Lughnasadh (August 1)

Place upin the altar sheaves of wheat ,barley or oats fruit and breads ,prehaps a loaf fashinoned in the figure of the Sun or a man to represent the God.Corn dollies ,symbolic of the Goddess ,can be present there as well.

Arrange the altar ,light the candles and censer ,and cast the Circle of Stones.

Recite the Blessing Chant.Stand before the altar ,holding aloft the sheaves of grain ,saying these or similar words



Now is the time of the First Harvest, when the bounties of nature give of themselves so that we may survive .O God of the pipening fields Lord of the Grain ,grant me the understanding of sacrifice as you prepare to deliver yourself under the sickle of the goddess and journey to the lands of eternal summer. O Goddess and journey to the lands of eternal summer. O goddess of dark Moon, teach me the secrets of rebirth as the sun loses its strenght and the nites grow cold.



Rub the heads of the wheat with your fingers so that the grains fall onto the altar ,Lift a piece of fruit and bite it ,savoring it's flavor and say :



I partake of the 1st harvest ,mixing its energies with mine that I may continue my quest for the starrywisdom of perfection. O lady of the Moon and Lord of the Sun, gracious ones before whom the stars halt their courses ,I offer my thanks for the continueing fertitalty of the Earth. May the nodding grains loose its seeds to be burtied in the Mothers breast ,ensuring rebirth in the warmth of the coming spring



Consume the rest of the fruit.

Works of magic ,if necessary ,may follow ,Celebrate the Simple Feast. The circle is released.


Lughnasadh Lore

It is appropriate to plant the seed from the fruit consumed in ritual. If they sprout ,grow the plant with love and as a symbol of your connection with the Goddess and God.

Wheat weaving (the making of corn dollies etc.) is an appropriate activity for Lughnasadh. Visits to fields ,orchards ,lakes and well are also traditional.

The foods of Lughnasadh include bread ,blackberries and all berries and acrons (leached of their poisons first) ,crab apples ,all grains and locally ripe produce. A cake is sometimes baked ,and cider is used in place of wine.

If you do make a figure from bread it can be used for the Simple Feast.