Today is the Autumn Equinox. This is considered by many to be the first day of Autumn, and is one of only two moments in the year when the sun is exactly above the Equator, and that day and night are of equal length. Like Halloween is a time when the veil between the land of the living and the realm of the dead is thin, this holiday (as well as its cross-point in the spring) are times when the veil between our world and that of the Fae is at is thinnest… and it is when I personally experience more interactions with them than any other time of year.
In my path, the Autumn Equinox is also known as the Second Harvest (also called Mabon), and is a day that marks the transition of the growing season into full harvest. After this day, the darkness of night begins to overtake the sun’s reign in the sky as the days continue to grow shorter and shorter, and the nights longer and longer. The earth is winding down its abundant generosity and beginning to close up shop for the year.
Like with new moons and full moons, I usually do a spread to check in with myself and give myself some direction for the next couple of months for each solstice, equinox, and other Sabbats. This spread is an adaptation of my Self Care Saturday spread, so there are sure to be some similarities in how it is read. The focus of this spread, though, is not about Self Care, but rather about progress and my path. The time period is also longer, reaching through the next handful of weeks until the celebration of the upcoming third and Last Harvest of the year (aka. Samhain, Halloween) at the end of October.
Theme of the Season – The Thinning Veil Art Card, Waning Crescent, Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis)
The Thinning Veil art card shows a depiction of a fox in a forest with the veil represented by the sparks of light in the air, and as he stands and looks through the veil, he sees the ghost of another fox on the other side. Mabon is a time when the veil begins to thin between us and the dead, but what is thinnest at this specific time of the year surrounding the Second Harvest is the veil between us and the Fae. This is what I see in the imagery of this card, that veil. The connection that can be found in the forests and woods where the liminal spaces between the Fae and our own world are already thin, and now become nearly non-existent.
The Waning Crescent Moon is all about finding balance through letting go, release, banishment, and atonement. It is a time when we seek to exhale the dregs of energies used, so that with the new moon we can then inhale fresh energy into our lives that will stir up creative juices and invigorate. Now is the time to make room, cleansing away those last lingering leftovers and releasing what is finished and needs left behind.
Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) is harvested for its roots, which are used most often to treat coughs, skin irritation, and digestive problems as it is excellent for forming a protective layer within the throat, on the skin, or within the digestive tract that can soothe inflammation and upset and in turn calm these ailments. Metaphysically, it is often used in spellwork that involves gentle protection, love, fertility, and/or connecting with benevolent spirits.
When looking at these three cards together, the personal theme that I see here has to do with letting go of the “staying away from nature” bullshit that has been going on this summer and taking this time while the veil is thin between our world and that of the Fae to get back out into nature. Shed self restraint and the parts of you that are holding you back from getting out into those liminal spaces and getting what you need. Connect with the entities you know so well and spend time with them. This is a part of your practice that has been sorely lacking this summer, and now is the perfect time to return to it.
Earth – Queen of Wands Rx – You have not been connecting with the earth in the way that you need of late, and now that energies are shifting and the temperatures are starting to cool it’s time to get back into the habit of getting out in nature on a regular basis. Don’t allow this disconnect to become a problem.
Air – Temperance – You have a tendency at this time of year to allow yourself to get locked into a mentality of deadlines. This is overwhelming and holds you back, so make sure that you aren’t dipping into those thought processes again this year. You still have plenty of time for the things you love before the holiday rush starts.
Water – Three of Coins – Finding balance is going to be a community effort this year. You don’t have to do it alone, and a lot of the things that you want to do alone you’re not going to get to do alone. Don’t let that hold you back.
Fire – Six of Cups Rx – Train your gaze on the present, not the past… and not the future either. Enjoy this time while it’s here instead of allowing yourself to be distracted by other things.
Waning – The Companion and Shell – You don’t need to protect yourself so very vehemently from others. Your vulnerability is not as obvious to them as you think, and only those you trust are going to see it for what it is. Your walls are to high and built too thickly due to defense mechanisms you no longer need.
Waxing – The Crossroads and Hare – Dive into those liminal spaces you crave, but stay alert and aware of your surroundings as you do so. Enjoy the present without worry about the future or casting your gaze back at the past. It’s in the now that you need to be in order to savor the bonds this Mabon encourages you to reconnect with.
Take Away – It’s time to make reconnecting with nature and the liminal spaces that the forests have to offer a priority. Enjoy what free time you have left before the holiday rush starts. Soon enough the time will come to deal with all that…. not yet tho.
