Lammas is the first harvest celebration of the wheel of the year and marks August eve and August 1st. It is one of the fire festivals, it marks the midpoint between summer solstice and autumn equinox.
In Celtic mythology it is associated with the god Lugh, a deity representing skill, craftsmanship, and the sun. Celebrating the harvest of the first crops and the fruits of one’s labour and achievements.
Within old English the term ‘hlaf-mas’ was known as the feast of bread, celebrating the first of the grain harvests, with the first loaves of bread made from the newly harvested wheat offered in gratitude and blessing.
Often associated with corn dollies, traditionally made from the stalks of wheat, a dolly would be weaved as a symbol of the harvest and returned to the earth at Samhain – the seeds of the future harvest.
Sabbats offer a pause, space to acknowledge and reflect, Lammas marks a time of abundance, bountifulness and the fullness of life. The sun and light of Lammas, embody the height of summer, the suns power symbolises warmth, energy and growth. We take in the warming rays of the sun and store their power for what is to come.
As Lammas approaches -
I am grateful to be where I am.
I recognise the work and what I have achieved so far
I am grateful to have created a way of working that suits my way of being.
Lammas brings my birthday and the opportunity to immerse my humanness in nature. Time to prioritise self-care and do what makes my heart sing
It is:
dis-connecting from technology
sea swimming
coastal path walking
star gazing – hopefully some shooting stars
wood fires
breaking bread with loved ones
watching the sun rise
watching the sun set
I am mindful of this bounty, its wellbeing for my senses and my soul, this nurturing of my mental, emotional, physical and spiritual needs. The joy of being next to the sea, it is my happy place and where I love to be.
I am taking time to rest, replenish, revitalise and re-energise. I am filling my cup.