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Lammas

Lughnasadh, Loaf-Mass

This is the 1st of the three harvest Sabbats and is a festival strongly linked to stories of sacrifice as well as death. This Sabbat represents the beginning of the harvest cycle and rests on the early grain harvest as well as the fruits and vegetables that are ready to be taken. It is a time of sacrifice as those first harvest sacrifice themselves, and commonly a time to 'sacrifice' something of your own to benefit others (ex: charity working).

Lammas is also known as the festival of the dying and rising God, Its other name of Lughnasadh (usually pronounced 'Loo-nass-uh' or 'Loo-nass-ar') commemorates the death and subsequent resurrection of the Celtic Sun God Lugh.





TIMES

Lammas is normally celebrated on the 1st or 2nd of August, where Lughnasadh is commonly celebrated on the 7th. Both holidays represent the same idea and many witches will celebrate this holiday at the same time every year.


DECORATIONS

* Decorate the altar with the first fruits and greens of garden labor.
* Beginning of new decor for fall
* Create crafts from corn and wheat leftovers such as scarecrows and wreaths.
* Colors of gold representing the wheat being harvested.


ACTIVITIES

* Now is the time to harvest herbs from your garden. If you do not have a garden, stock up your magical cabinent!
* Harvest the ready crops from your garden.
* Begin home canning.
* Make gingerbread men and share them with your friends and family, or use them as decorations.
* Make your own personal sacrifice such as helping around your community.


FOOD & DRINK

* Different types of bread is a main dish for the day.
* Gingerbread
* Plates of the first fruits and vegetables harvested. Create dishes to be enjoyed all day!


LAMMAS RITUALS

Wiccan/Pagan Lammas Ritual

by Kate West

Take a number of pieces of paper and on one side make a note of something you have achieved in the past year, or even since your last Sabbat. On the reverse make a note of something you intend to do in 'payment' for this. This should be something you can achieve but which will cost you either time or effort in some way. The 'achievement' and 'payment' do not have to be directly linked.
At the time you have set aside for your ritual, call upon the elements, the Goddess, and the God to aid you. Take your first piece of paper and read carefully the 'achievement' whilst remembering the way you felt at the time. Give thanks to the Lord and Lady for giving this to you.
Then turn it over and read your 'payment'. Dedicate this task to the Lord and Lady, saying that you will be doing it in their honor and as payment.
Repeat his will all pieces of paper.
Once you have finished, thank the element, the Goddess, and the God.
You can either pin your promises up in a place where you can see them, only removing them when you have carried out your tasks, or you can put your papers away in a safe place. Either way, do not forget to carry out your promises, as these have been made and dedicated as a Witch and just as you do not wish the Goddess and the God to stop helping you, so you do not want to fail to carry out your offering to them.