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Written for Coven Life

03/02/2020

By priestess Hypatia

Tea Anyone?

Tisanes are herbal tea that traditionally included barley.

Lammas

Lammas is the first harvest celebration, marking the transition from summer to fall and celebrating the bounty and abundance of the garden.

Spell crafting Herbal teas is a personal favorite of mine, especially herbs personally selected to reflect your intentions and the turning of the seasons. Such teas are a wonderful way to honor the seasons during your ceremony.

First harvest Tea Blend for Lammas

Ingredients

1/2 cup dried calendula blossoms
1/4 cup dried lavender buds
1/4 cup dried meadow sweet
1/4 cup oolong tea leaves
Optional: 1 tablespoon dried grated ginger

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a tea strainer or bag.
Pour hot water over the strainer and steep 3-5 minutes

Calendula– a beautiful bright beam of sunshine their bright orange and yellow petals are a beautiful representation of seasonal transitions.

Lavender– Often associated with Lammas, this beautiful plan ally will help you begin the descent into the waning and restful portion of the year.

Meadow sweet– All heal of the ancients. Acting as a natural pain killer because of its salicylic acid content, the same ingredient that makes aspirin. Wonderful for third eye activation, divination and honing of your skill.

Oolong– Adding a layer or complexity to this otherwise airy tea. Its earthiness encourages wisdom through reflection.

Ginger– Only a small amount is needed to reach its maximum benefit. Its distinct spicy notes encourages success, money and love.

Celebrate Lammas in the Southern Hemisphere with Recipes

Lammas_loaf_Owl_with_salt_eyes

Image from Wikipedia

In the Southern Hemisphere, we celebrate Lammas from 1-2 February. On the flip side of the world, the festival is celebrated on 1-2 August.

Lammas(Lah-mus) – Anglo Saxon – Festive of the loaves.
Lughnasadh (Loo-na-saw) – Irish Gaelic -This word roughly translates to Lugh’s Assembly. The god Lugh is known as the Celtic God of the Sun.
Lunasa (Loo-nah-sah) – Modern Irish – This is a more modern version of Lughnasadh.

To continue reading click on to: Lammas Recipes

Lugh, Master of Skills by Patti Wigington

Similar to the Roman god Mercury, Lugh was known as a god of both skill and the distribution of talent. There are countless inscriptions and statues dedicated to Lugh, and Julius Caesar himself commented on this god’s importance to the Celtic people. Although he was not a war god in the same sense as the Roman Mars, Lugh was considered a warrior because to the Celts, skill on the battlefield was a highly valued ability. In Ireland, which was never invaded by Roman troops, Lugh is called sam ildanach, meaning he was skilled in many arts simultaneously.

Lugh Enters the Hall of Tara

In one famous legend, Lugh arrives at Tara, the hall of the high kings of Ireland. The guard at the door tells him that only one person will be admitted with a particular skill–one blacksmith, one wheelwright, one bard, etc. Lugh enumerates all the great things he can do, and each time the guard says, “Sorry, we’ve already got someone here who can do that.” Finally Lugh asks, “Ah, but do you have anyone here who can do them ALL?” At last, Lugh was allowed entrance to Tara.

The Book of Invasions

Much of the early history of Ireland is recorded in the Book of Invasions, which recounts the many times Ireland was conquered by foreign enemies. According to this chronicle, Lugh was the grandson of one of the Fomorians, a monstrous race that were the enemy of the Tuatha De Danann. Lugh’s grandfather, Balor of the Evil Eye,…

To read the rest of this article please click on this link: Lugh, Celtic God of Craftsman

Celtic God – Lugh, Master of Skills

Lug, Lugus/Lugos (Gaulish), Lugh Lámhfhada (Irish), Lleu Llaw Gyffes (Welsh), Lugaid/Lugaidh, Lonnansclech

Lugh (LOO) is a popular Celtic sun god known for his many skills. Because of this, he was also called Lugh Lámhfhada (Lugh of the Long Arm), Lleu Llaw Gyffes (Lleu of the Skillful Hand), Samildánach (Skilled in All the Arts), Lonnbeimnech (fierce striker, sword-shouter) or Macnia (boy hero).

Lugh is thought to be a form of the pan-Celtic/Gaulish god Lugus/Lugos. The ancient Romans associated Lugh with the Roman god Mercury/Greek Hermes, as well as Apollo through his association with Lugus. It is also possible that Lugh/Lugus was also a triple god, comprising the Gaulish gods Esus, Toutatis and Taranis.

Lugh was known as a sun god and a fierce warrior. He is also known as a god of storms, particularly thunderstorms. He was associated with the raven, crow, and lynx, and had a magic hound. Lugh possessed several magical weapons, including an invincible Spear, one of the treasures of the Tuatha Dé Danann. It is said that the Spear never missed its target and was so bloodthirsty it would…

To read the rest of this article please click on this link: Lugh, Master of Skills

The Astrological Importance of Lughnasadh

The Fire Festival of Summer

The festival of Lughnasadh, later known as Lammas, is one of the four grand sabbats of witchcraft traditions, and one of the four sacred fire festivals of the Celtic peoples also celebrated by modern Pagans. The four festivals all have fire playing a central role in some way. Beltane and Samhain, the high holy days of modern witchcraft were traditionally centered around large bonfires or balefires of a sacrificial or celebratory nature. During Imbolc, or Candlemas one of the only festivals frequently celebrated indoors we see the great fire and coming sun represented by candle flame. Lughnasadh is directly across the wheel from Imbolc and during the hot-dry summer the fire of the Sun is already manifest in the sky above. Sun disks or fire wheels were also used to symbolize the solar rays of the sun, often rolled downhill in representation of the Sun’s descent over the horizon.

To continue reading……

Circles Around The World: Full Moon Celebrations

All across the world, people are gathering in preparation for the full moon. They cast their circles, one by one, and enter the space between the worlds. Our languages are various; our origins, everywhere; our gods, diverse. We are witches and Pagans at the height of power! Hail the full moon!

To continue reading …

Millennial Witch: The ‘First Fruits’ of a Modern Lughnasadh

Autumn Sabbats have always been special to me. Not just because of Halloween/Samhain, but also because of Mabon, and most importantly, Lughnasadh.

The First Harvest Festival of the Year, Lughnasadh (also commonly called Lammas) is most often celebrated around August 1st. (Though in some Druid and Celtic Pagan circles, it is the full moon closest to that date.) It marks the time when the grain was harvested, lammas bread was given to the barn corners, and in some Pagan circles, The Harvest God dies. In certain cases, this holiday is overlooked for it’s two successors, but I firmly believe we shouldn’t bypass this first harvest time.

Lammas/ Imbolc Gathering

Lammas (Lughnasadh) – Northern Hemisphere

Imbolc- Southern Hemisphere

WHEN:

Wednesday August 1st, 2018

Socialization starts at 6:00 PM CT

Circle cast at 7:00 PM CT

Please DO NOT enter chat room once circle is cast.

WHERE:

Coven Life’s Chat Room

Time Zone Converter

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

Northern Hemisphere- Lammas

Basket of grain heads

Fruits and seeds of choice

Corn dolly if you choose

1 X orange candle

Bread and cider to feast

Southern Hemisphere- Imbolc

3 X white candles

Milk

Bread

Let us begin:

While we are invoking the seasons in each Hemisphere, regardless of where you are in the world, please still stay in respect while waiting.

Imbolc in the S.H-

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Bright Imbolc Blessings and may we now begin to look forward to warmer days and brightly coloured gardens. May we bless and burn the candles of inspiration, love and communion with the Great God and Goddess.

This is the time for the beginning of the beginning and a wonderful time to consider what you will do in the year ahead. It is also a time of purification, therefore taking a bath or even a shower and visualising all the heavy energy leaving your body and bright light filling your body.

Its a time of the life force stirring again, where nature shows its beginning of its glory and the recycle of life through buds and shoots.

It marks the Goddess giving birth to the newborn God, where He grows and spreads his light. We are gathered here to honour the feminine and get ready for spring.

If you are in a part of the Southern Hemisphere where Wattle grows, this may be the time to pick some with reverence and decorate your alter.

Lammas in the N.H-

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As the day marking the first harvest of early grain, this is a good time to bake your own bread. The loaf that is broken and shared in the name of the Goddess.

This is a time of great change that needs to take place in one’s life.

The Great God gives his energy to the crops to ensure life, while the Great Goddess prepares to enter Her Crone aspect, the Great God slowly loses his strength and it’s a time for the days to grow shorter.

If you are in the Northern Hemisphere you may want to decorate your alter with grains and wheat, husks and freshly baked breads, corn dollies and fruit.

RITUAL:

So let’s begin our Imbolc/Lammas Ritual

Hypatia Casting the circle-

To the Guardians of the East:

I call you into our Watchtowers to protect us.

To the Guardians of the South:

I call you into our Watchtowers to protect us.

To the Guardians of the West:

I call you into our Watchtowers to protect us.

To the Guardians of the North:

I call you into our Watchtowers to protect us.

I cast this circle three times three with the assistance of the Great Mother and the Great God.

I call Upon the Guardians of spirit to protect us from above and below. As is above so is below, as is below so is above. May the power of The Great God and The great Goddess join us within this circle now, to protect us and to work with us and allow us to see beyond the veil.

Protect us Great Mother and Great God for all gathered here and those afar who are unable to be with us. Allow no negative energy to touch us, to harm us and that nothing we call upon will harm us and others. We come together in perfect love and perfect trust.

GREETING

Hypatia – Merry meet brothers and sisters and honored guests.

Everyone – Respond Merry Greet. Please tell us your first name and state or country you are from.

CEREMONY & INVOCATIONS

Let’s start in the Southern Hemisphere

Imbolc in the S.H-

Light your first candle

And Say:

“In this holy day of Imbolc, in this time and place, we come together and the Lady Brighid we commune”

Spirits of this place and of this land, you who have been long before me, I invite you to join this celebration of Imbolc. Accept this offering of food and drink, I ask, given in hospitality and in love.”

Everyone-

Raise the bread and milk in offering, take a small sip of the milk, break and bite a small piece of the bread

Light your second candle

And say:

“Land spirits – hail and welcome!”

“Ancestors of blood and spirit, because of you I have life, I am your child that builds on your foundations. You who marked this night as the promise of Spring and the renewal it brings, join me in this celebration of Imbolc. Accept this offering of food and drink, I ask, given in hospitality and in love.”

Everyone-

Raise the bread and milk in offering, take small a sip of the milk, break and bite a small piece of the bread

Light the third candle

And say:

“Bless me on this night Great Brighid with your presence, you who are inspirer of poets, I Invite you to join in this celebration. As I look forward to the coming Spring, I honour You and I listen for your holy wisdom. Lady of Healing, please join us in this celebration of Imbolc. Accept this offering of food and drink, we ask, given in hospitality and in love.”

Everyone-

Raise the bread and milk in offering, take small a sip of the milk, break and bite a small piece of the bread

2 Minute Meditation

For those in the Southern Hemisphere please begin to meditate for 2 minutes on how you will refresh your mind and energy for the coming of spring and summer. Imagine new beginnings for yourself and your loved ones. Bring in the light and the love into your life. Allow the light of love to wash over you.

Now to the Northern hemisphere

Lammas in the N.H-

Now is the time to light your orange candle

Take a handful of grain and face the East, the land of the rising Sun God.

And Say

Now let us honour the Goddess in all of her fullness. Because of her nurturing we are blessed with the fruitfulness and the Divine Gods energy wanes. As the mother of all nature, we love and adore her with fullest honour and are in reverence that she chooses to share her power of beneficence.

Now:

Rub the grains in your hands and allow them to fall on the ground or on your alter cloth.

Take a piece of fruit, taste it and appreciate and saviour its flavour.

And Say:

“As the energies of the Goddess become ours, we are one with the fruits of the harvest. Hail Great and Divine Goddess of the Moon, Great Mother of all creation, and Hail to the Sun Lord and light our path with your pure light of goodness. May all your harvests be bountiful.”

Everyone-

Feast on the fruit and seeds.

2 Minute Meditation

Spend some time meditating on the sense of community bought about in the sharing of the fruits of the land.

For those in the Northern hemisphere think about the bounty that fills your life. What are you getting ready to harvest? Have you taken time over the summer to enjoy the fruits of your labor? How are you preparing to shift into the darkness of the coming months?

FAREWELLS

Lammas in the N.H-

Now say-

“Brighid, Goddess of Healing, Goddess of Smithcraft, Goddess of Inspiration, I thank You for Your presence and Your blessings. May there be peace and honor between us now and forever. Hail and farewell.”

“Ancestors of blood and ancestors of spirit, I thank you for your presence and your blessings. May there be peace and honor between us now and forever. Hail and farewell.”

“Spirits of the land, spirits of this place, I thank you for your presence and your blessings. May there be peace and honor between us now and forever. Hail and farewell.”

At the end of the ceremony please feel free to feast on your cider and bread.
Imbolc in the S.H-

Now say-

“Ancestors of blood and ancestors of spirit, I thank you for your presence and your blessings. May there be peace and honor between us now and forever. Hail and farewell.”

“Spirits of the land, spirits of this place, I thank you for your presence and your blessings. May there be peace and honor between us now and forever. Hail and farewell.”

At the end of the ceremony please continue to feast

CLOSING

Dismiss the circle:

To the Guardians of the East:

I dismiss and thank you from our Watchtowers and give Gratitude for protect us.

To the Guardians of the South:

I dismiss and thank you from our Watchtowers and give Gratitude for protect us.

To the Guardians of the West:

I dismiss and thank you from our Watchtowers and give Gratitude for protect us.

To the Guardians of the North:

I dismiss and thank you from our Watchtowers and give Gratitude for protect us.

As you leave here tonight may the Lady and Lord bless you with all that you need and want.

I bid you Blessings and great Joy Brothers and sisters of the Craft

After the ceremony:

If you wish to burn your candle in safety please do so, or snuff out and light over the next few days enjoying this transition of seasons.

Continue to feast on the bounties that have been gifted by the Great Mother and Father, and finally please dispose of anything sacred or not finished in an appropriate way, with a blessing and back to the great Mother with respect. Honour her with the greatest respect and show your gratitude! The Great Goddess is here for everyone!

Thank you and Farewell