THE JOURNEYER

Over dusty roads he travels on his journey of life, his heart is steadfast his mind set on delight

dressed all in black a silver sword at his side, to hack his way through forests of untruth and lies

he traverses lost continents of the mind, in dreams, sages sends him visions through time

he walks at ease amongst both kings and peasants, diamonds, gold, silver and pearls are not his treasures

he knows that worldly things are not a true measure, and that flesh is merely window dressing at best

his strong steady hands can soothe those in need, but woe those who supports evil in thought or in deed

He scorns the traps set for the unwary in the world of illusions, and nimbly navigates his way through the maze of confusion

that although verdant and green to the gaze of the watcher, holds a serpent at its centre to poison those who dare enter

he strives for the gifts of wisdom purity and a true heartand when he falls he gets up and turn back to the path

Mabon

AUTUMN EQUINOX (Mabon)

Natural magic for couples

Apple, apple, red as blood (cut the apple in half)

As two become, two hearts in one

(apples have a five-pointed star in their centres)

I call to each one from afar

A herb for her, a herb for him

(a cut is made and a herb is inserted)

A touch of fire to seal it in

(light a candle from a taper)

Bind with the cord to make them one

(tie around with scarlet cord)

As I will, so be it done (bury the apple in the ground)

Southern Hemisphere: 21 MarchNorthern Hemisphere: 21 September Also known as Michaelmas, Alban Elfed, Harvest Home.Deities: Modron, Herne, Cernunnos, Mannanan Mac Lyr, Ishtar, Isis, Demeter, Persephone, Rhiannon.Colours: Orange, red, yellow, gold, russet.Incense: Clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, myrrh, sage, juniper, pine, cedar.Traditional Motifs: Cornucopia, autumn leaves, pine cones, gourds, corn cobs, mushrooms, apples.

The Equinoxes are times of equilibrium. Day and night are equal and the tide of the year flows steadily, but whilst the Spring Equinox manifests the equilibrium before action, the Autumn Equinox represents the repose after action, the time to take satisfaction in the work of the Summer and reap its benefits. The Autumn Equinox is the second harvest festival, both grain and fruit having been gathered in. This is the time of the Vine. The God, who was Lord of the Greenwood in the Summer, and the Corn King at Lughnasadh, now dances his last dance upon the Earth, as Dionysus, the Greek God of Wine, Music and Dance, before making his descent to the underworld to take up his role as Dread Lord of Shadows.

The God's presence is shadowy. His face is turned towards the Underworld, yet He is heard in each sign of the wind and glimpsed in the shades of early dusk. He leads us to the hidden, inward places of our souls and invites us to explore.

The leaves falling from the trees and rotting into the Earth are a reflection of the Horned God's journey from the Greenwood to the Underworld, deep into the womb of the Mother, here He will reside until He begins to emerge with the new green shoots in the Spring. The Autumn Equinox marks the completion of the harvest, and thanks giving, with the emphasis on the future return of that abundance.

The Eleusinian mysteries took place at this time, during which the initiate was said to have been shown a single ear of grain with the words "In silence is the seed of wisdom gained". Another aspect of these mysteries was "Know thyself" which seems appropriate for the coming months. During the Winter months energy levels drop and the Autumn Equinox is the time to ready ourselves, to look at our "harvest" of accomplishments, to refine and redefine our intentions.

The Voice - Matthew Arnold

As the kindling glances,

Queen-like and clear,

Which the bright moon lances

From her tranquil sphere

At the sleepless waters

Of a lonely mere,

On the wild whirling waves,

mournfully, mournfully,

Shiver and die.

As the tears of sorrow

Mothers have shed -

Prayers that tomorrow

Shall in vain be sped

When the flower they flow for

Lies frozen and dead -

Fall on the throbbing brow,

fall on the burning breast,

Bringing no rest.

Like bright waves that fall

With a lifelike motion

On the lifeless margin of the sparkling Ocean;

A wild rose climbing up a mouldering wall -

A gush of sunbeams through a ruined hall -

Strains of glad music at a funeral -

So sad, and with so wild a start

To this deep-sobered heart,

So anxiously and painfully,

So drearily and doubtfully,

And oh, with such intolerable change

Of thought, such contrast strange,

O unforgotten voice, thy accents come,

Like wanderers from the world's extremity,

Unto their ancient home!

In vain, all, all in vain,

They beat upon mine ear again,

Those melancholy tones so sweet and still.

Those lute-like tones which in the bygone year

Did steal into mine ear -

Blew such a thrilling summons to my will,

Yet could not shake it;

Made my tost heart its very life-blood spill,

Yet could not break it.