The moment arrives with almost mathematical precision: September 22nd or 23rd in the Northern Hemisphere, when day and night stand in perfect equilibrium. For just one day, darkness and light share the world equally, creating a cosmic pause that has captivated human imagination for millennia. This is the autumn equinox, known in modern pagan traditions as Mabon, and despite our increasingly disconnected digital age, its significance resonates more powerfully than ever.

A name born of modern revival

While harvest festivals have marked this transitional time across cultures for thousands of years, the name "Mabon" is surprisingly recent. Coined in the 1970s by American Wiccan Aidan Kelly, the term draws from Welsh mythology—specifically Mabon ap Modron, whose name means "Son of Modron” (a divine child kidnapped when he was just three days old and imprisoned in a mystical otherworld until his return in the spring).

In China, the Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated with mooncakes and lanterns, honouring the moon and the harvest. In Greece, the Eleusinian Mysteries were performed around this time, honouring Demeter and Persephone and their own story of descent and return. In Jewish tradition, the festival of Sukkot occurs in the autumn, celebrating the harvest and the protection of the divine.

If you're familiar with modern pagan traditions, you'll know the Wheel of the Year in the British Isles. It's eight seasonal celebrations spread throughout the year. Mabon sits right between Lughnasadh (early August) and Samhain (Halloween).

Lughnasadh celebrates the grain harvest - wheat, barley, oats. Samhain is about the final harvest and preparing for winter's darkness. Mabon is the fruit harvest - apples, pears, berries, nuts.

Each festival has its own feel. Lughnasadh is about abundance and hard work paying off. Samhain deals with death and ancestors. Mabon is about balance and gratitude.

The science of seasonal shifts

Modern research backs up what our ancestors knew instinctively. The rapid decrease in daylight after the autumn equinox triggers real changes in our brains. Melatonin production increases. Serotonin levels can drop.

Studies at the University of Glasgow found that many people start feeling different right around the equinox. It's not just in our heads - it's biological.

About 6% of people in the UK get Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Researchers at King's College London found that light therapy starting at the autumn equinox can prevent SAD symptoms later in the year.

Recent research has found that even participants without dementia did significantly better on tests of thinking and concentration in late summer and early autumn versus winter and early spring, correlated with seasonal variations in levels of amyloid beta in their cerebrospinal fluid. The equinox, it seems, represents a peak moment of cognitive clarity and balance.

Why we need these markers more than ever

In our hyper-connected world, where artificial lighting obscures natural rhythms and climate-controlled environments shield us from seasonal changes, the autumn equinox serves a crucial psychological function. The transition from summer to fall can bring shifts in mood and mental health.

The wheel keeps turning

In modern Wiccan and pagan traditions, Mabon falls between the fire festival of Lughnasadh and Samhain on the Wheel of the Year, representing the first official day of fall and a time of gratitude, balance, and preparation. This framework provides what psychologists might recognize as "temporal landmarks"—significant moments that help people structure time, reflect on progress, and set intentions.

The Wheel of the Year concept, whether approached from religious, spiritual, or secular perspectives, offers something increasingly rare in modern life: a rhythm that connects us to something larger than our immediate concerns. It reminds us that life moves in cycles, that light and dark exist in harmony, and that gratitude is a powerful practice.

Simple Ways to Mark the Equinox at Home

You don't need elaborate rituals or specific spiritual beliefs to honor the autumn equinox. Research shows that even simple acts of seasonal recognition can provide psychological benefits, helping us feel more connected to natural rhythms and facilitating healthy transitions.

Create a Seasonal Focus Point: Set up a simple arrangement with autumn elements—colorful leaves, pinecones, apples, small pumpkins, or gourds. Add candles in warm colors like gold, orange, or deep red. This creates what researchers call a "environmental cue" that helps anchor awareness in the present season.
Practice Gratitude Reflection: Take time to reflect on the year's harvest—both literal and metaphorical. Write down what you're grateful for from the past growing season, whether that's relationships that have flourished, skills you've developed, or challenges you've overcome. This practice aligns with research showing gratitude's positive effects on mental health during seasonal transitions.
Take a Balance Walk: Go for a mindful walk focused on observing signs of seasonal change. Notice the quality of light, the colors of leaves, the feel of the air. This simple practice supports the cognitive benefits researchers have found associated with nature exposure during autumn months.
Declutter and Prepare: Use the equinox energy to prepare your living space for the coming season. This might mean switching out lighter summer items for warmer autumn ones, or simply clearing away what no longer serves you—a practice that mirrors the natural world's own preparation for winter.

We can make our own rituals everyday.

A moment of global balance

At its heart, Mabon teaches us about balance. Light and dark. Growth and rest. Celebration and preparation. Joy and sorrow.

The myth of Mabon himself - the divine child who disappears and returns - tells us something important. Sometimes things need to go into darkness before they can come back transformed.

Right now, as we approach the autumn equinox, we're at that perfect balance point. Equal day and night. The year poised between growth and rest.

It's a powerful time for reflection. What needs to be harvested in your life? What needs to be released? What are you grateful for? How can you prepare for whatever winter - literal or metaphorical - lies ahead?

The wisdom of Mabon suggests these aren't just personal questions. They're part of being human on Earth. Our ancestors knew this. Maybe it's time we remembered.

Finding Balance: Why the Autumn Equinox Still Matters in Our Modern World