Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let things go.- Unknown
We are coming up on the Sabbat of Mabon, also known as the autumn equinox, on Sunday September 21st. It is known as the “pagan thanksgiving” and is traditionally a time of great gratitude and celebration of the year's harvest and the last big hurrah before the winter and darker times begin to set in. It is a fun and joyful party sabbat, and also an acknowledgment of the need for balance as the sunlight slowly begins to wane for the year. The equinox heralds a time when the day and night are equal, and the days begin to grow shorter. How are you going to prepare for the lessening of light? How are you going to celebrate gratitude for your personal bounty? Take some time; have a fabulous meal and acknowledge the turn of the wheel!
Also, we have included an audio clip to guide you through an Equinox spell focusing on the concept of balance. I wrote it for my personal ritual that I am doing on the 21st, and Amelia has done a gorgeous job of recording it for me! Check it out! Also a quick list of supplies is being uploaded as a PDF to help you prepare for this journey, should you choose to take it. And it is NOT complicated, trust. But it just may be useful!
This week's affirmation:
Strong foundation, compassionate heart.
Get Inspired
About a month ago, a post on Instagram got my attention in a big way, and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about its message and the rabbithole it led me down. The following links will take you down the same rabbithole!
The post, from Glennon Doyle: Get in the Boat
The episode of her podcast, We Can Do Hard Things, that goes deeper on that idea: We Can Do Hard Things - How to Protect Kids from ICE (also available on all the pod places!)
The Michelle Alexander article that inspired her: Opinion | We Are Not the Resistance (NYT paywall)
A discussion including Michelle Alexander about the concept of “resistance”: People Were Resisting Before Trump
Take Action
Thanks to recent events, we need to look out for our trans friends more than ever. Check in with them, offer to run errands for them or maybe accompany them when they go! If you don’t have a trans person in your life (as far as you know), there may be a local organization that can connect you with folks in your area. One organization that’s just about everywhere is the Trevor Project, and they need help now more than ever.
There are many communities that could use support, and a quick Google will point you where you need to go. But if you’d like a nudge, click these links!
Idealist: Best Virtual Volunteer Opportunities, On-Site Volunteering, and More
Create the Good (AARP): Find Volunteer Opportunities Near You
The Source (Texas-only health services for women): Volunteers
American Red Cross: How To Volunteer
And while we’re in a giving mood, Mabon is a celebration of abundance and FOOD, so check with your local food bank to see what they’re low on, and stock them up! Find Your Local Food Bank
Touch Grass
Take a walk. Bring a basket. Collect pretty things… leaves, flowers, rocks, twigs, acorns, anything that catches your eye. (If picking from a live plant, be sure to leave more than you take… and don’t take living stuff from a garden without permission!!)
When you’ve gathered enough, find a comfortable place to sit, somewhere in nature. This could be in your own yard if that works best for you. Clear the area that will be your canvas and begin placing items from your basket in a circular pattern. Circular forms such as spirals and mandalas represent the cycles of life, balance, unity, and movement. The items in your basket may guide you to how they are best arranged. Take time to appreciate the beauty of what you’ve collected, and the design you are creating. There isn’t a right or wrong way to do this, just keep your focus on making something new that the world hasn’t had before.
When you have reached the end, and your design is complete, sit with it a little while. Look at the colors and textures represented in your design.
Leave your offering behind when you go so that nature can reclaim it. It may be seen by other people, who will be delighted and curious. Wouldn’t you be?
As with most things in nature, this beauty is temporary. But its short life makes it that more precious. This process should give you a sense of peace and an appreciation for not only the beauty of nature but your own ability to contribute beautiful things to the planet. It may even inspire you to offer more natural art to the world!
Reflection & Journaling
This week's journaling prompt is The Chariot tarot card. The imagery of the card can vary widely, but it is typically an image of a transport of some sort being led by 2 animals, typically one black and one white.
The meaning of this card is always positive forward motion towards a goal after a period of decision making and the pondering of options. I always like to envision the 2 horses (or whatever the animal may be) both going slightly in the opposite directions, creating a stalemate until the driver decides to straighten them out to go forward. See why I choose this card here? Once again, the whole concept of balance to drive us further into our lives, and having control over where we are being taken.
Take some time to write out what balancing acts your may be going through right now. What can you do to move forward in a way that you want and need to? Which horse are you egging on, to the detriment of the other and keeping yourself stuck? The power of will and determination are strong things when harnessed correctly with clarity.
I have included images of 4 different Chariot cards for you guys to look at: choose the one that speaks to and happy writing!!
Keep moving forward
and don't fall down!
Pitney & Amelia