The Mabon returns: a gathering for Alban Elfed

Background image credit: www.druidry.org

Sunday 21st September 2025 10:30 for 11:00 start - 13:30 (approx.)

About Alban Elfed

"The Wheel turns and the time of balance returns. Alban Elfed marks the balance of day and night before the darkness overtakes the light. It is also the time of the second harvest, usually of the fruit which has stayed on the trees and plants that have ripened under the summer sun. It is this final harvest which can take the central theme of the Alban Elfed ceremony – thanking the Earth, in her full abundance as Mother and Giver, for the great harvest, as Autumn begins". (from the OBOD website)

The months turn towards the element of water as the salmon spawn and rainfall nourishes the succulent fruit of this second harvest of the year: the festival of Alban Elfed, 'the Light on the Water', also known as 'Mabon' or the Autumn Equinox.

At this time, days and nights are once again in balance as we contemplate our approach towards the colder half of the year and the reflective promptings of time spent indoors, preparing for the oncoming winter.

Meeting place

Meet us at: Either The 'Meeting Location' (in blue) at 10:30, outside the Cambridge Museum of Technology, facing the river. If you're new, you may wish to meet me (Will, the 'Herald') and any other newcomers.

OR

The 'Gathering Location' (in yellow) at 10:45/50 on Stourbridge Common itself.

Running late?

To join us if you are running late, walk straight into the Common with the river on your left, keep straight as you pass a children's playground to your right and as you enter the open fields down a wide dirt track, look to your left for a group of trees. Hopefully, you won't miss us!

First time with us?

If you have never attended or taken part in a pagan/druidic/OBOD ceremony, worry not! Our ceremonies are flexible, open to whatever you would like to contribute and are proudly inclusive of all identities. There are simple ceremony roles to have a go at, with pre-prepared lines to read out, but there is no obligation whatsoever to do so. Details of the roles will be sent out in advance of the ceremony. If you'd like to have an idea of what's involved, please get in touch with us.

Preparation for the day

All registered attendees will be sent a link to the ritual script booklet online as well as a preparation coversheet containing details of what to prepare/bring a week before the event and parts that are available to take on. Volunteers will need to bring key ritual items for the ceremony, though all are welcome to lay any personal items in the altar space we create.

Please do print your own booklet for the day, once you've registered and have received the ceremony pack nearer the date, especially if you have a speaking role in the ceremony or if you would like to read along with us. This is not essential as you are welcome to come and simply soak up the words and actions performed by others. As 'herald' at each event, I will lead the ceremony and ensure everything runs smoothly.

We are mindful of the weather and dress appropriately, bringing water, a hat, suntan cream, coat, warm layers and/or waterproofs, etc. Come rain or shine, hail or snow, we meet! In periods of continued heavy rainfall, the common can become waterlogged and boggy so waterproof footwear, for this time of year, may be required.

After the ceremony

After the ceremony has finished, we may head over to the Green Dragon pub for a drink, a possible bite to eat and to further ground our energies. You'd be most welcome to come with us or join us later: https://goo.gl/maps/U2LAsxYC4eUVkPEFA

Eisteddfod

In keeping with the practices of Welsh Druidry, we host a small eisteddfod after each ceremony, perhaps with some mead! This is a relaxing way to ground ourselves after working up energies in the rite and it gives us an opportunity to simply share social space with everyone.

'Eisteddfod' simply means 'to sit' in Welsh, or more accurately in this context, 'sitting and sharing together', to enjoy a festival of creativity. Those that wish to perform, talk or play for those gathered are warmly encouraged to do so and as bardistry forms such an integral part of practising Druidry, this is a great way to share your latest creative musings, on whatever journey you might be taking, with a very appreciative audience.

Our grove song

Prior to Samhain 2024, a grove song was suggested by one of our members and together, we sang this tune: 'Follow the Heron' by Karine Polwart. Have a listen if you'd like to join us in singing this song once again.

Keeping in touch

The grove has an Instagram page (@corrreiscgrove) and a personal Whatsapp group that we are happy for you to join, once we have met you in person. Through both channels, we communicate our ritual events and other activities though Instagram allows us to connect with wider pagan/druidic/environmental ideas and issues whereas our Whatsapp group remains a decluttered space for simple sharing of pagan events, personal recommendations and thoughts on books, walks, films etc.

To register to attend this event and receive an online copy of the ritual 'script' booklet and prep sheet (when finalised), please email us by Wednesday 17th September 2025.

Subscribe to our mailing list to keep up to date with this and future events and please do get in contact if you have any questions.

We look forward to seeing you for our second harvest celebration of the year,

Corr réisc Grove.

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