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Lughnasadh, or Lammas as some may call it, is also known as the Bread Harvest. On August 1st, we celebrate both the festival of Light and the First Harvest in honor of the abundance to come. This holiday also reminds us of the Circle of life and how everything must move on to become reborn into something else.
When preparing a ritual for this festival, remember, this is a time of remembrance and releasing. A time of giving and accepting gifts and blessings. Take in the beauty around you and remember the things that may not have made it through the winter.
Along with the physical harvest that will be taking place, you will be harvesting blessing in other areas of your life. Getting rid of the harmful energies that are in our daily lives will help us be able to openly receive the blessings that are yet to come. If you are feeling sad, depressed, angry, or anything but happy, it may be time to cleanse yourself of harmful energies.
What deities will you be honoring? Tailtiu? Freya? Danu? Gaia? Fufluns? Sivanus? The list goes on. Pick deities you feel comfortable using, and that aligns with the work of the year.
Use yellow candles to represent and honor the light of the last long days of the year. You can also use the colors of the season such as reds, yellows, oranges, and ambers are all acceptable.
Decorate your area and alters with flowers and stones in the seasonal colors. Wheat is also used since it is a main grain grown around us. We honor nature by consuming it to sustain our bodies. The word “Lammas” comes from the Old English words “Loaf mass”, which brought about the traditional practice of “Baking of Bread” for Lughnasadh and using it in their rituals.
There are many different rituals that are practiced according to the different traditions. They may be done solitary, in a coven, or gathering. They can be as simple or as extravagant as you’d like them to be.
Here is a simple ritual idea by the Sage Goddess at (http://www.sagegoddess.com/simple-ritual-ideas-for-lammas-or-first-harvest/) This can be done in either a solitary or group setting.
Gather some Wheat and Stones. The stones should be in the colors of the season.
Cast your circle. Invite your God’s and Goddess’s and light your candles.
Using the wheat and stones, create a wheel either on a round plate or a table surface. Alternate the wheat and stones.
As you place each item, give thanks for the things yet to come.
Offer a few releasing stones, such as apache or golden obsidian, for the things in your life that you’d like to leave behind.
Thank your deities and release them. Open your circle.
If you want a more indepth ritual, the following ritual from Ann Moura’s Grimoire for the Green Witch may be for what you look:
Have yellow- or wheat-colored altar candles ready. You will also need flowers and grains to decorate your altar, a loaf of multigrain or whole oat bread to be placed on the altar, and a cauldron. You may also want to include fruity beverages, barbecue, fried chicken, corn on the cob, or pie in your celebration.
Rituals for Lughnasadh
By Melissa Hardy