Today as we move along the Wheel of the Year we come upon Lammas also known as Lughnasadh. We celebrate Lammas August 1st. Just past midsummer and heading into the home stretch. The days are hot and trying but still there is much to do. It's the time of the year when we get to go to our gardens and see what we can enjoy from them. The fields are full of crops and the first harvest is upon us. The Earth is dry because of the heat summer has thrust upon us. It calls out for a drink and reminds us it won't be much longer till the fall arrives.
For us it's times to relax in the sun enjoying it's power and warmth. Soon we will be able to reap the full rewards of the seasons crops but Lammas is when you get to start sampling what mother nature has been preparing for us since the seeds were first planted. Apples trees are beginning to ripen, you can pick summer vegetables and fruits to make your favorite recipes. It's now time for us to gather up the first harvest of wheat, grain and oats and so much more. On this day we don't just celebrate the first harvest but we honor the God Lugh.
Lugh is the Celtic craftsman God. He is known as the God of many skills and the distribution of talent. Lugh is similar to the Roman God Mercury. Throughout Europe there are many statues erected and dedicated to Lugh. Like Mercury Lugh was considered a warrior even though he was not a God of war. The Celts felt they got their skill on the battlefield with the guidance of Lugh.
The Celts held smith craft in high regard. You see for them, as for many cultures of their time, believed war was a way of life and in order to maintain their weapons smiths were needed and respected. Some considered smiths to have magickal gifts since they were able to master the element of fire. With their knowledge and ability to master fire they were able to mold metals into the weapons that were needed.
There are many ways to celebrate Lammas and to give honor to Lugh. Of course it all depends on your spiritual path as to how you would do this. Perhaps you would want to do a little magick that is concentrated on the hearth and home, perhaps go to a country fair or a harvest festival. Are you crafty? How about making crafts to decorate your home by using things nature has given you during this season? Of course you can celebrate with your family and friends by inviting them over for a potluck dinner made from the seasons harvest either bought or grown in your own garden! Use your imagination and enjoy!
Of course we are not all Wiccan or Pagan so we do not all follow the same path but we do celebrate the wonderful gifts the Earth has to bring us. As a Witch I pay homage to the Earth for the gifts she bestows upon us and as a Catholic I give thanks for the food I am blessed with as well as my good fortune, family and friends. So you see each path ends in the same spot with a bow of your head to the Divine no matter what it is you call it at the end of the road you have met with the Divine.
When I was a young girl, heck even after my children were born, the best time of the year to go away on vacation was the last week of July and the first week of August. The sun is hot, the water is warm, and the sand burns your feet as you walk across it but there is nothing like relaxing in that sun by the ocean and soaking up all the power they offer.
Every year we would plant our garden and when I returned from vacation it was time to start bringing in the eggplant, zucchini, and peppers. The first ones of the season. For the rest of the summer I was always amazed how everything ripened so fast from that point on. Even though I can not have a garden where I am now living I still enjoy this time of year by going to the farmers market and getting my pick of the fresh vegetables the season has reaped. This is also the time of year when I start to take note of the changes beginning to go on around me. The colors begin to change ever so slowly giving us the hint that autumn us just around the corner. Watch closely because it will be over in the blink of an eye and you don't want to miss out on all of the beauty nature has to offer.
Harvest Begins!
By Toni Gamarro
Nature has blessed us once more
Harvesting season begins with a roar,
It's time to enjoy the summer fruits,
Pick the veggies but leave the roots,
Soon the rest will begin to ripen,
So we bow our heads, give thanks, Amen,
This is an amazing time of year,
To the Earth you give a happy cheer,
Thank her for the gifts she has bestowed,
To the Sun give thanks for the warmth that flowed,
Giving us a memorable season,
And a chance to sunbath within reason,
Careful not to set our skin to burn,
And still able to worship the sun with every turn,
Thank the air for it's gentle breeze,
That blows the pollen which makes us sneeze,
With each and every harvest we are blessed,
So we celebrate with a Harvest Fest,
Pot luck dinner for family and friends to join in,
Let the celebration begin,
As the harvest season gets under way,
Let us all bow our heads and pray,
Or cast a spell into the air,
Say the words right from your heart,
Bless this harvest season from the start!
To be Continued.......
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