Today is the Autumn equinox, celebrated by American (and many European)Pagans as Mabon, by Druids as Alban Elfed, marking the annual death of the horned god. Traditionally, the date marked the death of the sun god, who was reborn at the Winter Solstice. After the autumnal equinox, the days begin to shorten. As this coincides with the harvest, the 'death' of the sun and the death of the grain god are symbolically linked. The drama will be continued at the rebirth of the god at the winter solstice.

See also:

The Death of Llew

The Wicker Man

The Dying God

The God of the Witches

The Equinox is celebrated in Shinto as a day of remembrance for the dead, Shobun No Hi.

Ancient mesopotamians celebrated the equinox as the day of Shamash, the sun god.