other correspondences to use. Just follow your intuition and use what calls to you.

  • Planet-Earth
  • Animal-dogs, wolves, goat, stag, blackbird, owls and birds of prey, gnomes, Sphinx
  • Element-Earth and Air
  • colors- gold, bronze, reds, browns, dark greens, oranges, yellow
  • Herbs/flowers-ferns, honeysuckle, marigold, milkweed, myrrh, pine, rose, sage, tobacco, thistle, wheat, barley, oats, aster, mums, oak, hops, cedar
  • Stones/ crystals- green moss agate, green aventurine, black tourmaline, smokey quartz, lapis lazuli, citrine, carnelian, obsidian, tiger’s eye, amber
  • Deities-Mabon, Morgan, Epona, Persephone, Thoth, Thor, The Green Man, Demeter/Ceres, the Muses, the Wicker-man, Bacchus, Dionysus, Ianna, Hades, Chang’e, Modron
  • Symbols-apples, acorns, wine, pine cones, gourds, grapes, grains, dried seeds and leaves, vines, horns, scythes, sickles, squash

Ways To Celebrate Mabon

We have talked about many different themes, and energies you can connect to during this time from change, the harvest, abundance, rebirth, transformation, reflection, and more. Let’s talk about how we can connect to and celebrate those themes and energies now. First, you can participate and honor any of the deities listed above or that are associated with Mabon, transformation, and Fall. Mabon creates a very potent liminal pocket of time that is teeming with duality, balance, and the power of transition. It’s a Sabatt that really pulls us to go deep within ourselves for introspection, reflection, self awareness, and growth. This makes it a great celebration to do any work on transformation, rebirth, and renewal through shadow work. Allowing the energy of the transitioning seasons to harvest what you have grown and prepare for the long cold months of winter ahead. If you would like to learn more about shadow work you can purchase my eBook here;  you can book me for a 1:1 session as your guide here; and you can watch my free class previously taught on it through Divination here.

In your everyday life, you can work with any affirmations, mantras, and visualization work for change, rebirth, abundance, reflection, growth, the harvest, and transformation.You can also begin to turn your attention towards Samhain coming next month and the ancestral work you wish to do when the veil is the thinnest. Don’t forget to also take the time to give thanks to the earth for the harvest through rituals, prayers, and offerings as well especially during the equinox and Mabon!Check out below more ways to work with and celebrate this holiday and time of year.

Create and hang a Leaf wreath for transition and change

A central symbol and part of fall are the vibrant, color changing, and falling leaves. We enjoy the colors as we drive by through the windows or as we walk in the woods and catch them as they fall. We rake them into piles for us to run and jump into. One of my favorite things to do with them during Mabon and the fall equinox is to grab a big pile of them in my arms. I sit with them and a pen, then with a grounded and centered heart I write either an intention for the dark months to come or something to release in gratitude for the bright months soon to be behind us. I like to alternate from one to the next to honor the duality and translational energy of Mabon. Next, either weave them together as a wreath or add them to one as decoration continuing to keep each leaf anchored in your soul. Once, you are done with it you can hang it on your door, over hearth, or near your bed to bless yourself and home for the dark months coming ahead.

Refresh Your Altar
Another way to connect to a holiday and/or sacred day I always recommend is to cleanse and refresh your altar and/or sacred space. Use earth or fire to cleanse, then decorate with grains, fallen leaves, veggies you have harvested, apples, symbols of death, and any correspondences we talked about earlier.

Simmer pot for Mabon

Whether you consider yourself a Kitchen Witch, are vaguely interested in Kitchen Magic or just want to bring some good vibes and good smells into your home, simmer pots are an easy, accessible and fun ritual for any time of year! Simmer pots are easy to create and customize to your liking, so you can make your kitchen a sacred space whenever you want! So, why not make one specifically to call in and honor the energy of Mabon.

What are simmer pots? Simmer pots are basically potpourri in a pot! You choose your ingredients, put them in a pot with water, bring to a boil, then turn down to a simmer and let it do its thing. They couldn’t be any easier, just be sure you don’t let your pot boil dry! If you want to keep the pot going simply add more water when it gets low. And obviously never leave it going when you are not home. To learn more about how about this magical practice you can check out my previous blogpost on the topic here.

Five Senses Nature Walk

Mabon is all about the cycle and movement of nature, marking the bounty of the Earth, and honoring the hard work of the harvest. Mabon is the time every single year to remind us the beauty of change and death in life. So why not take the time to connect to nature itself? Soak in all the fertility and abundance in nature right now by walking through fields of corn or grains that are being harvested for the winter now. Or dance between the trees and take in the vibrant colors of the changing leaves. Let your nose take in the smell of death and decay in the leaves littering your pathway. You can do this by going on a five sense nature walk. After you have engaged all your senses, walk back to your home. Reflect on your experience by writing it down in a journal.

Perform some fall divination with an apple peel reading

One of the symbols of Mabon and the fall equinox is the apple. So why not use one in your divination practice for this sacred day? Apples have been used in divination practices, such as apple peeling or apple seed reading. They are believed to enhance psychic abilities, intuition, and provide insights into the future. Apple peel reading, is a form of divination also known as pomatomancy. It is a traditional practice that uses the shape and letters formed by apple peels to gain insight and predict future events. This method has been used for centuries to seek guidance and answers and is really popular to do around the fall harvest time. The practice is really very simple, carefully peel your apple skin in one piece and remove it, allow the peel to fall, and let it reveal messages through its shapes, letters, and symbols to you.

An Acorn Mabon Spell for Prosperity
What you will need:

An acorn
Marker
Small spell bag
3 bay leaves and a pinch of rosemary

How to cast the acorn Mabon Spell for blessings of prosperity:

Cleanse your tools in whatever way you prefer and get yourself into sacred container
Hold your acorn in your hands and envision prosperity flowing from the acorn into your hands and through your entire body like a soft green light. Think of the fields, gardens, and orchards around your teeming with bounty
Keep the acorn in your left hand and place your 3 bay leaves and pinch of rosemary inside your spellbag
Say the following 3 times:
“Blessings of the Mabon season overflowing all the fields
make your way from the lands and flow through this little acorn into my hand

Bring with you on the winds of change, abundance and prosperity. Through the dark and cold winter months you will bless my hearth and my family”
Now draw a symbol that you think of when it comes to Mabon and prosperity onto the acorn
Place the acorn your small bag.
Sinch the bag shut and Thank the earth, Autumn, and the equinox energy.
Hang the Mabon spell bag above your hearth, until the Autumn season has ended.
Then bury the acorn somewhere in your yard.

Make a Mabon Spell Jar

Spell Jars are one of my most favorite spells to create and tools to use in my magical practice and life. Spell jars are great to create a container of energy for you to harness and come back to over and over again when you need it! A quick run down on how to create a spell jar. Pick your items, and add them to your jar after you wash, cleanse and charger your jar. As you add your items focus on visualizing the energy of abundance and what it is you very specifically want to call into your life with that energy. Once you feel the intention and energy is set inside the jar you can take your lid and seal it shut. To add more power to your jar you can add sigils to the outside or seal the lid with wax even. Place the jar on your altar or anywhere in your home, office, or car where you can see it and come back to it when you need to call on the energy and spell again. You can shake the jar to activate the magic whenever you come back to it as well. Keep an eye out for more spell jars on my Pinterest or Facebook page and to learn more about all about them purchase my ebook here.

Other ways to Celebrate Mabon

  • Connect to any deities of the month
  • Cast a spell for family, home and hearth or leave an offering of the first piece of meat for your feast for Hestia at your hearth to get your home and family warm all winter long
  • Visit a corn maze
  • Perform abundance magic with apples
  • Begin prepping and planning for the winter
  • bob for apples
  • Cast gratitude spells and rituals
  • Work with apples, grain, or corn in kitchen magic
  • Cast spells to help with personal transition or transformation
  • Make a corn dolly
  • Ancestral magic and work
  • Give thanks for the fall harvest through prayer or by leaving offerings at the edge of a field of orchard about to be harvested
  • Use leaf magic for release work
  • Go on a nature walk to mindfully notice the changing colors of the leaves
  • Perform Green witchcraft
  • Add a separate altar for the fall equinox
  • make a manifestation leaf wreath or garland
  • Spend time in Nature grounding and/or earthing
  • Have a ritual bonfire with family and friends for the harvest and Mabon
  • Make a besom and hang over your front door for protection, and prosperity
  • do canning and food storage prep for the winter
  • Serve others and nurture those in need by working at soup kitchen, food bank, or holding a food drive
  • Meditate on balance and what duality means to you
  • Make a gratitude list, read it out loud, and bury it in the earth to give thanks
  • Do elemental magic with the element earth

Harvest duality, gratitude, and abundance this September

We talked about many things in this blogpost including the history, the different energies and magical themes, and how to celebrate Mabon and the fall equinox. No matter how you choose to work with the energies and magic of Mabon and the fall equinox make sure to be focused on continuing your rebirth for this year. Truly allow yourself to notice the beauty in the change, and decaying around you. Don’t let fear keep you from descending into the depths of your soul to begin your rebirth come spring. Be mindful and remember to give thanks for the seeds you planted at the beginning of the season. That you nourished with love, and are now harvesting with glee and gratitude. Take note of the leaves changing colors before they fall as you reflect on the past year and the growth it took to get here. Allow yourself to become immersed in the magic of duality weaving in nature all around you. As you cycle through the changing of the seasons this month and prepare for the long winter ahead of us.

To connect to the energy of Mabon and celebrate this sacred day of gratitude, reflection, and balance you can join me live on Sunday September 22nd @ 3:00pm CST in Facebook live with DiviNation Academy. You can RSVP to the event here and you can even watch my guided meditation from Mabon last year here!

Come join me for community, knowledge, and to restore the enchantment of magic in yourself and life today!

Don’t forget to head over to the shop today for eBooks, workshops, resources, and 1:1 services with me!

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Deities of fall; Honor the harvest, transformation, and gratitude

Across many cultures, the time of the autumn equinox aka Mabon, has been marked with festivals that celebrate the second harvest, and is usually celebrated on September 21st-23rd. It is the time to celebrate the crucial period for gathering resources before the onset of winter. During the autumn equinox, summer officially ends and fall begins. Mabon, or the Autumn Equinox, is the time when day and night hours are equal. In the coming months, the days will get shorter and the nights will get longer. Mabon, or the fall equinox, is the first step toward the season of transformation. This is a time of transition and harvest, and a time of balance and realignment as we turn to greet the darkness of shadow season. As the Autumn Equinox brings equal day and night, Mabon stands as a poignant reminder of balance and reciprocity.

Mabon is not only a time for celebration but also for reflection and preparation. It encourages contemplation of life’s balances—light with dark, activity with rest, and abundance with scarcity. This equilibrium is reflected in the equal length of day and night during the equinox. In this sense, Mabon mirrors the theme of balance seen in the earlier spring equinox festival, Ostara, but with a focus on gratitude and the harvesting of blessings. This sabbat serves as a reminder to cherish and utilize the abundance currently available while preparing for the leaner times winter may bring. It’s a time to make the most of the remaining warmth and light, gathering resources and fortifying homes against the coming cold, all while giving thanks for the year’s bounty and the people with whom we share it.

During these festivals its common for many witches and pagans to work with and celebrate deities that connect to and represent the energies central to the celebrations. This season and it’s celebrations are full of magic, and there are many autumn gods and goddesses who embody its transformational energy.Autumn is a really important time in pagan culture and there are plenty of autumn gods and goddesses to work with or worship, depending on your practice, festivals, and celebrations. Let’s take a walk through the fields we are harvesting. Or through a woods full of vibrant leaves falling to the ground all around us. To take a look at the bounty of fall and revival in the transformation around us while we meet SOME of those deities together in this post today.

Demeter: Greek goddess of Agriculture and the harvest

Demeter is a major goddess in Greek mythology who plays an important role in the lives of the ancient Greeks, who relied heavily on crops and grains for their existence. According to Greek mythology, Demeter, also known as Ceres in Rome, taught humanity how to cultivate, preserve, and cook grain and maize. Her role was to rule over the fertility of the land as one of the main deities of the harvest. She presides over crops, grains, food, and the fertility of the earth, and represents good harvests, fruits, vegetation, and the nourishment and growth of the earth. Demeter is also associated with health, birth, and marriage, and has connections to the Underworld. Other names she is known as are; the Harvest Goddess and Deo. Demeter is the daughter of Cronus and Rhea, and the sister and consort of Zeus, the king of the gods. Demeter’s legend centers on her daughter Persephone, who is “carried off” by Hades, the god of the underworld in some version. In others, Persephone goes to the underworld willingly to gain her own power. Demeter goes in search of Persephone, and during her journey she reveals her secret rites to the people of Eleusis.This, plus the deal she negotiates with Zeus to get her daughter to return to her for half the year; created the seasonal cycle. So in many ways, Demeter is the goddess of the seasons; she helps to usher in the new season and allows all things to come in cycles. She is a reminder that we must face the dark times of winter to be reborn in spring.

Persephone: Greek Goddess of Fall, spring, and the underworld

We can’t talk about demeter, fall, or transformation without talking about her beloved daughter Persephone. While many save spring to honor her. After working with her for over 10 years, I find autumn and fall to be an even more potent time to work with her. Because, it is her descent to the Underworld back to her beloved husband, that brings about the cold weather via the deal her mother demeter and father Zeus made. Spiritually and energetically, we all go to the Underworld with Persephone every single year. During Winter we move into a time of darkness, scarcity, and reflection. The harvest is our last attempt to store what we need in order to make it through that dark, cold time. While the winter can seem dark and scary, much like many view the Underworld, it is necessary to face these cold times for us to heal, meet our true self, and be reborn with the sun come spring.

So, who is Persephone? In Greek mythology, Persephone is the goddess of agriculture, the spring, the Underworld, duality, and the wife of Hades. Prior to her marriage with Hades she was known as Kore, which means “daughter” or “maiden”. I find this to be crucial to her story and representation of rebirth, because, before she grabbed power in her marriage to Hades, the gods hadn’t even given her a name or her own place of power. Which makes no sense to me because she was born from two of the most powerful deities. Persephone is the daughter of Zeus, the chief god, and Demeter, the goddess of agriculture.For her to have such little power, be sheltered, and not have her own place of power within the pantheon was in injustice she would rectify through the power of rebirth and duality by becoming Hades wife. As the wife of Hades, Persephone governs the realm of the dead by his side with grace, compassion, and might. Persephone’s presence in the Underworld brings a sense of balance between life and death. Just like the balance she brings to us all during this equinox and the beginning of Autumn/fall.

To learn all about this alluring, intriguing, and transitional goddess, and see her story in a whole new light. Plus meet her in a guided meditation you can watch my class all about her here!

Hades: Greek god of the underworld

Since we’ve named him already alongside his beloved wife and her mother we can’t forget about the Greek god of the underworld; Hades (pluto). Some may not think of him for this festival and time of year but, with this being such a crucial time for his wife and her mother his energy is interwoven among it as well. I mean his love for his wife and desire to have her, is really the seed of intention that sprouts the seasons. Hades is the god and king of the Greek Underworld, which gives him power and control over the souls who reside there. Hades, name translates to “unseen” or “sightless”, which really connects him the energy of transition, rebirth, and the liminal space . Connecting him to this time of year to allow us to walk in and out of the liminal space of transition just as we do the fall trees. Hades is the son of the Greek Titans Cronus and Rhea, and he is brother to Zeus, Demeter, Hera, Hestia and Poseidon. Hades’ father Cronus attempted to swallow him whole to destroy him forever but, in the end he failed. Allowing Hades to truly feel comfortable in the belly of the darkness fall is preparing us for and understand the pain and beauty to be born anew again.

Dagan god/ Dagon: Syrian and Semitic God Of Agriculture

Dagan god, was an ancient deity revered in Syria, Mesopotamia, and the eastern Mediterranean. Dagan god was considered the all father of the gods and worshipped for his connections to agriculture, prosperity, and fertility. Dagangod was a very powerful deity, often associated with the divine rulership and legitimacy of kings in ancient society. Dagan god also has a clear connection to Baal, the storm and fertility god, connecting him even more to energy of fertility. Together, they formed a harmonious pair representing the different elements needed to create thriving civilizations; fertility, prosperity, and divine protection.

In other writings, like the biblical context, Dagan god is referred to as Dagon. Dagon was the god of fertility and agriculture worshipped by the Amorites, an early Semitic tribe. Dagan was the Hebrew and Ugaritic common noun for “grain,” which made him one of the primary autumn gods bringing them a bountiful harvest. He is worshipped during this time more as a god of harvest and abundance. Instead of a god of transition because he tends to “rest” until fertility is restored in the spring when he restores the Earth’s bounty.

Pachamama: Incan Goddess Of Fertility, Time, & The Earth

Pachamama, the Inca goddess of fertility and nature, and she holds great significance in the indigenous cultures of the Andes. She is seen as the mother earth, is revered for her ability to cause earthquakes. By becoming a dragon underneath a mountain and causing the entire earth to tremble and shake. She is revered as a sacred force responsible for sustaining life and ensuring the abundance of crops and resources. The Incas believed that Pachamama was a loving mother figure, representing the living Earth itself. She was revered as a deity of duality capable of both creating and destroying. Both being essential for the cycle of life. The Incas perceived Pachamama as a benevolent and nurturing force that sustained all living beings. Later, the fusion of indigenous beliefs and Catholicism during the Spanish colonization led to the association of Pachamama with the Virgin Mary.

Hestia: Greek goddess of hearth, home, and fire

I can’t help but, always think of Hestia and turn to her during the fall. She may not be an obvious choice for some. But, when we think of fall it’s a time we go in, including returning back to our homes. We spend the time tidying up, storing goods, and collecting wood for the long cold winters ahead. Hestia is the sole attendant to the celestial hearth of the gods. As the goddess of the hearth, she personified the fire burning in the hearths of every home in Greece.On a very tangible level, Hestia rules the domain of fire. This means that she is directly responsible, at least according to the Greeks, for the fire, the stove, and the heat in your home. Which is why I always feel pulled to her during this time. Especially living in Minnesota I need her to bless my hearth with continuous heat during the long winter months. Honoring her during the equinox when the temperatures begin to fall, will bless your hearth as she stokes and fuels the flames all winter long. Don’t forget all winter long to present her and your hearth with the first offering sacrificed to keep those flames burning strong.

To learn more about and meet hestia, you can come join me in my upcoming class all about her with Divination academy on Sunday October 13th @ 2:00pm CST!

Autumnus: Roman deity of the Harvest

Autumnus represents the abundance of nature and harvest time during the autumn season. Autumnus is a unique deity as well, since we have both male and female representations of them. Which makes them a gender fluid deity. They represents the harvest, wine, and fruits of the earth. They are the divine personification of the autumn season, representing the abundance of nature and the time of the harvest. Autumn is a time to appreciate the earth’s abundance, but also remembering that the daylight hours will now begin to wane, meaning caution is called for. So while we reap autumn’s bounty, we must also start planning for the dark months ahead. This is the energy Autumnus brings and reminds us of, the fluidity of change within the cycle of seasons.

Cerridwen: Celtic goddess and keeper of the cauldron

Cerridwen is considered a goddess from the Welsh Celtic tradition today, but according to the Mabinogion and other Welsh legends, she is referred to as a Sorceress. Or a witch. Cerridwen is the Keeper of the Cauldron, the mother of transformation and change. Cerridwen is a goddess of “Awen” which is the source of Divine Inspiration. She brings inspiration, wisdom and the gifts of prophecy to those that work with her. She is seen in Welsh legend as being a crone Goddess.Cerridwen is also to some worshipped as a triple goddess, representing the Maid, Mother, and Crone, and can shape shift between life and death. Cerridwen’s areas of influence are Magic, fertility, wisdom, poetry, creativity, herbalism, the harvest, and more!

According to legend, Ceridwen sought to brew a potion of Awen, a divine inspiration, to grant her son, Morfran, unmatched wisdom and poetic prowess. As most myths go it didn’t actually end as planned, instead includes a chase, a death, and a new son to be born.Through her myths, Ceridwen represents the continuous cycle of death and rebirth, the pursuit of knowledge, and the power of transformation. Her cauldron is a symbol many use in rituals and meditations to invoke inspiration and change. Since, Mabon is a time of balance between light and dark. It is a period for giving thanks and reflecting on the cycle of life and death. Ceridwen’s themes of transformation and the harvest of wisdom and cosmic knowledge align well with the energies of Mabon. As she stirs the cauldron of rebirth, knowledge, and transformation, she transforms the world. Out of the unknown she reminds us, comes new life and new ideas. Embrace the spirit of Ceridwen this Mabon and may her cauldron show you your path to rebirth, transformation, and cosmic wisdom.

To hear more about the story with her son and to peer into her cauldron in guided meditation you can watch my class about her with Divination Academy here!

Inanna: Sumerian goddess of fertility, love, abundance and more

Inanna is an ancient Mesopotamian goddess associated with love, war, fertility, and more. She was originally worshipped in Sumer, but was also known as Ishtar by the Akkadians, Babylonians, and Assyrians. As the goddess of love and war, Inanna embodies the essence of duality. From peaceful alliances to fierce battles, her attributes symbolize the duality present in human life. She represents both passionate desire and relentless power, captivating us with her enchanting beauty and formidable strength. The story of Inanna is another descent into the Underworld. In this myth, Inanna embarks on a perilous journey to the realm of the dead, seeking to confront her sister Ereshkigal.The land became infertile and crops stopped growing when Inanna was in the Underworld, similar to Persephone’s story. Inanna restored fertility to the land after returning to Earth and bringing the crops back to life.

Modron: Welsh Earth mother goddess

Modron is a Welsh goddess of fertility, healing, abundance, grief, loss, and ancestral wisdom. She is also known as Matrona, and is said to be the mother of the divine child, Mabon. Modron is thought to have originated as a river goddess in ancient Celtic Gaul. Modron is featured in the Welsh Mabinogi tales, the Welsh Triads, and modern tales of Avalon. In these tales Mabon her son, was abducted as an infant and King Arthur embarks on a quest to rescue Mabon with many adventures happening along the way. Linked to fertility and the natural cycles of life, Modron’s association with the land’s bounty and the creation of new life is widely acknowledged. Mysterious and revered, she embodies the essence of motherhood and the nurturing aspects of life that we are giving thanks for this season.

Mabon: Son of Welsh Earth mother

Mabon, an enigmatic figure in Celtic mythology, and Arthurian legends holds a significant place in ancient beliefs. His story begins with the captivating myth of his abduction and King Arthur’s role in the search to get him back. According to ancient texts, Mabon was stolen from his mother, modron as an infant and hasn’t been seen since. His name means, “The Divine Son” and “The Son of Light”. He was the God of sex, love, magic, prophecy, and power. The sun god Mabon is also known as the Welsh and Gaulish god Maponos. Mabon, is often depicted as youthful and vibrant, personifies the essence of youth within Celtic mythology. His story of being freed from his imprisonment in a cavern. To than be able to aimlessly wander the land free, is another fall story of transition from the caverns of darkness back to bounty of the earth above.

Chang’e: Chinese goddess of the moon

Chang’e is the ethereal Chinese Goddess of the Moon, she is known for her captivating beauty, her immortality, and her connection to lunar cycles. Legends tell the story of her ascent to the moon, where she resides and is admired by people from afar. In this story, she was the wife of a heroic archer who was rewarded for his services to the gods by a gift of the elixir of immortality. In her husband’s absence, she stole the potion and drank it herself. Which then caused her to float up to the heavens where she lived out her immortality away from her beloved, as the moon.She is often depicted as a woman with long black hair, pale skin, red lips, and flowing robes. Her name translates to “the beautiful Cháng”. She is celebrated in poems and novels, and some people worship her during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Freyr or Frey: Norse god of fertility, peace, and good weather

Freyr or Frey was the god of fertility, peace, and good weather in Norse mythology.Freyr is Lord over the Earth and of the bounty of the Earth. Freyr was worshiped across Scandinavia (particularly in Sweden), where he was celebrated at weddings and harvest feasts. Freyr was among the most prominent of Vanir deities alongside his twin sister Freya. Freyr possessed the power of prosperity and well-being in regards to wealth, health, fertility, and bountiful harvests. Freyr was responsible for the Germanic peoples fertile well-being and prosperity. Including holding power over food production made Freyr one of the most important well-known Nordic gods throughout Germanic history. This is why we see him celebrated and honored during this festival, to honor the harvest and bounty he has brought.

Freyr also has ties to the elves and Yggdrasil. Freyr is considered an ancestor to the Yngling line, he might have even once been a real person. Then, following his death, he was buried in the earth among the other ancestors who were also called the Alfar (Elves). In other writings he is said to live in Yggdrasil. After Freyr was born, he was given a gift to commemorate his first tooth, which is a Norse tradition. That gift was Alfheim, one of the nine worlds in the branches of Yggdrasil and home to the elves. It’s not clear if this actually makes Freyr the ruler of Alfheim, but it certainly was his home.

Inari: Shinto kami of rice and prosperity

Inari is one of Japan’s most famous and beloved Kami, worshipped in both Shinto and Buddhist shrines commonly alongside Amaterasu. Inari is the kami of rice, tea, sake, agriculture, industry and prosperity. Inari is also associated with foxes called Kitsunes, who are said to be Inari’s messengers and protectors of the rice harvest. Inari is another unique deity being depicted as gender fluid. They are sometimes depicted as a bearded man on a white fox, or as a woman with long hair carrying sheaves of rice. They are considered the protector of grains, which are crucial for the survival of Japan and it’s people. During the O-Inari-san Festival in the fall we can express gratitude and requests for favor from the kami, Inari.

Keep in mind unlike other practices, Shintoism celebrates the harvest in the spring, and thanks the deity for the previous season’s crops in the fall. These festivals, are known as aki matsuri (autumn festivals).

How to connect to and work with these deities

Everyone’s relationship with deities is different and we all work with and believe in them differently. You might believe in multiple gods and goddesses and work with them each as though they are close, personal friends. Or maybe you believe the gods are reflections of Universal energy and simply archetype energies that you can learn a lesson from. However you incorporate deities in your practice is up to you. But here are some ideas to get you started on ways to work with any or all of these deities of the fall. Remember; it’s important to approach them with respect, reverence, gratitude and by building a relationship with them. Every time you work with a deity it is an even energetic exchange; which means what you put into your intention when working with them and building your relationship to them is what you get back.

  • Refresh your altar and add any of them to it. Or create a new one. Use any of the correspondences listed for each deity above that resonates with you!
  • Cast a spell for family, home and hearth to bring gratitude for the bountiful harvest into you home. Or cast spells to light your hearth with goddess Hestia
  • Begin prepping and planning for the winter allowing the deities of fall to help you prepare to transition from the season of light and warmth to dark and cold
  • Work with apples, grain, or corn in kitchen magic to bring the deity into your meals, baked offerings, and home
  • Cast spells to help with personal transition or transformation allowing the deities of the transitional season to guide you through the process
  • Give thanks for the fall harvest. There are many ways to do this one of my favorites is bringing offerings of thanks and leaving it at the edge of fields and/or orchards for the deity you are thanking for this bountiful harvest
  • Use leaf magic to ask for blessings from the deities of fall
  • Go on a nature walk to mindfully connect to the deities in nature while the seasons change
  • Make a simmer pot to call in transition, balance, gratitude, or a plentiful harvest into you home and family for the long dark winter to come
  • make a manifestation leaf wreath or garland and on each leaf either write a prayer or a blessing to the deities. Once done place the wreath on your altar to honor the deity. Or leave it at a field that is about the be harvested for gratitude and thanks. You can even hang it in your home to connect to deity throughout fall.
  • Spend time in Nature grounding and/or earthing to connect to the energy of the deities all around you and call to them for guidance, and connection while you transition with the season around you.
  • Have a ritual bonfire with family and friends for the harvest and Mabon and invite the deities to join by placing representations of them around the fire or give offerings to it for them.
  • Shadow work based on; duality, planning, gratitude, transition, and rebirth. Doing shadow work with deities connected to this very transitional time will allow you to walk in and out of the liminal space with ease. If you would like to learn more about shadow work you can purchase my eBook here; you can book me for a 1:1 session as your guide here;  and you can watch my free class previously taught on it through Divination here. 
  • Invite the deities to your dinner table during your fall equinox meal. Set them their own plate and leave their seat empty for them to choose to take.

Conclusion

However you choose to include the deities of Mabon and the fall equinox into your celebrations, festivals, and rituals; remember this is not only a time for celebration, but also for reflection and preparation. Allow the deities to encourage contemplation of life’s balances—light with dark, activity with rest, and abundance with scarcity. Allow them to show you the equilibrium that is reflected in the equal length of day and night and the cycle of seasons and life. Walk hand and hand with them down the rows of apple trees, stalks of corn, or wheat fields giving thanks for the bounty you see. Then let them guide you in and out of the shadows of the trees as you catch the vibrant falling leaves.

A fundamental pillar of Paganism is working with the deities that one believes in. While all practicing Pagans have varying beliefs about the gods and goddesses, most agree that honoring their deities is a great way to connect with them and further their spiritual goals. But, again remember not every pagan works with deities. Also remember there are literally thousands of different deities out there in the multiverse and which ones you choose to honor will often depend significantly upon what pantheon your spiritual path follows. This eBook will walk you thru the different ways to view deities, what a deity can be, and the basics to start building a deep meaningful relationship with one.

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About Me : I have been a solitary grey magic practitioner for 15 + years. First and foremost, I consider myself a mystic and seeker of all knowledge. I am dedicated to the restoration, and re-enchantment of Magic in society, across this realm, and in each and every soul I come across in life! I am here to create a container that promotes healing, duality, and raw authenticity. I do this by guiding you on your personal journey to understanding your unique magic and sacred contracts. I facilitate this for you through embracing your shadow, duality and learning to live in energetic balance while not wearing a mask. When you work and learn from me you do so from your “darkness” as much as your “light” and in a way to truly harness and accept it not to just go thru it on the way to your light. But, I teach you how to truly embrace it, work with it, and use it alongside your light as a partner. I hold up a mirror for you to be able to see your authentic reflection looking back. Then have the courage to take the next step and do the uncomfortable but vital inner work to completely remove your mask. By facing all of your past wounds, traumas, and hurts. Allowing you to see both the dark and light within your story and take each chapter and alchemize it into something that is so powerful. your unique internal flame will shine so bright you will always be able to go within and find it on a dark cold night. You will learn how to truly live in duality and energetic balance to allow growth, and alignment with your sacred contracts and purposes. to finally move on and truly let the things that hold you back in this life from healing and manifesting go. To see everything I offer; like personalized shadow work sessions, womb healing, eBooks for you to work through on your own, Tarot sessions for guidance and more! Go to my shop!

Come join me for community, knowledge, and to restore the enchantment of magic in yourself and life today!

Don’t forget to head over to the shop today for eBooks, workshops, resources, and 1:1 services with me!

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The magic of working with Apples

The air is getting a little crisper, and chillier as it blows through the trees around us. The leaves are following the cycle of the season as they change into their vibrant fall colors. We feel the pull to get outside in nature and soak up this changing season and the beauty fall has to bring us. One popular fall activity does just that as we find ourselves walking through an apple orchard and feel the living, moving, earth-shattering energy that swirls invisibly around us. Wrapped up in each juicy, ripe, colorful apple waiting for us to pick from the branches they weigh down. As we walk among the rows of the orchard, growing the food even cherished by the gods, we feel the magic of Autumn itself. As the veil thins during this season, we become more attuned to the other world, and the thinning of the veil. It’s a time when we can cast some potent spells and rituals connected to transition, gratitude, abundance, duality, protection, and accessing our ancestors. Let me show you in this blogpost how that basket of apples you just picked in the orchard can be a magical tool in all of these different kinds of spells and rituals!

Apples what are they?

Apples (Malus domestica) are among the most common fruits eaten in the US and Europe. This is because they grow just about anywhere! Apple trees have been cultivated for over 4,000 years, with origins in Central Asia. Although we do also know they’ve been grown in Europe for thousands of years and were brought to North America with European immigrants over the past few centuries. The apple tree’s ability to self-pollinate makes it a resilient tree and allows it to have many different varieties of colors, tastes, and sizes. Their five-petaled flowers appear in the spring blooming with a brilliant fragrance. The petals are white on top and pink underneath as they bloom. The fruit appears in late summer and ripens in autumn. The fruit can be red, yellow, green, or streaked red with yellow.

Medicinal properties of apples

Many have heard the common phrase ” An apple a day, keeps the doctor away.” What if there was some truth to that? Apples are rich in vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber, making them beneficial for overall health from boosting your immune system to aiding in weight management. Apples have been used for centuries in healing remedies, thanks to their antioxidants. Apples are great to use to treat constipation, other digestion issues, and even support a balanced gut microbiome. Apples contain malic and tartaric acids which helps neutralize the chemicals associated with gout even! Apples have even been linked to reducing the risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease by lowering cholesterol levels and certain types of cancer. They even clean your teeth! The act of eating a whole apple (not sliced and peeled) cleans the teeth and freshens the breath. It helps remove plaque and pushes back the gums to remove deposits.

Symbolism of the apple in magic, lore, and myths

Apples are a true symbol of Autumn and Winter, most likely because, that’s when they are harvested. We’ve also seen them as part of Fall and Winter festivals and celebrations for thousands of years across cultures. But, don’t be fooled while apples are a key focus of fall they are seen throughout the year as well in different cultures. So, don’t be afraid to use them year round. Not only do we see them in festivals throughout the year we also see them apart of many myths and lore. So, many I’d never be able to cover them all here. From seeing the apple as a center piece to Christianity, a gift of healing in Celtic lore, a way to immortality in Norse mythology, an agent of chaos and discord causing the Trojan war, to it popping up in modern pop culture delivering poison to a princess.

First up, in Western and European lore, apples are strongly used to symbolize forbidden knowledge (aka sin), divine wisdom, and self-awareness. We see this in one of the most commonly known myths from the bible and Christianity, which includes Eve ( the first women according to all versions after king James), a serpent, the garden of Eden, and of course an apple!

According to Christian lore, Eve was the first woman who lived alongside the first man Adam in paradise aka the garden of Eden. They were to use the garden as it’s home and care for it’s creatures. But, for some reason neither Adam nor Eve were supposed to ever eat the fruit from this ONE tree within the garden. God himself had commanded them not too. Than one day along came a serpent (aka Satan) slithering his way into the garden and into Eve’s ear. Where he convinced her to grab an apple (aka divine wisdom) from the forbidden tree and to take a bite. She than convinced Adam to do the same. God got pissed for their disobedience and exiled them from the garden and gave Eve the bonus punishment of childbirth for being the first to take a bite.

Next up, we see the apple as a symbol of healing, immortality, and the dead in a few key Celtic, Norse, and Germanic traditions and lore. In the Prose Edda, a key writing to reference for Norse Mythology; the goddess Idunn is the guardian of an apple orchard that grows apples of eternal youth a.k.a. immortality for the gods. Also, in the Old Norse tradition, the alfablot was a sacrifice to the elves/alfar and one of the most commonly used offerings was, you guessed it, apples! In Celtic myth, the enchanting fairy goddess Cliodhna; offers apples of healing and immortality to journeying heroes in the Celtic Otherworld. We see apples again in Celtic traditions as the food of the dead where it is used as an offering to them at different festivals. Like, Samhain which is coincidently also known as the feast of apples. It was also said in Celtic lore, that a magical apple branch called the silver bough allowed the person who held it to pass into the Otherworld safely.

In other myths like with the Greeks, apples symbolize love, beauty, discord, and war. They are often associated with deities like Zeus, Aphrodite, Hera, Athena, and Eris. My favorite Greek myth involving apples involves the goddess of discord Eris and the cause of the famous Trojan war. In Greek mythology, the Trojan War is probably the most famous event. Today, anyone with any knowledge of the war assumes that it began as a result of the abduction of Helen. But the abduction of Helen by Paris is just one starting point, and preceding this was another starting point where the goddess Eris and a golden apple was involved.

Zeus had arranged for Peleus ( a greek hero) to marry the sea nymph Thetis, so he decided to throw a huge wedding ceremony and celebration. This wedding was so big all of the gods and goddesses of the Greek pantheon were invited to the festivities; all except for the goddess of discord Eris. Who of course found out about the festivities AND that she was the only one not invited. Being the goddess of discord she decides to crash the party in a fit of rage, bringing with her a gift to throw in their faces and cause a little chaos. Now, there are a few different versions and theories as to how she got this gift and if you want to hear them all you can listen to me tell them here. But when she arrives, in hand she has a golden apple with the inscription ” to the fairest of them all”. She takes it and tosses it into the room amongst those who rejected her and watches the discord fall upon them all. You see that shiny golden apple would cause a fight between three goddesses (Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite) to claim it that would start a war between human kingdoms resulting in many to fall.

To the Ancient Romans apples were so sacred and important they were to be treasured and guarded. So, much so, this one fruit had their own deity to preside over and protect them! Her name was Pomona. Unfortunately, she’s one of those pagan deities whom most of their information has been lost to history. What I can find about her, is that she was a virginal nymph of the woods who married the personification of Autumn, named Vertumnus. They were a very fertile and passionate match which made them the reason for the bountiful apple harvest every fall. We would see them honored when offerings would be left for them at the edges of orchards. Apples pop up again with the Romans during the festival of Diana, when apple boughs were carried around for luck and prosperity.

We see the apple pop up in English lore and myth as well with the Isle of Avalon. The Isle of Avalon is a mythical island in Arthurian legend that is said to be a place of magic and healing. It is described as a utopian paradise, a fairyland island that is said to be lost in the mists of time. Ruled by the enchantress Morgan le Fay and her eight sisters. This sacred Isle of Avalon is also known as, you guessed it, the Isle of Apples. Because legend says apples grow there all year round as food.

Even now in pop culture the apple is everywhere we look on the iPhone, iPad, and computers. Reminding us of the access to wisdom and knowledge that comes with them. And let’s not forget the apple’s role in one of the world’s most beloved fairytales; Snow white. Its most pivotal moment is undoubtedly when a naïve Snow White bites into an apple poisoned by the jealous Evil Queen, lulling her into a slumber that can only be reversed with Prince Charming’s kiss. Showing us the dark, poisonous, and protective side apples have to offer.

Magical themes of Apples

In witchcraft every single ingredient and tool we use in our spells and rituals has magical themes and energies it can align with and be used for. Apples are no different as you saw in the myths and lore we talked about above. Some of the most common themes associated with apples are love, romance, and attraction spells. They can be used in spells, rituals, or charms to enhance love in an existing relationship, attract a new romantic partner, or promote harmony between others. Apples are also very popular with abundance and prosperity spells. They can be utilized to attract wealth, success, and opportunities for financial growth. Below, you will find a list of some of the other many magical themes associated with apples. Don’t forget you can use all parts of the apple, the bud, petals, leaves fruit, seeds, and wood from its tree as spell and ritual ingredients too!

  • Love
  • Luck
  • Fertility
  • Immortality
  • Money
  • truth
  • the divine feminine
  • opens portals and gateways
  • Healing and promoting health
  • Vitality
  • lust
  • Garden magic
  • Wisdom
  • The Otherworld / Afterlife
  • Deception
  • “Poisoning” and Malefica
  • Faery magic
  • Abundance
  • forbidden knowledge
  • Ancestors
  • protection
  • discord
  • chaos
  • beauty
  • Vanity
  • The soul
  • divination
  • intuition

The apple and the pentacle

The apple and the pentacle have a unique and potent relationship binding them together. Did you know if you cut an apple in half (the “fat way,” not the “tall way,” if that makes sense), you will find a pentacle star in the middle? This along with it’s seeds, which are poisonous, are where apples get their protective qualities from. The apple reminds us that we do not have to close ourselves off to the world in order to protect ourselves. We can bring healing to others AND be open without overstepping our own boundaries. You can also use this center star or pentacle, as an altar by pressing spell ingredients into the flesh of the apple. Using the apple core as an all natural protective altar.

Apple Peel Reading

Apples have been used in divination practices, such as apple peeling or apple seed reading. They are believed to enhance psychic abilities, intuition, and provide insights into the future. Apple peel reading, is a form of divination also known as pomatomancy. It is a traditional practice that uses the shape and letters formed by apple peels to gain insight and predict future events. This method has been used for centuries to seek guidance and answers and is really popular to do around the fall harvest time. The practice is really very simple, carefully peel your apple skin in one piece and remove it, allow the peel to fall, and let it reveal messages through its shapes, letters, and symbols to you.

Duality and the apple

Since, I am a grey witch I look for the duality in every single energy I work with including the tools and spell ingredients I use. And man is the apple ripe with the energy of duality. We see it in the themes it represents from love and discord, to death and immortality, to healing and protection. This fruit is connected to opposing energies and forces in almost every sense, along with the changing of the seasons and transition. Not only that, it’s such a versatile tool you can use it, in pretty much every area of your life. Which adds another juicy layer of duality to this fruit with each bite.

We can’t forget that the most popular time to work with this tool is in the fall when they are being harvested and there are plenty to go around. The fall season is a really unique pocket of liminal space and time for us to connect to duality. We get to be surrounded by the bounty and abundance of the fall harvest and all the joy, celebration and gratitude that brings. While we are also confronted with the reality of nature beginning to die around us and the dark cold winter that is very soon going to be upon us.

Correspondences for the apple

First, what is a correspondence? A correspondence is an item or symbol that is meant to connect you to a specific energy thru it’s representation. It is seen also as an item to respect, honor, and venerate that energy as well whether it be a deity, an archetype energy, the zodiac energy the moon is currently or for a magical tool/ fruit the apple, which I will list below for you to use. Remember this is just a start to the list for you. You can use any correspondences that connect the magical themes and energies of the apple Just follow your intuition on what you choose to work with!

  • Planet- Venus
  • Gender- Feminine
  • Day-Friday
  • Element- water
  • colors- Greens, reds, yellows
  • Deities- Eris, Venus, Aphrodite, Inanna, Morgan Le Fay, Rhiannon, Cliodhna, Diana, Zeus, Apollo, Idunn, Hera, Dionysus, Gaia, Olwen, Pomona
  • Holidays- Lughnasadh, Diana’s Festival, Mabon, Samhain, Yule, Alfablot, the Esbats and Ostara
  • Zodiac- Taurus

Ways to work with the apple

We’ve talked a lot about apples in this post so far, including the magical themes associated with them. Those themes are the energies we can connect to with apples. They are how we can use them to build our spells and rituals. You have many options on how you want to include them in your spells and rituals and many different ways to work with them. Below you will find a list I put together of some ideas for spells, rituals, and ways you can work with them using the themes and magic we can harvest in each juicy one.

  • Apple cider can be used in place of wine during rituals
  • Apple wood can make an excellent wand
  • Visit an apple orchard, pick apples, and leave an offering at the edge of the orchard
  • Use apples to represent the element of earth in elemental magic
  • To ensure fidelity, give an apple to your lover as a gift. You eat one half, the lover the other.
  • Use an apple in poppet magic- poppet magic has been around for thousands of years and is found across cultures. Use an apple as base for your poppet during mabon or samhain
  • Apples symbolize the food of the dead, so leave them on the altar to honor your ancestors and welcome them to “feast with you” during the harvest season.
  • decorate your home with them to connect to the magic of September
  • Create caramel apples and imbue magic into each one as you dip them
  • If you peel an apple all in one piece and throw the peel over your shoulder, it will fall in the shape of your future mate’s initials.
  • se the pentacle in a return to sender spell
  • Bobbing for apples is a centuries old tradition from the British Isles and Ireland. It likely also has origins in both ancient Celtic and Germanic festivals.
  • Include apples on your altar for any of the holidays they are associated with like mabon or samhain
  • candle magic-encircling a candle with apple slices, dried apple slices, or apple blossoms. Or using an apple to hold your candles even as they burn.
  • Use the apple seeds in a banishing spell
  • Go wassailing- Simply put, it’s singing blessings to the orchards, oxen, and the people who tend them.
  • Add apples to an abundance spell jar or simmer pot
  • Use the peels in divination
  • kitchen magic-use apples in baking like in pies
  • Sigil magic- draw sigils on apples for spells and rituals
  • Use apples to call on deities that are connected to them in myths like Eris
  • Add apple slices or oil to a self care ritual bath
  • Create an apple wreath or garland and hang in your home for prosperity and luck especially during Yule
  • Make studded apples- This is an English and Irish tradition involving studding an apple with cloves, nutmeg, and mistletoe and carry it around on new years for good luck.
  • Use apple blossoms in beauty spells, glamors, and love spells

Red apple love spell

One of the most common spells associated with apples are all about love, romance, and attracting a partner. Try this simple tried and true love spell using a red apple to attract that special someone whose been the apple of your eye today!

What you will need:

  • red apple
  • lavender buds
  • twine or some string
  • rose petals ( I like to use pink for love but you can use red for pleasure and romance as well)
  • a small piece of paper

How to perform this spell:

First, take a knife and cut your red apple in half the long or tall way revealing the pentacle star in the middle. Next, take your piece of paper and write your name and the name of that special someone whose caught your eye. Once done take as many deep breaths you need to in and out until you feel yourself surrounded by love and comfort within your sacred container. Visualize that love surrounding you and that special someone. What it feels like, looks like, and will be like to have. Than, take your piece of paper and fold it towards you. when done place it in the center of your apple over the pentacle. Next, take your rose petals, and lavender buds placing them on top of the paper. With all your spell ingredients now placed in the center of your apple, take the other half and place it on top to make it whole again. Wrap it up tightly in the twine to seal the love and attraction in. Take your spell outside and bury it in the earth under a healthy growing tree giving it a place for your love to bud and bloom.

Rotten apple banishing spell

Don’t forget apples aren’t only juicy and sweet but, their seeds give a poisonous and protective side to them as well. This makes them a great tool to use in protection spells like banishing a problem or situation from your life. Try out this simple spell using an apple to do just that below!

What you will need:

  • an apple
  • a black ribbon or string
  • bay leaves
  • a skewer

How to perform:

First, take a knife and cut your red apple in half the long or tall way revealing the pentacle star in the middle. Next, take your bay leaves and rub each half of the apple with them visualizing the problem or situation in your life you wish to be banish. Take the two halves and put them back together still focusing on the problem or situation you wish to banish. Next, take a deep breath in as you pick up the skewer and on your exhale as you visualize the problem or situation no longer affecting you, stab the skewer through both halves with force. Then, take your black ribbon or string and tie your apple together sealing the problem or situation in the center where it can no longer affect you. Take your spell outside and bury it in the earth. As the apple rots with the problem or situation inside it will be banished from your life.

Autumn abundance simmer pot

Apples are very popular with abundance and prosperity spells. They can be utilized to attract wealth, success, and opportunities for financial growth. Paired with the abundance of the harvest and autumn swirling around us now is great time to do some kitchen magic .One of my favorite types of kitchen magic spells to do are simmer pots. Simmer pots are easy to do, very potent, and they leave your house smelling amazing and full of magical energy! Use this recipe to bring the abundance of autumn into your home today using apples as the core. If you need to learn more about how to use simmer pots you can read my blogpost in the link here!

Join my patreon community; The modgepodgemystic mysteries

About Me : I have been a solitary grey magic practitioner for 15 + years. First and foremost, I consider myself a mystic and seeker of all knowledge. I am dedicated to the restoration, and re-enchantment of Magic in society, across this realm, and in each and every soul I come across in life! I am here to create a container that promotes healing, duality, and raw authenticity. I do this by guiding you on your personal journey to understanding your unique magic and sacred contracts. I facilitate this for you through embracing your shadow, duality and learning to live in energetic balance while not wearing a mask. When you work and learn from me you do so from your “darkness” as much as your “light” and in a way to truly harness and accept it not to just go thru it on the way to your light. But, I teach you how to truly embrace it, work with it, and use it alongside your light as a partner. I hold up a mirror for you to be able to see your authentic reflection looking back. Then have the courage to take the next step and do the uncomfortable but vital inner work to completely remove your mask. By facing all of your past wounds, traumas, and hurts. Allowing you to see both the dark and light within your story and take each chapter and alchemize it into something that is so powerful. your unique internal flame will shine so bright you will always be able to go within and find it on a dark cold night. You will learn how to truly live in duality and energetic balance to allow growth, and alignment with your sacred contracts and purposes. to finally move on and truly let the things that hold you back in this life from healing and manifesting go. To see everything I offer; like personalized shadow work sessions, womb healing, eBooks for you to work through on your own, Tarot sessions for guidance and more! Go to my shop!

Come join me for community, knowledge, and to restore the enchantment of magic in yourself and life today!

Don’t forget to head over to the shop today for eBooks, workshops, resources, and 1:1 services with me!

Shop Now!
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Email

© 2025, Modgepodgemystic LLC

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Working with the magic of September; Harvesting duality, gratitude, and abundance

In September the air begins to get a little chillier and crispier, the leaves change brilliant colors, and the animals are foraging building their stores for the colder months to come. We feel the pull to reflect and give thanks on the year so far and to prepare and organize for the year we have left. September marks a liminal time of transition, preparation, and gratitude for the abundance of autumn coming and the bountiful harvest the Earth is teeming with. As the days begin to shorten and the weather cools in the Northern Hemisphere, it becomes a time to focus on balance, introspection, and inner transformation. September is associated with the autumn equinox, a.k.a. Mabon, a time of balance between light and dark, and realigning ourselves with the universal truth and energy of duality. It’s a time to give thanks for the abundance of the harvest, reflect on the blessings of the past year, and prepare for the darker half of the year coming.

History of September

September is the ninth month of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 30 days between August and October. The word “September” comes from the Latin word septem, which means “seven”. Since, the ancient Roman calendar, began in March, this made September the seventh month. When Julius Caesar reformed the calendar later, to add months and change their lengths, September became the ninth month instead, but kept its name.

Zodiac Signs For The Month Of September

Those born in September are said to be born under either the sign Virgo ( like me!) or the sign Libra.

First, Virgos are born between August 22nd and September 22nd. They are an earth sign that are known for being logical, practical, and perfectionists. They are also known for being methodical, quick thinkers, and natural helpers. I may be a bit biased being a Virgo and not only that; it ruling 9 of my houses!
But, I feel Virgos get a lot crap and seems to be one of the most hated signs because they are so analytical, focused on details, being perfectionist, and always needing to problem solve. But, they also are some of the most nurturing, compassionate and sensitive souls that take on caring for the world around them as well.

Next, Libras are born between September 23rd–October 22nd. They are known for being charming, diplomatic, and peace-making, and are said to have a strong moral compass and the ability to see both sides of an argument. They are also known for being obsessed with symmetry and balance, and strive to create equilibrium in all areas of life.

Sacred Days And Celebrations In September

Every Single month has sacred and important days and celebrations to help you connect to the energies of the month. Plus they usually are a lot of fun to take part in! Below you will find a list of the sacred days and celebrations for the month of September and there are many for this month! But, first we are going to talk about the one that is front and center this month for pagans, and witches. We even see it on the wheel of the year. In case you didn’t know; the wheel of the year; is a visual representation of the cyclical nature of time and the seasons, and symbolizes the eternal cycle of life, death, and rebirth. This month we celebrate the sabbat, Mabon and the fall equinox on the wheel.

The Fall equinox or Mabon or Second Harvest (September 21st-23rd)

Across many cultures, the time of the autumn equinox aka Mabon, has been marked with festivals that celebrate the second harvest, a crucial period for gathering resources before the onset of winter. Mabon, or the fall equinox, is the first step toward the season of transformation. This is a time of transition and harvest, and a time of balance and realignment as we turn to greet the darkness of shadow season. As the Autumn Equinox brings equal day and night, Mabon stands as a poignant reminder of balance and reciprocity.

Mabon is not only a time for celebration but also for reflection and preparation. It encourages contemplation of life’s balances—light with dark, activity with rest, and abundance with scarcity. This equilibrium is reflected in the equal length of day and night during the equinox. In this sense, Mabon mirrors the theme of balance seen in the earlier spring equinox festival, Ostara, but with a focus on gratitude and the harvesting of blessings. This sabbat serves as a reminder to cherish and utilize the abundance currently available while preparing for the leaner times winter may bring. It’s a time to make the most of the remaining warmth and light, gathering resources and fortifying homes against the coming cold, all while giving thanks for the year’s bounty and the people with whom we share it.

To connect to the energy of Mabon and celebrate this sacred day of gratitude, reflection, and balance you can join me live on Sunday September 22nd @ 3:00pm CST in Facebook live with DiviNation Academy. You can RSVP to the event here and you can even watch my guided meditation from Mabon last year here!

Other sacred days and celebrations

  • Labor Day is celebrated the first Monday in September in the US and Canada
  • National Grandparents Day takes place the first Sunday after Labor Day
  • Respect for the Aged Day takes place on the third Monday in Japan
  • In the US the remembrance of 9/11 is observed nationwide
  • Ostara or Eostre is celebrated in the Southern Hemisphere
  • Rosh Hashanah the Jewish New Year, begins on Friday, September 15 at sundown and ends on Sunday, September 17.
  • Yom Kippur the Jewish day of atonement, taking place September 24-25
  • September 29 to October 6 is Sukkot: A 7-day holiday commemorating when Jews journeyed to the desert on the way to the promised land.
  • Ganesh Chaturthi, is when Hindus start the celebrations for Ganesh Chaturthi, a 10-day festival marking the birth of Ganesha,
  • Mawlid: The celebration of the Prophet Muhammad’s birth in the Islamic faith takes place on September 27th
  • Ludi Magni begins September 4
  • Michaelmas Day the 29th of September carries a great deal of folklore attached to it.
  • Most Pagan Pride festivals take place in the month of September

Magical And Witchcraft Themes For September

In witchcraft September is a time to go within yourself, harvest the seeds you had planted and grown, plan for the coming winter months, and balance yourself in duality. September is a time to work on balancing energies and expressing gratitude for the blessings of the harvest season. This month perform spells to cultivate inner balance, restore harmony, give thanks for the harvest, and embrace the changing seasons. It’s also an ideal month to spend time in introspection, journaling about your experiences, analyzing your discipline and structure, and giving thanks for the abundance in our lives. It’s a very liminal time weaved with the energies of duality. This is one of my favorite months to really soak up the teeming abundance of nature around me as I bring in the harvest from my gardens in gratitude.

The gods and goddesses of September

With every season and month there are certain themes, magic, and energies we have the ability to connect to including deities. Everyone works with and views deity energy a little differently. Whether you view them as archetypes of the human consciousness, representations of the source energy, or as being entities on their own, there are certain deities that now is the time to connect to and honor them in the most sacred and amplified way.

During this month a few deities take center stage because they have festivals or sacred days during this month to help you connect with them in a very intimate way. The deities that are going to be the best for you to connect to right now are deities connected to the fall harvest, abundance, gratitude, transformation, transition, duality, light and dark, the earth, and balance. You can also choose to work with the energy of the fall equinox and Mabon and the deities associated with it. Below we will talk about some of the deities you can work with this month.

Demeter

Demeter is a major goddess in Greek mythology who plays an important role in the lives of the ancient Greeks, who relied heavily on crops and grains for their existence. She presides over crops, grains, food, and the fertility of the earth, and represents good harvests, fruits, vegetation, and the nourishment and growth of the earth. Demeter is also associated with health, birth, and marriage, and has connections to the Underworld. She is also known as the Harvest Goddess and Deo. Demeter is the daughter of Cronus and Rhea, and the sister and consort of Zeus, the king of the gods. Demeter’s legend centers on her daughter Persephone, who is carried off by Hades, the god of the underworld. Demeter goes in search of Persephone, and during her journey she reveals her secret rites to the people of Eleusis and created the seasonal cycle.

Ceres

Ceres was the Roman goddess of agriculture, grain, and the love a mother bears for her child. Ceres was the goddess of the growth she was associated with the earth, with women, and with both the fruitfulness of crops and the fertility of humans. She was associated with the realm of the dead, law and order, and the protection of the Roman plebeians (the “commoners”). Much like the Greek Demeter, a central part of Ceres’ mythos involved the abduction of her daughter Proserpina by the Underworld god Dis. Ceres, was first and foremost a goddess of grain and agriculture. Ceres was the goddess of agriculture, farming, and, she was the goddess that directly ensured that the people had something to eat. Without the Roman goddess Ceres good graces, winter and famine were upon the Romans.

Chang’e

Chang’e is the ethereal Chinese Goddess of the Moon, she is known for her captivating beauty, her immortality, and her connection to lunar cycles. Legends tell the story of her ascent to the moon, where she resides and is admired by people from afar. In this story, she was the wife of a heroic archer who was rewarded for his services to the gods by a gift of the elixir of immortality. In her husband’s absence, she stole the potion and drank it herself. She is often depicted as a woman with long black hair, pale skin, red lips, and flowing robes. Her name translates to “the beautiful Cháng”. She is celebrated in poems and novels, and some people worship her during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Persephone

I saved in my opinion the best for last, my matron deity, a central deity for this month and Mabon; Persephone. In Greek mythology, Persephone is the goddess of agriculture, the spring, the Underworld, duality, and the wife of Hades. Prior to her marriage with Hades she was known as Kore, which means “daughter” or “maiden”. Persephone is the daughter of Zeus, the chief god, and Demeter, the goddess of agriculture. Persephone, is a captivating figure in Greek mythology. She holds the dual role of being the Queen of the Underworld and the Goddess of Spring. As the wife of Hades, Persephone governs the realm of the dead with grace and power. Persephone’s presence in the Underworld brings a sense of balance between life and death. However, Persephone does not rule only the underworld, she is also the reason for the seasons cycle of change. During the spring season, she emerges from the depths and returns to the Earth, bringing with her the arrival of new life and vibrant colors. During the fall she returns to the underworld bringing the cold of winter and the death of life and nature all around us.

To learn all about this alluring, intriguing, and complicated goddess, and see her story in a whole new light. Plus meet her in a guided meditation you can watch my class all about her below!

Correspondences For The Month Of September

First, what is a correspondence? A correspondence is an item or symbol that is meant to connect you to a specific energy thru it’s representation. It is seen also as an item to respect, honor, and venerate that energy as well whether it be a deity, an archetype energy, the zodiac energy the moon is currently or for time of the year like a month, which I will list below for you to use. Remember this is just a start to the list for you. You can use any correspondences that connect the magical themes and energies of September. Just follow your intuition on what you choose to work with!

  • Planet- Mercury and Venus
  • Animal- Ibis, Sparrow, Snake, Jackal
  • Element- Earth and Air
  • colors- Greens, yellows, browns
  • Chakra- Third eye or Sacral
  • Herbs- aster, forget me nots, morning glory, wheat, grain, rye, fennel, valerian, mugwort, thyme, gardenia, bergamot
  • Stones/ crystals- Sapphire, peridot, olivine, rainbow obsidian, bloodstone, chrysolite,
  • Deities- ceres, cel, demeter, thor, thoth, persephone, hades, Isis, change-o, freyja
  • Zodiac- Virgo, Libra
  • Trees- Hazel, bay
  • Themes- fertility, abundance, duality, balance, fruition, harvest, goals, movement, expansion, transformation, rebirth, renewal, organization, preparation, gratitude, connection, the cycles of nature, the afterlife , rest, personal and spiritual development, motherhood, nurturing, divine feminine, psychic connections and abilities, home and hearth, communication

How to connect to the magic of September

We’ve talked a lot about all the different types of energies the month of September has and gives us access to work with. So, how can you specifically connect to those energies? In your everyday life you can make sure your affirmations , intentions, and manifestations align with the energies of the fall harvest, abundance, duality, transition, balance, reflection, and the cycle of seasons. You can celebrate and honor any of the sacred days and holidays and connect to the energies of the fall equinox and Mabon weaving magic in the air all around us. You can also begin to turn your attention towards Samhain coming next month and the ancestral work you wish to do when the veil is the thinnest.

Some Rituals and spell workings during this time that will be really intensified will be based on the bounty of the harvest all around us and fertility. You can do things like create a lucky money bag, a prosperity bowl, or perform some spells using egg magic. September is a time of the year where witches are able to really connect to the abundance of nature and the gratitude we have for her sustaining us. We can use this time to physically reconnect with nature through all kinds of nature magic, earthing, grounding, weather magic and elemental magic. Don’t forget to also take the time to give thanks to the earth for the harvest through rituals, prayers, and offerings as well especially during the equinox and Mabon!

September creates a very potent liminal pocket of time that is teeming with duality, balance, and the power of transition. It’s a month that really pulls us to go deep within ourselves for introspection, reflection, self awareness, and growth. This makes it a great month to do any work on transformation, rebirth, and renewal through shadow work. Allowing the energy of the transitioning seasons to harvest what you have grown and prepare for the long cold months of winter ahead. If you would like to learn more about shadow work you can purchase my eBook here;  you can book me for a 1:1 session as your guide here; and you can watch my free class previously taught on it through Divination here.

Spell and ritual ideas

  • Create a spell jar for the month of September
  • Collect the first acorn that falls on the ground and carry with you all month for good luck and prosperity
  • Refresh your altar
  • Connect to any deities of the month
  • Cast a spell for family, home and hearth
  • Visit a corn maze
  • Perform abundance magic with apples
  • Begin prepping and planning for the winter
  • Cast gratitude spells and rituals
  • Work with apples, grain, or corn in kitchen magic
  • Cast spells to help with personal transition or transformation
  • Make a corn dolly
  • Give thanks for the fall harvest
  • Use leaf magic for release work
  • Go on a nature walk to mindfully notice the changing colors of the leaves
  • Fertility Spells
  • Chakra balancing– the third eye and sacral chakra
  • Declutter your space
  • Perform Green witchcraft
  • Make a simmer pot to call in transition, balance, gratitude, or a plentiful harvest
  • Reflect on your daily schedule, structure and discipline and adjust as needed
  • Add a separate altar for the fall equinox
  • make a manifestation leaf wreath or garland
  • Spend time in Nature grounding and/or earthing
  • visit an apple orchard and leave an offering
  • Cast communication, clarity and wisdom spells
  • Have a ritual bonfire with family and friends for the harvest and Mabon
  • Make a besom and hang over your front door for protection, and prosperity
  • do canning and food storage prep for the winter
  • Serve others and nurture those in need by working at soup kitchen, food bank, or holding a food drive
  • Meditate on balance and what duality means to you
  • Make a gratitude list, read it out loud, and bury it in the earth to give thanks
  • Reorganize your home or business
  • Do elemental magic with the element earth and air
  • Shadow work based on; duality, planning, gratitude, transition, and abundance
  • Work with the divine feminine 
  • Rest
  • Cast spells or do rituals that help you on your personal growth and development

Duality and the month of September

Since, I am a grey witch I look for the duality in every single energy I work with including sacred times like a month of the year like September. I may be a bit biased on this month to be honest since it is my birth month and part of the month is ruled by the sign that dominates my entire chart; Virgo. And Virgo in my opinion is an energy that we miss the duality of often. Virgo is known for being very analytical, methodical, and detail oriented which creates an energy this month focused on change, goals, growth, problem solving and at times perfection. But, this sign is also one of the most compassionate, caring, and nurturing signs of the zodiac as well. Which also creates an energy that is very deep, loving, emotional, sensitive, and at times self sacrificing. The mix between these two energies weaves an energy and magic that pushes you to look at every tiny detail for perfection and ways to change things and those around you and for yourself. With the deep nurturing desire to push them and/or yourself to grow, heal, and be the best versions we are all capable of being for the greater good of the collective.

This month not only is teeming with an abundance of the energy of Virgo and its duality but, we also see it in the transition this month brings us through. This month marks the time of the year when we mark the cyclical transition from one season to another. We see us leave the hot, vibrant, fun and sun based season of Summer and turn our attention to the crisp, cool, productive, and earth based season of fall. We literally get to watch in real time this month, nature transitioning from being bustling with life to decaying in death. This month is a really unique pocket of liminal space and time for us to connect too. We get to be surrounded by the bounty and abundance of the fall harvest and all the joy, celebration and gratitude that brings. While we are also confronted with the reality of nature beginning to die around us and the dark cold winter that is very soon going to be upon us.

Harvest duality, gratitude, and abundance this September

We talked about many things in this blogpost including the history, some celebrations, the different energies and magical themes we can work with during this month, how to connect to those energies, deities we can honor and worship, and how to work with the magic of September. No matter how you choose to work with the energies and magic of September make sure to be focused on continuing your rebirth for this year. Be mindful and remember to give thanks for the seeds you planted at the beginning of the season. That you nourished with love, and are now harvesting with glee and gratitude. Take note of the leaves changing colors before they fall as you reflect on the past year and the growth it took to get here. Allow yourself to become immersed in the magic of duality weaving in nature all around you. As you cycle through the changing of the seasons this month and prepare for the long winter ahead of us.