What are you doing for Lammas???

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 10 Jul 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Phoenix	10 Jul 2002
I was just wondering what people here plans on doing for Lammas?? I haven't really done much for the sabbats nfore, so am kinda looking for ideas on what to do??? I plan on having a small feast, but am unsure what do do after that. I also have a few questions. What aspect of the Goddess should I work with, Mother, or Crone?? And what date should I celebrate it, July 31, or August 1?? Thanks guys!

Temperance413	11 Jul 2002
I think that you would be celebrating the Mother aspect of the Goddess, as we are celebrating the harvest, and fruitfulness, but i could be wrong, this is my first Lammas also. I am going to have a traditional ritual, raise some enegy and ask for healing for some specific people, and feast on the harvest of my garden. Bake some bread, that is very traditional for Lammas. I'm a solitary, so it will be pretty mellow. Light some candles, a little meditation.... Sorry, anyone else have any other ideas?

Maan	11 Jul 2002
Hi Pollux, Because for me lammas is about celebrating i'm going to have some friends over and i will cook them dinner! They all know it's my lammas celebration but none of them are wiccan's. Altough one of them is really intrested ;) It just feels like a time to enjoy the thingd mother earth give's us.....like food,friends kindda like the three of cups. Wich i place on my altar during lammas! Love and light Maan

Phoenix	11 Jul 2002
Uhhhh, I'm Phoenix, not Pollux.

Mermaid	12 Jul 2002
Hehe, Candlemass is too far away for me to know what I'm doing yet! Me and my SO will probably have a feast and a bottle of wine on Sabbat eve, outside under the moon if it's warm enough yet (it's a bit of a tradition we've got going). And when I get some time to myself I'll do a wee ritual, probably working mainly with the Goddess as maiden. Phoenix - As far as I'm aware, the four fire festivals (Beltane, Lammas, Candlemass, and Samhain) fall exactly between the relevant Solstice and Equinox. Unfortunately, unlike Solstices and Equinoxes the exact time of the event is unlikely to be printed in the local paper! If the exact time is important to you, there might be somewhere on the net to find out. If it's not, you could just regard the Sabbat as starting on the eve of the 31st, and lasting till the eve of the 1st. So, if you want to have a feast for dinner, have it on the eve of the 31st. But if you want to have a picnic lunch or a ritual in the sunshine, have it on the 1st. It's really up to you what you do on Sabbats. Like I said, I love to feast! If you're solitary, you could also decorate your altar with items that represent the season to you or candles of an appropriate colour, cast a circle and create a small ritual that focuses on the season. For example, Samhain eve is considered a good time to divine, and it is also a traditional time to remember the dead. At Mabon as the trees release their leaves to the wind, your ritual could be to write the things you want to release from your life on a piece of paper, burn the paper and let the autumn wind carry the ashes away. The most important thing about a Sabbat ritual is that you enjoy it, so you can make things as elaborate or as simple as you like! Hope that helps some.

the hermit	12 Jul 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Mermaid Phoenix - As far as I'm aware, the four fire festivals (Beltane, Lammas, Candlemass, and Samhain) fall exactly between the relevant Solstice and Equinox. Unfortunately, unlike Solstices and Equinoxes the exact time of the event is unlikely to be printed in the local paper! If the exact time is important to you, there might be somewhere on the net to find out. If it's not, you could just regard the Sabbat as starting on the eve of the 31st, and lasting till the eve of the 1st. So, if you want to have a feast for dinner, have it on the eve of the 31st. But if you want to have a picnic lunch or a ritual in the sunshine, have it on the 1st. Mermaid is correct Phoenix. Generally, in all of the Northern European pantheons (as well as many other 'ancient' cultures), all celebrations begin on the eve (because they generally measured the day from sundown to sundown). And the harvest festival is generally celebrated beginning with a feast on the eve and then working (finishing the harvest, thrashing, stacking, etc.) with a large meal at noon or early afternoon, then a nice big bonfire started at sundown to complete the celebration. So… dinner on the 31st and picnic on the 1st would be very fitting… and that’s exactly what I do. I'm a solitary myself, but have plans for a dinner with friends--wine, homemade breads, etc. Then early on the morning of the 1st I will harvest herbs from my garden to begin drying and preserving them (I make herbal oils and vinegars for gifts as well as dried for cooking and spells for the winter). I’m planning a trip to the coast later in the morning to see some friends and we’ll be picnicking at the beach. For more ideas there are many books about the pagan celebrations throughout the year. One that I like, and own, is “Eight Sabbats for Witches” by Stewart and Janet Farrar, another is “Wheel of the Year” by Pauline Campanelli.

tigerlily	13 Jul 2002
I'll do a "Würzwisch" (a herb bundle); it's traditionally blessed on Aug 15th at Mary's ascension (?) and goes back to old pagan customs of gathering herbs. In case you're interested, here's a link to some German customs around the year:http://www.gauverband.org/library/article2.html This is the part about the würzwisch: "With harvest time at its peak, the farmers welcome the break of the church celebration of Mariae Himmelfahrt or Grosse Frauentag on August 15 - a holiday in Bavaria. Begun in 813, this is the largest and oldest Catholic celebration held in Mother Mary's honor. On Mariae Himmelfahrt summer is at its peak, and gardens are at their height of beauty. According to old custom medicinal herbs are now at their most potent and are picked and carried to church in large bundles to be blessed. Depending on the area, different herbs are requisite. Years ago, at least 77 different herbs had to be picked before dawn on the Thursday before Mariae Himmelfahrt. Now 7 to 9 different ones are typical. Kraeuterbuschen In the center of the artfully arranged Kraeuterbusch (11erb bouquet) is a golden yellow "Koenigskerze" or "Muttergotteskerze" (king's or Mother of God candle) [this is mullein]. A calendar (kept at the Tegern see Cloister) dating back to the Middle Ages calls for gathering herbs and roots at this time for use by the druggist. The centuries old art of herbal medicine has almost died, because modern times brought chemical treatments. However, today a renewed interest in herbs is underway. A blessed herb bundle is held in highest esteem, because it is endowed with extraordinary healing powers. The herbs are carefully preserved afterwards and put in the Herrgottswinkel (corner shrine in the home), over the door, under the eaves, and in the barn. In the past, if threatening weather seemed imminent, a few herbs were thrown into the fire; and herbs mixed in feed protected the animals against sickness." It was also given to newborn children, laid in the bed of newly married couples and givent to the dead; and it was used to smudge the house and stables on Jan 6 (epiphany). I know that 9 herbs go in a herb bundle: Mullein is in the center; the other eight vary; the most common are chamomille, mugwort, sage, thyme, st. john's wort, lady's bedstraw (galium verum), millefoil and mint.

the hermit	13 Jul 2002
Quote: Originally posted by tigerlily I'll do a "Würzwisch" (a herb bundle); it's traditionally blessed on Aug 15th at Mary's ascension (?) and goes back to old pagan customs of gathering herbs. In case you're interested, here's a link to some German customs around the year: http://www.gauverband.org/library/article2.html tigerlily: Yep, August 15th is the feast of the "Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary" (I was raised catholic, before I became an atheist, then agnostic, then finally a hermit... and a druidic mage :) ) Thanks for sharing a wonderful ritual. That's what I love about pagan beliefs and systems. They really know how to make a day special. And I find it sooooo amusing that so many 'christian' feasts and holidays are complete based on older pagan celebrations that the church couldn't stop the peasants from celebrating, so they try to hide them beneath christian trappings. POWER TO THE PEOPLE! :D

niah	13 Jul 2002
I celebrate it August 1. I'm a solitary, so I just meditate on all the good things related to Lammas. And I do a ritual I created myself. :) :TCHAR

Greenman	15 Jul 2002
this Lammas i'll be doing something a little different. for the past five years we have been gathering and celebrating on a friends ranch about a half an hour from here. however, this year we will be gathering at our magickal garden for a pot luck feast, games of skill, and the ritual raising of another standing stone. the weekend prior to the Sabbat, i and quite a few online friends will be participating in a group fast, from 6:00PM Friday the 26th until 6:00PM Sunday, with a donation to local food banks as part of the plan. i tried to bump the thread regarding this earlier today, but was unable to get access. maybe i'll try again, if anyone here is interested.

PurpleGoddess	19 Jul 2002
thank you all for these wonderful suggestions. being that i live in an apt building and no room for a garden (tried the indoor type, cat likes it too much) so i will be keeping it simple.i'm also a lone practioner...i'll back some cookies or an easy bread for myself on the 31st while meditating on the gifts i have in my life and then try to get a friend to have a picnic w/me at the beach the evening of the 1st. if not i'll go alone w/a bottle of wine and some fresh fruits and vegatables in celebration. peace and light, :TQC :THP :TMP

Starfish	19 Jul 2002
Quote: Originally posted by PurpleGoddess thank you all for these wonderful suggestions. being that i live in an apt building and no room for a garden (tried the indoor type, cat likes it too much) so i will be keeping it simple.i'm also a lone practioner...i'll back some cookies or an easy bread for myself on the 31st while meditating on the gifts i have in my life and then try to get a friend to have a picnic w/me at the beach the evening of the 1st. if not i'll go alone w/a bottle of wine and some fresh fruits and vegatables in celebration. PurpleGoddess, This will be my first one too (I'm also a solitary) :) And I am also thankful for the suggestions in this thread. Blessings - :T4W Starfish

PurpleGoddess	19 Jul 2002
to have a celebration like this...being that it's my first real time outside of the Christain rituals that i'm doing something that has been handed down the generations. i'm excited but nervous...is celebrating the sabats and esbats a good beginning for one new to wicca? this is also helping me focus on the importance of balance in my life to Mother Earth. I try to recycle more and to give thanks for her abundant love at meal times. peace and blessed be's!

Sally Gardens	28 Jul 2002
Last year my 20th reunion for my high school class took place in early August. One of the people in my class had joked about having some kind of "Pagan Harvest Festival prayer ceremony" - or I thought he was joking. :D During my part of the reunion evening I worked his "pagan prayer" thing into my remarks, and invited him up to the podium. He then came up with a little plate with vegetables arranged neatly on it and set it on the podium as his offering, and proceeded to ask that everyone take a moment to remember their blessings and to think of those who had not enjoyed some of the gifts that some of us might take for granted, or something along those lines. It was quite powerful - and TRUST ME, this was NOT from a pagan oriented high school!!! :D It was definitely a memorable moment. Anyway...this year, if my memory does not fail me, I am going to buy some grape juice and some fresh bread before going to work on the morning of the 1st, and offer these as treats to share in the department. There's at least one other Pagan in the department who might appreciate the spiritual significance of the feast; the rest can simply enjoy. ;)

the hermit	28 Jul 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Sally Gardens Last year my 20th reunion for my high school class took place in early August. One of the people in my class had joked about having some kind of "Pagan Harvest Festival prayer ceremony" - or I thought he was joking. :D During my part of the reunion evening I worked his "pagan prayer" thing into my remarks, and invited him up to the podium. He then came up with a little plate with vegetables arranged neatly on it and set it on the podium as his offering, and proceeded to ask that everyone take a moment to remember their blessings and to think of those who had not enjoyed some of the gifts that some of us might take for granted, or something along those lines. It was quite powerful - and TRUST ME, this was NOT from a pagan oriented high school!!! :D It was definitely a memorable moment. Anyway...this year, if my memory does not fail me, I am going to buy some grape juice and some fresh bread before going to work on the morning of the 1st, and offer these as treats to share in the department. There's at least one other Pagan in the department who might appreciate the spiritual significance of the feast; the rest can simply enjoy. ;) Sally: That is definitely a cool Lammas tale. And your idea for this Lammas is nice too, but being the chief cynic from MY high school (having studied greek philosophy before becoming a druidic sage)... be aware that some christian might think you're denigrating the symbolism of his church, because you might appear to be doing exactly what lots of them do to follow christ's words from the last supper... "do this in rememberance of me"

Sally Gardens	28 Jul 2002
Quote: Originally posted by the hermit And your idea for this Lammas is nice too, but being the chief cynic from MY high school (having studied greek philosophy before becoming a druidic sage)... be aware that some christian might think you're denigrating the symbolism of his church, because you might appear to be doing exactly what lots of them do to follow christ's words from the last supper... "do this in rememberance of me" Well, the thought briefly crossed my mind to do a very ceremonial breaking of bread... :D but actually I'm just going to very quietly put it in the usual "sharing of munchies" place and probably have the bread pre-sliced at the bakery. Only those who know the day will find further meaning in it than sharing munchies. And really, our modern sharing of munchies is the true form of what "eucharist" (giving thanks, the communal meal) was all about. The divine infuses the mundane, incarnatus est, and all that jazz. :D

Kiama	30 Jul 2002
For Lammas, I prefer to celebrate it on the 1st of August, around midday, due to the festival's very nature... (But this festival for me really depends on when I think Harvest time is happening each year! If its a late harvest, I'll have a late Lammas) I usually judge when to celebrate Lammas by the blackberries. They are usually ripe for picking around 1st August, so part of my Lammas celebration is blackberry picking. Baking bread is also a thing I like to do, and anything surrounding food, and giving thanks for the harvest. I think this festival is fairly lost to most people though, as we don't live as closely with nature as we used to: Hardly any of us have the Harvest Time on our home farms, and our crops and food supply does not depend on the weather that Summer, like it used to... Lammas really is a festival which shoud be celebrated more, but because we do not get our food this way very much anymore, we tend not to apply as much importance to this festival. :( Kiama

PurpleGoddess	30 Jul 2002
i'll be shopping w/a sister friend for a camping trip and then we'll probably get something to eat. what i've been trying to do on a meal to meal basis is to acknowledge the power of mother earth and the energies that provide us w/our food. the farmers and producers etc. for my first traditional lammas, i hope to bring to the meal a special thanks for my health and the health of friends and family. would love to go to the local farm to pick whatever fruit is ready but i don't think i'll be able to...great idea kiama. keeping it simple so far... blessed be :TQC

Violet Gargoyle	30 Jul 2002
Ceremonial Arts and crafts, that is, one Lammas thing to do is make Corn Dollys, or Straw Men......

Kiama	30 Jul 2002
Just found out that Lammas for me will be celebrated about 2 weeks late, based on the Blackberries! he he.... It is definitely a lae harvest this year in England, cuz the rain's not been as regular, and teh heat was later than usual. (It felt like Midsummer on the 18th/19th July!) So, my Lammas festival will be celebrated on the 14th of August... The day before I get my exam results! Pretty symbolic methinks... (Harvesting the rewards for all that hard work I put in.... Hopefully..) Kiama

The What are you doing for Lammas??? thread was originally posted on 10 Jul 2002 in the Spirituality board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Spirituality, or read more archived threads.