Lammas, also known as Lughnasadh, is a pagan ritual that falls on August 1st and marks the beginning of the harvest season in many pagan traditions. It is a celebration of the first fruits of the Earth and a time to give thanks for the abundance of the land. The origin of Lammas can be traced back to ancient Celtic traditions, where it was celebrated as a festival honoring the god Lugh, who was associated with the sun and the harvest. It was a time of community gathering, feasting, and offering gratitude for the bountiful crops. During Lammas, pagans typically engage in various rituals and activities to honor the harvest. Some may create elaborate altars adorned with summer fruits, grains, and flowers as offerings to the Earth and the gods.
As well as the fear and the “roiling fury”, he’s left with “a depth and breadth of loss that I had never imagined”. French writes excellently about damage, both physical and mental, and the accommodations that need to be made when life takes a wrong turning. Toby is not the only one with changed horizons; his uncle Hugo has been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, and Toby goes to stay with him in the family pile known as the Ivy House, where as a teenager he spent summers with his cousins Leon and Susanna. Hugo deteriorates while Toby struggles to recover; the house becomes a haven for them both, even if “my own ghost was everywhere … agile and golden and invulnerable”.
Toby is not the only one with changed horizons; his uncle Hugo has been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, and Toby goes to stay with him in the family pile known as the Ivy House, where as a teenager he spent summers with his cousins Leon and Susanna. Indeed, the novel does double duty as a survival manual, packed full of good advice for instance, try not to get wounded, for injury turns you from a giver to a taker.
Some may create elaborate altars adorned with summer fruits, grains, and flowers as offerings to the Earth and the gods. Others may participate in communal harvest ceremonies and processions, often accompanied by music, songs, and dancing. One common ritual during Lammas is the baking of the first loaf of bread made from the newly harvested grain.
THE WITCH ELM
French has earned a reputation for atmospheric and existentially troubling police procedurals. Here, the protagonist is a crime victim rather than a detective. Toby Hennessy is a lucky man. He has a job he enjoys at an art gallery. He has a lovely girlfriend named Melissa. And he has a large, supportive family, including his kind Uncle Hugo and two cousins who are more like siblings. As the story begins, Toby’s just gotten himself into a bit of a mess at work, but he’s certain that he’ll be able to smooth things over, because life is easy for him—until two men break into his apartment and brutally beat him. The damage Toby suffers, both physical and mental, undermines his sense of self. His movements are no longer relaxed and confident. His facility with words is gone. And his memory is full of appalling blanks. When he learns that his uncle is dying, Toby decides that he can still be useful by caring for him, so he moves into the Hennessy family’s ancestral home, and Melissa goes with him. The three of them form a happy family unit, but their idyll comes to an abrupt end when Toby’s cousin’s children find a human skull in the trunk of an elm tree at the bottom of the garden. As the police try to solve the mystery posed by this gruesome discovery, Toby begins to question everything he thought he knew about himself and his family. The narrative is fueled by some of the same themes French has explored in the past. It’s reminiscent of The Likeness (2008) in the way it challenges the idea of identity as a fixed and certain construct. And the unreliability of memory was a central issue in her first novel, In the Woods (2007). The pace is slow, but the story is compelling, and French is deft in unraveling this book’s puzzles. Readers will see some revelations coming long before Toby, but there are some shocking twists, too.
Pub Date: Oct. 9, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-7352-2462-9
Page Count: 464
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: July 16, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2018
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This loaf, known as the "Lammas loaf," serves as a representation of the harvest and is often shared among the community as a symbol of unity and abundance. Additionally, Lammas is a time for divination and seeking guidance for the upcoming months. Pagans may perform rituals to connect with the natural forces and spirits, offering prayers and seeking blessings for a successful harvest season and protection from any potential hardships. Overall, Lammas is a time of joy and gratitude for the Earth's bounty and a reminder of the interconnectedness between humans, nature, and the cycles of life. Through rituals and celebrations, pagans honor the gifts of the land and express their appreciation for the sustenance it provides. It is a time to reflect on the importance of the harvest and the significance of community in sharing and preserving the abundance of the Earth..
Reviews for "Lammas: The Harvest of Love and Connection"
1. Sarah - 1 star
I attended the Lammas pagan ritual and it was a complete letdown. The event promised an immersive and transformative experience, but all I got was a bunch of people standing around in a field, chanting and dancing awkwardly. The organizers lacked any sense of direction or structure, and it felt more like a disorganized hippie gathering than a meaningful spiritual ceremony. I left feeling disappointed and unfulfilled.
2. Mark - 2 stars
I had high hopes for the Lammas pagan ritual, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The whole event lacked focus and purpose. It felt more like a group of individuals trying to show off their knowledge of pagan traditions rather than coming together to celebrate and connect with nature. The rituals were poorly explained, and I found it hard to engage with the activities. It was a missed opportunity for a truly transformative experience.
3. Emily - 1 star
The Lammas pagan ritual was a chaotic mess. There seemed to be no effort put into organizing or planning the event. The rituals were confusing and poorly executed, leaving me feeling disconnected and disinterested. The whole experience felt forced, and it seemed like the organizers were more interested in creating a spectacle than creating a meaningful spiritual experience. I would not recommend attending this ritual if you're looking for a genuine and well-structured pagan gathering.