Today is the Autumn equinox, when the days and nights equalise again and the darkness really begins to take over as we head towards the Winter Solstice. It is known in the Pagan Wheel of the year as Mabon, and is a celebration of abundance, harvest and all the blessings in our lives.
Many people are unaware that I am a practicing eclectic Pagan, and although I only dabbled in this from my teens, I have studied and practiced much more seriously for the last 2 years. I haven’t made it public for many reasons, partly that I feel private about my beliefs and partly that I have wanted to be more clear about them before answering questions.
I had plans for today; plans to celebrate and honour Mabon properly for the first time in my life, and I have been scuppered. It would be tempting to feel really sad about this, but it is my practicing of Paganism and my honouring of Mabon that means I actually don’t feel the depression and self-critical thinking I have been used to in the past.
For context, I started feeling unwell at the end of last week, and am now quite unwell with Covid-19. Don’t worry, I am at home and in no danger, just fairly poorly. And right there, that is a blessing. My family all have Covid, and yet we are safe; we can look after each other. We have loving extended family and friends all around to support us, and we are here together.
My beliefs are not in external gods, in good and evil, or in rules. My beliefs are in nature, the universe, cycles and balance. I honour the cycle of the year, the month, the day, and the balance of many things, including of health and illness and all that brings.
I am grateful for all the people in my life and all the privilege I have; for my health and for the fact that I have been able to, and guided to, learn so much in the last decade that supports my mental health.
I know this post is gushy and gross – I don’t care.
Mabon Blessings to you all x
P.s. Thank you to DollyMoo from whom I borrowed this picture. It is lovely. I hope you don’t mind.
