Harvesting Gratitude: Harvest Moon Gratitude Ritual

This year, Mabon and the Harvest Moon fall just a couple of days apart, making it the perfect time to express gratitude for the year's blessings. The end of the harvest is quickly approaching and winter will be upon us before we know it. This is a time to take stock of what we have, prepare for the coming winter season, and be thankful for the blessings we have. This ritual is designed to help you express that gratitude and thank the Earth, local spirits, deities, and other otherworldly forces in your life for their continued support and love. Remember, being grateful is essential to attracting abundance. By expressing gratitude, we open the door for continued blessings to enter our lives, as like attracts like all.

What You'll Need

• Altar adornments associated with the Harvest Moon, gratitude, and your deities, spirits, etc
• Candle (pink or another color you associate with gratitude, the harvest, and/or abundance)
• Jar
• Paper strips
• Writing utensil
• Acorns and/or Citrine chips
• Wine/Beer/Cider/Juice or other seasonal offering
  
  

What to Do

During the Harvest Moon or Mabon, begin by finding a quiet place to work where you will not be disturbed. This ritual is best performed outside under the light of the Moon but can be done inside near a window if conditions do not allow you to venture outside. Cleanse and consecrate your space using your preferred method before setting up your altar in preparation for the ritual. You will want to choose items that you associate with the season, Harvest Moon, gratitude, and your deities, spiritual guides, local spirits, Earth, ancestors, or any other otherworldy forces you work with regularly in your practice. This can be colorful dried leaves and flowers, acorns, citrine, runes such as Gebo or Fehu, candles, pictures, statues, antlers, incense, etc. Be sure to leave space for you to safely work your spell as this ritual does include a candle.

When your altar is complete, place your spell ingredients and offering in the center. If you wish to cast a circle and call quarters, now is the time to do it using your preferred method. When ready, light the candle and begin invoking the otherworldly forces you work with regularly in your practice one by one by saying, "[Insert name and descriptors here] I invite you to this rite to give thanks and pay tribute to all those who have helped me. I ask that you be present to receive my gratitude on this night. May the moon and stars bear witness to this sacred act." If you do not feel them come immediately, repeat this invocation, adding more descriptors as you go. Remember, no spirit, deity, ancestor, or other entity is required to show up when called, so if they choose not to join you, do not be deterred. You can still honor them and give your thanks.

Stand or sit before your altar and take time to reflect on the blessings and abundance in your life using the candle's flame to enter into a mild trance if needed. Write down each thing you are grateful for on each strip of paper. Be specific and heartfelt in this thanks. It could be a person, a moment, an accomplishment, or anything else that fills you with gratitude, hope, and happiness. Once complete, read each blessing aloud saying, "I am thankful for [insert blessing.] Thank you [insert entity name] for this blessing." before folding the paper toward you and placing it in the jar.

When all the blessings have been placed in the jar, add your acorns and/or citrine and seal the jar. Hold the gratitude jar gently in your hands and offer a closing prayer or expression of thanks, acknowledging the blessings you have recorded and sealed within. This should come from your heart, so what you say is entirely up to you. I encourage you to speak in the moment until you feel you have sufficiently expressed your thanks.

Close the ritual by offering the entities you work with wine, beer, cider, juice, or another seasonal offering they may prefer, such as milk, corn, tobacco, whiskey, or incense, by saying "With this [insert offering] I express my undying gratitude for the gifts you have bestowed upon me. May you accept this offering of love and thanks and continue to bless me in the future." Take a few moments to pour your gratitude into the offering in whatever way you see fit before releasing the ritual and snuffing out the candle. Place the gratitude jar somewhere you will see it every day.

For the next several weeks until the next full moon, choose one strip from the gratitude jar to read. Let the feelings of gratitude wash over you and continue to give thanks to those who have assisted you on your journey. Continue to make regular offerings to express your gratitude. If possible, make a donation to or volunteer at a local charity or give back to your community in some other way, such as picking up trash, cleaning up local a river or stream, or handing out blessing bags to the unhoused.

Under the next full moon, you may release the jar's contents by burning the strips of paper and giving thanks once again or continue to add to the jar's blessing to watch your abundance continue to grow. I encourage you to continue adding to your jar each month for the next year to cultivate a daily practice of gratitude and appreciation for the blessings that surround you. Over time, this jar will fill with notes of thanks, serving as a tangible reminder of the abundance in your life as it continues to bring more blessings to you.

Why You Did It

Understanding the whys of a spell is just as important as performing it. It helps you understand the process so you can modify the spell or ritual to suit your needs and helps guide you to write your own. It's my intention that by providing these explanations, you can build a better understanding of how spells are written and executed so you can modify and build your own spells (the goal of my Spellcrafting Series). 

First, this spell is conducted during the Harvest Moon or Autumn Equinox, both of which are deeply associated with gratitude, appreciation, and the giving of thanks, particularly for the bounty of the harvest. This association was further perpetuated by your choice of altar decorations, which work sympathetically to increase the ritual's potency and attract the entities you work with. The full moon is also associated with celebrating the fruits of your labors, being a time to appreciate what you have accomplished and honor what you have created. As such, this is the perfect time to create a gratitude jar that you can add to all year as the moon's beams further infuse the spell with its own potent energies.

Next, a candle was lit to light the way for the entities you work with so they could find you calling to them in the dark. It also helps you focus on your goal, as the flame can be used to calm and clear your mind so you may focus on that which you are grateful for. The entities you work with were invoked using their name and descriptors so that they could witness your expression of gratitude and receive the offerings of thanks you wished to gift them with. Thanking those who have helped you is the foundation of a healthy relationship, and strengthens the bond you both share. It also ensures the entity will continue to work with you in the future, as there is little worse than working with a thankless witch. Continued offerings and expressions of gratitude also ensure future blessings, as like attracts like. When we express our gratitude, the Universe hears it and continues to send blessings our way. This is further expressed by writing and saying our blessings out loud and continuing to express gratitude over the next month or year.

Added to the jar were citrine and/or acorns, which are both associated with abundance and luck. These were added to the jar to enhance your blessings and bring more to you over time. I think we all wish to continue to grow our blessings.

Finally, the spell was sealed with further thanks and preferably charity work. Giving back to the community that you are a part of, whether it be caring for the Earth or her creatures, is a great way to pay tribute to entities that have helped you and show those entities you are willing to share your blessings with others. Giving thanks takes many forms and requires constant work, but it is well worth it in the end.

Wish to break this spell? When you feel the ritual is complete, either at the end of a moon cycle or at the end of the year, you can release the contents of the jar by burning them. This released those blessings back into the Universe so that they may return to you again in the future. You can also choose to bury the contents close to your home, including planting the acorn to watch your blessings grow.

Remember to record this ritual on your ritual/spell worksheet or in your Book of Shadows for reference later.

***

No matter what you decide to be thankful for or how to express those thanks, gratitude is the foundation of good witchcraft. I hope you have a blessed Harvest Moon and thank your future be full of continued luck, fortune, health, and happiness.

Interested in learning more about the Harvest Moon or gratitude? Below are some resources to get you started.

Harvest Full Moon Worksheet

Moon Phase Correspondences

Monthly Magical Moons

Importance of Gratitude in Witchcraft

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A Mabon Spell for Balance

Mabon, sometimes referred to as the Witch's Thanksgiving, is a celebration of the harvest and a time to express gratitude and thanks for the boundless blessings in our lives. For our ancestors, this was not only the time to celebrate the fruits of their hard labor but also a time to put away excessive stores in preparation for winter. While there is yet another harvest on the horizon, many of the most bountiful crops have slowed production, many of which will be turned into sauces, soups, and other canned goods. While it doesn't feel particularly autumn-ish here in Georgia, there is a noticeable change in the air. My flowers have begun to die back, the Sun spends a little less time on the horizon, and the nightly temperatures are ever so slowly dropping.

Not only is Mabon a time to give thanks, but it's also a time of balance as it is the Autumn Equinox. Night and day are equal during this time, after which our days will quickly shorten until the Winter Solstice. As such, this is a great time to find balance in your own life and realign, which is where this simple spell comes in.

What You'll Need

• Two candles, one to represent the light and harvest, the other to represent the dark and winter, such as white and black or yellow and blue.
• Matches or lighter
• Small piece of paper or bay leaf
• Writing utensil
• Tongs or tweezers
• Fire-safe dish
  
  

What to Do

During Mabon, or the days surrounding the Autumn Equinox, begin by cleansing and consecrating your space using your preferred method. If you wish, cast a circle and invite any spirits or deities associated with balance.

After your space has been cleansed and consecrated, place the candle representing light/harvest to your left and the candle representing dark/winter to your right, but close enough together that your piece of paper can reach both flames. Light the harvest candle and say, "I light this candle to represent the abundance and light in my life." Stare into the candle flame, contemplating on the areas in your life where you have abundance and blessings abounding. Feel your heart rate slow as your body relaxes.

Next, light the winter candle and say, "I light this candle to represent the darkness and introspection in my life." Again, star into the candle flame, contemplating on the areas in your life where you seek balance, the areas for growth. It could be work-life balance, emotional balance, or any other aspect that resonates with you. Visualize these areas of growth and how you would like to change them for better balance in your life.

With this visualization firmly in your mind, write down your intentions for achieving balance in the areas you've identified. Be specific and positive in your wording. For example, "I achieve a healthy work-life balance with ease and grace." Hold the piece of paper between your hands and visualize the energy of balance infusing your intentions. See yourself in a state of perfect equilibrium. You may wish to recite your intention over and over until you feel the energy shift around you.

Using your tongs or tweezers, hold the paper over the light/harvest candle, being careful not to burn it. Allow the energy of the flame to infuse your intentions with the light and abundance of the season. Finally, light both ends of the paper on fire, using the harvest candle to burn the left end and the winter candle to burn the right end. Drop the paper into the fire-safe dish while saying, "As day and night find balance, so too shall my life be in perfect equilibrium." As the paper burns, imagine your intentions being released into the universe, ready to manifest.

Allow the candles to burn for a while as you continue to visualize your intentions. When you are ready, or the candles have completely burned down, draw Gebo rune on your forehead or over your heart depending on your desired outcome using the ashes of your intention as you say, "I am balanced in all that I do." Release any lingering energies from the spell into the Universe and store the ashes in a safe, yet prominent place to remind you of your intention.

Whenever you feel you need an extra push to achieve your goal, use the ashes to draw another Gebo rune on your forehead or across your heart as needed. When your goal has been achieved, or you feel the spell is complete, dispose of the ashes in running water or bury them close to your home.

Why You Did It

Understanding the whys of a spell is just as important as performing it. It helps you understand the process so you can modify the spell or ritual to suit your needs and helps guide you to write your own. It's my intention that by providing these explanations, you can build a better understanding of how spells are written and executed so you can modify and build your own spells (the goal of my Spellcrafting Series). 

First, this spell is conducted during the Autumn Equinox, which is a time of balance between night and day. This makes it the perfect time to cast spells related to balance, equilibrium, or past versus future. The spell is best performed the night of the Autumn Equinox, but it can be performed around the holiday as the balancing energies peak a few days before and a few days after the equinox. Like many spells, this one requires maintenance, hence the use of the ashes for multiple days after the initial casting of the spell.

Next, a candle was chosen to represent light and one for dark, which is perfectly balanced during this time. The colors you chose are completely dependent on your personal correspondences, I went with a golden candle to represent the harvest and light and a dark blue candle to represent darkness and winter because those are the colors I associate with those particular energies. The harvest candle is placed on your left and the winter candle on your right to show the flow of time from present to future, as well as the progression of your intention over the course of the coming seasons.

After lighting each candle and visualizing your intention, it was written on a piece of paper to allow you to infuse and then release the energy into the Universe. Holding the paper in your hand and then over the harvest candle helped infuse it with the positive energy required for long-lasting change. Burning, and the smoke produced from the act are associated with releasing and sending messages to the Universe, so by burning the message you release the energy you put into the visualization and send your message out to any forces that can help you with your spell.

The Gebo rune written using the ashes of your intention represents balance and allows part of the spell's energy to remain with you to encourage you to put in the work required. The rune was drawn over your forehead for matters associated with the mind, work, or communication, while a rune was drawn over your heart for matters associated with relationships, love, and emotions. This is repeated as needed to further inspire you.

Finally, the ashes were buried close to home to bring things to you or placed in a running river to let things go depending on your particular needs.

Wish to break this spell? If you no longer seek balance, dispose of the remains down the toilet or in the trash can and promptly remove them from your property while stating, "The spell is done. I no longer need assistance in achieving balance in my life. I release you."

Remember to record this ritual on your ritual/spell worksheet or in your Book of Shadows for reference later.

***

I hope you each have a blessed Mabon full of good food, good friends, and good fortune.

Interested in learning more about Mabon? Below are some resources to get you started.

Mabon History and Lore

Mabon Correspondences

5 Things to Do This Mabon

Spirit Work for Mabon

Dutch Apple Pie Recipe

Spiced Pumpkin Muffins

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Mabon/Fall Equinox Altar 2023

So, I managed to completely miss Lammas this year as the beginning of the school year was absolutely crazy. Between teaching a new subject and a significant schedule change, I've been struggling to keep my head above the water. Thankfully, I am beginning to tread more easily and able to catch up on some witchy work that I have let fall by the wayside. That means celebrating Mabon with a beautiful altar and some much-needed spell and ritual work.

Mabon, which is sometimes referred to as Pagan Thanksgiving, is a time to celebrate the harvest and the fruits of our labors since the beginning of the year and give thanks for the bounty we have received. While this is not the last harvest, many agricultural crops are slowing down with excess being stored away for the upcoming winter months. The Sun is slowly losing his strength and there is a slight chill in the air as the leaves begin to change. This is also a time of balance, with day and night being equal in length. After Mabon, night will continue to grow in length until Yule. With these themes in mind, I created this year's Mabon altar featuring greens, purples, yellows, and oranges.

1. Harvest Candleholder with Green Candle- This harvest candleholder has graced my Mabon altar for many, many years at this point, and for a good reason. It represents the bounty of the season with its pears, apples, grapes, and berries. The earthen tones and colorful leaves represent the beginning of autumn and the changing of the seasons as the Wheel turns another quarter. Like many years, I placed a green candle in it to represent abundance, specifically agricultural abundance as green is associated with plants, abundance, luck, and wealth. It also works to sympathetically encourage the continued growth of the crops lest the harvest's bounties not last through the Winter months. Green also represents the Earth and the gracious gifts She bestows upon us during the harvest, for without Her nurturing soils, we would not have nutrient-rich foods. (Where did I get it: Goodwill & Dollar Tree; Cost: $3)

2. Wooden Acorns- These lovely wooden acorns were gifted to me a couple years ago by my mother, who found them while out thrifting. She honestly knows me all too well as these have made a perfect altar decoration for several years, especially this time of year. Acorns symbolize success, good luck, and prosperity, themes associated with Mabon. Acorns are also the fruit of the mighty Oak, which is associated with strength and vitality, energies needed to finish bringing in the harvest and to encourage the Sun to hold out a little longer so we may finish tending the fields. Acorns also represent the Oak King, who is slowly dying this time of year, and are a tribute to his aid during the spring and summer months. (Where did I get it: Gifted; Cost: Free)

3. Leaf Candle Holders and Golden Candle Holders with White Candles- The leaf candle holders are an ode to the season and the changing leaves that herald autumn. While we don't get much color-changing here in Georgia, a girl can certainly dream! Their orange color represents attraction. In this case, it is used to attract the Sun and keep Him burning bright within the sky for a little while longer so the rest of the crops may ripen. In conjunction with the candles, which represent the Sun who is slowly waning in the sky, they work together as a sympathetic form of magic to give the Sun continued strength. Furthermore, having two of them represents balance as during the equinox both day and night are balanced. (Where did I get it: Dollar Tree 2017; Cost: $5, $1 each)

4. Smokey Quartz, Hematite, Pyrite, Red Calcite, and Citrine- There is an abundance of crystals adorning my altar this year, each symbolic of Mabon. Citrine and red calcite represent the Sun, strength, and vitality, working to lend their strength to keep the Sun full in the sky so we can reap the last of the crops before winter. Red calcite is also associated with change, which is heralded in during Mabon. Pyrite, on the other hand, represents wealth and the Sun and His golden rays. Hematite and smokey quartz represent balance and are naturally grounding. Furthermore, there are 6 hematite pieces and 6 smokey quartz pieces. Six is associated with balance and equality, which further symbolizes the balance between light and dark during the equinox. (Where did I get it: Metaphysical Stores; Cost: ~$8)

5. Enoch Tarot Card- If you know, you know. If you don't know, I can't help you. You must venture into the Unknown yourself and see what lessons it has in store for you. I purchased these tarot cards earlier this year, along with an oracle set, signed by the artist. These beautiful cards are collector editions, and therefore I don't use them, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to pay tribute to the season by featuring Enoch, the father of the harvest, on my altar as Mabon is a harvest festival. Don't be surprised if someone else makes an appearance at Samhain. (Where did I get it: Etsy; Cost: ~$30)

6. Corn Dolly- The corn dolly/maiden represents the harvest and the spirits of the fields. While traditionally placed on a Lammas altar, I put her on my Mabon altar to represent Mother Earth and the spirit of the harvest and fields. The effigy is sacrificed the following spring to ensure a bountiful harvest the following year, but I keep mine year to year to bring abundance into my life. Corn, from which the dolly is made, is also associated with growth, vitality, strength, and fertility, which are needed for at least another month while the fruits finish ripening in the fields. (Where did I get it: House of Rituals Box 2018; Cost: ~$5)

7. Sunflowers and Grapes- The sunflowers represent the Sun. Most sunflowers are blooming at this time, and when done, will produce hundreds of oily black seeds which provide valuable food for animals and humans alike, especially in the coming winter months. These unique flowers follow the Sun throughout the day and are thought to lend Him strength through their movements. Grapes are beginning to be harvested during this time and represent abundance and fertility. While grapes are more deeply associated with Mabon, their inclusion here is to ensure a continued fruitful harvest later in the season. (Where did I get it: Dollar Tree; Cost: $2)

TOTAL COST: ~$25

Like my other altars, most of the items I use are found, made, or purchased for around $1, although if the items must be purchased by you, then the cost will be higher. I hope you find this sort of breakdown helpful, especially for those of you looking to create Instagram-perfect altars on a budget! You will also notice that I brought back my labeled altars. I strongly feel this type of breakdown is helpful to beginner witches who are learning correspondences and to seasoned witches looking for inspiration.

I hope each and every one of you has a fantastic, blessing-filled Mabon. I am celebrating this year with an at-home date featuring a seasonal 4-course meal and spooky movies. I can't wait to go to the local farmers market to pick up some in-season produce and spend the day cooking good food. May your Mabon be filled with good food, friends, and family.

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Book Review: Herbana Witch: A Year in the Forest by Cecilia Lattari

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I know, I know...It's been a while since I last posted and even then I didn't follow up on the post on social media. I have to say, this is the busiest start to a new school year I have had since I started working, largely in part due to schedule changes and content changes. It's been a difficult transition in that it's required more of my time and energy, but I do so love teaching. Despite being busy with work, I have had the chance to read several books as of late. It's one of the few ways I have been destressing after long workdays. As such, I have a book I would like to share with all of you lovely witches today!

I have to hand it to her, Cecilia Lattari always works with some amazing illustrators to bring her work to life, and Herbana Witch: A Year in the Forest is no exception. Herbana Witch follows the Earth's seasons, from Winter to Fall, with each chapter focusing on a specific season. Each section follows the same format, introducing the reader to how the forest changes, the magical plants associated with the season, a secret seasonal recipe, witchy things to do, an animal guide, and a message for the season. Each section also has a theme associated with the season that focuses on a plant aspect, such as bark or fruit. Honestly, it's a lovely way to introduce a witch, especially a novice witch or children, to seasonal magic and homemaking.

Each seasonal chapter is full of wonderful information accompanied by some of the best illustrations (by Alice Guidi) I have seen in an occult book. I fawned over the artwork continuously, wishing I could have some of the work as prints to hang on my walls, especially the fox featured in the final chapter on fall. It is one of my animal guides after all. The information is well-researched, easily accessible, and intriguing, but altogether too short! I had to remind myself this is more of a coffee table, quick reference type of book than an instructional manual. Personally, I found the seasonal plant folklore the most interesting, but I also enjoyed the seasonal crafts and recipes as well. All of the 'secret recipes' are bread-making recipes, so if you are looking for seasonal breads, this book has you covered. I am particularly interested in making acorn bread from homemade acorn flour, something I have been meaning to do for the better part of a decade.

The term 'herbana' is new when referencing a type of witch, but from reading it, I gathered Lattari is using 'herbana' to describe a hedge witch. In fact, her description includes otherworld travel, communication with spirits, living on the outskirts of town, embracing the liminal, and plant medicine and witchcraft. This is identical to my description of a hedge witch, just using a different name. Personally, I am going to stick with using hedge witch, especially to reduce confusion, but should you prefer to use herbana, go for it.

Despite loving this book, I did find certain things 'annoying.' First, some of the fonts are difficult to read, which may be irksome for people who are visually impaired. Second, I felt the book was entirely too short, but I fully recognize this book was never meant to be a definitive guide to seasonal witchcraft. However, for the price, I felt it should have been longer and more detailed. It is, however, very beautifully illustrated, which makes it an excellent book to leave out on your coffee table. I was able to read the entire book in one sitting in about an hour, again, making it a perfect light read for guests, if you are out of the broom closet, of course. If you are looking for more bang for your buck information-wise, I would pass on this book. However, if you are looking to support an author, get some seasonal inspiration, or enjoy some beautiful artwork, this is the book for you.

Herbana Witch: A Year in the Forest by Cecilia Lattari is set to release September 21, 2023 in hardback wherever books are sold and can be pre-ordered now!

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