Lammas day (Lughnasadh) is one of the four main festivals of the year, The BIG four include: Imbolc at the beginning of February, Beltane on the first of May, Lughnasadh or Lammas in August and Samhain in November. Lughnasadh marked the beginning of the harvest season, the ripening of first fruits, and was traditionally a time of community gatherings, market festivals, horse races and reunions with distant family and friends. With those who are of Celtic descent, in rural america, Lammas was one of the primary holidays of the traditional year. It was the time when families and communities would begin to earnestly prepare for the winter months. It is believed that this is the time of the year that many of the kingdoms in the “other realms”, transition power. It is said that this is the time to make your petitions known to the spirits of the woods, for they are more generous on Lammas.
Traditionally it has been seen as the time when the Oak King (Oak representing strength, growth orientation and determination) relinquishes power to the Holly King who will rule from Aug 02 until Yule on December 21. The first half of the year is recognized as a time of growth and forward momentum, motivated by the ritual of Suspension on Dec. 21. But on Aug 02 the male energy changes and symbolically the Holly King (Holly being a parasitic plant grows and is maintained with the strength of its host, in this case the momentum gathered in the first half of the year motivated by your suspension, sacrifice and inclusion) takes over. Now is the time to allow yourself to relax and go with the flow. Allow all your hard work of the beginning of the year to move you forward, enjoy the harvest. The challenge for most of us is to get off the push wheel and get into the cart allowing the momentum to carry us through the rest of the year.
In more modern and urban world, it is still important to honor the old traditions as truth is truth and the only thing that changes are the seasons. So if you would like to honor and recognize this very old spoke in the wheel of the year, here are some ideas.
1. Reset your altar to recognize and honor the God Lugh, granter of success and mover between worlds. You may do this for a temporary time changing it back after the holiday is over.
2. To your ability, climb a mountain or a hill. This has several reasons, one of the primary ones is the symbolism of your climb during the year and the reaping of the benefits of your hard work. When you do so take time to sit and listen, look and take in the vibrations of the moment. Leave the locations exactly as you found it, when you get home write about your experience in your shadows or mirrors.
3. Make or buy a grain product, like a gingerbread man, corn bread or cookie, shape into the form of a person. Offer to the gods and goddesses, then consume the food. Envision any and all things in your life that no longer serve your better good being processed through the universe and going on to places that better serve them as well
4. Drink, as you are able, a small glass of red wine and as you do envision all good things coming to your, all your hopes dreams and the results of your hard working coming to pass. Offer thanks to the universe for its infinite good.
5. If you have it, place mugwort on your door. This serves as a protection, a blessing and an offering.
6. At the end of the day light a white candle, and burn sandalwood incense. While you do this spend time sending positive energy and thoughts to those who need it. Take the focus away from yourself and shine the universal spotlight on those who are in need.
7. Make a wicker man and symbolically offer any of the obstacles you have endured during the past year to the universe. My tradition does not burn the effigy, we bury it. Some traditions use beltane as the time to do this and that is perfectly fine.
7. Make a wicker man and symbolically offer any of the obstacles you have endured during the past year to the universe. My tradition does not burn the effigy, we bury it. Some traditions use beltane as the time to do this and that is perfectly fine.
Remember, it is the intent of your spiritual work that matters. If your tradition does not call for any of these things either amend them or do them anyway, stepping outside your spiritual box can be empowering and freeing.
May you and yours be blessed during this time of the harvest, may you be surrounded by protective spirits and may your journey be easy.
Blessed Lammas
May you and yours be blessed during this time of the harvest, may you be surrounded by protective spirits and may your journey be easy.
Blessed Lammas
