Lammas ExplainedLammas is a celebration that dates back to ancient times. It originated in the Celtic festival of Lughnasdh (pronounced Loog-NA-sa) and is celebrated on August 1. The ancients assembled to mourn the death of the corn god or the death of summer. After the Romans invaded Britain, the Catholic Church incorporated the celebration of the First Harvest and renamed it Loaf-Mass. When the first of the grain was gathered in, ground and baked into a traditional loaf of bread, the bread was then offered up as part of the Eucharist ritual. It remained a popular ceremony during the Middle Ages, only losing popularity after the Reformation Modern Pagans celebrate the holiday, giving thanks for the bounty of the Earth. A loaf of bread, shaped into either a traditional braid or sheaf shape, or a cornbread (depending upon geographic region) shaped as a sun-face or cornman, is baked or bought. The bread is blessed and the first portion is laid on the altar or the ground as an offering to the Gods. In the way of folklore and legend, few Lammas customs seem to have survived. However, if we look at history, we can readily see that factory and school holidays were timed to coincide at the start of the harvest so plenty of people would be on hand to help. Many family reunions still meet in August - a time for gatherings, for games, for fairs and other large celebrations. With most foods being available throughout the year we tend to forget the importance of this time - how a good harvest was crucial to our ancestors. Without a large harvest, there was a chance that many would not survive the winter months. It's no wonder the ancients celebrated the first harvest, gave thanks for the bounty with which they were able to survive the winter months ahead. It is time to remember and be thankful for all that we have been given. Links"Thoughts at Lammas" by Katrina |
||