Mabon

Mabon : Son; Young Man; The Boy

Mabon, a hunter spirit whose myth appears in the Welsh epic tale of “Culhwch and Olwen”, is the son of Modron, whose name literally means “mother.” There’s no mention of any father. Mabon, child of Modron literally means “Son, child of Mother.” He is the divine child, and like so many divine children he was menaced, then rescued.

Stolen from his mother at three nights old, Mabon disappeared for many years, held captive in the Underworld. King Arthur and his cousin, Welsh hero Culhwch, searched for him, finally discovering and rescuing him from Gloucester Castle. By the time they released him from his enchanted imprisonment, Mabon was the eldest of all living creatures. Mabon is a paradox: simultaneously the youngest and oldest of souls.

Mabon is generally considered to be identical to Maponus who was venerated in Britain and Gaul. The Romans identified Maponus with Apollo. His name is invoked on ancient curse tablets.

ALSO KNOWN AS:

Maponus

ORIGIN:

Celtic

SACRED SITES:

• Roman soldiers venerated Apollo Mapo nus near Hadrian’s Wall.

• Maponus’ sanctuary at Chamalières, now modern France, featured a therapeutic spring.

DAY:

Mabon, the harvest festival and Wiccan sabbat, coincides with the autumn equinox.

SEE ALSO:

• Mothers
• Rhiannon

SOURCE:

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses– Written by Judika Illes Copyright © 2009 by Judika Illes.