In Keeping with my Lammas/Lughnasadh theme I wanted to share with you today a Harvest ritual which is used to honour the harvest and the grain that comes from the harvest.
note* You may have noticed I use both Lammas and Lughnasadh for describing this festival, there is a difference between the two, If you celebrate Lughnasadh you are a worshipper of Lugh, if you celebrate Lammas then you can use any harvest deity that you desire.
Grain is one of the main symbols of Lammas, and marks the beginning of the harvest season in many societies. When the grain is threshed and milled and the bread has been backed and consumed then it is time to honour the spirits and the Grain Gods in giving thanks for a bountiful harvest.
Below is a ritual which celebrates the harvest and the sacrifices made each year. It also celebrates the sacrifice of the grain god. To begin this ritual first decorate your altar with symbols of the season (Sickles, Scythes, Ivy, Grapes, Corn, Poppies, Dried Grain, Early Autumn foods, ect).
Ritual of the Harvest
Items you require…
~Loaf of Lammas Bread
~Chalice of water (wine if you want the ritual to be traditional)
~Peices of straw or plant material (enough for each person attending the ritual to make a small doll)
~Fire ( if you are doing the ritual outside, a bonfire works, If you have a wood burning fireplace you can use that, just be careful and exercise all fire safety)
~String
1. Set up your items in your altar and make sure the fire is burning and does not need tending.
2. If you tradition calls for it cast a circle now.
3. If you are doing the ritual solo you shall play the role of the high priest/priestess, if you are doing the ritual in a group assign rolls before you begin the ritual, or if you are in a coven and have a designated high priest and priestess then that works too.
The High Priestess Speaks.
“It is the time of year when the harvest is upon us.
the season is life, growth, death and rebirths.
They have all come full circle once again
The harvest god have died once more
so that we may eat and consume him
and provide us with strength and abundance in the months to follow”
4. The High priestess then goes to each member handing them each a sheaf of straw.
The High Priestess speaks…
“Let us now create dolls in our image
A representation of our selves, who we are,
our many sides and aspects.
and all the things that we leave behind this year.
All we let go and release
so that we may thrive and flourish
always growing in the coming months ahead”
5. Everyone then creates a doll to represent themselves. As you are creating your doll visualize yourself and energize the doll with your personal energies and qualities about yourself. Fill the doll with your essence. Also fill the doll with things you wish you leave behind, behaviours, hurt, negative emotions. Fill it all with the doll. This is the essence that is to be sacrificed so that you may be reborn as the harvest god is each year.
When the dolls are all completed the High Priestess speaks..
“The grain god is dying
the crops are ready for harvest
the vegetations returns to Mother Earth
tonight we call upon the gods of the Harvest
and ask for their blessings
Tammuz and Lugh,
Adonis, Dumuzi,
Cernunnos and Attis,
Mercury, Osiris.
For each year you are born
live in the fields
and are sacrificed during this cycle”
6. Now raise the energy of the ritual. Everyone is attendance will circle the fire (or the altar) three times in a counter clockwise directions. Start off walking slowing and pick up speed to build the energy. (You are moving in a counterclockwise directions because it is against the patterns of the sun).
Note* One thins that can be done to increase the energy of the ritual os to chant. Here are some popular ones..
Hoof and horn, hoof and horn,
all that dies shall be reborn.
Corn and grain, corn and grain,
all that falls shall rise again.
or:
Earth my body,
water my blood,
air my breath and
fire my spirit.
There are many ways you and your group can increase the energy of the ritual, you can sing the chants, or sing your own chant, be creative use your imagination.
7. Once you have circled the fire/altar and raised the energy each person in the group will approach the fire one at a time. They will then cast their doll into the fire. They can speak out loud what it is they will sacrifice this year or they can say it to themselves an the gods. The rest of the group stands in a circle around the fire as each person casts their doll in, directing all energies towards the flames.
8. When everyone has made their sacrifice the High Priestess holds up the Lammas bread and speaks..
“In the spring we planted seeds
nurtured them and watched them blossom on the summer
we tended the fields
and now we reap what we sow
and are blessed with abundance.
The harvest is here
We give thanks to the loss of the harvest
For the gifts have yet to come
We eat this bread
grain, transformed by fire, in your name
We honour you and the sacrifices that you made.”
9. The High Priestess them breaks off a piece of bread for herself and passes it around the circle to everyone. Everyone eats the bread then passes around the chalice of water/wine. If you wish as the cup is passed you can say something like.
“May you reap the blessings g the harvest”
10. When everyone has had their bread and drank from the chalice, take a moment to stand in silence, and reflect upon the year and what you have harvested for yourself this season. Think about all you have tended to over the year, and watched grow and the rewards that you have reaped from your time and efforts. It could be anything not just crops, but a business, a project, anything that you have put your time into and nurtured. Think about the abundance that has come from it and how you can carry that forward.
11. When the Ritual is completed, end it as you normally would, and move on to your after Ritual Celebration. A lot of Pagan have a Cakes and Ale Ceremony, but you can do whatever you desire.
Happy Castings!
Akelta
