Lammas / Lughnasadh Ritual 1

Lammas, also known as Lughnasadh, is a pagan festival that celebrates the first harvest, typically held on August 1st. It honours the abundance of the earth, the cycles of nature, and the god Lugh, a Celtic deity of craftsmanship and skill. Below is a ritual that blends traditional elements of Lammas with personal reflection and gratitude for the harvest.

​

Lammas Harvest Ritual

Purpose: To give thanks for the first harvest, honour the earth’s abundance, and set intentions for continued growth.

​

Preparation:

Altar Setup:

A small basket of fresh grain, wheat, or corn to symbolize the harvest.

A loaf of bread, preferably homemade or locally sourced.

Candles (yellow, gold, or green to represent the harvest).

Seasonal fruits and vegetables (apples, berries, squash).

A chalice or cup of wine, cider, or juice.

A small bowl of seeds for offering.

​

Sacred Space: Decorate your space with symbols of summer's end and early autumn: sunflowers, straw dolls, or sheaves of wheat.

Optional Attire: Wear earthy colours or a wreath of flowers or grain.

​

Opening the Ritual:

Cleanse the Space: Begin by cleansing your space with incense, sage, or another smudge of your choice. Walk clockwise (deosil) around the space, saying: "With this smoke, I cleanse this space. May it be sacred, blessed, and pure."

Cast the Circle:

Stand in the centre of your space, and slowly turn in a clockwise direction, envisioning a circle of golden light surrounding you. Say: "I cast this circle to protect and contain the energies of this rite. May it be a sacred space between worlds."

​

Call the Elements: Face each direction as you call the elements:

East: "Spirits of Air, I call upon you to bring inspiration and clarity. Join me in this sacred space."

South: "Spirits of Fire, I call upon you to bring passion and transformation. Join me in this sacred space."

West: "Spirits of Water, I call upon you to bring intuition and emotional flow. Join me in this sacred space."

North: "Spirits of Earth, I call upon you to bring stability and abundance. Join me in this sacred space."

Main Ritual:

Honouring the Harvest:

Stand before the altar and hold the basket of grain in your hands. Take a moment to reflect on the harvest—both literal and metaphorical—in your life. What have you accomplished? What seeds have you planted that are now bearing fruit? Say aloud: "I honour the earth, the sun, and the cycles of life. As the grain ripens in the fields, so too does the work of my hands and heart. I give thanks for this abundance."

​

Blessing the Bread:

Hold the loaf of bread and say: "This bread, born of grain, sun, and soil, represents the harvest. I give thanks for the food it provides, for the work that brought it forth, and for the earth’s fertility."

Break the bread and share a piece, offering a portion to the earth. If in a group, share the bread with others, saying, "May the harvest be plentiful for all."

​

Intentions for Continued Growth:

Take the bowl of seeds and hold them in your hands. Close your eyes and reflect on what you wish to continue growing in your life—new projects, relationships, or personal qualities. As you focus on these intentions, say: "As I plant these seeds, I set my intentions for continued growth. May the earth nurture them, and may they flourish in the coming season."

Gently scatter the seeds on the earth outside or in a special place, symbolizing the planting of your intentions.

​

Chalice Blessing:

Hold the chalice or cup and say: "I drink to the harvest, to abundance, and to the blessings of the earth."

Take a sip of the drink, pouring a small portion onto the earth as an offering.

​

Closing the Ritual:

Give Thanks:

Take a moment to express gratitude to the earth, the elements, and the forces that support your life. Say: "I give thanks to the earth for her gifts, to the sun for his warmth, and to the elements for their presence. May the blessings of the harvest continue to flow."

​

Release the Circle:

Starting in the north, move counterclockwise and release each element:

North: "Spirits of Earth, thank you for your presence. Go in peace and love."

West: "Spirits of Water, thank you for your presence. Go in peace and love."

South: "Spirits of Fire, thank you for your presence. Go in peace and love."

East: "Spirits of Air, thank you for your presence. Go in peace and love."

Close the Circle:

Envision the circle of light dissipating into the earth. Say: "The circle is open, but never broken. Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again."

​

Final Reflection:

After closing the ritual, take some time to journal or meditate on the themes of harvest, gratitude, and personal growth. You can also share a feast with seasonal foods, further grounding the energy of abundance.

This Lammas ritual is designed to be flexible, so feel free to adapt it to your own personal beliefs and practices.​​

​