Lammas /Lughnasadh- the First Harvest
This sabbat is usually celebrated on the 1st of August in the northern hemishpere, and February 1st in the southern hemisphere. The reason they are at different times is due to the difference in seasons. Instead, on August 1st, some witches in the southern hemisphere celebrate Imbolc (or Imbolg). Some southern hemisphere witches will instead choose to celebrate the same sabbats as the northern hemisphere and adapt their celebrations to their current season instead. This post mainly focuses on Lammas/Lughnasadh in Autumn and I will refer to it as Lammas from here onwards, although both terms can be used.
The name Lughnasadh (pronounced LOO-na-sa) derives from the name of the Celtic god of the sun and craftsmanship, Lugh (also spelled Lou). In Irish legend the festival began with Lugh himself, who held a funeral feast and sporting event in honour of his foster mother, Tailtiu. She had died from exhaustion after clearing farmland all over Ireland so that the people could grow crops. Lugh was also a warrior God, so many pagans celebrate with competitive sport and games at this time of year.
The name Lammas has Saxon origins, as a contraction of the words "Loaf mass" meaning a Christian celebration of the harvest. In fact, Christians used to celebrate Lammas and there were traditional rituals that strongly resemble pagan rituals: the first grain of the harvest would be made into a loaf of bread, which would then be quartered and places in the four corners of the house to ensure protection and prosperity. Over time, Christians abandoned these rituals and pagans took over the celebration of Lammas.
The two words came from different areas (Lughnasadh from Ireland and Scotland, Lammas from Southern England and Saxon-inhabited Europe) but have become synonymous in modern pagan celebrations.
Other names include Gŵyl Awst (Welsh) and August Eve.
Lammas is a celebration of the first harvest of the year, with the next harvest being at Mabon in mid-September (northern hemisphere). The days are getting shorter and the crops have finished growing and are ready to be harvested.
Wiccans believe it is the time when the God has finished transferring his energy into the crops and he is ready to lie down and rest for the colder months ahead. Other wiccans believe that a part of him is sacrificed when the grain is harvested and is reborn later in the year.
Lammas is a time of fulfillment, abundance, connection and gratitude. Spells for mental and physical gain are strong at this time, and meditation focusing on these themes can be associated with Lammas. If you can, meditate outside, as it is a great way to connect with nature, but be safe and don't risk your health to do so. Rituals using the sun's energy or the fire and earth elements are particularly effective too.
Colours: brown, orange, yellow, gold (autumn/harvest colours)
Symbols: wheat, sickle or scythe, bread, baskets, fresh fruit and vegetables, corn
Crystals: amber, citrine, aventurine, cat's eye, gold topaz, carnelian, clear quartz
Herbs and plants: sage, mint, basil, aloe, rose, wheat, barley, rye, hops, blackthorn, hazel, gorse, meadowsweet
Flowers: marigold, sunflower, calendula
Animals: rooster, buck, cow, sheep
Foods: bread (or anything else made from grains), potatoes, pies (homemade if possible), wine and beer (if you are of legal drinking age)
Gods/goddesses: Ceres, Vesta, Demeter, Hestia, Corn Mother, Lugh, John Barleycorn, Isis
Activities and Festivities
In Ireland, there is a festival typically from the 10th to the 12th of August called Puck Fair, where a wild goat (a symbol of fertility) is brought from the hills and crowned King Puck. It is paraded around for three days while there are parades, dances, face painting and street entertainment, then it is released back to the hills after the festival is over. This is one of the oldest known celebrations of Lammas and is present in ancient Irish literature.
Activities to do at home could be things like baking bread, pies or cakes, decorating your altar with baked goods, ribbons, seasonal flowers and fruits, and one of the most popular things to do is make a corn dolly. These are little figures made of corn stalks that are woven together, with designs ranging from very simple to incredibly skilled and complex.
EDIT: I have been informed by @irelandseyeonmythology that this is not a corn dolly, it is a traditional love knot. Instead of a proposal, these are used throughout the year to publically display the couple's courtship and their intention of marriage in the spring season.
When I made this a while ago I was told it was a corn dolly, hence the mistake. Anyway, here's how to make a love knot:
Using 3 stalks of corn, tie them together just below the ears (the bushy bit) and plait the stalks together, leaving about 2-3 inches un-plaited. Twist the plaited part around twice to make the 'head' of the knot and tie it together with a ribbon of any colour. The colour of the ribbon changes the meaning slightly (see the correspondences of colour magick).
Go for a walk if you can, and try to go somewhere with nature. If you have a dog, walk your dog. Try and get some fresh air outside, it's really good for mental, physical and spiritual health!
Happy Lammas/Lughnasadh everyone!
