Welcome to the Lammas edition of Living Magically

Lammas also known as Lughnasadh is a festival marking the beginning of the harvest season. It is also one of the one of the four “Greater Sabbats,” in the Wiccan Wheel of the Year. It is the cross-quarter day between the Summer Solstice and the Autumn Equinox, and it marks the beginning of the harvest season.

Celebrated on the 1st August and currently the hottest part of our Summer, Lammas is also the official start of autumn , the first grains are ready to be harvested, the trees begin dropping their fruits, and the shortening daylight becomes apparent with each sunset.

The overarching theme of Lammas is to give thanks for the abundance of the past growing season and look forward to the remaining weeks of light and warmth as we continue reaping what we have sown.

Lammas rituals are related to harvest and gratitude, and acknowledging which of our intentions have come to fruition so far during the course of the year.

In Wiccan mythology it is believed that the Sun God’s power begins to wane at this time, as the days grow shorter and the crops are ready to be cut down. In some traditions, the Sun God actually infuses the grain with his power, and so is effectively sacrificed when the grain is harvested. This grain is then used to bake the first bread from the year’s crop, which in earlier times would then be taken to a church and laid on the altar to be blessed. This custom is a good example of the parallels between pagan religions and Christianity. The name “Lammas” actually comes from this tradition, taken from an old Anglo-Saxon phrase meaning “loaf mass.” In early Ireland, it was a bad idea to harvest your grain any time before Lammas; it suggested that the previous year's harvest had run out early.

Another name for Lammas is Lughnasa, after the ancient Celtic festival celebrated on this date. Lughnasa honours the god Lugh, who is associated with the Sun (his name translates roughly as “shining one”) as well as many skills and talents, including building, smithcraft, poetry and magic. Lugh was also a great warrior, and paganists celebrate with competitive games in addition to harvest-related festivities.

Ways to celebrate

Decorate your home or your altar, using the colours of the season to honour Lammas. This includes a combination of oranges, reds, and dark yellows.

This year I have decorated my altar with apples, oak bark to symbolise strength and longevity together with sage for protection and a seasonal floral display of supermarket flowers with garden greenery, I have added bay, rosemary and even some brambles. You can add dried grains to celebrate the start of the harvest season and consider adding sunflowers—the patron plant of Lammas.

Practice craftsmanship

Lammas is associated with the God Lugh, and craftsmanship is a strong theme Whether it’s painting, pottery, crafting ,singing, or playing an instrument, Lammas is the perfect opportunity to learn a new craft or build on an old hobby. Check out local opportunities for learning a new skill. ACL has centres in Clacton and Colchester and offers a range of course, from floristry, art, creative writing, pottery and sewing. Check out the link to find out more.

https://aclessex.com/a-z-courses/

Bake bread

Lammas revolves around baking bread and bread-making is a good way to honour this sabbat and get together with loved ones by breaking bread around the table. This is a great recipe from Paul Hollywood

Ingredients

500g/1lb 2oz strong white flour, plus extra for kneading

10g/¼oz salt

1 x 7g sachet of instant yeast

320ml/11½oz cold water

40ml/1½fl oz olive oil, plus extra for kneading

extra oil and flour, for kneading

Method

• Place the dry ingredients in a bowl, taking care not to have the salt and yeast touching. Add the oil and 240ml/9fl oz of water.

• Using your hands, mix the ingredients together. Gradually add the remaining water (you may not need it all), until all the flour leaves the side of the bowl and you have a soft, rough dough.

• Pour a little oil onto a clean work surface. Sit the dough on the oil and begin to knead. Do this for 5-10 minutes, or until the dough becomes smooth and silky. Once the correct consistency is achieved, place the dough into a clean, oiled bowl. Cover with cling film and leave in a warm place until tripled in size.

• Once risen, place the dough onto a floured surface. Knock the dough back by folding it in on itself repeatedly. Do this until all the air is knocked out and the dough is smooth.

• To shape into the bloomer, flatten the dough into a rectangle. With the long side facing you fold each end into the middle then roll like a Swiss roll so that you have a smooth top with a seam along the base. Very gently roll with the heel of your hands.

• Place on a tray lined with parchment paper, cover and leave to prove for 1-2 hours at room temperature, or until doubled in size.

• Lightly spray with water and dust with a little flour. Make four diagonal slashes using a sharp knife across the top.

• Preheat the oven to 220/425F/Gas 7 and place a baking tray filled with water on the bottom shelf of the oven - this will create steam when the loaf is baking. Place the loaf on the middle shelf and bake for 25 minutes. After this time lower the heat to 200C/400F/Gas 6 and bake for a further 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and leave to cool on a wire rack.
  

Create a Corn Dolly

Creating corn dollies is an old Lammas tradition that has carried into modern day. To make your own, use stalks of wheat, barley, or rye if you have access to these plants. Using yellow ribbon, lace the stalks into a corn dolly to outline the shape of a woman. During the doll creation process, express gratitude and thanks for your harvest. Place your corn dolly onto your Lammas altar. At Samhain, the pagan holiday marking the end of the harvest season, take the remains of your corn dolly from the altar and return them to the earth. This is symbolic of sowing seeds of a future harvest for the following year. Check out this link to see how to make a corn dolly https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03kVmQrkVDs

Bath in fresh herbs

A great way to capture the essence of summer is to soak in fresh herbs, you can gather a range of herbs such as lemon balm, lavender, and rosemary and add them to a bath or a bowl. Soaking your feet is very grounding.

Herbs and Plants are Associated with Lammas

Yarrow: Yarrow has taken on different meanings and symbolism throughout the centuries. It’s been known to be a herb that casts away evil spells and hexes. People believe that stringing it across the doorway will prevent evil spirits from entering their home. To use yarrow in your own Lammas practice, place it around your neck as a form of protection.

Vervain: The use of vervain can be traced back thousands of years for its role in spiritual and ceremonial services. In the Druidic tradition, many members believed vervain had supernatural powers to assist in getting in touch with the other side. Common vervain-based traditions during Lammas include healing rituals for those who need spiritual assistance. Use vervain essential oil as a blessing for your loved ones who need an extra health boost.

Meadowsweet: Also known as Bride of the Meadow, meadowsweet is another sacred herb of the Druids. Members would wear garlands made of meadowsweet around their neck during Lammas celebrations. If a Druidic wedding was taking place on Lammas, meadowsweet would be added to the bride’s bouquet.

Mint: Another herb close to the Druids, mint is known for its healing and protection powers. During Lammas, mint was used to attract abundance into one’s life. One of the best ways to use mint during Lammas is during a tea ritual, such as making a drink that includes mint leaves. This is a great way to honour your body and bless it with seasonal health. Wishing you have a wonderful Lammas celebrating your personal harvest xx Blessed Bexx Lou