Mabon: Autumn Equinox & The Gods of Asgard
Meet the major gods and goddesses of Asgard as we celebrate the balance of light and dark at the autumn equinox.
UU Principle Focus
7th Principle: Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part
🎯 Learning Goals
- • Meet the major gods and goddesses of Asgard (Odin, Frigg, Thor, Sif)
- • Understand the balance of light and dark at the equinox
- • Expand geography skills to community and regional maps
- • Deepen fraction work with equivalent fractions and comparisons
- • Study animals that prepare for winter (migration, hibernation, food storage)
- • Connect the interdependent web to ecosystems and food chains
Weekly Lessons
Week 1: Odin the Allfather—Seeker of Wisdom
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Odin gave up his eye for wisdom. What would you sacrifice to learn something important?
📚 Language Arts
Read about Odin: his ravens Huginn and Muninn, his eye, the runes. Create a character profile in main lesson book.
✖️ Math
Equivalent fractions: 1/2 = 2/4 = 4/8. Use fraction strips and circles to show equivalence.
🗺️ Science & Geography
Create a map of your community (school, library, parks). Learn to read a city map.
✏️ Form Drawing
Continue Norse interlace with more complexity
🧶 Handwork
Learn about Elder Futhark runes; draw and decorate them
📖 Story
Odin's Quest for Wisdom—The Well of Mimir
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Odin Explained
- Ravens: Smart Birds
Shows:
- Viking Gods Documentary
Audio:
- Norse Mythology (Gaiman)
Week 2: Frigg, Queen of Asgard
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Frigg could see the future but chose not to speak of it. When is it wise to keep silent about what we know?
📚 Language Arts
Read about Frigg, goddess of home and foresight. Write a diary entry from her perspective.
✖️ Math
Comparing fractions: Which is larger, 1/3 or 1/4? Use visual models to prove your answer.
🗺️ Science & Geography
Animal migration: birds that fly south (geese, swallows, hummingbirds). Track migration patterns.
✏️ Form Drawing
Draw symmetrical designs reflecting the balance of the equinox
🧶 Handwork
Leaf printing with autumn leaves; nature prints
📖 Story
Frigg and the Goddesses of Asgard
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Bird Migration Explained
- Frigg Norse Goddess
Shows:
- Great Migrations
Audio:
- D'Aulaires' Norse Gods
Week 3: Thor the Thunderer
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Thor protects Midgard from giants. Who protects our community? How can we protect others?
📚 Language Arts
Read Thor stories: his hammer Mjolnir, his battles with giants. Compare Thor to other thunder gods.
✖️ Math
Equinox math: Day and night are equal—12/24 = 1/2 of the day is light. Explore fractions of time.
🗺️ Science & Geography
Hibernation: animals that sleep through winter (bears, groundhogs, bats). How do they prepare?
✏️ Form Drawing
Create a knotwork border featuring hammers
🧶 Handwork
Create Thor's hammer (Mjolnir) from clay, cardboard, or wood
📖 Story
Thor's Journey to Jotunheim
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Thor Mythology Explained
- Hibernation for Kids
Shows:
- Bears: Preparing for Winter
Audio:
- Treasury of Norse Mythology
Week 4: Sif and Her Golden Hair
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Loki cut Sif's hair as a prank, but had to make it right. How do we repair harm we've caused?
📚 Language Arts
Read the story of Sif's golden hair—mischief and restoration. Write about making amends.
✖️ Math
Story problems: 'Thor's hammer weighs 3/4 of a ton. How many pounds is that?' Connect fractions to measurement.
🗺️ Science & Geography
Food storage animals: squirrels, chipmunks, and their caches. Observe local squirrels.
✏️ Form Drawing
Create a knotwork border featuring ravens
🧶 Handwork
Continue knitting project; introduce simple weaving on frame loom
📖 Story
Sif's Golden Hair and the Treasures of the Gods
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Squirrels Preparing for Winter
- Loki's Tricks
Shows:
- Autumn Wildlife
Audio:
- Odd and the Frost Giants
Week 5: The Building of Asgard's Wall
🕯️ Hearth Circle
The gods made a bargain they thought they could break. What happens when we don't keep our promises?
📚 Language Arts
Read about the giant builder and the wall of Asgard. Discuss cunning and consequences.
✖️ Math
Measurement: weigh and measure autumn harvest items. Convert between units.
🗺️ Science & Geography
Introduce scale on maps: How do we show big areas on small paper? Create a scaled map.
✏️ Form Drawing
Draw Asgard's wall with interlace stonework patterns
🧶 Handwork
Build a small wall or structure from natural materials
📖 Story
The Builder and Sleipnir's Birth
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Map Scale Explained
- Norse Mythology Stories
Shows:
- Ancient Walls and Fortresses
Audio:
- Norse Mythology audiobook
Week 6: Heimdall, Guardian of Bifrost
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Heimdall watches the rainbow bridge between worlds. What bridges connect different parts of our lives?
📚 Language Arts
Read about Heimdall and the rainbow bridge Bifrost. Write about connections between worlds.
✖️ Math
Review equivalent fractions and comparisons. Fraction games and challenges.
🗺️ Science & Geography
Identify your state/region on a map. How do Odin's ravens compare to real ravens?
✏️ Form Drawing
Draw Bifrost as a rainbow with interlace patterns
🧶 Handwork
Create a rainbow craft or bridge model
📖 Story
Heimdall and the Rainbow Bridge
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Rainbows Explained
- Heimdall Norse God
Shows:
- Ravens: Nature's Geniuses
Audio:
- Continue Norse Mythology
🍂 Mabon Celebration
- 🟡 Hold a harvest feast with seasonal foods (apples, squash, root vegetables)
- 🟡 Create a balance altar with equal amounts of light and dark items
- 🟡 Go apple picking or visit a pumpkin patch
- 🟡 Make apple cider or apple crisp together
- 🟡 Take a nature walk to observe the equinox and collect fallen leaves
- 🟡 Tell stories of the gods around candlelight