Lammas is more than a quaint tradition, it’s a living, breathing moment in the Wheel of the Year that connects us with the pulse of the planet and the ancestral wisdom of those who came before. It reminds us that life is a series of sowings and reapings, and that even in abundance, we must prepare for change.
As July turns to August and the summer sun begins its slow descent toward autumn, many pagans and nature-based spiritual practitioners turn their attention to Lammas, an ancient festival of gratitude, harvest, and sacred transition. Also known by its Celtic name Lughnasadh, Lammas is one of the eight sabbats of the Wheel of the Year and marks the first of three annual harvest festivals, followed by Mabon and Samhain.
This is a time of abundance, but also of sacrifice, reflection, and preparation for the darker half of the year.
What Is Lammas?
Lammas, celebrated traditionally on August 1st, honors the first grain harvest. The name comes from the Old English hlāfmæsse, meaning “loaf mass.” In Anglo-Saxon England, it was customary to bake bread from the first wheat and bring it to church as an offering as a symbolic act of giving thanks for the bounty of the land.
The festival has agricultural roots, celebrating the cutting of the first sheaves of grain, the ripening of fruit, and the gathering of early vegetables. It’s a moment of joy and fullness, but also one tinged with the awareness that the sun is waning, and colder days lie ahead.
Lughnasadh and the Celtic God Lugh
In Celtic tradition, particularly among the Irish, this time of year was known as Lughnasadh, a festival held in honor of the god Lugh, a solar deity and warrior associated with skills, craftsmanship, and light.
According to legend, Lugh established the festival to commemorate his foster mother Tailtiu, a goddess of the land who died from exhaustion after clearing the fields for agriculture. Ancient Lughnasadh was often celebrated with games, contests, trading fairs, and ritual battles, many of which reflected the struggle of light versus darkness, life versus death.
Some regions even held trial marriages during this time, where couples could join in union for a year and a day, with the option to part ways after the term if desired.
Spiritual Themes of Lammas
Lammas carries several key spiritual messages. It’s a time to give thanks for what has been sown and is now being reaped, both literally and metaphorically. And as grain is harvested and life is cut down to feed others, Lammas invites us to reflect on what we must release or give of ourselves to ensure future growth. The cutting of the grain also mirrors the inner shifts that come with seasonal change. The brightness of summer begins to dim, ushering us inward.
Lammas is also the time to store and plan wisely, we need preparation for the leaner months.
Modern Pagan Practices
Today, many Wiccans, Druids, and eclectic pagans celebrate Lammas in ways both traditional and personal. Here are some common modern ways to celebrate:
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Baking Bread: One of the most popular customs is baking homemade bread using harvested grains or locally-sourced ingredients. The loaf becomes a sacred offering, sometimes placed on an altar or broken and shared in a ritual meal.
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Decorating Altars: Lammas altars are often adorned with wheat stalks, sunflowers, corn, apples, and gold or amber-colored candles. Symbols of the harvest, such as scythes or sickles, may also be included.
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Feasting: Sharing a meal with family or your spiritual community, especially one made from fresh produce, is a cherished tradition.
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Offering to Nature: Many leave portions of their harvest or bread outdoors as an offering to spirits of the land or the ancestors.
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Journaling and Goal Review: Lammas is a good time to reflect on the intentions you planted earlier in the year. What’s come to fruition? What needs letting go?
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Crafting Corn Dollies: These symbolic figures made from straw represent the spirit of the harvest and are often kept until next year's planting.
Lammas in Modern Times
Even for those who don’t live by the rhythm of an agricultural calendar, Lammas invites us to pause, look around, and consider: what am I harvesting in my life? What efforts are bearing fruit? What must I let go of so that something new can begin?
In a fast-paced, digital world, the sabbat of Lammas brings us back to the earth, to cycles of growth, reaping, and rest. Whether you celebrate with a loaf of homemade bread, a candlelit reflection, or simply a moment of gratitude, Lammas offers a space for soulful grounding.
So as the sun begins to mellow and the fields turn golden, take a moment to honor the harvest, within and without.
Blessed Be!
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