Hi all, long time no speak. I was just wondering if anyone could tell me if there are any Gods/Goddesses specifically associated with Autumn in general. I know there are various links to harvest time but I was thinking in a wider sense. I feel really at ease when the temperature changes and the leaves begin to drop, autumnal colours have a resonance with me too. It always feels like its a new begining rather than the year comming to an end and i get a great sense of optimism. Any projects that i start at this time of year i always go ino with a huge amount of motivation and i somehow feel more balanced and comfortable in my own skin. I was wondering if any of you had heard of any Gods/Goddesses who are associated with this time of year as I would love to give thanks for how great i feel around now. Usually i give a general thanks as part of my Samhain ritual but wondered if there was anyone specific i could thank this year. Thanks in advance, Tawny

Well, I believe that a deity is for life, not just for autumn

Some deities do tend to be more prominent at certain times of the year true enough, and ones I tend to associate autumnal themed stories with, namely Herne and the Wild Hunt, Demeter descending to find her daughter Persephone. Not really apt for a "new beginning" as they are associated with necessasry death and the rest it affords before new life begins again in the spring.

I agree with Pomona; the idea of dealing with different deities for different times of the year is not one that has ever gelled for me.

If it's particularly the sense of new beginnings that resonates with you, perhaps you would get some mileage from looking into some of the deities associated with learning? The school year begins in autumn, after all.

Well there's Mabon who the festival was named after if I'm not mistaken.
Persephone's annual return to Hades was thought to be the cause of autumn.
Personally, at the change of seasons I am reminded of Terminus, the Roman god of boundaries. He has a feast day in February I think, but this has never bothered me as I am an atheist which exempts me from orthodoxy

Peace

DM

Thats typical me just being a little out of synch with everything else lol. Your idea about education and learning sounds interesting Val, long story short until last year I was involved with both learning and teaching (of sorts) so perhaps my system is still tuned in so to speak to the school year. Humm more meditation needed i think. Now just need to find a way to stop the dog from snoring so can meditate in peace - doggie treats at the ready. Thanks Tawny

nope, not at all.

Mabon has nothing to do with this time of year. it was back in the 70's when Aiden kelly started calling the autumn equinox after Mabon. these days you see it as Mabon, Mapon, Madron and Modron. the latter 2 being a totally different deity altogether. there doesnt appear to be any reason why he made this decision, other then to create something shorter and more catchy.

the long and shirt is that it seems to have settled into fairly common usage with nobody really looking at it properly. IF we are going to ascribe specific festivals to deities we should consider why a specific festival for a specific deity. considering we nothing about mabon and his name means 'divine child' if fitting him into the neo-pagan calendar is going to happen, then somewhere around midwinter would be the most fitting.