The Way of the Witch

Sabbats ~ Madron

(21st of September)

Also known as:- Mabon, Madron, Autumn Equinox, Harvest Festival.
Associated Deities:- Mabon, Madron, Persephone, Demeter.
Associated Herbs:- Marigold, Sunflowers, Hibiscus, Rose petals, Myrrh.
Associated Stones:- Amber, Clear quartz, Tigers Eye, Citrine.

Madron is a time of balance when both day and night are equal; from now the days start getting shorter, the nights getting longer and the weather starts getting colder. It is a time when we seek balance in ourselves and throw out the old to make way for the new. It is also a time of thanksgiving, healing and justice. Madron is the first day of autumn and harvest, both in the agricultural sequence and personally.

At the autumn equinox, crops are harvested to prepare for the winds and storms of early winter. In the old times, people would find out how successful their crops had been and how much they would have for survival through the long winter months. During battles fought at this time of the year, rarely were prisoners held. Any prisoners from earlier battles usually returned to their families, so that there were no extra mouths to feed and ensuring the safe exchange of their own families. Thus it was also a time to settle any arguments and disputes, a time of less combat because the roads were too muddy and wet to travel and so a time for physical wounds to heal.

Witches also mark Madron with the release of prisoners, but not with people as hostages, but old regrets, arguments and mistakes, culminated over the past season, which hold the person back. This way the person can learn lessons from mistakes and then put them behind.
Madron is an occasion of healing, justice and release helping us to move on.

Ways to celebrate Madron:
Before Madron, gather some leaves and dry them out. Think about prisoners, regrets and any mistakes you wish to release and mark a symbol on each leaf to represent this, for example, a debt that has not been repaid could be a pound or dollar symbol. Consider what you need to do to pay off the debt, settle the argument, apologise for any harsh words etc so that the healing process can begin. If possible, try to settle these before the Madron Sabbat although it may not be possible to complete them all.

At the Madron celebration, decorate the alter and cast the circle, ask the elements of air (east), fire (south), water (west) and earth (north) to join you and protect you in your rite. Next, ask the God and Goddess to be present.

Take each leaf in turn and think about what lessons you have learnt. Ask the God and Goddess to take the problems away and give you strength for the future, so helping to avoid the same mistakes again. Now crush the leaf in your hand. If any remain not solved then put these to one side for a later date, without crushing them, and think about what you need to do.

Now it is time to take on positive thoughts and new habits to start the healing process. Take a length of white cord and tie a knot in it for each new habit you intend to take on, such as, you could try to think about positive comments when someone tries to criticise you or others. Do not try to take on too many promises, which you may find difficult to remember, three or four should do. Do any other magic you need to do for release, healing or balance, complete with eating and drinking to ground yourself.

Thank the God and Goddess for being with you, then say farewell and thank the elements in the order you invited them in. Close the circle. Put some of the wine and cakes outside for the birds and animals and bury the crushed leaves in the ground.

Sabbats ~ Madron

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