Celebrating Mabon and Ostara
There are two equinoxes every year – in September and March – when the sun shines directly on the equator and the length of day and night is nearly equal. These equinox events vary in date and time by a few hours to a day. Generally they occur on or around September 21st or 22nd. And of course it depends on where you are on the planet for the exact time of the event.
Seasons are opposite on either side of the equator, so the equinox in September is known as the “autumnal (fall) equinox” in the northern hemisphere, and in the southern hemisphere, it’s known as the “spring (vernal) equinox”.
The September equinox occurs the moment the sun crosses the celestial equator – the imaginary line in the sky above the Earth’s equator – from north to south.
This year, the September Equinox in Richmond, Virginia, U.S.A. is on Monday, September 22, 2014 at 10:29 PM EDT. In Adelaide Australia the event occurs on Tuesday 11:59 AM. You can visit TimeandDate.com to find the exact time for the equinox in your area.
Mabon; The Feast of Avalon In The Northern Hemisphere
The time of Giving thanks, take time for Reflection.
Here in the north we’re celebrating Mabon, the Feast of Avalon. This pagan holiday is assumed to have originated in the Celtic lands. But some argue it is highly influenced by Norse traditions. Sadly there isn’t enough documentation from the early pagan eras to be positive either way. But we know pagans evolved their knowledge as new cosmic knowledge was learned. It’s not so farfetched to see the Norse thumb print on the holiday; so why pick one or the other. This is 2014 and we know a lot more about the world, the universe and ourselves. So celebrate from both perspectives and create unity and peace for all.
To the Celts, Avalon is home to the dead and literally means the “land of apples”. Thus this is a holiday for celebrating the bounty of the harvest. The context of Avalon being the place for warriors and heroes, is shared with the Norse view of Valhalla. So Mabon celebrates the harvest, but it also honors the warriors that have gone before us and sacrificed themselves for us. It’s a good day to leave some flowers on a soldier’s grave, and thank a vet for their service too. Learn more about the History of Mabon.
Ostara In The Southern Hemisphere
The time of Conception, Regeneration, and New Beginnings.
For our friends south of the equator, are beginning their Spring rebirth festivals. This Spring Equinox festival is based in Germanic Paganism. Ēostre derives from Proto-Germanic “Austrō” the translation of which is “to shine”. Makes sense for the return of the sun to warm up the land. Ostara, Eástre was seen as the Goddess of the sun, light, warmth the result of which brings the blossoms.
As a pagan holiday Ostara is one of the more confusing and convoluted festivals in terms of its history. It’s claimed by German neo-Pagans, Norse, Saxon and Celt. Celts admit that holiday is not one of their original observances and therefore it’s accepted to be part of a reconstruction of old Celtic ways highly influenced by the Norse invasion.
To the Celts, the holiday is associated with the Goddess Nemetoma who rules over the woodlands with the hare and brings fertility back into the world as the early spring plants and gardens bloom. Along with the courtship of animals bringing bigger flocks and herds for abundance after the cold barren winter. Ring in the symbols of Bunnies and colored eggs for “Easter” here in the north. Learn more about the History of Ostara.
~ Springwolf 🐾
© 2014 Springwolf, D.D., Ph.D. Springwolf Reflections / Springs Haven, LLC. All Rights Reserved.