Lammas ~ Lughnasadh ~ August 1st.
(A Victorian Grimoire ~ Patricia Telesco ~ Llewellyn Publishing 1996 ~ PPS 50~51)
The wheel of the year now begins giving way to the dark. Days are growing shorter, a slightly cooler wind has begun to blow. This is first harvest, and a festival to celebrate the prosperity and generosity of the Mother.
We shall go as we can and do as we must.
The body may die but the spirit is free
To do greater wonders, So Mote It Be!
Ashes to ashes, clay to clay
We shall seek for our center and find our way
The flesh may be blind but the spirit can see
The God within all men, So Mote It Be!
Ashes to ashes, sand to sand
We will use all our talents to heal our great land
The flesh may be weak, but the spirit in me
Is full with Her blessing, So Mote It Be!
This is actually performed as a chant, begun as a whisper and grows naturally louder to enable a cone of power to grow. Keep in mind the goal of your energy as you chant. When the group leader releases the power, the verse may be repeated three times in a quiet voice to help ground people once more.
Lammas is a time to be thankful for your bounty. It is also the season when you can release old forms of thinking and harvests something fresh in your life. Perhaps you can share some of your garden treats with a neighbor, or invite a friend to dinner. Make some new acquaintances and watch the fruit of your labors come into fullness.
Tools and Ritual Components
Heather, frankincense and oak for awareness, balance and protection |
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Ritual Soap |
Oatmeal, in honor of the harvest. |
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Anointing Oil |
Lilac, for clarity and harmony |
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Ritual Cup |
Rich honey mead or Horilka, the harvest of both bees and flowers, made carefully by your hands. |
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Altar Decorations |
Sunflowers, wheat, rye, corn and baked bread can be spread on your altar, while late blooming flowers can be strewn to make the altar circle. Moonstone may be added to the decorations for peace, good fortune and joy. Agate is also an especially good stone for Lammas as it is the stone of good harvest. |
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Clothing |
Colors may be toned down now, becoming more reflective of the fall. Wear a sunflower in your hair to smile upward in the waning light. |
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Cakes |
Just as oatmeal was suggested ingredient for your soap, I suggest preparing an oatmeal graham bread to mark the first harvest. |
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