Tonight December 22 marks the darkest, shortest night of the
year known as the Winter Solstice and celebrated by pagans
as the sabbat Yule.
At twilight tonight there was a stillness and a peace
as I walked home. The dark hour earlier than all
evenings before was beginning. Now each day will get a
little longer as the sun increases little by little bringing
the rebirth of light into the world.
This is a magickal time to celebrate the light as well as
themes of release, endings, rebirth, renewal, hope,
and new intentions, as we head soon into a new calendar year.
You can simply stand in the darkness of this night and then
light a candle to symbolize the sunlight returning to Earth.
You can release what you need to now from this old year
and set intentions for this new year to come. Reflect on
what things you would like to rebirth and renew in your life.
What ways can you connect to the light more each day as the
days grow longer now? What are you hopeful for this new
year?
Enjoy the peaceful energy the Winter Solstice brings. This
is a quieter time of year while nature is dormant. We can take
advantage of this Winter season for deeper introspection, prayer,
and meditation.
May you all have a Blessed, Bright Yule and Winter Solstice!
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
November Full Moon in Taurus
Blessings of the Full Moon in Taurus November 10, 2011. This has been called the Frost, Snow, Hunter's, and Beaver Moon.
To the Celts this was the first moon on their Wheel of the Year. This November full moon was called the Mourning Moon. This was a time to let go of bad habits, old baggage, and anything else negative in one's life that needed to be released from the previous year. This made room for the new year and new beginnings. This time of year is also the beginning of the modern pagan Wheel of the Year.
You can use this Full Moon energy to do the same as the Celts. Use this full moon energy to release and let go all negativity. Take a relaxing, purifying bath. Light a candle and honor the endings and completions in your life right now. Do a releasing ritual.
You can also contemplate this new beginning of the Wheel of the Year under the full moon light as the season of Winter begins to stir. The days keep growing darker and colder. Soon snow will begin to fall and we enter a season of quiet, introspection.
This full moon is in the astrological sign Taurus. Taurus is a fixed Earth sign. This is a good full moon to spend time connecting to the Earth and getting grounded for the Winter season. Get your home ready with all the comforts of the cold season to come. Feel your natural rhythms and take a walk in nature. Look at your current finances and how you are bringing in an income with this practical earth energy. Review your goals and plans for the month ahead.
Taurus makes this a very creative and sensual full moon as well. Commit to new creative projects. Enjoy the sensuality of life that Taurus connects us too such as a delicious meal, time connecting with your partner, light candles and burn incense, listen to sensual and relaxing music, or take a bath with lovely smelling salts and oils. Connect to your creative, earthy, sensual Goddess self on this Taurus Full Moon. Think of ways you can you nurture yourself more right now each day.
Full Moon Blessings!
To the Celts this was the first moon on their Wheel of the Year. This November full moon was called the Mourning Moon. This was a time to let go of bad habits, old baggage, and anything else negative in one's life that needed to be released from the previous year. This made room for the new year and new beginnings. This time of year is also the beginning of the modern pagan Wheel of the Year.
You can use this Full Moon energy to do the same as the Celts. Use this full moon energy to release and let go all negativity. Take a relaxing, purifying bath. Light a candle and honor the endings and completions in your life right now. Do a releasing ritual.
You can also contemplate this new beginning of the Wheel of the Year under the full moon light as the season of Winter begins to stir. The days keep growing darker and colder. Soon snow will begin to fall and we enter a season of quiet, introspection.
This full moon is in the astrological sign Taurus. Taurus is a fixed Earth sign. This is a good full moon to spend time connecting to the Earth and getting grounded for the Winter season. Get your home ready with all the comforts of the cold season to come. Feel your natural rhythms and take a walk in nature. Look at your current finances and how you are bringing in an income with this practical earth energy. Review your goals and plans for the month ahead.
Taurus makes this a very creative and sensual full moon as well. Commit to new creative projects. Enjoy the sensuality of life that Taurus connects us too such as a delicious meal, time connecting with your partner, light candles and burn incense, listen to sensual and relaxing music, or take a bath with lovely smelling salts and oils. Connect to your creative, earthy, sensual Goddess self on this Taurus Full Moon. Think of ways you can you nurture yourself more right now each day.
Full Moon Blessings!
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Samhain Blessings...Wheel of the Year Begins Again....
Yesterday, October 31, was Samhain which marks the
end of the Wheel of the Year and was also the Celtic New Year.
It is the last Sabbat in modern pagan traditions of 8 yearly
Sabbats.
Samhain is a day to honor the dead and one's ancestors.
The veil between the living and dead was believed to be the
thinnest by the Celts who first celebrated Samhain.
This is also a time to reflect on death and endings as the
year grows dark and the harvest has ended as we prepare
for a new beginning of the seasonal cycles.
The Wheel of the Year Turns and begins again today
on November 1. Now we enter a time when
the days grow darker and colder until the darkest night of the
year on the Winter Solstice and the pagan sabbat Yule
December 21. This is offically Winter. After this day
the days slowly grow lighter and the light returns symbolizing
rebirth after death.
This year I am celebrating Samhain as the beginning of
my seasonal cycle year. This time of the year always feels
more like a beginning than January 1 on our calendar does to me.
I took the time yesterday to reflect on endings, death, my
ancestors, and all I am releasing and letting go. This includes
habits, thoughts, relationships, things, and projects, that no longer
serve me to make space for this new cycle of the Wheel of the
Year.
I am also using this time for new beginnings including
restarting this blog after a long break. I will be writing about
the 8 Sabbats and New and Full Moon cycles monthly
as well as aspects of the Goddess, seasons, nature, ritual,
magick, and astrology.
I am also taking this time from now until the Winter Solstice
on December 21 for deeper introspection including
meditation, connecting in ritual with the Goddess and the
Goddess within myself, getting back into a yoga practice,
journaling, dream work, working with intuition,
doing creative projects, and making more time in my schedule
for being in quiet self reflection and connection.
On the Winter Solstice I intend to be renewed and rebirthed
in some way from this time.
How about you? What way can you celebrate this
new year cycle on the Wheel? What are you releasing,
ending, and letting go? What way can you add more time
for quiet introspection to your life during this cold dark time
of the year before the rebirth of warm light and sun at Yule?
What new beginningsare happening in your life?
What new ideas, habits, dreams, and projects would you like to start?
Samhain Blessings!
end of the Wheel of the Year and was also the Celtic New Year.
It is the last Sabbat in modern pagan traditions of 8 yearly
Sabbats.
Samhain is a day to honor the dead and one's ancestors.
The veil between the living and dead was believed to be the
thinnest by the Celts who first celebrated Samhain.
This is also a time to reflect on death and endings as the
year grows dark and the harvest has ended as we prepare
for a new beginning of the seasonal cycles.
The Wheel of the Year Turns and begins again today
on November 1. Now we enter a time when
the days grow darker and colder until the darkest night of the
year on the Winter Solstice and the pagan sabbat Yule
December 21. This is offically Winter. After this day
the days slowly grow lighter and the light returns symbolizing
rebirth after death.
This year I am celebrating Samhain as the beginning of
my seasonal cycle year. This time of the year always feels
more like a beginning than January 1 on our calendar does to me.
I took the time yesterday to reflect on endings, death, my
ancestors, and all I am releasing and letting go. This includes
habits, thoughts, relationships, things, and projects, that no longer
serve me to make space for this new cycle of the Wheel of the
Year.
I am also using this time for new beginnings including
restarting this blog after a long break. I will be writing about
the 8 Sabbats and New and Full Moon cycles monthly
as well as aspects of the Goddess, seasons, nature, ritual,
magick, and astrology.
I am also taking this time from now until the Winter Solstice
on December 21 for deeper introspection including
meditation, connecting in ritual with the Goddess and the
Goddess within myself, getting back into a yoga practice,
journaling, dream work, working with intuition,
doing creative projects, and making more time in my schedule
for being in quiet self reflection and connection.
On the Winter Solstice I intend to be renewed and rebirthed
in some way from this time.
How about you? What way can you celebrate this
new year cycle on the Wheel? What are you releasing,
ending, and letting go? What way can you add more time
for quiet introspection to your life during this cold dark time
of the year before the rebirth of warm light and sun at Yule?
What new beginningsare happening in your life?
What new ideas, habits, dreams, and projects would you like to start?
Samhain Blessings!
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Celebrating the Winter Solstice and Yule
The whisperings of Winter have grown louder as the
days since the Autumn Equinox have become darker,
shorter, and colder. In some colder areas snow has
already blanketed the earth preparing for her long
Winter slumber with the hibernating animals and the
bare trees like black patterns against the pale white sky.
December 21st marks the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere
and the beginning of the Winter season officially on the Wheel of the Year.
This is the shortest and darkest day of the whole year.
For many thousands of years people from all over the world have
celebrated this day in some way with ceremony and ritual. For ancient
cultures the Winter Solstice meant the possibility that the sunlight
and warmer seasons may not return, if they did not in some way honor
and welcome the sun back by holding a vigil or a celebration.
Since after the Winter Solstice, the darkest day of the year, the days
begin to grow lighter, longer, and warmer until the Spring Equinox,
for agricultural people this mean they could again plant and grow
crops in the Spring after surviving the dark, cold Winter when food
supplies grew short. For them the possibility of not surviving the
Winter season was very real and a time of fear. Having the sunlight
return after the solstice was a life saving blessing in their beliefs.
The Wheel of the Year would continue to turn and the seasons would
change and grow warm enough to grow food for another year.
Today the Winter Solstice is still celebrated in many cultures.
Modern day pagans celebrate the Winter Solstice as the holiday
Yule which is influenced by Celtic and Germanic pagan traditions
relating the the Winter Solstice.
Yule celebrates the sun's rebirth and the return of light from
darkness. It is a celebration of hope, renewal, and light. It is also
a great time for introspection and planning for the future and the
new year.
Candles and Yule Logs are lit and the sun is encouraged to
return as the darkness of the old year ends and the light of
the new year begins. Some celebrate by keeping a vigil on the eve
of the Winter Solstice and watch for the sun to rise and return.
You can celebrate the Winter Solstice and Yule in many ways
such as these above. Here are some other ideas you can do to simply
honor the change in season and the sun's return.
*Greet the sun at sunrise on the morning after the Winter Solstice.
*Light a candle on Winter Solstice Eve and pray for the sun to return and
be reborn.
* Spend some time reflecting what you would like to let go of and release
from the old year's darkness and what you would like to move forward
with and begin in the new sunlight and year ahead.
*Reflect on the theme of renewal and rebirth in your life in the
new year.
*Have a celebration ritual or dinner to honor the returning sun.
*Work in ritual and connect with Sun Goddesses and/or Gods.
* Decorate your home and altar with symbols of the Winter Solstice
such as the sun, evergreens, and the Yule log
*Exchange small Yule gifts with friends and family that offer warmth
and love especially handmade and earth friendly.
* Enjoy a deep meditation on the Winter Solstice and the still,
peaceful, introspective energy it brings.
May you have a blessed and joyful Yule and Winter Solstice!
days since the Autumn Equinox have become darker,
shorter, and colder. In some colder areas snow has
already blanketed the earth preparing for her long
Winter slumber with the hibernating animals and the
bare trees like black patterns against the pale white sky.
December 21st marks the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere
and the beginning of the Winter season officially on the Wheel of the Year.
This is the shortest and darkest day of the whole year.
For many thousands of years people from all over the world have
celebrated this day in some way with ceremony and ritual. For ancient
cultures the Winter Solstice meant the possibility that the sunlight
and warmer seasons may not return, if they did not in some way honor
and welcome the sun back by holding a vigil or a celebration.
Since after the Winter Solstice, the darkest day of the year, the days
begin to grow lighter, longer, and warmer until the Spring Equinox,
for agricultural people this mean they could again plant and grow
crops in the Spring after surviving the dark, cold Winter when food
supplies grew short. For them the possibility of not surviving the
Winter season was very real and a time of fear. Having the sunlight
return after the solstice was a life saving blessing in their beliefs.
The Wheel of the Year would continue to turn and the seasons would
change and grow warm enough to grow food for another year.
Today the Winter Solstice is still celebrated in many cultures.
Modern day pagans celebrate the Winter Solstice as the holiday
Yule which is influenced by Celtic and Germanic pagan traditions
relating the the Winter Solstice.
Yule celebrates the sun's rebirth and the return of light from
darkness. It is a celebration of hope, renewal, and light. It is also
a great time for introspection and planning for the future and the
new year.
Candles and Yule Logs are lit and the sun is encouraged to
return as the darkness of the old year ends and the light of
the new year begins. Some celebrate by keeping a vigil on the eve
of the Winter Solstice and watch for the sun to rise and return.
You can celebrate the Winter Solstice and Yule in many ways
such as these above. Here are some other ideas you can do to simply
honor the change in season and the sun's return.
*Greet the sun at sunrise on the morning after the Winter Solstice.
*Light a candle on Winter Solstice Eve and pray for the sun to return and
be reborn.
* Spend some time reflecting what you would like to let go of and release
from the old year's darkness and what you would like to move forward
with and begin in the new sunlight and year ahead.
*Reflect on the theme of renewal and rebirth in your life in the
new year.
*Have a celebration ritual or dinner to honor the returning sun.
*Work in ritual and connect with Sun Goddesses and/or Gods.
* Decorate your home and altar with symbols of the Winter Solstice
such as the sun, evergreens, and the Yule log
*Exchange small Yule gifts with friends and family that offer warmth
and love especially handmade and earth friendly.
* Enjoy a deep meditation on the Winter Solstice and the still,
peaceful, introspective energy it brings.
May you have a blessed and joyful Yule and Winter Solstice!
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Happy Halloween and Samhain Blessings!
The Autumn leaves are changing color
and transforming into a sensual palette
of fire orange, red, gold, and yellow. They
fall off the tree branches to the ground
withering and dying off as the Wheel of the
Year turns. The dried leaves crunch
beneath our feet as we walk in the crisp
breezes of darkening October. They give
off a sweet, musky, damp earth scent along
with the seasonal aroma of wood burning fires
and spiced apple cider.
The last of the years harvest of pumpkins, squash,
and apples are abundant and fill our homes with
delicious tastes in our baking, food, and hot
drinks.
October and Autumn is abundant and alive in all
our senses filling us with life before death and the
entering darkness of the Winters chill and barren land.
On October 31 in the United States we celebrate
Halloween which has its origins in the Celtic pagan
tradition Samhain. This celebrated the Summers End
and to the ancient Celts this marked the last day
of the year and the beginning of the new year.
This was believed to be a day when the Otherworld
and the veil between this world was thinnest. You
could connect and honor your ancestors and also
protect yourself from negative spirits by wearing
masks and costumes.
The Irish brought the traditions of what we now
know as the current holiday Halloween over
to the United States. During Halloween we embrace
death as part of life and also face fears real or
imagined. We dress up in costume and carve
Jack O'Lanterns to light our way home and
scare away negative spirits. We dance with
the night of spirits and tell ghost stories
in candlelight. We visit bat filled haunted houses
with witches on brooms with black cats flying above.
It is a really fun, magical, scary celebration for
children and adults.
Modern pagans also celebrate Samhain on October
31st. This celebrates and honors our ancestors
and loved ones who have passed on. This can be
as simple as lighting a candle for them on this
night or creating a dinner leaving an empty chair
in honor of them. Some create ancestor altars
with photos and offerings to loved ones and ancestors
who have died.
Since the veil between the spirit world and the living
is believed to be thinnest this is also a great time
to talk to those who have passed on to the spirit
world and ask for guidance.
Since this is also the Celtic new year it is
also a good time to reflect on the blessings
received this year as well as what has ended,
died, or has been let go and released and what
new beginnings, projects, dreams, goals you
would like to start.
Samhain honors and celebrates the cycle of death
and life as the seasons cycle.
The Earth is going soon into a Winter slumber
when the leaves have all fallen and nothing
grows until Spring. The snow will begin to
blanket the land and we move into the darkest
more introspective time of year. How will you
spend this holiday and this coming season?
May you have a very Happy Halloween
and Blessed Samhain!
and transforming into a sensual palette
of fire orange, red, gold, and yellow. They
fall off the tree branches to the ground
withering and dying off as the Wheel of the
Year turns. The dried leaves crunch
beneath our feet as we walk in the crisp
breezes of darkening October. They give
off a sweet, musky, damp earth scent along
with the seasonal aroma of wood burning fires
and spiced apple cider.
The last of the years harvest of pumpkins, squash,
and apples are abundant and fill our homes with
delicious tastes in our baking, food, and hot
drinks.
October and Autumn is abundant and alive in all
our senses filling us with life before death and the
entering darkness of the Winters chill and barren land.
On October 31 in the United States we celebrate
Halloween which has its origins in the Celtic pagan
tradition Samhain. This celebrated the Summers End
and to the ancient Celts this marked the last day
of the year and the beginning of the new year.
This was believed to be a day when the Otherworld
and the veil between this world was thinnest. You
could connect and honor your ancestors and also
protect yourself from negative spirits by wearing
masks and costumes.
The Irish brought the traditions of what we now
know as the current holiday Halloween over
to the United States. During Halloween we embrace
death as part of life and also face fears real or
imagined. We dress up in costume and carve
Jack O'Lanterns to light our way home and
scare away negative spirits. We dance with
the night of spirits and tell ghost stories
in candlelight. We visit bat filled haunted houses
with witches on brooms with black cats flying above.
It is a really fun, magical, scary celebration for
children and adults.
Modern pagans also celebrate Samhain on October
31st. This celebrates and honors our ancestors
and loved ones who have passed on. This can be
as simple as lighting a candle for them on this
night or creating a dinner leaving an empty chair
in honor of them. Some create ancestor altars
with photos and offerings to loved ones and ancestors
who have died.
Since the veil between the spirit world and the living
is believed to be thinnest this is also a great time
to talk to those who have passed on to the spirit
world and ask for guidance.
Since this is also the Celtic new year it is
also a good time to reflect on the blessings
received this year as well as what has ended,
died, or has been let go and released and what
new beginnings, projects, dreams, goals you
would like to start.
Samhain honors and celebrates the cycle of death
and life as the seasons cycle.
The Earth is going soon into a Winter slumber
when the leaves have all fallen and nothing
grows until Spring. The snow will begin to
blanket the land and we move into the darkest
more introspective time of year. How will you
spend this holiday and this coming season?
May you have a very Happy Halloween
and Blessed Samhain!
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Happy Autumn Equinox and Mabon Blessings
The Autumn Equinox began officially last night and also the
Full Moon for September. What a wonderful magical couple of days
full of bright, full, balanced, and thankful energy.
The full moon is a time for releasing as well as completion of
goals made on the new moon. What do you need to release and
let go from the Summer season for this new season of Autumn?
What goals and projects have you completed? What goals and
projects do you still wish to work on and complete this Fall?
The Autumn Equinox also marks the pagan Thanksgiving of
Mabon. A time to reflect on what one has harvested this year
with gratitude and a celebratory feast and ritual.
You can also simply cook or bake something fresh from the
harvested fruits and vegetables of the Fall season and enjoy
the tastes and scents of the harvest. Light a candle and say a
blessing over your food and reflect on gratitude for the earth
and the Goddess for your meal.
This is also a great time to reflect on all that you are thankful
for this year and all that you have harvested. You can also write
letters of gratitude to those in your life who have helped and supported
you.
The equinoxes are also a time to reflect on balance with the day
filled with equal light and dark. How are you in balance right now?
What balance do you need more of and how can you create that in
your life right now?
Autumn is a beautiful season to connect with the changing colors
of nature and the wonderful harvests of fruits and vegetables.
The days begin to grow darker each day and we can slow down
and go more within during this introspective time of year.
It is a great time to start new projects and goals as well as learning
new things in the back to school spirit. It is also a very creative season
so let your creativity be expressed and get inspired. Think about what
ways you would like to celebrate this Fall season.
Abundant Autumn and Mabon Blessings!
Full Moon for September. What a wonderful magical couple of days
full of bright, full, balanced, and thankful energy.
The full moon is a time for releasing as well as completion of
goals made on the new moon. What do you need to release and
let go from the Summer season for this new season of Autumn?
What goals and projects have you completed? What goals and
projects do you still wish to work on and complete this Fall?
The Autumn Equinox also marks the pagan Thanksgiving of
Mabon. A time to reflect on what one has harvested this year
with gratitude and a celebratory feast and ritual.
You can also simply cook or bake something fresh from the
harvested fruits and vegetables of the Fall season and enjoy
the tastes and scents of the harvest. Light a candle and say a
blessing over your food and reflect on gratitude for the earth
and the Goddess for your meal.
This is also a great time to reflect on all that you are thankful
for this year and all that you have harvested. You can also write
letters of gratitude to those in your life who have helped and supported
you.
The equinoxes are also a time to reflect on balance with the day
filled with equal light and dark. How are you in balance right now?
What balance do you need more of and how can you create that in
your life right now?
Autumn is a beautiful season to connect with the changing colors
of nature and the wonderful harvests of fruits and vegetables.
The days begin to grow darker each day and we can slow down
and go more within during this introspective time of year.
It is a great time to start new projects and goals as well as learning
new things in the back to school spirit. It is also a very creative season
so let your creativity be expressed and get inspired. Think about what
ways you would like to celebrate this Fall season.
Abundant Autumn and Mabon Blessings!
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Abundant Bright Lammas Lughnasadh Blessings!
Today August 1 is the pagan sabbat Lammas also called Lughnasadh named after the Celtic Sun God Lugh whose name means "bright shining one". This is the first of three pagan harvest celebrations of the year and one of the cross quarter sabbats on the Wheel of the Year.
Lammas celebrates the first harvest of grains, fruits and vegetables of the year. This sabbat was celebrated in the ancient agricultural pagan cultures of Ireland, Great Britain, and Europe. The rituals included prayer for future success of the crops harvest and gratitude and blessings for the first crops that were grown and harvested from the seeds sown.
Today especially if we live in cities we can be very removed from the farming and harvesting of our own food. We also have food grown year round and transported to us during Winter months. There is no fear that there will be no food to last all Winter.
For ancient agricultural people this was a serious matter. An abundant harvest would sustain them or they could face the possibility starvation as they headed into the Winter season. Having an abundant harvest was something to feel very blessed and thankful to the Gods and Goddesses that they worshipped. It meant being able to eat and sustain life from the food grown. Some years the harvest was more abundant than others. The leaner harvest times must have been very difficult years.
This is a great time to slow down and feel gratitude for what Mother Earth has grown for us to eat. If you live in a city you can even go to your local Farmer's Market and eat the locally grown farmed food as you support your local farmer's and their livelihood. You can do this in the country to. Make yourself a celebratory Lammas meal for the First Harvest and invite family and friends to share. Reconnect to earth and how she sustains us and nourishes us. Remember to give a meal blessing and gratitude to the Goddess for her harvest.
This is a also great time to eat corn and blackberries that are abundant right now. You can bake bread or conbread to celebrate or a blackberry pie. You can also make preserves from fruit that is abundant now.
This year I am spending some time during Lammas visiting family where I grew up in the Fingerlakes region of New York State. It has been lovely to see the abundant corn crops and enjoy sweet locally grown corn. I also enjoyed some time at a nearby pristine lake and picked a few abundant blackberries. Later I will light a candle in simple reflection and ritual of this First Havest and say a blessing of gratitude to the Goddess on this Lammas.
Lammas is also a time for reflection on what seeds we have sown and reaped this year. It is also a time to reflect on regrets of what has not come to fruition this year that we had hoped for. We can say farewell to that which we are also letting go for the year that no longer serves us or what we have lost. We can also renew goals and dreams in new ways to harvest at Mabon the Autumn Equinox September 23. So revise and revamp those goals, dreams, and wishes that do not seem to be harvesting an abundant crop for you metaphorically this year now. What can you do such as water them more or replant them or are there other seeds to plant?
If there is something you have enjoyed this year and would like to preserve in a memory write it down in a journal, make a piece of art to honor it, print a photo of the event to hang on your wall, or anything that preserves the sweet memory of the experience for you.
Remember also what you have to be thankful for and express your gratitude to the Goddess and the Earth
The days are starting to be shorter and less light. They begin now to hint of Autumn to come in September. This is a great time of year to enjoy the last month of the calendar year of Summer and prepare for Autumn and the Back to School and Work season after Labor Day. Lammas starts August off with a good time for reflection, gratitude, farewell, and renewal.
Have an abundant, bright, and blessed Lammas!
Lammas celebrates the first harvest of grains, fruits and vegetables of the year. This sabbat was celebrated in the ancient agricultural pagan cultures of Ireland, Great Britain, and Europe. The rituals included prayer for future success of the crops harvest and gratitude and blessings for the first crops that were grown and harvested from the seeds sown.
Today especially if we live in cities we can be very removed from the farming and harvesting of our own food. We also have food grown year round and transported to us during Winter months. There is no fear that there will be no food to last all Winter.
For ancient agricultural people this was a serious matter. An abundant harvest would sustain them or they could face the possibility starvation as they headed into the Winter season. Having an abundant harvest was something to feel very blessed and thankful to the Gods and Goddesses that they worshipped. It meant being able to eat and sustain life from the food grown. Some years the harvest was more abundant than others. The leaner harvest times must have been very difficult years.
This is a great time to slow down and feel gratitude for what Mother Earth has grown for us to eat. If you live in a city you can even go to your local Farmer's Market and eat the locally grown farmed food as you support your local farmer's and their livelihood. You can do this in the country to. Make yourself a celebratory Lammas meal for the First Harvest and invite family and friends to share. Reconnect to earth and how she sustains us and nourishes us. Remember to give a meal blessing and gratitude to the Goddess for her harvest.
This is a also great time to eat corn and blackberries that are abundant right now. You can bake bread or conbread to celebrate or a blackberry pie. You can also make preserves from fruit that is abundant now.
This year I am spending some time during Lammas visiting family where I grew up in the Fingerlakes region of New York State. It has been lovely to see the abundant corn crops and enjoy sweet locally grown corn. I also enjoyed some time at a nearby pristine lake and picked a few abundant blackberries. Later I will light a candle in simple reflection and ritual of this First Havest and say a blessing of gratitude to the Goddess on this Lammas.
Lammas is also a time for reflection on what seeds we have sown and reaped this year. It is also a time to reflect on regrets of what has not come to fruition this year that we had hoped for. We can say farewell to that which we are also letting go for the year that no longer serves us or what we have lost. We can also renew goals and dreams in new ways to harvest at Mabon the Autumn Equinox September 23. So revise and revamp those goals, dreams, and wishes that do not seem to be harvesting an abundant crop for you metaphorically this year now. What can you do such as water them more or replant them or are there other seeds to plant?
If there is something you have enjoyed this year and would like to preserve in a memory write it down in a journal, make a piece of art to honor it, print a photo of the event to hang on your wall, or anything that preserves the sweet memory of the experience for you.
Remember also what you have to be thankful for and express your gratitude to the Goddess and the Earth
The days are starting to be shorter and less light. They begin now to hint of Autumn to come in September. This is a great time of year to enjoy the last month of the calendar year of Summer and prepare for Autumn and the Back to School and Work season after Labor Day. Lammas starts August off with a good time for reflection, gratitude, farewell, and renewal.
Have an abundant, bright, and blessed Lammas!
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