The Autumnal Equinox

At the equinox, Earth is at its most upright position relative to the sun. This means that it is tilted only 23.5 degrees, an event that happens only twice a year. This causes Sol to rise due East on the horizon. The hours of night and day are equal to each other. In fact, the word equinox means equal night in Latin. At the Autumnal Equinox, the number of hours between set and rise begin to increase as the Pole begins to tilt away from Sol. This causes the weather to cool.

As a Sabbat, Harvest Home is a harvest festival, the second of three major ones found through the year. In specific, this is the Harvest of Fruits and Nuts. The idea of a series of harvest festivals is not limited to Wiccans and Neo-Pagans. Ancient Greeks celebrated Oschophoria in honor of the grape harvest. The Greeks as pinpointed the Autumnal Equinox as the date that Persephone descended into the Underworld. Ancient Druids celebrated a harvest festival called Alban Elfed. Its name means the light of the water, referring to the balance found between light and dark shifts. They also celebrated Mea'n Fo'mhair, which is a ritual thanking the Green Man for his bounty. China celebrated the night of the Harvest Moon as a time to honor the unity of families. This echoed by the Vietnamese holiday Tết Trung Thu which allows a family to focus upon the children who have been separated for a long while during the harvest. Japanese Buddhists have a holiday that takes place on each equinox to meditate upon passage from the Material world to Higan or the Other Shore. This is seen as
metaphorical (passing to Enlightenment) or literal (passing into the Afterlife). To North American tribes, this was a time to cleanse oneself in preparation for dedication to spiritual growth, an endeavour for the long solitude of winter. Most North American tribes only had two seasons. Thus the Autumnal Equinox was the beginning of winter. In the 1700s, the Bavarians began celebrating Oktoberfest, which begins in the last week of September and ushered in October. The version of the holiday that most pagans are familiar with was introduced by
Gerald Gardner when he brought forth his Wicca. However, it did not have the name Mabon until Aidan Kelley popularized it for his 1991 book Crafting the Art of Magic, in which he assigned new names for all the Wiccan Sabbats, most of which were rooted in Celtic mythology.

There are three primary focuses of this holiday that are gratitude, familial unity, and reflection. In an agricultural society, this was the time when one had the physical proof of how well one had done in the growing season. The crops had been harvested, the herds had been brought down from the high pastures, and life was settling in for the cold months to come. Survivability for winter could be determined. Even as the world was settling, it was a busy time as the crops needed to be processed for storage. This was a task that required all available hands, which brought a family together. The Autumnal Equinox was also a time when the day and night were perfect reflections of each other. This mirror effect caused many of our ancestors to look for this reflection within themselves and within their social groups--which were primarily made up of their family. It all cycled into each other, just like the seasons cycled into each other.

Common rituals of this Sabbat are rituals to thank the trees which have borne fruit and nuts and to mark a dedication to one's studies. Feasts were also common to celebrate a bountiful harvest and the homecoming of family members who had scattered for the growing season. It was a common time for family stories to be told. Laughter and music, even if it was just simple drumming, filled the air. Even as the People celebrated the gifts of the Earth, there was a bite to it
because they knew that the Earth was slowing down to rest.

It is another common practice to set up an altar in recognition of the day. The color of the altar cloth, if one is used, is a vibrant fall color such as red or orange. Browns which are usually avoided are great for this holiday. Candle colors should again reflect the vibrancy of the leaves or the harvest. Black is an excellent representation the darkness which is beginning to grow upon the land. It may also represent the family members no longer living, just as it does at Samhain. Decorations that are found are the fruits of the harvest such as squashes and apples. Pine cones and nuts are also suggested for an altar. Incense should be herbal or woodsy scented. Resins with their deep scent are very much welcomed.

While the focus of the First Harvest was upon the sacrifice of Lugh, the spiritual focus of this Sabbat is the Goddess. Previously, I mentioned the Greeks placing the Autumnal Equinox as the time of Persephone's Descent. This placement comes from the pre-Helenic telling of the legend. The story goes that Persephone was gathering flowers in a meadow when Hades spies her as he rides the boundaries of his Realm. He is instantly smitten with her beauty and proceeds to talk with her, falling deeper in love with her innocence. Over the period of a moon,
they meet and talk. Hades confessing his love for her, but she is frightened of the darkness of the Underworld. He vows to put torches all about so that there would be no shadow to fear. She claims that though her love for him was great, her mother needed her. It is then that he speaks of the People of his Realm, those souls that have passed beyond Hekate's greeting at the entrance and are thus beyond the love of a Goddess. Hearing this, she descends with him, for she has determined that her devotion to him will comfort her fears as she must comfort
those within his Realm. A great fete was held in honor of their Union, but though this was of her choosing, Persephone was heartsick for her mother's Realm and ate only the pomegranate that Hades hand-fed her. Demeter mourned her daughter as if she were dead, withering crops and trees. Finally, she bade Zeus to return her child to her, and Hermes was chosen for the task. Torn between two duties, Persephone leaves with Hermes only after he has returned from Zeus and Demeter with a vow to allow her to spend half the year with her Lord in his Realm and half with her mother in hers.

This telling of the myth echoes an older myth, the Descent of Inanna. Utu, the Mesopotamian god of the Sun, introduces his sister Inanna, goddess of the Earth, to a shepherd named Dumuzi. After a competitive courtship, the two wed. Dumuzi becomes Lord of the Earth. A while later, Inanna (dressed in her Divine attributes: a crown, hairstyle, necklace, robe, eye shadow, breastplate, and bracelet) leaves the Great Above and descends to the Great Below to visit her sister Ereshkigal upon the death of Ereshkigal's husband had died. Her maidservant Ninshubur accompanies her to the First Gate but cannot descend with her due to the lack of sacrificial gift. To reach the Underworld, Inanna must pass through seven Gates, sacrificing her Attributes as she descends. Finally, she stands before Ereshkigal bare of all airs, including her Godhood. Ereshkigal issues a great cry and strikes Inanna, turning her into a corpse which is then hung upon the wall. After three days, Ninshubur begins to lament the loss of her goddess and implores three gods for help in retrieving her. Enki sends a creature with the food of life and the water of life which are used to restore Inanna to life upon the claiming of her corpse. Ereshkigal informs Inanna that there must be someone totake her place. She sends galla demons with Inanna to retrieve
the replacement. After a merry little chase, they seize Dumuzi, and they subjugate him to similar ordeals that Inanna underwent upon her descent. However, Dumuzi is Lord of the Earth and is needed there for the Earth to flourish. It is finally resolved that Dumuzi will ascend for half the year as the god Damu as his sister would descend to take his place for that time.

These two myths are further linked by the notorious Gardner when he used both to write his Durwydd Mac Tara, a writing related to his religion Wicca in the early part of the twentieth century. In the work, the Goddess descends to challenge the God as to the purpose of the ruination of her creations. Through their conversation, the God repeatedly asks for her love until finally, she gives but only in exchange for his. Thus instead of being the ruination of life, a cycle is begun for She descends when all things are balanced and will rise when they are again. The work further elaborates that this is the start of the Wheel of the Year.

This theme is echoed by the Veil between the Realms. Throughout the course of the year it thickens and thins, affecting passage and communication. At the Autumnal Equinox, the Veil is notably thinned. There is a school of thought connected to these three myths that as the Goddess has descended to the Underworld, that Realm becomes more accessible to this one.

Another thing that is happening metaphysically is the natural current of energy has stopped flowing. This only happens upon the equinox. This causes the energy of the world to pool, making it thick and tangible in the air. Then it starts again, but it is spiralling in the opposite direction. In the case of the Autumnal Equinox, it is spiralling inward to Source. It is no longer the time for doing. It is
the time for thinking, for reflection.

Earth, which has ruled this past season, releases into Water. Water teaches us to deal with our emotional selves. Its steady rhythm soothes us, lulling us into rest after Earth's hard work. It teaches us about our hidden depths, for there is where we will find the Strength of Water. It is only the deep and still water that reflect.


These things are echoed in the People's need to turn inward in their thoughts and practices. The work that has occupied them is now done, giving them time for other projects. This is the season of reflecting upon the lessons learned throughout the last year. New crafts were begun to keep hands from being idle. The ironic freedom that the repetitive motions gives the mind is useful for thinking of things and exploring them mentally.

Blessed be.

)O(O)O(O)O(




)O(Notes and Citations)O(

1. I avoided the usage of dates and specification of North or South. This is to allow the information to be usable by people in either hemisphere. However, the Northward Equinox typically occurs around September 19-23 and in 2013, occurred on September 22. In the Northern Hemisphere, this is the Autumnal Equinox while in the Southern Hemisphere, it is the Vernal Equinox.
2. Source: Mabon by Pagan/Wiccan About (paganwiccan.about.com)
3. Source: Autumnal Equinox by Wikipedia (wikipedia.com)
4. Source: The Sacred Wheel by Sacred Circles Institute
5. Source: The Origin of Mabon by Pagan/Wicca About (paganwiccan.about.com)
6. Source: Persephone by University of Pennslyvania (classics.upenn.edu)
7. Source: Inanna-Dumuzi Mythos: A Comparative Study by Mark Lamarre (academia.edu)
8. Source: Durwydd Mac Tara by Gerald Gardner (paganlibrary.com)
9. Source: The Autumnal Equinox by David Victor Vector (http://davidvictorvector.blogspot.com)

Labels (The First Lesson)

The first lesson is one of vocabulary. I'm going to focus on labels.

A pagan is a practitioner of any religion that falls outside of the Abrahamic religion tree (Judaism, Christianity, Muslim, etc.). It was first used by the young Church to describe the unconverted masses that lived outside the city limits that were under her control. The word pagan comes from the Latin word paganus meaning country dweller. The pagan religions are typically Earth-centered faiths and a great many of them predate the Abrahamic religions.

Neo-paganism is a generic term used to describe the modern day resurgence of paganism. With it comes a new variety of worshipper called a neo-pagan. Neo-pagans may or may not follow a set tradition and may pull from everywhere. There are a few key things that all neo-pagans have in common. These points are discussed in depth in the book Paganism: An Introduction to Earth-Centered Religions by Joyce and River Higginbotham.

Similarly to the word pagan, a heathen originally meant only that a person was of the heath, but in present day is used to describe those who follow the continental variety of Celtic traditions as apposed to the Gaelic variety. It has also been used to describe Native American shamanism, followers of Scandinavian religions, and followers of Asatru.

Agnosticism is the stance that certain things, such as the existence or nonexistence of a Deity, are unknown and to a certain extent, unknowable. In religious terms, it is the middle ground between atheism and theism. It neither rejects nor accepts the existence of a Deity in any form. In a very strict sense, agnosticism is the view that humanity does not currently possess the
requisite knowledge and/or reason to provide sufficient rational grounds
to justify the belief that deities either do or do not exist. (1) Agnosticism may also apply to other topics.

An agnostic is someone who has taken the stance of agnosticism, typically on the Deity topic.

Atheism is the belief that there are no deities. It may also be characterized as a rejection of the concept of deities. It has been argued that it is also the absence of belief in deities with the implication that everyone is born an atheist and later adopts the belief as a societal construct.

An atheist is someone who believes that there are no deities. This does not exclude their practice of another belief structure or their adoption of ethical tenets therein.

Fundamentalism is the belief in and strict adherence to a faith's fundamental principles. Though it can refer to the Pagan religions, it is commonly used in reference to the Abrahamic religions. Used in this way it means that those practitioners believe that their faith and its Book(s) hold the only Truth in all the world and that everyone should follow the tenets of their faith.
Secular Humanism is an ideology that rejects the concept that morality and decisions should be based upon supernatural or religious reasoning. It teaches that reason, ethics, and social justice need not be based upon the existence of a deity. It rejects the concept of supernaturalism or superstitions. This is what makes it distinctive from Neo-Paganism despite sharing many ideals.

A Humanist is someone who adheres to the ideology of Secular Humanism.

Satanism is a broad term representing a series of Western religions characterized by reverence of Satan and/or other rebellious, promethean, and liberating figures. Satanism may see this figure as a metaphor or allegory or they may see this figure on par with Deity. Satanism is based in the Judeo-Christian branch of the Abrahamic tree, and in many ways, its philosophic antithesis. It is currently a majorly American religion, though other major countries have accepted it. While distinctive from paganism, there are several correlating beliefs and resemblances that allow both religious branches to mingle with very little problems.

Theistic Satanism is the belief that Satan is an actual being that should revered or worshipped. There are three main varieties: Luciferianism, Palladists, and Our Lady of Endor Coven (Ophite Cultus Satanas). Each variety approaches the concept in a slightly different manner.

A satanist is someone who follows the ideals of Satanism, which may or may not include worship of Satan as a deity figure. Some theistic practitioners may reject the title of satanist due to the differences in approach.

Shamanism is a spirituality that has many distinctive characteristic of its own. This spirituality was some of our species' first traditions. While Europe and the Middle East saw the rise of the Abrahamic religions, many other places preserved their Ways. Currently in the world there are six distinctive branches of shamanism (excluding neo-pagan revivals): Native American, South American, Tengerism, African, and Australian (and surrounding islands). Shamanism is also distinctive due to their lack of deities. It's not that this practice lack the concept of a centralized deity. It's more that the Creator is not any more important or powerful than a host of other spiritual entities. Shamanism is often raided for its practices by neo-pagans.

A shaman is a specific person within a shamanic religion that has undergone religious trials and studies to become a People's representative to the spiritual realm and their interpreter therein. There are often vows and rituals related to becoming a shaman. Most common ones include vows to secrecy of their Way and protection of the People.

Shamanic is a reference to something having properties of shamanism.
Theism is the belief that there is at least one Deity. There is a clear distinction between Monotheism (belief in only one Deity) and Polytheism (belief in more than one deity). Polytheism is further broken down into henotheism (belief that there are more than one but only worshipping one) and kathenotheism (worshipping different deities at different times, typically within a pantheon).

Wicca is a religion created by Gerald Gardner after a lot of research and years of practising witchcraft in a coven. It has its own traditions and belief structures. The famous Rede comes from this religion. Wicca was first recognized in England in the 1950s. It has since broken into many different variations. Its youth does not invalidate it.

• Dianic Wicca is a denomination of Wicca that only recognizes the Goddess as a Deity. Covens of this kind of Wicca are typically all female, but there is a fair showing of male practitioners.
• Gardnerian Wicca is also known as Classic Wicca. It is the original form that was created by Gerald Gardner. There is another branch that closely resembles it called Alexandrian Wicca.
  
• Faerie Wicca is a tradition of Wicca that focuses heavily into the Arthurian mythology for practices and symbolism. Depending upon the individual coven or person, it may also pull from Christian mythology as well.
• Seax-Wica is a variety of Wicca that was adapted by Raymond Buckland. It takes a lot from Saxon mythology.

A Wiccan is a follower of Wicca. That is all. Gender does not matter. Age does not matter. Years of practising may matter, as first year Wiccans do not normally claim the label as that is a learning time. Tradition or Coven does not matter.

Witchcraft is a spiritual practice revolving around the concept that all the world has energy that people are capable of shaping for specific purposes. This energy is often called magic(k), but what it boils down to is vibration patterns in the substance's atomic level. We cannot measure it completely...yet. Witchcraft is the methodology of shaping magic(k).

A witch is a person who practices formalized witchcraft. That is all. They can be male or female. Gender does not matter. Age does not matter. Years of practising does not matter. Religion does not matter.

Voodoo (Voodun) is a religious practice and magical system based out of Africa that has spread to the Americas. It is a complex system that incorporates the use and worship of Orisha(s). There's an aspect that makes it distinctive among pagan religions: the ritual sacrifice of living creatures. This is not from a lack of respect for the life, but as a method of gifting that life to their Orisha(s) in exchange for large effects. The individuals who have focused their life around their practice and have become skilled in it are often called witch doctors.

• Candomble is a Brazilian tradition that has roots in Voodun and Santeria.
• Hoodoo is the branch of Voodun that started when the African slaves combined their native Animism with English/European traditions. It is also known as Voodoo or Voodun.
• Santeria is a Voodun religion that is modernly practised in Central America, Haiti, and surrounding areas.

What this all boils down to is that you should never assume. A witch may not be a Wiccan or even pagan. A Wiccan may not practice magic(k), though this is rarer. A pagan may not believe in the Rede. An atheist may be pagan.

Do not assume.




Notes and Citations

1. This essay will be updated from time to time with new religious and denominations labels as they become necessary.
2. Wikipedia was used as a basis for definition.
3. This sentence is a direct quotation of the Wikipedia article on Agnosticism.
4. Paganism: An Introduction to Earth-Centered Religions by Joyce and River Higginbotham was used as a reference.
5. Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham was used as a reference.
6. Wicca: The Complete Craft by D.J. Conway was used as reference.

To My Witchlings

My darling child,

I am your mother.

This makes me many things. It makes me a jungle gym; a interpreter and transcriber; an advocate and negotiator. Sometimes, I'm a referee. Others, I am a tickle monster.

Most importantly, I am your guide.

There is so many things that I want to show you. I want to show you the silence of a sunrise in winter. I want to show you the colors of a forest on a summer day. I want to give you the beauty of standing before Deity bare of all that we clothe ourselves in for the world.

Right now, I teach you the words and the meanings. You repeat them so trustingly. Only rarely do I see your face alight with the glow of comprehension. It's okay. You are a child.

I want to see you in a relationship with Deity. But I know that time is precious and I may not. That is the fact that led me to this point in my life.

Here, I will record the lessons of my Way, and those that I find inspiring. I will write them for you, and for your Children, my darling. I write my Truths so that you may learn yours.

May the spirits watch over you and Deity hold you firm in Her arms.

~Margret A. Silverwolf
Your Mother


Note: This blog will serve as a digital companion to the grimoires that I will leave my children. Some entries will be duplicates.