As we approach the sacred time of Lammas on August 1st, I wanted to take a moment to share with you the significance of this ancient festival and how we can celebrate and honor it in a meaningful way. Lammas, also known as Lughnasadh, is a time to express gratitude for the bountiful harvest and pay homage to Ceres, the beloved goddess of agriculture, grain crops, fertility, and motherly love.

Ceres, or Demeter in Greek mythology, is renowned for her generosity in bestowing upon humanity the precious gift of the harvest. The word "cereal" even finds its roots in her name, a testament to her importance in our agricultural history. She taught us the art of cultivating the land, preserving, and preparing grains and corn, ensuring the fertility of the earth. Whenever something was deemed "fit for Ceres," it was considered splendid and worthy of a goddess's favor.

Lammas carries within it the essence of death and rebirth, a universal theme that accompanies all aspects of growth. This season symbolizes the sacrificial union of the Goddess and God, where the Cord King, infused with life by the Goddess's love, transforms into the bread and ale that sustains us. In the Celtic Wheel of the Year, the God imbues the grain with his life force and authority, only to surrender his life as the corn is harvested.

To celebrate Lammas and honor Ceres, here are some beautiful ways to embrace the spirit of this occasion:

Create a Lammas Altar | Dedicate a special space in your home or garden to Ceres, adorning it with symbols of agriculture, grains, and fertility. Consider adding offerings of fruits, vegetables, and freshly baked bread as a gesture of gratitude.

Host a Harvest Feast | Gather your loved ones for a delightful Lammas feast, featuring dishes made from the season's abundance. Commemorate the blessings of the harvest together and share stories of gratitude and abundance.

Bake Lammas Bread | Explore the art of baking Lammas bread, a meaningful tradition that connects us with the harvest's essence. As you knead the dough and watch it rise, reflect on the cyclical nature of life and growth.

Craft Corn Dollies | Embrace the tradition of crafting corn dollies, symbols of the Corn King's sacrifice. Engage in this creative process and display the dollies as reminder of the harvest's deeper significance.

Meditate on the Cycle of Life | Take time for introspection and meditation, contemplating the cycles of life, death, and rebirth that permeate our existence. Connect with nature and the changing seasons.

Perform a Ritual of Gratitude | Consider conducting a ritual to express your gratitude to Ceres for the harvest and the abundance in your life. Acknowledge the interconnectedness between humanity and the earth.

God of Grain Ritual

The following ritual can be done in solitude, with a friend, or as part of a collective gathering. Gather your loaf of bread and corn doll. If circumstances permit, build a fire. If you can't have a fire, create an altar with a candle at the center to represent the fire element.

The person leading the ritual says: 

"It is the time of the harvest once again,

Life, growth, death and rebirth,

all have come full circle.

The god of the harvest has died once more,

That we may eat and consume him, 

Giving us strength in the months to come.

The god of grain is dying,

vegetation returns to the earth.

We call upon the gods of harvest, 

asking them for their blessings.

Tammuz and Lugh,

Adonis, Dumizi,

Cernunnos and Attis,

Mercury, Osiris.

You are born each year;

and live in our fields

and are sacrificed as part of the cycle."

Harness the energy by walking the perimeter around your fire three times, building speed each time (move counterclockwise, against the pattern of the sun, because it's the end of the harvest season). Approaching the fire one at a time, cast your doll into the fire. You can say out loud what your sacrifice will be this year, or speak it only to yourself and the gods.

When everyone has made their sacrifice, hold up the loaf of Lammas bread, with everyone touching it or touching someone who is touching the bread. Say:

"Months ago, we planted seeds,

and through the summer watched them grow.

We have tended the fields in our lives,

and are now blessed with abundance.

The harvest has arrived!

Thank you, lord of the harvest,

for the gifts yet to come.

We eat this bread, grain transformed by fire, in your name,

and honor your for your sacrifice."

Remember, this ritual can be adapted to suit your personal beliefs and practice. Whether you perform it alone or with others, may the God of Grain bless you with abundance and enrich your connection to the cycles of life.

Lammas is a time of deep reverence for the earth's gifts and the interconnectedness of all life. As we celebrate this sacred occasion, let us pay homage to Ceres and express our gratitude for the sustenance she provides. May this season be filled with love, abundance, and blessings.