Madron 2025

Two weeks ago (Monday 22nd September) it was Madron, also known as Mabon/the Autumn Equinox. I normally bake for this sabbat as my main celebration. For the past few years I've made some form of ginger cake (although in 2022 I baked pumpkin spice bars) but this year I decided to go for something differrnt, a buttermilk spice cake. The recipe is from Mix and Match Mama: https://mixandmatchmama.com/2018/09/buttermilk-spice-cake/

I thought it fit the theme because it has spices in (also any type of baked goods are suitable for Madron because it's a harvest festival). I didn't use nutmeg because I didn't have any and don't use it much, but I used some mixed spice instead. 

The cake was quite nice. I liked the cream cheese frosting too.( I like it in general but don't normally put maple syrup in it). You can bake it as a sheet cake or a layer cake and I chose to do a sheet cake. Here's a pic: 

I also baked bread (a mix again this year). I used a multigrain seeded mix from Sainsbuy's. (I actually bought it at the same time as I bought the white bread mix I made for Lammas.) It was nice. I had some after I baked it and more the next day with my lunch. Here's a photo from when I'd just baked it:

 

In the evening, I went to the park for sunset. It was a pretty one, more gentle. Here are a couple of photos:

 

Sunset in Hove Park.

 

 

So now we're "officially" in autumn. It started to get colder in September and we had a mix of rainy and sunny days. At the moment it's been around 16-18C during the day (60-63F) and 11-13C at night (51-54F). About average for this time of year, although last year it was colder.

I've really been noticing the days getting shorter in the past week, especially that sunset is getting earlier (it's currently 6.28pm in the area).When the clocks go back at the end of the month, it will be even earlier.

The next sabbat will be Samhain (also Hallowe'en), which is one of my favourites! :) I'll post about my celebrations. 

Hope you had a good Madron and Happy Autumn! (Or hope you had a good Oestara/Ostara and Happy Spring!) :)  

 

If you'd like some autumn inspiration, here are a few links:  

Last Summer Photos + Happy Madron/Autyun! (my last pots, whch includes inspiration for autumn in general): https://livingseasonal.blogspot.com/2025/09/late-summer-photos-happy-madronautumn.html

 October Slow Living To-Do List by Adriana of YR Studio: https://yrstudio.co.uk/blogs/adriana-tudorache-blog/slow-living-october-autumn-comfort

15 things for a wholesome autumn (Jodie Melissa): https://jodiemelissa.substack.com/p/15-things-to-do-other-than-scroll

15 Slow Living Habits for the Dark and Cold Months (Adrianna):  https://yrstudio.co.uk/blogs/adriana-tudorache-blog/slow-living-habits-autumn-winter 

 

P.S. Or if it's spring for you (and Beltane will be your next festival) you might like these posts:

Spring Salads + Happy Beltane! (my post): https://livingseasonal.blogspot.com/2025/04/spring-salads-happy-beltane.html

Ruth from PLAYWORKEATREPEAT shares 5 things she likes to do in each season in Australia:  https://playworkeatrepeat.com/5-things-to-do-in-each-season-in-australia/