Mabon Excitement: Autumn Equinox Celebrated at Stonehenge

The historic site in England hosted the Mabon celebrations on the morning of September 23. Many people in the UK gathered at Stonehenge in the early hours of the day to watch the sunrise.

Stonehenge, one of the most important cultural symbols of the United Kingdom, became the focus of attention of visitors for the Mabon and autumn equinox celebrations.

Many people from different corners of the country gathered at Stonehenge to watch the sunrise with the first light of day and celebrate the autumn equinox.

Some visitors said the weather was a little cooler and overcast than last year. However, the ceremony continued even after the Sun had risen above the horizon.

Authorities warn visitors to be careful and not touch the stones, but some cultural heritage experts are still skeptical of allowing historic sites to host such events.

What is Mabon?

Like Lughnasadh and Samhain, Mabon is one of three harvest festivals in Celtic culture and European paganism. It is usually celebrated between September 21 and September 24 in the Northern Hemisphere. In Mabon, which symbolizes the end of summer and the beginning of autumn, the concepts of balance and gratitude are emphasized.

On September 23 and March 21, the lengths of day and night are equal all over the world. The concept of balance in Mabon takes its roots from this equality. As of September 23, the superiority of light passes into darkness. In the Northern Hemisphere, the nights are longer than the days from now on. This period, which coincides with the fourth week of September, is the period during which the current crop is reviewed after harvest for the upcoming winter. The concept of gratitude in Mabon takes its roots from this harvest.

Fall autumn fruits mabon
Gabriele M. Reinhardt | Autumn Fruits

In Mabon celebrations, freshly harvested seasonal fruits such as apples, grapes and figs are usually consumed. Sometimes incense such as sage and cinnamon are burned.

History of Stonehenge

Although the structures at Stonehenge are thought to have been built in the Bronze Age, the presence of Neolithic tombs in the area indicates that the land around Stonehenge has been used by humans since much earlier times.1

Stonehenge, one of the most important cultural symbols of the United Kingdom throughout history, was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1986. Many celebrations are held at Stonehenge each year such as Lughnasadh, Mabon and Samhain.



  1. Lives Before and After Stonehenge, Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports 20, 2018, 692-710[]