It's the dog days of summer, the gardens are full of goodies, the fields are full of grain, and the harvest is approaching. Take a moment to relax in the heat, and reflect on the upcoming abundance of the fall months. At Lammas, sometimes called Lughnasadh, it's time to begin reaping what we have sown throughout the past few months, and recognize that the bright summer days will soon come to an end. While you're planning your celebrations, though, you may want to take a minute to read up on:
Rituals and Ceremonies
Depending on your individual spiritual path, there are many different ways you can celebrate Lammas, but typically the focus is on either the early harvest aspect, or the celebration of the Celtic god Lugh. It's the season when the first grains are ready to be harvested and threshed, when the apples and grapes are ripe for the plucking, and we're grateful for the food we have on our tables.
Here are a few rituals you may want to think about trying -- and remember, any of them can be adapted for either a solitary practitioner or a small group, with just a little planning ahead.
- Lammas Harvest Ritual
- Honor Lugh of the Many Skills
- Lammas Bread Sacrifice Ritual
- Lughnasadh Warrior Meditation
- Lammas Prayers
- Decorating Your Altar for Lammas/Lughnasadh
- Lammas Altar Photo Gallery
Lammas Magic
Lammas is a time of excitement and magic. The natural world is thriving around us, and yet the knowlege that everything will soon die looms in the background. This is a good time to work some magic around the hearth and home.
Traditions and Trends
The early harvest and the threshing of grain has been celebrated for thousands of years. Here are just a few of the customs and legends surrounding the Lammas season.
- Lugh, Master of Skills
- Deities of the fields
- The Legend of John Barleycorn
- Bread Folklore and Legends
- Country Fairs and Harvest Festivals
- Harvest Folklore: Legends and Lore of Lammas (Lughnasadh)
- The Vulcanalia, August 23
- The Final Sheaf
- The Spirit of the Grain
Crafts and Creations
As summer winds to a close and autumn approaches, make crafts and decorations for your home that celebrate the outdoors and the gifts of nature.
- How to Make a Rain Barrel
- Apple Candleholders
- Cornhusk Chain
- Grapevine Pentacle
- Lammas Rebirth Incense
- Lammas Cornucopia
- Make Your Own Smudge Sticks
- Make Berry Bracelets for Lammas
- How to Make a Corn Doll
- Corn Husk Herbal Sachets
Feasting and Food
Nothing says "Pagan celebration" like a potluck! Cook up a bunch of goodies that celebrate the first harvest, and enjoy your Lammas celebration.
