Lammas 1st August
Lammas, also known as Lughnasadh, is an ancient Celtic festival celebrated on August 1st. This festival falls roughly halfway between the summer solstice and the autumn equinox. It marks the first harvest of the year. A moment to celebrate and be thankful for the earth’s provision. The Celtic god Lugh, pronounced “loo”, is known for being incredibly gifted in many things. He is a warrior, leader, craftsman, poet, storyteller and magician, someone who brings together many different skills and ways of seeing the world. The word Lammas means “loaf mass” from the Old English and signifies the first loaves being baked from the first harvest of the year.
My sourdough loaf freshly out the oven :-)
How might we mark Lughnasadh this weekend?
A Ritual .
Bake a loaf of bread or buy from a local baker and give thanks for the first harvests that feed the world.
Share a harvest feast of seasonal produce with family and friends.
Connect with nature and express gratitude for the life that comes from the soil.
A Pause.
Acknowledge and celebrate the growth in your life, in those around you and the world you live in.
Recognise the mystery of change, transformation and life.
Celebrate the hard and often hidden work that brings an abundance of life and sense of aliveness. It might be kindness, generosity, courage, time, presence, organisation, intentionality, exercise, rest, play, focus, connection, or something else…
The work of becoming, evolving, is slow work, often without immediate results. What motivates you towards change? Even if unseen, and no matter how small the harvest might be, it is worthy of recognition.
Blessing/Prayer/Ode:
Thank you nourishing Earth
Thank you warm sun
Thank you clear water
Thank you fresh air
You bring about growth and transformation
Nourishment and life
I look at the nature of created things
I sense the sacred, I know as God.
I am part of nature and it is part of me and God in all.
May we take care of each other.
May we walk in peace and move gently on the earth as one.