Harvest Your Dreams: A Guide to Lammas Celebrations and Rituals

By Audra English

Celebrating Lammas: History, Lore, Spells, and More

Lammas, also known as Lughnasadh, is a vibrant pagan festival that marks the first harvest of the year. Celebrated on August 1st, it is a time to honor the abundance of the earth and give thanks for the fruits of our labor. This festival is steeped in rich history and lore, offering a unique opportunity to connect with ancient traditions, practice spells, and set powerful intentions for the coming months.

The History and Lore of Lammas

Lammas, derived from the Old English "hlaf-mas," meaning "loaf mass," is a festival dedicated to the first harvest, particularly of grains. The festival has Celtic roots and is closely associated with the god Lugh, the god of light and craftsmanship. In ancient times, communities would gather to celebrate the beginning of the harvest season, baking the first loaf of bread from the new crop and offering it to the gods in gratitude.

Lughnasadh, named after Lugh, was a time of feasting, games, and fairs. People would come together to share their bounty, participate in athletic competitions, and engage in various forms of merriment. It was also a time for handfasting ceremonies, where couples would pledge themselves to each other.

The pronunciation of Lughnasadh can be a bit tricky due to its Gaelic origins. It is generally pronounced as "LOO-nuh-suh" or "LOO-nuh-sah". Here is a breakdown to help you:

• Lugh: Pronounced "loo"

• nasadh: Pronounced "nuh-suh" or "nuh-sah"

So, the full pronunciation is "LOO-nuh-suh" or "LOO-nuh-sah".

Celebrate Lammas by doing some of your own spells:

1. Abundance Spell

• Ingredients: Green candle, coins, bay leaves, and a piece of paper.

• Instructions: Light the green candle and place the coins around it. Write your abundance intention on the paper and place it under the candle. Burn the bay leaves in the flame, visualizing prosperity flowing into your life.

2. Gratitude Spell

• Ingredients: Yellow candle, a piece of citrine, and a gratitude journal.

• Instructions: Light the yellow candle and hold the citrine in your hand. Reflect on all the blessings in your life and write them down in your gratitude journal. As you write, visualize your gratitude attracting even more blessings.

3. Harvest Blessing Spell

• Ingredients: Corn husks, red ribbon, and a bowl of grains.

• Instructions: Create a corn dolly using the corn husks and tie it with the red ribbon. Place the dolly in the bowl of grains and bless it with words of gratitude and abundance, asking for a bountiful harvest in all areas of your life.

Ways to Celebrate Lammas:

1. Bake Bread: Baking bread from scratch is a traditional way to celebrate Lammas. It's a symbolic act of transformation and gratitude for the harvest.

2. Harvest Rituals: Collect fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs from your garden or local market. Use them to create an altar or offering to honor the earth's abundance.

3. Outdoor Feasts: Host a picnic or outdoor feast with friends and family. Share seasonal foods and enjoy the beauty of nature.

4. Crafting Corn Dollies: Make corn dollies or other harvest crafts to decorate your home or altar.

5. Meditation and Reflection: Spend time in meditation, reflecting on the cycles of nature and your personal growth over the past year.

Simple Bread Recipe for Lammas:

Ingredients:

• 3 cups of all-purpose flour

• 1 tablespoon of sugar

• 1 teaspoon of salt

• 1 packet of active dry yeast

• 1 cup of warm water

• 2 tablespoons of olive oil

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, and yeast.

2. Add warm water and olive oil, mixing until a dough forms.

3. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10 minutes, until smooth and elastic.

4. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about an hour, or until doubled in size.

5. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

6. Punch down the dough and shape it into a loaf. Place it in a greased loaf pan.

7. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped.

8. Let it cool before slicing and sharing.

Intentions to Focus on During Lammas:

• Gratitude: Reflect on the abundance in your life and express gratitude for your blessings.

• Prosperity: Set intentions for continued prosperity and success in your endeavors.

• Community: Focus on building and strengthening your connections with others.

• Growth: Reflect on your personal growth and set goals for the future.

• Balance: Aim to bring balance and harmony into your life as the seasons begin to change.

By celebrating Lammas with these traditions, spells, and intentions, you can align with the ancient rhythms of the earth and invite prosperity, gratitude, and growth into your life. Enjoy the festivities and may your harvest be bountiful!