Lammas Lughnasadh

circa August 1

Herbs * Stones * Activities * Food

Lammas/Lughnasadh is the first of three harvest Sabbats. Decorate the altar and house with grains such as barley, oats and wheat -- also fruits and veggies. Substitute bread for crescent cakes. The Sun God is waning, but the Goddess is full of abundance. Even as he wanes, he lives on inside her as her child. Begin gathering and drying herbs, flower, grains or seeds for spellworking in the next year. Make magickal oils now with fresh herbs.

Braid onion and garlic charms (same principle as Witches Ladders). Onion is sacred to the sun -- because of its shape, and its dye is a golden amber to burnt apricot (for egg dye at Imbolc or general purposes). When the onion is cut, it reveals the symbolism of the moon. Garlic, too, is sacred to the moon -- the crescent shape of the cloves. It exorcises evil and protects.

A good time for cat magick.

HERBS to use in your magic at Lughnasadh (there's a bunch): goldenrod, peony, nasturtium, clover blossom, yarrow, heliotrope, boneset, vervain, Queen Anne's lace, myrtle, rose, sunflower, poppy, milkweed, Irish moss, mushroom, wheat, corn, rye, oat, barley, rice, garlic, onion, basil, mint, aloe, acacia, meadowsweet, apple leaf, raspberry leaf, strawberry leaf, bilberry leaf, blueberry leaf, mugwort, hops, holly, comfrey, marigold, grape vine, ivy, hazelnut, blackthorn, elder, bee pollen.

STONES: Cat's-eye, citrine, aventurine, golden topaz, obsidian, moss agate, rhodochrosite, clear quartz, marble, slate, granite, lodestone.

ACTIVITIES

Make Willo's Lammas Bread

Make sand candles to honor the Goddess and God of the sea.

Collect rain and storm water for use in spellwork or to empower objects, add dried mugwort and store in glass bottles.

Create and bury a Witches' Bottle.

Make a corn dolly to save for next Imbolc. I should note here that the definition of a corn dollie might be different among some witches. A corn husk doll is perfectly acceptable to some, but others won't use anything but winter wheat (which is harvested this time of year). A general consensus is that one must go with whatever the dominant grain is in your region. For wheat weaving info, go here.

Make a corn wheel.

Have a magickal picnic with libations to the earth of bread and wine.

At this time, witches cast spells for connectedness, career, health, and financial gain. Spells for abundance are completely appropriate now. As the sun is growing weaker, it is a good time to do grounding and sun meditations, then use the golden rays of the sun (gathered during meditation) in spellcasting.

Remember, the corn dolly you make now will be dressed and laid in the bride's bed at Imbolc.

FOOD: Fresh herbs, fruits and veggies. Bake corn bread sticks, collect blackberries and make a pie marked with a solar cross. Sprout wheat to add to homemade bread. Drink cider. Gather berries for use in recipes or wine-making. (Yum). Rose petal wine would be appropriate.

BACK