Welcome the Fall Equinox with its Signature Fruit: The Apple
By: Stephanie Shin
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As the autumnal equinox greets us and the foliage turns auburn and topaz, so will a time for celebration, reflection, and rest. The pagan holiday, Mabon is a celebration and also a time of rest after the labor of harvest. Mabon is the moment to reap what you have sown and reflect on how your aspirations have manifested. This holiday is a time to clear excess and let go of what no longer serves you and also to complete projects that will lend to a peaceful and reflective wintertime. The celebration of Mabon invites us to plant seeds of novel ideas and hopes which will be dormant and nourished in the dark shadows, until the return of a lush Spring.
What is Mabon?
The start of Mabon is marked on the day where the ratio of day and night is completely balanced. This celebrated occasion takes place the moment the sun moves towards the south and crosses the equator. And since all great things must come to an end, from that day on we begin to prepare for days filled with more darkness than light.
However, before we completely transition, it is the celebration of Mabon that allows us to look back and appreciate once more all that the sun has done. From thanking the sun for the abundance of grains, vegetables, and fruits to reflecting and manifesting the future, Mabon is all about celebration and giving thanks to the luminary.
Celebrate Mabon with Apples
Despite various customs associated with the Mabon festival, one of the most symbolic is the apple. As Mabon is all about preparing for a winter of reflection, renewal, and manifestation, an apple is a perfect symbol as it represents regeneration and healing. To most Pagans, this beloved symbol is not only a delicious piece of fruit but when cut horizontally it becomes a seeded pentagram. The five points symbolizes earth, fire, water, air, and spirit; as well as the direction of North, West, East, South, and Within. When not eaten, apples are placed in entrances or worn as a pendant as it is believed to protect one’s home and body from evil. Not only is the spirit of an apple versatile, but it is versatile in the kitchen as well. From apple jams to baked apple crisps, there’s not much you can’t do with apples. The following apple crisp dish is perfect for sharing with family and friends during the Mabon celebration!
Homemade Apple Crisp Recipe:
- 4 large apples
- 1 tablespoon melted vegan butter (can sub with regular butter)
- 1 ½ tablespoon oat flour (can sub with all-purpose flour)
- ¼ cup water
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar (can sub with brown sugar)
- ½ tablespoon cinnamon
- ½ tablespoon nutmeg
Topping:
- 1 cup oat flour (can sub with all purpose flour)
- 2 tablespoon rolled oats
- ½ cup coconut sugar
- 2 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 cup diced walnuts
- 2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/3 cup melted vegan butter (can sub with regular butter)
- ⅓ teaspoon baking powder
- Pinch of salt
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit
- Peel and thinly slice apples and toss into a bowl with the butter, water, and lemon juice. In a separate bowl, combine the oat flour, coconut sugar, nutmeg and cinnamon.
- Then add in the dry ingredients to the apple mixture and coat thoroughly.
- Pour the apple mixture into an 8 inch oven safe dish/pan.
- In another bowl, mix together all of the topping ingredients with your hands or fork until you reach a crumbly texture.
- Distribute the topping on top of the apples so they are covered evenly.
- Bake it in the oven for 45 minutes.
- Serve warm and top it off with some vegan vanilla ice cream (or regular) and enjoy the Mabon holiday!
Mabon is the second harvest festival of the year, meaning grain as well as apples are highly celebrated – making it a perfect time to try the art of beer tasting.
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