< Go Back Lughnasadh The sacred wheel turns again and we find ourselves at Lammas or Lughnasadh, which falls on or around 1st or 2nd August. This is the time of the first grain harvest in the Northern Hemisphere. The word Lammas, actually means "Loaf Mass" and was of great importance to our ancestors, as the first wheat and grains were cut and brought in and the first loaves of bread were baked. It a time of gathering in our own harvests and giving thanks to the God and Goddess for it.The Goddess, or Corn Mother, Demeter was honoured by the making of a Corn Dolly, from the first stalks of wheat, which was placed in the home, above the fireplace or hearth, to give thanks to her. The grain inside, is said to represent her daughter Persephone. If the harvest was bad, the corn dolly was often depicted as The Crone Goddess, The Cailleach.
It is also a time sacred to the Celtic Sun God Lugh, and a time of fairs, bonfires and feasting, but all festivities are tinged with the knowledge that his power is waning as we advance slowly towards the darker times. As the grain is harvested, and spilled upon the soil, for next year's harvest, we give thanks to the God. He is the spirit of the grain, and as he sacrifices himself at this time, so we can eat, his seed will lie in the dark belly of the Mother Goddess, over the winter, to grow and rise again next year. We are reminded that all that dies will be reborn.
Place a corn dolly on your altar, or above your hearth, bake a loaf of bread and decorate your altar or besom with yellow, orange or gold ribbons, add a sprig of mint, some sunflowers and Meadowsweet, which are all significant for this time of year. Give thanks for all the harvested fruits from your garden, and collect some seeds for next year, but above all, enjoy this wonderful time. Blessed Lammas.