Celebrated on the 21st or 22nd of September, R mabon it is the celebration of the second harvest, mainly of the fruits, and it gave continuity to the festivities in gratitude for the generosity of the land. IT IS the Autumnal Equinox, where day and night have the same duration and nature begins to prepare itself for the harsh winter.
In Celtic mythology, the gods foreshadowed the decline of natural forces: the Sun God begins to decline on the horizon and the Mother Goddess assumes the face of the Crone. Death was just another cycle, perfectly natural, from which a new existence would later spring. Everything in nature was understood according to a cyclical process, necessary for the sustenance of plants, animals and human beings. The God would soon leave for the Summer Country, but he left his seed – which would continue life.
The Celts recognized that after the period of activity, there should be a period of rest. The deep connection with nature led them to maintain a respectful and sacred connection with the forces of nature. Thus, this festival allowed the whole community to express the feeling of gratitude to the land for the reward after the hard effort of planting.
The friends gathered for a great feast, on the eve of the equinox, also celebrating the conquests, with stories and songs. Houses were cleaned, spoiled objects were repaired or discarded, food was stocked up – in preparation for winter – and recited a special blessing for homes.
A cornucopia was a symbol of this moment of infinite abundance and gifts, prosperity and abundance also in the spiritual sense. The seeds were saved for the next planting time. It is interesting to note that the cornucopia was also associated with other gods in Greek and Roman mythology related to agriculture (Gaia, Demeter, etc.).
One god in particular was honored during this period: Angus, the god of love. Also known as Aengus or Óengus, this god seems to have some correspondences with the Greek god Apollo; in addition to inspiring love, they protected youth and beauty. Angus had, like Apollo, a lyre, which enchanted and bewitched all who heard him. Apollo was associated with the swan, among other animals. A story by Angus relates that he transformed himself into a swan in order to rescue a beautiful princess, with whom he had fallen in love.
According to the Celtic calendar, the plant that symbolized this period was the vine (as well as the blackberry), whose ogham is Muin. Considered a shrub with feminine and masculine properties at the same time, the vine represented the brief period of perfect balance between the polarities of light and dark. Soon the Goddess and God, sources of life, would return to their underground forts. So in Mabon, the balance of the mundane and the supernatural, the mortal and the immortal, was at work. Blackberry is also associated with this ogham. The attributes – both of the vine and the blackberry – evoke the idea of the eternity of cycles.
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Muin is a symbol not included in the three original levels of Celtic Reiki., but can be used by the GM in treatments; represents balance and diplomacy. Its characteristic is dual, attractive and defensive; although its branches can injure those who approach it, its fruits are appreciated by living beings.
Muin energy, during a Celtic Reiki treatment, should be applied when intuition calls for it. Muin's vibration will catalyze the energies between giver and receiver. In this way, acting in accordance with the greater Good, but without any concrete intention in mind (going beyond the ego itself), the giver allows the client to receive the energy of joy, abundance, harmony and balance.
Otherwise, when being in contact with people who wish to harm or harm their fellow human beings, Muin's defensive energy is triggered. It should be noted that Muin should never be used for a specific purpose, whether beneficial or defensive. The Celtic Reiki practitioner must hone his connection with Source in order to make use of this energy when he intuitively receives the necessary warning.
