Lammas

 

The Sabbat, Lammas is celebrated next week. It is also known as Lughnasadh, and Loaf-Mass day.

History tells us the Catholic church took many of the old pagan celebrations and incorporated them as Christian holidays to make the transition for converts easier. Christmas was taken from Yule, Easter from Ostara, and; I did not know this; Lammas is also known as Loaf-mass day and is celebrated in some English-speaking countries in the northern hemisphere. This makes total sense as Lughnasadh honours Lugh, a Celtic deity.

In Catholicism, clergy would lead parishioners in a procession to their local bakery where a blessing was given to the bakers of the bread and thanks to God for providing the grain. Nowadays, thanks is given for providing the wheat and for a successful harvest to make the Eucharist (representing the body of Christ in communion).

In Paganism, it is celebrated to mark the arrival of the first harvest. Many of us bake our own bread in a symbolic gesture or buy and eat freshly baked goodies. The idea is to give thanks to the land/Lugh/the universe/God (whichever resonates with you) for providing the grain that makes the food and gives us good health.  In days gone by, the community would bake and distribute loaves to the poor.

Some of us mark the day with a small personal ritual, some decorate our altars, and others go all out and prepare a celebratory meal and make a big day of it. Then there are those who are forced to hide who they are and can’t really do much. Whatever your situation or choice, it doesn’t really matter how you celebrate; the point is to practice gratitude and be mindful of the meaning of the day.  

Although Lammas, or Lughnasadh is primarily seen as the celebration of the first wheat harvest and bread is generally used worldwide, remember it’s about the harvest, so there are other options if you’re going gluten-free, are grain intolerant, or on a low-carb eating plan. Think root vegies, corn, or for Keto, your greens, berries, and herbs will be ready for harvest too.

As an accompanying drink, you could opt for beer, ale, mead, berry, and grape juices or berry and grape wines. A great African option for those of us here in South Africa would be umqombothi which is made from maize, and other grains, depending on your recipe.  

If you’re unable to practice openly, take a few minutes alone, outside if possible, and spend some quiet time with your drink of choice and a cookie, or a carrot, or a slice of delicious carrot cake (grain and veg)! Close your eyes and give thanks as you eat and drink, smile. You can do this anywhere at any time. Think limitless!

Lammas is traditionally celebrated annually on the 1^st of February although it falls on a different day each year depending on the timing of the solstices. This year it’s actually is on the 4^th of February which is a Friday.

Whichever day you choose for celebration, may this Lammas bring blessings of the harvest to nourish your mind, body, and soul.

 

 

Harvest  Photo by Shiwa Yachachin from Pexels

Bread and Wheat Photo by Mariana Kurnyk from Pexels