september, 2025
Event Details
Join us this Mabon for a warm welcome at Gorton Pagan Moot, as we come together for a fascinating talk delivered by Paul Pearson and Tallis Harrill.
Paul Pearson has been an editor, writer and publisher of Greenmantle Magazine for over 30 years. He is a founder member of The Hermetic Order of the Silver Blade. An initiate of Tuscan rural stregheria and Cheshire rural magic. He also wrote The Mountain and The Stream with Tallis Harrill based on his experiences. Paul, as a representative of Greenmantle, is also a member of the Pagan and Heathen Symposium and a trustee of the Pagan Aid charity. He has been active in the Pagan community for over 40 years and has worked with many notable Pagans and occultists.
Tallis Harrill is a lifelong student and practitioner of Paganism, the occult, alchemy, psychology, and the history of religions. She co-edits and writes for Greenmantle Magazine, and her books include The Mountain and The Stream with Paul Pearson, exploring animism in rural magical practices; Proto-Pagans, a collection of essays about the early pioneers of the modern return to ancient religions; and The Immortals by the late K R Johnson, which she edited for publication. Her latest book, Living Gold, draws together the three great spiritual threads of her life: the love of nature acquired while growing up in the forests of North Carolina, her magical training in the rituals of Ancient Egypt, and her fascination with alchemy.
Gorton Pagan Moot was established in 2017 by a group of local residents who saw that there was a large Pagan community in and around Gorton with no place to meet and get together. Initially based in Debdale Park, the moot recently made the move to the Monastery and are loving their home!
What happens at a pagan moot?
Paganism is often a very misunderstood religion. In fact there are those in the Pagan community that would argue it isn’t a religion at all but more a way of life. Pagans follow the cycles of nature and the moon, the seasons, and celebrate eight festivals, known as sabbats, throughout the year. The moot meets around the time of these sabbats, with the next one being held on Sunday, 21st September, 2025 for Mabon.
Please note, there will be no ritual at this gathering. A moot is simply a gathering of like-minded people.
What is Mabon?
Mabon, also known as the Autumn Equinox, is a Pagan harvest festival celebrated around September 21-23 in the Northern Hemisphere. This holiday marks the midpoint between the summer and winter solstices, when day and night are of equal of length.
Pagans use this time to give thanks for the year’s bounty, reflect on the balance between light and darkness, and prepare for the coming winter. Celebrations often include feasting on seasonal foods, decorating altars with autumn symbols like apples and leaves, and performing rituals to express gratitude for the Earth. Some Pagans also use this time for divination or to honour the Green Man, a symbol of nature’s cycles.
Mabon is a time of transition, encouraging practitioners to find equilibrium in their lives as nature itself demonstrates perfect balance.
Who can come?
This is a family friendly gathering and all are welcome. It’s free to attend, although donations to the Monastery are always very much appreciated.
There’s always lots of laughter and everyone is welcome to come along.
No need to book, just turn up on the day.
12-2pm
Find Gorton Pagan Moot on Facebook or email [email protected] for more information.
Directions to the Monastery here.