Happy Mabon

The autumnal equinox was on Monday, September 22, 2008 at 08:44:18 a.m. PDT, causing weather geeks, neo-pagans, and people who simply enjoy the change of seasons to break out the sweaters or druid's cloaks and have a little party.

Also known as Mabon or Alban Elued “Light of the Water,” this is the Celtic celebration of the wine or fruit harvest. It marks the official end of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. And the wheel turns again.

Tree colors are turning, leaves are swirling down, winds are rising, and rain is falling and Autumn has arrived here in the Pacific Northwest. The new filter is installed in the furnace, the box of sweaters and wool scarves brought in from the storage shed, and summer smoothies for breakfast gives way to hot steaming Irish Oats.

Saturday I led a hike to view the historic Petroglyphs at the Columbia Hills State Park. The most famous (and largest) is Tsagagalalal or She Who Watches. This mask-like carving watches over a section of the river where Indian tribes have lived for thousands of years. Fall was much in evidence as we traversed the narrow trail with our Ute Indian guide. Everything was brittle and dry and bedraggled. Mt. Hood was hidden by smoke from the massive fires burning there and in Central Oregon. Perhaps today’s rain will dampen that dry earth, put out those fires and prevent further combustion. The carvings are quite impressive and tell many stories of life by the river and document sky events. The area is closed to the public to prevent vandalism.