In honor of our Sixth Source we draw comfort from the cycles of the Moon and either in solitude or in community create sacred space during its phases. Last night a small group of us gathered here at Twinkle’s Place to gather up the abundant energies of the Equinox, the Full Moon and Lunar Eclipse.  

The ritual began as three 7-day candles were lit to ignite a healing and a protection in our community.  Twinkle honed her story-telling skills, reciting stories of Liberation: both creation and destruction. Below is the retelling of Mabon, and below that a chant for the Goddess Tara.  

Also with us were four arch angels: Michael, Gabriel, Uriel, Raphael and the Goddess Kali and The Green Man energies.

Blessings to each of you as we head into the dark season. May you seek the mirror that informs you which that is you must let go, and which that is you must replant.

One of our clearest signs of the changing season here in New England is found in The Green Man’s realm. The colorful leaves transforming the trees and attuning our attention to the cycle of life and of death.

As night and day are in equal magnitude on the Equinox, so are the forces of creation and destruction that we each possess.

At this time, we can draw on our Power

to create or destroy,

build or dismantle,

embrace or release that what we wish.

As the story unfolds, consider what it is you would like to bring into,

or cast out of,

your life at this auspicious time of balanced energies.

For Druids, Fall Equinox is called Mea’n Fo’mhair.  It is a time to pause and recognize The Green Man, the God of the Forest.

For Wiccans, a time to celebrate the cycle of the Goddess as she passes from Mother to Crone.  Harnessing the wisdom gained in Time’s passing.  Honoring the gift of old age.

Our Harvest Moon holiday is often referred to as Mabon.

Unlike Lammas and Beltane, Mabon does not merely refer to a seasonal celebration.

Mabon is the name of a Welsh God.  

An ancient one.

Born at the beginning of Time.  Who, as the story goes, was taken mysteriously from his Mother (Modron) when he was only three nights old.

No hope of freedom.

Nary a sign of him throughout the years.

As a young oak in a budding wood grew to a hundred limbed tree. The tree in its old age, spawning a forest, which too has been laid to rest and reborn again.

Not a whisper on the wind in all those years indicating where Mabon was abducted to.

His name but a distant memory, in a story rarely told, the God Mabon was imprisoned until a man name Culhwch (KESH-lookh) sought to find him.

Culhwch was accompanied by his cousin, the Great King Arthur, in his search to find Mabon.  They were aided by King Arthur’s most trusted companions.  Mabon was rescued from a fortress like none had ever seen.

Mabon was aided in his liberation, not only by the men who took to the task of saving him, but also the many animals who gave them direction as they wandered the Earth searching.

The Blackbird, (the ancient birth helped launch their journey, leading them to the forest where there was an animal even older than he)

The Stag,  (guided them through the inner most forest until they were at the deep woods)

The Owl, (guided them through the forest and up into the mountain)

The Eagle, (guided them down the mountain, through the valleys and along the river to the shore)

The Salmon. (guided them up the river, over the rapids and around the bend, continuing upstream until they reached the grim and frightening castle where Mabon was held in captivity)

Each, while not directly aware of Mabon, were connected indeed, as their remembrances lead one to the other, and finally to the discovery of Mabon’s whereabouts.

The men became his saviors.

The animals, his Totems.

The story creating another message for us to heed as we are reminded at this time of Harvest: that Nothing exists separately from the whole.  

That, like Nature, we are always and all ways giving and receiving.

Mabon is the God of Freedom.  

His long imprisonment driving him to protect all things desiring liberation.

We honor Mabon when we protect the rights and freedoms of all Mother Earth’s offspring: the elements, plants, animals and people from all nations and walks of life.

We honor Mabon when we seek sovereignty over our life’s path.

We honor Mabon when we free ourselves from self-imposed bindings.

Om Tara Tu Tara

Think of a form of liberation you would like to bring into your reality.

Do you name it out loud, or hold it in silence?

There is more power in words spoken aloud.

Fear shrouds the silent wish;

Suffocating it in darkening silence.

The voice, your Voice, gives it Power.

Give it Life with the Spirit of your Muse.

You will find it planted in the warm Earth of your Soul;

Whispering to you as the Heart’s desire.

It needs Air to Breathe;

It craves the Fire of your Passion;

It grows with the Water of Dedication;

Let it Sing.

Om Tara Tu Tara

Om Tara Tu Tara

Om Tara Tu Tara

Om Tara Tu Tara

~ Twinkle

June 28, 2013

Original Postings found at Twinkle’s BLOG

Mabon Story

Om Tara

Lunar Eclipse photo credit