City Magick: Urban Rituals, Spells and Shamanism - Christopher Penczak 2001

Mabon
As the World Turns

Mabon is the celebration of the Autumnal Equinox, usually falling around September 21, when the Sun moves from the astrological sign of Virgo into Libra. It is named for the young god, Mabon, who gets lost in the underworld until his mother, Modron, rescues him. The theme of Mabon is the descent into the underworld as the leaves turn and the scent of death and darkness fills the land. The sacrificed god from Lammas is descending. Here, the underworld is not a place of torment, but of regeneration, akin to the hidden city connected to the Worldscraper.

Mabon is also the second harvest, the harvest of fruits. The reward from such fruits is often wine, so Mabon has also become known as the winefeast, and is associated with gods of wine like Dionysus. Try this winefeast ritual to celebrate Mabon.

Materials Needed: Glass of wine, grape juice, or sparkling cider

Do this ritual at home, privately, after you return from work. Prepare for the ritual by placing a glass of wine on your altar or another similarly fruity beverage, if you are averse to alcohol. Light any incense that will relax you and, in the background, play any suitable underworld music. I think almost anything by the musical group Dead Can Dance would be appropriate.

Do Exercises 1, 3, and 4 to prepare for ritual (see pages 17, 25, and 27).

Cast a magick circle, as outlined in chapter 2. Add any urban elements from chapter 6 that resonate with you.

While in your ritual space, take the glass of wine and bless it. Ask for the sacrificed god, or god of wine, to be with you. Thank the earth for this gift of liquid, no matter what it is. All things come from the earth and, eventually, return to it. Feel the energy of the hidden city, the underworld, rise to meet you and fill your glass. The wine is simply a vessel for this energy.

Drink half the glass, being mindful that it is your key to the power of the underworld. The remaining half can be used as a dark mirror in which to scry. Scrying is the simple act of looking into a reflective surface, like a crystal ball, and letting your mind wander until images form. You can ask questions of this underworld energy and receive images, symbols, and insights.

If you choose not to scry, this time and space is excellent for a shamanic journey, as outlined in Exercise 11 (see page 91). You descend into the otherworld to receive your information, or to be initiated, or simply to celebrate this energy with no specific goal in mind. Let the journey lead you where it will.

Once the journey or divination is complete, thank all beings invoked in the ritual and release the circle. Write down any information you received.