Lammas
Lammas (lam-us) is the first of three harvest festivals along with Lughnasadh (loo-nah-sah) which are both celebrated on August 1st in the Northern Hemisphere and February 1st in the Southern Hemisphere. Lughnasa is Irish Gaelic and means “the nasad (games or an assembly) of Lugh,” the Celtic God. Modern spelling in Ireland is Lunasa which translates to August. Lammas was celebrated in England and meaning loaf mass. We know that this was the start of the harvest but we have little knowledge of the customs and traditions that were practiced.
During this time the wheat was harvested, ground and baked into loaves of bread. Any hints at the practices of Lughnasa come from folklore. Like other Celtic festivals, celebrations took place on a hilltop or near a well. In many cultures, bread holds deep significance as a tribute to ancestors who cultivated their own grains and baked bread for sustenance.
Sometimes, a specific kind of bread, like Bannock or hoecake, is designated, or the loaf may be intricately braided or shaped. Certain customs dictate that the loaf must be prepared outdoors over a ritual fire, infused with energy and intention. The Lammas loaf can then serve as an offering to ancestors and deities or be used as a charm.
Lammas is associated with abundance, gratitude, and success. In ancient times, people would craft corn dolls from the first sheaves of grain, symbolizing the spirit of the harvest. These dolls would be kept until the following year’s planting season, ensuring a bountiful crop. Common symbols of Lammas include wheat, corn, bread, and sunflowers, all representing the harvest and the cycle of life.
Lammas is a reminder of the interconnectedness of all things and the importance of honoring the earth’s cycles. It encourages gratitude for the abundance provided by nature and fosters a sense of community through shared celebrations and rituals.
Correspondences
NH: August 1st SH: Feburary 1st
Colors: Brown, Gold, Green, Red, Yellow
Decor: Bread, Cauldrons, Corn Dolls, Gourd, Scythe, Sunflowers, Wheat Stalks
Animals: Calves, Crows, Lambs, Mice, Pigs, Rooster, Salmon
Ritual: Abundance, Change, Cleansing, Harvest, Prosperity, Protection, Renewal, Transformation
Herbs: Alder, Ash, Basil, Calendula, Chamomile, Clover, Daisy, Fennel, Frankincense, Goldenrod, Hazel, Heather, Honeysuckle, Hops, Ivy, Marigold, Oak, Poppy, Reed, Rosemary, Sunflower, Vervain, Vine, Yarrow
Crystals: Amber, Carnelian, Citrine, Green Aventurine, Malachite, Moss Agate, Obsidian, Peridot, Rutilated Quartz, Tigers Eye
Ways to Celebrate
Make a corn doll
Bake bread
Gather fruit and veggies
Decorate your altar
Spend time in nature
Give offerings for your ancestors
Spells for abundance, success, and renewal
