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Autumn Equinox

Autumn Equinox

Find this year's date in the multifaith calendar

Trees in autumn colours

Autumn Equinox (also known as Mabon or Harvest Home) is celebrated when day and night are of equal duration before the descent into increasing darkness and is the final festival of the season of harvest.

In nature, the activity of the summer months slows down to the hibernation for the winter. For many Pagans, now is time to reflect on the past season.

It is also a time to recoginse that the balance of the year has changed, the wheel has turned and summer is now over.

Astrologers will recognise this as the date the sun enters the sign of Libra - the Scales of Balance.

Joint Chief of the British Druid Order Emma Restall Orr says,

We give ourselves time to stop and breathe deeply, to feel the satisfaction of what has been achieved, to start to relax.Emma Restall Orr, Joint Chief of the British Druid Order

This is one of the least celebrated of the Pagan festivals although a harvest festival may be held to thank the Goddess for giving enough food to last the winter.

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This page was last updated 2006-06-07

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