Mabon: The Celtic Autumn Equinox Festival
With the change of the seasons from the haze of summer to the cool of fall, comes the Celtic autumn equinox festival, called Mabon. It’s part of the annual sacred Celtic celebrations, which date back to ancient times. Whether you’re looking to celebrate the Mabon autumn equinox festival, or commemorate any other timely celebration, Walker Metalsmiths has a fine selection of handcrafted Celtic jewelry to mark any occasion.
The Autumn Equinox Festival
The Celtic autumn equinox festival falls on September 21st, marking the day when the sun is almost directly over the equator, creating an equal amount of day and night. In the Celtic tradition, this holiday goes by the name Mabon, after the name of the God of Welsh mythology. However, while autumnal equinox festivals have been celebrated since ancient Celtic times, it is believed that the name Mabon itself is a more modern development, as the name only started appearing in earnest in the 1970s.
Mabon is also known as the Second Harvest Festival, and falls between the first harvest festival, called Lughnasadh, and the last harvest festival, Samhain. Versions of Mabon have been celebrated around the world for centuries by various different cultures, including the Greeks, Bavarians, Native Americans, and Chinese.
In Celtic tradition, Mabon typically commemorates the celebration of resting after a long and laborious harvest season. It is traditionally seen as a time to finish projects and clear out emotional and physical clutter, so that the winter can be a restful and peaceful season.
How to Celebrate Mabon
Mabon is symbolized with the cornucopia, signifying a wealthy and bountiful harvest. If you’re looking to celebrate Mabon, you can have a feast with friends and loved ones, plant flower bulbs which will pop up in the springtime, or clear out clutter in preparation for winter.
Handcrafted Celtic Jewelry for Every Season
Here at Walker Metalsmiths, we draw on ancient Celtic traditions to create our custom handcrafted Celtic jewelry. For example, our pieces featuring a handcrafted Celtic cross draw on complex and rich symbolism. In fact, the Walker family has spent a great deal of time extensively studying the Celtic cross and its history, so we can best represent these traditions in our Celtic jewelry. Other Celtic symbols we study and incorporate into our work include the Claddagh symbol and zoomorphic imagery.
We use our craft to create handcrafted Celtic necklaces, rings, earrings, and much more. We’re also happy to use your old gold or gemstones to help you recreate the custom piece of your dreams — learn more about our Re-Use Your Family Gold service.
Visit Our Andover Showroom
While you can view our diverse selection of handcrafted Celtic jewelry online, we are pleased to offer in-person viewings. If you are near our Andover, New York showroom, making an appointment is a great way to meet the Walker family of jewelers, and view our selection of jewelry in a personal environment. We are happy to guide you through the process, help recommend selections for you, and ensure you find the perfect piece.
Mark the Turn of the Season
Mabon is a time to give thanks for the harvest and prepare for the quiet of winter. Carry that spirit in a piece of handcrafted Celtic jewelry made to last a lifetime.
Celtic Pendants → Celtic Cross Collection →Explore the Celtic Seasonal Cycle
- Lughnasadh: The Gaelic Harvest Festival — the First Harvest that opens the season
- The Celtic Origins of Halloween — Samhain, the Third Harvest and winter’s gate
- Zoomorphic Celtic Symbolism — the animal motifs woven into Celtic art and jewelry
- Celtic Heritage Guide — a complete overview of Celtic saints, festivals, and traditions
About the Author
Stephen Walker has been handcrafting Celtic jewelry in Andover, NY since 1984. His work draws on the full Celtic seasonal calendar — the festivals, symbols, and traditions that have shaped Gaelic culture for centuries.
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