Lammas

Holy Trinity Brompton-2

The Lammas Fair Glove, Exeter - geograph.org.uk - 4599549

Lammas, also known as Lughnasadh, is a traditional harvest festival celebrated on the 1st of August in various cultures, particularly within the British Isles. It marks the beginning of the harvest season, celebrating the first fruits of the year and the hard work that goes into cultivating crops. The festival is deeply rooted in Celtic traditions and mythology, with connections to the god Lugh, a deity associated with craftsmanship, light, and harvest.

Origins and History

The origins of Lammas are tied to ancient Celtic festivals, particularly those dedicated to the god Lugh. It was a time for communities to come together, celebrate the first harvest, and participate in games and competitions. The name "Lammas" itself is derived from the Old English term hlaf-mas, meaning "loaf mass," referring to the practice of bringing a loaf of bread made from the new crop to the church for a blessing.

In Ireland and Scotland, the festival is more commonly referred to as Lughnasadh, named after the god Lugh. It is one of the four major Gaelic seasonal festivals, alongside Samhain, Imbolc, and Beltane. Lughnasadh was not only a time for harvest but also a period for legal transactions and resolutions, marriages, and renewing community ties.

Customs and Celebrations

Traditional Lammas celebrations include the baking of Lammas bread from the first grains of the harvest, which is then shared in a communal meal. Other customs include handfasting ceremonies, fairs, and markets. In some regions, it was customary to create corn dolls, which represented the spirit of the harvest. These dolls were kept until the following spring to ensure a bountiful crop the next year.

Folklore and mythology play a significant role in Lammas traditions, with tales of Lugh's exploits and the symbolic representation of the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. The festival is also a time for pagans and Wiccans to perform rituals that honor the abundance of the earth and the cycle of the seasons.

Modern Celebrations

Today, Lammas is celebrated by various groups, including those who follow neopagan and Wiccan paths, as well as by people who wish to honor their Celtic heritage. Modern celebrations often include rituals, crafting, and feasting, with an emphasis on local and seasonal foods. Many people also use the occasion to reflect on their personal achievements and the fruits of their labor, both literally and metaphorically.

Significance

Lammas is a time to acknowledge the importance of the harvest and the necessity of preparing for the coming winter months. It serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of all life and the cycles of nature. The festival encourages gratitude for the abundance of the earth and recognition of the need to share resources and support one another.

See Also

• Harvest festival
• Celtic polytheism
• Wheel of the Year
• Seasonal festivals