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by Ariadne
Lammas begins the harvest season. It is the feast of first fruits, the first of the three harvest festivals. Grain is ripening, and the first apples are ready. The traditional date for this celebration is August lst.
Lammas derives its name from the Old English Hlafmas," or "Loaf-mass." The name says it all. It is the feast of bread. On this day in early Christian times (and the name is apparently Christian, although the traditions it reflects are probably Pagan) loaves made from the first grain were blessed in the church. In Pagan times, they were almost certainly used in some ritual. Perhaps they were given as offerings to the gods. First fruit offerings are nearly universal--the first of anything belongs to the gods.
In Ireland it was considered "just not done" to harvest grain any earlier than this; it was a sign that the previous year's harvest had not lasted long enough. This was a serious failing, either on the part of the farmer for not growing enough or on the part of his wife for not conserving the store. But the first grain was cut this morning and made into bread or porridge by evening.
The Gaelic word for this day is Lughnasadh, pronounced "Loo-nah-sah", the feast of Lugh. Lugh means "Bright or Shining One". Lugh was a God of harvest, fire, light and sun. He is associated with agricultural fertility. He was King of the Tuatha De Danaan and the consort of Dana, the first Great Mother Goddess of Ireland. Dana, as Lugh's Queen and Mother Goddess, is also honored on this Sabbat. Lugh's sacrificial death and rebirth as a sheaf of grain at Lughnasadh is often re-enacted on Lammas, symbolizing that even a God must eventually bow down to his Goddess through whose benevolence he is reborn.
Lugh was called he was called "Lugh Samhildanach" (pronounced "Loo Saw-vil-dah-nakh"), Lugh, Skilled in all the Artsö. His British/Welsh Counterpart was known as "Lleu Llaw Gyffes," "Lleu of the Skillful Hand," and was the tow-headed son of the Goddess Arianrhod. Like Lugh, Lleu is both Sun God and God of Grain.
There is a wonderful story in the tale of the Battle of Magh Tuiredh of how Lugh came to the court at Tara while a feast was going on. It was the custom there for no one to be admitted during a feast unless he possessed a skill that no one who was already there possessed. Lugh listed his skills one by one--wright, smith, champion, harper, hero, poet, magician, healer, cupbearer, craftsman--and the doorkeeper told him each time that there was already someone at Tara who could do that. Finally, Lugh asked if there was anyone who had all these skills. There was no one, and he was allowed to enter.
Lughnasadh marks the beginning of the grain harvest, the first harvest on the Wheel of the Year. During this season of high summer, the bounty of the earth is abundant. Fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs are ready for harvesting. These are the hottest days of the year. It is a time for vacations and the beach. But...the light of late afternoon fades earlier each day and shadows are growing. Fall isn't here yet, but soon the nights will be longer and colder. For now, though, we celebrate the Loaf Mass, the Feast of Lugh. The sun is high, the days are long and hot. The wheat is golden, ready to be cut. And we reflect on the coming harvest of all that we have done.
Decorations: Sickles, scythes, garden vegetables, corn dollies, grain, grapes, vines, poppies, dried grains, summer flowers.
Candles: Yellow and gold to represent the Sun.
Food: Early harvest foods, especially those grown in your area.
Grain products, corn on the cob, grapes, plums. Sometimes the early apples are available for Lammas. If so, be sure to include them.