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| Taken from the Llewellyn 2000 calendar for the month of August |
The word 'Lammas' is derived from 'loaf mass' and is indicative of how central and honoured is the first grain and the first loaf of the harvesting cycle. -Goddess and GreenmanWe are now at high summer with the union of the sun and earth, of the god and goddess having produced the first harvest.
It is a time for gathering in as well as giving thanks for abundance.
Lammas is a Neo-Pagan holiday, often called Lughnasadh, celebrating the first harvest and the reaping of grain. It is a cross-quarter holiday halfway between the Summer Solstice (Litha) and the Autumnal Equinox (Mabon). In the northern hemisphere, Lammas takes place around August 1 with the Sun near the midpoint of Leo in the tropical zodiac, while in the southern hemisphere Lammas is celebrated around February 1 with the Sun near the midpoint of Aquarius. On the Wheel of the Year, it is opposite Imbolc, which is celebrated on February 2nd in the northern hemisphere, and late July / early August in the southern hemisphere.
Lammas was originally a Celtic harvest festival which was co opted by the Catholic Church similarly to Easter, Christmas etc. Essentially, it marked the beginning of the harvest period and was marked by a feast prominently featuring new grains.-Wikipedia
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| Taken from the Llewellyn 2000 calendar for the month of August |
Lugh instituted a harvest fair during the festival of Lughnasadh in memory of his foster-mother, Tailtiu, held on 1 August at the town that bears her name (now Teltown, County Meath). He likewise instituted Lughnasadh fairs in the areas of Carman and Naas in honour of Carman and Nás, the eponymous tutelary goddess of these two regions. Horse races and displays of martial arts were important activities at all three fairs. However, Lughnasadh itself is a celebration of Lugh's triumph over the spirits of the Other World who had tried to keep the harvest for themselves. It survived long into Christian times and is still celebrated under a variety of names. Lúnasa is now the Irish name for the month of August. -WikipediaThis would be the time for feasting, market fairs, games and bonfire celebrations. There would also have been circle dancing, reflecting the movement of the sun with sympathetic magic as well as community gatherings which were all popular at that time. August was also considered a particularly auspicious month for handfastings too.
Customs of Cutting the Grain: There are many customs throughout Europe around the cutting of the grain or corn and they applied to all cereal crops including wheat, barley, rye and oats. Both the cutting of the first gain and the last grain are significant. -Goddess and Greenman
Things to do
The first and most obvious is to make bread and of course to then share it with others.
Take time to concentrate on the bread you have created and turn the loaf three times saying "From the fields and through the stones, into fire, Lammas Bread, as the Wheel turns may all be fed. Goddess Bless."The other thing to do would be to collect seeds, dry them out in the sun ready for next years planting. They also make great gifts to give to those that like to grow their own.
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| Corn Husk Crafting – Making the Basic Corn Husk Doll |
You can also make any number of different Lammas charms including bread charms, a broom or besom, even a sprig of mint representing abundance and plenty.
What ever you do to mark this part of the season, may your harvest be abundant and nourishing.
Blessed be
Sources:
Corn Husk Crafting – Making the Basic Corn Husk Doll
Wikipedia
The Goddess and Greenman
Llewellyn Worldwide
