Mabon ~ Autumn Equinox and Somerset Apple Cake

 

Mabon, September 21st to 29th in the Northern Hemisphere, celebrates the turning of Autumn and the Autumnal Equinox which also marks the second harvest. The full moon is at its closest during this equinox and is known as the Harvest Moon. 

Night and day are of equal length however the sun begins to wane and the nights are drawing in and growing longer and the days shorter and cooler. The leaves are beginning to turn, the birds are preparing to fly away, the grass begins to brown and the flowers are fading. Summer turns to autumn... it is a time of abundance, transition, reflection and gratitude. Time to look ahead to the waning of the season and start making winter preparations. Think rest, reflection, gratitude and abundance.  

Herbs associated with Mabon are sage, rosemary, lavender, rue, yarrow and cinnamon; Flowers, plants and trees are sunflowers, marigolds, hibiscus, red poppies, thistle, fern, and oak tree. Symbols are the apple, acorns, leaves, pine cones and the cornucopia. Colours are green, red, yellow, orange brown and gold. Animals associated with Mabon are dogs, wolves, the stag, blackbirds, the owl, salmon and goats. 

Things you may do to celebrate Mabon together, with friends or family, or in solitude are: Go apple picking, clean your house and get rid of any stagnate energy, write in a journal, make a gratitude list, go for a walk, connect with nature, make a corn doll, burn candles in Mabon colours , bake bread or apple recipes or make apple cider.

Mabon foods are seasonal and usually consist of apples, pomegranates, squash, grapes, dried fruits, corn, wheat and rye breads, seeds and nuts, potatoes, carrots and onions as well as cider and wine. This Somerset Apple Cake is a lovely recipe to make and enjoy during Mabon. Happy Mabon/Autumn Equinox! - JD 

Somerset Apple Cake

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250 grams ( 1 and 1/2 cups) unbleached all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon mixed spice

175 grams ( 3/4 cups or 1 and 1/2 sticks) butter, softened

175 grams (1 cup) brown sugar

2 cups chopped apples with skins

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 cup dry cider

additional brown sugar for sprinkling 

thin apple slices for decorating

Preheat oven to 325ºF (170ºC). Grease and flour a 7 inch baking cake tin. Line the bottom with baking parchment.

In a bowl sieve the flour and mixed spice together. 

In a large bowl add the butter and brown sugar, beat until soft and creamy.

Place the chopped apples in a medium bowl, add the cider and baking soda, quickly mix together, then add to the butter mixture and stir together until combine, add the flour and spice mixture and stir until a thick batter has formed.

Spoon the dough into the prepared cake tin. Smoothing the top. Place the thinly sliced apple slices however you wish on top, I placed them in a circle. Sprinkle with brown sugar.

Bake in the preheated oven for 60 to 90 minutes or until firm.