Mabon Swap Roundup

Hi ladies (and Wulf) !
Thanks for making this blog active! At a point I thought I might be the only one posting and there you have, 8 posts, and this is my first!

I didn't participate in last swap, for some baby goodness, but here's my personal "best of" last WWP swap (round 18? I think?). So let's have some second harvest festival goodies!

(note that I favored single photographed items!)

Poem from Hawkeye_Girl to Abberroad



handmade leather running journal from Abby to HG



Amesthist necklace from Moonie to Wulf



Handmade Drum from our favorite Guy to Moonie



Clothespin Fairy from K.MichelleCraftyfea to SecretAgentStarchild



Felted Dragon from SAS to K.Michelle



Perfect Altar Salt bowl Superhooker from to Saturn



Tons of stones from StrawberryH to karmamomma



Wand from HolisticKnitter to Morgan Le Faye



Talisman from Saturn to SuperHooker


That's it for now! Hope you enjoyed and that no one's feeling is hurt not to see their favorite!

Next, Samhain! we're heading for a BIG swap (25+)!

I'll be looking for cool craft tutorial to show you (you can do the same!)
I invite you to post your favorite recipe, as well as any spell or chant or whatever you feel relative!

Mabon Altar & Table

We did our Mabon Rite last night and took some pics of our altar.

And Meal Table

Mabon Altars

If you google Mabon Altars, you will receive numerous pictures of gorgeous altars. 

~K. Michele~ Tonight I did a bit of cleaning and set my altar up. Of course it's expanded onto my herb shelf that my little altar box sits on and into the window sill. But being that it's our family altar, I'm ok with that. Once the leaves start to turn, the kiddo and I will collect some to add to the altar.

K. Michele's Mabon Altar

Close up of K. Michele's Altar

Mabon Bread and Mabon Apples ~ K. Michele

This is a couple of the recipes for Mabon found in the book Circle Round.

Mabon Bread

This golden bread combines pumpkin and corn. It's still sweet enough for children to love, but not too sweet for adults to enjoy. The richness comes from condensed yogurt.

Ingredients:
4 eggs
1 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 cup cooked and pureed pumpkin (or one 15 oz can pumpkin), drained
1 cup condensed plain yogurt (nonfat or lowfat is fine)
2 tablespoon frozen orange juice
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cup flour
1 cup cornmeal

Directions:
~ Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Mix together the eggs and sugar. Add the pumpkin, condensed yogurt, and orange juice.
~ Sift the cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and flour together. Add the cornmeal. Incorporate this slowly into the wet mixture.
~ Grease two loaf pans. Divide the batter between the pans and smooth the top. Bake for 1 hour. Test for doneness by inserting a knife or skewer into the center. It should come out clean and dry. Let the loaves cool for 5 minutes, then remove from pans and let cool completely.
~ This batter also bakes well as muffins, with the baking time of about 40 mintues.

Note:
~ To make condensed yogurt, place 2 cups of plain yogurt in a colander lined with cheesecloth or a sturdy paper towel. Let the yogurt drain for six hours or over night. You'll be left with 1 cup of condensed yogurt.

Mabon Apples

Apples are the fruit that carries us through winter. These simple backed apples can be embellished with your family's favorite fillings.

Ingredients:
4 large apples (Golden Delicious bake best)
4 teaspoons brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 to 1 cup apple cider or juice
Optional: cream (whipped or plain), vanilla ice cream

Directions:
~ Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Using a grapefruit knife, an apple corer, or a melon baller, core the apples, leaving the bottoms intact. Peel the skin off the top inch of the cored apple.
~ Place the apples in a pan that just holds them. Put 1 teaspoon of brown sugar into each apple hole, plus a pinch of cinnamon. Pour apple cider into the pan until it reaches the depth of 1/2 inch.
~ Bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour, basting the apples with the juice from the pain every 15 minutes.
~ Serve still warm, with cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Note:
~ You can try filling the apple cavities with honey or maple syrup, granola, or raisins and nuts sweetened with honey or maple syrup.

Story of Mabon ~ K. Michele

There are many different versions of the Story of Mabon. I thought I'd share a short version. This is the verison that we read to our 5 year old. It's short which is perfect for his short attention span. When he gets bigger, we'll upgrade to one of the longer versions, but for now this is the one we read at home.

Modrone is one of elder gods.  She is so ancient, that her son Mabon is known as "Son, son of the Mother."  By the time King Aurthur was learning to ride, Mabon was already so old few remembered Him.

Of those who do remember, it is known that Mabon was kidnapped while sleeping next to his mother when he was only three days old.  He had been imprisoned until a young knight named Kyllwch fell in love.

The girl, Olwen, was the daughter of a giant named Yspadaden.  The giant was cursed to die if ever his daughter wed, so the giant would send potential suiters on quests that would surely cost them their lives.  Before Kyllwch, no suitor had ever returned.

Kyllwch had heard the tales, but did not care.  The great beauty of the girl had captured his heart.  Kyllwch  went to meet Olwen by the river one day and they fell madly in love. Kyllwch would have none but her.  He begged her to marry him. 

"I cannot my love, for I will not see you killed.  My heart could not bear it."  Olwen wept openly.

"I would rather die then live another moment without you, Olwen.  I know of your father and his curse.  I do not care what perils he puts before me.  I know my love for you is pure and true, therefore I will have the power of the Gods to protect me."  He hugged Olwen and left.  He gathered everything he might need and set off for the castle of the giant.

Upon arriving at the castle, young Kyllwch wastes no time in telling Yspadaden of his desire to wed his daughter.  To his surprise the giant sighed and grumbled.

"Not another one!  How many wretched men must I send to their deaths before you leave me in peace?"

"I fear no death.  I love Olwen and know I am worthy.  I will succeed where others have failed."

The giant snorted and laughed, "Really?  Very well.  If you complete all of the tasks I set before you.  You many have my daughter."  The giant then listed hundreds of tasks, all of which were so dangerous most hero's would not dare to attempt them.

Kyllwch took the list without hesitation and through the help of the gods completed all, save one.  He had to save Mabon, son of Modrone in order to gain the ceremonial set with a brush, comb and razor for Spaded.  

Knowing that he alone could not free the imprisoned god alone, Kyllwch went to King Aurthur's court and enlisted the help of Eidoel, Author's foster brother and kinsmen to Mabon.

Eidoel asks for the help of five sacred animals; the Raven, the Stag, the Owl, the Eagle and the the Salmon.

The Raven knows all tales from the beginning of time.  The Raven leads them to the Stag, who is far older than the Raven.  The Stag guides them through a dense forest to the wise Owl, told them of the Eagle who knew of a place where a Salmon had mentioned a strange prison tower.  The two men followed the Eagle to a river neither man had seen before. It's water was so clear and so calm, that the surface looked like a sheen mirror.  The water was so cold no man, could drink it without freezing.  The Eagle called out for the Salmon and shortly a fish, appeared on the surface.

This Salmon was larger than the largest fish, older than all other fish, and stronger than any other. "I know of the place you seek. I will guide you."

The Salmon led them up the river and over a mystical tide to a tall stone tower.  The two men heard the eternal cries of a child.  The first light of Yule broke over the hillside, the siege of the tower ended, freeing the child, they discovered it truly was the lost child of Modrone. 

Mabon showered the hero's with many thanks and gladly slew the legendary boar for Kyllwch.  Kyllwch and his new friends all returned to the giants home. The giant stuttered in protest upon seeing the party, declaring that it could not be and it must be a trick.

The next day a huge wedding celebrated the union of Olwen to Kyllwch.  After the feast, Kyllwch and his friends cut the head off the giant allowing Olwen and Kyllwch to live long and fruitful lives.

Mabon Craft - Shrines!!

I am supposed to be posting pictures from Yule to Mabon, but it just doesn't seem right to post stockings and holly right now especially after RippledWater's lovely tribute to the season. So I decided to look for more appropriate crafts and found the WWP swap from September 2009 - it was a tribute to shrines! I hope these pictures will bring back memories for some of you.

Tribute to Bridget from EdelC to DanniQuee

Shrines are excellent pagan craft as they allow for the expression of gratitude toward a particular season, god, goddess, animal, totem, or any other personal entity - whatever inspires you!

Start with a center piece - something that represents what you are paying tribute to. While this may be the focus of your shrine, it does not have to be the literal center location. Asymetry can add character and interest. You can gather items from your yard to accent your focal point. Be creative!

Mother Earth, Father Sky from DanniQuee to EdelC

Small items such as altoid tins or matchboxes make great vessles for shrines, but don't be afraid to think beyond the box. Non-traditional shapes and materials make intriguing shrines that make an impression!







Green Man Shrine from ellemir to Phizzychick








Above all have fun. Celebrate yourself and your tribute of choice. Let the inspiration flow. Don't worry about it being perfect, glue can be unstuck.


Happy crafting for a happy harvest!


~Abbeeroad

Tribute to Beauty phnxreign99 to altered mommy

Mabon~By RippledWater

The cycle of the year has turned once again and is drawing to a close. Mabon is the last sabbat on the wheel before Samhain, which has long represented the new year to many of the ancient agricultural societies. Mabon is a sabbat all about balance, reflection, change, and giving thanks. It's a time for honoring the Earth for all of its sacrifices and for providing us with the harvest that will lead us through the winter, ensuring our survival. This is also a sabbat of balance both celestial and within ourselves. Light and Dark equally enjoy each others company during this special moment of the year. Once this moment passes, light gives way to the dark and the days grow shorter and colder. On this sabbat we should see the balance within ourselves as well. We are not just physical beings, nor are we just spiritual. We should strive to be a combination of both and to make sure neither plane overtakes the other within our lives. It's a hard battle we fight everyday. To balance time with friends, family, members of our spiritual community, and to balance time with our crafting, work, other hobbies or necessities, and everything else life throws our way along with balancing who we are as a person is a near impossible task. But on the equinox, the universe is showing us that it is possible, even for one day a year, for anyone to be able to strike this balance. Mabon is also about change. It brings about the season of crisp, cool air and leaves turning colors. And we begin to look within ourselves and reflect upon what we have sown within our own souls, what has taken root within us. This is the time for letting go and for making these changes we want and need so bad. The leaves on the trees are shaken off and taken away on the winds. This leaves the trees burden free and allows them a clean slate to start over with in the spring. There can be no room for new growth in the future if we do not let go of what has already served its purpose and is no longer needed.

Mabon is a favorite time of year for me. It's not yet freezing and it's no longer scorching hot. I like to sit outside somewhere and just listen to and watch the changes around me. The leaves are turning colors, the flowers are dying away, and the birds are busier than ever preparing for their winter flights. There is something liberating about an Autumn wind. It's kind of like the Earth is sighing, almost to say "Ah, made it through another year." I think its safe to say that we all have problems in life. And we get so consumed by them that we let the negativity just take hold of us. I know that I definitely feel that way. So, when I sit outside, during anytime of year really, I just let the wind blow through me and take with it everything negative that I've been hoarding or that has latched onto me. And as it takes away the leaves and rustles them around I imagine it taking away my troubles. Mabon is pretty special for me this year. I consider it an anniversary. This Mabon will serve as one year that I have been out and active in my local pagan community. So it signified a huge change for me last year. I went from not knowing any other pagans and feeling completely alone, to getting to know some amazing people and even being able to call them friends. And I've begun to balance my Pagan life and my non-Pagan life into one nice little life together. This Mabon, like last year, I will be attending a Pagan Pride/Mabon/Harvest Moon festival (don't you love how we celebrate everything on the same day around here? lol). There's workshops, an open ritual, and no event around here is ever finished without a drum circle. It's going to be an amazing day and will lead me to have a perfect ending to this year. On the home front, I have already started to work on a few changes in my life as of this week. As Mabon rolls around I'm sure I will have much more I want to work on and let go of. My personal ritual at home will most certainly consist of purging (which in my case always involves lighting something on fire!) and reflecting on the past year. So much has happened since last Mabon and I have so much to look back on and be thankful for!