The Autumn Equinox is an astronomical event when the sun crosses the celestial equator, resulting in roughly equal amounts of day and night and marking the beginning of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere. The word equinox is derived from the Latin for "equal night" and the date typically falls around September 21-24. The event signifies a transition as the Earth's axis is neither tilted toward nor away from the sun, beginning the shortening of daylight.

In the pagan calendar, the Autumn Equinox is honored with the harvest of fruits and vegetables and is recognized as a time to express gratitude for abundance and earth's generosity. The pagan festival that coincides with the Autumn Equinox is known as Mabon, one of eight sabbats in the Wheel of the Year. The name Mabon was first popularized in the 1970s and comes from Mabon ap Modron, a figure in Welsh mythology whose name means "Son of the Mother".

Pagans often include wheat sheaves and corn dollies in Mabon altars and rituals to honor the harvest. In ancient agrarian tradition, the last sheaf of the harvest was fashioned by the community's most venerable woman into the 'corn mother'. Crafted by hand in fine English pewter, Alchemy England's Corn Witch Pendant is a talisman that honors this tradition. This pendant can be worn to help preserve the harvest spirit through winter.

For more eclectic Pagans, the Elven Star is yet another way to symbolize balance in the harmony between multiple forces, which is a theme linked with Mabon. This seven-pointed star is inscribed on The Magical Phase Necklace, which is another striking handmade adornment from Alchemy. Surrounded by the seven classical planets to invoke the energies of the cosmos and in the shape of a triple moon, this necklace makes for a wonderful gift to celebrate Mabon.

Handwoven and featuring the eight sabbats in the Wheel of the Year, including Mabon, Alchemy's Magic Carpet Rug is another wonderful piece with which to mark the Autumn Equinox. This is the ultimate carpet to complete any ceremonial altar or sacred place, with spell weaving and spiritual attunement enhanced by the magical circle of festivals, elements and moon phases.

The eight sabbats also feature on Alchemy's Pagan Calendar Globe Lamp. Encased in etched glass and lit by a soft LED, this globe beautifully evokes the turning of the seasons and the deeper wisdom of earth and sky. As the globe glows through the dark, it invites contemplative connection, serving as a quiet reminder of the sacred rhythms that underlie our lives, illuminating not just space but intention.

As the Wheel of the Year turns and the light begins to wane, the Autumn Equinox and Mabon invite us to pause in sacred stillness and to honor the balance between light and dark. It's a time to express deep gratitude for the harvests in our lives, both literal and spiritual, and to open ourselves to reflection, healing and transformation. Alchemy England's collection of handcrafted jewelry and homeware helps honor and celebrate the beginning of autumn and provide spiritual readiness for the darker months ahead.

Explore more pagan jewelry and homeware on our Mabon page »