Although the name "Mabon" has been around for
centuries - Wikipedia reports that it is "derived from
the Common Brythonic and Gaulish deity Maponos,
meaning "(Divine) Son", Aidan Kelly breathed new
life into it circa 1970.
That is when Kelly, whom Wikipedia describes as "an American academic, poet and influential figure
in the Neopagan religion of Wicca," linked this ancient name to the Autumnal Equinox ritual of
thanksgiving. This
ritual focuses upon the fruits of the Earth.
Neopagans believe that the sharing of these fruits is necessary in order to "secure the
blessings of the Goddess and the God during the coming winter months."
This festival is also known as Harvest Home,
Mean Fomhair, Alben Elfed, and Feast of the Ingathering.
Mabon ap Modron
(meaning "Divine Son of Divine Mother") is said to have been one of King Arthur's followers.
Arthur and his men allegedly rescued Mabon from a Gloucester prison, years after Mabon was "stolen from his mother's arms when he was three years old." King
Arthur discovered Mabon's whereabouts by consulting with "the salmon of Llyn Llyw," the oldest and wisest animal of all. Mabon
then joined Arthur's hunt for the "enchanted wild boar" Twrch Trwyth.
Although Kelly's life has had some dramatic twists and turns of its own (such as a reported vision of the Goddess at age 15), Wikipedia states that he was leading a relatively quiet life in New Orleans as an ITT Technical School instructor (while continuing to pursue his fascination with words). This fascination continues via his Tacoma, Washington publishing company named Hierophant (Ancient Greek for "an interpreter of sacred mysteries and arcane principles") Worsmiyj (perhaps meaning "Wordsmith"?).
Resources
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mabon_(Wicca)#Autumnal_Equinox
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aidan_Kelly
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