Floridian Mabon

by Patricia Boutilier

Autumn washes in softly along the Gulf of Mexico,
a fragile, tonal shift to the quality of light.
Well-watered roots spread wider and belie the coming dryness.
Gaia realigns Her axial-spinal tilt.

A fragile, tonal shift to the quality of light,
days and nights of equal balance process to growing darkness.
We remain entrained to the Mother’s yearly cycle.
Gaia’s womb splits open in fruitful blessing to us all.

Days and nights of equal balance process to growing darkness,
a meditation upon our brief mortality.
We dance widdershins the inward spiral, then, deosil, outward go.
Gaia’s breath is ceaseless: waxing, waning, peaking, slowing.

A meditation upon our brief mortality,
this wisp of seasonal moment of gaining and letting go.
Mixed wildflower amber honey spread on fresh-baked whole wheat-bread,
an offering to Gaia, nourishes us in Her stead.

This wisp of seasonal moment of gaining and letting go,
gathered cones of pine and cypress placed in baskets round the house.
Dune sunflower, seaside goldenrod, oxyi daisies
garland Mother Gaia’s sandy coastal bed.

Gathered cones of pine and cypress placed in baskets round the house
soak in the silvery energy of the full moon’s Harvest glow.
A goblet of golden carambola wine,
libation poured and drunk at Gaia’s banyan feet.

Soak in the silvery energy of the full moon’s Harvest glow,
create, commune, and celebrate the releasing of deep magic.
Gaia’s multi-chambered heart beats through eternity,
Autumn washes in softly along the Gulf of Mexico.