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corallydeer's review against another edition
informative
reflective
fast-paced
3.0
Mabon by Diana Rajchel is a pretty decent beginner's look at the season, equinox, and holiday. It covers a wide variety of related lore and history, workings, recipes, and more and is probably something I'd consider a decent resource for most beginners in witchcraft and Paganism. I do wish the book expanded a bit in the history and lore into non-Eurocentric history, however, since it focused very heavily on not even just Europe but Western Europe in particular (with a bit of a dabble into Poland).
I also think it's worth noting that this book includes a Hoodoo honey jar and mojo bag in its spellwork section with no in-depth discussion of Hoodoo, its history, etc, and no clear tie for the author to Hoodoo practices. It also recommends readers get smudge sticks in at least one of its rituals, again with no discussion (at all this time) of smudging's connection and sacredness to American Indigenous culture or any kind of tie that the author might have to that culture. Thankfully, all of the instances of potential appropriation are easy to skip over or edit out for something more relevant to a personal practice.
I also think it's worth noting that this book includes a Hoodoo honey jar and mojo bag in its spellwork section with no in-depth discussion of Hoodoo, its history, etc, and no clear tie for the author to Hoodoo practices. It also recommends readers get smudge sticks in at least one of its rituals, again with no discussion (at all this time) of smudging's connection and sacredness to American Indigenous culture or any kind of tie that the author might have to that culture. Thankfully, all of the instances of potential appropriation are easy to skip over or edit out for something more relevant to a personal practice.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cultural appropriation
Cultural Appropriationbekahb101's review against another edition
informative
3.5
A really good overview of the holiday, with interesting information about past and current practices, as well as ideas for activities and seasonal recipes. By the end it does get a little repetitive, and some of the ritual formats and scripts etc. they provide didn’t really resonate with me. But, it’s set up in such a way that it can be a useful reference book, and readers can pick and choose what to take from it.
silvernfire's review against another edition
3.0
Yes, much of the stuff in this book is fairly standard Mabon material. But I thought the author's focus on community—not just the Pagan community, but the reader's local community—was uncommon and a valuable perspective. Even more uncommon (and valuable!) was her acknowledgement in the chapter on prayers and invocations that sometimes we just can't manage to feel grateful even when it's the season of gratitude. As she says, no one prayer can meet every need, but her "Invocation to the Dark Night of the Soul" is a good start for admitting to unpopular feelings. [3.5 stars]
toad_maiden's review against another edition
2.0
I didn't like this one as well as others in the series (mostly for cultural appropriation reasons), though I thought the recipes were better. Something to note: I've been listening to this series as audiobooks and the reader, who is otherwise relatively engaging, rampantly mispronounces many words, and often inconsistently. This can get distracting.
amalia1985's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
4.0
‘’Harvest festivals celebrated more than finished work for the season; they celebrated the capacity to survive the winter.’’
Mabon is arguably the most obscure tradition of the Old Ways calendar, yet we find its significance and symbolism in every aspect of our lives, regardless of our religious convictions, as Autumn greets us, entering our homes, preparing us for the days that lie ahead and the year that is slowly coming to an end. We harvest the results of our toil. It is a time for reflection, remembrance, contemplation and, possibly, a time when we need to retrieve (or rediscover) the will to begin anew.
Diana Rajchel narrates the tales of Isis and Osiris, of Demeter, Persephone and Hades. Of the mythic hero Culhwch, Mabon and Olwen. Of Dionysus, the Eleusinian Mysteries dedicated to Demeter. Stories where life and death approach each other, where the harvest becomes a metaphor for the strange marriage between the living and the dead. We learn about the world traditions that surround the last sheaf, about Michaelmas and its haunting echoes, the songs of mourning and the fear of loss. The celebration of Boedromion in Ancient Greece, the Winter Finding of the Norse, the Feast of Avalon of the Celtic tradition, the Equinozio di Autumno of the Italian Witchcraft, the Dozynki of the Polish, the Erntedankfest of the Germans. The moving tradition of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kipper, two of the most beautiful Jewish celebrations, and the Sukkot that observes the forty years that Jewish tribes wandered in the desert.
As we feel the power of the Autumn equinox, we decorate our homes and churches with cornucopias, taking a walk in the woods, embracing the colder days. Many of us will make a corn doll or a wreath (but be careful with the bonfires…) and listen to stories about the Harvest Moon. Forget about the spells and divination (which are always a great source of laughter) but enjoy a very interesting Appendix. As Halloween and Thanksgiving are on their way to knock on our doors, another summer has come to an end. Another winter is about to begin. Who knows what surprises await along the way?
My reviews can also be found on https://theopinionatedreaderblog.wordpress.com/
megant713's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Another great installment from Llewellyn's Sabbat Essentials collection. Interesting that the name for this celebration was coined more recently by Aidan Kelly. Looking forward to referencing this work in the future for celebration rituals, recipes, crafts, and correspondences!