This celebration falls roughly halfway between the summer solstice and autumn equinox, and it is an ancient celebration of the first harvests. Summer continues for now, but the days are steadily growing shorter and there is work to be done. Lughnasadh is the first of three harvest festivals, and the central crop in this case is grain. Traditionally the first sheaf of grain is cut, winnowed, ground, and baked into ceremonial bread – the delicious result of months of labor. In the process the seeds for next year’s grain are carefully saved, and the wheel keeps turning.

"Weaving the Harvest"

A Lammas Poem
by Katrina Rasbold

We know that every grain and seed
Is a record of ancient time,
A promise of all that’s yet to be
And what I claim as mine.
As the grape shall change to become the wine,
I change in the cauldron of life.
I’ll drink of the wine of enchantment
And learn from the lessons of strife.
Within all forms is locked the path
Of future, present and past.
The Ancient Ones who spin our fates
Lay blessings on us at last.
Having planted once my future goals
They now come to fruition
I spoke aloud and Goddess heard
Giving birth to my ambition
In concert work and concert weave
New patterns to my life
I open heart to greatest good
And banish pain and strife.
On Lughnassadh now I reach to sky
My faith on solid ground
I welcome Harvest to my life
Where blessings shall abound.
By oat and grain and wheat and corn
By Air, Fire, Water, and Earth
By sword and chalice, hoof and horn
The Harvest now is birthed.

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