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.
The closest inks I could find to Yoi were Vinta Nakar, a shimmering grey ink with underlying pinkish brown and green tones, and Vinta Aegean Armada, which is more bluish-greenish-greyish but has those same subtle pinks. Yoi means something like "early night" or "the beginning of the evening just after dark."
While I was doing the swatching, I also did a simple chromatography test by touching the nib of my pen to a paper towel and allowing a small circle to soak into the paper, then doing a second circle and adding a little water to that one to allow the colors to separate even more. We spent a lot of time down at the zoo, says CG supervisor David Lomax, going to bird sanctuaries to study their movement and what they looked like, as well as taking many pictures of horses and studying horses in fields.
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.
Sailor Yurameku - These New Inks Are Full of Surprises!
I know, I know, almost every week in the blog I tell you how excited I am to be writing about my latest topic. but this week, I am actually a little bit giddy. I love ink, so I had been looking at the "Ink Bottles" section of our store website to see what new inks were coming soon. When I saw the Sailor Yurameku line listed a couple months ago, I read about it online and was counting the days until it arrived at the store. Not only are the Yurameku inks multichromatic, so they somehow manage to be more than one color at the same time, they look very different depending on your choice of paper, and also change in appearance as they dry and develop on the paper. The Japanese word Yurameku translates to something like "flickering," which I think refers to these inks' mercurial nature. I saw a few writing samples by people in Japan who had tried them already, and I couldn't wait to get my hands on them to experiment!
The prediction on our website originally said we'd get them in mid-February, so I checked almost every day in February, but they didn't arrive until the evening of Tuesday, March 1st. By the time I'd swatched the inks the next morning, we had already sold out of one of the colors, Kangyou, and the others were going fast!
As I write this on March 7th, we have sold out of Kangyou, Itezora, Yurameku, Kyokkou and Seki, and the other colors have only a few bottles still in stock. But, not to worry! We are getting a new shipment next month and will have 30 bottles of each color. They are available for pre-order now. I'm sure the second batch will go quickly, too, but reading this should help you decide which colors you want the most. The complete lineup of Yurameku colors is Kangyou, Seki, Kyokkou, Amamoyoi, Kitsune Biyori, Kyokuya, Yoi, Itezora, and Byakuya.
Why are these inks so hot? Well, they are cousins to the Sailor Ink Studio series that created such a buzz in 2019, and every ink in the line is multichromatic. Examples of other popular dual shading inks include Sailor Ink Studio 123, 130, 162, 150, 173, 224, 252, 273, 280, and 573; Vinta Inks Perya, Maskara, Sirena and Aegean Armada; Troublemaker Milky Ocean and Abalone; and Sailor Manyo Haha and Nekoyanagi. This type of ink is so fascinating and mysterious, people really get excited about experimenting with it on different types of paper and with different pens. It works best with wider nib sizes that can show off the complex colors, and is also beautiful to use like watercolor paint, with a paintbrush.
I own a bottle of Nekoyanagi and quite a few of the Sailor Ink Studio multishaders, plus have sample vials of a lot of other inks that fit this category, so I've played around with them a fair bit. I pulled a bunch of my swatch cards for comparison.
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 and the Goddess Brigid: Embracing Her Energies 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.