As autumn approaches, Acomplia the first harvest comes upon us and the bread-baking season begins. For the festival of Lughnasadh, the first of three “harvest” holidays before midwinter, it is good to bake a special bread to share with friends at those picnics that are stolen while the weather’s still good. This yeast bread, incorporating a heavy mixture of two kinds of flour and peanut butter and topped with sesame seeds, is sure to be a great treat for early autumn.

Ingredients:

•2 cups whole wheat flour

•2 cups bread flour, plus more if needed

•¼ cup toasted sesame seeds

•2 tbsp active dry yeast

•2½ tsp salt

•2 cups milk, scalded

•3 tbsp smooth peanut butter

•3 tbsp honey

Directions:

Mix all the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Add the peanut butter and the honey to the hot milk and stir to combine. Cool milk mix until it reaches 115ºF. Stir milk mix into flour mix. Knead for 15 minutes, adding more flour if necessary to make a smooth, elastic dough. Oil the dough’s surface, then cover with plastic or a damp towel. Let it rise in a warm spot until double. Punch down, then shape into 2 rectangle loaves or one large wreath. Let rise again until doubled. Bake at 375ºF until golden; it should make a hollow sound when tapped.

Yield: 1 large or 2 regular loaves

Source: Paraphrased from Stern, The Fairy Party Book

Use for: Lughnasadh

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Originally posted 2010-07-29 07:46:15. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Once upon a Lammas Night

When corn rigs are bonny,

Beneath the Moon’s unclouded light,

I held awhile to Annie…

Although in the heat of a Mid-western summer it might be difficult to discern, the festival of Lammas (Aug 1st) marks the end of summer and the beginning of fall. The days now grow visibly shorter and by the time we’ve reached autumn’s end (Oct 31st), we will have run the gamut of temperature from the heat of August to the cold and (sometimes) snow of November. And in the midst of it, a perfect Mid-western autumn.

The history of Lammas is as convoluted as all the rest of the old folk holidays. It is of course a cross-quarter day, one of the four High Holidays or Greater Sabbats of Witchcraft, occurring 1/4 of a year after Beltane. It’s true astrological point is 15 degrees Leo, which occurs at 1:18 am CDT, Aug 6th this year (1988), but tradition has set August 1st as the day Lammas is typically celebrated. The celebration proper would begin on sundown of the previous evening, our July 31st, since the Celts reckon their days from sundown to sundown.

However, British Witches often refer to the astrological date of Aug 6th as Old Lammas, and folklorists call it Lammas O.S. (‘Old Style’). This date has long been considered a ‘power point’ of the Zodiac, and is symbolized by the Lion, one of the ‘tetramorph’ figures found on the Tarot cards, the World and the Wheel of Fortune (the other three figures being the Bull, the Eagle, and the Spirit). Astrologers know these four figures as the symbols of the four ‘fixed’ signs of the Zodiac, and these naturally align with the four Great Sabbats of Witchcraft. Christians have adopted the same iconography to represent the four gospel-writers.

‘Lammas’ was the medieval Christian name for the holiday and it means ‘loaf-mass’, for this was the day on which loaves of bread were baked from the first grain harvest and laid on the church altars as offerings. It was a day representative of ‘first fruits’ and early harvest.

In Irish Gaelic, the feast was referred to as ‘Lugnasadh’, a feast to commemorate the funeral games of the Irish sun-god Lugh. However, there is some confusion on this point. Although at first glance, it may seem that we are celebrating the death of the Lugh, the god of light does not really die (mythically) until the autumnal equinox. And indeed, if we read the Irish myths closer, we discover that it is not Lugh’s death that is being celebrated, but the funeral games which Lugh hosted to commemorate the death of his foster-mother, Taillte. That is why the Lugnasadh celebrations in Ireland are often called the ‘Tailltean Games’.

The time went by with careless heed

Between the late and early,

With small persuasion she agreed

To see me through the barley…

One common feature of the Games were the ‘Tailltean marriages, a rather informal marriage that lasted for only ‘a year and a day’ or until next Lammas. At that time, the couple could decide to continue the arrangement if it pleased them, or to stand back to back and walk away from one another, thus bringing the Tailltean marriage to a formal close. Such trial marriages (obviously related to the Wiccan ‘Handfasting’) were quite common even into the 1500′s, although it was something one ‘didn’t bother the parish priest about’. Indeed, such ceremonies were usually solemnized by a poet, bard or shanachie (or, it may be guessed, by a priest or priestess of the Old Religion).

Lammastide was also the traditional time of year for craft festivals. The medieval guilds would create elaborate displays of their wares, decorating their shops and themselves in bright colors and ribbons, marching in parades, and performing strange, ceremonial plays and dances for the entranced onlookers. The atmosphere must have been quite similar to our modern-day Renaissance Festivals, such as the one celebrated in near-by Bonner Springs, Kansas, each fall.

A ceremonial highlight of such festivals was the ‘Catherine wheel’. Although the Roman Church moved St. Catherine’s feast day all around the calender with bewildering frequency, it’s most popular date was Lammas. (They also kept trying to expel this much-loved saint from the ranks of the blessed because she was mythical rather than historical, and because her worship gave rise to the heretical sect known as the Cathari.) At any rate, a large wagon wheel was taken to the top of a near-by hill, covered with tar, set aflame, and ceremoniously rolled down the hill. Some mythologists see in this ritual the remnants of a Pagan rite symbolizing the end of summer, the flaming disk representing the sun-god in his decline. And just as the sun king has now reached the autumn of his years, his rival or dark self has just reached puberty.

Many commentators have bewailed the fact that traditional Gardnerian and Alexandrian Books of Shadows say very little about the holiday of Lammas, stating only that poles should be ridden and a circle dance performed. This seems strange, for Lammas is a holiday of rich mythic and cultural associations, providing endless resources for liturgical celebration.

Corn rigs and barley rigs,

Corn rigs are bonny!

I’ll not forget that happy night

Among the rigs with Annie!

[Verse quotations by Robert Burns, as handed down through several Books of Shadows.] by Mike Nichols

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Originally posted 2011-08-01 09:44:46. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Provided is a Reaping blessing suitable for Lughnasadh in the original Gaelic and in English.

Léighidh mi mo chorran sios,
‘S an dias biadhchar fo mo ghlac

Togam suas mo shiul an aird
Tionndam air mo shail gu grad,

Deiseil mar thriallas a’ ghrian
Bho ‘n airde ‘n ear gu ruig an iar,

Bho ‘n airde tuath le gluasadh reidh,
Gu fior chré na h-airde deas

Or in English modern

I will let my sickle down,
While the fruitful ear is in my grasp,

I will raise mine eye upwards
I will turn me on my heel quickly,

Rightways as travels the sun
From the airt of the east to the west

From the airt of the north with motion calm
To the very core of the airt of the south.

*airt [ɛət (Scot) ert], airth [ɛəθ (Scot) erθ]

n

(Earth Sciences / Physical Geography) Scot a direction or point of the compass, esp the direction of the wind; quarter; region

[from Scots Gaelic aird point of the compass, height]

Carmichael, Alexander Carmina Gadelica : Hymns and Incantations (1992)

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Originally posted 2010-07-30 07:07:36. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Most of my pagan friends will tell you that me and gardening is not a true match in fact a pagan friend of mine (someone who is now running their own coven) was told that I had spent weeks designing my garden to which he replied why did it take him so long to draw a square and write concrete ‘LOL’.

I always lived in London and gardening was a luxury but since I move out in to the middle of the country I have wanted improve my pagan practices with getting back to ground roots pagan life I could not cope with the “good life” (tv version) of going totally self sufficient but I did want to be able to grow a few herbs for spell and potions and some fruit over the last few years I have not had much success (explains the concrete comment), I have had the dog dig them up, slugs and caterpillars eat them and the frost kill them and the few bit that have survived have been never in time for any ritual or rite.

But this year I have managed to grow stuff that will be ready for the 1^st august it not much I have 1 melon a few raspberries a few black currents and 4 or five broad bean come on don’t laugh I know it not much.

This will be the first year that I will be able to perform a harvest ritual where the harvest will be a physical act, will be able to decorate my altar with something that I have grown and harvested on the day.

As I sit and write my ritual for the 1^st August I am so aware that the physical act of the harvest plays such an important of the day, in previous years my harvest was the things that I was successful at I would metaphorically harvest them and use them as seed to grow more successful. Which in its own way lead me to the understanding that my spiritual needs where becoming less important that working daily life part of the reason I moved to the country. I started to realise that I had become caught up in the city and was losing my connection to nature so about 10 or so years ago I decide that I need to be in Dorset or should buy without a prescription I say the lady herself sent signs that I need to be in Dorset so I moved to Bournemouth which was much like the city and although I had the sea to connect with it still was not quite right, it was only when I move to where I am at present did everything full in to place.

Everything we do in that end up harvested sometimes we receive a bounty other times we end up with something that is rotten and spoilt but no matter what we receive we must accept our part in it creation and accept our responsibilities fairly and with understanding.

I hope that by reading this that you will think of the things you have harvested and work into your ritual something that will help you gain a stronger connection to the life the divine has provided you.

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Originally posted 2010-07-29 16:32:24. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

An often forgotten ritual but has a great importance in modern witchcraft since much of modern neopagan witchcraft has stemmed from Wicca. Many of the traditions and practices have been adapted to suit the new and emerging paths and although much emphasis still remains with the goddess that God aspect that has emerged much more than a consult.

Although Wicca considers the duality of the divine duty equal power still lies with the high priestess and often overlooked ritual is the drawing down of the sun. This is a ritual, done by the high priest, although I have heard of high priestess is performing the ritual with some fascinating results to say the least.

The drawing down the Sun ritual can be found inside the covers of the witches Bible by Janet and Stewart Farrar below is a selection of text and the ritual from this book.

Since Wicca is a goddess orientated religion, laying particular stress on the gift of the goddess (intuitive and psychic facilities) because of the nature of its work. The complimentary process of invoking the spirit of the guard into the high priest occurs less often. The high priest does invoke the God aspect on the half of the whole Coven, during the opening ritual by means of the great God Cernunnos invocation; and in the

Imbolc, spring Equinox. Midsummer, autumn Equinox, Samhain and Yule Festival rites, their high priestess invokes the spirit of the god into the high priest either specifically or by implication. But we have found that there are occasions when it is fitting that this invocation should have a weight and solemnity comparable with the drawing down of the moon. For example, there are times when the work in hand calls for an emphasis on balance of polarity between priestess and priest-on their gift of the goddess and the gift of the God in perfect harmony.

For those who have felt the need for such a rite. We offer the following-for which drawings down the sun seemed the natural title. Doreen Valiente thinks that there may once have been a ritual for this purpose in the craft, but it has been lost over the years.

Because the high priestess, representing the goddess is always in charge of the circle, we suggest that drawing down the moon should always precede drawing down the time the high priest then invokes the God aspect in the name of the goddess.

The preparation.

No particular preparation is needed for this ritual-except that the covenant possesses is a high priest crown, he should be wearing it.

The ritual

At the end of drawing down the moon after the high priestess words, “. Here, I charge you in this sign “, the high priestess and high priest change places, moving deosil , so that he stands with his back to the altar and she faces him from the centre of the circle.

The high priest picks up his Athame from the altar and holds it His right-hand over his left breast points upwards.

The high priestess gives him a five-fold kiss, as follows:

Blessed it be thy feet that have brought thee in these ways – kissing his right foot and then they’re left.

Blessed be thy knees that shall kneel at the sacred altar – kissing his right knee and then a left foot.

Blessed be thy phallus with out which we would not be – kissing him just above the pubic hair.

The high priest spread his arms to be the blessed position, still holding his Athame in his right-hand point upwards.

The high priestess continues,

blessed be thy breast, formed in strength-kissing his right breast, then the left will stop.

Blessed be thy lips that shall utter the sacred names. They embrace, length for length, and with feet touching and kiss each other on the mouth.

The high priestess steps back, a pace and kneels s. She invokes:

Deep calls on high, the goddess on the God,

On him who is the flame that quickens her;

That he and she may seize the silver reins

And ride as one the twin horse chariots.

Let the hammer strike the anvil,

Let the lightening touch earth,

Let the lance ensoul the Grail,

Let the magic come to birth,

She touches with the right forefinger is throats left in hip right breast left breast right hip, and throat again (thus forming their invoking pentagram of fire). She then spread their hands outwards, palms forward. Meanwhile, she continues to invoke;

In her name. Do I invoke thee,

Mighty father of us all-

Lugh Pan, Belin, Herne, Cernunnos-

Come in answer to my call!

Descend; I pray thee, in thy servant and priest.

The high priestess stands and takes a step backwards. The high priest makes the invoking pentagram of fire towards her with his Athame, saying. Let there be light!

Click to enlarge direction from which to draw pentagrams

Originally posted 2011-05-12 15:10:04. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

The Wheel of the year is basically a calendar of the 8 festivals called Sabbats celebrated by Wiccan’s and some other pagan paths. The wheel looks like a cartwheel with 8 spokes marking the sections of the year. The wheel is in 2 sections the first is the Quarters know as “the lesser Sabbats” or “quarter days”, these quarters mark the movement of the sun through the year with the vertical spokes marking the solstices and the horizontal spokes marking the equinoxes

The second section represents the cross quarters “cross-quarter days,” “fire festivals,” or “Greater Sabbats”, these are a mix of Gaelic and Germanic festival but basically or from my understanding the cross quarters are the cycles of life and death.

The truth be told the Wiccan Wheel of the Year as been made up and in fact at the very starting of Wicca only the Cross quarters where celebrated online pharmacy without prescription it was the Bricket Wood Coven that added the quarter days basically because the wanted more meeting They did this while Gerald Gardner was away although he did not object to the additions as this brought Wicca closer to Gardner’s Long time friend Ross Nichols’s Neo druidism groups the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids.

Although this Wheel has no historical value in terms of reclaiming the Craft it is a valued addition to Wicca and in other pagan paths.

For me the wheel is a great source of meditation, understanding of life and death, a reminder of the cycles in life and most important reason of them all 8 reasons to party and celebrate the divine source. But the Wheel is more than that the symbology of the circle and it relation to the sun and moon a reminder that the wheel is eternal it has no beginning and no end.

The solar aspect of the wheel relates to the God forms of the Oak and Holly kings, twin gods sharing or battling for control The Oak King will rule the light Half of the year he is born at the winter solstice and begins his rule in spring and dies in autumn to be reborn again at the winter solstice.

Whilst the Holly King rules the dark half of the year he will take control at the death of his twin and will rule until the re-birthed Oak Kings is strong enough to control and then will step down and withdraw.

Although there are version of this story that state that the 2 twin are fighting for the favour of the goddess, I see the Holly King as a wise and caring father figure Protecting and helping his brothers and the earth he is a reminder that The God form is eternal, While the Oak king is a reminder of how fragile life is we are born grow die and are reborn with all that that entails.

The Luna Aspects of the wheel, which relate to the goddess aspect are easier to identify the wheel turns as the moon turns with midwinter being the new moon the vernal equinox the first quarter Midsummer the full moon the autumnal equinox the last quarter and back to the new moon

Now for the eight spokes each of the spokes relate to a different festival in ancient times these festivals where used to mark agricultural events such as planting and harvesting and storing food as well as the solar events of the solstices and equinoxes.

Since different pagan paths and Wiccan groups and individuals have different names and rituals on these date their no correct formula to the festivals in fact the festivals change depending on what hemisphere your in.

If we take a quick look at the festivals and how I see them I will cover them in greater detail in the future.

For me the wheel starts a Samhain (Sowain) the Celtic New Year and the Festival of the dead a time to remember friends family past and present. But it a reminder to me that at the start of any thing you will face hardship and you will need support, it also a reminder that in time passed this would be a harvest your last one for a long while and what you have will have to last if you did have enough to last you through the winter you could die. I celebrate this time by having a feast where guest bring some raw food and a meal is created from the food gathered, silly games are played and everyone has fun customers are often worn.

The Next spoke is Yule the winter solstice this to be is about the rebirth of the god and the potential that is still hidden. Since Christmas is around this time I combine the both I send Yule Cards to friends. I have my own Yule tradition that Mix the Christmas feel for the Children in my life I buy tiny presents from the pound shop wrap them up and hang them from the tree, these are what I call tree presents they are gift from the tree.

The Next is Imbolc this signifies the beginning of spring it a time of new beginnings and the beginning of planting this is about preparing the food for the year to come. I use Imbolc to plan what I am going to do in the coming year. Traditional I would find a daffodil and just meditate on the story of Persephone.

The next is the Vernal Equinox or Ostara for me this is a time for fertility rites and the creation a time of change this is also the time that the Goddess and god are reunited as lovers. This is the time where I would work closely with my partner on intimate rituals to strengthen our love and relationship.

Beltane is next this is a fire festival and has great focus on masculine energy and Sex although there are many May day rituals that are still preformed today the may pole is one of the most know, For me beltaine is a time for sacrifice and surrender it is a time for me to accept what I need to give up to achieve what I planed to achieve at Imbolc. This would be the time when I would choose to walk through the woods charging myself with the potency of the God.

Now we are at Litha or Mid Summer the point where the Goddess is swollen which the fruits of the earth the God are at his Full potential, for me it’s a time to Enjoy and celebrate a day where theirs nothing to do everything is in balance and as it should be. It for me a day where I just enjoy the goddess and god.

Then we have Lammas the first harvest it’s a time when I would go in to the garden and pick my fruits and veg I would normally prepare a meal with what has been gathered and share with friends and family. Sharing your hard work is a wonderful of honouring The God and Goddess.

And the final spoke before returning to the new year is the Autumnal equinox the final harvest so back into the garden for the last harvest and clearing the garden ready for next year again I would share this food with family and friends either as food baskets, or as a meal depending on size of harvest.

Although I have not gone into to much detail of the rituals and correspondences I will do this as in later articles.

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Originally posted 2011-01-23 05:39:51. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Although i do not remember where i got all of these chants they have been a part of my book of shadows and i apologise to anyone who name i am not sure of and can not credit you with your inspiring works

Lughnasadh

Rev. Raven Spirit 2002

Waning days

Waving grain

The summer months begin to fade

The horned one walks to the shades

Day of first fruits

You reap what you sow

Is your grain all bland

Or with flavor, you know

Nines months we have nurtured

And cared for our goals

Now we are birthing

Like mother and foal

The seeds we have planted

Watered and helped grow

We now begin harvesting

The seeds we have sown

But the growing is not over

More cycles to pass

So weed your fields

Err it be your ass

Tis a time of great merriment

Games to be played

To honored the ancients

And the wisdom they say

Hail to Fair Tailltiu

For whom the games are named

That tests the skill and knowledge of both me and you

Lughnasadh

Fields of listening, whispering corn

Ripen in the heavy air

Lugh the Golden dancing forth,

Leaves and sheaves in his wild hair.

In perfect circles bow the stalks,

Mark the path where great Lugh walks,

Mark days and seasons, round they go,

As above, so below.

Grainne and Diarmuid meet

Clasping in the heady air,

Loving in the dolmen’s shadow,

Lost deep in her corn-sweet hair.

And his Moon follows her Sun,

Marks the way where she has gone,

Marks how love and life must be,

Each follows his own destiny.

Misty sun and steaming rain

Upon the pregnant, swelling earth.

Drying trees and tiring fields

Await the mystery of birth.

Now, in her ecstatic sleep

Mark she opens, dark and deep.

Mark, the Neolithic tomb

Pulses, like a throbbing womb.

Poppies scarlet on the gold,

Slashing, gory, gaudy red.

Colour brash and petals frail,

Bright life cut down, blown away, dead.

Now he lies down on the fields.

Mark, his life he freely yields

Mark the blood upon the corn

All that dies shall be reborn

All that dies shall be reborn

Lughnasadh

What you sow comes back to thee,

Flower, grain, grass, fruit, and tree,

What you reap be thankful for,

Return a piece and reap some more.

The Lady with her belly full,

The Lord has taken on the bull,

Full of promise… rising hope,

That through the winter we shall cope.

The golden stalks of wheat and corn,

Our hearth and larder do adorn,

Oat and barley from fertile field,

Honored is the gift they yield.

Cakes of Oat,

Ale of Barley,

Bread of Wheat,

Ears of Corn,

To feed the hunger,

To quench the thirst,

From the land,

This harvest first.

What you sow comes back to thee,

Flower, grain, grass, fruit, and tree,

What you reap be thankful for,

Return a piece and reap some more.

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Originally posted 2010-07-30 08:12:22. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Lughnasadh (pronounced loo’nass’ah) 1^st August. Is one of the eight Sabbats that witches, Wiccan’s and neo pagans observe Lughnasadh is originally a Celtic festival held to honour the Celtic god Lugh foster mother “Tailtiu “ who is said to of died of exhaustion after clearing the plains of Ireland for agriculture.

Lughnasadh is technically a funeral feast where patrons would show honour to Tailtiu by feasting and playing games. Since much of pagan life revolved around agriculture Lughnasadh be came the first day of the Harvest season, which would continue, to Samhain.

Since the emergence of Wiccan and the creation of the wheel of the year Lughnasadh as taken its place in modern pagan life and seen less as a funeral feast and more of a harvest festival.

Many neo pagan interchange between Lughnasadh and Lammas with Lammas being a Anglo-Saxon harvest festival also know as hlaefmass, or loaf mass with strong connection to the church and is considered to be a Christian festival.

Some of the traditional events that would, and do take place on Lughnasadh and Lammas is the baking of bread and handfasting and the harvesting of the first fruits. Predominantly wheat, and making corn dollies.

It does amaze me that many books on Wicca and neo pagan practices still describe Lughnasadh and Lammas as the same thing which can get very confusing if your trying to understand what you are celebrating.

The festival that is on the 1^st August has many names including Lammas, Lughnasadh, 1st Harvest, Bread Harvest, Festival of First Fruits, Gŵyl Galan Awst (Welsh) etc. but all share many similarities in mythologies, activities and purpose.

If we can except 3 basic truths

1.      Lughnasadh and Lammas where ancient festivals which where based on the cycles seen in agricultural societies and local mythologies.

2.      That we use the cycles of nature as they would have been and since we live in a not agricultural societies and have lost the basic connection with the land as a source of survival so we use the wheel of the year to mark the points of the year.

3.      The wheel of the year is made up and is basically a calendar of festival followed by many pagan paths.

We can look at the Sabbat with greater understanding.

We have to put ourselves in the mindset of a person who life depends on the land; the crops grown and harvested would be your only source of food and survival and a source for new crops next year. There would be no popping off to the supermarket to stock up; your whole life would be dependent on the elements and Mother Nature herself for survival.

Working for your own survival is very hard work and when your life depends on the growth and life cycle of crops there are small periods of rest bite before large periods of extra hard work this harder periods are the soil prep before planting – the planting itself – the growing and final the harvesting and returning to beginning of the cycle.

It no wonder then that the agricultural societies used local, regional and national Gods and their mythologies to explain and understand their situations if something was going right you would thank one deity if things where going wrong then you would request assistance from another.

As time moves on and societies get closer together through trade or war commonalities would be seen in spiritual practices and as families and communities intersected spiritual practices where combined creating the a local holiday or festival day.

Some of these holidays and festivals where adopted by whole nations and almost standardised in to national days of celebration some of which are still around today such as the 4 cross quarters of the wheel of the year.

For those festivals that are still around –

Samhain, All Hallow’s Eve, Last/Blood Harvest, Ancestor Night, Feast of the Dead, Nos Galan Gaeaf (Welsh)

Candlemas, Imbolc, Oimelc, Brigit, Brigid’s Day, Bride’s Day, Brigantia, Gŵyl y Canhwyllau (Welsh)

Beltane, Beltaine, May Day, Gŵyl Galan Mai (Welsh)

And Lammas, Lughnasadh 1st Harvest, Bread Harvest, Festival of First Fruits, Gŵyl Galan Awst (Welsh)

Most have lost their original meanings as we have move from an agricultural society to a society that is technologically advanced society where everything from food to sex can be order at a click of a mouse. But we do try to keep to the ideals that we are still somehow connect to nature and the land so we celebrate the 1^st harvest which any farmer today will tell you depends on many factors and cant be pinned down to a precise day to start as harvest happen when the fruit or grain is ripe not when the calendar drugs online say it time to harvest.

It does not matter what you call the 1^st August whether that be Lammas, Lughnasadh, 1st Harvest, Bread Harvest, Festival of First Fruits, or even Gŵyl Galan Awst (Welsh) just enjoy the day and feast well and make merry.

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Originally posted 2010-11-28 12:35:35. Republished by Blog Post Promoter