The below post-ritual assignment is not required but I do encourage it. I will be doing this later today (after the 6 p.m. ritual) or early morning.
Prepare your sacred space, bringing along another russet, orange, and white candle, and setting up a smaller-scale version of the Mabon Ritual altar. Bring your ivy pieces and your fallen tree branch, the 2 halves of the apple, cauldron, matches or lighter as well as your boline or magickal knife and a small piece of dark red or russet natural, breathable cloth and a tie that is big enough to cover the cauldron completely and be fasted to the sides with the tie to keep out any wildlife or insects.
Preferably this will be done outside, during the day, in a place where animals and faeries visit. However, if you must do this indoors be sure you go outside later, as instructed. Play the music you played before and during the ritual, if you had any playing and are able to do so.
This is the music we had playing today: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5I6EFU1fikg
Cast your circle and meditate on the Mabon ritual, bringing a copy of it for reading again if you would like.
Take a piece of ivy and your tree branch and begin wrapping the branch with the ivy from the bottom to the top, leaving as little space between the coils as possible. If your ivy pieces are short, leave enough space between the coils in order for your ivy to reach the end of your branch. Continue coiling around, in deosil fashion, until you reach the tip. Use as much of the ivy you used during the ritual as possible. Any remaining ivy should be placed in your cauldron.
Take up the half of the apple that you did NOT bite into during the ritual and slice a ½ inch piece, again so that you are able to see the pentacle in the center. Place this piece into the cauldron with the ivy and set aside.
Take up the half apple that you did bite into, and place it onto the earth, leaving it as an offering to the animals and faeries that will visit this sacred place. Place your cauldron (if you are unable to do so, bring a small cup or something you feel comfortable leaving outside), and place the small piece of deep red or russet natural cloth over the cauldron or cup that holds your apple slice and remaining ivy; and fasten securely with your tie.
After the ritual is done and the circle is closed, place the cauldron (or cup) in a sunny location, off the ground, and let this sit until the ivy and apple are completely dried… which may take up to 2 weeks or more.
Take up your fallen branch wrapped with ivy and use this tool to close your circle and dismiss the Guardians. Your ritual is done.
Take your ivy-wrapped branch and place it on your altar by itself or in your wicker basket filled with seasonal fruits and vegetables for one month, or until October 25th, whichever comes first.
After the time has passed, take the fruits and vegetables outside and bury them in the ground. Take your fallen branch and ritually burn it in your cauldron or ritual fire. Once your apple and ivy have dried in the cauldron place them in your mortar, grind them into a fine powder, and use them as, or in addition to, your incense until Samhain.
#mabon #postritualmabon
