213 – The Autumnal Equinox: Legends and Superstitions
When people who live in less temperate subtropical climates talk about how they “miss the seasons” they’re really talking about Fall and Spring. And Autumn is something to behold: the landscape canvas as colors change on the trees, the refreshing briskness of the air, it’s life’s last gasp before the cold dead of Winter. Traditionally on September 21st, 22d, or 23rd the Autumnal Equinox is when it starts getting darker every day in the Northern Hemisphere, which is depressing. But it’s also a time for great food, bonfire parties, and celebrating reaping the harvest from the work done earlier in the year.
It’s also when ancient peoples believed that the Veil started becoming thinner between our world and the spirit world, so of course we love it because it’s the beginning of the Halloween season. Some people say you’re not supposed to wear white after Labor Day, we say that’s when you start wearing costumes!
It’s also a cool Holiday for neo-Pagans called Mabon (we just decided to say it “May-bone” because that’s an acceptable pronunciation and it sounds more badass). Mabon was stolen from his mother Modron (the Welsh mother goddess who brings life to the world) when he was only three days old. He was taken to the Underworld and that’s why we have winter because the Mother Goddess was peeved at her child being stolen. Funny enough, that’s super similar to the Greek myth of Demeter and Persephone. WHOA, could that be more cross-cultural pollination We explore that and a lot more in this episode which was a topic requested by one of our Patreon members (thanks for the idea, Chuck!)
Some of the other topics we cover in this episode:
- Will you cast a shadow at noon on the day of the Equinox?
- How you can perform a magic ritual with just an apple
- How much it costs to party at Stonehenge on an equinox
- Why Medieval Jews thought it wasn’t safe to drink the water during the Autumnal Equinox
- Is it really easier to balance an egg during an Equinox?
For the song this week, we picked out the legend of Mabon because in one of the variations of the tale, he is saved by King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. Mabon was stolen and taken beyond Hadrian’s Wall, the Roman barrier meant to hold off the native Britons that they couldn’t conquer. Arthur and his men needed the help of several magical animals in order to break Mabon out of his prison and they freed the child who would eventually own Arthur in battle.
Well, when you’ve got King Arthur and magical animals to work with, we couldn’t miss out on that! And it just wouldn’t be a British-influenced song unless we made it a little Iron Maiden-eqsue. So here’s the Sunspot take on the story of Mabon, “Beyond The Wall”.
In the land of the Savage,
a barbarian horde
lies the child of the Goddess
to become the Harvest Lord.
The scales of light and dark in perfect balance
the son of Modron will com to take his vengeance
We ride
we fight
We hear
the call,
to save
the child
beyond
the Wall
beyond the Wall.
With the power of the Stag
and the wisdom of the Salmon.
The Knights of the Round,
have come for the Green Man.
The scales of light and dark in perfect balance
the son of Modron will come to take his vengeance
We ride
we fight
We hear
the call,
to save
the child
beyond
the Wall
beyond the Wall.
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