As the golden leaves fall and the air turns crisp, we arrive at Mabon, the Autumn Equinox. Celebrated around September 21st–23rd, Mabon is a time of balance, when day and night stand as equals. It is also the Second Harvest Festival, a season of gratitude, reflection, and preparation for the darker half of the year. The earth offers her bounty, and among her greatest gifts are the herbs—each carrying unique energies to guide us through this sacred season.
Let us wander into the autumn garden and explore the herbs most aligned with the magic of Mabon.
Sage is revered as an herb of purification, clarity, and wisdom. At Mabon, it is especially potent for cleansing away stagnant energy and preparing for a new cycle of growth and transformation. Burn sage to clear your altar or home, or place dried leaves in a charm bag for protection and insight.
Mabon Use: Burn in ritual to release old energies and invite wisdom for the season ahead.
Rosemary has long been a symbol of memory, devotion, and spiritual strength. At the Autumn Equinox, it reminds us to honor ancestors and the harvest of experiences gained throughout the year. Place sprigs on your altar or use rosemary in cooking to invite both protection and remembrance.
Mabon Use: Add to ritual baths or bread to bless gatherings with harmony and protection.
Marigold – Gratitude and Prosperity
Golden marigolds glow like the setting sun, radiating gratitude and abundance. Known for their protective qualities, marigolds also invite prosperity and joy. They embody the spirit of giving thanks for the earth’s bounty.
Mabon Use: Place marigolds on your altar or weave them into garlands to honor the harvest.
Cinnamon – Abundance and Warmth
Cinnamon’s fiery essence stirs passion, abundance, and comfort. Its spicy warmth is perfect for celebrating Mabon’s themes of prosperity and gratitude. Use it in incense blends, baked goods, or tea to infuse your rituals with fiery abundance.
Mabon Use: Bake cinnamon bread or simmer cinnamon sticks in cider for a cozy, abundant celebration.
Pine – Grounding and Protection
Pine carries the evergreen promise of resilience and renewal. As the wheel turns toward winter, pine reminds us of stability and endurance. Burn pine resin as incense for cleansing and protection, or place needles in a sachet for grounding energy.
Mabon Use: Use pine cones or boughs as altar decorations to symbolize strength.
Myrrh – Spiritual Opening
Sacred and ancient, myrrh deepens spiritual connection and inner reflection. During Mabon, it supports the soul’s journey inward as we prepare for the long nights ahead. Its resin is powerful for meditation and ritual offerings.
Mabon Use: Burn myrrh incense in quiet meditation to open your spirit to divine wisdom.
Gentle yet powerful, lavender soothes the spirit and invites peace. At Mabon, lavender balances the energy of transition, offering calm and healing. Use in ritual baths, sachets, or offerings to the harvest gods.
Mabon Use: Place lavender on your altar or use in teas to calm and center your spirit.
Yarrow is a plant of courage, love, and healing. Its energy strengthens the heart and protects against negativity. As we reflect on balance and gratitude, yarrow helps us heal and embrace love in all forms.
Mabon Use: Carry dried yarrow in a pouch for protection or brew in tea for heart-centered healing.
Chamomile – Balance and Well-Being
Chamomile’s gentle energy embodies peace, relaxation, and well-being. At the equinox, it represents the harmony between light and dark. Use chamomile in teas or baths to bring balance and serenity to your mind and body.
Mabon Use: Sip chamomile tea during meditation to honor balance and cultivate inner peace.
Final Thoughts
At Mabon, the herbs of the season guide us toward balance, gratitude, and renewal. Whether cleansing with sage, baking with cinnamon, or weaving marigolds into garlands, these green allies remind us that the earth provides not only nourishment but also spiritual guidance.
May your Mabon be blessed with harmony, abundance, and the gentle wisdom of nature’s herbs.
