First Harvest Blessings

Lammas, also known as Lughnasadh, is a festival that marks the beginning of the harvest season and falls halfway between Litha (the Summer Solstice) and Mabon (the Fall Equinox). Celebrated on August 1st, Lammas is the first of three autumn harvest festivals, followed by Mabon (September 21st) and Samhain (October 31st). This festival of light and gratitude encourages us to reflect on our personal growth, recognize our achievements, and identify areas for further development or release of what no longer serves us.

The Goddess at Lammas

During Lammas, the Goddess is honored in Her aspects as Grain Mother, Harvest Mother, Harvest Queen, Earth Mother, Ceres, and Demeter. Ancient civilizations used this day to thank the waning Sun for the abundance of the wheat harvest and to express gratitude to the Earth Mother for her sustenance. The name "Lammas" itself translates to "Loaf Mass" or "Loaf Feast," emphasizing the centrality of bread in the celebrations. As we progress through the harvest season, we are invited to gather both inner and outer gifts and insights. May the rest of your summer shimmer with bountiful delights.

With love and magick,
Debbi

Rituals, Symbols & Things to Do

Gods & Goddesses:

• Lugh
• Ceres
• Demeter
• Dionysus
• Cerridwen

Flowers & Herbs:

• Fennel
• Sunflower
• Basil
• Honeysuckle
• Rosemary

Foods:

• Grains
• Bread
• Berries
• Grapes
• Wine

Crystals:

• Carnelian
• Citrine
• Tiger’s Eye
• Amber

Activities to Celebrate Lammas

Create a Lammas Altar:
Decorate an altar with objects, crystals, and seasonal plants that symbolize the harvest and abundance.

Bake a Fresh Loaf of Bread:
Celebrate the festival’s connection to bread by baking your own loaf to share with family and friends.

Have a Seasonal Feast:
Gather with loved ones to enjoy a meal featuring seasonal produce and harvest-themed dishes.

Create an Herb Pouch for Abundance

Materials Needed:

• A green candle
• 1 tbsp each of dried basil and dried peppermint
• A cinnamon stick
• A peridot stone
• 1 green pouch with a string to tie it up

Instructions:

1. Light your candle and center yourself.
2. Add each dried herb, the stone, and the cinnamon stick to the pouch.
• Peppermint brings abundance and prosperity.
• Basil brings abundance and success.
• Cinnamon symbolizes strength.
• Peridot embodies earth energy and wealth.
3. Tie up your pouch, hold it to your heart center, close your eyes, and say:
   “Abundance and prosperity I wish to see...energy of the earth brings these gifts onto me.”
4. Close the ritual by acknowledging the Harvest Goddess and allow your candle to burn down.

Craft Your Lammas Altar

Crafting an altar is a wonderful way to honor the essence of Lammas/Lughnasadh. Decorate it with symbols of harvest such as grains, flowers, or corn. Include items that represent abundance and gratitude, such as a white candle nestled in a bowl of rose hips to thank the ancestors. On my altar, I plan to add a statue of the Mother Goddess made from straw, a cherished gift from a beloved student. Add a few shimmering tealight candles to evoke the vibrant energy of the season.