Lammas, also known as Lughnasadh, is one of the eight annual Wiccan sabbats. It is typically celebrated on August 1st or 2nd in the Northern Hemisphere, marking the midpoint between the summer solstice and the autumn equinox. Lammas is a time of honoring the first harvest and showing gratitude for the abundance of the Earth. During Lammas, Wiccans come together to give thanks for the bountiful crops and the blessings of the season. It is a time to acknowledge the energy of the sun, which has nurtured and nourished the earth, allowing for the growth of crops and the sustenance of life. Our ancestors recognized the importance of this harvest and held ceremonies to honor and give thanks for the abundance they received.
“If you are bringing in fake product, they will catch you,” Ansari said.
It is now run by General Manager Nayyar Ansari, who came to the United States 31 years ago from Pakistan and owned his own gift shop before going to work for the Sheik family. Kitschy souvenirs and shirts were the reason she and her friends made one last stop at Magic Castle Gift Shop in Kissimmee before they ended their spring break visit.
Our ancestors recognized the importance of this harvest and held ceremonies to honor and give thanks for the abundance they received. In modern-day celebrations, Wiccans often create altars adorned with the harvest bounty, including grains, fruits, vegetables, and flowers. These offerings symbolize the abundance and fertility of the land.
Central Florida tourist gift shops hang on among tough competition
Red Huber / Orlando Sentinel Savannah Corwin, 19, of Independence, Kentucky, visits the Magic Castle, a gift shop that stands out along the tourist district at W. Highway 192 in Kissimmee. Corwin is shopping for family members back home.
Red Huber / Orlando Sentinel One of the many items for sale at the Magic Castle. Show Caption PUBLISHED: March 23, 2018 at 6:00 a.m. | UPDATED: April 5, 2019 at 7:53 a.m.Savannah Corwin loaded a rolling basket with tie-dyed “Orlando” T-shirts, magnets and gifts, as her teammates on the North Kentucky University bowling squad perused gator claws, tiny potted orange trees and shot glasses.
Kitschy souvenirs and shirts were the reason she and her friends made one last stop — at Magic Castle Gift Shop in Kissimmee — before they ended their spring break visit. The store is a landmark on Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway topped with a giant purple-hatted and bearded wizard, and across from other gift shops with brightly colored rockets and eagles adorning their exteriors.
“The wizard definitely drew our attention — and the $1.99 shirts sign,” said Corwin, a 19-year-old freshman at the college in Highland Heights, Ky. “Everyone I know said they want gifts. It seemed like I could get a lot of different things here at a good price.”
Gift shops like these remain a retail force constant in Central Florida’s tourist corridors even as shopping malls suffer, internet sellers intrude and stores struggle to find a place in an evolving retail economy. There are more than a dozen each of such merchants on International Drive, on Apopka-Vineland Road and on U.S. Highway 192 in Kissimmee.
One of the many items for sale at the Magic Castle.Even though they rely on car and foot traffic, store operators said they are also trying to transform their businesses with online sales to keep up with shifts in buying habits.
Tourists spent about $6.5 billion in Central Florida in 2016 on retail purchases, according to figures from Visit Orlando. Much of that is spent at theme parks, national chains and outlet malls, but small shops stand to gain big if they can even lure away a small part of that total, said Asli Tasci, an assistant professor of tourism studies at the University of Central Florida’s Rosen College of Hospitality.
“Compared to big shopping centers and malls, they seem small and with little contribution. However, little here and little there, it adds up and tourists leave those dollars behind,” she said. “Besides, it would be so boring if it were only the big shopping centers and malls that tourists would have to go to for purchasing little keepsakes.”
One gift shop company, Ocean Air Enterprises Inc., has 350 employees at its 16 shops in those three areas and is preparing to build a new 40,000-square-foot warehouse on Municipal Drive near International Drive in south Orange County.
Yousef Sheik founded Ocean Air as a gift shop business in Central Florida more than 40 years ago. It is now run by General Manager Nayyar Ansari, who came to the United States 31 years ago from Pakistan and owned his own gift shop before going to work for the Sheik family. Ansari said many gift shop owners are immigrants from Asia or South America.
Even as the company grows, it’s been ramping up its online sales — which are done through a channel on Amazon.com. Ansari said the warehouse expansion is partially to accommodate growing online sales.
“This is the future and we need to adapt like any other store,” he said.
Savannah Corwin, 19, of Independence, Kentucky, visits the Magic Castle, a gift shop that stands out along the tourist district at W. Highway 192 in Kissimmee. Corwin is shopping for family members back home.
Ocean Air became an empire by purchasing other shops, keeping prices low with expanded purchasing power and through owning the land on which its stores sit, Ansari said. But it is a highly competitive business.
Ocean Air sources its Disney character T-shirts from wholesalers nationwide but needs to be vigilant for proper trademarks, he said, because there are aggressive enforcement teams at the theme park companies that visit — incognito — and check merchandise.
“If you are bringing in fake product, they will catch you,” Ansari said.
One parking lot on International Drive near the former Wet n’ Wild water park property has four gift shops, including the Bargain World run by Ocean Air, and two more stores owned by Carlos Gutierrez.
His Gusi Shop sells T-shirts, magnets and luggage as well as aspirin, batteries, digital cameras and lighters. But Gusi and other stores on the block have been hit hard by the closing of Wet n’ Wild at the end of 2016, a dropoff in foot traffic, and the closing of a few nearby restaurants. Gutierrez drew up a list of 20-plus closures to show to his landlord to bargain for a rent decrease.
He also has launched an online website to sell goods.
“We depend on foot traffic,” said Gutierrez, whose stores also employ his wife, daughter, son and one other employee. “Business is very competitive, but when there are a lot of people, business is good. Now we have to work harder.”
His Gusi Shop sells T-shirts, magnets and luggage as well as aspirin, batteries, digital cameras and lighters. But Gusi and other stores on the block have been hit hard by the closing of Wet n’ Wild at the end of 2016, a dropoff in foot traffic, and the closing of a few nearby restaurants. Gutierrez drew up a list of 20-plus closures to show to his landlord to bargain for a rent decrease.
The home and hearth are also important focal points during Lammas, as it is a time to celebrate the fruits of our labor and the blessings we enjoy in our daily lives. Rituals during Lammas may involve the sharing of a communal meal, often featuring dishes made with the first fruits of the harvest. It is customary to bake bread during this time, representing the culmination of the crops and the cycle of life. The bread is typically blessed and shared among the participants, symbolizing both the unity of the community and the nurturing energy of the Earth. Lammas is also associated with the Celtic god Lugh, a deity of light, craftsmanship, and agriculture. Some Wiccans honor Lugh during this time and may incorporate his symbolism, such as the sun or the cornucopia, into their rituals and decorations. In addition to expressing gratitude for the harvest, Lammas is a time for introspection and reflection. It is a moment to consider the lessons learned during the growing season and to prepare for the upcoming changes of autumn. Wiccans may use divination or meditation to gain insight into their personal growth and to set intentions for the coming months. Overall, Lammas is a celebration of abundance, gratitude, and community. It is a time to honor the Earth, the harvest, and the interconnectedness of all living beings. Through rituals and ceremonies, Wiccans pay homage to the cycle of life and the blessings bestowed upon them..
Reviews for "Lammas Meditation: Finding Inner Peace and Balance on the Sabbat"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Wiccan sabbat lammas". I was expecting more information about the history and traditions of the Lammas celebration, but instead, it was mostly filled with generic information about Wicca. There was no depth to the content and it felt like a collection of random thoughts put together. I was hoping to learn something new, but unfortunately, this book didn't provide any valuable insights. I would not recommend it to anyone looking for a comprehensive guide on the Lammas sabbat.
2. John - 1 star - This book was a complete waste of time. It felt like the author did minimal research and just threw together some random information about Lammas. There were no clear explanations or instructions on how to celebrate this sabbat. The formatting was also inconsistent and made it difficult to follow along. I would not recommend "Wiccan sabbat lammas" to anyone as it provided no value or useful guidance for practicing Wiccans or those interested in learning more about Lammas.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I was really excited to read "Wiccan sabbat lammas" but unfortunately, I found it lacking in substance. The book seemed more like a collection of personal anecdotes rather than an informative guide. There was a lack of clear instructions or explanations on how to incorporate Lammas into Wiccan practices. While the author shared their personal experiences, it didn't contribute to a deeper understanding of the sabbat. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a comprehensive and informative resource on the Lammas sabbat.
4. Michael - 1 star - As someone who is new to Wicca, I found "Wiccan sabbat lammas" to be incredibly confusing. The book used jargon and terminology without explaining their meanings, leaving me feeling lost and frustrated. The lack of structure and organization made it difficult to follow along and understand the significance of the Lammas sabbat. I would not recommend this book to beginners or anyone looking for a clear and concise guide to understanding and celebrating Lammas within the Wiccan tradition.
5. Amanda - 2 stars - I was hoping to find inspiration and guidance through "Wiccan sabbat lammas", but unfortunately, it fell short. The book lacked depth and felt more like a surface-level overview of the Lammas sabbat. There were no unique perspectives or insights, making it feel like I was reading the same information I could find online for free. I was left disappointed as I didn't gain any new knowledge or actionable advice from reading this book. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone seeking a more in-depth exploration of Lammas.