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What Beautiful Celtic Song AreYou?-Stunning Pictures-Lyrics Included-detailed results!

You Are The Voice. It's a song about guidence, about the spirit of the earth, always being here to help us on our way. The Voice I hear your voice on the windAnd I hear you call out my name"Listen, my child," you say to me"I am the voice of your historyBe not afraid, come follow meAnswer my call, and I'll set you free"I am the voice in the wind and the pouring rainI am the voice of your hunger and painI am the voice that always is calling youI am the voice, I will remainI am the voice in the fields when the summer's goneThe dance of the leaves when the autumn winds blowNe'er do I sleep thoughout all the cold winter longI am the force that in springtime will growI am the voice of the past that will always beFilled with my sorrow and blood in my fieldsI am the voice of the future, bring me your peaceBring me your peace, and my wounds, they will healI am the voice in the wind and the pouring rainI am the voice of your hunger and painI am the voice that always is calling youI am the voiceI am the voice of the past that will always beI am the voice of your hunger and painI am the voice of the futureI am the voice, I am the voiceI am the voice, I am the voice Take this quiz! Quizilla | Join | Make A Quiz | More Quizzes | Grab Code

Common Symbols of Magic
The following symbols are commonly used in the practice of magic. At the end of the images there are additional links to other pages of symbols.

Air
The triangle pointing upward signified the element of fire during the Middle Ages. With the addition of a horizontal line, it became the most common sign for the element of air.
Alchemy
This symbol is an ideogram from the 17th century, CE, that came to represent the art of alchemy and the influence of Pythagorean geometry mysticism. The symbol also represents the four elements combined with water as the small inner circle, earth as the square, fire as the triangle, and air as the outer circle.
All Seeing Eye (1)
This symbol first appeared in the west during the 17th and 18th centuries, CE, but representations of an all-seeing eye can be traced back to Egyptian mythology and the Eye of Horus. 17th century depictions of the Eye of Providence sometimes show it surrounded by clouds. The later addition of an enclosing triangle is usually seen as a trinitarian reference to the God of Christianity.
All Seeing Eye (2)
The All-Seeing Eye of Providence also appears as part of the iconography of the Freemasons where it represents the all-seeing eye of God, and as such, a reminder that a Mason's deeds are always observed by God, referred to in Masonry as the Grand Architect of the Universe.

Angel
Angels in magic are classed as Elementals. The picture above is of an Archangel, the class of elementals that governs the realm of lesser elementals or nature spirits such as Fairies, Elves, Devas, Brownies, Leprechauns, Gnomes, Sprites, and Pixies as well as many others. Winged lesser elementals or nature spirits are almost always pictured with butterfly-looking wings while Archangels are typically depicted as having feathered, bird wings.
Ankh
The Ankh is an ancient Egyptian staff sign or god staff symbol or glyph that also functioned as a hieroglyph to symbolize reproduction, sexual union, life, and the zest for life. For more on the Ankh, please visit our Ankh Page.
Arrow
The arrow sign, one of the oldest and most common of ideograms, has been discovered in prehistoric caves and engraved on rocks in the Sahara. An arrow sign indicates movement. The arrow is also an ideogram representing the male sex.
Athame
The primary tool of the Witch, the Athame is traditionally a knife with a straight double blade and a black handle suitable for carving. The Athame is used in salutes to gods, goddesses and the Ancient Ones, and for a variety of other purposes.

Bat
bats are frequently associated with death and rebirth. An upside down hanging position, such as the bat assumes when roosting, is seen as symbolic for learning to transpose one's former self into a newborn being. Thus the bat's appearance may signify the need for transformations, for letting go of old habits or ways of life and adopting new ones. Bat shows how change is necessary although it can be painful to let go of the past. As an animal of night and the dark it can also guide people through the darkness of confusion and help them face their fears. It is sometimes said to grant the gift of clear hearing and of 'listening between the lines'.
Besom or Broom
The Besom, or Broom, plays a symbolic role in Wiccan practice. Derived from European witchcraft folklore of broom dancing and flying, the broom is used today for symbolic cleansing or purification. A typical besom ritual uses the broom to "sweep" negative energy from a home or other space. The besom/broom is also a focal point in Wiccan handfasting marriages, where it acts as a stand-in threshold, which newlyweds jump to cement their vows and ensure many children.
Blair Witch
A five-pointed compound symbol with a center triangel (see below) pointing down. The five lines resemble the microcosmic man with arms and legs outstretched inside a circle (with a pentagram in the background)-- a magic symbol or charm among medieval alchemists and wizards.
Blessing Moon
The Blessing Moon refers to the blessings of the sacred marriages of earth and sky, or dark and light, or the King and Queen of summer.

Boline
The Boline or Bolline is a small, sickle shaped knife used to gather herbs used in rituals and spells. The sickle shaped knife can be traced to Druid mistletoe customs, and is a lunar tool. In Scottish paths, it is sometimes called a kerfan, after the traditional dagger.
Butterfly
Butterflies symbolize witches and fairies, but also the souls of witches. Butterflies and witches have the ability to change their form-butterflies change in the course of their development-witches allegedly can change at will. Some people who view the butterfly as the soul of a witch believe that, if they can find her body and turn it around while she is asleep, the soul will not be able to find her mouth and reenter, and the witch will probably die. This concept of the soul may serve to explain why many medieval angels have butterfly wings rather than those of a bird.
Cauldron
The Cauldron is the symbol which allows shape changing with the birth of a child. The Cauldron is under the power of the Earth goddess Ceredwen. She is the goddess of transformation. In the cauldron, divine knowledge and inspiration are brewed.
Cernunnos
Cernunnos is the mysterious, horned deity that was worshipped by Iron-Age Celts across Europe until the end of the first century. Little is known about Cernunnos except his name and his image, which appears on many stonecarvings and other artifacts throughout Europe. He appears crowned with stag's antlers, is often seated in a meditative position, and is almost always depicted with images of wild animals. Cernunnos is a Roman name meaning "horned one." He is often associated with Herne the hunter, a character of British folk myth, and the "Green man" of European architecture. Roman invaders associated Cernunnos with the god Mercury. His appearance was eventually adapted as the Christian Devil's.

Circle
The circle symbolizes infinity, perfection, completeness, wholeness, the circle of life and the eternal unknown. The area in which magickal worship and spells takes place. Also be used to designate a particular group of Witches or Pagans such as "Carven Rock Circle". A circle in your dream foretells that you will have fabulous luck in securing your fortune and happiness.
Circle with Dot
Circle with inner dot represents the sun. The symbol for the sun is an image of spiritual wholeness, with a focal point for the meaning of life. The sun rules the sign of Leo.
Circle - Quartered
This symbol is rarely used in magickal work, but its meaning should not be overlooked. Our global home is often represented with a cross circumscribed by a circle: matter surrounded by spirit.
Cow
The cow represents the fructifying power in nature-the Divine Mother or feminine principle. Among the Scandinavians that which first appeared at the birth of the universe was the divine cosmic cow, Audhumla, from whom flowed four streams of milk, providing sustenance to all the beings that followed. In esoteric philosophy the cow is the symbol of creative nature, and the Bull (her calf) the spirit which vivifies her, or the Holy Spirit.

Crescent Moon
The crescent moon is a symbol of the Goddess. The crescent moon can be either waxing (going towards the full moon), or waning (going towards the new moon). The waxing moon is great for doing magickal workings that have to do with growth, creativity, etc. The waning moon is for the opposite, for example, banishing negativity. The crescent moon also symbolizes two of the aspects of the Goddess. The waxing moon symbolizes the maiden, and the waning moon symbolizes the crone.
Cross
A universal symbol from the most remote times, it is a cosmic symbol par excellence. The cross traces its origin to a sun-symbol, a Babylonian sun-symbol, an astrological Babylonian-Assyrian and heathen sun-symbol, also in the form of an encircled cross referred to as a solar wheel, and many other varieties of crosses. Also, the cross represents the Tree of Life, the age-old fertility symbol, combining the vertical male and horizontal female principles, especially in Egypt, either as an ordinary cross, or better known in the form of the crus ansata, the Egyptian ankh-sometimes called the Tau cross-which had been carried over as our modern-day biological symbol of the female.
Crystal Ball
The sphere as a shape is an ancient and universal symbol that represents unity, completeness, infinity, and the whole universe. Crystal spheres are often used to increase self-awareness and a powerful mind. Closely connected to the spiritual nature of our complete self.
Cup
In divination, the cup represents rebirth, mystery, magic, divination, fertility, sexuality, new beginning, and prophecy. In magick, the cup is used in spells and rituals concerning fertility, easing childbirth, to aid in divination and magic, and enhancing psychic abilities.

Double Headed Eagle
The eagle is a sign of Scorpio, and an emblem of transformation-the lowly, crawling scorpion remade into the soaring creature of air. Alchemically, the eagle was a symbol of purified sulfur, and was used in alchemical images to portray the ascending spirit. The double heads are often emblematic of the reconciliation of matter and spirit. The double-headed eagle is reserved as the emblem of completion, for it signifies the Philosopher�s Stone, the ultimate soul condition, and that absolute and transcendent perfection which arises only from the fullest unfoldment of the individual's dorment potential.
Dragon
A dragon symbolizes many different things depending on the culture. It is a symbol of power, courage, strength, and strong will. In medieval times dragons were said to be used by kings to guard sacred treasures in caves. Only the one who slayed the dragon could obtain the treasures he protected. Dragons were said to be so protective of the treasures that even the king could not reclaim his treasure unless he slayed the dragon. In Japanese culture the dragon is said to be a symbol of supernatual powers. With incredible strength and a hidden wisdom. Ancient Japanese culture believed the only way to journey past a dragon was to answer its riddles.
Dream catcher
The circle and protective web around the symbolic Earth symbolizes not only our human mother, but also our mother earth. The protective circle is contained within a larger circle depicting the young and the next to be born. The symbolic meaning reminds us of our inherent responsibility to Mother Earth, and that we pass this responsibility on to our children.
Earth
Earth is one of the Four Elements of alchemy. Earth in the alchemical sense carries the archetypal properties of manifestation, birth, and material creation. It is associated with the operation of Conjunction and represented by the green ore of copper.

Elements
The Four Elements: Fire, Earth, Air and Water, with the addition of Ether, formed the Quintessence of Matter. They combined the four elements by way of the Sulfur, Salt and Spirit (Mercury) and sought to effect the transmutation of metals or the Quintessence of Matter. The meaning of this phrase is the intermingling of the four elements within the Ether structure, for example, the interactions of the four elements within an ethereal space-datum produced the Sulfur, Salt and Spirit.
Elven Star
There is much meaning behind the septagram, or seven-pointed star, also known as the Elven Star or Faerie Star. Each point of the star has a meaning, and stories about the meanings vary depending on the storyteller. Seven has long been a magical or lucky number, so many like the elven star for it's seven points. There are seven wonders of the ancient world, seven visible colors in a rainbow, seven notes to a musical scale (do, re, mi, fa, so, la, ti), and seven levels of heaven. Additionally, there are seven chakras, or energy centers in the body, and seven days of the week. Seven represents universal balance. This is illustrated by the symbol for earth, a square with four sides, combined with the trinity, representing heaven. These are bound together in harmony, forming a seven-pointed star. In an elven star, this balance is symbolized by three over four, or heaven over earth. For some, the points represent the seven directions: north, south, east, west, above, below, and within. For others, it's the seven magical elements: earth, air, fire, water, life, light, & magic. Still others say it's inner and outer elements: earth, air, fire, water, heaven, earth and self.
Eye of Ra or Horus
An Egyptian hieroglyph, called the Horus eye, for the eye of the sun god Horus. The Eye of Horus symbolizes protection and the bringing of wisdom. The eye also symbolizes our ability to see with clarity and truthfulness.
Fire
Fire symbolizes the heart. Fire cleanses the spirit and sacred items before ceremonial use. Fire represents cleansing and renewal, for out of the ashes comes new growth, new thoughts, rebirth of ideas and new ways of being; the plant world regenerates itself in a healthy way from the ashes of the old. Fire acts as a Messenger.

Frog
A symbol of fertility to many cultures. The Romans linked it to Aphrodite, the Egyptian to the shape-shifting goddess Heket who would take the form of a frog. To the Chinese, it symbolized the moon, the lunar, yin principle, bringing healing and prosperity. Since frogs need watery places, their image was often used in occult rain charms.
Gardnerian Pentagram
There are different thoughts in Wicca regarding the Elements. Some hold to the earlier Greek conception of the classical elements of air, fire, water, and earth, while others recognize five elements: earth, air, water, fire, and spirit (akasha). It has been claimed that the points of the frequently worn pentagram symbol, the five pointed star, symbolise five elements. The pentacle, a five-pointed star inside a circle, is most often shown with its point facing upward. Many Wiccans believe that the upper point represents spirit, and the four remaining points symbolise earth, air, fire, and water, but others deny that the points of the pentagram or pentacle represent anything at all.
Green Man
The Green Man symbol or icon has many different faces and variations in many cultures around the world. The Green Man is often related to natural vegetative deities springing up in different cultures throughout the ages, but historically it has primarily been interpreted as a symbol of rebirth, or renaissance, representing the cycle of growth being reborn anew each spring.
Hathor
Hathor, Goddess of the royal family, the sun, dancing, the arts, music, and the sky, was worshipped in pre-dynastic times in Egypt. Her name means House of Horus. Hathor is a mother-goddess like Isis. Hathor is often depicted as a cow bearing the sun disk on its head, or as a queenly woman with cow's ears and the sun disk on her head.

Hexagram
The hexagram is a Mandala symbol called satkona yantra or sadkona yantra found on ancient South Indian Hindu temples built thousands of years ago. It symbolizes the Nara-Narayana, or perfect meditative state of balance achieved between Man and God, and if maintained, results in Moksha, or Nirvana-release from the bounds of the earthly world and its material trappings.
Horned God
Depicted as a circle with an upside down crescent moon placed on top, the Horned God represents the male aspect, or the masculine polarity of the universe in Wicca. In Wiccan theology, the Horned God represents sexuality, energy, and power however; he does not exploit these virtues but rather, denotes compassion and gentleness in a masculine manner. This symbol is also somestimes called the Green Man, or the Horned Moon. Cernunnos, the ancient Celtic horned deity that symbolizes the masculine power of nature is considered the original concept of the Wiccan Horned God.
Hecates Wheel
This symbol is associated with the triple aspect of the Greek goddess Hecate. Considered a dark goddess by some, she rules over cross-roads and the Underworld. Hecate is also known as the Goddess of the Witches. This is not a common symbol among Wiccans, but you do see it occassionaly.
Horned Pentagram
A stylized representation of the Horned God or Mendes Goat, who in Wicca represents the masculine polarity of the universe. The horned god is the archetypal horned Shaman, related to the ancient Gods of vegetation and the hunt: Greek Pan, the Celtic Cernunnos, and the Egyptian Ammon. This symbol is sometimes referred to as the "horn moon," and as such, is also a symbol of the Goddess Diana, especially in Dianic Wicca.

Iron Cross
Adopted as the Iron Cross in Prussia. During the First World War, it appeared on German fighter planes and tanks. Later, it became a fascist symbol in Germany, France, Portugal, and other nations.
Italian Horn
Cornu, Cornicello, Wiggly Horn, Unicorn horn, Lucifier's horn or Leprechaun staff, call it as you like. This ancient magical charm or amulet worn in Italy as a protection against "evil eye" has also been linked to Celtic and Druid myths and beliefs. Other superstitions link it to sexual power and good luck. This Italian symbol is also the sign of the goat and means cuckold or in Italian, cornutto. It means that a man's wife is sleeping around.
Lightning Bolt
In ancient mythologies from many cultures: Norse, Roman, Greek, Native American, the lighting bolt would be hurled by male sky gods to punish, water, or fertilize the earth or its creatures. Navajo myths linked it to the Thunderbird, the symbol of salvation and divine gifts.
Lizard
In Roman mythology the lizard was thought to sleep throughout the winter and thus it came to symbolize death and resurrection. Throughout the Mediterranean the lizard is fondly regarded as an old family friend. For the Greeks and the Egyptians, the lizard represented divine wisdom and good fortune. In Egyptian hieroglyphics the lizard is used to depict plentiful or many.

Lucifers Sigil
A lesser known historical magical sigil used occasionally as an emblem by modern Satanists. The image originates in the sixteenth century Italian Grimoirium Verum, or Grimoire of Truth. Used in conjunction with other symbols, the original purpose of the sigil was to aid in a visual invocation of the angel Lucifer.
Magic Mirror
Magic mirrors are used for scrying: foretelling the future, solving problems, answering questions, etc. Scrying is an ancient art of clairvoyance wherein results are achieved by concentrating upon an object-usually one with a shiny surface-until visions appear. The term scrying comes from the English words descry which means to make out dimly or to reveal. Magic mirrors are often decorated with magic signs during full moon rituals.
Mandala
A mandala is used to refer to the personal world in which one lives and the various elements of the mandala or the activities and interests in which one engages, with the most important being at the center of the mandala and the least important at the periphery.
Mano Cornuto
In modern Italy the horns are deviously placed behind someone's head or pointed at a person with the conveyed meaning being that this person is being cheated on by his wife or her husband. The Italian cornuto translates literally to having horns, but figuratively means the person is a cuckold, literally, "a man whose wife has sexual relations with someone else". The gesture is also common in Spain, Colombia, Portugal, Brazil, Albania, Slovakia, Czech Republic, and Greece and has the same meaning in all of these countries.

Mano Fico
Mano Fico, or literally fig hand is an ancient obscene gesture and one of the better known protective gestures against the evil eye. The thumb and fist gesture is an ancient representation of sexual union. The gesture is used against the evil eye because some believe an obscenity serves as a distraction to evil.
Masonic Compass
The Masonic symbols of the square and the compass represent the pagan deities of the female Isis and the male Osiris. The dual principle of "male" and "female" is represented by the "square and compass." The "compass" represents OSIRIS, the male god of the Egyptians, while the "square" is the symbol representing ISIS, the female goddess of Egypt-both are sexual symbols.
Monad
Monad, a word with Greek roots, according to the Pythagoreans, was a term for God or the first being, or the totality of all beings. Monad being the source or the One meaning without division.
Paleolithic Goddess
This Paleolithic Goddess symbol is a simplified silhouette of a paleolithic Egyptian mother Goddess, probably a prototype of the Goddess Isis, and often used to symbolize the Lady, the feminine deity or goddess of Wicca.

Pentacle
A circle around a pentagram contains and protects. In union, the pentagram and circle symbolize eternity and infinity-the cycles of life and nature. The circled pentagram is a passive form of implying spiritual containment of the magic circle, the traditional secrecy of witchcraft, and the personal, individual nature and non-proselytising character of the pagan religious path.
Necromicon
The Necronomicon Gate Symbol, or Sigil, is often said to be the actual symbol that appears on the cover of the infamous Necronomicon book. The symbol is also commonly referred to as the Sigil of the Gate or the Gate of Yog-Sohoth. There are actually three sigils that have been combined to form this seal. The symbol or emblem is believed to harness great occult forces and bring protection to the wearer. Spelwerx takes the position that this symbol is a false sigil usually found on the cover of an edition of the legendary, but fake Necronomicon, a falsified grimoire based on the work of horror fiction writer H. P. Lovecraft.
Seal of Saturn
The Seal of Saturn dates to medieval times and is based on the magic square of Saturn, an ancient table of numbers believed to contain the magical essence of Saturn. Saturn in ritual magic represents the forces of containment, definition, limit, time, death, and stagnation.
Seax Wica
The emblem of an Anglo-Saxon influenced branch of Wicca, Seax Wica (the only tradition that uses the old Wica instead of Wicca), a solitary wiccan tradition, symbolizes the sun, moon, and the eight Sabbats, or holy days.

Solar Cross
The solar cross is probably the most ancient spiritual symbol in the world. It has been familiarly represented in Asian, American, European, and Indian religious art forms since the dawn of history. Formed of a equal armed cross within a circle, it represents the solar calendar-the movements of the sun marked by the solstices.
Trinacria
The symbol of Trinacria is well-known today because of its presence on the flags of Sicily and the Isle of Man. The Romans called it Triquetra (triangle) referring to the shape of the island of Sicily, while the Greeks used the word Tryskelion (three legs). The name Trinacria comes from the word trinacrios, which in Greek means triangle. The oldest theory of its meaning says that it is a Phoenician term of religious significance related to the Semitic god Baal (a trinity god) and that the three legs in running position meant the racing of time in the cycle of nature.
Triple Crescent Goddess
There are several styles of the Lunar Triple Goddess symbol, but all represent the three aspects of the moon-waxing, waning, and full-and womankind-mother, maiden, crone-as well as the Lady, or Goddess, the feminine polarity of the universe.
Triple Fish Triquetra
The triquetra or triqueta is a tripartate symbol composed of three interlocked vesica pisces, marking the intersection of three circles. Although it is often asserted that the triquetra is a symbol of a tripartite goddess, no such goddess has been identified with the symbol. Similar symbols do occur in some Norse and Celtic goddess imagery, but most likely represents the divisions of the animal kingdom and the three domains of earth mentioned above.

Triple Moon Goddess
The Triple Moon Goddess symbol represents the Maiden, Mother, and Crone as the waxing, full, and waning moon. This symbol is also associated with feminine energy, mystery, and psychic abilities. There exists a cross association and transformation within this symbol as the triple goddess is a maiden during the waxing moon, mother during the full moon, and crone during the waning moon. The maiden is innocent and young, the mother fertile and loving, yet a fierce protector of her young and the crone is old and wise, but also the gateway to death.
Triquetra - Triqueta
The triqueta symbolizes the triple aspected goddess as maid, mother, and crone. While Christians have protested the Wiccan "appropriation" of this symbol, ironically, the original Christian fish symbol was derived from an early symbol of venus, one representing female generative organs, which makes the triquetra a perfect symbol for a Goddess revival. The triquetra is also considered to represnt the triplicities of mind, body, and soul, as well as the three domains of earth according to Celtic legend: earth, sea, and sky.
Unicursal Hexagram
The Unicursal Hexagram symbolizes the union of the man with the divine. This six-pointed star represents above and below, a place where human and divine are One. The Unicursal Hexagram is particularly used by those practicing Thelema and Golden Dawn traditions. While Alastair Crowley always claimed to be the originator of the symbol, research has proven otherwise.
Wand
The wand is a ritual tool used by Wiccans and Ritual magicians. Symbolically, the Wand represents the element of fire and sometimes, air. The magic wand employed by stage magicians is based on this tool. The suit of wands in a Tarot deck also reflects this meaning, where wands or clubs symbolize spiritual force.

Water
This alchemical symbol for water is an inverted triangle, symbolizing downward flow. In magic formed from ancient beliefs and practices the downward pointing triangle is an ancient symbol of femininity, representing the female genitalia. As an alchemical element, water has the properties of cold and moist, and symbolizes intuition, the unconscious mind, and the enclosing, generating forces of the womb.
Wheel of the Year
The eight-pointed Wheel of the Year symbol represents the points of the important holy days or Sabbats in the Wiccan Ritual calendar. The Wheel of the Year is derived from the sun wheel, or solar cross, a pre-Christian European calendar marking the Solstices and Equinoxes.
Witch Sign
The Witch's Sign is used in some witchcraft and Wiccan traditions to mark ritual tools. While it is similar to the solar cross, its exact origin is unknown. The mark is similar to the Roman numeral thirteen and it has been suggested that the Witch's Sign may represent a coven of thirteen members (the preferred number).
Druid World Tree
The World Tree or Tree of Life concept is found in many cultures worldwide, including the ancient Celtic people's system of beliefs. The tree reflects a link between the upper and lower worlds and as Britain was once covered by huge oak forests, tree reverence as a major feature of the Celtic religion seems only natural. The World Tree or Tree of Life is most often regarded as an all-nourishing, all-giving Mother. Many tales of folklore and mythology tell of the Tree of Life or World Tree as being involved in the creation of the universe.

 

Mabon (pronounced MAY-bun, MAY-bone, MAH-boon or MAH-bawn) or the Autumn Equinox is one of the Lesser Wiccan Sabbats and is usually celebrated around September 23rd, though it can occur as early as the 20th, depending on the timing of the actual Astrological event (check the calendar). The Autumn Equinox, like the Spring Equinox divides day and night equally. However during Autumn, (as opposed to Spring, when the opposite occurs) we begin to see the waning of the Sun more obviously now as the days continue to grow shorter until the Wheel of the Year spins around again to Yule. (Images to the left and below are by Anthony Meadows and from Llewellyn's 1998 and 1999 Witches' Calendars. Click on either image to go directly to Llewellyn's Web Site.)

The various other names for this Sabbat include the Autumn (or Autumnal) Equinox, the Fall Equinox, the Second Harvest Festival, Festival of Dionysus, Wine Harvest, Cornucopia, Feast of Avalon, Equinozio di Autunno (Strega), and Alban Elfed (Caledonii, or Druidic - which celebrates the Lord of the Mysteries). The Teutonic name for this period is Winter Finding, which spans from the Equinox itself until Winter Night, on October 15. Winter Night is the Norse New Year.

The symbolism of this Sabbat is that of the Second Harvest, the Mysteries, Equality and Balance - when day and night are equal. Symbols to represent the Mabon Sabbat are such things as grapes, wine, vines, garland, gourds, pine cones, acorns, wheat, dried leaves, burial cairns, rattles, Indian corn, Sun wheels, and horns of plenty. Altar decorations might include autumn leaves, acorns, pine cones, a pomegranate to symbolize Persephone's descent into the Underworld, and a small statue or figure to represent the Triple Goddess in Her Mother aspect.

Deities associated with Mabon include all Wine Deities - particularly Dionysus and Bacchus, and Aging Deities. Emphasis might also be placed on the Goddess in Her aspect of the Mother (Demeter is a good example), Persephone (Queen of the Underworld and daughter of Demeter), and Thor (Lord of Thunder in Norse mythology). Some other Autumn Equinox Goddesses include Modron, Morgan, Snake Woman, Epona, Pamona, and the Muses. Some appropriate Gods besides those already mentioned are Mabon, Thoth, Hermes, and Hotei.

At this point in the Wheel of the Year, two appropriate mythological legends are that of Mabon and Modron, and the story of Demeter, Persephone and Hades. The Sabbat is named for Mabon, the Welsh God who symbolized the male fertilizing principle in the Welsh myths. Some mythologists equate him as the male counterpart for Persephone.

The universal story of Mabon and his mother, Modron has been passed down to us from the ancient proto-Celtic oral tradition. Mabon ap Modron, meaning "Great Son of the Great Mother", is the Young Son, Divine Youth, or Son of Light. Just as the September equinox marks a significant time of change, so, too, does the birth of Mabon. Modron, his mother, is the Great Goddess, Guardian of the Otherworld, Protector, and Healer. She is Earth itself.

From the moment of the Autumn Equinox, the Sun's strength diminishes, until the moment of the Winter Solstice in December, when the Sun grows stronger and the days once again become longer than the nights. Mabon also disappears, taken at birth when only three nights old (some legends say he was stolen from Modron at the age of three years). Modron cries in sweet sorrow... and although his whereabouts are veiled in mystery, Mabon is eventually freed with the wisdom and memory of the most ancient of living animals - the Blackbird, the Stag, the Owl, the Eagle, and the Salmon (other legends state that King Arthur himself was Mabon's rescuer). All along, Mabon has been quite a happy captive, dwelling in Modron's magickal Otherworld - Modron's womb. It is a nurturing and enchanted place, but also one filled with challenges. Only in so powerful a place of renewable strength can Mabon be reborn as his mother's champion, as the Son of Light. Mabon's light has been drawn into the Earth, gathering strength and wisdom enough to become a new seed.

According to one Greek myth, Autumn begins when Persephone returns to the Underworld to live with her husband, Hades. This is the tale...

Demeter's daughter, known as Kore at this time, was out picking flowers in a meadow when the Earth opened, and the god Hades dragged the girl into the Underworld Kingdom to be his wife. Kore's name changed to Persephone when she became the wife of Hades. For nine days Demeter looked everywhere for Kore, to no avail. In despair, she finally consulted the Sun god Helios, who told her that her brother Zeus had given the girl to Hades. Furious to hear the news, Demeter left Olympus and wandered the Earth disguised as an old woman. She finally settled in her temple at Eleusis. She cursed the Earth so it yielded no crops. Zeus became frantic and sent her a message as to why she had done this. She responded by stating to Zeus that there would be no renewing vegetation on Earth until her daughter, Kore, was returned to her.

Zeus sent Hermes into the Underworld for the girl. Hades, not wanting to give up his wife permanently, enticed Persephone to eat pomegranate seeds before she returned to her mother. Upon learning of this trick, Demeter again despaired, until Zeus declared that Persephone-Kore would live with her husband during half of the year, and return to live with her mother during the other half. In gratitude, Demeter lifted her curse on the Earth, thus creating Spring at the time of her great joy of her daughter's return; and Fall at her time of great sorrow when her daughter returned to the Underworld to live with her husband, Hades.

Mabon is considered a time of the Mysteries and marks the end of the second of three Pagan Harvest Festivals, when the majority of crops have been gathered. It is considered a time of balance, a time of darkness overtaking light, a time of celebration of the Second Harvest. It is a time to honor the Aging Deities and the Spirit World. The principle key action of Mabon is giving thanks. Pagan activities may include the making of wine and the adorning of graves. A traditional practice is to walk wild places and forests, gathering seed pods and dried plants. Some of these can be used to decorate the home or altar, others saved for future herbal magick. It is considered taboo to pass burial sites and not honor the dead.

The Autumn Equinox is a wonderful time to stop and relax and be happy. While we may not have toiled the fields from sunrise to sunset every day since Lammas - as our ancestors did - most of us do work hard at what we do. At this time of year, we should stop and survey the harvest each of us has brought in over the season. For us, like our ancestors, this becomes a time of giving thanks for the success of what we have worked at.

Spellwork for protection, wealth and prosperity, security and spells to bring a feeling of self-confidence are appropriate for Mabon. Since this is a time for balance - you might include spells that will bring into balance and harmony the energies either in a room, home, or situation. Ritual actions might include the praising or honoring of fruit as proof of the love of the Goddess and God, and a ritual sprinkling of Autumn leaves.

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

Appropriate colors for this Sabbat are red, orange, deep gold, brown, russet, maroon and violet. Candle colors might be orange, dark red, yellow, indigo, or brown. Altar cloths can also be made of material with Fall designs. Stones to use during Mabon are amethyst and yellow topaz, carnelian, lapis lazuli, sapphire, and yellow agate. River and stream stones gathered over the Summer can be empowered for various purposes. Animals associated with the Autumn Equinox are dogs, wolves and birds of prey. Mythical creatures include gnomes, minotaurs, sphinx, cyclopes, andamans and gulons. Plants associated with Mabon are vines, ivy, hazel, cedar, hops and tobacco. Traditional herbs of the Mabon sabbat include acorns, asters, benzoin, ferns, honeysuckle, marigold, milkweed, mums, myrrh, oak leaves, passionflower, pine, roses, sage, Solomon's seal, and thistles. Incense for the Mabon Sabbat Ritual might include any or all of the following: frankincense, aloes wood, jasmine, cinnamon, musk, cloves, benzoin, myrrh, and sage

The foods of Mabon consist of the gleanings of the Second Harvest, so grains, fruit and vegetables predominate, especially corn. Corn bread and cider are traditional fare, as are beans and baked squash. Others foods include wine, grapes, breads, pomegranates, roots (carrots, onions, potatoes, etc.), nuts and apples.

May the Lord and Lady bless you all with lots of prosperity, and a plentiful Second Harvest!

 

Hello new & old Sisters.

Let me introduce myself, I am Artio Boanne, my wiccan name, Artio is a minor goddess of nature, & Boanne is a warrior goddess. I like to think that I'm a person of balance, but when that balance has been tilted by outside hands, then I fight for my rights.

I belong to a circle of eclectic pagans, there are witches wiccans, mediums, crystal healers & empaths. We have no leader or Priestess. We take it in turns to do our thing with the group. It makes for a wonderful experience. We each appreciate the others talents & paths.

So pop in & say hello, you'll be most welcome.