Sometimes life involves reaching out- Happy Mabon!
My stepdad asked me today, “How is Alabama?”. Alabama is a little ...closed minded, but friendly. Everyone is very helpful and nice, they just have never heard of Planned Parenthood, Paganism or Poly. So I feel a little like, just keep your Neon glowing Pagan eyes down and study hard!! “Get through school!- you can have friends later!”
My older sister called me as I was leaving class this afternoon. I stood in the parking lot under a tiny patch of shade to enjoy the wonderful cool breeze while my car was airing out and cooling off, before my scortching drive back to the Oxmore box. Then I saw a truck parked next to me in the parking lot at school that had a beautiful Pentagram sticker in the window!!! It was drawn with tree branches and leaves intertwined throughout the Pent and it had the four seasons divided into the four corners of the square sticker. I squealed and did a little jig and studied it, before I realized someone was probably thinking I was crazy and trying to steal something out of this poor person’s car.
So, I left a note.
And then I went back and put my phone number on it… EEEKK! I know, not the best idea. But really, what's the worst that could happen, I have a boy to protect me. It was a wonderful gift, my heart was singing with the wind in the trees. I was so happy to have found it. I didn’t stop to censure myself. I felt good about doing it. So much of this life is about connections, right? And that type of behavior (displaying your love of nature and faith) should be rewarded and encouraged, in my opinion. The more people who see and ask questions, learn and accept, the fewer that will through stones at our children.
Then I got in my hot-ass, no-air-conditioning-havin car and started planning my study schedule for the afternoon as I drove the trek home. And I forgot about the sticker and the note.
Then this person called me, laughing. It was fun. He had just, days ago, put the sticker there in order to meet new people. He’s “not the social type really”, and had found encouragement from the universe to try reaching out. He felt blessed to have found my note. : )
This time of year we celebrate Mabon (around Sept 23rd). It is the Autumnal Equinox- equal hours of daylight and night time; a day of balance. For me, Mabon is not only a day for personal introspection and fulfillment, grounding and thankfulness, but also a day to gather and count and share blessings. A day for joining with people you care about, to rejoice and give thanks for communal and familial love and support. But it’s also a day to reach out to others in need. A day for sharing and selfless giving. Mabon, the first of 3 harvest festivals, was a celebration that would have been used to gather and greet many, share food, stories and resources needed for the coming winter and create community bonds to ensure fundamentally-survival.
And it is a special time for me because every year at Mabon, I rededicate. Not with some huge fancy thing with bells and whistles and 50 witnesses. Just some little outward marking, to rejoice in and rejuvenate the love of self and spirit, that I chose as my Path. A remembrance that my spiritual walk involves daily thoughtfulness towards the Earth, others and my own spiritual growth and connectivity.
Before you turn inward for the cold months, celebrate and radiate outward! Happy Mabon!
As the new wind blows against you and cools the heat from the summer sun shinning on your face, I wish you all, the most blessed of Mabons. May you gather with loved ones and share in your bounty in this most beautiful swirling of life-affirming seasons.
~Maura*