The Second Harvest is a generic name for the harvest festivals celebrated on the Autumnal Equinox which are generally the second of three annual harvest festivals in modern Western Pagan liturgical calendars.
The First Harvest takes place in early with Lammas, Lughnassadh and Freyfaxi and the final harvest is in early November at Samhain. Using these generic names allows for mixed-path celebrations.
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The spiritual feature
In this Sabbath, nature shows itself mature and generous: full fruit, leaves turning golden, the wind changing its voice. It is the second harvest, that of the soul.
And like every harvest, it brings with it questions: What have I cultivated? What has nourished me? What is ready to be released?
Second Harvest reminds us that magic lies not only in doing, but in acknowledging. In saying thank you. In closing circles with kindness. It is the perfect time to create a seasonal altar and walk in the woods, listening to the silence that prepares for winter.
The legend of Second Harvest
The most famous legend tells that Mabon, son of the goddess Modron, Mother of Fertility, was kidnapped three days after his birth. He was locked up by an evil spirit in Annwn, the Welsh Underworld.
The desperate mother searched for her son, causing the decay of Nature and the resulting cycle of the seasons. Her son was finally freed thanks to the help of four animals: the raven, the wolf, the deer, and the fish.
Each of these animals contributed specifically to the liberation of the Goddess’s son. The raven flew high to gather information, the wolf found the prison, the deer pierced it with its antlers, and the fish retrieved the key to unlock the cell where Mabon was held. Due to his forced stay in the Underworld, Second Harvest remained eternally young.
The meaning of the second harvest
The legend just told symbolizes the search for light in dark times. It refers to a time of introspection, of taking stock. It is linked, in fact, to the peculiarities of the astronomical phenomenon itself, a day when the hours of light and darkness are exactly equal.
The Celts celebrated the Second Harvest during this period (the first coincides with Lughnasadh). At this time of year, we are asked to look at our actions. If they have been productive, autumn will reward us; otherwise, it will not.
It’s a time of darkness, that’s undeniable, but it holds the potential for the rebirth of Spring, as young and wonderful as Second Harvest.
Want to celebrate the second harvest? Here are some ideas:
- Organize a dinner with friends and family, using seasonal fruits and vegetables whenever possible.
- Go for a walk in nature.
- Perfume your home with warm, autumnal fragrances.
- Plant a seed and watch it grow while waiting for Spring.
Second Harvest Correspondences
Each Sabbat of the Wheel of the Year has symbols, colors, and ingredients that represent it.
For Second Harvest, everything evokes balance, harvest, and transformation. Here are the main correspondences:
Second Harvest Colors
- Gold – represents the setting sun and the abundance of the harvest
- Red – symbol of life force and passion
- Orange – recalls fire, creativity, and the transition to autumn
- Brown – the stability of the earth and grounding
- Forest Green – the connection with nature as it prepares for rest
Herbs and Spices
- Sage – to purify and protect
- Rosemary – strength, energy, and memory
- Laurel – prosperity and protection
- Cinnamon – warmth, love, and abundance
(Tip: You can burn a sprig of sage or add cinnamon to a herbal tea to invoke the energy of Second Harvest.)
Crystals
- Carnelian – energy, vitality, and motivation
- Citrine – abundance and optimism
- Smoky Quartz – grounding and protection
- Tiger’s Eye – inner strength and stability
Foods and Drinks
- Apples (symbol of knowledge and prosperity)
- Grapes and wine (abundance and celebration)
- Figs and pears (sweetness) and connection with nature)
- Pumpkin (fertility and cyclicality)
- Homemade bread (nourishment and sharing)
- Walnuts and honey (sweetness, wealth, and health)
(Idea: Make pumpkin and walnut soup or an apple pie to celebrate Second Harvest.)
Best symbols of Second Harvest
- Libra – balance between light and shadow
- Cornucopia – abundance and prosperity
- Fallen leaves – the cycle of life and change
- Ears of wheat – gratitude for the harvest
These Second Harvest correspondences will help you create a simple yet powerful ritual to celebrate this special time of our wheel of the year, but most of all, of our souls.
Conclusion
I like to think that every moment of the year has a profound meaning for our lives and Second Harvest is the beginning of a new journey within ourselves, a spectacular journey that takes place in the depths of our being, in our most intimate essence.
A journey that can sometimes be confusing due to its dual nature: it can make you feel grateful and sad at the same time. It can make you want to celebrate, and then, two seconds later, change your mind in favor of a good book and a hot herbal tea in total solitude.
Take it as a moment of transition, without judging yourself too much. Allow your body and mind to pause and be whatever it feels like, in each moment.
And try to discover what transformation listening to the rhythm of nature will bring you.
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