As we meander towards August, we are turning the pages of our year to a particularly juicy chapter, the pinnacle of our seasonal story where our natural world is at its most vibrant. The strawberries are ripe, the peas are bursting from their pods and the first harvest is ready to be gathered.
It’s time to feast.
August 1st, also known as Lammas in the Pagan Wheel of the Year, is traditionally a time for honouring the harvest, celebrating the bounty of the land at this peak point in the season. Even if we are no longer out in the fields gathering crops, we can still appreciate and celebrate the abundance of this time in our own way.
Summer is the permission slip to take a moment to reset and recharge. We have passed the middle point of our year and deserve and need rest. These warmer days and twilight evenings are fleeting, so let’s immerse ourselves in them while they’re here and seek out our own form of peace in the beauty and abundance of this season.
What Is Lammas?
Lammas is a traditional Celtic festival that signals the first harvest of the year, typically celebrated on August 1st. It is a time of gratitude, which offers up the opportunity to give thanks for the abundance of the harvest season and honour the earth’s fertility and bounty at this ripe point in the year.
Lammas, a word derived from Old English meaning “loaf mass,” has roots in early Christian traditions where the first loaves of the season were blessed during mass. Many ancient cultures celebrated the Celtic god, Lugh, on this day, in a festival known as Lughnasad.
In Ireland, the festival is Lughnasadh, in Scotland, it’s Lunasdál, in the Isle of Man, it’s Laa Luanys, and here in Wales, it’s called Gwl Awst – the August Feast.
What does Lammas mean to us now?
One of the magical aspects of Lammas is the concept of the harvest being not just a physical, but also a spiritual transition. It is a time to not only gather the actual crops, but also to gather our own thoughts and reflect on all the good things, both big and small, in our lives.
It’s a natural point in the year to take stock and use the mental space that summer hopefully provides to figure out what we want for the second part of our year.
Lammas is also a time for community and celebration, with feasting, dancing, and rituals that honour the earth and the cycles of nature. It is an invitation to connect with the richness of the land around us and with each other, celebrating the interconnectedness of all living things.
With themes of gratitude, abundance, and connection to the natural world, this is a magical seasonal celebration which really gives us the chance to dial up that summer joy.
So let’s look at some simple ways to celebrate and mark the day…
Simple Ways to Celebrate Lammas
Baking a fresh loaf of bread or baking any seasonal treats made from grains like wheat, barley, or oats is a simple yet meaningful way to weave the old traditions of harvest into our day. If you need some recipe inspiration I found this delicious lammas loaf over on The Simple Things blog.
If baking is not your thing – buy your favourite fresh bread and tear it into four pieces in honour of the seasons ahead.
Try out setting up a small altar or sacred space in a peaceful spot at home, add grains, fruits, and other symbols of the harvest creating a cosy place for reflection and gratitude.
Brewing a soothing herbal tea infused with calming ingredients like chamomile, mint, or lavender can be the perfect way to unwind and relax during this time of seasonal transition.
Gathering loved ones for a meal that highlights the abundance of seasonal fruits and vegetables can be a warm and connecting experience that celebrates the gifts of nature.
Soothing, flickering candlelight or a crackling bonfire can be a simple yet powerful way to honour the warmth and energy of the sun, bringing a sense of peace and space for reflection.
Planting seeds or tending to a garden can be a grounding and fulfilling activity that connects you to the cycle of growth and renewal happening all around us.