Mabon

Mabon is a minor Sabbat in Wicca, the second of the three harvest festivals (the first is Lughnasadh, the third is Samhain). At Mabon, day and night are of equal length—but this is the point on the Wheel of the Year at which the darkness overtakes the light, and night becomes longer than day. It is what we call the dark half of the year.

It is a feast of thanks-giving, a celebration of the Earth’s bounty. And as with all Wiccan Sabbats, the cycles of the seasons mirror the cycles of our lives. At Mabon it’s a time to reflect and wrap things up.

Mabon coincides with the beginning of the school year  and the academic year. It 's a good idea to view it as a sabbat dedicated to students - wishing them success and giving them gifts like books etc. - and to knowledge gathering itself. Known Goddesses of knowledge are the Greek Athena/Minerva,  the Sumerian Nidaba, etc. Known Gods of knowledge is the Celtic Ogma, the Egyptian Thoth with his wife Seshat etc.

It marks the end of summer vacations and the start of work. It 's a beginning. A beginning of effort to survive during the dark part of the year.

A ritual for this sabbat can be found here.