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Holiday Series
Autumn Equinox: The Enchantment of Mabon
Mabon, Feast of Avalon, Cornucopia, Harvest Home, Festival of the Vine . . . there are many names for this magickal holiday that celebrates the autumn equinox, the first day of fall. Ellen Dugan takes a fresh look at this "forgotten" Sabbat and demonstrates how to make the most of this enchanting season.
Featuring craft projects, recipes, enchantments, and valuable information on harvest deities, Autumn Equinox offers countless ways to bring fall magick into your life. Learn to create witchy wreaths, cook seasonal foods, put together a homemade centerpiece, make herbal soap, and practice spells and rituals using easy to find, natural supplies. This new addition to Llewellyn's Sabbats series also provides magickal correspondences on harvest deities, herbs, plants, and foods for those who want to create their own autumn spells and charms.
Featuring craft projects, recipes, enchantments, and valuable information on harvest deities, Autumn Equinox offers countless ways to bring fall magick into your life. Learn to create witchy wreaths, cook seasonal foods, put together a homemade centerpiece, make herbal soap, and practice spells and rituals using easy to find, natural supplies. This new addition to Llewellyn's Sabbats series also provides magickal correspondences on harvest deities, herbs, plants, and foods for those who want to create their own autumn spells and charms.
240 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2005
10 people are currently reading
822 people want to read
About the author
Ellen Dugan
80 books504 followersEllen Dugan is the award winning author of over thirty six books and the Witches Tarot. She branched out successfully into paranormal fiction in 2015 with her popular Legacy Of Magick series. Her portfolio of work also includes dozens of articles in the Llewellyn Almanacs and Calendars and 15 non-fiction books. Ellen's non-fiction titles with Llewellyn Worldwide have been translated into over twelve foreign languages. She is a psychic-clairvoyant, and has been a practicing Witch for over thirty-five years.
With over 300K books sold Ellen has a global following. She currently has over twenty published novels, the eleven book Legacy Of Magick series and three other paranormal series: The Gypsy Chronicles, Daughters Of Midnight, and Hemlock Hollow. The first four books in her Legacy Of Magick series were made into audio books with Tantor Audio in 2018.
Ellen was featured on the cover of Witches & Pagans Magazine. She has been interviewed in the studio on KMOV News Channel 4 in St. Louis, done numerous newspaper and radio interviews, and a two hour guest spot on the national syndicated live radio show, Coast to Coast. In 2017 Ellen was also featured in USA TODAY'S HEA column. More information on Ellen's work can be found at www.ellendugan.com on Instagram at www.instagram.com/ellendugan/ or on Facebook www.facebook.com/ellendugan
With over 300K books sold Ellen has a global following. She currently has over twenty published novels, the eleven book Legacy Of Magick series and three other paranormal series: The Gypsy Chronicles, Daughters Of Midnight, and Hemlock Hollow. The first four books in her Legacy Of Magick series were made into audio books with Tantor Audio in 2018.
Ellen was featured on the cover of Witches & Pagans Magazine. She has been interviewed in the studio on KMOV News Channel 4 in St. Louis, done numerous newspaper and radio interviews, and a two hour guest spot on the national syndicated live radio show, Coast to Coast. In 2017 Ellen was also featured in USA TODAY'S HEA column. More information on Ellen's work can be found at www.ellendugan.com on Instagram at www.instagram.com/ellendugan/ or on Facebook www.facebook.com/ellendugan
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
September 4, 2023
I love this book full of enchantment and magic for the most wonderful time of the year. I love Ellen Dugan’s writing style. This book gave me so many ideas to enhance my/our Mabon celebration.
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September 1, 2007Ellen Dugan is interesting in that she organizes her books in a rather odd fashion; much of this book is useless to me. I checked it out in an effort to learn more about the celebrations of the autumn equinox, but have learned more about the author's own passions and difficulties with the celebration and the research thereof.
That said, I learned quite a bit toward starting my own harvest traditions with my new family, and I look forward to reading her other books, especially about herbal and garden magic. I think the spells in this book are a little silly, but then I don't do spells. Rituals, on the other hand, can be taken more seriously.
That said, I learned quite a bit toward starting my own harvest traditions with my new family, and I look forward to reading her other books, especially about herbal and garden magic. I think the spells in this book are a little silly, but then I don't do spells. Rituals, on the other hand, can be taken more seriously.
August 30, 2020
I normally like Ellen's work, but this was not-so-hot. Of course, why this holiday is even called Mabon is beyond me (It was a holiday created by Aidan Kelly in the 70s. It has NO basis in any actual Celtic holiday). What does it have to do with Mabon ap Modron from Welsh mythology? How does that tie in with a harvest celebration? Why are people continuing to pull things out of their arse and call them "ancient"?
Skip it, as "Mabon" has no basis in anything but the last 50 yrs of "pagan/wiccan" history.
Skip it, as "Mabon" has no basis in anything but the last 50 yrs of "pagan/wiccan" history.
June 18, 2018
Ellen Dugan's books are both informative and fun! I always look for her books when browsing the witchcraft section of a bookstore or Amazon.
September 2, 2020
Accessible content that's a wee bit Eurocentric.
June 25, 2021
Out of all the sabbat books, this one was my absolute favorite! Autumn has always been my favorite season but this book helped me connect even deeper to the energy and magick of this season!
July 4, 2024
This has been one of my go-to books for more than a decade. Since autumn is my favorite season I want to make the most of it, and Dugan's book is packed with ideas.
October 24, 2025
A little meandering and unfocused for my taste, but still enjoyable.
October 1, 2020
Another 5-star read from Dugan. It's no wonder she is my favorite witchy nonfiction author, the care and attention she pays to her material shows in every way. Beautiful spells and charms to try, new stories about gods and goddesses celebrated at Mabon that were delightful to read, crafts, etc.
A note on the recipes included: I tried the apple pie and pumpkin bread recipes.
Sadly, I purchased store-bought refrigerated pie crusts and s-t-r-u-g-g-l-e-d with them, resulting in an ugly pie; but having not included the butter or paring the apples beforehand like the recipe said to do, it was also inedible. Another year and another apple pie fail on my part. Oops.
The pumpkin bread, however, is staggeringly delicious. I used the batter in four smaller cake pans with walnuts included, and holy wow this is a recipe I will cherish forever.
A note on the recipes included: I tried the apple pie and pumpkin bread recipes.
Sadly, I purchased store-bought refrigerated pie crusts and s-t-r-u-g-g-l-e-d with them, resulting in an ugly pie; but having not included the butter or paring the apples beforehand like the recipe said to do, it was also inedible. Another year and another apple pie fail on my part. Oops.
The pumpkin bread, however, is staggeringly delicious. I used the batter in four smaller cake pans with walnuts included, and holy wow this is a recipe I will cherish forever.
December 25, 2014
Really nice book to learn more about the mythology and folklore related to the autumn equinox and more generally the whole season of autumn, as well as about neopagan and Wiccan approach to this period of the year.
The author talks of the various names given to the equinox in different cultures and of prechristian traditions around it. She tells us about the symbolism of the astrological signs Virgo and Libra, both related to the month of September. Various mythological tales (such as those involving Dionysus, Demeter, etc) are also explored.
After this rather historical part, the author focuses on gardening (autumn flowers and their magical proprieties, autumn foliage and various trees' proprieties...), more lightly on cooking (recipes using seasonal products such as apples, pumpkins, blackberries...), and finally on seasonal decorations (with various DIY ideas).
I personnally really liked the pages dedicated to the origins of scarecrows and the folklore related to it. But I found the whole book interesting, even chapters that at first I wasn't longing to read.
In each chapter various related spells are proposed to the reader, and a whole chapter concerns the harvest moon (the full moon closest to the equinox), its magical meaning and ideas for covent celebrations or solitary ones.
This is a book about the neopagan and Wiccan view of the equinox, therefore a lot of magic is mentioned. However, it also contains a lot of interesting non-magical elements, so if you're not a practitioner but would like a seasonal book to put you in an autumnal mood, or would like to learn more about the various traditions behind the autumn equinox, you should give this book a try.
Besides, Ellen Dugan's writing is really agreable to read. It's flowing as well as regularly humourous, and it always sounds very honest and natural. Special mention also for the autumn-related quotes she included every few pages.
I wish the book had been bigger and explored even deeper the equinox, but you can already learn a lot with how it is, and it also contains a heavy bibliography. In short, this is an interesting book I'd recommend! :-)
The author talks of the various names given to the equinox in different cultures and of prechristian traditions around it. She tells us about the symbolism of the astrological signs Virgo and Libra, both related to the month of September. Various mythological tales (such as those involving Dionysus, Demeter, etc) are also explored.
After this rather historical part, the author focuses on gardening (autumn flowers and their magical proprieties, autumn foliage and various trees' proprieties...), more lightly on cooking (recipes using seasonal products such as apples, pumpkins, blackberries...), and finally on seasonal decorations (with various DIY ideas).
I personnally really liked the pages dedicated to the origins of scarecrows and the folklore related to it. But I found the whole book interesting, even chapters that at first I wasn't longing to read.
In each chapter various related spells are proposed to the reader, and a whole chapter concerns the harvest moon (the full moon closest to the equinox), its magical meaning and ideas for covent celebrations or solitary ones.
This is a book about the neopagan and Wiccan view of the equinox, therefore a lot of magic is mentioned. However, it also contains a lot of interesting non-magical elements, so if you're not a practitioner but would like a seasonal book to put you in an autumnal mood, or would like to learn more about the various traditions behind the autumn equinox, you should give this book a try.
Besides, Ellen Dugan's writing is really agreable to read. It's flowing as well as regularly humourous, and it always sounds very honest and natural. Special mention also for the autumn-related quotes she included every few pages.
I wish the book had been bigger and explored even deeper the equinox, but you can already learn a lot with how it is, and it also contains a heavy bibliography. In short, this is an interesting book I'd recommend! :-)
September 28, 2008
This book is part of Llewellyn's sabbat series. I must say I truly do enjoy the entire series, some volumes more than others admittedly.
However, I love Autumn Equinox! I am a general fan of Dugan's works, I just love her writing style. She uses a very personal writing style, sharing bits of humor and personal experiances along the way. However, she doesn't talk down to her readers and her work caters to different levels, beginner to advanced, all at once. This book is no different.
Among the seasonal activities provided, Dugan gives a few simple spells for this time of year. And despite the common misconceptions of many, simple does not equal silly! There is no need to over complicate ritual workings if it isn't necessary. One can not help but notice the beauty of simplicity in an effective spell. Many of those included can be adapted for use during a Sabbat ritual for a small group.
Inside you will find many wonderful ways to celebrate this holiday as well as ideas to serve as a launching pad to starting your own traditions. And isn't that the best gift an author could give? I think so.
Reading this book makes you want to cozy up with a hot cup of tea or warm cider and actually welcome the now waning half of the year and the fall days to come!
However, I love Autumn Equinox! I am a general fan of Dugan's works, I just love her writing style. She uses a very personal writing style, sharing bits of humor and personal experiances along the way. However, she doesn't talk down to her readers and her work caters to different levels, beginner to advanced, all at once. This book is no different.
Among the seasonal activities provided, Dugan gives a few simple spells for this time of year. And despite the common misconceptions of many, simple does not equal silly! There is no need to over complicate ritual workings if it isn't necessary. One can not help but notice the beauty of simplicity in an effective spell. Many of those included can be adapted for use during a Sabbat ritual for a small group.
Inside you will find many wonderful ways to celebrate this holiday as well as ideas to serve as a launching pad to starting your own traditions. And isn't that the best gift an author could give? I think so.
Reading this book makes you want to cozy up with a hot cup of tea or warm cider and actually welcome the now waning half of the year and the fall days to come!
January 25, 2021
I really liked this book a lot, I learned so much. One of the things I learned is that when they refer to "corn" in European mythology, it doesn't mean the plant corn that we call corn. Back then "corn" could refer to any type of grain. That makes a lot of sense when you think about it, considering what we call corn is not indigenous to Europe.
I loved reading the mythology behind the celebration of Mabon, the autumn equinox. Ellen Dugan, the author, also shares a lot of ideas for crafts, spells, and rituals. I was very pleased with this book!
I loved reading the mythology behind the celebration of Mabon, the autumn equinox. Ellen Dugan, the author, also shares a lot of ideas for crafts, spells, and rituals. I was very pleased with this book!
August 20, 2016
LOVED this! I think it was my favourite of all of the Llewellyn Sabbat series books. Ellen Dugan is one of my favorite authors on Witchcraft and Wicca. She brings her down to earth, garden witchery to the forefront in this Mabon book. I have done many of the rituals contained in this book and have no regrets! I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to get a deeper understanding of the Mabon Sabbat!
May 3, 2016
A fun book about celebrating the Autumn Equinox, complete with recipes, crafts, spell prompts and folklore. I pull it off the shelf every year around the end of August and give it a quick skim through for seasonal inspiration.
October 17, 2016
A good discussion of this much neglected time on the pagan wheel of the year. Ellen's writing is like sitting across the table from a friend and talking about whatever subject she is interested in for the day. Very personal and easy to read with well thought out explanations of her subject matter.
February 17, 2008
Fun book about an underated Sabbat
September 11, 2008
great book, i love the good recipies in this book..makes me wanna start baking right away!!
May 3, 2009
Another of the eight holidays that make up the wheel of the year in Paganism. A wonderful harvest book.
September 3, 2015
I read this book every year at about this time. It's one of my favourite books and a must-have for witchy folk.
September 28, 2012
Solid read here. A bit thinner on the history as opposed to some in this series, but still a nice resource!
August 4, 2013
An interesting read, lots of references for our autumn celebrations, but more religion thrown in than I expected.
August 23, 2013
I really enjoyed this book. Pretty informative, some great recipes and ideas.
December 1, 2017
There aren't many books about the history of Mabon so this is a rare treat full of information!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews