Take a Shamanic Journey During the Autumnal Equinox

Shamanism and the Autumn Equinox

Monday, September 22

7:29 PM Pacific Daylight Time

[[File:Tokoroa (May 2012).jpg|thumb|Autumn in the New Zealand town of Tokoroa.]]

The Autumnal Equinox, known among pagans as Mabon, marks the final harvest festival on the Wheel of the Year. In traditional cultures, communities would gather to ritually thank their ancestors and/or regional spirits or deities for abundance. Shamans often led the rituals. In some cultures, the shaman would open herself or himself to receive messages for the community from the ancestors or gods. Often the message warned the community to take collective action to ensure its survival through the winter or abundance in next year’s harvests. End strife. Pray for rain.

In the northern hemisphere, days shorten. Nights lengthen. Our physical world grows increasingly dark. During Autumnal Equinox light and dark are in balance. Enter stillness and envision what a balanced life would look like to you. Identify your inner darkness. Recognize your inner light. Begin your shamanic journey inward.

As you journey, shake a rattle or drum to call forth your inner darkness. Leverage the energetic force of the equinox to befriend or banish your inner darkness. If it no longer serves your highest good, then why retain it?

Know that you are strong enough to shed your demons. Believe that the coming dark of winter is a time of reflection and gathering strength. Your shamanic journey can be made in small bursts of courage and repeated as often as needed. After all, it is a journey. You’ll know when to quiet your drum or rattle and sit unafraid in the silence.

~Ariella Moon

© 2014 by Ariella Moon
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Harvest Full Supermoon

Harvest Moon 2014

Full Moon 9:38 pm EST

September 8, 2014

Harvest Moon is the traditional name for the full moon closest to the autumnal equinox (September 22). Like the Hunter’s Moon next month, the Harvest Moon is unusual in that it rises early in the sky at nearly the same time for several successive nights. Tonight’s moonrise happens seventeen minutes before sunset. The consistent early light aids in bringing in the harvest. When the full moon closest to the autumnal equinox occurs in October, then the September full moon is called the Full Corn Moon.

Tonight’s Harvest Moon will be the last “Supermoon” of the summer. A Supermoon is a full moon that coincides with lunar perigee, when the moon’s orbit brings it closest to earth. The moon will appear at its largest just after sunset.

With the Harvest Moon in Pisces, a mutable water sign, expect heightened feelings, intuition, and imagination. The motto for Pisces is “I Believe.”

Harvest Moon Altar and Meditation

Adorn your altar with fiery colors, and apples, grapes, corn, or other produce from local harvests. Light a candle in honor of the Sun God, whose power begins to wane at the equinox. Express gratitude for the abundance in your life. Reflect upon what you have sown over the past few months, and what you have reaped. If you wish to make new goals or buttress existing goals, tap into this month’s heightened creativity. Make a vision board or a fresh goal’s list. Place your creation where you will see it every day.

Mabon

This pagan festival occurs on the autumnal equinox, September 22. To learn about the three meanings of Mabon, please visit: http://www.ariellamoon.com/moonsmagicandmore.html