The Complete Mabon Ritual of the Children of the Moon



Supplies:

2 white candles
Besom
Incense
Holy Water
Consecrated Salt
Bell
1 Red Candle
Quarter Candles (red, blue, green, yellow)
Bread and Wine (communion)
Athame or Wand (optional)
Offering for Sabbat Fire
Altar
Altar Cloth
Markers for the Directions

Feast Supplies

Aureolus - Pot Roast

Marinus - Edible Leaves, Crescent Cakes and Apple Butter, Oatmeal and Honeywheat bread

Eburneaus Luna Amnis - Apples, Chex Mix, Teaballs, Russian tea

Salix - Kielbalsa, Cookie drops, Cider

Dewey - Corn on the cob


Table and Cloth
Cups
Eating Utensils
Bowls and Plates


Mabon Outline

I. Make area a Sacred Space and Set up
II. Cast the Circle
III. Call the Quarters
VI. Invoke the Lord and Lady
a. "Journey" read by all
b. "Lady Autumn" read by Marinus
c. "The Wolf and the Stag" read by Aureolus
d. "The First Frost" read by Ami
V. Intent of Ritual
a. "Mabon Invocation" read by Salix
b. Mabon Work
c. Honoring the Elementals
VI. Cakes and Wine
a. Meditation
b. Sabbat Fire Offering
VII. Thank Deity
a. Release Circle
b. Release Quarters
c. Seal Altar Energies
d. Offer Libation
VIII. Clean up



I. Make area a Sacred Space

Take a besom and walk twice around the area to be cleansed sweeping and chanting : "Sweep, sweep, with this broom,
all the evil from this room.
Sweep, sweep, all good in,
evil never to return again. "
Pick up the incense and walk around the space.
"I walk this area once around,
to cleanse and consecrate this sacred ground."

Pick up the bowl of holy water and walk it again.
"I walk this space once again,
between thy world all time shall blend."

Pick up the bowl of salt and walk it again.
"I walk this sacred space thrice this time,
protection of Lord and Lady is thine."

Return the elements to altar. Stand at the center of the space or altar and say:
"I cleanse, consecrate, and empower this sacred space in the name of the Lord and the Lady. So mote it be!"

Set up the area. Place altar, quarter marks, candles, etc.


II. Casting the Circle

Aureolus: (walk to altar and open energies by passing the four elements over the altar and intoning a personal blessing. Tap the altar 5 times. Light illuminator candles.)
"Tides of the season, ebb and flow,
(tap altar once. silently invoke Mabon energy.)
(hold hands over altar) From Spring's first light to Autumn's glow."

Ami: (start walking deosil from North)
"Deosil around from birth to death,
Legends, myths, and lore connect."
(end up back at North)

Marinus: (lift red fire candle on altar and look to sky)
"Solar fire, suns bright burning,
Purify the Great Wheel turning."
(return candle)

John: (Begin walking deosil from North)
"Winds of the North to carry the flame,
The mists of eons, call the name,
Mabon!
East and South, The West inspire,
Energy spirals ever higher!"
(end up at North)

Dewey: (Begin at North)
"The circle rises and makes rebirth,
As seasons change and kiss the earth."
(end at North)

Salix: (hold hands over altar)
"From seed and plow to Harvest home,
The starry vault and standing stone, (point at North w/ athame)
This Sabbat circle thrice around (visualize circle)
I seal thee now from sky to ground!" (bring arm down and stamp foot)

III. Calling the Quarters

Light the Quarter candles.

Salix: (stand at North)
"Winds of the Mabon North,
attend, acknowledge, and proclaim!"

Marinus: (At East)
"Winds of the Mabon East,
attend, acknowledge, and proclaim!"

Aureolus/John: (South)
"Winds of the Mabon South,
attend, acknowledge, and proclaim!"

Ami/Dewey: (West)
"Winds of the Mabon East,
attend, acknowledge, and proclaim!"

(Everyone move to Center)
"Winds of the Mabon Spirit,
fill this circle with thy love and protection!"

IV. Invoking Lord and Lady

Salix: (Goddess Position)
"Goddess, Mother, hear our cry,
Across the Divine our spells shall fly,
We ask of thee upon this night,
Aid us in our sacred rite!"

Marinus: (God Position)
"Father God to thee I call,
Lord of beasts and forests tall,
We ask of thee upon this night,
Aid us in our magick rite!"

Journey - read by all


Lady Autumn - read by Marinus

"The Wolf and the Stag" - read by Aureolus

In the time before the tribes of Man walked upon the Earth, the Wolf and the Stag were of the same blood. They shared the world with all of the other animals in peace and friendship.

It came that a dangerous time fell upon the land. The spirits of the South had become harsh and had baked the earth until it was hard and dry. They kept the spirits of West from bringing water to the parched land. Food became scarce and the water that remained was like acid on the tongue. When the rains did come, they fell upon the barren ground in angry sheets that gouged great fissures in the face of the world.

Stag worried greatly for his sister Wolf. She had become thin and weak and Stag knew that the snows of Winter were not long from coming to bring the world to icy sleep. Fearing that Wolf could not survive, Stag called out to the Goddess for aid.

"Great Mother" cried Stag, "Please save my sister! There is no food and she is weak and sick. She must eat soon or she will perish."

"All that you require you need only to seek." the voice of the Goddess sang in Stag's heart. "But remember, that whatever you seek, if you find it not within, you will never find it without."

The words of the Goddess confused Stag and he cried out again," Mother, the Earth is barren and the Winter comes soon. I fear it may already be too late, for had I food to give her I know not if she has the strength to eat."

"If you find food for her," the Goddess spoke in rustling leaves, "then I shall grant her the strength she shall need to eat." And then she was gone. Stag was gladdened at the hope of saving his sister and hurried off to find nourishment for Wolf.

Long and hard Stag searched, turning the ground with his hooves, moving rocks and logs with his horns, but he found nothing to bring back for his sister. He continued his quest until he was too weak to search any longer.

With great sadness in his heart he returned to Wolf and wept, "Forgive me my sister, but I have searched the land over and could find no food for you to eat."

"Then this is how it must be." said Wolf. "I thank you for your efforts, my brother. I shall think of you often and will await you arrival in the Summerland. I love you, Stag." With that, Wolf laid down to wait for death to take her. Stag laid with her and wept tears of desperation and helplessness.

Wolf had lain motionless for a long time when the Dark Goddess appeared to Stag again and said, "I must take Wolf now to the Summerland." and reached out icy fingers toward Wolf¹s still form.

Stag could bear his sorrow no more and cried out at the Goddess. "No!" he bellowed, "Do not take the life of my sister! She is kind and wise and loving of all things. If only one of us can survive then let it be her. I offer over my life to you if it will let her live."

"Brave Stag," whispered the Goddess, "Your love for Wolf is true and strong. I will grant your request, her life is spared."

Wolf's body twitched and shuddered violently and with a great yelp, Wolf leapt to her feet. What Stag saw next struck terror in his heart. For the creature that stood before him was no longer held the loving eyes of his sister. No, these eyes said but one thing, hunger!

Wolf started to move toward Stag with cautious calculation and unwavering stare. Confused and frightened, Stag could think of but one thing to do, and that was run. Into the woods Stag dashed, with no thought but run. Wolf moved with lightning speed on spindly legs and wizened frame that belied the strength of the Goddess the flowed within, her eyes fixed on her goal.

Stag ran as hard as he could but quickly tired for he too had had nothing to eat for many days. Suddenly, Wolf was upon him in a blur of fang and claw and blood. Stag kicked at Wolf and forcing her off of him and held her at bay using his antlers as a shield.

"What has happened to my sister?" he thought. "Why is she doing this?" He continued to fight Wolf off but his strength ebbed quickly and he knew he could no longer keep her away. Just as Wolf was preparing for her next attack Stag heard the Goddess singing again, "if you find it not within, you will never find it without." and in that moment he understood it all. He was to be the food that his sister needed to survive. The Goddess had honored his request to spare the life of Wolf and to take his in her stead. In her wisdom, the Goddess had known that Wolf would never willingly take the life of her brother. So she had made the hunger blind her until all she could see was food.

All of the fear and confusion was washed away from Stag and he raised himself up to his full stature and proudly waited for Wolf to come. And Wolf did come.

As he fell, Stag saw the Goddess looking on and she was smiling at him. "Thank you for the life of my sister." he thought as death came to him in a warm embrace of blackness.

Wolf ate until she could eat no more and then, exhausted, she lay down and slept. She slept for a long time and dreamt of running through the forest with her brother.

Wolf awoke expecting to see her brother by her side as he had always been. Instead, she found Stag¹s lifeless body and the memory of what had occurred nearly tore her heart to pieces.

"What have I done?!" she sobbed. Her pain and sorrow welled up in her and burst forth from her throat as a sound the likes of which had never before been heard in the world. All the animals stopped and listened to the mournful sound and heard the name "Stag" as it was carried throughout the land on Wolf's baleful song.

The Goddess, hearing this cry, came to Wolf and soothed, "Weep not for your brother, my child, for he shall live on."

"But I have killed him!" wept Wolf.

"No," purred the Goddess, "So strong was Stag's love for you that he gave his life unto you that you might live. I shall bring him forth again and again as my lover and consort and the Stag shall ever more be a symbol of the love and sacrifice of the God."

"And so I shall forever honor his gift to me." said Wolf. "Leave me as I am, thin and gaunt, for it shall remind me of his love and sacrifice. And when the night is full I shall sing his name to the heavens, as will my children and my grandchildren so that the name of Stag will live on until Wolf and Stag are no more.

The First Frost - read by Ami

"It twas a September midnight,
The moon was bathing the Autumn dead land with luminence,
The insects and spiders were silent, frozen by the first frost of the autumn night,
The trees shiver whilst the chilling wind blows, not knowing where it came whence,
The first frost has begun.

In the wood, stood a mighty oak,
It whispered with the wind,
Then it whipped its branches around as if putting on a cloak,
Whilst doing so, it lost most of its leaves, which shall never mend,
The leaves began to fall.

A squirell curled upside its home in a tree,
With all it's acorns surrounding it,
You cannot see a single butterfly or bee,
The street lamp's candle light became unlit,
The streets seceded into darkness.

Silver crystals painted over the grass...sparkle,
An owl's wise eyes linger, wary of the shadows,
The raindrops of the Summer rain trickle,
The drops echoing through the meadows,
Autumn has begun."

V. Intent of Ritual

All: (should already be situated around altar)
"We have come this eve to celebrate the Second Harvest in the name of Lord and Lady!"

Salix: (Mabon Invocation)

"Mabon brings the scent of autumn,
Golden glow and sun's soft kiss,
Magick swirls and eddies onward,
Season's end demands all this.

The Wheel is turning, ever forward,
Calling for your act of closure,
Fill the cauldron, light the fire!
Cast the magick ever higher!
Find the laughter, make ye merry,
Touch the heartbeat of our Mother.

Libra brings an air of beauty,
Gracing all with harvest lore,
Listen closely, wisdom's duty,
Look within to find the door.

The Wheel is turning, ever forward,
Calling for your act of closure,
Fill the cauldron, light the fire!
Cast the magick ever higher!
Find the laughter, make ye merry,
Touch the heartbeat of our Mother.

The fruits are heavy on the trees,
Yellow, gold, and orange leaves,
Nature's show of alchemy,
Ever clear to you and me."

(Mabon Work)

Everyone gather around the altar.

John: *ring bell 3x's.

Salix: "This eve we have come to celebrate the Second Harvest, that of fruits, nuts, and the vines. We also remember those who struggle without. As we accept the gifts of the Lord and the Lady, we remember that what was sown is now reaped, and this is the time of offerings, payment of dues, and enjoyment of just rewards. So, too, do we pass along what we may to those who have need."

Dewey: *ring bell 3x's.

Aureolus: "The Wheel of the Year is ever turning, through Sun tides and Moon tides, through seasons and harvests, for plants, for animals, and for people; for all life moves within the Wheel of the Year from life to death, to life again. The balance and the harmony of the dance of our life is the Spiral dance of Energy Eternal, lead by the God guiding us. He yearly travels the path of Nature on our behalf that we know and not fear the cycles of our being, for balance and harmony in the motion of his life are His truths."

Ami: (Hold up the bread and wine for Communion)
"We ask the blessings of the Lady and the Lord upon this food that the Harvest be bountiful." (set it down)

John: *ring bell 3x's.

Marinus: "The Lord of Shadows rules in His Shadowland, yet His love holds true, and with Him our own dances will one day move the Other Way. As this harvest season moves onward to the last harvest, We call upon the Lady and the Lord to bless this beautiful season and all of our lives within it, that our lives be the harvest of the Goddess and the God."

(Honoring the Elementals)

Salix: (Move to North and point wand/athame/finger)
"Hail to thee, Elemental Earth! Your steadfastness helps us to maintain the things of our home, our health, our security, and our comfort.
We are kith and kin and we honor you!"

Marinus: (East)
"Hail to thee, Elemental Air! Your inspiration helps us to learn and understand.
We are kith and kin and we honor you!"

Aureolus/John: "Hail to thee, Elemental Fire!
Your energy helps us with the drive we need to accomplish our goals.
We are kith and kin and we honor you!"

Ami/Dewey: (At West)
"Hail to thee, Elemental Water! Your gentle flow helps us to maintain our calm and balance in our relationships with others.
We are kith and kin and we honor you!"

Dewey: *ring bell 3x's.

VI. Cakes and Wine

Aureolus: (Hold hands over wine)
"From the moon to the land,
From the land to the vine,
From the vine to the berry,
From the berry to the juice,
I consecrate this drink in the name of the Lord and the Lady. May their blessings shower upon us throughout eternity. So mote it be!"

(drink some. pass it around, everyone take a sip but there should be some left in the cup.)

Ami: (Hold hands over cakes)
"From the Sun to the land,
From the land to the stalk,
From the stalk to the grain,
From the grain to this bread,
I consecrate this food in the name of the Lord and Lady. May their blessings shower upon us throughout eternity. So mote it be!"

(eat some. pass it around, everyone take a bite but there should be some left on the plate.)

*~(Group meditation)~*

(Sabbat Fire Offering)

Aureolus: "Upon the wings of fiery flame, I give this offering in Goddess' name."
(pour offering in fire)

VII. Thanking Deity

Salix: (center of circle)
"Holy Mother, Divine Lord, we thank you for attending our harvest ceremony. Guard and guide us throughout this coming season. Help us to do the divine work given to us and help us in all of our choices. So mote it be!"

(All gather in center)

All: "Winds of the Mabon Spirit, blessings upon you! We release thee upon thy way til next we meet again!"

(Release Quarters)

Move to Quarters.

Ami/Dewey: "Winds of the Mabon West, blessings upon you! We release thee on thy way til next we meet again!"

Aureoulus/John: "Winds of the Mabon South, blessings upon you! We release thee on thy way til next we meet again!"

Marinus: "Winds of the Mabon East, blessings upon you! We release thee on thy way til next we meet again!"

Salix: "Winds of the Mabon North, blessings upon you! We release thee on thy way til next we meet again!"

(Release Circle)

Ami: " O great circle of Sabbat Art, attend us no more this eve but be released back into Spirit!" (say while walking widdershins)
(Seal altar energies by tapping altar once and extinguishing illuminator candles)

(Offer libation)

Dewey: (Pour wine) "To the Gods!"

John: (Drop bread) "To the Gods!"

CLEAN UP!!!