At the height of summer, First day of August
The focus is typically on the early harvest or the celebration of the celtic god Lugh. It’s when the first grains are ready to be harvested, when apples and grapes are ripe, and pagans are grateful for the food on their tables.
History: This is the time to harvest things like grain, wheat, oats, and more while apples are ripening, because of this grain is very important for this time and became associated with the cycle of death and rebirth because of the significance it had in a lot of societies.The Sumerian god Tammuz was slain and his lover grieved so heavily, production stopped and he eventually joined with him again in the Underworld, similar to Demeter and Persephone. And in Greek legend Adonis was the grain god and Aphrodite and Persephone fought for him until Zeus sent him to Persephone in the Underworld for 6 months and to Aphrodite for the other 6. In early Ireland it was a bad idea to harvest their grain until Lammas, it meant the previous year’s harvest has run out. But on August 1st the first sheaves of grain are cut by the farmer and their wife makes it into the first loaf by nightfall. In some Wiccan and modern Pagan Lammas is also a day to honor Lugh, the celtic craftsman god.
Folklore/Legends: *In some countries Lammas is a time for warrior games and mock battles *Thor’s wife Sif had golden hair, until Loki cut it off and Thor was going to kill Loki but the dwarves spun new hair and Sif’s hair is associated with the harvest and golden grain *For many cultures, breaking bread is a sign of hospitality and peace *In some parts of Appalachia it was believed that if you miss a row while planting someone in your family will die before the end of the season *Also believed if you see corn kernels on the road you will have a visitor soon, and if you bury them it will be a stranger *Also believed that if the husks on your corn are far above the ear you will have a long winter *Also believed that burning husks, cobs, or kernels will cause a drought
Decorate your altar yellows, oranges, and reds can be used again but to represent the changing fall leaves instead of the sun and browns and greens for the earth and harvested crops. This is a good time to try baking bread. Stalks of wheat, barley, or corn. Symbols of craft for Lugh.
Symbols include sickles, scythes, grapes, vines, dried grains (wheat, oats), corn dolls, early fall veggies (pumpkins, squashes), and late summer fruits (apples, plums, peaches. Iron, fall flowers, and straw braids. Root veggies (carrots, onions, etc)
Prayer to Honor Grain- Fields of gold, waves of grain, the summer comes to a close. The harvest is ready, ripe for threshing, as the sun fades into autumn. Flour will be milled, bread will be baked, and we shall eat for another winter.
Prayer for the Warrior Soul- The warrior soul, fighting in spirit, follows a code of honor and wisdom. Strength is found not in the arms, not in the knife, the gun or the sword, but in the mind and soul. I call upon the warriors of the past, those who would stand up and fight, those who would do what is needed, those who would make sacrifices on behalf of others, those who would die that others may live. I call upon them this night, to give me strength of heart, soul and spirit.
Honor Lugh, the Craftsman- Great Lugh! Master of artisans, leader of craftsmen, patron of smiths, I call upon you and honor you this day. You of the many skills and talents, I ask you to shine upon me and bless me with your gifts. Give me strength in skill, make my hands and mind deft, shine light upon my talents. O mighty Lugh, I thank you for your blessings.
To Gods of the Harvest- The fields are full, the orchards blooming, and the harvest has arrived. Hail to the gods who watch over the land! Hail to Ceres, goddess of the wheat! Hail Mercury, fleet of foot! Hail Pomona, and fruitful apples! Hail Attis, who dies and is reborn! Hail Demeter, bringing the dark of the year! Hail Bacchus, who fills the goblets with wine! We honor you all, in this time of harvest, and set our tables with your bounty.
Some recipes: https://www.learnreligions.com/recipes-for-the-lammas-sabbat-4140665 (Barley Mushroom Soup, Loaf of Lammas Bread, Roasted Garlic Corn, Colcannon, Fresh Basil Pesto, Lammas Fry Bread, Blackberry Cobbler, Butter Fried Chicken)
Source: https://www.learnreligions.com/celebrating-lammas-or-lughnasadh-in-august-2562156
