We had a great Mabon Ritual. There was good food, great company, and a special time was had by all. There were 13 participants, some familiar faces and some new faces. We truly enjoyed having everyone and getting to know our community better.
We are hoping to have a Samhain Ritual at Healing Hills as well. Please stay tuned for that!
The Mountain Clan: Mabon Ritual of Balance & Storage
Date: On or near the Autumn Equinox (usually September 21st–23rd)
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: The central communal area (e.g., near the garden, the hearth, or the main gathering circle)
Attire: Work clothes or warm outdoor attire, with an added personal touch of autumn color (e.g., a leaf, a scarf, or an orange/brown sash).
Presiding: The Council of Five.
Timing Overview
Time
Duration
Activity
6:00 – 6:10
10 min
Call to Order & Welcoming of the Ancestors
6:10 – 6:50
40 min
The Feast
6:50 – 7:00
10 min
Transition & Centering
7:00 – 7:10
10 min
The Reading & The Veto
7:10 – 7:35
25 min
Community Discussion
7:35 – 7:40
5 min
The Toast
7:40 – 7:55
15 min
Socializing & Storytelling
7:55 – 8:00
5 min
Dismissal & The Quiet
Part I: The Gathering, The Ancestors & The Feast (6:00 PM – 6:50 PM)
1. Call to Order: The Keeper of the Gate (Warden) — 6:00 PM
o The Warden stands at the edge of the gathering area and sounds a horn or rings a bell three times.
o “The sun has crossed the line of balance. Light and dark are equal for this single moment. By the power vested in me as Keeper of the Gate, I declare this gathering of The Mountain Clan protected and open. All who enter with good intent are welcome. All who enter with malice are barred.”
o The Warden waits for all members to enter and take their places.
2. The Welcoming of the Ancestors: The Keeper of the Voice (Speaker) — 6:05 PM
o Before the meal begins, the Speaker (the rotating representative) places a place setting at the table for the “Unseen Guests” or the Ancestors.
o “Before we eat, we set a place for those who cannot sit with us in the flesh. As a community, we stand on the shoulders of those who came before. To the ancestors of this land, to the spirits of nature, and to our own beloved dead who taught us resilience—we welcome you to our table. We ask only for your wisdom and your peace. We do not ask for your burdens. May you rest easy, and may you feast with us tonight.”
o The Speaker invites all members to whisper the name of a loved one they wish to remember.
3. The Feast — 6:10 PM – 6:50 PM
o The community shares a potluck meal together. All are invited to bring a dish made from the season’s harvest or from their own stored supplies—apples, squash, bread, preserves, cider, and hearty fall fare.
o The meal is eaten in good company, with room for casual conversation and the simple pleasure of breaking bread as a Clan. This is not yet the time for formal words; it is the time for fellowship and gratitude made tangible through food. The ancestors’ place remains set throughout the meal.
o Note: At 6:45 PM, the Healer gently signals that the meal is winding down so that tables may be cleared and the ritual may begin.
Part II: The Ritual (6:50 PM – 7:40 PM)
4. Transition & Centering: The Keeper of the Hearth (Healer) — 6:50 PM
o Once the meal is finished and the tables are cleared, the Healer stands in the center and addresses the Clan.
o “The season of growth has ended; the season of harvest is upon us. We stand in balance. As the earth gives its final bounty, we must take a deep breath and meet the coming dark with preparedness—not fear. Let us center ourselves in our community. For a moment, look at the faces around you. These are your clanmates, your helpers, your family. We are a sanctuary for each other. Let us breathe together.”
o (Guided Breathing) The Healer leads the group through three deep, collective breaths.
5. The Reading & The Veto: The Keeper of the Balance (Steward) — 7:00 PM
o The Steward stands and speaks to the “Land & Lore” aspect of Mabon.
o “In many traditions, this is the time of the ‘Second Harvest,’ the Apple Harvest, and the time of the Wine. It is when the God, the Sun, passes into the underworld, and the Goddess mourns his descent. It is a time of thanksgiving and a time of hard truths. Tonight, we do not just celebrate. We audit our stores and our souls. We must ask ourselves: What have we grown? What have we learned? And what have we harvested that we did not plant? We must give thanks for the bounty, but we must also root out the ‘weeds’ of resentment, fear, and disconnection before they go to seed. This is a time of Balance.”
o (Symbolic Veto) The Steward holds up a single, beautiful apple.
o “Balance requires a pause. Should any part of this community become unsustainable or cause ecological or emotional harm, the Council holds the power of the Veto to pause and correct course. Let the ‘Veto as Pause’ be a reminder to us all that we can take a moment to find a better path.”
6. The Work & The Feast (Community Discussion): The Keeper of the Foundation (Wright) — 7:10 PM – 7:35 PM
o The Wright addresses the Clan.
o “The Sun has poured his energy into the world all summer. Now, we must ‘store’ that energy for the dark months. Our Foundation is built on mutual work. But tonight, we do not lift tools—we lift our voices. Before we act, we must speak. Before we build, we must plan. Let us talk together about what we have harvested this year, what we still need to store, and what skills we must sharpen before the frost comes.”
o (The Community Discussion) The Wright opens the floor for a guided conversation. Members are invited to speak to the following questions, one at a time, in an orderly and respectful manner. The Wright or a designated facilitator keeps the discussion moving to respect the time.
§ On Harvest: “What did we grow or accomplish this year that we are proud of? What worked well in our gardens, our builds, our trainings?”
§ On Shortfall: “What did we plan for that did not come to pass? What did we lose, or what failed? What did we learn from that?”
§ On Preparation: “What still needs to be done before winter? What supplies are low? What repairs are pending? What drills or trainings should we prioritize in the coming months?”
§ On Skill-Sharing: “Who among us has a skill they would like to teach? Who among us wants to learn something new? Let us match our teachers to our students.”
o (The Recording of Intentions) The Keeper of the Foundation, or a designated member of the Records & Treasury Department, writes down the key points, needs, and volunteer commitments on a communal board or ledger. This becomes the working list for the coming season.
o “This is our harvest of words. This is our promise to each other. What we speak tonight, we will act upon tomorrow. The Foundation is not built in a day—it is built in every conversation, every shared meal, and every promise kept.”
7. The Toast: The Council of Five — 7:35 PM
o The Council leads the toast. Each Keeper pours a libation (cider or water) onto the earth.
o The Steward: “To the Land.”
o The Healer: “To the Heart.”
o The Warden: “To the Gate.”
o The Wright: “To the Foundation.”
o The Speaker: “To the Voice of the People.”
o All Together: “To the Mountain Clan!”
Part III: Socializing & Storytelling (7:40 PM – 7:55 PM)
8. The Telling of Tales — 7:40 PM
o With the ritual complete, the formal energy is released. The community remains gathered for an open period of socializing, storytelling, and connection.
o Members are invited to share stories—of the year’s triumphs and trials, of ancestors and old traditions, of lessons learned and hopes for the winter ahead. This is a time for laughter, for tears if they come, and for the quiet bonding that only happens when the work of ritual is done and the fire burns low.
o This is also a time for informal mentorship, for new members and probationers to ask questions, and for old friends to simply sit together in good company.
o Note: At 7:50 PM, the Healer gently signals that the evening is drawing to a close so that final words may be offered.
Part IV: The Dismissal & The Quiet (7:55 PM – 8:00 PM)
9. The Acceptance of the Balance: The Keeper of the Hearth (Healer) — 7:55 PM
o The Healer stands to offer final words.
o “Night has now overtaken day. The sun has gone to sleep, and we will soon follow. The work is done. The food is stored. The gate is locked. We are safe. We are prepared. The balance of the year has shifted, and we accept the coming darkness, not with dread, but with the quiet confidence of those who know their Clan is with them.”
10. The Dismissal: The Keeper of the Gate (Warden) — 8:00 PM
o “The circle is open, but never broken. Go in peace. Return with strength. So mote it be.”
o The Warden extinguishes the central lantern or candle.
o The ancestors’ place setting is cleared last, with a quiet word of thanks.
Post-Ritual: The Council Report (Optional, Held Separately)
· If needed, the Council of Five and Department Leads may hold a brief, informal “Quarterly Gathering” on a separate day, as per V.C.1, to give a short “State of the Clan” update and review the intentions recorded during the Mabon discussion. This keeps the Mabon evening itself dedicated to ritual, fellowship, and rest.