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Understanding Wicca: Ask Fyre
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The Wiccan Way:
Celebration of Lammas Aug 1
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by Fyre |
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I am blessed to share my birthday on this glorious holiday. This holiday much like all the others, is known by many different names according to the region and traditions.
Lammas, is the first of the three Harvest festivals. The first fruits of the annual harvest are reaped, and the days grow shorter.
Lunasa (meaning August), Lughnasaad, Lughnasa (Celtic), First Harvest, August Eve, Feast of Cardenas, Feast of Bread, Tailltean Games(Irish), Teltain Cornucopia (Strega), Ceresalia (Ancient Roman) Harvest Home, Thingtide (Teutonic), Lammas (Christian). Laa Luanys, Elembious. Festival of Green Corn (Native American).
Each holiday marks a different time in the earth's life, always evolving and renewing itself. Lammas is the turning point in this cycle. The events, festivities, and rituals celebrated on this day are typically centered on the hope of a successful and rewarding harvest season. This would be the celebration of the harvest cycle.
A bountiful harvest would provide the much needed resources for the upcoming winter months.
Lugh is sometimes referred to as the Corn King. This day is to honor Lugh. Traditionally games are played during the celebration. They are said "in some traditions" to be funeral games for Lugh. His mother, is also honored in these festivals. It is said, that she died while preparing the fields for planting.
The practice of this time of year is to prepare for the long harsh winter ahead. Grains, seeds, herbs and fruits can be harvested and dried at this time, for later use through the remaining year. Corn is one of the vital crops harvested now ... hence the honor of the Corn King.
In some areas the sacrifice of the corn king is performed. Death and rebirth are apart of the cycle. Lugh (God) continues in his journey ... his mating with the Goddess, during the waning year. The Goddess oversees the festival in her Maiden, Mother and then Crone.
I like to think of this time of year as a time of hope and reward. The first fruit of the long summer and the preparation of an even longer winter. It's time to reflect on one's own hard work, both in family and in one's community. A time of bounty, celebration. We celebrate the bounty of our own life's harvest.
In all holidays there are certain things that symbolize the day. Below you will find things, you may wish to include on your alter and within your magical workings.
Decorations for your alter:
Colors/Candles:
Red, orange, golden yellow, green, light brown, gold, bronze, gray.
Corn, cornucopias, red, yellow flowers, sheaves of grain (wheat, barley, oats), first fruits/vegetables of garden labor, corn dollies, baskets of bread, spear, cauldron, sickle, scythe, threshing tools, sacred loaf of bread, harvested herbs, bonfires, bilberries, God figures made of bread or cookie dough, phallic symbols
Gemstones:
Aventurine, citrine, peridot, sardonyx, yellow diamonds and citrine.
Incense/Oil:
Wood, pine, rose, rose hips, rosemary, chamomile, eucalyptus, safflower, corn, passionflower, frankincense, sandalwood .
Rituals/Magicks:
Fire magick, Money spells, health spells, bonfires, prosperity, and generosity, continued success, good fortune, abundance spells.
Foods:
wheat breads, oat cakes, and corn bread, barley cakes, baking bread (gingerbread man) in honor of the God. corn, potatoes, nuts,
Fruits:
apples, pears, berries,
As promised, with each of my articles I like to include some of my favorite recipes. Recipes that reflect the holiday and can be used within your own rituals and celebration.
Corn Bread Fit for a King:
1 cup sifted all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup yellow corn meal
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/4 cup shortening
Sift flour with sugar, baking powder, and salt; stir in cornmeal. Add eggs, milk, and shortening. Beat with rotary or electric beater till just smooth. (Do not overbeat.) Pour into greased 9x9x2 inch pan. Bake at 425 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes.
Corn Sticks:
Spoon batter into greased corn-stick pans, filling 2/3 full. Bake in hot oven (425) 12 to 15 minutes. Makes 18.
Stuffed Cream Cheese Mushrooms:
2 tablespoons butter, divided
2 tablespoons diced green pepper
Salt &Pepper
1/4 cup chopped mushroom stems
2 tablespoons chopped onion
1/2 lb. large mushrooms, stems removed
3/4 cup bread crumbs
2 tablespoons cooked, crumbled bacon
cream cheese (optional)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter over low heat and saute' the mushroom stems, green pepper, and onions until tender. Mix in the bread crumbs, bacon, thyme, salt & pepper.
Side aside. Allow to cool. Using a chopper. Chop mixture to a fine matter, Cream in the cheese. Mix well....
Spoon the mixture into the mushroom caps. Place the caps on a cookie sheet. Melt one tablespoon of the butter & drizzle over the caps.
Yield: About 1 dozen.
Color ribbons and bows, petals and green leaves make for a very attractive center piece for dining as well. Embrace the day and celebrate the warmth of your summer days ..... come what may........
~Fyre
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Fyre,
Wiccan Practitioner
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Practitioner of Wicca
Psychic,
Tarot Reader
Readings by Fyre
A Wiccan, a loving mother and perpetual student of life, Fyre's background is a rich mixture of the Metaphysics, Sociology and Psychology.
You can find Fyre in
The Directory, or by visiting her website:
www.astrofyre.com
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