August 1 – Blessed Lughnasadh has arrived. The wheel of the year moves on with the first harvest celebration on the old Gaelic calendar.
Pause and enjoy what the garden has grown. Remember Ceres, Demeter, Pachamama, or good old Mother Earth. She gives us the corn, beans, squash and tomato. The raspberry and blueberry are abundant now. In the Northeast, hollyhock, purple coneflower, Queen Anne’s lace, day lilies and phlox are in bloom. July has been too dry causing many shrubs and grasses to go into dormancy.
Pray to Goldberry asking the blessings of cooling, refreshing rains to fall. She may be a character from the Tolkien legends, nevertheless, a goddess to many. Her gentle care is most called upon now. Make an offering and pledge to conserve water daily. A promise to her is returned to all.
Call it Lammas if you will and weave a sun wheel from wheat stalks. Bake a loaf of fresh bread and remember our oldest friend. Gaia, the great mother of all. Hail the first harvest. Give thanks to a simple meal at the end of each day. Share the crumbs with the birds and critters. Build good karma with all living beings on the earth. Celebrate Lughnasadh and the abundance of first harvest.
LuceStellare 