Lammas
Enjoy the height of summertime bliss, for as we reach the peak of sultry summer days, Lammas or Lughnasadh ushers us into the golden middle ground between the Summer Solstice and the Fall Equinox. Whether you're soaking up the sunight or eagerly anticipate the cool embrace of "sweater weather", this season is steeped in age-old merriment as we rejoice in the the First Harvest's bountiful blessings.
A Brief Overview of Lammas
Lammas or Lughnasadh is aligned with the stars, falling on the date when the sun reaches 15 degrees of Leo, typically August 1st or 2nd. This is also the halfway point between the Summer Solstice and the Fall Equinox. Lughnasadh can be roughly translated as Games or Assembly of Lugh, the Celtic Solar god of ritual combat.
Creative ways to celebrate Lammas
Falling at the height of summertime, Lammas is the perfect time to plan some outdoor activities. Decorate an outdoor dining spot with the colors and symbols of the seaons or head out into a nearby park for a picnic. Don't forget to leave time for leisurely pursuits while you give thanks for the Earth's bounty.
Traditional Activities at Lammas
Gardens are just hitting their peak at this time of year, a verdant display of a tapestry of color, while bountiful fields of grain sway under the caress of a hot summer breeze. It's easy to see how traditional activities of Lammas relate directly to this most energetic time of year. Here are just a few:
festive outdoor gatherings
faires & craft festivals
leaving offerings at wells & waterways
baking bread from the first grains to be harvested
It was upon a Lammas night,
When corn rigs are bonnie,
Beneath the moon's unclouded light,
I held awa to Annie.
~ Robert Burns, The Rigs O'Barley, 1783
Botanicals & Herbs related to Lammas
apple
corn
sunflower
vervain
wheat
Colors to use in Candles, Cloths, Clothing & Objects to adorn your altar
green
gold
light brown
yellow
Connect with the Changing Seasons on a Deeper Level
Vervain & Rue offers a number of items designed to help you explore the traditions and symbolism of the changing seasons and their associated celebrations while keeping them organized as a journal of your magickal life. Here's a list of just a few of the items we offer that are associated with Lammas.
Wheel of the Year Printable Guided Journal with 8 Sabbats | PDF 80 Pages US Letter, 8.5 x 11 in. | plans, thoughts, activities organized [currently only available on Etsy]
How will you celebrate Lammas, the First Harvest?
We'd love to hear how you mark this special time of year. Drop us a comment or tag us on Instagram and share your Lammas celebrations with us!
RESOURCES
Lammas Themed Books
Lammas: Celebrating the Fruits of the First Harvest Paperback – June 8, 2001
by Anna Franklin (Author), Paul Mason (Author), Available on Amazon
The Organized Witch's Digital Book of Shadows
Plan for Magick with The Organized Witch's Digital Book of Shadows. How amazing would it be if you could plan & track all your magickal and mundane workings in one place? That's why I set out to design a product that would replace multiple physical journals, grimoires, and notebooks into one easy to use and portable format. I found that using a digital planner/book of shadows helped me stay organized and manifest my dreams with greater ease. Now you can too! Learn more HERE
GoodNotes
Goodnotes 6 is free to download on Apple, Android, and Windows.
