Welcome Sister,
We are moving into August, and towards Lughnasadh, also known as Lammas, celebrated on August 1st.
Lammas, or "Loaf Mass," became integrated into the Christian calendar in the 9th century as a transformation of the earlier pagan festival Lughnasadh, marking the midpoint between the summer solstice and the autumn equinox.
Lughnasadh, historically, this festival is rooted in ancient Gaelic traditions and is named after the Celtic god Lugh, the "Bright One" or "Shining One," a god of fertility and agriculture. According to myth, Lugh was raised by a mortal mother, Tailtiu, who died from exhaustion after clearing the land for agriculture. To honor her, a festival was held each year celebrating her as a great mother and provider.
It's one of the four major Gaelic seasonal festivals, alongside Samhain, Imbolc, and Beltane.
Lughnasadh marks the first harvest and offers a perfect opportunity to pause, reflect, and remember our connection with nature.
I do not follow any specific traditions or religion. Instead, I am guided towards practices that bring me deeper within, softening the walls of my heart so I can show up more present, compassionate, and curious. Here are some reflections, stories, and practices to help you align with the spirit of Lughnasadh.
To deepen into this time and the approaching dark moon, I would like to invite you to our Dark Moon Circle - on Sunday 4th August. RSVP below.
Fruition
As we approach Lughnasadh, a time when the fruits of the seeds planted back in February during Imbolc have now come to fruition—both literally and metaphorically—we reflect on the journey that has unfolded since then.
Imbolc, celebrated in early February, is a time of planting seeds of intention and vision, often symbolized by the first stirrings of spring and the return of light. As we now witness the harvest of these intentions, it’s a moment to pause and reflect on the insights, challenges, and gifts.
We were in Costa Rica during Imbolc, when the seeds I thought I was planting were related to finding a physical home. However, the true gift revealed itself in a deep shift of perception: the realization that home was not just a physical location but a state of being that I could feel within myself. I had only been able to feel this in moments of deep meditation, now it was an embodied experience.
Demeter, Goddess of agriculture and a protector of fertility.
Mother of the grain,
Your sorrow and joy bring life again.
Bless this harvest,
rich and full,
Guide our hearts with your wisdom’s pull.
In the cycle of seasons,
we find our place,
With gratitude, we embrace your grace.
One of the most powerful myths of Demeter is with her daughter Persephone. Persephone, a maiden of spring and the beloved daughter of Demeter was out gathering flowers one day when Hades, the god of the underworld, saw her and fell in love. Enchanted by her beauty, he decided to take her to his realm.
As Persephone reached for a lovely flower, the earth opened up beneath her, and Hades emerged in his chariot, seizing her and taking her to the underworld.
Demeter, the goddess of the harvest, was stricken with sorrow upon discovering her daughter’s disappearance. She searched tirelessly for Persephone, neglecting her duties as the bringer of fertility and harvest. Her grief and despair caused the earth to become barren, crops to fail, and a great famine to spread across the land. The once fertile earth turned cold and lifeless, reflecting Demeter's inner pain.
After a lengthy search, Demeter learned from the sun god Helios, who sees all, that Hades had taken Persephone. Devastated, she withdrew from her divine duties, and the suffering on earth intensified. Seeing the plight of humanity, Zeus, the king of the gods, intervened and sent Hermes, the messenger god, to negotiate Persephone’s release.
In the underworld, Persephone had come to accept her role as the queen of the underworld, but she longed for her mother and the surface world. Hades, knowing that a rule of the Fates dictated that anyone who consumed food or drink in the underworld must remain there, had given her pomegranate seeds to eat. Persephone ate six seeds, thus binding her to the underworld for part of the year.
Eventually, a compromise was reached: Persephone would spend six months in the underworld with Hades and six months above ground with her mother. When Persephone ascends to the surface to be with Demeter, the earth flourishes and blooms, representing spring and summer. When she descends to the underworld, the earth withers, and the harvest ends, symbolizing autumn and winter. This story is about the changing seasons and the continuous cycle of life and death.
Representations of Demeter / Lughnasadh
Colors:
Green: Symbolizes life, growth, and the earth.
Gold/Yellow: Represents the golden fields of grain and the harvest.
Brown: Reflects the soil and earth, foundational elements of agriculture.
White: Often associated with purity and the nurturing aspects of Demeter.
Flowers:
Poppy: Strongly associated with Demeter, symbolizing fertility and sleep.
Narcissus: Linked to the myth of Persephone's abduction.
Barley and Wheat Flowers: Represent the grains and the harvest, directly tied to Demeter's domain.
Incense:
Myrrh: Used for its earthy, grounding scent.
Frankincense: Symbolizes purity and is often used in rituals and offerings.
Sandalwood: Represents the earth and is used to create a sacred space.
Cinnamon: Associated with warmth and the harvest season.
Herbs:
Mint: Symbolizes hospitality and was used in ancient Greek rituals.
Lavender: Represents calmness and purification.
Rosemary: Known for memory and remembrance, it is used in various rituals.
Basil: Represents fertility and love.
Chamomile: Associated with relaxation and healing.
Food:
Bread: Specially made from the first grains of the harvest, symbolizing sustenance and the fruits of labor.
Wheat and Barley: Primary grains linked to Demeter's role in agriculture.
Fruits: Such as apples and pomegranates, symbolize the harvest and the story of Persephone.
Corn: A staple crop representing abundance and fertility.
Honey: Symbolizes sweetness and the nurturing aspects of Demeter.
Animals:
Serpent: Symbolizes rebirth and renewal, often associated with the earth and its cycles.
Pig: Represents fertility and is often associated with agricultural rituals.
Horse: Demeter was sometimes worshipped in the form of a mare, representing power and fertility.
Bee: Symbolizes industry, community, and the fertility of the land.
Dove: Represents peace and nurturing, often linked to motherly figures.
Demeter's Energy and Embodiment
Demeter embodies the nurturing and life-giving energy of the earth. She is the provider of nourishment, fertility, and growth. Her story and energy remind us of the importance of nurturing ourselves and others, of recognizing and honoring our cycles of productivity and rest, and of the deep connection we share with the earth and its rhythms.
Ceremony and Rituals Ideas
Preparation
Space: Find a quiet, comfortable spot, either outdoors or indoors.
Altar: Create a small altar with a few symbols of the harvest (see above)
Items Needed: A candle, items for altar, some incense (optional), a piece of bread, and a small bowl of honey.
Ceremony
Open the Space
Sit quietly and take a few deep breaths to center yourself.
Light the candle and, if using, the incense.
Say: "I create this space to honor the earth and its cycles."
Grounding
Close your eyes and take a few moments to feel your connection to the earth. Imagine roots growing from your body into the ground, anchoring you.
Reflect on the Story of Demeter and Persephone
Briefly reflect on the story: Persephone's descent into the underworld, Demeter's grief, and the eventual compromise that brought about the changing seasons.
Think about the cycles of growth, harvest, rest, and renewal in your own life.
Offerings and Gratitude
Place the piece of bread and bowl of honey in front of you.
Say: "I offer this bread and honey in gratitude for the abundance of the earth."
Dip the bread in honey and eat it, savoring the taste and reflecting on the nourishment provided by the harvest.
Personal Reflection
Take a few minutes to silently reflect on your personal harvest: what you have experienced in these last 6 months, what you are thankful for, and what you wish to let go of as the seasons change.
Consider what you want to nurture and grow in the coming months.
Closing
Extinguish the candle and incense.
Say: "I honor the cycles of nature and the gifts of the earth. May I carry this gratitude with me."
Take a moment to feel the peace and connection you have created.
Other activities
Practice: Creating a Harvest Doll
In the old practices for this time of year, a doll was often made from the last stalks of corn or grain. Make a doll from natural materials and bring it indoors as a symbol of the harvest and the continuity of life. This doll represents the spirit of the grain, holding the promise of future abundance.
Feast
Prepare a meal that includes seasonal produce—bread, fruits, and vegetables that are currently being harvested. Invite loved ones to share in this meal, if possible, or enjoy in your own company. As you eat, share stories of your personal harvests and offer blessings for the continued growth and well-being of each person present.
I hope this offers some inspiration for you to create what resonates with you. To deepen into this time and the approaching dark moon, I would like to invite you to our Dark Moon Circle - on Sunday 4th August. RSVP below.
Love,
Danielle
PS.
New Book available in paperback and E-book.
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