In ancient times, pagans used to celebrate a holiday called Lsmmas. It was a time of great significance in their calendar, marking the midpoint between the summer solstice and the autumn equinox. Lsmmas was celebrated in various ways by different pagan communities, but it generally involved rituals and festivities to honor the harvest and the changing of the seasons. During this holiday, pagans would gather to give thanks for the crops that had been harvested and to pray for a bountiful autumn. It was seen as a time of balance and reflection, as the days began to shorten and the nights grew longer. Lsmmas was a time to acknowledge the cyclical nature of life and to pay tribute to the earth's abundance.
Questions to ask yourself on Lammas:
While we watch what grows and thrives and ebbs and fades right where we are, a baby sea turtle is cradled in the gentle hands of a volunteer as it remembers how to follow the moon. Her joy atop a mass of confusion will help others learn to trust the dirt, befriend the pain, know its watery depths and in them find power to rise from the black hole.
Lsmmas was a time to acknowledge the cyclical nature of life and to pay tribute to the earth's abundance. One common practice during Lsmmas was the making of corn dollies. These were intricate figures woven from wheat stalks and other grains, representing fertility and the harvest.
The Wiccan Calendar: Lammas / Lughnasadh
When is Lammas: August 1 or 2
Lammas pronunciation: LAH-mahs
Themes: first fruits, harvest, gratitude, benevolent sacrifice, utilizing skills and talents
Also known as: Lughnasadh, Lughnasa, August Eve, Feast of Bread, Harvest Home, Gŵyl Awst, First Harvest
Lammas is one of the four “Greater Sabbats,” making it one of the most important days on the Wiccan Wheel of the Year. It is the cross-quarter day between the Summer Solstice and the Autumn Equinox, and it marks the beginning of the harvest season. Though it’s often the hottest part of the Summer, this is also the moment when the first hints of Autumn are perceptible—the first grains are ready to be harvested, the trees begin dropping their fruits, and the ever-shortening daylight becomes more apparent with each sunset. At this time we give thanks for the abundance of the past growing season and look forward to the remaining weeks of light and warmth as we continue reaping what we have sown.
Wiccan mythology holds that the God’s power begins to wane at this time, as the days grow shorter and the crops are ready to be cut down. In some traditions, the Sun God actually infuses the grain with his power, and so is sacrificed, in a sense, when the grain is harvested. This grain is then used to bake the first bread from the year’s crop, which in earlier times would then be taken to a church and laid on the altar to be blessed. This custom is a good example of how pagan religions and Christianity were able to coexist and even commingle for a time. The name “Lammas” actually comes from this tradition, taken from an old Anglo-Saxon phrase meaning “loaf mass.”
Lammas rituals are related to harvest and gratitude, and recognizing the manifestations of our intentions that have unfolded so far during the course of the year. Bread-making is a common way to mark the holiday, as it represents bringing the seeds of intention into full fruition. People also might make a corn dolly—a traditional poppet made from straw—for use in ritual and magic. Decorate your altar with the colors of summer and fall—yellow, orange, red, green and brown. Use harvest imagery like scythes and baskets and, of course, loaves of bread. A Lammas feast should definitely involve bread, as well as late-summer fruits and vegetables, corn, and other grain dishes. Spellwork related to securing abundance and a happy home is particularly powerful at this time.
Another name for Lammas is Lughnasa, after the ancient Celtic festival celebrated on this date. Lughnasa honors the god Lugh, who is associated with the Sun (his name translates roughly as “shining one”) as well as many skills and talents, including building, smithcraft, poetry and magic. Irish legend has it that the festival originated with Lugh himself, when he held a funeral feast and sporting competition to honor his foster mother, Tailtiu. She had died from exhaustion after clearing the plains of Ireland so the people could grow crops. Lugh was also a great warrior, and many Pagan groups celebrate this holiday with competitive games in addition to harvest-related festivities. Wiccans and other Pagans who follow Celtic traditions may focus their celebrations on giving thanks for their skills and talents as well as for the grain harvest, but the emphasis is on gratitude all the same.
The corn dollies were often placed in the fields or hung in homes as a form of protection and good luck for the coming months. Lsmmas was also a time for feasting and merriment. Pagan communities would come together to enjoy the fruits of their labor, sharing meals and celebrating with music and dance. It was a time to appreciate the abundance of the earth and to strengthen community bonds. Over time, as Christianity spread across Europe, Lsmmas became associated with the Christian holiday of Lammas or "Loaf Mass". The focus shifted from pagan rituals to Christian worship, but elements of the old pagan traditions remained. Lammas continued to be a time of giving thanks for the harvest and acknowledging the changing seasons. Today, Lsmmas is not widely celebrated in its original pagan form. However, the themes of gratitude, abundance, and the changing of the seasons still resonate with many people. The modern world may have changed, but the connection between humans and the natural cycles of the earth remains as important as ever..
Reviews for "Lsmmas Rituals and Ceremonies: Stepping into the Pagan World"
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3. Samantha Johnson - 1 star - I found "Lsmmas pagan holiday" to be a complete bore. The plot was predictable, and the characters lacked depth. The writing style was dry and lacked the captivating prose that keeps readers engaged. I struggled to stay interested in the story, and even when I finished it, I felt no connection or satisfaction. This book was a letdown, and I would not recommend it to anyone looking for an exciting and well-written read.