Mabon Altar: Apples, Grapes, and Harvest Symbols

BY NICOLE LAU

Creating a Mabon altar honors the autumn equinox's balance, celebrates the second harvest, and creates sacred space for gratitude, preparation, and the transition from light to dark. This guide teaches you to build an altar that captures autumn's abundance and the equinox's perfect equilibrium.

Altar Placement and Timing

Location: Place your altar facing west (direction of autumn and sunset) or in a space where you can see it daily.

Timing: Set up your altar a few days before the equinox and maintain it through autumn, dismantling it at Samhain or when it feels complete.

Essential Altar Elements

1. Apples: The Sacred Fruit

Apples are central to Mabon, representing the second harvest, hidden wisdom (the pentacle star), and the goddess.

How to use:

• Place whole apples on the altar
• Cut one apple crosswise to reveal the star, display it on a plate
• Create an apple pyramid or arrangement
• Use different varieties for color variety
• Replace when they begin to decay

2. Grapes and Wine

Grapes represent the vine harvest, Dionysian energy, and abundance.

Display:

• Fresh grape clusters draped artfully
• A chalice of wine or grape juice
• Dried grape vines woven into wreaths
• Wine bottles as decorative elements

3. Grain and Corn

Representing the first harvest (Lammas) that sustains us, grain connects the harvest cycle.

Options:

• Wheat sheaves tied with ribbon
• Corn stalks or dried corn
• A corn dolly (grain spirit figure)
• Bread as an offering

4. Autumn Leaves

Falling leaves represent letting go, transformation, and the cycle of death and rebirth.

Use:

• Scatter colorful leaves across the altar
• Create a leaf mandala
• Press leaves and display them
• Use as offering plates or decorative elements

5. Balance Scales

Representing Libra and the equinox's perfect balance.

Display:

• Actual balance scales as centerpiece
• Two equal stones or candles on either side
• Libra symbol or scales imagery

6. Candles

Colors: Gold, orange, red, brown, deep purple, burgundy

Arrangement:

• Two candles of equal size (representing balance)
• One white and one black (light and dark)
• Multiple candles in autumn colors
• Beeswax candles (harvest connection)

7. Cornucopia

The horn of plenty symbolizes overflowing abundance.

Fill with: Autumn fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains, flowers, coins, crystals

8. Crystals and Stones

Mabon crystals:

• Citrine (abundance, gratitude)
• Amber (harvest, preservation)
• Carnelian (autumn energy, vitality)
• Tiger's eye (balance, grounding)
• Aventurine (prosperity)
• Clear quartz (balance, clarity)

9. Flowers and Plants

Autumn flowers: Marigolds, sunflowers, asters, chrysanthemums, dahlias

Herbs: Sage, rosemary, thyme, cinnamon sticks, dried apple slices

10. Symbols and Images

• Libra symbol or scales
• Images of Persephone, Demeter, Mabon, Pomona
• Harvest scenes or autumn landscapes
• The Wheel of the Year showing Mabon's position

Color Scheme

Primary colors: Gold, orange, red, brown

Accent colors: Deep purple, burgundy, forest green

Use in: Altar cloth, candles, ribbons, decorations

Altar Arrangement

Back Row (Highest):

• Deity images or symbols (center)
• Candles (on either side)
• Wheat sheaves or corn stalks

Middle Row:

• Balance scales or equal stones
• Cornucopia
• Flowers in vases
• Incense holder

Front Row:

• Apples (including cut apple showing star)
• Grapes and wine chalice
• Crystals
• Offering plate
• Scattered autumn leaves

Special Mabon Altar Additions

Gratitude Journal

Keep a journal on your altar to record daily gratitudes throughout Mabon season.

Harvest Basket

A basket to collect symbols of your personal harvest—achievements, blessings, lessons learned.

Letting Go Bowl

A bowl where you place written intentions of what you're releasing, to be burned later.

Balance Reminder

Something that reminds you to seek balance—a yin-yang symbol, equal stones, or scales.

Daily Altar Practices

Morning:

• Light candles
• Speak one thing you're grateful for
• Adjust any wilting flowers or decaying fruit
• Spend a moment in meditation or prayer

Evening:

• Light candles again
• Journal gratitudes
• Make offerings (wine, bread, fruit)
• Perform any planned rituals or spells

Weekly:

• Clean the altar thoroughly
• Replace perishable items
• Refresh flowers and leaves
• Rearrange if inspired

Offerings for Your Mabon Altar

Food offerings: Apples, grapes, bread, wine, cider, nuts, seasonal vegetables

How to offer: Place on the altar with intention, leave for a day, then return to earth (bury or compost) or share with others

Other offerings: Poems, songs, art, acts of service, donations to food banks

Modern Adaptations

Small Space: A windowsill altar with one apple, a candle, and autumn leaves works beautifully

Minimalist: Focus on quality over quantity—one perfect apple, one candle, one crystal

Urban: Use grocery store produce, potted mums, and found autumn leaves from parks

Temporary: Create the altar for the equinox day only, then dismantle with gratitude

Activating Your Mabon Altar

Once set up, activate your altar:

1. Light all candles
2. Burn incense
3. Stand before the altar and speak: "I create this sacred space to honor the autumn equinox, to celebrate the harvest, to practice gratitude, and to prepare for winter's journey. May this altar be a focal point for balance, abundance, and thanksgiving."
4. Make your first offering
5. Sit in meditation, feeling the altar's energy

Dismantling Your Altar

When Mabon season ends (usually at Samhain):

1. Thank the altar for its service
2. Return all natural items to the earth (bury or compost)
3. Clean and store altar tools
4. Save special items (crystals, permanent decorations) for next year
5. Cleanse the space

The Living Altar

Your Mabon altar isn't static decoration—it's a living practice, a daily reminder of gratitude, balance, and the turning wheel. Each offering made, each candle lit, each moment spent in its presence deepens your connection to the season, to the earth's cycles, and to the sacred balance that sustains all life.

Tend your altar with love, let it evolve naturally, and allow it to be a beautiful, abundant, balanced reflection of Mabon's wisdom in your life.