It’s August 1st darlings, which can mean only one thing – It’s time to Celebrate Lughnasadh! Who doesn’t like giving thanks and having a wee party, eh? Lughnasadh, also known Lammas in some areas of the UK, is a significant festival in the Wheel of the Year, marking the beginning of the Harvest season. Celebrated on August 1st, Lughnasadh is a time to give thanks for the first fruits of the earth and to honor the Celtic god Lugh. This ancient festival, rich in history and tradition, is a vibrant blend of pagan, Christian, and agricultural elements – Who doesn’t love a bit of diversity at a party, am I right?
The Historical Roots of Lammas
Pagan Origins
The term “Lammas” is derived from the Old English/ Anglo Saxon word “hlafmaesse,” meaning “loaf mass.” It was traditionally the time when the first grain harvest was celebrated, and loaves of bread were baked from the new wheat crop. These loaves were then used in rituals and as offerings. Who doesn’t love an excuse to eat cards, eh?
Lammas corresponds with the Celtic festival of Lughnasadh, named after the god Lugh. Lugh was a god of light, skill, and craftsmanship, celebrated in many myths for his talents and leadership. Lughnasadh was a time for feasting, games, and community gatherings, reflecting the communal effort required for the harvest. Check out my other posts on Lughnasadh and Lammas – What’s the Difference? And my post The Celtic Celebration of Lammas and the God Lugh for more info on these. (I know, I know, it’s an actual harvest of content today, isn’t it? You’re most welcome, coven)
How It Inspired The Christian Tradition
With the advent of Christianity, Lammas and Lughnasadh became ‘integrated’ into the Christian calendar. It evolved into a thanksgiving for the first fruits, and loaves of bread were blessed in churches. This blending of traditions illustrates the adaptability of early Christian practices to local customs and agricultural cycles.
“Two men from the British Isles harvest wheat / Deux hommes des îles Britanniques récoltent du blé” by BiblioArchives / LibraryArchives is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Agricultural Significance
Lughnasadh / Lammas is deeply rooted in agricultural traditions. It marks the time when the hard work of planting and tending crops begins to bear fruit. The first grains of the year are harvested, a crucial milestone for agrarian societies. This celebration of abundance is also a reminder of the need for continued hard work to ensure a bountiful harvest in the coming months.
Celebrating Lughnasadh and Lammas Today
Modern celebrations of Lughnasadh / Lammas can vary widely, reflecting its diverse origins and the personal beliefs of those who observe it. Here are some common ways to celebrate this festival, both traditionally and in contemporary settings.
Rituals and Practices
- Bread Baking and Offering
Baking bread is one of the most traditional ways to celebrate Lammas. The act of baking symbolizes transformation and the cycle of life, as the harvested grain is turned into sustenance. Here is a simple ritual to try:
Materials Needed:
- Flour, yeast, water, salt, and any other bread ingredients you prefer.
- A loaf pan or baking sheet.
- Candles for your altar.
- Instructions:
- Set up a small altar with candles, representing the light and warmth of the harvest.
- As you mix the ingredients, focus on your intentions for the bread. Consider what you are grateful for and what you wish to manifest.
- While kneading the dough, chant or sing to imbue the bread with positive energy.
- Once baked, place the bread on the altar and offer thanks to the earth for its bounty. You can share the bread with loved ones or use it in further rituals.
“Harvest Moon” by Turku Gingerbread is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
- Harvest Feast
Hosting a feast with friends and family is a joyous way to celebrate Lammas. Use seasonal fruits, vegetables, and grains to create a meal that honors the first harvest. Decorate your space with sheaves of wheat, sunflowers, and other symbols of abundance.
- Crafting Corn Dollies
Corn dollies are traditional crafts made from the last sheaf of wheat harvested. These figures were believed to house the spirit of the grain and were kept until the next planting season to ensure a good crop. To make a corn dolly:
Materials Needed:
- Dried wheat stalks or corn husks.
- String or ribbon.
- Instructions:
- Soak the wheat stalks or corn husks in water to make them pliable.
- Braid or weave the stalks into a figure, tying them with string or ribbon to hold the shape.
- Place the corn dolly on your altar or hang it in your home as a symbol of prosperity and protection.
“File:Contemporary male Corn dolly.jpg” by Mountainash333 is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
I also like to make ‘Dollies’ out of flowers and grass, especially when I sat in a field doing my thanksgiving. Above is a very fancy Male Corn Dolly representing ‘The Harvest Father’
- Offering to the Land
Making offerings to the land is a way to give thanks and honor the earth. You can offer a portion of your harvested fruits, vegetables, or baked goods to the land. Simply find a special place in nature and leave your offering with a prayer of gratitude.
- Reflection and Gratitude Ritual
Lammas is a time for reflection and gratitude. Set aside time to meditate on the past year’s growth and challenges. Write down what you are thankful for and what you hope to achieve in the coming months. Burn the paper as an offering, symbolizing the release of your intentions into the universe.
“Mabon Altar 2012” by Pearl Photo is marked with Public Domain Mark 1.0.
Incorporating Lughnasadh / Lammas into Modern Life
While the traditional practices of Lammas are deeply rooted in agrarian life, they can be adapted to suit modern lifestyles. Here are some ideas for incorporating Lammas into your life, regardless of your living situation:
- Urban Celebrations
Even if you live in an urban environment, you can celebrate Lammas by visiting a local farmers’ market and purchasing seasonal produce. Support local agriculture by buying fresh fruits, vegetables, and bread. As a London Dweller myself, I always try to find some green space (believe it or not there is some in London!) and take some time to sit and pay gratitude, and if able do a few wee rituals. Also, growing herbs and other things in window boxes and on balconeys is another great way to get your green witchcraft hat on!
- Gardening and Planting
If you have a garden, use Lammas as a time to tend to your plants and reflect on the cycle of growth. Planting herbs or flowers that thrive in late summer can be a symbolic act of honoring the earth. If you are low energy, then just sitting in your garden or green space having a coffee can be just as sacred.
- Community Involvement
Lammas is about community and sharing. Volunteer at a local food bank or community garden to give back to your community. Sharing your time and resources is a modern way to embody the spirit of the first harvest. I also like to go and feed the local crows in my park, and pick up any rubbish as I do so. Little things we do can have a huge impact.
- Creative Expressions
Engage in creative activities that celebrate the themes of Lammas. Paint, write poetry, or create music inspired by the season’s abundance and the myth of Lugh. Creative expression can be a powerful way to connect with the festival’s energy. I love to have a bit of a dance and sing song (rather badly I may add but it’s still bloody fun so why not?!)
Do you celebrate Lughnasadh or Lammas? If so let us know below or via our social channels as we love to hear from you and share our practices.
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Ems xX
References
Profile Image: “File:A Contemporary Goddess of the corn . Corn Mother.JPG” by Rowan Duxbury is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Hutton, Ronald. The Stations of the Sun: A History of the Ritual Year in Britain. Oxford University Press, 1996.
Pennick, Nigel. The Pagan Book of Days: A Guide to the Festivals, Traditions, and Sacred Days of the Year. Destiny Books, 1992.
Farrar, Janet and Stewart. Eight Sabbats for Witches. Robert Hale, 1981.
Grimm, Jacob. Teutonic Mythology. George Bell and Sons, 1883.
MacNeill, Máire. The Festival of Lughnasa: A Study of the Survival of the Celtic Festival of the Beginning of Harvest. Oxford University Press, 1962.
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