Lammas Ritual
This ritual celebrates Lammas as the
beginning of Harvest. Like its counterpoint
Imbolc, it occurs six weeks after the Solstice
when barely perceptible changes are taking
place.
Everyone stands in a circle, to be welcomed to
this, the celebration of Lammas.
Before we do anything we shall acknowledge
the Spirit of Place and ask for its permission to
be present here.
Casting of the circle
Acknowledging the quarters
we are here to
celebrate the turning of the wheel as it takes
us from Summer into the waning light and
approach of Autumn.
It is sufficient to ask for the Spirit of
Place to give us protection and permission to
be here. We do not need to summon the
guardians of the quarters. They are present
anyway.
- All face the East: I welcome the spirits of
the East, spirits of Air, of the Dawn and
the new day, of new beginnings and
ventures
- All face the South: I welcome the Spirits
of the South, spirits of Fire, of the midday
sun, the maturing growth of plans, the
hope that pervades our lives.
- All face the West: I welcome the Spirits of
the West, spirits of Water, of the evening,
of the fruition of plans and of the Harvest.
- All face the North: I welcome the Spirits
of the North, Spirits of the Earth, of the
starlit darkness of night, of life sleeping,
waiting its re-awakening, its re-birth
We will then explain what the ritual is all about
~ how we are celebrating the beginning of the
first fruits of Autumn, the first corn to be cut,
and acknowledging the passing of the sun
from his highest point as he works away from
the Summer Solstice and towards the Winter
Solstice.
For the ancient Celts this point may have
marked the beginning of the darkness, just as
its counterpoint Imbolc marked the beginning
of the light.
With the cutting of the corn, we re-enact the
ritual cutting down of the Corn King by whose
death the land will again become fertile and
yield crops. Out of the death of the corn will
come new life as the grain which will grow into
new plants is harvested.
Consecrating & Passing around of a loaf of
bread for all to partake.
Consecrating & Passing round of drink
Looking forward to autumn equinox
Farewell to quarters:
- All face the North: Spirits of the North,
thank you for your presence at our ritual.
Thank you for bringing the stability and
strength of purpose. I bid you farewell.
- All face the West: Spirits of the West,
thank you for your presence at our ritual.
Thank you for bringing the fluidity of
imagination and flow of thoughts. I bid
you farewell.
- All face South: Spirits of the South, thank
you for your presence at our ritual. Thank
you for bringing the passion of belief and
the heat of commitment.
- All face the East: Spirits of the East,
thank you for your presence at our ritual.
Thank you for bringing the communion of
minds and the unity of companionship.
Closing of the circle
Thanking the spirit of Place for allowing us to
be there.